Jottings From Masonic Journals.

Critics like Dr . Epstein and 'Pygmalion , '" continues Mr . C ., " would seem to be quite unaware of the fact , that to confer the title of father on a revered teacher or on a favourite at court was a common thing among the Hebrews , and that Hiram had attained to this honour or dignity at the court of Solomon . " In reply , I know not how it is with "Pygmalion , " but I know Dr . Epstein

has known . the Biblico-Hebraic use of "father , " in all its meanings , ever since he came to know how to read airy language . And he would , therefore , refer Mr . C . again to the very passages he quotes in his second question , and he will not fail to see that the honorary title father , is mentioned by either him who conferred the title , or by the conferee who received it , but never by an historian as a

third party , as would have been done in the case of Hiram the superintendent , or whatever office he had . AA e find nowhere Solomon calling him " father . " To my own and other minds it ' seems plain and simple that two Hirams aided Solomon in the construction of the Temple—one , Hiram , king of Tyre ; the other , one of his subjects , by name Hiram Abiv , as Masons call him . If Mr . C . still

chooses to abide by the versions and explain " and his father , " "of my father , " and "his father , " as best he can , I can simply say : "Degustibus non est disputandum . " Minor points of Mr . C . ' s criticism of my using , as he says " capriciously , " Abiv ot Aviv , or his own preferred reading Abicu , I have no time to enter upon . In a word , I read and write Hebrew without points , and speak it too ,

to my heart s content , whenever I have a chance . Mr . C . closes with the following : "If there could be any doubt about what was meant by the conferring of this title , father , by the Hebrews , it is made clear by comparing Gen . xlv . 8 , ' He hath made me a father to Pharaoh , ' with Chron . xii . 41-44 . " There is a misprint somewhere here , which I cannot unravel . I hope Mr . C . will let me learn what he meant . "But , " Mr . C .

concludes , "I imagine that there will be no doubt in the minds ofthe majority of your readers . " Are the majority of the readers of the London FREEMASON competent Hebrew scholars ? If so , and they prefer Mr . C . ' s views , I can still say nothing else than " De gustibus non est dispiilandiiiu . But I submit , were it not better lo abide by the opinion of some competent Hebrew scholar in or outside of our Craft . There are not a few of them in England

I have but little time left for AV . P . B . He says ( FREEMASON , May 7 , 1870 , p . 225 ) , referring to the more critical Masonic acumen of thc present day : "Hence the Masonic liijlit which Bro . Epstein speaks of so highly we now find Masonic ignorance . " Truly AV . P . B . is not an 7-gotist , but considerably of a tiv-gotist . He has yet to show me my Masonic ignorance , in the question under consideration .

Any interpretation that clears up an obscure passage in that interesting ancient book , the Bible , is light to me and many others . Again , the same AV . P . B . asks : "Where Bro . Epstein was able to examine 'the original' Hebrew ?' Answer : In his own study , and elsewhere . "But , " says AV . P . B ., "I was not aware there was an ' original ' M . S . of thc hooks of Kings and Chronicles in existence . "

Sorry he is not . I read the books of Kings and Chronicles in M . S . in the original Hebrew when I was a boy ; they were written especially for my father . AV . P . B . ' s tirade against Solomon smacks very much of the modern pharasaic positivist , and lhat is enough . AV . P . B . confesses to being puzzled about , "did Huram his father make to King Solomon , " 2 Chron . iv . 16 , and

suggests a possible mistake of a copyist , who substituted "his father" for "worker in brass , or something similar . " Truly , there is brass in that . But AA . P . B . suggests again , that "the Huram here alluded to is Hiram thc king , who was so fatherly to Solomon , and the words here would simply show that the contract was finished by the

king and Hiram the artist , who , for anything we know to the contrary , returned to his own country" I Well , in response to this , I can suggest to AA ' . P . B . nothing better than " Shoo , fly ! don ' t bodder me !" Yours truly and fraternally , DR . ErsTEiN . Cincinnati , June 13 , 1870 .

