Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 93 Consecration of the Honor Oak Lodge , No . 1986 94 Freemasonry in Surrey 95 CURRESVON D £
SCEThe Grand Lodge of Ireland 96 The Royal Gloucester Lodge 9 6 Masonrx- in Families 97 Petition ' s to the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution 97 Reviexvs 97 Masonic Notes and Queries 97
Lodge of Ik-nex-olence 9 S Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 98 REPORTS or MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 9 S Ixxstrxxction 103
Royal Arch 103 Ancient and Accepted Rite 103 Knights Templar 104 Scotland 104 The Theatres 104 Masonic and General Tidings 105 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 106
Ar00101
THE question which seems to exercize some of our good brethren in New Zealand turns simply on the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . There is a distinction and difference of legal obligation as between the Antient Charges and the Constitutions of the Fraternity , which are recognized in the Grand Lodge of England . The former are read by custom , the
latter are binding absolutely on all members of the English Craft . In England no Mason can be elected a W . M . unless he has served 12 months the office of Warden , in a regular lodge . In Scotland any Master Mason " who is not otherwise disqualified , " and " who has received the said Three Orders of Masonry , " is " competent to be put in nomination for , and to be
elected to , the Mastership or any other office in a lodge . " To the brother who has called our attention to a recent correspondence in New Zealand , we say that Bro . D . M URRAY LYON is clearly right in his ruling , and that our brother cannot allege the " charges " as against the Book of Scottish
Constitutions , just as he could not with us . We prefer our own system for many reasons , and with all deference to our good Scottish brethren , we think that the regulation in question is a great mistake , and one of those which requires early amendment .
WE call attention to a review of Bro . GRAHAM ' S address elsewhere , which , unfortunately , is far too long for our columns . Though we do not agree with R . W . Bro . GRAHAM in his exposition of Masonic law as regards the English lodges , and have said so operrly and manfully , and we hope courteously and Masonically , we have never failed
to do justice to Bro . GRAHAM ' S great abilities and faithful services to his own body ; and though we have thought his arguments based on unsafe and perilous grounds , yet we could not but admit he had a perfect right to his own clear views on the subject . He has fought his battle with undoubted pluck and skill , and we feel , and feel strongly , that in his
resignation of his high office the Grand Lodge of Quebec loses a very devoted and sagacious ruler . He has been re-elected for nine years , and now bids his brethren farewell in very touching words , which we reproduce elsewhere . Though we think our distinguished brother has been a little too vehement on behalf of his own Grand Lodge , perhaps , did we live in Quebec , we
might , imbued with the spirit of local and national patriotism , take up his ardent contention . As it is , practically , we consider the question settled in England . The " efflux of time , " as our GRAND SECRETARY well pointed out , will probably smooth away all existing differences . As Bro . GRAHAM well knows , Time , as the old Latin adage not only " omnia monstrat , " but as we know in
private life , " heals even the deepest wounds . " We are rejoiced to note that Bro . GRAHAM ' last official words are wise and kindly words of patience and conciliation . The English Grand Lodge has the most fraternal and affectionate feelings for its Canadian brethren , but it has certain principles of teaching and duty , which it could not depart from , without losing its own self respect , and the kindly sympathy and living confidence of contemporary
Freemasonry . * * # WE wish to say a few words seriously about that foolish idea which seems prevalent in some quarters , that of " levelling up" the metropolitan and provincial subscriptions to the Fund of Benevolence . The whole of the
present state of controversy and uneasiness has arisen from mistaken notions and hasty theories . It has been quietly proposed for instance to divert the funds specially appropriated to Benevolence to other objects , on account of the alleged wealth of the Fund of Benevolence . Of course if that were so , the next step came unavoidably to increase the grants . That attempt and
