Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

FBEEMASONBY AND THE LAWS OP THE LAND ... THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE 221 THE METHODISTS AND THE F BEEMASONS 222 EASTERN STAB ENTERTAINMENT AT ASTOBIA , L . I . 222 A PLEASING INSTANCE OF THE VALUE OP

FBEEMASONBY 222 NOSGLYNOAUA , oa WINTEB ' EVE 222 PBOVINCE OP MIDDLESEX 223 OBITUARY - Bro . Henry Whittle , S . AV ., 871 223 THE CRAFT—Metropolitan , Provincial 223

EOYAL ARCH—Metropolitan and Provincial ... 224 ORDERS OP C HIVALRYRed Cross of Rome and Constantine 225 Knights Templar 225 BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS 226 THE EARL OP ZETLAND 226

MULTUM IN PARVO 227 NOTABLE ROSICBUCIAN WORKS 227 GRAND LODGE 228 LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE 228 CHESHIRE EDUCATIONAL MASONIC INSTITUTION ... 228 LORD ZETLAND AND THE GRAND ORIENT OP

FRANCE 228 CONSKCBATION OP THE NEW HALL OP THE MASONIC LODGE , GLASGOW , NO . 441 228 ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE" Cipes " and " Res nou Verba" 229 Itinerant Masonic Beggars .. 229

RETIREMENT OF THE M . W . GRAND MASTER ... 229 ANCIENT AND MODERN MYSTEEIES 229 THE ROSICBUCIAN : A Tale 229 & 230 GERMAN PRIZE ESSAY 231 MEETINGS FOR NEXT WEEK 232

Freemasonry And The Laws Of The Land.

FREEMASONRY AND THE LAWS OF THE LAND .

BY CIPES . Do . Freemasons obey the laws of the land or do they not ? is a question sometimes asked , and asked with great propriety , by those who wish to know what Freemasonry reall y is , particularly when they are considering the question

whether they shall seek admission into the Masonic fraternity or not . The answer to this question must very much determine the resolution of many , who if joining the Masonic body , would be the very best of brethren ; men who are resolved to live to the utmost of their power

and as God shall help them , in the observance of the moral law , and of the law of the land . Two questions , however , here arise : one as to the principles or rules of Freemasonry ; another as to the practice of Freemasons . The first is in many respects the most important , and it is

easily decided . Every Freemason , by tho obligations which he undertakes , " agrees to be a peaceable subject , and cheerfully to conform to the laws of the land where he resides . " " He is to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrate , to work diligently , to live in credit , and to act

honourably with all men . " A . willing and dutiful obedience to the laws of tho land runs through all the charges of the Masonic body , and is imperative on all the brethren . It is the pride of Freemasons to be recognised as good subjects or good citizens , everywhere conforming

themselves to tho Jaws of the land in which they live . If , indeed , any law of the laud were contrary to the moral law , they might find themselves under a higher obligation , and would be bound by their oaths as Freemasons to maintain the moral law in opposition to any statute

law disagreeable to it , for one of their obligations is " strictly to obey the moral law . " But no question of this kind has yet arisen in any country . The observance of the moral law is everywhere maintained in tho observance of the laws of the land , or in perfect harmony with it ,

so that tho one is merely the complement of the other . In this country , particularly , this is happily and notably the case . No instance , we believe , has ever occurred of a Freemason complaining that in obedience of any law of the land he was required to transgress the moral law .

It is evident , therefore , that Freemasonry , according to its laws and principles , upholds and maintains the laws of the lund . Tlio only possible exception is , as we have seen , one not of frequent occurrence , and which we believe , has never actually occurred , for whatever faults there may be in tho legislation of one country or

Freemasonry And The Laws Of The Land.

another , there have been few instances—if there has ever been even one—in which the law of the land required that which was contrary to the moral law . There have , no doubt , been many cases in which Freemasons might deem the statute law wrong , but this is a very different

question . In such a case , Freemasons are , of course , entitled , like the other subjects or citizens , to avail themselves of the proper means for obtaining a change of the law . Meanwhile , however , they are bound to submit themselves to it , and thus to show themselves good subjects or

good citizens . However it may effect them , they must submit to the law , and act in accordance with it . Nothing is more easy than to give examples for illustration , one may suffice : There are many in Britain both Freemasons and others , who deem the present game laws of the country to be wrong in many important respects . They

are entitled , therefore , to seek by the ordinary and proper means , such change of these laws as they think desirable ; but Freemasons are under special obligation in the meantime to comply with them , so that it would be extremely disgraceful for to a Freemason to be a poacher , and utterly inconsistent with his professions and obligations .

