Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 467 Lodge of Benevolence 4 I 1 S Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire 4 6 S Provincial Grand Chnpterof Wiltshire ... 46 S Consecration of the Temple Mark Lodge ,
No . 322 , Wilmington , Kent 4 OS A London Mason's Visit to Canterbury ... 4 6 9 Australia 4 C 9 CimiiEsi'oxnEXCEStatus of Past Masters 4 ; o The Old York Working .. ' :.. 471 Votes for the October Elections 471
CORRESPONDENCE ( Continued)—Royal Masonic Institution for Hoys 471 Notes and Queries 471 RETORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 472
Instruction 473 Royal Arch 473 Mark Masonry 473 The Theatres 474 Obituary 474 Masonic and General Tidings 475 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 476
Ar00101
ALL our readers will be glad to letrn that Miss DAVIS , the invaluable Mistress of our Girls' School , is happily again at work , being stronger in health and fully benefitted by a considerate period of holiday and rest . To Miss DAVIS the present scholastic efficiency of the school must fairly be attributed , and though admirably seconded by Miss REDGRAVE and other excellent teachers , great have been the ability and directing power which have raised the School high on the roll of similar institutions , so high
indeed as probably hardly to be excelled by any existing establishment at home or abroad . We shall all join heartily in the aspiration that Miss DAVIS may long be enabled to direct the very admirable progress of our Girls ' School and continue in good health and strength , that skilled superintendence and that zealous administration which are of such great benefit to the children and of such real importance to our Craft . Any allusion to our Girls' School would be incomplete which did not also allude in grateful terms to the long services and admirable management of Miss J ARWOOD .
# # WE understand that it has been decided not to increase the number of girls to be elected in October , at least so far as the authorities are concerned . We make it a rule of the Freemason never to seek to antagonize proper and lawful authority , but rather to give to it our loyal and Masonic aid . It may be that taking all things into account , the authorities arc right . The
number of children elected compared with numerous other institutions , is very remarkable indeed , and we feel quite sure of this , that it in 1 SS 4 the authorities find the list of candidates becoming large , and the diminution by election comparatively small , they will at once make an effort to increase the number of inmates and give the inestimable blessings of a home and a good education to many all but friendless , but yet deserving applicants .
* * * THE Girls' School List of Candidates for the October elections is now before us . They are 32 in number , of which eight are to be elected on October 13 th . Of the 32 , nine of the fathers have subscribed to one , or more , or all of the Charities , while 10 have subscribed to their lodges until death , and if some
have subscribed 31 , 26 , 22 years , as the time may be , no one has subscribed for less than seven . Of these candidates nine are from London , two from the colonies , and 21 from the provinces . From what we hear the voting is likely to be pretty high ; two of the candidates bring forward 697 and 624 votes respectively , and two others , 428 and 333 , and the number to be elected being so small .
* * # WE have perused carefully the Boys' School list of candidates , and a very long one and serious one it is I There are 64 candidates and 20 vacancies . 16 of the fathers have subscribed to one or all of the Charities . iS continued contributing subscribers until death or incapacity , whilst the highest amount of subscribing membership is twenty-four half-years , the lowest three-fourths
of one year , but in this case death supervened within the 12 months . Of the cases 22 are London , two are from the colonies and foreign stations , and 40 are from the provinces . We specially abstain from calling attention to special cases , as all have more or less warm friends , but cannot forbear observing that some have come up six or seven times , and with we fear for many of them little probability of success . We note some high figures in
" Remanets , " viz ., 2576 , 2542 , 2423 , 2153 , 2040 , 1794 , 1680 , 1544 , 1543 , 1394 , > n sum considerably over 25 , 000 votes to be carried forward . The polling will probably be high , but whether so high as last April it is at present impossible to say , some think not so high , some fancy higher . The great disproportion of value as then displayed in respect of Girls' and Boys ' votes will , we apprehend , this year not be maintainable .
