Ineligibilty Of Bastards And The Maimed As Freemasons.

although born out of wedlock , are yet legitimate in the eyes of the law . The eccentricity of Masonic legislation on the subject of disqualifications is exemplified in the Grand Lodge of Ireland ' s Constitutions of 1768 , where occurs the following , passage : " . . . No Lodge shall

hereafter enter a person among them , who shall then be an officer of mace , sheriff ' s officer , bailiff , constable , livery-servant , or any person of such like occupation . " Certain words which are reported to have been uttered by the late Bro . Dr . Oliver " in conversation about six years ago , " have been quoted in support , of

the Masonic anathema against illegitimates . We feel disposed to place less reliance upon what Dr . Oliver is alleged to have said than upon what he has written regarding the relation of bastards to Freemasonry . Treating of the " disqualification of illegitimacy , " at page 98 of " The Freemasons' Treasury " published in

1863 , the Dr . remarks , " This invidious stigma would now be considered a disgrace to any society of Christians , because the child cannot be morally responsible for a sin committed by its parents before its birth ; and it was an old-established belief that such children ' will be witnesses of wickedness against their

parents . ' The system of Freemasonry , however , now contains no such disqualifying ingredient , and therefore the landmark has become obsolete . " The immutability of what are called " the Ancient Charges " is one of the exploded Masonic theories of the past to which many worthy brethren still fondly

cling . Another quotation from Dr . Oliver ' s "Treasury " may help them to a common-sense view of the subject : " The truth is , that how pleasing soever the doctrine of irremovable landmarks may sound in theory , it is not borne out by practice ; nor can it be , amidst the ever-varying changes in manners and customs , and

improvements in science and arts ; for Freemasonry , to hold its own , must keep pace with the progress of other institutions , —and this can scarcely be accomplished without the occasional pruning of antiquated observances to meet the requirements of an altered state of society . "

PHYSICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS . The admission of the maimed , though still regarded with suspicion by a small section of the Craft , has become wide-spread among Lodges under the Scottish Constitution . The Grand Lodge of Scotland itself very properly gives effect to this custom , by freely

admitting to its courts every regular-appointed delegate , irrespective of physical qualification ; hence on its roll of members are to be found the names of brethren who are crippled in their limbs , but whose mislbrlunc in this respect has not prevented their becoming efficient Freemasons . If those who regard the initiation of the maimed as

a thing of recent occurrence will consult Bro . Dr . Morris ' s comprehensive " History of Masonry in Kentucky , " they will find that the subject of physical disqualifications engrossed the attention of the Grand Loilgo of Virginia seventy years ago , and with a result at variance with the dogma that debars tho mutilated from becoming Freemasons : —

" Dec . 1798 . It was settled , in opposition to the Constitution then governing the Masons of Virginia , that the old requisition ' every brother desiring admission must be upright in body , not deformed or dismembered at the time of making , but of hale and entire limbs as a man ought to be , ' was not obligatory ,

as ' the literal observance of the said requisition , were it constantly and rigidly enforced , might operate to the exclusion of many persons otherwise qualified to become useful and ornamental members of the Society . ' Arulo was thereupon established that corporeal deformity was not a sufficient reason for rejection , unless

he was thereb y rendered incapable of pursuing his worldly avocations , or procuring a livelihood . " At its third grand communication , held in 1801 , the Grand Lod ge of Kentucky passed a resolution , authorising the initiation of a candidate who had lost his ri g ht arm , on the ground " that the deformity of the

candidate is not such as to prevent him from bein « instructed in the arts ami mysteries of Freemtisonr ) , and that his being initiated will not be an infringement upon the Landmarks , but will be perfectly consistent with the spirit of ihe Institution . " But we do not neetl to cite the custom of

transatlantic lodges in support of the practice of the Grand Lodge in Scotland in homologating the initiation of men possessed of bodily def cts . Bro . Oliver , the greatest English Masonic authority , is most explicit on the point : — ' Exclusion now hinges ( says the Dr . at p . i"e 102

of his ' Treasury ' ) solely on the conditions of mature ace , sound judgment , and strict morality . . . . The English Book of Constitutions contains no specific law by which a candidate can be excluded b y reason of any bodily defect , because in the present state of the society this ancient prohibition would be embarrassing ;

and therefore it has becnign . iretl in accordance with the practice of other societies where the observance has become burdensome , useless , or inconvenient . Wc therefore , do not find fault with this improvement in our regulations , and only adduce it as a pregnant instance in proof of the fact that some ancientXandmarks have been occasionally laid aside by the

Ineligibilty Of Bastards And The Maimed As Freemasons.

irresistible fiat of a vote in Grand Lodge , to meet the altered circumstances of tlie- times , and in accordance with the liberalprinciples which increasing intelligence has pointed out as wholesome : departure from restrictions which our ancient brethren considered necessary to preserve the healthy operation of the society . . .