procedure have led up to a complete "fix , ' inasmuch as after three years of " over draught , " it was not difficult to foretell the disappearance of the Benevolent funds altogether within a given period . Then in order to keep up a prevailing system , as we think of undue grants , came a proposal to increase the capitation payments , and now this proposal , rejected by a small majority it is true , has been " capped " by the absurdity of a proposal to double the
Ar00102
provincial payments . Those who favour such an idea forget , that the provinces will then have to pay compulsorily six shillings per head to thc metropolitan four , a proposal manifestly absurd , unfair , and untenable . On the faith of the Book of Constitutions specially granting them the privilege of appealing to the fund and enforcing the double
payment , the provinces have paid their officers , have established a balance sheet of revenue and expenditure , havc purchased buildings , have incurred liabilities , and then as the reward of their exertions they are to " double " their returns to the Fund of Benevolence . Why V Is there any pretence for saying that there is any need of such increased
receipts ? No ! Why , then , is it ? Because certain good brethren of ours will not see that if there is a certain amount of expenditure and the income is not sufficient , if they cannot increase their incomings they must reduce their outgoings . In the present case there is no one conversant with the proceedings of the Lodge of Benevolence , from its worthy CHAIRMAN
downwards , who is not sensible that the grants during the last two years have been far too large and need reducing . And , therefore , we venture to ask all who have at heart the true interests of our common Order to avoid reopening a question which will be very badly received in the provinces , which will be vehemently opposed , and which opposition may even bring about much agitation , dissatisfaction , and estrangement . " Verbum sat sapientibus . "
* * IT is a very remarkable fact , explain it as you will , how very little is done for ,-esthetic and cultured Freemasonry by the greatest of all Masonic bodies , the Grand Lodge of England . Its history , its progress , its prosperity , its prestige are marked by such signal tokens of success and outcome as
distinguish no other Masonic jurisdiction in the world , and yet strange to say all that has been effected to improve the " staple "' whether of Masonic ceremonial and studies , or literary developement and refined tasttes , has come from beneath , not from above , from individualism not from the aggregation , from the provinces rather than the metropolis . When some years ago our excellent
Bro . J HAVERS sought to induce Grand Lodge to lend money to provincial bodies and lodges generally to encourage the building of Masonic halls , his most seasonable and sensible proposal was " pooh , pooh'd" by stolidity and " red tape" combined . The provinces at this hour possess halls andbuildings not then dreamt of in the philosophy of good metropolitan Freemasonry ,
and many lodges in their zeal for a becoming performance of our time honoured ritual have taken upon themselves burdens heavy to bear . And so too as regards all matters which tend to a literary and cultured development of English Freemasonry . Even now the English Grand Lodge is without a library worthy of the name . Though
a library exists , few know of it ; hardly an }' , except one or two enthusiastic students , ask to see a book . There is no accessory of comfort attending it , no encouragement to study ; no means of sitting down quietly and conveniently to collate or study Masonic works , whether MS . or printed . There are some few curious , one or two unique volumes in our so-called
Grand Lodge library , but to the great majority of Freemasons they are sealed books , the library is a " terra incognita , " and any question of serious Masonic study or careful Masonic research becomes a hopeless unreality . No idea of a Masonic museum ever formerly appeared to enter the minds of any of us , though numerous would be its uses , great its good , and remarkable its
results . Loving cups and medals , jewels and certificates , seals and emblems , old warrants and ancient charters , all would fill a museum , and a not-forgotten exhibition at York demonstrates forcibl y what zeal can do , and care can accomplish . The present GRAND SECRETARY has sought seasonably to take away such a reproach from the head-quarters of English
Freemasonry , and has been for some time collecting ' specimens and rarities of various kinds . After the ' very forcible remarks of Bro . the Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGO , P . G . C , at the consecration of the Strand Lodge , we hope that an impetus will be given to a most desirable movement and a laudable change .
