Random Notes On Freemasonry.

in the article I have before quoted from the Kingston Annual , admits that the A . and A . Rite is " certainly the most widely diffused ancl probably the oldest of modern rites , " that the

Rose Croix is one of the oldest and most generally practised ofthe philosophical degrees ; it is found in all the principal rites , and where it does not exist in name its place is supplied by others

whose symbols do not materially differ from it . It is the Rose Croix ( Royal Oreler ) of Scotland . Of its orig in we have no satisfactory account . Its ceremonies are of the most impressive

character and figuratively conduct tlie candidate through the Valley of the Shadow of Death accompanied and sustained by Faith , Hope , and Charity , to his final reception into the abode of

life , light , and immortality . It is in fact a Christian form of the third degree . Bro . Longstaff is not correct in saying , however , that the Royal Order of Scotland is the same as the Rose

Croix , and were he a member of that order , which is saiel to have been founded by Robert the Bruce , he woulel know he was wrong . There is a connexion , as there is with the Templar

degree but it is more or less remote , as the brethren of the Rose Croix ( who in their ritual by the way are called Rosicrucian Kni ghts ) know full well . In the article quoted it is likewise stated

that , The Rile Francoise , ( a modification of which , the Rite Ancient Rtjorme , is practised in Belgium and Holland ) was established by the Grand Orient of France about the year 1786 , anel consists of

seven de c rees ; Appren ' . i , Compagnon , Maitre , E ossis , Elu , Chevalier

isolated herself from the rest of the Masonic world that we know but little of her system ; it consists of so-Tie nine degrees , the 4 and f ° are termed St . Andrew ' s Masonrv , and are founded

011 a Scottish legend . Tlie members ofthe highei degrees are Freres de la Croix Rouge , and form the Grand Chapter Illumine , presided over by the King . In 1811 , Charles XIII . conferred on the

Craft the highest compliment it has ever received , by establishing the order of kni g hthood which bears his name ; it is conferred only on Swedish Masons of distinction , and the number of kni ghts

is limited to twenty-seven , exclusive of three Ecclesiastics ancl the Princes ofthe Blood Royal . As a rule Freemasonry is practised in Germany in its original purity , the High Grades finding

but little favour . The Grasslands loge von Deutschland adopts the Swedish Rite , and a few Grand Lodges work systems of their own . The opposition Grand Lodges in Germany no doubt

accounts for Bro . Findel ' s onslaught on the higher degrees practised by some of them . The perfection of Masonry is Christian . The Egyptian and Eleusinian mysteries were funereal

in character , and a learned friend of mine , the Rev . R . X . Sanderson , M . A ., _ o ° , is of opinion that all point to a Death and Resurrection , a sort of antetype of the Death and

Resurrection , by winch we are saved . If this theory be correct then Christian Masonry is the true xep : e enlative of those mysterious foreshadowings

which the antients hacl of what was to come and which they celebrated iu dramatic ceremonies , and often accompanied with much that was bad , perhaps prophesying what they did not under-

Random Notes On Freemasonry.

stand . The traditional history of the 3 is said to have been charged at the building ofthe Temp le of Solomon—from the death of Bacchus or Dyonisius to that of H . A . B . I am reminded of

an anecdote from " Wood's Natural History of Man , " I think it is called The Becuannas and their relig ious ceremonies on the death of a Prince The Royal Sign

amongst some African tribes , in an exactly similar way with our own . My friend Dr . Tristram * speaking of some Arab chiefs , says , he found they had Masonic signs almost identical

with ours , but bearing a different signification . The legend of the 3 is said to be in the Talmud , Dr . Oliver is my authority . Bro . Buchan , the Iconoclast of Masonry—has been

endeavouring for sometime past to prove that Masonry did not exist before 1717—that we have in fact no past , and that our noble history is but a fable from beginning to end . That Brother stated

in the Freemason now some months since , " for years after joining the Masonic fraternity , I generail ) ' * speaking behaved in the popular idea of its history , rise ancl progress , but no sooner did I

begin to examine into these throughly than I was obliged to throw them up , anel as it was with Masonic ideas in 1868 , so has it been in religious matters in 1871 . Investigation into , and

thought upon both , has led me up to a departure from the popular ideas . The Bible , as we now have it , is simpl y in great measure a mere colectionof Hebrew pamphlets , full of interpolations