» « MASONIC Archaeology has had many fluctuations , and not a few difficulties and drawbacks . It is still pursued under much discouragement , and has not yet had meted out to it in any prevailing sense , the " popularis aura " of sympathy and approbation . Its votaries are few , and its literature is unremunerative . If " a . priori " it might be deemed both incredible and unsatisfactory that such should be the normal state of Masonic investigation
and science , yet after all there is nothing very surprising in the fact itself . It is not a popular study " per se , " inasmuch as its very pursuit implies and entails much hard work , many wearisome researches , and an absolute and entire antagonism to the illomened regime of mere Masonic " windbags , " who will often "discoorse iligantly " by the hour , on a subject which they have not studied , or which they really know nothing about , except what they have themselves " cribbed" from some second-hand authority , worthless to and ¦ aughed at by the real Masonic student . There is no Royal road to the mastery oi Masonic archaeology , and no one can truly term himself a Masonic student
Ar00102
who has not exercized his patience in turning over half wearily MSS . and lucubrations lying dusty . and valueless on the shelves of our libraries . He must indeed be the most egotistical or unsafe of teachers who can affect to judge of the age or value of a MS . by ' * internal evidence " alone , and who complacently shuts his eyes to this one fact , that the often ingrossing pursuit of Masonic archaeology enforces upon its true students careful collation and
constant verification , accurate transcription and painstaking personal study of all documents or evidences , whether it be for a crucial discovery , or a critical analysis . It is hopeless , nay immoral , for any to introduce into the graver regions of Masonic enquiry pet' * fads , " or " post hoc propter hoc " conclusions . Masonic archieologycan only be safelyhandled inductively , forolherwise we fall into the same error as the early English school of accepling
popular theories for positive facts , the creation of fable for positive truth , what is imagination , what is unreal , what is rhapsodical , for what is veracious , real . stic , certain , and clear . And just as of old we were too credulous and uncritical , so now we must be on our gaurd against becoming too " nihilistic . " We must rather seek to preserve and adhere to the " even mean" of careful induction and critical
common sense . It seems to us we confess slightly dangerous to attempt to lay down dogmatically even yet the limits of Masonic belief and . acceptance , as those very limits are still shifting and unsettled . We cannot yet pronounce safely or judicially on many matters of discussion , on many matters of interest . We must bide our time . We may indeed dilate upon them , illustrate them , analyze them , treat them , as we deem ,
exhaustively , and yet , lo and behold I the guardian genius of Masonic truth , like as with the magic wand of the benign fairy of old days , seems to touch the whole fabric , however seemingly cohesively and coherently raised up , and it , too , in turn , crumbles away like the others , and fades from sight , leaving only the dust and "debris" behind . We are , as it seems to us , approaching an epoch of striking discoveries as regards the
true history of Freemasonry . The labours of Masonic students of different countries have cleared the ground and paved the way for a clearer perception of the truth , lor a more perfect realization of the actual facts of the case . We no longer are content to pin our faith on idle " muthos" or painful anachronisms . We do not willingly repeat unaccredited statements , the product of earlier habitual sheepwalking . We want a Masonic history
true , simple , stern , reasonable ; not a mere compilation of dates and a dry , hard record of occurrences , but the trustworthy annals of a great Order , based on a safe foundation , permeated by a resolute adherence lo verity , and a befitting appreciation of difficulties . We desiderate , in fact , a painstaking and faithful attempt to speak honestly and judge fairly , to measure fully and guage certainly the very reality of Masonic history . We think
the least inlonncd of our readers on such subjects , the slightest given to Masonic study , but above all the Masonic student and expert , must feel what an amount of gratitude we owe to Bro . R . F . GOULD for his uni que " Tentamen " to treat our Masonic annals with dignity and honesty , and what a new and startling light his industry and verification have cast over obscure positions and debaleable episodes of our MasonL- life in the world from the earliest times . We will now venture to repeat
our fraternal advice to all our kind readers , that , if they wish t j fathom the mysteries ol Masonic archaeology and history , they cannot bettjr occupy their time than by diligently studying the interesting collections of THORY ; the remarkable history of FINDEL ; the invaluable contributions of HUGHAN ; RYLAND ' S tentative , but most important , efforts ; the eloquent pages of FORT ; the laborious compilations ol AIACKEY ; and the matter-of-fact realism of D . M . LYON ; and last though not least , the very striking and lucid pages of R . F . GOULD .