The relation of Freemasonry to the moral law and to the law of the land must be tried by its rules and principles , rather than by any consideration of the conduct of its members or of lodges which may be too lax in questions as to the

conduct of their members . To condemn Freemasonry because of any such faults of individual brethren , or of particular lodges , would be as ridiculous as to accuse the Christian religion with favouring immoralitv because members or office-bearers of

the church are known to be habitual and gross transgressors of the moral law , or because of laxity of discipline in particular churches . On such grounds , indeed , is founded one of the favourite arguments of infidels ; an argument , however , so worthless , that it probably never

satisfied the mind of any man who used it , but was merely adduced as specious , and in utterance of a deep-rooted , although unreasonable , hostility . But Christianity must be judged by its principles and tendencies , not by the conduct of particular churches or of individuals professing themselves

to be Christians . In like manner , Freemasonry ought to be tried by its rules and principles , by its ancient charges , and by the oaths which Freemasons take when they aro accepted into the brotherhood . Let Freemasons themseves be judged individuall y according to their observance

or non-observance of the obligations under which they have come ; and let lodges be judged according to the respect which they show for the maintenanceoftheunchangeablelawsoftheOrder . These things are not unimportant , but deeply concern the honour and prosperity of the Masonic Body .

It is a great mistake , however , to confound them with the question of the principles and tendency of Freemasonry , which cannot bo affected even by the greatest imaginable actual departure from the rules of the Order on the part of any number of individual Freemasons or of Lodges ,

Whilst we thus endeavour to state the question of the relation of Freemasonry to the Jaws of thc land on . its proper grounds , and to show tho answer whicli must be given to it as tlius stated , wo cannot but acknowledge the great importance of an endeavour on the part of all Freemasons

and of all Masonic lodges to exhibit practically that regard both for the moral law and the law of the land wliich tho rules of the Order so strongly inculcate . It belongs to every brotlier to do this in his own life . It belongs to overy lodgo to see to this as to the conduct of all its

members . There ought to be nothing like a mean espionage , and yet thero ought to be a kindly watchful care of brethren over one another . It is perhaps more easy to distinguish the two things in reality than to state the distinction in words . There ought to bo no jealous suspicion , no willingness to listen to evil

reports ; yet if tho character of any brother unhappily becomes the subject of unfavourable public reports , these ought not to be disregarded , but to lie made tho subject of investigation , according to the laws of the Order , that sucli action may bo taken as will maintain the honour of the Masonic body , whilst at tho same time

Freemasonry And The Laws Of The Land.

it may prove beneficial to the accused brother himself , even if lie is found guilty of the faults laid to his charge . The object of such action on the part of a lodge is twofold—to maintain the laws and credit of the Order , and to promote the welfare of the individual brother concerned ,

that even if guilty of great offences , he may be brought to such a better course of conduct as may make him worthy of again receiving the rig ht hand of fellowship , and enjoying all the privileges of a member of the lodge and of the

Masonic brotherhood . No discussion of politics can take place in a lodge , and it is onr duty according to our obligations , to simply obey the laws of the land as they are laid down in the statute book . Never let it be said a Freemason departs from them . CIPES .

The Ancient And Accepted Rite.

THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

Mount Calvary Chapter , S . P . R . x of JI . R . D . M . The annual meeting of this ancient chapter was held on Friday , the 12 th inst ., at Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street . The M . W . S ., 111 . Bro . W . Stone , 30 " , presided , and was supported by three members of the 33 " , viz ., Capt . N . G . Phillips , G . Treas . Gc > n . ; Major Alex . W . Adair , S . G . I . G . of the Supreme Council of England ;

and Albert G . Goodall , Representative from the S . G . I . C , for the Northern Jurisdiction ofxhe United States ; and by a good muster of the brtthren , amongst whom where D . M . Dewar , M . W . S . elect ; Capt . G . Cockle , 1 st . Gen . ; F . Binckes , 30 ° , 2 nd . Gen . ; S . Rosenthal , and It . J . Hohmasser . Visitors , H . W . Hemsworth 30 ° , and G . Kenning , 18 ° , of the Invicta Chapter , Woolwich .

