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  • Feb. 19, 1881
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  • THE ALLIED DEGREES OF ENGLAND AND WALES.
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The Freemason, Feb. 19, 1881: Page 2

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    Article FREEMASONRY IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND HUNTS. ← Page 2 of 2
    Article THE ALLIED DEGREES OF ENGLAND AND WALES. Page 1 of 1
    Article GRAND LODGE OF NEW JERSEY. Page 1 of 1
    Article ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE. Page 1 of 1
    Article ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE. Page 1 of 1
    Article WOMEN AND MASONRY. Page 1 of 2 →
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Freemasonry In Northamptonshire And Hunts.

three years , the number of lodges had been exactly tripled , must be regarded as justifiable . However , in 1 S 52 , was established , ' in Thrapstone , the Chichester , No . 607 . The year 1 S 58 witnessed the birth of the Wentworth Lodge , No . 737 , Wellingborough , and then again there would appear to have becn a further period of contentment . At all events , an interval of twenty years passed without the addit ion of any new lodges to the roll , nor was it till the year 1 S 7 S that the

brethren in Northampton , being well assured of the security of their position , obtained a warrant of constitution for a new lodge , bearing the style and title of the Eleanor Cross Lodge , No . 1764 , of Northampton . Thus there are in all nine lodges in the province , three of which , namely , No . 360 , of Northampton , No . 442 , of Peterborough , and No . 466 , of Stamford , have Royal Arch Chapters attached to them . Royal Arch Masonry , however , has not

apparently developed itself in sufficient strength to be thought worthy of having assigned to it a provincial organisation . There is a P . G . Loilgc , but not a P . G . Chapter . The present Grand Master , or rather , as we believe we shall be most correct in describing him , the recentlyresigned P . G . Master , the Duke of Manchester , has , during a presidency of some seventeen years , carefully watched over the interests of the Craft in the province committed to his care . He has , too , on occasions , taken the leading part

at our Charitable festivals , and the province has liberally supported him in his efforts to promote the welfare of our Institutions . As regards his grace , this is not very surprising , for one of his ancestors who flourished during last century for some time guided the destinies of the whole Craft , nor will the knowledge that his grace ' s deputy is Bro . Butler Wilkins . Can it be matter for wonder that the brethren of Northamptonshire and Hunts should have exhibited a zeal and activity which is to be highly commended ? We trust this fortunate state of things will continue .

The Allied Degrees Of England And Wales.

THE ALLIED DEGREES OF ENGLAND AND WALES .

At a meeting of the Great Orme Council , No . 5 , held at the Freemasons' Hall , Llandudno , North Wales , on the 9 th inst ., Bro . Capt . Hunter , P . P . G . M . of Aberdeenshire East , and Grand Representative of Greece , Secretary 32 ° , & c ., & c , in the chair of W . M .

The council being opened he admitted the following brethren into the Degrees of St . Laurence the Martyr , and afterwards to Knights of Constantinople : W . Bros . Geo . L . Woodley , P . M . 755 , P . P . G . D . North Wales and Salop ; R . S . Chamberlain , P . M . 755 ; Thos . Davies , I . P . M . 755 ; Thos . Pike , P . M . 755 ; Bros . J . T . Purvis , S . W . 755 ; G . F . Felton , Onranist 7 . **** ; P . M . Evans , Jun . Steward

755 . Through the absence of the V . W . Bro . Major Tudor , P . G . M . elect for Staffordshire , and V . W . Bro . Wm Bulkeley Hughes , M . P ., Deputy P . G . M . of North Wales and Salop , Bro . Major Gordon Warren , P . M . 1575 , and others who were to have taken the Degrees , the VV . M . did not confer ashe had intended on the Royal Arch companions the Orders of High Priest and the Red Cross of Babylon ,

as he desired that all the companions should take all the Degrees if possible together . - A hearty vote of thanks was proposed by VV . Bro . CHAMBERLAIN , and seconded by W . Bro . T . DAVIES , I . P . M . 755 , to XV . Bro . Captain Hunter for having obtained a warrant from England to work the Degrees , and the pleasure it gave the brethren in participating in the many Masonic Orders , namely , the Mark Degree , the Allied

Degrees , and Royal Ark Mariner , which were not known in Wales until Captain Hunter introduced them , and took an active interest in their workings . There being no further business the council was closed , after which the brethren dined together at the Imperial Hotel , where the usual Royal and Masonic toasts were honoured . The brethren afterwards separated before the departure of the last train from Llandudno , well pleased with the evening which had been spent .

Grand Lodge Of New Jersey.