# * # WE quite go with our correspondent , a " P . PROV . GRAND DEACON FOR EAST LANCASHIRE , " when he says the views of his province are entitled to some consideration . Certainly they are . We would rather say a great deal . And , no doubt , such an opinion if general and decided must be a
serious " factor" in the ultimate decision . All we have ever asked for is careful consideration and calm discussion , not hurried treatment of a very serious and important question . Whatever be the decision of Grand Lodge we should most loyally accept it , even though it went against our most cherished opinions .
# * * OUR worthy Bro . TURNER seems , by his letter elsewhere , to forget that the only reason why London brethren were asked to attend was the fact that the amendment to the Book of Constitutions in regard to Past Masters was carried by a faithful band of 40 provincial brethren , as Bro . LLOYD told us in the Freemason , who came up , and were most ably led in Grand
Lodge at a time when very few London brethren were present . There was not a full attendance by any means . Several brethren , we are told , did not vote , and the compact " phalanx " from the provinces , aided by some in Grand Lodge , carried in a thin Grand Lodge a very momentous change . As for any idea of antagonism or separate interests as between the metropolitan and provincial brethren , we can assure our worthy correspondent it is a complete error .
# * # WE are glad to say that a letter has been received from Bro . FINDEL announcing his restoration to health and work , and enclosing a communication in respect of the Sackville medal , which will appear in " Notes" next week . A review of his "Vermischte Schriften , " a copy of which he has sent , will also appear .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 467 Lodge of Benevolence 4 I 1 S Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire 4 6 S Provincial Grand Chnpterof Wiltshire ... 46 S Consecration of the Temple Mark Lodge ,
No . 322 , Wilmington , Kent 4 OS A London Mason's Visit to Canterbury ... 4 6 9 Australia 4 C 9 CimiiEsi'oxnEXCEStatus of Past Masters 4 ; o The Old York Working .. ' :.. 471 Votes for the October Elections 471
CORRESPONDENCE ( Continued)—Royal Masonic Institution for Hoys 471 Notes and Queries 471 RETORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 472
Instruction 473 Royal Arch 473 Mark Masonry 473 The Theatres 474 Obituary 474 Masonic and General Tidings 475 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 476
Ar00101
ALL our readers will be glad to letrn that Miss DAVIS , the invaluable Mistress of our Girls' School , is happily again at work , being stronger in health and fully benefitted by a considerate period of holiday and rest . To Miss DAVIS the present scholastic efficiency of the school must fairly be attributed , and though admirably seconded by Miss REDGRAVE and other excellent teachers , great have been the ability and directing power which have raised the School high on the roll of similar institutions , so high
indeed as probably hardly to be excelled by any existing establishment at home or abroad . We shall all join heartily in the aspiration that Miss DAVIS may long be enabled to direct the very admirable progress of our Girls ' School and continue in good health and strength , that skilled superintendence and that zealous administration which are of such great benefit to the children and of such real importance to our Craft . Any allusion to our Girls' School would be incomplete which did not also allude in grateful terms to the long services and admirable management of Miss J ARWOOD .
# # WE understand that it has been decided not to increase the number of girls to be elected in October , at least so far as the authorities are concerned . We make it a rule of the Freemason never to seek to antagonize proper and lawful authority , but rather to give to it our loyal and Masonic aid . It may be that taking all things into account , the authorities arc right . The
number of children elected compared with numerous other institutions , is very remarkable indeed , and we feel quite sure of this , that it in 1 SS 4 the authorities find the list of candidates becoming large , and the diminution by election comparatively small , they will at once make an effort to increase the number of inmates and give the inestimable blessings of a home and a good education to many all but friendless , but yet deserving applicants .