. . Mentalrequirementsareiiow alone necessary to constitute a title to admission into speculative Masonry ; It would indeed be a solecism in terms to contend

that a loss or partial deprivation of a physical organ of the body could , by any possibility , disqualify a man from studying the sciences , or being made a Mason in our own times , while in possession of sound judgment , and the healthy exercise of his intellectual powers . "

St. Andrew,

ST . ANDREW , THE PATRON SAINT OF SCOTLAND .

BY CIPES . Some further particulars concerning this 7 > art of our subject , as narrated by ancient Scottish chroniclers , may be interesting , especially to Scottish readers . Regulus was a Greek monk , living at

Fatra ? , the city of Achaia where St . Andrew suffered martyrdom , aud by him the relics of the martyred apostle were guarded . About the year A . D . 307 , he was warned by a vision in the night , three nights before the Emperor Constantine came to the city , to translate the whole of the precious relics to

Constantinople , to go to the shrme where they were kept , and to take out thereof an armhoue , three fingers of the right hand , a tooth , and a knee-pan , which he was enjoined carefully to preserve and to carry them to a region far to the west , in the utmost parts of the world . Regulus was at first much troubled by the

strangeness of the vision , but after a little time resolved to obey . So putting the relics in a little box , he went to sea , accompanied by a priest named Domianus , two deacons namedGelasiusand Tubaculus , eight hermits , and three devoted virgins . With much toil and hardship they passed through the Mediterranean Sea ,

along the Coasts of the Bay of Biscay , and into the German Ocean , where they were long tossed with grievous tempests , and at last were driven into the hay now known as the Bay of St . Andrews , and there their vessel was dashed to pieces on the rocks . But Regulus and his companions all reached the

shore in safety , although of all that their vessel had contained , nothing was left to them but the precious relics , which they were above all things careful to preserve . They did not , however , perish for want , although the place where they landed , where the city of St . Andrews now stands , was wild and desolate , a

forest much inhabited by wild boars . But the fame of their arrival soon spread through all the surrounding country , and many of the Picts , in whose kingdom that region then was , resorted to them , some for devotion , same from curiosity . Amongst others came Herimst . King of the Picts , who , when

he beheld the gravity and piety of the strangers , and the form of the religious service which they maintained , erected for them a suitable dwelling in that place , and made provision for their support . Shortly after , Hergust bestowed upon them all the lands of the forest , and erected a church . Here Regulus and

his company abode , in great reputation for the piety and austerity of their lives . Regulus is said to have lived for thirty-two years after his arrival in Scotland . From the time of his arrival , or soon after , St . Andrew seems to have been regarded with great veneration by the Picts , and may almost be

deemed to have been their patron saint , but this place was more fully assigned to him in the beginning of the ninth century , when Ilungus , King of tho Picts , being at war with Athel 3 tane , King of North utubria , and returning home from an expedition into the territories of his enemy , was

unexpectedly overtaken by Athelstane near Haddington , and surrounded by a superior force , but in the extremity of his danger , had recourse to the protection of St . Andrew , vowing that if he were delivered from his enemies , he would bestow upon the Saint a tenth of all his dominions . The

same night the Apostle appeared to him , assuring him that he would on the morrow obtain an easy victory , and that an Angel would beat the Holy Cross before his army . The Saint also exhorted him to bo mindful of his vow , when he returned home . The king , awaking from his sleep , told

his vision , by which his whole army was wonderfully encouraged , and displayed such valour that their enemies were soon put to flight . It is even asserted that a light of extraordinary brightness appeared in the heavens , and that the form of a cross gladdened the eyes of tho Scottish warriors .

Athelstane and all his immediate attendants were slain , and Ilungus cut off the head of tho Northumbrian King , placed it on the point of a spear , and carried it to Inchgarvio , an island near Queensferry , where ho p laced the spear on the top of a rock .

Thence ho proceeded to St . Andrews , where ho religiously performed his vow . St . Andrew ' s memory is still held in hig h reverence in Scotland , as appears fiom the fact that many biii'dings throughout the country exhibit a life-size statue of him . The soldiers of some of the regi-

St. Andrew,

ments wearing the Highland dress , have on the top of their sporran malloch a small figure of St . Andrew , also on the brooch which buckles the plaid on the shoulder is to be seen a representation of St . Andrew and his cross . Those of our noble and truly soldier-like volunteers , who wear the kilt , as

many do in Scotland , also exhibit on the same parts of their garb figures of St . Andrew . It may be hoped they often think of the example of their forefathers , on that occasion when they ascribed a glorious victory to the intervention of St . Andrew , and when he was adopted as the Patron Saint of

Scotland . The recollection of that ancient triumph over a formida' le invader will animate them , like the name of Wallace or of Bannockburu , to repel all assaults on their beloved native land . St . Andrews is the home of the Past Grand Master Mason of Scotland , and in the town of St . Andrews is a highly-popular Freemasons' Lodge .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the Week ending October 30 , 1869 . Monday . October 25 . Lodge No . 28 , " Old King's Arms . " Freemasons' Hall . „ 79 , " Pythagorean , " Lecture Hall , Royal-lull' ,. Greenwich .