GRAND LODGE OF NEW JERSEY .

The ninety-fourth Annual Communication of the M . W . Grand Lodge of New Jersey was held at Trenton recently . It was a very harmonious session , and very largely attended . The address of M . W . Bro . Hamilton Wallis , Grand

Master , was an able and interesting production , worthy of its scholarly author . One new lodge—Mariners , No . 150 , ' at Barnegat—was warranted . The bye laws were amended so as to constitute three new districts , for which districts Deputy Grand Masters will be appointed . The following are the Grand Officers for the ensuing

year : Bro . Joseph Martin , 27 M . W . G . M . „ William Hardacre , 15 R . W . D . G . M .

„ Rev . Henry Vehslage , 10 R . W . S . G . W . „ Joseph VV . Congdon , SS R . VV . ] . G . W . „ Charles Bcchtel , 5 . . * . R . VV . G . Treas . „ loseph II . Hough , 7 G R . VV . G . Sec . ,, T . H . R . Redw _ y , 19 R . W . D . G . Sec .

,, Rev . Gustavus M . Murray , ... R . VV . G . Chap . „ John Whittaker , 12 G W . G . S . D . „ Thomas E . Cooper , 87 W . G . J . D . „ Charles Russ , 33 W . G . Marsh . „ Charles H . Brinkcrhoff , 39 ... W . S . G . Stwd . „ Albert F . Randolph , 2 VV . J . G . Stwd . „ Thomas Cook , 9 W . G . Swd . Br .

„ George W . Fortmeycr , 124 ... W . G . Purs . „ Heber Wells , 80 R . VV . G . Instr . „ Amos Howell , 5 G . Tyler . Of these ofiicers , VV . Bro . John Whittaker , Senior Grand Deacon , will be recognised by some of our Philadelphia brethren as a former member of the Franklin Lodge , No . 134 , Philadelphia ; and Bro . Murray , the Grand Chaplain , was also formerly a Philadelphian . The thanks of the Grand Lodge were voted to the retiring

Grand Master , who declined a re-election , and a committee , consisting of Past Grand Master Bros . Marshall B . Smith , William A . Pcmbrook , and William E . Pine , was appointed to prepare and present to him a Past Grand Master's jewel , in the name of the Grand Lodge . Our old Grand Lodge is approaching hcr hundredth year , and when that time comes our brethren of the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania will , no doubt , be fraternally remembered . —Keystone , Philadelphia .

Ancient And Accepted Scottish Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE .

We have received the following from America : Many inquiries reaching us as to the so called " Cerneau Council" now pretending to confer the Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in this city ancl elsewhere , we deem it a duty to give briefly the actual facts in

the case , so that if henceforward any of our brethren arc led astray by the officers and members of this clandestine organisation , it will be due to perversity and not ignorance , and by preserving this letter you will , as occasion requires , be able to refresh your memories . The earliest Supreme Council Thirty-Third _ Degree is that now governing the Rite in the Southern Jurisdiction of

the United States , with its See at Charleston , S . C , organised in 1 S 01 . The next in order of date was thc Cerneau Council , organised by Joseph Cerneau in 1 S 07 , and third the De La Motta Council , organised in 1 S 13 . These organisations existed with varying fortunes until the event of the anti-Masonic excitement in 1 S 26 , when

they all became dormant . The first to revive was the Cerneau Council , in 1 S 43 , then followed the Gourgas Council , in 1 S 4 S , having its See in New York City , but removing to Boston in 1 S 51 or 1 S 52 , then known as the Gourgas Council there . In 1 S 60 the Gourgas Council became divided . It was then called the Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction .

Tlie division created two Supreme Councils , viz .: one known as the Raymond , the other as the Gourgas , making four Supreme Councils in the United States , three of which were in the Northern Jurisdiction . III . Albert Pike commanded the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction . 111 . Kitlian H . Van Rensselaer commanded one of the

Supreme Councils of the Northern Jurisdiction ; III . E . A . Raymond commanded the other ; while the Cerneau Council was commanded by 111 . Edmund B . Hays , and of which , on the 18 th of September , 18 G 1 , Bro . Harry J . Seymour became Grand Master of Ceremonies . Amid the contentions for supremacy in the Northern Jurisdiction , on the 7 th February , 1 SG 3 , a solemn treaty of union was entered

into between the Supreme Councils commanded by E . A . Raymond and Edmund B . Hays—the body taking the name of the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Rite for the United States of America , its Territories and Dependencies , with HI . E . B . Hays as Grand Commander , E . A . Raymond as Deputy Grand Commander , Bro . Harry J . Seymour being the Grand Master of Ceremonies .