were for the relief of such as were afflicted with St . Anthony ' s fire . Although in the exercise of charity wc neither regard country nor religion , yet we consider it both necessary and prudent to initiate none into our mysteries , except those who profess thc Christian religion . — Charter of Cologne .

erected J ' S BROTHERS . —Before the year 1440 , thc Masonic Society was know by the name of John ' s Brothers , but they then began to be called Free and Accepted Masons , at which time in some parts of Flanders , by the assistance and riches ofthe Brotherhood , the first hospitals

IMPEACHMENT . —In 1842 a singular case occurred at New York , in which the rights and privileges of a Master of a lodge were placed in jeopardy , by the action of his lodge . After the lodge was opeiicd , Ihe Master had occasion to be absent for a short lime , leaving the Senior AVarden in the chair . On his return , he found that charges had been preferred against himself , and a

commilleec appointed lo try him ; and the Senior AVarden refused to return into his hands the warrant and mallet of the lodge . Complaint being made lo the Grand Master b y the Master , he directed the Grand Secretary to inform 'he Senior AVarden that it was his direction that he should forthwith return the warrant to thc hands of the Master , "Hd that the action of the lodge on that case must bc suspended , and thc members hold themselves in readiness to

"ijimtam their charges before the Grand Stewards' Lodge , which was all promptly complied with by thc parlies . I he ground of this decision was , that Ihe Master of a fod ge is only subject to impeachment and trial before his Peers , who are acquainted with his duties , but which ' . he members of a lodge cannot know , until they arc themselves seated in the oriental chair .

Poetry.

Poetry .

¦;* >> . ¦ •.. * *• . •,. ' : ; ,.- . —¦ » ••¦ . - , i . ¦; : ' T-V' ^ ^ EURQ ^ ; , The ReS-ISte *"*^ . '" * .. Is . stainedj * . wjth ^ b ^ p' ^^^ fepf ( j "' ' ;' . ' ' ; -4 . '¦ i / : ' .- ;\ *' . How many a ^ ous-ifld ^ Bfa ^^ jfre ' slain ¦ '¦•v . il '* ' " * In the ; inidst :: oft ;* tJ * ie bStttbf'io ^ r !¦/" ' •; . ' .. "' ysfe * How many a wi ^^^ ido ^ itniade ! ~ *'* i How many or ' pg ^ sj ' ra'p . u ^' c . i ;^* . ' For fathers-who * hij \ y . iojy ^* e' 3 . ai ( i , While they are ^ eft forlpni .-. ' '

Ambition ' s curse ! false honour's fame ! With desolating tread , Thousands of men—all for a name !—Have number'd with the dead . Cities and villages , vineyards fair , Are trampled o'er with blood ; And hideous heaps of ruin stare Where smiling plenty stood .

The time has come when baneful war Should nowhere more be found , And no blood-shedding , near or far , Should desecrate the ground . But glorious peace and harmony Should o ' er all Europe reign ,

And the nations live in amity From Ural to the main . CYBI . Holyhead , Sept . 13 , 1870 . * The seat of the present war forms a . part of the great ¦> lain of Europe . + * . * ..

MUSIC IN THE LODGE .

Then , let us praise our God , io \ He , The Architect Divine , Is known by all His wondrous works That do His glory hymn .

Through all the universe He speaks—" Behold the sun by da }' , At night the moon and stars shine out A glorious display .

Also in meaner things He shows His love to all mankind : In fruit , and flowers that deck the field , And food of ev ' ry kind . Yea , every blade of grass receives The nourishment it needs , And lifts its head in thanks to God , Who such as it e ' en feeds .

Shall man alone of all His works Refuse to thank and praise ? Nay , Lord ! to Thee , Thy love and pow ' r , AA ' e will our anthem raise . W . P . B .

