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Article PAPERS ON MASONRY. ← Page 2 of 2 Article PAPERS ON MASONRY. Page 2 of 2 Article MAGNIFICENT DECORATION OF THE 33RD DEGREE. Page 1 of 1 Article INELIGIBILITY OF BASTARDS AS FREEMASONS. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Papers On Masonry.
consist both of men and women ; their names are enrolled in a Register , together with particulars usual in such cases sufficiently for identification . Should some of the husbands not have been sealed to their wives for all eternity , Heber C . Kimball , President of the Church , One of the Twelve Apostles ,
Councillor of the Presidency , High Priest of this Mormon Masonry , and President of the Conference of Elders , immediately seals them . The persons to be ordained are then introduced in a body into a long room , divided by white screens into various compartments , ranged in two lines . Men go to the right ,
women to the left , barefooted , with exception of the priests . Silence ensues ; a splash of water and mysterious whispers alone are heard . The next proceeding applies to the men . Each individual is undressed and laid in a tin bath ; he is washed in warm water , and each individual member
is blessed according to its function : bram , to be strong ; ears , to be quick to hear the words of God ' s servants ; eyes , to be sharp ; nose , mouth , down to the feet . " to be swift to run in the ways of righteousness . " Thus he is lustrated and pronounced clean from " the blood of this generation . " An apostle then confers upon him
" a new name by which he will be known in the celestial kingdom of God . " In the next room he is anointed with oil from a horn , and oil is sprinkled all over his body , while benedictions are spoken . After this he receives a long tunic of muslin or linen , over this a shirt , and over all a long linen robe , touching
the ground both before and behind . A small square apron of white linen or silk , ornamented with figleaves , is tied on . A linen cap , stockings and shoes of cotton , complete the costume . During this time the High Priest , as Elohim , consults with Jehovah , Jesus , and Michael ( Adam ) , represented by other priests , as
to creating and peopling the earth . This is the first section . Jehovah , Jesus , and Michael now proceed to the place where the candidate is , they touch him with the ends of their fingers to imply Creation to the Bod y , and breathe on the face to Induce the Spirit . He is
then the orig inal Adam . A woman who has been treated by persons of her own sex in exactly the same way , is then brought in . ' Adam is ordered to pretend to be asleep ; his e ) es are then opened , and he is introduced to Eve , his wife . Adam and Eve soon after proceed to the room
where Elohim presides over the Gods . This is Eden . A garden scene is formed by the painted hangings ; fruit , real , hangs from a bush . The Devil ( performed by W . W . Phelps ) tempts Eve , Eve tempts Adam , and the Great Elohim then appears , drives away the Devil , curses everybody , and the Devil crawls out
like a serpent , except that he has hands and knees . At this point Adam and Eve being m a bad way , Elohim promises them restoration by means of the priesthood , invested with jurisdiction , unlimited power , and indisputable authority . Here oaths are administered of secrecy , submission , and chastity by both ,
subject to marriage by the head of the Church or his delegates . A grip and password are conferred , and they then are admitted to the third degree of endowment , or first degree of the Order of Aaron . Man now enters tho world possessed of the password of truth , and with sacerdotal authority . Light
has , however , become Darkness , Darkness , Light . He is puzzled to find Truth , and the Devil again appears , who treats all tho sects alike , politely addressing a crowd of persons as Methodist brother , Episcopalian brother , Mohammedan brother , Roman Catholic brother , & c , & c „ saying " I love you all , my good
friends "; three other Apostles come in as St . Peter , St . James , and St . John ; they joke with the Devil , as in an old mystery play , but St . Peter presently turns him out . Tho Apostles now deliver addresses to , and ask questions of , the newly-initiated , and explain how the authority passed through . Joseph Smith to Brigham
Young . They are to be , in the exact words of the address , " Like a tallowed rag in the hands of Brigham Young . " The pair then return to the Kingdom of God . Adam ( man ) doubly lost by original sin mid by his own personal sins , has recovered powers and blessings , but
has wandered away from the truth . I he Priesthood promised a Redeemer , and they now propose to give nim an instrument of redemption . Elohim , therefore reveals Solomon Spanlding ' s " Manuscript Found , " by means I presume , of letting Joseph Smith , the printer ' s apprentice , know that it is in an unlocked drawer , and
so he steals it . This is theGentile account . Otherwise , an angel informs Joeof the Plates of Gold , which Professor Anthon detected to be a farrago of trash . At this moment—a fitting one , in my opinion—the new members take an oath to keep the secret—that it is all trash , I presume—under pain of having their heart torn out and cut to pieces , and other details . Here a
new sign , grip , and password are given , and they are admitted into the second Order of Aaron . Man is now partly saved (?) , and is moved into a room where there is an altar . Here he is sworn to fidelity towards his Co-reli gionists , never to speak ill of Brigham Young , to put the Church above everything , and a great deal nioro too tedious to enumerate , except the obligation to bo ready to sacrifice to the Church one's
Papers On Masonry.