Thus , all there ever was of the Cerneau Supreme Council was then merged beyond the power of any combination of Inspectors-General to revive it . There still remained three Supreme Councils in the United States . The newly united ( Ccrneau-Raymond ) Council progressed successfully and actively , having its Grand East at New

York City . At all its sessions , Bro . Seymour was in attendance , discharging his duties as Grand Master of Ceremonies , up to and including the session of October 19 th , 20 th , and 21 st , of 1864 . On the last day of this session , to wit , October 21 , a regular election of officers took place . Edmund B . Hays was re-elected Grand Commander , but Harrv I . Seymour was superseded by Charles T .

McClenachan as Grand Master of Ceremonies ; from this time forward Bro . Seymour remained away from the Supreme Council . At a session of the council , held September nth , 1 S 65 , Bro . Hays presiding—of which council Bro . Seymour was an active member—charges of unmasonic conduct were preferred against the said H . J . Seymour , referred to a

commission for trial , which commission was composed wholly of those who were originally members of the late Cerneau Council . The charges being fully sustained , on the 14 th December , ' following , his membership in the Rite terminated from that date . In the meantime ( October 22 , 1 SG 5 ) , the Cerneau-Raymond Council had changed its title from " Supreme Council

for the United States of America , its Territories and Dependencies , " to " Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States , " thus , leaving two Bodies with the same title , one having its Sec at New York , and the other at Boston . On the 17 th of May , 1 SG 7 , these two councils settled upon terms of consolidation , each unanimously agreeing to give

up its separate existence , and to become constituent parts of the body now known as the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States , of which Hon . Josiah H . Drummond was then elected Grand Commander , and re-elected , until September , 1 S 79 , when the Hon . Henry L . Palmer was elected , and still is Sov . Grand Commander . It will thus be seen that the Cerneau Council , by its own

voluntary and unanimous act , dissolved its organisations , and that there exists no power to revive it , and it necessarily follows that the membership of Mr . Seymour having been lawfully terminated two years previous to thc final union of the Cerneau , Raymond , and Van Rensselaer Councils could neither take part in the dissolution of thc one or in the formation of the united body .

The names of prominent members of the Supreme Council for thc Northern Jurisdiction are mentioned as having formerly belonged to the Cerneau Council , lt is quite true that they did , but when , by the union in 1 SG 3 , and the final union in JSG 7 , the Cerneau organisation was merged , its members then , as men of , honour , transferred their allegiance to the present Supreme Council for thc Northern

Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States , and , with one accord , they deny the right of any man , or body of men , to revive either of the Councils which , as active members , they united with its other members in finally dissolving . It is asserted that Seymour and his adherents claim to have thc original charter of the Cerneau Council . A Grand Body has no charter , no Supreme Council has , nor does it require , a charter . From whom could it come ?

it being Supreme ! Has any Grand Lodge a charter ? It follows therefore , that no such document now exists ; the parchment claimed to be the original charter is simply an old warrant of a subordinate body of another Rite , as any one who reads French will discover , on examination of the Relic ! This clandestine Cerneau Bod y has not becn recognised by any lawful Supreme Council in the world , nor can it or any of its members ever be , in these days of enli g htenment —so , brethren wishing to unite in the fortunes of a clan-

Ancient And Accepted Scottish Rite.

destine organisation will have only themselves to thank for thc disappointment they arc preparing for the future . — John W . Simons , 33 ; R . B . Folger , 33 ° ; Daniel Sickels , 33 ° ; John L . Lewis , 33 ; Clinton F . Paige , 33 ; C . T . McClenachan , 33 ° ; Joseph D . Evans . 33 ° ; Henry C . Banks , 33 ° ; Albert G . Goodall , 33 ° ; Hopkins Thompson , 33 ; Charles Roome , 33 ; Jesse B . Anthonj-, 33 ; and Horace S . Taylor , 33 .

The above named illustrious brethren were formcly members of the various councils enumerated , but since 1 SG 7 have been active and emeritus members of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States . R . M . C . GRAHAM , 33 , Deputy of the Supreme Council for ths State of New York . New York , Jan . 28 th , 1 SS 1 .

Women And Masonry.

WOMEN AND MASONRY .

