Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

DBA THS . ENGLAND . —On the loth inst ., at the AVoodlands , Clapham Common , Bro . George England , jun ., of Hatcham Lodge , a member of the Britannic Lodge , No . 33 , aged 26 years . GIRLING . —On July II , at his residence in Ipswich , Bro .

Robert Girling , P . M . of the Perfect Friendship Lodge , No . 376 , P . P . Grand Registrar for Suffolk , P . Principal of the Royal Sussex Chapter , and Past Eminent Commander of the Encampment of Prudence . SPEER . —On July I , at 20 , Falkland-street , Liverpool , Jane Kenyon , the beloved wife of Bro . Dr . Joseph Speer , of Temple Lodge , No . 1094 , in her 27 th year .

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The Freemason , SATURDAY , JULY 23 , 1 S 70 .

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Swedish Masonry.

SWEDISH MASONRY .

THE initiation of the Prince of Wales into a lodge over A \ 'hich the King of SAveden presides , and in Avhich the CroAvn Prince officiates as Deacon or Expert , naturally

excited much interest in the minds of English Masons as to the SAvedish Masonic system . It is probably known to most of our readers that the SAA edish Rite differs

from all others , and offers some remarkable peculiarities to the intelligent student who undertakes thc labour of iin-estigating tlie origin and progress of thc Craft in various

nations . Swedish Freemasonry has passed through many phases , and retains visible traces of all . Founded , in the first instance , upon the broad basis of thc symbolic grades

and adhering strictly to the regulations of the Grand Lodge of England , AVC find that the latter body nominated the Count dc Scheffer as Provincial Grand Master over the Swedish lodges in 1735 .

But in twenty years a change came over the aspect of affairs . Germany , thc cradle of mysticism , poured forth her legions of Masonic dreamers ; philosophical enigmas

and cabalistic utterances usurped the place antl scorned the simplicity of the ancient Craft ; theories and subtilties Avcrc interwoven into the fine old system of the Craft .

The result being thc obliteration for a time on the Continent of Europe of thc true and genuine principles of Speculative Freemasonry . Thc ancient ccrcmonv of

initiation Avas merged in strange and horrible tests , dismal chambers , glimmering lamps , gliding phantoms—all were employed by the innovators to deepen , while in reality

they destroyed , the moral impression made upon thc candidates . In France the Rite of Perfection arose , but from Germany proceeded the Rite of

Strict Observance , which gave birth to many clumsy imitations of Freemasonry . Baron Hund is believed to have originated the degrees of the Strict Observance , and

Swedish Masonry.

they appear to have been based upon the theory that the ancient Knights Templar Avere the only . u __ Freemasons—a very

plausible supposition , and one which commended itself especially to the noble and high-descended .

In the Avritings of Werner Ave obtain more than a glimpse of the dramatic doings of the German Templars—initiations in cemeteries , where colossal skeletons and ghastly

skulls appal the neophyte ; where weird voices are heard and horrid shapes flit around , casting a momentary phosphoric glare over the darkness of the scene . Such Avere the main concomitants of the neAV

system , and it spread rapidly through Europe . SAA'eden embraced the rite of Strict Observance Avith ardour : but this AA'as

afterwards modified by Count Zinnendorf , Avho incorporated in its ceremonies several of the mystical lectures of the celebrated SAvedenborg . The decrees have been scarcely

altered since his time , and are HOAV conferred in the following order : —First , the three grades of symbolic or St . John ' s Masonry , the fourth grade being elect-Master or FelloAV Craft of St . Andrew .