most intimate friend , one ' s nearest relative , one ' s most beloved wife , and even one ' s own life . The penalty is having the stomach opened and the entrails thrown to the swine—very nice pork ! Another sign , another grip , password , and the neophyte enters into the third degree or Order of Melchizedek . He now proceeds to another room , and there finds the
the Bible , Book of Mormon , and the Book of Doctrines and Covenants ( the Revelations to Joseph ) . Here more oaths are sworn , disavowing fealty to the United States , and other things of a like nature . Other penalties are here imposed , and new signs , grips , and passwords admit the gentleman to the second degree of the Order of Melchizedeck . This is considered sufficient to render the initiate
acceptable to God . Prayers are offered up in the Abracadabran language , and the initiate is sworn to wear the tunic next his skin always—a somewhat superfluous and eremitical injunction . There is yet one thing more to be accomplished . The initiate has to pass the Veil , a thin partition of linen ,
in order " to repeat the whole formula " communicated to him , while the assistants cut marks in his shirt with a pair of scissors and mutter a word in his ear in a low tone—perhaps , " Phlatto-thratto-phlatto-thratt , " from the play of Aristophanes . Passing through the
Veil , he is supposed to enter the kingdom of heaven , and then their wives are admitted and this monstrous farce is played over again . Then they proceed to refreshment for a short time , and being ordered to return , are addressed by some high dignitarj' of the Church " on the seriousness of the affair . " I must
exclaim , O Itoli Polique , 0 perna et caidis ! Freemasons , and men that respect yourselves , have I not sufficiently proved the truth with which I employed the texts at the head of this paper ? It is true , and is written in the pages of Remy and John Hyde . CRYPTONYMUS .
Magnificent Decoration Of The 33rd Degree.
MAGNIFICENT DECORATION OF THE 33 RD DEGREE .