At a late Masonic banquet E . P . Brown , a Cincinnati humorist , thus delivered himself in response to "The Ladies : " It may be a light matter for you , brethren , to ' conscript me in this way , but it is far from being such to me . Do you realise what you have called upon me to do ? Have you for one single instant considered the magnitude of the task

you have thrust upon me ? You have not , or that farreaching Charity which makes its headquarters in this lodge-room would have spared me . You impose upon me a task that would have made Hercules turn pale and feel like a small boy with a boil on his elbow . You ask me to enlighten you upon a subject that has always been incomprehensible to the minds of men , from the beginning of humanity down to the last new bonnet—in fact , ever since

the morning when the first woman filled her pretty eyes with tears , put on her water-proof , and went home to her mother in high dudgeon , with what she conceived to be a broken heart , and a deep seated impression that her hubby was a beast , because he persisted in going to the lodge every other night . From that unfortunate moment , I say , up to the present time , woman has been a riddle that no man could guess , and yet not one of them would give her

up . The little boy wasn t far out of the way when he said , " Man is a mister , and woman is a mystery . " But a mystery , you know , is always attractive until it is solved and understood , and as the ladies never have been , and never will be fully understood , it is safe to say the time will never come when they will cease to be attractive . My subject is an old one , or at least of uncertain age , but a most interesting one , especially in the

morning of youth ; in the days of the first budding moustache , when John Henry looks into the lovelit eyes of Mary Eile e n , and sees in their limpid depths everything in this world worth looking for and a large slice of heaven besides . For him the magic pencil of inspiration itself can produce nothing brighter than the sweet look of affectionate confidence that beams upon him at the moment of betrothal , and fills his heart with noble aspirations and a new born interest in the

market value of household and kitchen furniture . In tl ni priceless gems of coronets can be found no jewel th ] , at shines with brighter and purer light than the eyes of lov e . Brawny smith and relentless anvil have never forged a more binding fetter than has been found in one little tin , y golden curl ; and , in all the marvels of mechanism , where , 1 * ask , can you find anything in machinery [ that can keep up with a woman ' s tongue , without a break oc a smash up ?

In many respects women and Masonry strongly resemble each other . Both are celebrated foe their good works , v Masonry is the handmaid of religion ; so , also , is woman . The mission of Masonry is to relieve the suffering , minister to the distressed , comfort the afflicted , and watch by the bedside of disease and death , and in all these good offices the soft hand of woman is never missing . Masonry has

signs and symbols to remind its members of the cardinal virtues , but in women they are all manifest , even to a nearsighted man like myself , and require no gilt or tinseled emblems to advertise their presence . Masonry has its altar , upon which arc pledged vows ot fraternity and virtue , but not more sacred is it than the altar of woman ' s heart , which never shrinks from sacrifice in behalf of those she loves .

Masonry raises man to sublime degrees of beauty , prunes his heart of vice , and implants in their stead vines of virtue and flowers of fragrant goodness . Woman"" raises " him also—if he happens to stay late at the lodge , to sublime degrees of consternation and infinite amazement at the high-pressure endurance of her vocal machinery , while she plants on his alabaster brow a hand that means business and destruction to hair , as she twines her taper fingers in

his ringlets , and enquires , with an inflection that pries up the shingles , if this thing is to go on for ever ! Masonry has its jewels , but none to compare with women—at least many of the brethren think so . In the hands of the Master the gavel is one of the most impressive instruments , asd never fails to enforce silence , but , in a match for asilver cup , brethren , don't you think it would come out about a neck behind the rolling-pin in some Iodn . es you could name ?

How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in peace and unity ! The wise man didn't say anything about thc sisters getting along together in that same way , because in his wisdom he could sec that it was one of the things that "couldn't be did . " But talk about the compasses binding the brethren together in fraternal love ! Where , may I ask , can be found a greater love , without the walls of Heaven , than that encircled by a mother ' s

arms when they enfold their lirst-born babe ? To Masonic cars the square speaks volumes , enjoiningcorrcct principles and upright conduct toward all mankind ; but which , think you , has done most to make men honest , good , and honourable in all the relations of life—the square , which we revere so highly , or that formed by the bended limbs of childhood at the mother ' s knee , lisping forth the first prayer ? The "lights " of Masonry have thrown their pure and life rays into all the dark cornersof the earth , and have

done much to make the world brighter and better ; but , though the beneficent influence of our beloved Fraternity stands as high with me as with thc next brother , I am ready to concede that the bright lights typified in female eyes have penetrated farther , and have done much , aye , much more—and 1 say it with no irreverence—to make life sweet , and beautiful , and grand , than all thc lights of Afasonry put together . And yet , though our good sisters so strongly resemble Masonry , they have always been more or less antagonistic