* , * IT is not a little important to realize and remember what a remarkable sifting all Masonic documents and pretentions are just noxv receiving at the somewhat impatient hands of our critical school of students . Many of the most venerable myths are now either rudely shaken or openly questioned , and
what will yet remain in the crucible of truth , might puzzle the most learned of the ancient alchemists to explain or predicate . We fear , yes , we fear much that roughly stated , Mr . Hallam ' s cynical description of Masonic historians is to a great extent true , that equally divided as between sheepwalking panygerists and fanatical calumnators , historical verity and historical reality have been the last things sought after or even thought of . Writers
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 93 Consecration of the Honor Oak Lodge , No . 1986 94 Freemasonry in Surrey 95 CURRESVON D £
SCEThe Grand Lodge of Ireland 96 The Royal Gloucester Lodge 9 6 Masonrx- in Families 97 Petition ' s to the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution 97 Reviexvs 97 Masonic Notes and Queries 97
Lodge of Ik-nex-olence 9 S Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 98 REPORTS or MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 9 S Ixxstrxxction 103
Royal Arch 103 Ancient and Accepted Rite 103 Knights Templar 104 Scotland 104 The Theatres 104 Masonic and General Tidings 105 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 106
Ar00101
THE question which seems to exercize some of our good brethren in New Zealand turns simply on the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . There is a distinction and difference of legal obligation as between the Antient Charges and the Constitutions of the Fraternity , which are recognized in the Grand Lodge of England . The former are read by custom , the
latter are binding absolutely on all members of the English Craft . In England no Mason can be elected a W . M . unless he has served 12 months the office of Warden , in a regular lodge . In Scotland any Master Mason " who is not otherwise disqualified , " and " who has received the said Three Orders of Masonry , " is " competent to be put in nomination for , and to be
elected to , the Mastership or any other office in a lodge . " To the brother who has called our attention to a recent correspondence in New Zealand , we say that Bro . D . M URRAY LYON is clearly right in his ruling , and that our brother cannot allege the " charges " as against the Book of Scottish
Constitutions , just as he could not with us . We prefer our own system for many reasons , and with all deference to our good Scottish brethren , we think that the regulation in question is a great mistake , and one of those which requires early amendment .
WE call attention to a review of Bro . GRAHAM ' S address elsewhere , which , unfortunately , is far too long for our columns . Though we do not agree with R . W . Bro . GRAHAM in his exposition of Masonic law as regards the English lodges , and have said so operrly and manfully , and we hope courteously and Masonically , we have never failed
to do justice to Bro . GRAHAM ' S great abilities and faithful services to his own body ; and though we have thought his arguments based on unsafe and perilous grounds , yet we could not but admit he had a perfect right to his own clear views on the subject . He has fought his battle with undoubted pluck and skill , and we feel , and feel strongly , that in his
resignation of his high office the Grand Lodge of Quebec loses a very devoted and sagacious ruler . He has been re-elected for nine years , and now bids his brethren farewell in very touching words , which we reproduce elsewhere . Though we think our distinguished brother has been a little too vehement on behalf of his own Grand Lodge , perhaps , did we live in Quebec , we
might , imbued with the spirit of local and national patriotism , take up his ardent contention . As it is , practically , we consider the question settled in England . The " efflux of time , " as our GRAND SECRETARY well pointed out , will probably smooth away all existing differences . As Bro . GRAHAM well knows , Time , as the old Latin adage not only " omnia monstrat , " but as we know in
private life , " heals even the deepest wounds . " We are rejoiced to note that Bro . GRAHAM ' last official words are wise and kindly words of patience and conciliation . The English Grand Lodge has the most fraternal and affectionate feelings for its Canadian brethren , but it has certain principles of teaching and duty , which it could not depart from , without losing its own self respect , and the kindly sympathy and living confidence of contemporary
Freemasonry . * * # WE wish to say a few words seriously about that foolish idea which seems prevalent in some quarters , that of " levelling up" the metropolitan and provincial subscriptions to the Fund of Benevolence . The whole of the
present state of controversy and uneasiness has arisen from mistaken notions and hasty theories . It has been quietly proposed for instance to divert the funds specially appropriated to Benevolence to other objects , on account of the alleged wealth of the Fund of Benevolence . Of course if that were so , the next step came unavoidably to increase the grants . That attempt and