Ar01103

Wc have received the following circular , announcing the death of a " great man in Israel " : —

GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF THE U . S . OF AMERICA . From the Grand Master of Templars , to our Right Em i •lent & = Eminent Commanders of the Tem fie , and fo all true and courteous Knights throughout our jurisdiction : The Illustrious Knight ancl accomplished gentleman , our Past Grand Master ,

Sir BENJAMIN BROWN FRENCH , expired at Washington , in thc district of Columbia , this twelfth day of August current . His life has been renowned by his unswerving attachment to the Ancient and Honorable Society of Freemasonry in all its departments and grades .

During a period of six years he presided with distinguished ability over the Templars of the United States of America , and with rare knightly courtesy he adorned thc high position of Grand Master . Honored by his brethren , respected by his Companions , loved by all his Fratres , he passed through

years of activity into the quiet serenity of a green old age . His knightly sword , without a stain or tarnish upon its bright surface , has been returned to its scabbard , there for ever to rest . To honor the memory of onr departed Kni ght and Past Grand Master , this order will be read at the

head of the lines ( the Knights being formed in due array ) in all our Grand and subordinate Commanderies at the Conclave or Assembly held next after thc reception hereof , ancl our officers * of the Grand Encampment ancl of our Grand Coliimandcries , and commanders of subordinate Commanderies will wear crape at thc hilt of their swords for six

months from the date hereof . Banners will also bc trimmed with crape during the same time . Given at Boston this twelfth day of August , in thc year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy . AVILLIAM SEWELL GARDNER , Grand Master . J D . CALDWELL , Grand Recorder .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the Week ending September 24 , 1870 . MONDAY , SEPT . 19 . Lodge 720 , Panmure , Halham Hotel , Balham . ! *> . T . J ) 9 0 I > City of London , Guildhall Coffee House . ¦ . Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway Tavern "* fe-. Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . ,

"Wellington Lodge of Instruction , "White . Swan Tavern , -, / " Deptford , at 8 . ; . * .- "¦' Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavern , Haverstock-hill , at 8 ; Brp .: * T |; A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodge of Instm * C $ 0 ^ j ( fs ) , , Royal Hotel , Mileend-road , at 7 . 30 , B | K' ^; : Gottheil , Preceptor / . . British Oak Lodge of IlJpWtion , Bank of Friendship Tavern , Mile End , aC ? 7 for S . . *>¦ ' A

TUESDAY , SEPT . 20 . y ; ""* $ , Board of General Purposes , Freemasons' Hall ; . . at 3 . * * - ' - Lodge 73 , Mount Lebanon , Bridge Houie , Hotel Southwark . „ 95 , Eastern Star , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-st . >> 43 S > Salisbui * y , 71 , Dean-street , Soho .

,, 704 , Camden , \ 5 York and Albany , Regent s-park . ,, S 57 , St . Mark ' sj Horns Tavern , Kennington . Chap . 19 , Mount Sinai , Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street . ,, 186 , Industry , Freemasons' Hall . Metropolitan Chapter of Instruction , Portugal Hotel , Fleet-street , at 7 ; Comp . Brett , Preceptor .

Domatie Lodge of Instruction , Palmerston Tav ., Grosvenorpark , Camberwell , at 7 . 30 . Royal Union Lodge of Instruction ( 382 ) , Hotel de Cologne , 60 and 61 , Haymarket , at 8 ; Bro . T . AAdams , Preceptor . Faith Lodge of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway , Victoria

Station , at 8 ; Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , Preceptor . Yarborough Lodge of Instruction , Green Dragon , Stepney , at S ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Prince Fredk . AVilliam Lodge of Instnietion ( 753 ) Knights of St . John ' s Tavern , St . John ' s-wood ; Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Prestonian Club of Instruction ( for M . M . 's only ) , Lyceum Tavern , Strand .

