Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00602
To ADVERTISERS . r T HE Circulation of THE FREEMASON being - * - now at the rate of nearly Half-a-million per annum , } t offers peculiar facilities to all who advertise . It is well known that the Fraternity of Freemasons is a large and constantly increasing body , mainly composed of the influential and educated classes of society ; and as The Freemason is now the accepted organ ofthe Brotherhood in the United Kingdom , and also enjoys an extensive sale in the colonies and foreign parts , its advantages as an advertising medium can scarcely be overrated . For terms apply to GEORGE KENNING , 198 , FLEET STREET , LONDON , E . C .
Ar00606
NOTICE . 0 The Subscription to THE FREEMASON is now io . * " * . per annum , post-free , payable ill advance . Vol . I ., bound in cloth 4 s . 6 d . Vol . II ., ditto 7 s . 6 d . Vol . III ., ditto 15 s . od . Reading Cases to hold 52 numbers ... 2 s . 6 d . "United States of America . THE FREEMASON is delivered free in any part of the United States for 12 s . per annum , payable in advance .
Ar00605
NOTICE "TO SUBSCRIBERS . The Office ofTHE FREEMASON is nan transferred io 19 S , FLEET STREET , E . C . All communications for the Editor or Publificr should therefore be forwarded to that address .
Ar00604
fj ix-tjjs , UTavriugcs , unb gcatljs . —*—DEA TIL KLEIN . —On the 6 th instant , at No . 47 , Princes-street , Leicester , in the S ^ th year of Usage , liro . John Frederick Klein , of Dtisseldorf , and formerly of Finsburvsquare , London ; a P . M . of ihe F . mul . uion LoJ « e , 21 , a Past Grand Steward , & c . All communications for Tint FKKKMASON should be 'vritten letsibl ) on one side of tin : paper only , nnd , if intended tor iusertiun iu the current number , must be received not later than io o ' clock a . m . on Thursdays , unlcw in very " . pedal cases . The name and address of every writer must be sent to us in confidence .
Ar00603
TheFreemason, SATURDAY , NOVKMUKR rS , 1 S 71 . THB FHKKMASON is published on Saturday Mornings iiit ' m : ibr the early trains . The price of Tins FRUISMASON i * Twopence per week ; annual subscription , IOS . ( payable in advance ) . All conir . iunicatioiis , letters , Sc , to be addressed to the EUITOR B 9 S , Fleet-street , K . C . The Editor will pay careful attention to all MSS . entrusted to him but cannot undertake to return them unless accompanied by posture stamps .
Masonic Historians. No. Iv.
MASONIC HISTORIANS . No . IV .
FREDERICK DALCHO , M . D .
THE following is the title-page of the volume from which we have made quotations in evidence of the character of Dr . Dalcho ' s works : " Orations of thc
Illustrious Brother Frederick Dalcho , Fsq ., M . D . Reprinted by permission of the author , under thc sanction of the 111 . the College of
Knights K . I I . and thc original Chapter of Prince Masons of Ireland . Dublin : Printed by John King , Westmoreland-street , 180 S "
Masonic Historians. No. Iv.
( pages iv ., 33 , and 103 ; title-page copperplate engraving ) . The first of these orations was delivered by Dr . Dalcho in the " Sublime Grand Lodge of South Carolina ,
in Charleston , on the 21 st March , A . D . 1803 , before the- members of that lodge , the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , and a considerable number
of visiting brethren . " The author was an Inspector-General under the " Ancient and Accepted Rite , " and was favourably known
early in this century as a defender and supporter ofthe Hautes Grades , and the second was addressed to the same body subsequently . An appendix is likewise inserted .
So much by way of explanation ! Now for the work itself . Thc author observes , " I am of opinion that the ancient Society of Free and Accepted Masons was never a body
of architects ; that is , they were not originally embodied for the purposes of building , but were associated for moral and religious purposes " ( p . 11 , part istj . It is
rather strange that the earliest documents known relating to the Craft connect the Fraternity with "building , " and all wc know . of historical Freemasonry induces us
to believe that the Society was founded for operative purposes , although , undoubtedly , they were also "associated for moral
and religious purposes , " as their charges abundantly prove .