It is with much pleasure that we announce to our Masonic readers that the Supreme Council 33 ° A . A . Rite , for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States , at its annual session held at Boston in June last , by unanimous resolve , voted a Grand Decoration of the 33 ° to 111 . Bro . Albert G . Goodall ,
33 ., as a testimonial of the estimation in which they held his invaluable services in the cause of legitimate Masonry , by his researches into and exhaustive reports on the origin and present status of the Supreme Councils and Grand Orients of portions of South America , Italy , Portugal , and Spain , while visiting those
countries . A description of this splendid jewel cannot be otherwise than interesting : — On a plate of gold , representing the sun , is laid the Teutonic Cross enamelled . On this are the Grand Decorations of the Order , viz ., a nine-pointed star
formed by three triangles of gold , one upon the other , and interlaced . From the lower part of the left side toward the upper part of the right , extends a sword , and in the opposite direction a hand of Justice . In the middle is the shield of the Order , blue ; upon the shield is an eagle like that on the banner ; on the dexter
side of the shield is a golden balance , and on the sinister a golden compass resting on a golden square . Around tho whole shield runs a stripe of blue , lettered in gold with the Latin words , Ordo ab Chao ; and this stripe is enclosed by a doublet circle , formed by two serpents each holding his tail in his mouth . Of the
smaller triangles formed by the intersection of the principal ones , those nine that are nearest the blue stripe are coloured red , and on each is one of the letters that constitute the word S . A . P . I . E . N . T . I . A . On the reverse of the jewel is the following
inscription : " From the Supreme Council Sov . Gr . Ins . Gen . 33 ° A . A . S . Rite , Northern Masonic Jurisdiction , U . S ., to 111 . Bro . Albert G . Goodall , Sov . Gr . Ins . Gen . and General Foreign Representative . Boston , Mass ., June 19 th , 1869 . V . E . "
THE GAIETY THEATRE . —The new comedy drama by Mr . Gilbert , entitled " An Old Score , " continues to draw large audiences at this splendid little theatre . The acting of Miss Henrade as Ethel Barrington is extremely good , Col . Calthorpe is admirably represented by Mr . Emery , and Mr .
Neville is equally efficient as James Camy , the Bombay Merchant . The denouement is excellent , and the Scenery by Mr . George Gordon—especially a villa at Teddington , and Ovington Grange , leaves nothing to be desired . To all who wish to enjoy themselves thoroughly—we can only say go to the " Gaietv . "
THE Lion was a symbol of Jeremiah , because of the terrible voice of his threatening ; and of St . Mark , because his gospel begins with the voice in the wilderness ; but principally of Christ , who is denominated the lion of the tribe of Judah , and will ultimatel y subdue all things to himself- - "for he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet . "
Ineligibility Of Bastards As Freemasons.
INELIGIBILITY OF BASTARDS AS FREEMASONS .
( To the Editor of The Freemason . ' ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Would you do me the favour of inserting in THE FREEMASON the following article which has been the subject of unmasonic
animadversion , and which ought , properly , to have been first sent to the magazine in which appeared . the communication to which it was a reply . Yours fraternally , Ayr , August 14 th , 1869 . D . MUKRAY LYON .
A writer in THE FREEMASON , in his anxiety to uphold the purity of Lodge membership speak 3 authoritatively on what he alleges to be the practice obtaining among Scotch Lodges in their relation to men who have had the misfortune to be born out of wedlock . " It has , ( he says ) been an indisputable
rule , and constantly acted upon in lodges of Britain in olden times , that no bastard could be received a » a Freemason . ... In Scotland this ancient landmark and law has been maintained with almost no exception ; and it is not long since , in a Lod # e holding a high position in the Craft , two men werr
positively rejected on no other ground than that they could not show the legitimacy of their birth . " No Scotch Masonic statute known to us bears out the statement here made as to the " ineligibility of bastards as Freemasons . " The oldest Scotch Masonic statutes extant are those of the Ayr
Squaremen Incorporation , dated 1556 . The next in point of antiquity are the Ordinances of William Schaw , Master of Works to James VI ., dated 1598-99 . Neither in these documents , nor in the records of the Lodge of Edinburgh ( Mary ' s Chapel ) , No . 1 , dating from 1598 , or of Mother Kilwinning ,
dating from 1643 , is there to be found any law preventing the admission of bastards . The oldest of the documents quoted enacts that " gif the prentes be ane friemauis sone he sail pay entres silur fyve schillingis , and gif he not ane friemauis sone he sail pay ten schillingis . " A similar privilege was
