Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

l' . VOE . WHAT IS FREEMASONRY ? 1 ZETLAND COMMEMORATION FUND 1 INAUGURATION * FESTIVAL AT FREEMASONS' HALL ... 1 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS :

THE CRAFTMetropolitan ... ... 2 Provincial ... ... ... 2 Ireland 3 THE ROYAL

ARCHProvincial ... 3 ORDERS OF CHIVALRYKnights' Templars , Provincial ... ... ... li Red Cross of Rome and Constantine , Metropolitan ... ... 3 Tin : ROYAL MASONIO INSTITUTION FOR BOYS ... 3 MISCELLANEA 4

ROVAL Ancn MASONRY ITHE EDITOR ' S PORTFOLIO 4 MASONIC . TOIUSFRUDENCB ... ... ... ... 4 Mui . rusi IN PARVO 4 ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE o MASONIC ANTIQUITIES ... . .. ... 5 POETRY •">

OBITUARYBro . George Raymond , Esq ti Provincial Grand Funeral Lodge , Scotland fi MASONIC MEETINGS FOR NEXT WEEK li LIST OF AGENTS 1 ADVERTISEMENTS < * and H

What Is Freemasonry?

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY ?

IT is said that a simple Athenian of old , dcsiriiur to sell his mansion , took out u , brick from the wall and produced it at the public place of auction as a specimen of thc structure .

In a somewhat similar manner wc find / Freemasonry estimated and judged by its enemies , and even by some of its friends , because they look at a part instead of the great harmonious whole . For instance , let us ask our Brother

'' Jovial" the question at the head of this article , aud the chances are his reply will be—" Freemasonry ? oh , an excellent institution—full of social fellows—meetings very pleasant , " and so

on . Another will tell us of its benevolent deeds , while others descant upon its antiquity , its universalit y , its mysteries , or its privileges . Antiquarians carry us back from the manysided Freemasonry of the present day to the mythological sccnas of Egypt or Greece , and

exultingly exclaim , " Eureka , we have found the dawning rays of Masonic light . " Philosophers call to our aid Platonic theories and Pythagorean ¦ symbols ; moralists pour upon us tho wealth of

wisdom found in rarest tomes ; and mystics overwhelm us with rhapsodies of the Unknown and the Impossible . Amid all these diverse and perplexing speculations we halt amazed—forgetting for the moment

that each interpreter , like the ancient Athenian , is looking only at a detached portion of the building . Freemasonry is unquestionably a system of natural theology and morality , but , viewed simply as such , its mission on earth would

be necessarily superseded by the authoritative teachers of creeds . Its chief , and , we may say , its most comprehensive doctrine is religious tolerance ; it proclaims the right of every creature to worship his Creator according to the dictates

of his own conscience , at the same time , however , enjoining the practice of every virtue . Upon its universality depends ,. in a great measure , its power of effecting good , and this leads us naturall y to its benevolent aspect , and the utilit y of its

mystic signs and tokens . One of the most sublime utterances of learned men predicts the establishment of an universal language , when the confusion of Babel shall be forgotten in the triumph of a common tongue . At present

Freemasonry is the only medium by which men of different nations , unacquainted with each other ' s speech , can communicate their mutual wants or exchange fraternal greetings . The shipwrecked mariner , the wounded warrior , nay ,

even tho captive at an Indian stake , have alike experienced clemency and compassion through the influence of the mystic bond ; and this alone should endear the Masonic Society to every rational thinker .

We may also refer to the symbolism of the Craft as a singularly beautiful stud y for intellectual men . The highest and noblest precepts are inculcated by most appropriate emblems , somo of which have passed out of the peculiar

traditions of Freemasonry into current literature . For instance , " To act upon the square" is universally recognized as a synonym to walking uprightly and dealing with our fellow men upon the broad principles of honor and justice .

But in thus briefly adverting to thc more scientific and useful aspects in which Freemasonry presents itself to a thoughtful mind , we must not ignore the fact that our Brother "Jovial" also has some

truth on his side . It may be safely alleged that there is no society in the world where order and regularity so much prevail at festive meetings , as at thc assemblies of the Craft . This is due

What Is Freemasonry?

to the excellent laws and discipline handed clown from our forefathers ; and as long as those regulations are observed , we can see no objection to cementing the pleasing bonds of friendshi p by social intercourse and enjoyment .

Zetland Commemoration Fund.

ZETLAND COMMEMORATION FUND .

The following is the text of tho circular issued by the sub-committee of the Zetland Commemoration Fund , the substance of which was afiven m our last issue : — Freemasons' Hall , London , "W . C ,

IGth March , 1809 . DEAR SHI AND BROTHER , Many enquiries having been made as to the destination of this Fund , we have the pleasure to inform

you that the M . W . the . Grand Master ( having consulted the General Committee ) has been pleased to state that he is willing to accept the Fund for tinfollowing purpose , viz .:

" lo invest it in the name of Trustees , and devote the interest to the relief of distinguished brethren who may become distressed , their widows , or relations depending on them . The disposal of it to rest with Lord Zetland for his life ; and , after him , with the Grand

Master for the time being . The Grand Master will fix hereafter such regulations as he may think proper for the administration of the Fund . " We have good reason to hope that this will meet with general approbation . We request that you will communicate it to the members of your Lodi / v

or Chapter ; and if their subscriptions have not been already sent in , we shall he glad if you will remit them without delay . We remain , dear Sir and I'rother , Yours fraternally , AV . J . SIMPSON \ , T „ JOHN M . CLABON J J'on * SuCS - . IAS . TERRY , Secretary .

The Inauguration Festival At Freemasons' Hall.

THE INAUGURATION FESTIVAL AT FREEMASONS' HALL .

The first meeting of the Board of Stewards was held at Freemasons' Hal ] , on tlie ll'tli , and was very numerously attended , about 7 " brethren

being present . Thc Y . W ., Brother yEneas J . Mclntyre , Grand Registrar , occupied the chair , and was elected President of the Board . Bro . T . Fenn , A . G . D . C , was chosen as Treasurer-Bro . J . Hervey , G . Secretary , Hon . Secretary :

and Bro . II . G . Buss , Hon . Assistant Secretary . A sub-coinmittee , composed of 23 brethren , was then nominated to carry out the details in connection with tho Festival , and we learn that

the price of the banquet tickets is to be a guinea . There will doubtless bo a very large muster of the Craft at this Festival , and we heartily congratulate the Building Committee , aud especially their distinguished chairman , Bro .

Havers , upon the approaching termination of those arduous and protracted labors , which the highest and most disinterested zeal for Freemasonry could alone have induced them to undertake .