“The Freemason: 1881-02-19, Page 2” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 5 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_19021881/page/2/.
  • List
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Title Category Page
CONTENTS. Article 1
LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE. Article 1
ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE METROPOLITAN LODGE OF INSTRUCTION, No. 1507. Article 1
FREEMASONRY IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND HUNTS. Article 1
THE ALLIED DEGREES OF ENGLAND AND WALES. Article 2
GRAND LODGE OF NEW JERSEY. Article 2
WOMEN AND MASONRY. Article 2
Royal Arch. Article 3
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 3
Mark Masonry. Article 7
Obituary. Article 7
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
To Correspondents. Article 8
THE FREEMASON. Article 8
Original Correspondence. Article 9
Reviews. Article 9
Masonic Notes and Queries. Article 9
Ireland. Article 10
Literary, Art, and Antiquarian Notes. Article 10
Masonic and General Tidings. Article 11
METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 12
MASONIC MEETINGS IN WEST LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE. Article 12
Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Article 12
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Freemasonry In Northamptonshire And Hunts.

three years , the number of lodges had been exactly tripled , must be regarded as justifiable . However , in 1 S 52 , was established , ' in Thrapstone , the Chichester , No . 607 . The year 1 S 58 witnessed the birth of the Wentworth Lodge , No . 737 , Wellingborough , and then again there would appear to have becn a further period of contentment . At all events , an interval of twenty years passed without the addit ion of any new lodges to the roll , nor was it till the year 1 S 7 S that the

brethren in Northampton , being well assured of the security of their position , obtained a warrant of constitution for a new lodge , bearing the style and title of the Eleanor Cross Lodge , No . 1764 , of Northampton . Thus there are in all nine lodges in the province , three of which , namely , No . 360 , of Northampton , No . 442 , of Peterborough , and No . 466 , of Stamford , have Royal Arch Chapters attached to them . Royal Arch Masonry , however , has not

apparently developed itself in sufficient strength to be thought worthy of having assigned to it a provincial organisation . There is a P . G . Loilgc , but not a P . G . Chapter . The present Grand Master , or rather , as we believe we shall be most correct in describing him , the recentlyresigned P . G . Master , the Duke of Manchester , has , during a presidency of some seventeen years , carefully watched over the interests of the Craft in the province committed to his care . He has , too , on occasions , taken the leading part

at our Charitable festivals , and the province has liberally supported him in his efforts to promote the welfare of our Institutions . As regards his grace , this is not very surprising , for one of his ancestors who flourished during last century for some time guided the destinies of the whole Craft , nor will the knowledge that his grace ' s deputy is Bro . Butler Wilkins . Can it be matter for wonder that the brethren of Northamptonshire and Hunts should have exhibited a zeal and activity which is to be highly commended ? We trust this fortunate state of things will continue .

The Allied Degrees Of England And Wales.

THE ALLIED DEGREES OF ENGLAND AND WALES .

At a meeting of the Great Orme Council , No . 5 , held at the Freemasons' Hall , Llandudno , North Wales , on the 9 th inst ., Bro . Capt . Hunter , P . P . G . M . of Aberdeenshire East , and Grand Representative of Greece , Secretary 32 ° , & c ., & c , in the chair of W . M .

The council being opened he admitted the following brethren into the Degrees of St . Laurence the Martyr , and afterwards to Knights of Constantinople : W . Bros . Geo . L . Woodley , P . M . 755 , P . P . G . D . North Wales and Salop ; R . S . Chamberlain , P . M . 755 ; Thos . Davies , I . P . M . 755 ; Thos . Pike , P . M . 755 ; Bros . J . T . Purvis , S . W . 755 ; G . F . Felton , Onranist 7 . **** ; P . M . Evans , Jun . Steward

755 . Through the absence of the V . W . Bro . Major Tudor , P . G . M . elect for Staffordshire , and V . W . Bro . Wm Bulkeley Hughes , M . P ., Deputy P . G . M . of North Wales and Salop , Bro . Major Gordon Warren , P . M . 1575 , and others who were to have taken the Degrees , the VV . M . did not confer ashe had intended on the Royal Arch companions the Orders of High Priest and the Red Cross of Babylon ,

as he desired that all the companions should take all the Degrees if possible together . - A hearty vote of thanks was proposed by VV . Bro . CHAMBERLAIN , and seconded by W . Bro . T . DAVIES , I . P . M . 755 , to XV . Bro . Captain Hunter for having obtained a warrant from England to work the Degrees , and the pleasure it gave the brethren in participating in the many Masonic Orders , namely , the Mark Degree , the Allied

Degrees , and Royal Ark Mariner , which were not known in Wales until Captain Hunter introduced them , and took an active interest in their workings . There being no further business the council was closed , after which the brethren dined together at the Imperial Hotel , where the usual Royal and Masonic toasts were honoured . The brethren afterwards separated before the departure of the last train from Llandudno , well pleased with the evening which had been spent .