In accordance with the fanciful notions on Freemasonry with which the author favoured his audience at Charleston , we are not surprised to find the following :
" 1 he term mason is derived from the Greek , and , literally , means a member of a religious sect . . . . The reason of thc term Free being prefixed is probably derived
from the Crusades , in which every man engaged in thc expedition must have been born free , and under no vassalage or subjection . The term Accepted is derived from
the indulgence granted by thc Pope to all those who would confess their sins and join in the enterprise for thc recovery of the Holy Land . . . . This subject is well
understood by those brethren who have received the 20 th degree " ( p . 12 ) . Wc can only add , if so , then save us from the degree , and from accepting such an origin for Freemasonry !
The learned doctor , when descanting on thc objects of Freemasonry , is more at home , and , evidently , is better suited to be a moral philosopher than a historian . He
says : " I o cultivate peace and goodwill towards men , to improve the general condition of mankind , and to worship the only
true and living God in fervency and truth , are among the indispensable obligations of Freemasons . " His advice to the Fraternity as respects their conduct , habits , pursuits ,
friendships , aims , and future life , is , indeed , valuable , and as he endeavours to promote everything that would tend to maintain the
"key-stone of our mystical fabric—charity , ' however much we may disagree with him respecting the origin of the Fraternity , wc will cheerfully acknowledge the purity of
Masonic Historians. No. Iv.
his motives , the power of his eloquence , and the excellence of his morality . He asks : " What sight can be more acceptable in the eyes of God , whom we adore—what object
more gratifying to the feelings of humanity —than an extensive society of benevolent men , established for the great purposes of relieving the distresses of their
fellowcreatures ; of softening the sorrows of the widowed heart , and of offering protection and support to the helpless orphan ; rocking in thc cradle of poverty and woe ; of
breaking asunder the iron bands of the prisoner , and cheering his sight with the blaze ofthe noontide sun ; of exchanging the cell of his loathsome dungeon for the possession of
liberty , that choicest blessing in heaven ' s gift ; and , in short , established for the purpose of confirming man in his .. worship of the Deity , and of offering , to the ripening
youth of our country , a living example of virtue , science , and benevolence . Such , my respectable brethren , are the purposes for which the societies of Freemasons were
founded , and such are the principles which should govern the professors of the mystic science . " He also observes , truly : " That our associations are not attended with the
happy advantages I have here described is attributable , not to thc profession , but to the professors . We have it in our power to become everything that is great and
good ; but , unfortunately , many , I fear , when their curiosity is gratified by initiation , think everything is attained , and give themselves no further concern than that of
procuring the decorations of thc Order . Pleased with the sounding title of Free and Accepted Mason , they neglect to study those sublime and important truths which
form its basis , and remain as ignorant of thc principles of the Order , and the derivation of thc symbols , as if they had never been initiated . " This was true in 1803 ,
and it is equally true uoiv . Dr . Dalcho declares , " the brethren of the three first degrees are called Blue Masons , from the colour of their decorations ; and Symbolic
Masons , from the persuasion that their mysteries arc , at this time , preparatory to the superior degrees . " The former statement is true , but thc latter is most
erroneous , as the three degrees were symbolic long before the institution of the " superior degrees . " After questioning some of the circumstances narrated in our lectures , and
exposing their error , as also recommending an alteration in the ritual , to secure uniformity in connection with accuracy , he remarks : " The road to truth , particularly
with subjects connected with antiquity , is generally choked with fable and error , which we must remove , by application and perseverance , before we can promise to
ourselves any satisfaction in our progress . Because a story has been related in one way for an hundred years past , is not , alone , sufficient to stamp it with truth ; it must
carry , on the face of it , thc appearance of probability , and if it is a subject which can bc tried by the evidence of authentic history , and by just reasoning from established
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00602
To ADVERTISERS . r T HE Circulation of THE FREEMASON being - * - now at the rate of nearly Half-a-million per annum , } t offers peculiar facilities to all who advertise . It is well known that the Fraternity of Freemasons is a large and constantly increasing body , mainly composed of the influential and educated classes of society ; and as The Freemason is now the accepted organ ofthe Brotherhood in the United Kingdom , and also enjoys an extensive sale in the colonies and foreign parts , its advantages as an advertising medium can scarcely be overrated . For terms apply to GEORGE KENNING , 198 , FLEET STREET , LONDON , E . C .