enjoyed by the " lawful sons of freemen m the ancient Lodges of Kilwinning and Edinburgh ; but it was only in this respect that as apprentice masons the male offspring of legal marriages were treated differently from their illegitimate brothers and the sous of non-freemen , when any such
presented themselves . The erection of the Grand Lodge of Scotland did not place bastards in a worse position than that which , as applicants for admission to Freemason Lodges , they held when Lodges were purely Operative associations . And so far from initiation being
iu Scotland denied to the class of citizens referred to , innumerable instances , within the memory of masous still alive , could be given of the initiation of good men and true , the offspring of illicit intercourse . A notable instance of this kind occurred in the person of Lord Frederick Fitz-Clareuce , one of
the natural sons of William IV . Made under the French Constitution , he was affiliated in a Scotch Lodge , was Deputy Grand Master in 1840 , and on the death of the Earl of Rothes , was elected to be Grand Master Mason of Scotland , which office he held during 1841-42 . The sin of his pareuts did
not affect his moral and religious qualifications as a candidate for the privileges of Freemasonry , neither was his admissior regarded as a scandal upon the Fraternity . As was said of him by the Reverend Brother who pronounced the oration at the Grand Funeral Lodge that in 1854 was held at Edinburgh
out of respect to his memory , " he was kindly esteemed in all tlie relations of life , and was . iu an especial manner , an honour to Masonry—by his conduct reflecting back the honour it had conferred on him in his elevation to the supreme dignity of Grand Master of Scotland . "
A Masonic character as fair and ut blemished as that of the illustrious brother alluded to has been and is still borne by other brethren similarly situated as to the circumstances of their birth . No principle of Freemasonry , as recognised in Scotland , was violated by the admission of such men ; for in its
dealings with bastards the lodge has never presumed to raise itself above the Christian Church . In the Installation Service the Master of a Scotch Lodge is asked to give his assent to the charge which makes it imperative to ii . stituto due inquiry into the character of a man before he can be made a
Mason ; but no information is required as to his parentage With every disposition to believe in the truth of this statement above quoted aueut the rejection by a Scotch Lodge of two men on the ground of their supposed illegitimacy , we hold that it is an isolated instance of a Scotch Lodge adopting a custom that
is repugnant to the feelings of Scotch Masons , as it is also unauthorised by the Scotch Masonic Constitution . On the part of Scotchmen and Scotch Masc ns , therefore , we repudiate tho dogma of the " ineligibility of bastards as Freemasons , " as in any respect applicable to Lodges working under the Grand Lodge of Scotland .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Papers On Masonry.
consist both of men and women ; their names are enrolled in a Register , together with particulars usual in such cases sufficiently for identification . Should some of the husbands not have been sealed to their wives for all eternity , Heber C . Kimball , President of the Church , One of the Twelve Apostles ,
Councillor of the Presidency , High Priest of this Mormon Masonry , and President of the Conference of Elders , immediately seals them . The persons to be ordained are then introduced in a body into a long room , divided by white screens into various compartments , ranged in two lines . Men go to the right ,
women to the left , barefooted , with exception of the priests . Silence ensues ; a splash of water and mysterious whispers alone are heard . The next proceeding applies to the men . Each individual is undressed and laid in a tin bath ; he is washed in warm water , and each individual member
is blessed according to its function : bram , to be strong ; ears , to be quick to hear the words of God ' s servants ; eyes , to be sharp ; nose , mouth , down to the feet . " to be swift to run in the ways of righteousness . " Thus he is lustrated and pronounced clean from " the blood of this generation . " An apostle then confers upon him
" a new name by which he will be known in the celestial kingdom of God . " In the next room he is anointed with oil from a horn , and oil is sprinkled all over his body , while benedictions are spoken . After this he receives a long tunic of muslin or linen , over this a shirt , and over all a long linen robe , touching
the ground both before and behind . A small square apron of white linen or silk , ornamented with figleaves , is tied on . A linen cap , stockings and shoes of cotton , complete the costume . During this time the High Priest , as Elohim , consults with Jehovah , Jesus , and Michael ( Adam ) , represented by other priests , as
to creating and peopling the earth . This is the first section . Jehovah , Jesus , and Michael now proceed to the place where the candidate is , they touch him with the ends of their fingers to imply Creation to the Bod y , and breathe on the face to Induce the Spirit . He is
