Reviews.

Reviews .

" Veritas : A Revelation of Mysteries , Biblical , Historical and Social ; by means of the Median and Persian Laws : " HENRY MELVILLE . Edited by F . Tennison and A . Tuder . London : A . Hall and Co ., 35 , Paternoster-row , 1874 .

Many of our readers will probably , as well as the writer of this review , remember some remarkable papers , with still more remarkable illustrations , which in 1869 appeared in the then "Freemasons' Magazine , " signed Henry Melville . The subject was a most recondite one , about

which necessarily many and probably divergent op inions would be held , not however in any illfeeling to , or want of respect for the writer , and we do not think , that any of pur good brethren in England , can fairly under any circumstance be denominated as our late lamented brother

terms some of his opponents , " Masonic Scorpions . " The truth is , that , at the time the communications appeared , the attitude of the Craft was simply one of astonished hesitation . The views propounded were so peculiar , the conclusions so startling , that despite

the evident learning and sincerity of the writer , many were unable to accept either the data which he put forward , or the claims which he made ! Indeed , like all discoverers of " new theories , " or the excavators of long forgotten lore , our

brother seemed somewhat strongly to feel that he did not succeed in making his way with our Masonic authorities . He complains of the apathy of our old friend Bro . White , ( a more kindly and zealous Mason never lived in his working days ) , and passes on him a sentence

from Dr . Oliver , equally imaginary and . unjust . Neither in later years did , our able brother make headway with subsequent officers of our Grand Lodge . Our acute Bro . Mclntyre , G . Registrar , could not " understand" his system , the Marquess of

Ripon could not attend to matters , which " he beyond the scope of ordinary Masonry , " but , favoured by Mrs . Lane , the subject was remitted , by the Duke of Leinster ' s direction to " a special Irish Committee , " consisting of very eminent men , namely the Deputy Grand Master , the Hon .

Judge Townsend , and George Chatterton , Esq . This committee , however , the writer says , treated his discoveries with " silent contempt , " " proving clearly " to his mind " that men may become very exalted Masons without necessarily becoming fraternal . " In the meantime our able

brother has passed away , he has not unfortunately lived to see the publication of his work , which has been edited by F . Tennison and A Tudor , at a cost , we have been informed , of £ 450 . Despite all Bro . Melville ' s great learning , we fear that his work is still , and will remain a

sealed book to very many . As we understand his own explanations of his own views , we think we can clearly and succinctly place them before our readers . We trust , that in doing so , we are not repeating the example of the famous German savant

who said when he was dying , " I have left but one person , who understands my teaching , and he does not understand it at all . " Bro . Melville ' s "idea , " or discovery is then simply this . He supposed that the religions of the

Buddhists , of the Chinese , of the Mahommedans , indeed all religions , ancient as well as modern , had but one foundation , and that astronomical , celestial , astro-Masonical . He thought moreover that he could construe 2 , 400 biblical passages , celestially , and that the knowledge

thus acquired constituted the lost mysteries of Masonry . This view , our brother sought to uphold and substantiate by many and elaborate illustrations , mostly derived from " astronomical configurations or representations of the ancient mysteries , "

a symbol of belief in the primaeval world ! Now , there is , no doubt , much that is interesting , striking , and we may add startling , in such a theory , so earnestly propounded , and so carefully elaborated . And , therefore as Masonic students , we welcome the appearance of' Veritas , " and think ,

Reviews.

that the " editors !' deserve well of the Craft , for submitting it to their notice ! We trust , that , many besides ourselves will study the volume for themselves , as indeed among other points of Masonic Archaeology , the connection of the "Mysteries of the Ancients , "

really and truly with Freemasonry , ought never to be wholly overlooked . As regards the merits of the discovery itself , we like Bro , Mclntyre , whose opinion on this , as on most Masonic subjects , is a very good one , " cannot at present " quite " understand / ' either

its scientific reality , or its practical bearing . That the Bible is to be read astronomically , is a very difficult proposition for any one to accept , or that , such a word—as " Wall " for instance , might indicate a " celestial partition or a celestial colure , " is we confess , beyond

our grasp . Still , the connection of the old forms of belief , the ancient religion of mankind , and the myths and traditions of a long buried past , of astronomical symbols , and of astrological formulae , with some of the inner life and labours of our

Masonic adepts has m itself much to interest the thoughts , and attract the attention of all educated Freemasons . The work of our Bro . Melville , recondite and mysterious as it is in truth , and all but incomprehensible to many , has no doubt its germ of truth , and its claim of real and valid importance , for all Masonic students .

For Bro . Melville , we think , has done this , he illustrates in his own way , the old and important truth , that , all religions had a common origin and that the debased forms of superstition , and the grotesque exhibitions of idolatry , are but declensions from , or perversions of , the antediluvian and original religion of the descendants of Seth .

This is an old Masonic idea , and Bro . Melville may have aided to strengthen the conviction in some minds , that , in Freemasonry , in its esoteric form , and exoteric teaching , we have a perpetuation , transmitted through long generations , for some wise purpose of Almighty God ( as was

undoubtedly the case with the mysteries of all nations originally ) , of some teachings of Divine Truth , and Wisdom , and Love , intended to illumine the world in which we live with their own celestial light , and to prevent the obliteration of the Name of God Most High from among the thoughtless and the profane of the children of men .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Note Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Note Queries .