Ar00606
NOTICE . 0 The Subscription to THE FREEMASON is now io . * " * . per annum , post-free , payable ill advance . Vol . I ., bound in cloth 4 s . 6 d . Vol . II ., ditto 7 s . 6 d . Vol . III ., ditto 15 s . od . Reading Cases to hold 52 numbers ... 2 s . 6 d . "United States of America . THE FREEMASON is delivered free in any part of the United States for 12 s . per annum , payable in advance .
Ar00605
NOTICE "TO SUBSCRIBERS . The Office ofTHE FREEMASON is nan transferred io 19 S , FLEET STREET , E . C . All communications for the Editor or Publificr should therefore be forwarded to that address .
Ar00604
fj ix-tjjs , UTavriugcs , unb gcatljs . —*—DEA TIL KLEIN . —On the 6 th instant , at No . 47 , Princes-street , Leicester , in the S ^ th year of Usage , liro . John Frederick Klein , of Dtisseldorf , and formerly of Finsburvsquare , London ; a P . M . of ihe F . mul . uion LoJ « e , 21 , a Past Grand Steward , & c . All communications for Tint FKKKMASON should be 'vritten letsibl ) on one side of tin : paper only , nnd , if intended tor iusertiun iu the current number , must be received not later than io o ' clock a . m . on Thursdays , unlcw in very " . pedal cases . The name and address of every writer must be sent to us in confidence .
Ar00603
TheFreemason, SATURDAY , NOVKMUKR rS , 1 S 71 . THB FHKKMASON is published on Saturday Mornings iiit ' m : ibr the early trains . The price of Tins FRUISMASON i * Twopence per week ; annual subscription , IOS . ( payable in advance ) . All conir . iunicatioiis , letters , Sc , to be addressed to the EUITOR B 9 S , Fleet-street , K . C . The Editor will pay careful attention to all MSS . entrusted to him but cannot undertake to return them unless accompanied by posture stamps .
Masonic Historians. No. Iv.
MASONIC HISTORIANS . No . IV .
FREDERICK DALCHO , M . D .
THE following is the title-page of the volume from which we have made quotations in evidence of the character of Dr . Dalcho ' s works : " Orations of thc
Illustrious Brother Frederick Dalcho , Fsq ., M . D . Reprinted by permission of the author , under thc sanction of the 111 . the College of
Knights K . I I . and thc original Chapter of Prince Masons of Ireland . Dublin : Printed by John King , Westmoreland-street , 180 S "
Masonic Historians. No. Iv.
( pages iv ., 33 , and 103 ; title-page copperplate engraving ) . The first of these orations was delivered by Dr . Dalcho in the " Sublime Grand Lodge of South Carolina ,
in Charleston , on the 21 st March , A . D . 1803 , before the- members of that lodge , the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , and a considerable number
of visiting brethren . " The author was an Inspector-General under the " Ancient and Accepted Rite , " and was favourably known
early in this century as a defender and supporter ofthe Hautes Grades , and the second was addressed to the same body subsequently . An appendix is likewise inserted .
So much by way of explanation ! Now for the work itself . Thc author observes , " I am of opinion that the ancient Society of Free and Accepted Masons was never a body
of architects ; that is , they were not originally embodied for the purposes of building , but were associated for moral and religious purposes " ( p . 11 , part istj . It is
rather strange that the earliest documents known relating to the Craft connect the Fraternity with "building , " and all wc know . of historical Freemasonry induces us
to believe that the Society was founded for operative purposes , although , undoubtedly , they were also "associated for moral
and religious purposes , " as their charges abundantly prove .
