Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

PAGE . FREE \ rA 80 Nur IN TUB UNITED STATES .. ... 85 BEVIEWB — New Music 85 HISTORY OP THE ORDER OP KNIGHTS HOSPITALLERS 86 PAPERS ON

MASONRYNo . X 5 . — Masonry among the Mormons ... 86 MAGNIFICENT DECORATION OF 33 BD DEGREE ... 87 INELIGIBILITY OF BASTARDS AS FREEMASONS ... 87 THE CRAFT—Metropolitan and Provincial 83 THE ROYAL Anon—Metropolitan 88 ORDERS OF CHIVALRY—Kuights Templars 8 S

RED CROSS OF HOME AND CONSANTINE—Provincial 88 MASONIC BAZAAR AT SKIDBEREEN 88 MEETING : OF TUB PROV . GRAND LODQE OP DEVON 89 B 1 RT 113 , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS 00 ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS 90 A STAR IN T ; IH EAST OR THE NEW MASONIC PROPHET 90

AKNI ' FESTIVAL OF THE NEW CONCORD LODGE , NO . 813 91 & 92 LOUGH OP BENEVOLENCE 91 ST . ANDREW ' S CONCLAVE , NO . 15 91 ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCEUniformity of Kitnal 91 Ineligibility of B . istards as Freemasons ... 92

The Masonic Charities 92 The Origin of Freemasonry 92 MASONIC EXHORTATIONS 92 POLITICAL MASONRY IN POLAND 92 SUPIU . ME COUNCIB , NEW YORK 93 FRBKMASONRY IN IRELAND 93 MASONIC MEETINGS FOR NEXT WEEK 94 ADVKKTISKMENTS 94 95 & 96

Freemasonry In The United States.

FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .

JACOB NORTON AND WILLIAM JAMES HUGIIAN . All on this side tlio '' Big Pond" who wish to understand tho character of tho struogle now onward in the United States , must feel grateful

to Bro . Jacob Norton for his interesting epitome of the history of " Freemasonry in the United States inserted in TUG FREEMASON August 7 th . I , for one , admire his earnestness , aud accept him

as a zealous defender of tho rights of Craft Mnsonry—i . e ., pure and unadulterated Freemasonry , denominated the " Graft degrees" in contra-distiuction to tho hautea grades .

I think , however , that Bro . Norton is scarcely advocating a sound Masonic opinion in supporting the two Lodges in New York granted by the Grand Lodge of * Hamburgh ; because , according

to expediency and usage , it has been found desirable that some kind of exclusive jurisdiction should bo observed by bodies of Masons in different countries . Hence the practice of late years

Freemasonry In The United States.

has been for Grand Lodges to refuse warrants to Masons in parts where a recognized Grand Lodge already exists . The fact of the Grand Lodge of England issuing a warrant to certain Jewish brethren at Frankfort-on-the-Mainc , is not a

parallel case with New York and Hamburgh . The Grand Lodge of ¦ England had previously established the Provincial Grand Lodge held at Frankfort , and it having acted contrary to the Constitutions , the parent simply acted in the

cause of self-defence , and protection for some of its children in that country . New York was under no such obligation to Hamburgh , and hence the parallelism is faulty . I also deny the right of ANY body of Masons

working tho higher degrees to grant warrants for Craft Lodges by virtue of such authority . Craft Masonry existed long before the degrees of the "Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite ; " and , in my opinion , will continue to flourish more

than they in the United States , as the former is grandly universal and applicable ta all religions and creeds , whereas the sectarian character of the latter , as also modern institution , militates against their boasted antiquity and so-called hi gh position in Freemasonry .

tor my part , I value no distinctions in any degrees equal to those pertaining to Craft Masonry aud consider tho efficient dis-chargo of the duties of the Worshipful Master of a lodge to be the highest official position in tho Craft , and the

most honourable distinction that a Freemason can attain . In this respect I most cordially agree with Bros . Norton , Evan * , and Brennaii , whose well-considered letters of late have afforded me

much pleasure to peruse . It is pleasant also to witness THE FREEMASON being made a medium of communication between brethren of the two hemispheres , who will , no doubt , mutually profit by an interchange of ideas on Masonry ,

Respecting the initiation of negroes—I say negroes , because there are no slaves in tho now United States—I know of no Landmark of importance that would be infringed by so doing ; but , on tho other hand , 1

know of several that would be observed thereby . Any thoughtful Mason looking over tho past hundred and lilty years , will see that when it has lieen shown that the general good of Freemasonry lias required an alteration in the customs of l / ie Craft , tho same has been made . We need only

Freemasonry In The United States.

mention , the alteration in the minimum age of initiation , the change in the Grand Lodge giving the Third Degree , and , lastly , the fact that the

Grand Lodge actually consented to the word of the Third Degree being transfers d to the Royal Arch , to prove our statement Surely , now that the / ree ^ o )) j of the negro has been proclaimed in the United States , and the foul stain of

slavery has been removed from the escutcheon of the "New World , " Freemasonry should be the last institution that would seek to perpetuate any of the unnatural , inhuman , and barbarous laws of slave countries .

If then a negro be otherwise suitable , there would be no landmark of Freemasonry infringed by his initiation in the Craft Lodge , ami I am proud to say that tho Grand Lodge of England ,

by its warrant to the " Prince Hall" or "African Lodge" recognised that fact many years ago W . J , lluaiiAS . Truro , Cornwall , 14 th August , 1869 .

Reviews.

Reviews .

ROBERT COCKS AND Co ., New Burlington . Street , Begent Street , W . Mom on the Meadow . By \ V . T . WHIGIITOW . Words by CIIAS . SWAIN . —Tothechaiining words

of the poet , Mr . Wrighton has wedded a most exquisite melody . The transition from a bri ght and beaming morn to the dark and silent night is plaintively expressed , and the hopeful solemnity of the last verse .

" But a morn shall yet risfi , and th ? dead be re-born And a beauty eternal shall circle that morn , " is very effectively rendered by the composer .

The Lihj . Words by J . STKEAKES ; music by W . T . WitioirroN . —We arc much pleased with this praiso of tho lily . Tho words are poetic , and tho music is sweetly harmonious .

The Mother ' s Vint , by A LIMED SCOTT GAMY , is very pleasing ; and The ()< d , by the same talented composer , is a capital interpretation of the Poet Laureate ' s quaint veiv . es on the bird of Minerva .

G . KENNING , 3 , and 4 , Little Britain , Tlie Red Cross Song . Words by R . W . LITTLE ; Music by If . l'AUKEit . —The stirring verses of this song , ure linked to most appropriate music

by this rising composer . We rocominend our Red Cross and Templar friends to obtain tho song , as both Orders claim an interest in tho grand old flag of the Crusaders , to which it alludes .