„ 183 , Unity , London Taw , Bishopsgate-street . „ 83 . 1 , "British Oak , " Bank of Friendship Tavern , Bancroft road , Mile End . „ 902 , " IWgoyuc " Andeiton's Hotel , Fleet street . „ 905 , " De Grey and Ripon , " Angel Hotel , Great llfnrd

Macdonald Mark Masters' Lodge of Instruction , Lyceum Tav ., 354 , Strand , at 7 . 30 ; 13 ro . C . Swan , Preceptor . Camden Lodge of Instruction , No . 704 , Adelaide Tavern , Haverstock Hill , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction , No . 95 , Hoyal Hotel , Mile-end-i-jad , at 7 . 3 t ) j Bro . 13 . Gottiieil , Preceptor . Tuesday , October 25 .

Lodge No . 14 , Tuscan , I ' teemasons' Hall . „ 22 . "Moira , " London Tavern , Bishopsgate-street * „ 141 , 'Faith , " Andeiton ' s Hotel , Fleet street . „ 115 , ' ¦ Prudent Brethren , " Freemasons' Hall . „ lS ( i , ' Industry , " Freemasons' Hall . „ 205 . " Israel , " * Hadlev ' s Hotel , Blackfriars .

„ 1158 , ' Southern Star . " Montpelier Taw , Walworth .. „ 1195 , " Urban , " Old Jerusalem Tavern , St . John ' s Gate , Clerkenwell . Chapter 7 , " linval York of Perseverance , " Freemasons '

Hall . ,, 29 , " St . Alban ' s , Albion Tavern , Aldcrgate-st . Metropolitan Chapter of Instruction , George Hotel , Aldermaubiirv at 7 ; Coino . lirt-tt , Preceptor . Domatic Lodge of Instruction . Palnierston Tavern , Grosvenorl > ark , Caniberwell , at 7 . 30 .

Faith Lodge of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway , Victoria Station at 8 . Bro . C . A Cottehrune , Preceptor . Yarhorough Lodge of Instruction , Green Dragon , Stepney , at 8 ; liro . Isaac Saqui Preceptor . Prince Frederick William Lodge of Instruction , No . 7 / S 3 , Knights of St . John ' s Tavern , St . John ' s wood ; Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor .

Wednesday , October 27 . Lodge No . 517 , ' United Pilgrims , " Hums Tav ., Kennington * „ 751 , " High Cross , " White Hart Ilil , Tottenham . „ 871 , "lioyal Oak , " Hoyal Oak Tavern , Highstreet , Deptford . „ 898 , "Tcinperanie in the East , " Private Assembly Komi- * , 0 , Newhyplace , Poplar .

Chapter 13 , ' Union Waterloo , " Masonic Hall , Woolwich . United Strength Lodge of Instruction , 228 , Bull and Gate , Kentish Town road , at 8 ; Bro . J . N . Fr"St , Preceptor . Confidence Lodge of Instruction , No . 193 , Railway Tavcrnj lta'dway-placc , Fenchurch-strcct , at 7 . New Concord Lodge of Instruction , Uosetnary Branch Tavern , Hoxton , at 8 . Sydney Lodge of Instruction , No . 829 , Camhridgo Hotel ,.

Upper Norwood , ut 7 . 30 . Thursday . October 23 . General Committee , Girls' School , Freemasons' Hall , at 4 . Lodge No . 22 , "Neptune , " Hartley's Hotel , Blackfriars . „ 00 , "Peace and Harmony , " London Tavern ^ Bishopsgato street . „ 05 , "Prosperity , " Guildhall Coffeo Houset Grcshaui' street .

„ GG , " Grenadiers , " Freemasons Hall . „ 858 , " South Middlesox , " Beaufort llouso , North End , Fulhaui . „ 1050 , " Victoria , " George Hotel , Aldcrmanhury .

Chapter 177 , " Domatic , " Andcrtons Hotel , Meet-street . „ 534 , " Polish National , " Freemasons'Hall . Finshury Club of Instruction , "Jolly Anglers ' Tavern , " 42 , Ha ' th-strcct , City-road . United Mariners' Lodge of Instruction , Threo Cranes Tav ., Milc-eud-road , at 8 ; T . J . Barnes , Preceptor .

Friday , October 29 . Stability Lodge of Instruction , Guildhall CofTee House , at 6 " . Emulation Lodge of Improvement for M . M . ' s , Freemasons . Hall , at 7 . Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , George Hotel , Aldennanhury , at 7 ; Bro . Brett , Preceptor . United Pilgrims' Lodge of Instruction , Horns Tavern , Kon «

ningtoa at 7 . Bclgrave Lodge of Instruction , Duke of Wellington Hotel , Spring-gardens , Chaiiug-cross ; Preceptor , Bro . PulsfordV Doric Lodge of Instruction , Three Cranes Tavern , Mile-endroad , at 8 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Duke of Edinburgh Lodgo of instruction , The Silver Lion , Penny-fields , Poplar . Saturday , October 30 . [ Nil ]