MASONIC RELIC 1

It may interest many of your readers to know that a short time ago a portion of the ruins of Melrose Abbey gave way , revealing a crevice in which was found , embedded in the masonry , an old wooden mallet , wormeaten and decayed . Its appearance is such as to leave no doubt of

its antiquity . The position in which it was found , and the appearance of the mallet itself , seem to justify the conclusion that it was accidently , or otherwise , dropped by some workman at the time when the building of the abbey was in progress . Of course much of the

original beauty of the mallet has disappeared , but , judging from the still beautiful carving , the curious characters and mysterious hieroglyphics , its superior make and the wood of which it is made , it is supposed to have belonged to no less a personage than the architect and Grand Master ,

The mallet in question was a few days since forwarded to Glasgow , and presented to the Glasgow , Melrose St . John ' s Lodge , No . 1 , where visiting brethren , after contributing a given sum to the Benevolent Fund of the lodge , will be allowed to inspect it . ALEX . KIDMAN .

Glasgow , J an . J 2 , 1874 . P . S . —It is understood that the valuable relic in question will be photographed , copies of which may be easily obtained from the R . W . M . of the lodge , Bro . Thomas Stratford , 31 , Robertson-street , Glasgow , who I am sure will be happy to give anyjfurther & information . —A . K .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Note Queries.

MASONIC BIBLIOGRAPHY . In continuation of the above , which I think a capital department for Masonic Students , I forward the following , which I saw in Mr . Geo . Bumstead ' s list of second hand books ( of 10 , King William-street , W . C . I never remember seeing or hearing of such a book before in the Craft .

" CLELAND ( John ) THE WAY TO THINGS by Words , and to Words by Things ; also Two Essays , the one on the Orig in of Musical Waits at Christmas , the other on the Real Secret of Free Masons , 8 vo , bds ., clean uncut copy , scarce in this state , 13 s . " I did not write for it at the time the catalogue was issued , owing to an oversight , so I suppose

it is gone now . I am glad to see Bro . D . Murray Lyon , has answered the query of Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , as I know no one else who could have done so . We were vain enough to search amongst our notes , but failed to obtain a clue . W , J . HUGHAN .

Consecration Of A New Lodge At Penistone.

CONSECRATION OF A NEW LODGE AT PENISTONE .

A new Masonic lodge—to be called the Wharncliffe Lodge No . 14 62—was consecrated at the Rose and Crown Hotel , Penistone , on Saturday evening , in the presence of a large assemblage of the brethren , from various parts ofthe province .

In the unavoidable absence of the Marquess of Ripon and Bentley Shaw , Esq ., D . L ., the Provincial Grand Lodge was presided over by the Rev . E . B . Chalmers , M . A ., P . M . of Sheffield , Provincial Grand Chaplain , 139 . The Lodge was opened by Bro . J ohn F . Moss ,

P . M ., of the Royal Brunswick Lodge , Sheffield , ivho , acting as Deputy Provincial Grand Registrar , afterwards , in due form , called upon the Deputy of the Provincial Grand Master to consecrate the lodge . Bro . Henry Smith , Provincial Grand Secretary , produced the warrant from the

Grand Lodge of England , and Bro . W . H . Brittain , P . M . 139 , acting as Provincial Grand Superintendant of Woiks , reported on the correctness of the lodge appointments . The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with in ancient form by the Rev . E . B .

Chalmers , and amongst those who took part in it were Bros . J . Denton , Prov , G . D . C . ; Freeman , Prov . G . W . ; Matthews , P . M . ; Collinson , P . M . ; oodhead , Hawksley , W . M . ; and Underwi- ' , 139 . The V- VI . designate , Bro . W . Smith , 139 ,

P . M ., of 1- ' uddersfield , was afterwards duly installed b y Bro . Ensor Drury , of Sheffield , P . M . and Prov . Grand Warden . The Right Hon . Lord Wharncliffe was invested as Senior Warden of the newly constituted lodge , and his

lordship was very warmly applauded on being p laced in the chair . Bro . Bottomley-Firth ( barrister-at-law ) was appointed Junior Warden ; Bro . Hesketh , Secretary , and Bro . J . Jefferson Smith , being one of the Deacons . A banquet followed , at which there was a nnmerous company .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN KIRK . We regret to have to announce the lamented death of Bro . J ohn Kirk , P . M ., which took place at his residence at Plumstead , on the 9 th inst . He was initiated in the Pattison Lodge , No . 913 , and afterwards was one of the

founders and the first W . M . of the Granite Lodge . No . 1328 , which has now attained a flourishing position in the Craft , and among a large circle of Masonic and other friends his memory will long be cherished with affectionate

regard . BRO . S . H . PERRIN . The death of Bro . S . H . Perrin , of 15 , Kingstreet , Cheapside , took place at his residence at Lewisham , last week , at the early age of 34 . Although Bro . Perrin had only been in practica , as a solicitor , for a short time , he was much

respected . Several City friends attended his funeral . He was a member of the City Club and of the Moira Lodge of Freemasons . —City Press .