* * * THE Girls' School List of Candidates for the October elections is now before us . They are 32 in number , of which eight are to be elected on October 13 th . Of the 32 , nine of the fathers have subscribed to one , or more , or all of the Charities , while 10 have subscribed to their lodges until death , and if some
have subscribed 31 , 26 , 22 years , as the time may be , no one has subscribed for less than seven . Of these candidates nine are from London , two from the colonies , and 21 from the provinces . From what we hear the voting is likely to be pretty high ; two of the candidates bring forward 697 and 624 votes respectively , and two others , 428 and 333 , and the number to be elected being so small .
* * # WE have perused carefully the Boys' School list of candidates , and a very long one and serious one it is I There are 64 candidates and 20 vacancies . 16 of the fathers have subscribed to one or all of the Charities . iS continued contributing subscribers until death or incapacity , whilst the highest amount of subscribing membership is twenty-four half-years , the lowest three-fourths
of one year , but in this case death supervened within the 12 months . Of the cases 22 are London , two are from the colonies and foreign stations , and 40 are from the provinces . We specially abstain from calling attention to special cases , as all have more or less warm friends , but cannot forbear observing that some have come up six or seven times , and with we fear for many of them little probability of success . We note some high figures in
" Remanets , " viz ., 2576 , 2542 , 2423 , 2153 , 2040 , 1794 , 1680 , 1544 , 1543 , 1394 , > n sum considerably over 25 , 000 votes to be carried forward . The polling will probably be high , but whether so high as last April it is at present impossible to say , some think not so high , some fancy higher . The great disproportion of value as then displayed in respect of Girls' and Boys ' votes will , we apprehend , this year not be maintainable .
» « MASONIC Archaeology has had many fluctuations , and not a few difficulties and drawbacks . It is still pursued under much discouragement , and has not yet had meted out to it in any prevailing sense , the " popularis aura " of sympathy and approbation . Its votaries are few , and its literature is unremunerative . If " a . priori " it might be deemed both incredible and unsatisfactory that such should be the normal state of Masonic investigation
and science , yet after all there is nothing very surprising in the fact itself . It is not a popular study " per se , " inasmuch as its very pursuit implies and entails much hard work , many wearisome researches , and an absolute and entire antagonism to the illomened regime of mere Masonic " windbags , " who will often "discoorse iligantly " by the hour , on a subject which they have not studied , or which they really know nothing about , except what they have themselves " cribbed" from some second-hand authority , worthless to and ¦ aughed at by the real Masonic student . There is no Royal road to the mastery oi Masonic archaeology , and no one can truly term himself a Masonic student
Ar00102
who has not exercized his patience in turning over half wearily MSS . and lucubrations lying dusty . and valueless on the shelves of our libraries . He must indeed be the most egotistical or unsafe of teachers who can affect to judge of the age or value of a MS . by ' * internal evidence " alone , and who complacently shuts his eyes to this one fact , that the often ingrossing pursuit of Masonic archaeology enforces upon its true students careful collation and
constant verification , accurate transcription and painstaking personal study of all documents or evidences , whether it be for a crucial discovery , or a critical analysis . It is hopeless , nay immoral , for any to introduce into the graver regions of Masonic enquiry pet' * fads , " or " post hoc propter hoc " conclusions . Masonic archieologycan only be safelyhandled inductively , forolherwise we fall into the same error as the early English school of accepling
popular theories for positive facts , the creation of fable for positive truth , what is imagination , what is unreal , what is rhapsodical , for what is veracious , real . stic , certain , and clear . And just as of old we were too credulous and uncritical , so now we must be on our gaurd against becoming too " nihilistic . " We must rather seek to preserve and adhere to the " even mean" of careful induction and critical