then the orig inal Adam . A woman who has been treated by persons of her own sex in exactly the same way , is then brought in . ' Adam is ordered to pretend to be asleep ; his e ) es are then opened , and he is introduced to Eve , his wife . Adam and Eve soon after proceed to the room
where Elohim presides over the Gods . This is Eden . A garden scene is formed by the painted hangings ; fruit , real , hangs from a bush . The Devil ( performed by W . W . Phelps ) tempts Eve , Eve tempts Adam , and the Great Elohim then appears , drives away the Devil , curses everybody , and the Devil crawls out
like a serpent , except that he has hands and knees . At this point Adam and Eve being m a bad way , Elohim promises them restoration by means of the priesthood , invested with jurisdiction , unlimited power , and indisputable authority . Here oaths are administered of secrecy , submission , and chastity by both ,
subject to marriage by the head of the Church or his delegates . A grip and password are conferred , and they then are admitted to the third degree of endowment , or first degree of the Order of Aaron . Man now enters tho world possessed of the password of truth , and with sacerdotal authority . Light
has , however , become Darkness , Darkness , Light . He is puzzled to find Truth , and the Devil again appears , who treats all tho sects alike , politely addressing a crowd of persons as Methodist brother , Episcopalian brother , Mohammedan brother , Roman Catholic brother , & c , & c „ saying " I love you all , my good
friends "; three other Apostles come in as St . Peter , St . James , and St . John ; they joke with the Devil , as in an old mystery play , but St . Peter presently turns him out . Tho Apostles now deliver addresses to , and ask questions of , the newly-initiated , and explain how the authority passed through . Joseph Smith to Brigham
Young . They are to be , in the exact words of the address , " Like a tallowed rag in the hands of Brigham Young . " The pair then return to the Kingdom of God . Adam ( man ) doubly lost by original sin mid by his own personal sins , has recovered powers and blessings , but
has wandered away from the truth . I he Priesthood promised a Redeemer , and they now propose to give nim an instrument of redemption . Elohim , therefore reveals Solomon Spanlding ' s " Manuscript Found , " by means I presume , of letting Joseph Smith , the printer ' s apprentice , know that it is in an unlocked drawer , and
so he steals it . This is theGentile account . Otherwise , an angel informs Joeof the Plates of Gold , which Professor Anthon detected to be a farrago of trash . At this moment—a fitting one , in my opinion—the new members take an oath to keep the secret—that it is all trash , I presume—under pain of having their heart torn out and cut to pieces , and other details . Here a
new sign , grip , and password are given , and they are admitted into the second Order of Aaron . Man is now partly saved (?) , and is moved into a room where there is an altar . Here he is sworn to fidelity towards his Co-reli gionists , never to speak ill of Brigham Young , to put the Church above everything , and a great deal nioro too tedious to enumerate , except the obligation to bo ready to sacrifice to the Church one's
Papers On Masonry.
most intimate friend , one ' s nearest relative , one ' s most beloved wife , and even one ' s own life . The penalty is having the stomach opened and the entrails thrown to the swine—very nice pork ! Another sign , another grip , password , and the neophyte enters into the third degree or Order of Melchizedek . He now proceeds to another room , and there finds the
the Bible , Book of Mormon , and the Book of Doctrines and Covenants ( the Revelations to Joseph ) . Here more oaths are sworn , disavowing fealty to the United States , and other things of a like nature . Other penalties are here imposed , and new signs , grips , and passwords admit the gentleman to the second degree of the Order of Melchizedeck . This is considered sufficient to render the initiate
acceptable to God . Prayers are offered up in the Abracadabran language , and the initiate is sworn to wear the tunic next his skin always—a somewhat superfluous and eremitical injunction . There is yet one thing more to be accomplished . The initiate has to pass the Veil , a thin partition of linen ,
in order " to repeat the whole formula " communicated to him , while the assistants cut marks in his shirt with a pair of scissors and mutter a word in his ear in a low tone—perhaps , " Phlatto-thratto-phlatto-thratt , " from the play of Aristophanes . Passing through the
Veil , he is supposed to enter the kingdom of heaven , and then their wives are admitted and this monstrous farce is played over again . Then they proceed to refreshment for a short time , and being ordered to return , are addressed by some high dignitarj' of the Church " on the seriousness of the affair . " I must
exclaim , O Itoli Polique , 0 perna et caidis ! Freemasons , and men that respect yourselves , have I not sufficiently proved the truth with which I employed the texts at the head of this paper ? It is true , and is written in the pages of Remy and John Hyde . CRYPTONYMUS .