Then the Scottish Master of St . Andrew , which entitles its members to civil rank in the kingdom " . The sixth is the Knight of the East , in which the New Jerusalem and its

twelve gates are represented . The next in order is the Knight of thc West , or the True Templar-Master of the Key ; the jewel of this grade is a

triangular key Avith five red rosettes , which refer to thc five AA ounds of the Saviour . Thc Knight of the South , also known as " Favourite Brother of St . John , " is thc

eighth degree ; the JCAVCI is a red cross , attached to a white ribbon , on which is embroidered the initial letters of the tvords , Vcnitc vcsuin . The ceremonies of this

grade resemble those used by thc Alcliymists or early Rosicrucians . Thc ninth degree is called thc " Favourite Brother of St . Andrew , " and clearly SIIOAVS thc

derivation of the Avholc system from the soidisant Scottish degrees , promulgated so freely throughout the Avorld during thc eighteenth century . The three highest

degrees are those of the " Brethren of the Red Cross , " who arc divided into three classes , thus : Member of the Chapter ,

Dignitary of thc Chapter , Reigning Grand Master—a dignity enjoyed only by thc King himself , who is also styled the " Vicar oi Solomon . "' Thc members of these three

classes compose wnat is termed tho " Illuminated Chapter , " and no one can be admitted a grand dignitary unless he can show four quarters of nobility .

On tlie 27 th May , 1 S 11 , King Charles XIII . instituted thc Order which bears his name , and decreed that its decorations and privileges should be restricted to

Freemasons . In the original statutes , thc King said : " To give to thc Masonic Society an evidence of our gracious sentiments towards it , AVC Avill and ordain that its first dignitaries , to the number which we may

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determine , shall in future be decorated with the most intimate proof of our confidence , and which shall be for them a distinctiA'e mark of the highest dignity . "

Of this illustrious Order , the King of SAveden is perpetual Grand Master , and the number of knights is limited to thirtythree being ecclesiastics . The badge is a

cross of four points—ruby red , with a golden border , surmounted by the regal croAvn , and it is worn pendant to a red-Avatered ribbon . The heir-apparent to the British Throne was admitted a member of

this select body in the beginning of 1869 . From the rapid sketch Avhich AVC haA'e thus given , it Avill be seen that Freemasonry in SAveden , although it differs considerably

from the system recognised by the Grand Lodge of England , is entitled to our warmest consideration and respect , and if a closer assimilation in the ritual of the

two grand bodies could be obtained , it AA'ould cement a permanent union between English and SAvedish brethren . His Majesty , the present King , AVC are informed

on high authority , is anxious to effect this desirable consummation , and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is also greatly interested in promoting a retppro

c / tei / tciil , not only between the tAA'o Grand Lodges , but bctAveen the Illuminated Chapter and the governing bodies of certain English high grades . A deputation

from the Supreme Grand Council 33 is charged Avith an important mission upon this subject to Stockholm , and AVC trust their labours -will result in thc spread of

the genuine principles of the Ancient and Accepted Rite in the SAvedish Kingdom . In any case , AVC are glad to hail the interchange of fraternal courtesies bctAveen

English Masons and their brethren in Sweden , whose ceremonies and practices have hitherto been but little studied or understood .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR . Some of your readers will be pleased to hear that in Glasgow the activity of " Knight Templars " in its integrity is well illustrated by a conclave working under a " Deuchar AVarrant "

at 22 , Slnuliers-street ; it is exceedingly prosjierous , and is likely to continue so , even without the patronage of Bro . Hughan . The " Glasgow Priory" is dormant . It is hibernating through the season cf ils discontent , we hope , to be aroused to its " glorictis summer " by the prosjicrity cf the conclave above-named .

AVhat has become of the other K . T . working under about forty warrants granted hy Pen char , are they to be found at the "Chapter Genera ) of ihe Temple , Edinburgh " ?—A SUBSCUIIIF . K .

REMEMBER . It has been truly said : " It is not what they possess , but what ihey practice , lhat makes them righteous . " Let Freemasons ever remember this . If we possess morality , relief , tiuth , and brotherly love and do not jiracticc them , then

we he , and the truth is not in us . AVhat will the world say if we do not remember the teachings of our own symbols ? I say , again , look at the symbol of a joint within a circle , embroidered by two perpendicular parallel lines , and , remember ! CHALMERS 1 . PATON .