common sense . It seems to us we confess slightly dangerous to attempt to lay down dogmatically even yet the limits of Masonic belief and . acceptance , as those very limits are still shifting and unsettled . We cannot yet pronounce safely or judicially on many matters of discussion , on many matters of interest . We must bide our time . We may indeed dilate upon them , illustrate them , analyze them , treat them , as we deem ,
exhaustively , and yet , lo and behold I the guardian genius of Masonic truth , like as with the magic wand of the benign fairy of old days , seems to touch the whole fabric , however seemingly cohesively and coherently raised up , and it , too , in turn , crumbles away like the others , and fades from sight , leaving only the dust and "debris" behind . We are , as it seems to us , approaching an epoch of striking discoveries as regards the
true history of Freemasonry . The labours of Masonic students of different countries have cleared the ground and paved the way for a clearer perception of the truth , lor a more perfect realization of the actual facts of the case . We no longer are content to pin our faith on idle " muthos" or painful anachronisms . We do not willingly repeat unaccredited statements , the product of earlier habitual sheepwalking . We want a Masonic history
true , simple , stern , reasonable ; not a mere compilation of dates and a dry , hard record of occurrences , but the trustworthy annals of a great Order , based on a safe foundation , permeated by a resolute adherence lo verity , and a befitting appreciation of difficulties . We desiderate , in fact , a painstaking and faithful attempt to speak honestly and judge fairly , to measure fully and guage certainly the very reality of Masonic history . We think
the least inlonncd of our readers on such subjects , the slightest given to Masonic study , but above all the Masonic student and expert , must feel what an amount of gratitude we owe to Bro . R . F . GOULD for his uni que " Tentamen " to treat our Masonic annals with dignity and honesty , and what a new and startling light his industry and verification have cast over obscure positions and debaleable episodes of our MasonL- life in the world from the earliest times . We will now venture to repeat
our fraternal advice to all our kind readers , that , if they wish t j fathom the mysteries ol Masonic archaeology and history , they cannot bettjr occupy their time than by diligently studying the interesting collections of THORY ; the remarkable history of FINDEL ; the invaluable contributions of HUGHAN ; RYLAND ' S tentative , but most important , efforts ; the eloquent pages of FORT ; the laborious compilations ol AIACKEY ; and the matter-of-fact realism of D . M . LYON ; and last though not least , the very striking and lucid pages of R . F . GOULD .
# * # WE quite go with our correspondent , a " P . PROV . GRAND DEACON FOR EAST LANCASHIRE , " when he says the views of his province are entitled to some consideration . Certainly they are . We would rather say a great deal . And , no doubt , such an opinion if general and decided must be a
serious " factor" in the ultimate decision . All we have ever asked for is careful consideration and calm discussion , not hurried treatment of a very serious and important question . Whatever be the decision of Grand Lodge we should most loyally accept it , even though it went against our most cherished opinions .
# * * OUR worthy Bro . TURNER seems , by his letter elsewhere , to forget that the only reason why London brethren were asked to attend was the fact that the amendment to the Book of Constitutions in regard to Past Masters was carried by a faithful band of 40 provincial brethren , as Bro . LLOYD told us in the Freemason , who came up , and were most ably led in Grand
Lodge at a time when very few London brethren were present . There was not a full attendance by any means . Several brethren , we are told , did not vote , and the compact " phalanx " from the provinces , aided by some in Grand Lodge , carried in a thin Grand Lodge a very momentous change . As for any idea of antagonism or separate interests as between the metropolitan and provincial brethren , we can assure our worthy correspondent it is a complete error .
# * # WE are glad to say that a letter has been received from Bro . FINDEL announcing his restoration to health and work , and enclosing a communication in respect of the Sackville medal , which will appear in " Notes" next week . A review of his "Vermischte Schriften , " a copy of which he has sent , will also appear .