The chapter having beeu duly opened , and ballots taken for the candidates on the agenda paper , the 111 . Bro . Hyde Pullen , 32 ° , took the char , and the following brethren being in attendance were then perfected a ? S . P . K ., x , or the 18 th degree of the'Ancient Accepted Rite : V . W . Bro . John Hervey , P . G . D ., G . See . ; W . Bro . Hubert Wentworth Little , P . M ., P . Z . ; Capt .

Hastie , P . P . G . W ., Surrey ; Eugene Cronin , M . D ., Treas ., 1216 . Tho ceremony was magnificently rendered by the 111 . Bro . in the chair , and the post of G . Marshal , was most ably filled by 111 . Bro . Binckes . The minutes were then read , after which Bro . Dewar , M . W . S . elect , was presented for enthrouizatiou , and this

solemn rite was also faultlessly administered by Bro Hyde Pullen . The following Ex . and Perf . Bros , were then appointed to office for the ensuing year : Capt . G . Cockle , 3 U ° . II . P . ; F . Binckes , 30 ° , 1 st . Gen . ; S . Rosenthal ( 33 ° Italy ) , 2 nd Gen . ; W . Paas , Treas . ; C . Swan , Recorder ; E . S . Slillwell , R . ; Raynham , W . ; Stewart , D . C . Several communications from tho S . G . C . were then

read , and the Chapter was solemnly closed . The S . P . P . R . X then adjourned to tho banquet table . After the oloth was cleared , the M . W . S . proposed tho usual loyal toasts , and gave the healths of the members of the 33 ° , to which Capt . Phillips , G Treas . Gen ., responded . 111 . Bro . Goodall , 33 ° , replied in a most eloquent manner , for the "Sister Jurisdiction of the A . and A .

Rite . " He alluded feelingly to the good understanding which exists between English and American Masons , whose adherence to ancient landmarks was he considered the bulwark of Freemasonry all over the world . Ex . and Perf . Bro . John Hervey returned thanks for the newly admitted members of tho 18 ° , aud expressed his gratification at the admirable way in which tho proceedings had

been carried out . Tho health of tho M . W . S ., Bro . Dewos was druuk with enthusiasm , aud gracefully acknowledged by that worthy S . P . The " Past Sovereign " followed , to which 111 . Bro . Stone responded . Tho "Members of the 32 ° , " coupled with the name of Bro . Hyde Pullen was tlie next toast , and was received with great cordiality by all present .

The M . W . S . then gave the toast of tho Officers , expatiating upon their several merits , aud the services they had rendered Freemasonry . III . Uro . Binckes , 1 st Gen ., replied in his usual odectivo style . A very enjoyable evening was brought to a close by tho Janitor ' s toast . Somo time since , it is understood , this Chapter was at a very low ebb , but with tho recent increase of members

and the influential class of candidates introduced it bids fair to bo one of tho most important iu the Kite . We aro also informed that it is the intention of the leading members of the lied X Order who aro likewise members o f tho A . and A . Rite , to apply to the S . G . Council lor a new Rod X Chapter , in order that a number of Red Cross Knights may bo enabled to take the 18 ° in a Chapter of

their own . Twenty-five gentlemen of high standing iu Red x , havo given iu their names as candidates . Should the Chapter bo formed , and all thc members of tho 18 " , 30 ° , 31 ° , 32 ° and 33 ° , who aro Knights of tho Red x , will probably sign tho petition . We are glad to say that tlio misconception which led to somewhat unfraterual

feelings between tho two Councils is now happily removed , and we havo no doubt that both theso Christian Orders will henceforth bo found working shoulder to shoulder together iu the good cause of promoting tho intellectual advancement of their brother Masons , aud tho practice of tho threo theological virtues of mankind .

To CONSUMPTIVES . —A grateful father is desirous of sending by mail , free of charge to all who wish it , a copy of the prescription by which his daughter was restored to perfect health from confirmed Consumption , after having been given up by her physicians and despaired of by her father , a well-known physician , who has now discontinued practice . Sent to any person freo . —Address O . P . Brown , Secretary , 2 , King-street , Covent-garden , London . —Anvr .