WEDNESDAY , SEPT . 21 . Lodge of Benevolence , at 7 precisely . Lodge 700 , Nelson , Masonic Hall , AVoolwich . Chap . 10 , Westminster & Keystone , Freemasons' Hall . Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange , Greenwich , at 8 ; J . Robt . Nash , Preceptor . United Strength Lodge of Instnietion ( 22 S ) , Bull & Gate ,

Kentish ! own-roadpat 8 ; Bro . J . N . Frost , Preceptor . Israel Lodge of Instnietion , Rising Sun Tavern , Globeroad , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Strong Man Lodge of Instruction , The Grapes Tavem , Duke-street , Manchester-square , at 8 ; Bro . T . A ^ Adams , P . G . P ., Preceptor . New Concord Lodge of Instruction , Rosemary Branch

Tavern , Hoxton , at 8 . Sydney Lodge of Instruction ( 829 ) , Cambridge Hotel , Upper Norwood , at 7 . 30 . Peckham Lodge of Instruction , Maisinore Arms , Parkroad , Peckham ; Bro . David Rose , Preceptor . Temperance in the East Lodge of Instruction , George the Fourth , Catherine-street , Poplar .

THURSDAA ' , SEPT . 22 . House Committee Girls' School , at 4 . Lodge 65 , Prosperity , Guildhall Coffee House , Greshamstreet . ,, 766 , AVilliam Preston , Clarendon Hotel , Anerley . ,, 1056 , Victoria , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . Fidelity Lodge of Instruction ( 3 ) , Goat and Compasses , Euston-road , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor .

Finsbury Club of Instruction , Jolly Anglers' Tavern , 42 , Bath-street , City-road . United Mariners' Lodge of Instruction , Three Cranes , Mile-end-road , at 8 ; Bro . T . J . Barnes , Preceptor . St . George's Lodge of Instruction ( 140 ) , Globe Tavern , Royal Hill , Greenwich , at 8 . Burdett Coutts Lodge of Instruction ( 127 S ) , Approach Tavem , Approach-road , Victoria-park , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Tohn Saunders , Preceptor .

FRIDAY , SEPT . 23 . House Committee , Boys' School . Lodge 780 , Royal Alfred , Star and Garter , Kew . Stability Lodge of Instruction , Guildhall Tavern , 33 , Gresham-st ., al 6 ; Bro . Henry Muggeridge , Preceptor . St . Luke ' s Lodge of Instruction ( 144 ) , Pier Htl ., Chelsea . Unions Emulation Lodge of Improvement for M . M . ' s ,

Freemasons Hall , at 7 . Domatie Chapter of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway , Victoria Station , at 8 ; Comp . Cottebrune , Preceptor . Pythagorean Chapter of Instruction ( No . 79 ) , Prince of Orange , Greenwich-road , at S ; Comp . AV . AVest Smith , Preceptor . Metropolitan Lodge of Instnietion , Portugal Htl .,

Fleetstreet , at 7 ; Bro . Brett , Preceptor . United Pilgrims' Loilge of Instruction , Duke of Edinburgh , Shephcrd's-lanc , Brixton . Belgrave Lodge of Instruction , Duke of Wellington Htl ., Spring-gardens , Charing-cross ; Br . Pulsford , Preceptor Doric Lodge of Instrnction , Three Cranes Tavern , Mile end-road , at 8 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor .

Duke of Edinburgh Lodge of Instruction , Silver Lion , Penny-fields , Poplar , at 7 ; Br . D . S . Potts , Preceptor . Temperance Lodge of Instruction , A'ictoria Tav ., Victoriaroad , Deptford , at 8 . Charterhouse Club of Instruction , Hat and Feathers Tavern , 25 , Goswell-road , at 8 ; Bro . J . "Mather , P . M . 05 , Preceptor .

SATURDAY , SEPT . 24 . Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1275 ) , Marquis of . Granby , New Cross-road , at 7 .