Grand Lodge Of New Jersey.

GRAND LODGE OF NEW JERSEY .

The ninety-fourth Annual Communication of the M . W . Grand Lodge of New Jersey was held at Trenton recently . It was a very harmonious session , and very largely attended . The address of M . W . Bro . Hamilton Wallis , Grand

Master , was an able and interesting production , worthy of its scholarly author . One new lodge—Mariners , No . 150 , ' at Barnegat—was warranted . The bye laws were amended so as to constitute three new districts , for which districts Deputy Grand Masters will be appointed . The following are the Grand Officers for the ensuing

year : Bro . Joseph Martin , 27 M . W . G . M . „ William Hardacre , 15 R . W . D . G . M .

„ Rev . Henry Vehslage , 10 R . W . S . G . W . „ Joseph VV . Congdon , SS R . VV . ] . G . W . „ Charles Bcchtel , 5 . . * . R . VV . G . Treas . „ loseph II . Hough , 7 G R . VV . G . Sec . ,, T . H . R . Redw _ y , 19 R . W . D . G . Sec .

,, Rev . Gustavus M . Murray , ... R . VV . G . Chap . „ John Whittaker , 12 G W . G . S . D . „ Thomas E . Cooper , 87 W . G . J . D . „ Charles Russ , 33 W . G . Marsh . „ Charles H . Brinkcrhoff , 39 ... W . S . G . Stwd . „ Albert F . Randolph , 2 VV . J . G . Stwd . „ Thomas Cook , 9 W . G . Swd . Br .

„ George W . Fortmeycr , 124 ... W . G . Purs . „ Heber Wells , 80 R . VV . G . Instr . „ Amos Howell , 5 G . Tyler . Of these ofiicers , VV . Bro . John Whittaker , Senior Grand Deacon , will be recognised by some of our Philadelphia brethren as a former member of the Franklin Lodge , No . 134 , Philadelphia ; and Bro . Murray , the Grand Chaplain , was also formerly a Philadelphian . The thanks of the Grand Lodge were voted to the retiring

Grand Master , who declined a re-election , and a committee , consisting of Past Grand Master Bros . Marshall B . Smith , William A . Pcmbrook , and William E . Pine , was appointed to prepare and present to him a Past Grand Master's jewel , in the name of the Grand Lodge . Our old Grand Lodge is approaching hcr hundredth year , and when that time comes our brethren of the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania will , no doubt , be fraternally remembered . —Keystone , Philadelphia .

Ancient And Accepted Scottish Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE .

We have received the following from America : Many inquiries reaching us as to the so called " Cerneau Council" now pretending to confer the Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in this city ancl elsewhere , we deem it a duty to give briefly the actual facts in

the case , so that if henceforward any of our brethren arc led astray by the officers and members of this clandestine organisation , it will be due to perversity and not ignorance , and by preserving this letter you will , as occasion requires , be able to refresh your memories . The earliest Supreme Council Thirty-Third _ Degree is that now governing the Rite in the Southern Jurisdiction of

the United States , with its See at Charleston , S . C , organised in 1 S 01 . The next in order of date was thc Cerneau Council , organised by Joseph Cerneau in 1 S 07 , and third the De La Motta Council , organised in 1 S 13 . These organisations existed with varying fortunes until the event of the anti-Masonic excitement in 1 S 26 , when

they all became dormant . The first to revive was the Cerneau Council , in 1 S 43 , then followed the Gourgas Council , in 1 S 4 S , having its See in New York City , but removing to Boston in 1 S 51 or 1 S 52 , then known as the Gourgas Council there . In 1 S 60 the Gourgas Council became divided . It was then called the Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction .

Tlie division created two Supreme Councils , viz .: one known as the Raymond , the other as the Gourgas , making four Supreme Councils in the United States , three of which were in the Northern Jurisdiction . III . Albert Pike commanded the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction . 111 . Kitlian H . Van Rensselaer commanded one of the

Supreme Councils of the Northern Jurisdiction ; III . E . A . Raymond commanded the other ; while the Cerneau Council was commanded by 111 . Edmund B . Hays , and of which , on the 18 th of September , 18 G 1 , Bro . Harry J . Seymour became Grand Master of Ceremonies . Amid the contentions for supremacy in the Northern Jurisdiction , on the 7 th February , 1 SG 3 , a solemn treaty of union was entered

into between the Supreme Councils commanded by E . A . Raymond and Edmund B . Hays—the body taking the name of the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Rite for the United States of America , its Territories and Dependencies , with HI . E . B . Hays as Grand Commander , E . A . Raymond as Deputy Grand Commander , Bro . Harry J . Seymour being the Grand Master of Ceremonies .