Magnificent Decoration Of The 33rd Degree.
MAGNIFICENT DECORATION OF THE 33 RD DEGREE .
It is with much pleasure that we announce to our Masonic readers that the Supreme Council 33 ° A . A . Rite , for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States , at its annual session held at Boston in June last , by unanimous resolve , voted a Grand Decoration of the 33 ° to 111 . Bro . Albert G . Goodall ,
33 ., as a testimonial of the estimation in which they held his invaluable services in the cause of legitimate Masonry , by his researches into and exhaustive reports on the origin and present status of the Supreme Councils and Grand Orients of portions of South America , Italy , Portugal , and Spain , while visiting those
countries . A description of this splendid jewel cannot be otherwise than interesting : — On a plate of gold , representing the sun , is laid the Teutonic Cross enamelled . On this are the Grand Decorations of the Order , viz ., a nine-pointed star
formed by three triangles of gold , one upon the other , and interlaced . From the lower part of the left side toward the upper part of the right , extends a sword , and in the opposite direction a hand of Justice . In the middle is the shield of the Order , blue ; upon the shield is an eagle like that on the banner ; on the dexter
side of the shield is a golden balance , and on the sinister a golden compass resting on a golden square . Around tho whole shield runs a stripe of blue , lettered in gold with the Latin words , Ordo ab Chao ; and this stripe is enclosed by a doublet circle , formed by two serpents each holding his tail in his mouth . Of the
smaller triangles formed by the intersection of the principal ones , those nine that are nearest the blue stripe are coloured red , and on each is one of the letters that constitute the word S . A . P . I . E . N . T . I . A . On the reverse of the jewel is the following
inscription : " From the Supreme Council Sov . Gr . Ins . Gen . 33 ° A . A . S . Rite , Northern Masonic Jurisdiction , U . S ., to 111 . Bro . Albert G . Goodall , Sov . Gr . Ins . Gen . and General Foreign Representative . Boston , Mass ., June 19 th , 1869 . V . E . "
THE GAIETY THEATRE . —The new comedy drama by Mr . Gilbert , entitled " An Old Score , " continues to draw large audiences at this splendid little theatre . The acting of Miss Henrade as Ethel Barrington is extremely good , Col . Calthorpe is admirably represented by Mr . Emery , and Mr .
Neville is equally efficient as James Camy , the Bombay Merchant . The denouement is excellent , and the Scenery by Mr . George Gordon—especially a villa at Teddington , and Ovington Grange , leaves nothing to be desired . To all who wish to enjoy themselves thoroughly—we can only say go to the " Gaietv . "
THE Lion was a symbol of Jeremiah , because of the terrible voice of his threatening ; and of St . Mark , because his gospel begins with the voice in the wilderness ; but principally of Christ , who is denominated the lion of the tribe of Judah , and will ultimatel y subdue all things to himself- - "for he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet . "
Ineligibility Of Bastards As Freemasons.
INELIGIBILITY OF BASTARDS AS FREEMASONS .
( To the Editor of The Freemason . ' ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Would you do me the favour of inserting in THE FREEMASON the following article which has been the subject of unmasonic
animadversion , and which ought , properly , to have been first sent to the magazine in which appeared . the communication to which it was a reply . Yours fraternally , Ayr , August 14 th , 1869 . D . MUKRAY LYON .