and alterations upon the works of the original authors . It is also simply a Jewish literary production , ancl as such , liable to exactly the same criticism as the literary productions of any other

people , whilst the inspiration contained in it is just the same as that found in Shakespeare , Luther , Milton , Newton , Scott , Walt , or Gladstone . The language speaks for itself , and I

think that the man who denies the inspiration ofthe Scriptures is hardly the teacher whose words we shoulel reverence , or whose opinion we should accept as to the history and the aims of our venerable ancl venerated institution . In these

days of utilitarianism it is often asked what is the use of Freemasonry ? What good does it elo r It is useless for us to answer , " we have our

great Masonic Charities " because the reply is , so have other bodies with not half the pretentions of the Freemasons . What nobler work

than the fostering and study of architecture and archaeology , the restoration of the church built by our ancestors ! The Masons of Bristol , under their esteemed Provincial Grand Master , the Earl

of Limerick , ( one of the most distinguished members ofthe A . and A . Rite ) have set a noble example . They have recently restored the Lady Chapel of St . Mary ' s Redclift ' e , the

grandest parish church perhaps in England , at a very great cost—anel they took part in laying the foundation stone of the new nave to their Cathedral . We can all do something in this

way to show the world we are not degenerated sons of the Medixval Masons—for we can always help with our money , if not with our hands at the restoration of those beautiful and historic fanes reared b y the wisdom anel piety of

* The Revd . Canon Tristram , 18 degree , L . L . D ., l- ' . R . S . Author of fhe " Great Sahara , " the " La «; J , of Israel , " . Natural History of thc Bible . "

Random Notes On Freemasonry.

our ancestors . Wherever a Masonic lodge is situated near to some grand old church going to decay—its members should be the first to help with loving hands to rebuild the sacred edifice ,

if they believe in the history of their order . Did time permit it , I could enlarge upon the science of symbolism , pourtrayed as it is in our sacred buildings , especially interesting to us

Masonsand to the curious Masons Marks found scattered over the cathedrals and temples in Europe and Asia . Many of these marks , in countries most remote , are almost identical— pointing to a

solidarity , a community whose purpose , aims , history ancl origin were one . Some years ago , when the Hartlepool Church ( founded by one of the Brtices , ancestors of King Robert , about

1100 A . D . ) was undergoing restoration , I was one of a number of Freemasons onthe committee . We discovered upon some of the stones forming the foundation of the chancel , and which had

been buried for 700 years—marks almost identical with some found in Notre Dame Cathedral . I would refer any brother interested in this subject to " Laurie ' s History of Freemasonry in

Scotlanel , " anel to the Builder of March 27 th anel June , 26 th , 1869 , where he will see a collection of these marks anel the places where they are found , also to that valuable work , Mackay ' s

Lexicon of Masonry . * One word as to the Constitutions of Grand Lodge , and the appointment of Grand Officers . I think it will be generally admitted that the appointments to

office are unsatisfactory . Men become members of Grand Lodge of whom the Craft knows nothing—and who , I venture to say , know as little about the Craft—noblemen are pitch-forked

into the W . and S ., who have never been Masters of Lodges , contrary to the constitutions , and young gentlemen , simply because they are related to those highest in office , are made

rulers of tlie Craft , the first principles of which they are lamentably ignorant of . Office is almost entirely restricted to London Masons , whilst men like " Lupus " and Bro . Hughan , who are

ornaments to the Craft , and whose researcli and learning have done so much for Masonry , are left out in the cold . What office had Dr . Oliver , the most learned Mason of his time in

Grand Lodge ? What position does Dr . Beaumont Leeson ( I suppose the greatest Mason living ) , hold at the present time ? I say that Grand Lodge might very well take a lesson of

the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , which authorises every Lodge under its sway to nominate a brother to office . By this plan , provincial Masons of worth might hope to attain the purple

and Grand Lodge would become , what it certainly is not at present , a truly representative body . One word more . There is an impression abroad which should be removed . Freemasonry

is a benevolent but not a benefit society . We succour the distressed amongst us , but we do it in secret . No man has a right to come amongst us and demand assistance as he would from an

Oddfellow ' s Lodge . Benefit societies , most excellent institutions in their way , are mainl y of use to the working classes . I speak in the presence , I believe , of some valuable members of one of the most powerful institutions , and I