Thus , all there ever was of the Cerneau Supreme Council was then merged beyond the power of any combination of Inspectors-General to revive it . There still remained three Supreme Councils in the United States . The newly united ( Ccrneau-Raymond ) Council progressed successfully and actively , having its Grand East at New

York City . At all its sessions , Bro . Seymour was in attendance , discharging his duties as Grand Master of Ceremonies , up to and including the session of October 19 th , 20 th , and 21 st , of 1864 . On the last day of this session , to wit , October 21 , a regular election of officers took place . Edmund B . Hays was re-elected Grand Commander , but Harrv I . Seymour was superseded by Charles T .

McClenachan as Grand Master of Ceremonies ; from this time forward Bro . Seymour remained away from the Supreme Council . At a session of the council , held September nth , 1 S 65 , Bro . Hays presiding—of which council Bro . Seymour was an active member—charges of unmasonic conduct were preferred against the said H . J . Seymour , referred to a

commission for trial , which commission was composed wholly of those who were originally members of the late Cerneau Council . The charges being fully sustained , on the 14 th December , ' following , his membership in the Rite terminated from that date . In the meantime ( October 22 , 1 SG 5 ) , the Cerneau-Raymond Council had changed its title from " Supreme Council

for the United States of America , its Territories and Dependencies , " to " Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States , " thus , leaving two Bodies with the same title , one having its Sec at New York , and the other at Boston . On the 17 th of May , 1 SG 7 , these two councils settled upon terms of consolidation , each unanimously agreeing to give

up its separate existence , and to become constituent parts of the body now known as the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States , of which Hon . Josiah H . Drummond was then elected Grand Commander , and re-elected , until September , 1 S 79 , when the Hon . Henry L . Palmer was elected , and still is Sov . Grand Commander . It will thus be seen that the Cerneau Council , by its own

voluntary and unanimous act , dissolved its organisations , and that there exists no power to revive it , and it necessarily follows that the membership of Mr . Seymour having been lawfully terminated two years previous to thc final union of the Cerneau , Raymond , and Van Rensselaer Councils could neither take part in the dissolution of thc one or in the formation of the united body .

The names of prominent members of the Supreme Council for thc Northern Jurisdiction are mentioned as having formerly belonged to the Cerneau Council , lt is quite true that they did , but when , by the union in 1 SG 3 , and the final union in JSG 7 , the Cerneau organisation was merged , its members then , as men of , honour , transferred their allegiance to the present Supreme Council for thc Northern

Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States , and , with one accord , they deny the right of any man , or body of men , to revive either of the Councils which , as active members , they united with its other members in finally dissolving . It is asserted that Seymour and his adherents claim to have thc original charter of the Cerneau Council . A Grand Body has no charter , no Supreme Council has , nor does it require , a charter . From whom could it come ?

it being Supreme ! Has any Grand Lodge a charter ? It follows therefore , that no such document now exists ; the parchment claimed to be the original charter is simply an old warrant of a subordinate body of another Rite , as any one who reads French will discover , on examination of the Relic ! This clandestine Cerneau Bod y has not becn recognised by any lawful Supreme Council in the world , nor can it or any of its members ever be , in these days of enli g htenment —so , brethren wishing to unite in the fortunes of a clan-

Ancient And Accepted Scottish Rite.

destine organisation will have only themselves to thank for thc disappointment they arc preparing for the future . — John W . Simons , 33 ; R . B . Folger , 33 ° ; Daniel Sickels , 33 ° ; John L . Lewis , 33 ; Clinton F . Paige , 33 ; C . T . McClenachan , 33 ° ; Joseph D . Evans . 33 ° ; Henry C . Banks , 33 ° ; Albert G . Goodall , 33 ° ; Hopkins Thompson , 33 ; Charles Roome , 33 ; Jesse B . Anthonj-, 33 ; and Horace S . Taylor , 33 .

The above named illustrious brethren were formcly members of the various councils enumerated , but since 1 SG 7 have been active and emeritus members of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States . R . M . C . GRAHAM , 33 , Deputy of the Supreme Council for ths State of New York . New York , Jan . 28 th , 1 SS 1 .

Women And Masonry.

WOMEN AND MASONRY .