In accordance with the fanciful notions on Freemasonry with which the author favoured his audience at Charleston , we are not surprised to find the following :
" 1 he term mason is derived from the Greek , and , literally , means a member of a religious sect . . . . The reason of thc term Free being prefixed is probably derived
from the Crusades , in which every man engaged in thc expedition must have been born free , and under no vassalage or subjection . The term Accepted is derived from
the indulgence granted by thc Pope to all those who would confess their sins and join in the enterprise for thc recovery of the Holy Land . . . . This subject is well
understood by those brethren who have received the 20 th degree " ( p . 12 ) . Wc can only add , if so , then save us from the degree , and from accepting such an origin for Freemasonry !
The learned doctor , when descanting on thc objects of Freemasonry , is more at home , and , evidently , is better suited to be a moral philosopher than a historian . He
says : " I o cultivate peace and goodwill towards men , to improve the general condition of mankind , and to worship the only
true and living God in fervency and truth , are among the indispensable obligations of Freemasons . " His advice to the Fraternity as respects their conduct , habits , pursuits ,
friendships , aims , and future life , is , indeed , valuable , and as he endeavours to promote everything that would tend to maintain the
"key-stone of our mystical fabric—charity , ' however much we may disagree with him respecting the origin of the Fraternity , wc will cheerfully acknowledge the purity of
Masonic Historians. No. Iv.
his motives , the power of his eloquence , and the excellence of his morality . He asks : " What sight can be more acceptable in the eyes of God , whom we adore—what object
more gratifying to the feelings of humanity —than an extensive society of benevolent men , established for the great purposes of relieving the distresses of their
fellowcreatures ; of softening the sorrows of the widowed heart , and of offering protection and support to the helpless orphan ; rocking in thc cradle of poverty and woe ; of
breaking asunder the iron bands of the prisoner , and cheering his sight with the blaze ofthe noontide sun ; of exchanging the cell of his loathsome dungeon for the possession of
liberty , that choicest blessing in heaven ' s gift ; and , in short , established for the purpose of confirming man in his .. worship of the Deity , and of offering , to the ripening
youth of our country , a living example of virtue , science , and benevolence . Such , my respectable brethren , are the purposes for which the societies of Freemasons were
founded , and such are the principles which should govern the professors of the mystic science . " He also observes , truly : " That our associations are not attended with the
happy advantages I have here described is attributable , not to thc profession , but to the professors . We have it in our power to become everything that is great and
good ; but , unfortunately , many , I fear , when their curiosity is gratified by initiation , think everything is attained , and give themselves no further concern than that of
procuring the decorations of thc Order . Pleased with the sounding title of Free and Accepted Mason , they neglect to study those sublime and important truths which
form its basis , and remain as ignorant of thc principles of the Order , and the derivation of thc symbols , as if they had never been initiated . " This was true in 1803 ,
and it is equally true uoiv . Dr . Dalcho declares , " the brethren of the three first degrees are called Blue Masons , from the colour of their decorations ; and Symbolic
Masons , from the persuasion that their mysteries arc , at this time , preparatory to the superior degrees . " The former statement is true , but thc latter is most
erroneous , as the three degrees were symbolic long before the institution of the " superior degrees . " After questioning some of the circumstances narrated in our lectures , and
exposing their error , as also recommending an alteration in the ritual , to secure uniformity in connection with accuracy , he remarks : " The road to truth , particularly
with subjects connected with antiquity , is generally choked with fable and error , which we must remove , by application and perseverance , before we can promise to
ourselves any satisfaction in our progress . Because a story has been related in one way for an hundred years past , is not , alone , sufficient to stamp it with truth ; it must
carry , on the face of it , thc appearance of probability , and if it is a subject which can bc tried by the evidence of authentic history , and by just reasoning from established