A writer in THE FREEMASON , in his anxiety to uphold the purity of Lodge membership speak 3 authoritatively on what he alleges to be the practice obtaining among Scotch Lodges in their relation to men who have had the misfortune to be born out of wedlock . " It has , ( he says ) been an indisputable
rule , and constantly acted upon in lodges of Britain in olden times , that no bastard could be received a » a Freemason . ... In Scotland this ancient landmark and law has been maintained with almost no exception ; and it is not long since , in a Lod # e holding a high position in the Craft , two men werr
positively rejected on no other ground than that they could not show the legitimacy of their birth . " No Scotch Masonic statute known to us bears out the statement here made as to the " ineligibility of bastards as Freemasons . " The oldest Scotch Masonic statutes extant are those of the Ayr
Squaremen Incorporation , dated 1556 . The next in point of antiquity are the Ordinances of William Schaw , Master of Works to James VI ., dated 1598-99 . Neither in these documents , nor in the records of the Lodge of Edinburgh ( Mary ' s Chapel ) , No . 1 , dating from 1598 , or of Mother Kilwinning ,
dating from 1643 , is there to be found any law preventing the admission of bastards . The oldest of the documents quoted enacts that " gif the prentes be ane friemauis sone he sail pay entres silur fyve schillingis , and gif he not ane friemauis sone he sail pay ten schillingis . " A similar privilege was
enjoyed by the " lawful sons of freemen m the ancient Lodges of Kilwinning and Edinburgh ; but it was only in this respect that as apprentice masons the male offspring of legal marriages were treated differently from their illegitimate brothers and the sous of non-freemen , when any such
presented themselves . The erection of the Grand Lodge of Scotland did not place bastards in a worse position than that which , as applicants for admission to Freemason Lodges , they held when Lodges were purely Operative associations . And so far from initiation being
iu Scotland denied to the class of citizens referred to , innumerable instances , within the memory of masous still alive , could be given of the initiation of good men and true , the offspring of illicit intercourse . A notable instance of this kind occurred in the person of Lord Frederick Fitz-Clareuce , one of
the natural sons of William IV . Made under the French Constitution , he was affiliated in a Scotch Lodge , was Deputy Grand Master in 1840 , and on the death of the Earl of Rothes , was elected to be Grand Master Mason of Scotland , which office he held during 1841-42 . The sin of his pareuts did
not affect his moral and religious qualifications as a candidate for the privileges of Freemasonry , neither was his admissior regarded as a scandal upon the Fraternity . As was said of him by the Reverend Brother who pronounced the oration at the Grand Funeral Lodge that in 1854 was held at Edinburgh
out of respect to his memory , " he was kindly esteemed in all tlie relations of life , and was . iu an especial manner , an honour to Masonry—by his conduct reflecting back the honour it had conferred on him in his elevation to the supreme dignity of Grand Master of Scotland . "
A Masonic character as fair and ut blemished as that of the illustrious brother alluded to has been and is still borne by other brethren similarly situated as to the circumstances of their birth . No principle of Freemasonry , as recognised in Scotland , was violated by the admission of such men ; for in its
dealings with bastards the lodge has never presumed to raise itself above the Christian Church . In the Installation Service the Master of a Scotch Lodge is asked to give his assent to the charge which makes it imperative to ii . stituto due inquiry into the character of a man before he can be made a
Mason ; but no information is required as to his parentage With every disposition to believe in the truth of this statement above quoted aueut the rejection by a Scotch Lodge of two men on the ground of their supposed illegitimacy , we hold that it is an isolated instance of a Scotch Lodge adopting a custom that
is repugnant to the feelings of Scotch Masons , as it is also unauthorised by the Scotch Masonic Constitution . On the part of Scotchmen and Scotch Masc ns , therefore , we repudiate tho dogma of the " ineligibility of bastards as Freemasons , " as in any respect applicable to Lodges working under the Grand Lodge of Scotland .