At a late Masonic banquet E . P . Brown , a Cincinnati humorist , thus delivered himself in response to "The Ladies : " It may be a light matter for you , brethren , to ' conscript me in this way , but it is far from being such to me . Do you realise what you have called upon me to do ? Have you for one single instant considered the magnitude of the task

you have thrust upon me ? You have not , or that farreaching Charity which makes its headquarters in this lodge-room would have spared me . You impose upon me a task that would have made Hercules turn pale and feel like a small boy with a boil on his elbow . You ask me to enlighten you upon a subject that has always been incomprehensible to the minds of men , from the beginning of humanity down to the last new bonnet—in fact , ever since

the morning when the first woman filled her pretty eyes with tears , put on her water-proof , and went home to her mother in high dudgeon , with what she conceived to be a broken heart , and a deep seated impression that her hubby was a beast , because he persisted in going to the lodge every other night . From that unfortunate moment , I say , up to the present time , woman has been a riddle that no man could guess , and yet not one of them would give her

up . The little boy wasn t far out of the way when he said , " Man is a mister , and woman is a mystery . " But a mystery , you know , is always attractive until it is solved and understood , and as the ladies never have been , and never will be fully understood , it is safe to say the time will never come when they will cease to be attractive . My subject is an old one , or at least of uncertain age , but a most interesting one , especially in the

morning of youth ; in the days of the first budding moustache , when John Henry looks into the lovelit eyes of Mary Eile e n , and sees in their limpid depths everything in this world worth looking for and a large slice of heaven besides . For him the magic pencil of inspiration itself can produce nothing brighter than the sweet look of affectionate confidence that beams upon him at the moment of betrothal , and fills his heart with noble aspirations and a new born interest in the

market value of household and kitchen furniture . In tl ni priceless gems of coronets can be found no jewel th ] , at shines with brighter and purer light than the eyes of lov e . Brawny smith and relentless anvil have never forged a more binding fetter than has been found in one little tin , y golden curl ; and , in all the marvels of mechanism , where , 1 * ask , can you find anything in machinery [ that can keep up with a woman ' s tongue , without a break oc a smash up ?

In many respects women and Masonry strongly resemble each other . Both are celebrated foe their good works , v Masonry is the handmaid of religion ; so , also , is woman . The mission of Masonry is to relieve the suffering , minister to the distressed , comfort the afflicted , and watch by the bedside of disease and death , and in all these good offices the soft hand of woman is never missing . Masonry has

signs and symbols to remind its members of the cardinal virtues , but in women they are all manifest , even to a nearsighted man like myself , and require no gilt or tinseled emblems to advertise their presence . Masonry has its altar , upon which arc pledged vows ot fraternity and virtue , but not more sacred is it than the altar of woman ' s heart , which never shrinks from sacrifice in behalf of those she loves .

Masonry raises man to sublime degrees of beauty , prunes his heart of vice , and implants in their stead vines of virtue and flowers of fragrant goodness . Woman"" raises " him also—if he happens to stay late at the lodge , to sublime degrees of consternation and infinite amazement at the high-pressure endurance of her vocal machinery , while she plants on his alabaster brow a hand that means business and destruction to hair , as she twines her taper fingers in

his ringlets , and enquires , with an inflection that pries up the shingles , if this thing is to go on for ever ! Masonry has its jewels , but none to compare with women—at least many of the brethren think so . In the hands of the Master the gavel is one of the most impressive instruments , asd never fails to enforce silence , but , in a match for asilver cup , brethren , don't you think it would come out about a neck behind the rolling-pin in some Iodn . es you could name ?

How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in peace and unity ! The wise man didn't say anything about thc sisters getting along together in that same way , because in his wisdom he could sec that it was one of the things that "couldn't be did . " But talk about the compasses binding the brethren together in fraternal love ! Where , may I ask , can be found a greater love , without the walls of Heaven , than that encircled by a mother ' s

arms when they enfold their lirst-born babe ? To Masonic cars the square speaks volumes , enjoiningcorrcct principles and upright conduct toward all mankind ; but which , think you , has done most to make men honest , good , and honourable in all the relations of life—the square , which we revere so highly , or that formed by the bended limbs of childhood at the mother ' s knee , lisping forth the first prayer ? The "lights " of Masonry have thrown their pure and life rays into all the dark cornersof the earth , and have

done much to make the world brighter and better ; but , though the beneficent influence of our beloved Fraternity stands as high with me as with thc next brother , I am ready to concede that the bright lights typified in female eyes have penetrated farther , and have done much , aye , much more—and 1 say it with no irreverence—to make life sweet , and beautiful , and grand , than all thc lights of Afasonry put together . And yet , though our good sisters so strongly resemble Masonry , they have always been more or less antagonistic

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