procedure have led up to a complete "fix , ' inasmuch as after three years of " over draught , " it was not difficult to foretell the disappearance of the Benevolent funds altogether within a given period . Then in order to keep up a prevailing system , as we think of undue grants , came a proposal to increase the capitation payments , and now this proposal , rejected by a small majority it is true , has been " capped " by the absurdity of a proposal to double the
Ar00102
provincial payments . Those who favour such an idea forget , that the provinces will then have to pay compulsorily six shillings per head to thc metropolitan four , a proposal manifestly absurd , unfair , and untenable . On the faith of the Book of Constitutions specially granting them the privilege of appealing to the fund and enforcing the double
payment , the provinces have paid their officers , have established a balance sheet of revenue and expenditure , havc purchased buildings , have incurred liabilities , and then as the reward of their exertions they are to " double " their returns to the Fund of Benevolence . Why V Is there any pretence for saying that there is any need of such increased
receipts ? No ! Why , then , is it ? Because certain good brethren of ours will not see that if there is a certain amount of expenditure and the income is not sufficient , if they cannot increase their incomings they must reduce their outgoings . In the present case there is no one conversant with the proceedings of the Lodge of Benevolence , from its worthy CHAIRMAN
downwards , who is not sensible that the grants during the last two years have been far too large and need reducing . And , therefore , we venture to ask all who have at heart the true interests of our common Order to avoid reopening a question which will be very badly received in the provinces , which will be vehemently opposed , and which opposition may even bring about much agitation , dissatisfaction , and estrangement . " Verbum sat sapientibus . "
* * IT is a very remarkable fact , explain it as you will , how very little is done for ,-esthetic and cultured Freemasonry by the greatest of all Masonic bodies , the Grand Lodge of England . Its history , its progress , its prosperity , its prestige are marked by such signal tokens of success and outcome as
distinguish no other Masonic jurisdiction in the world , and yet strange to say all that has been effected to improve the " staple "' whether of Masonic ceremonial and studies , or literary developement and refined tasttes , has come from beneath , not from above , from individualism not from the aggregation , from the provinces rather than the metropolis . When some years ago our excellent
Bro . J HAVERS sought to induce Grand Lodge to lend money to provincial bodies and lodges generally to encourage the building of Masonic halls , his most seasonable and sensible proposal was " pooh , pooh'd" by stolidity and " red tape" combined . The provinces at this hour possess halls andbuildings not then dreamt of in the philosophy of good metropolitan Freemasonry ,
and many lodges in their zeal for a becoming performance of our time honoured ritual have taken upon themselves burdens heavy to bear . And so too as regards all matters which tend to a literary and cultured development of English Freemasonry . Even now the English Grand Lodge is without a library worthy of the name . Though
a library exists , few know of it ; hardly an }' , except one or two enthusiastic students , ask to see a book . There is no accessory of comfort attending it , no encouragement to study ; no means of sitting down quietly and conveniently to collate or study Masonic works , whether MS . or printed . There are some few curious , one or two unique volumes in our so-called
Grand Lodge library , but to the great majority of Freemasons they are sealed books , the library is a " terra incognita , " and any question of serious Masonic study or careful Masonic research becomes a hopeless unreality . No idea of a Masonic museum ever formerly appeared to enter the minds of any of us , though numerous would be its uses , great its good , and remarkable its
results . Loving cups and medals , jewels and certificates , seals and emblems , old warrants and ancient charters , all would fill a museum , and a not-forgotten exhibition at York demonstrates forcibl y what zeal can do , and care can accomplish . The present GRAND SECRETARY has sought seasonably to take away such a reproach from the head-quarters of English
Freemasonry , and has been for some time collecting ' specimens and rarities of various kinds . After the ' very forcible remarks of Bro . the Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGO , P . G . C , at the consecration of the Strand Lodge , we hope that an impetus will be given to a most desirable movement and a laudable change .
* , * IT is not a little important to realize and remember what a remarkable sifting all Masonic documents and pretentions are just noxv receiving at the somewhat impatient hands of our critical school of students . Many of the most venerable myths are now either rudely shaken or openly questioned , and
what will yet remain in the crucible of truth , might puzzle the most learned of the ancient alchemists to explain or predicate . We fear , yes , we fear much that roughly stated , Mr . Hallam ' s cynical description of Masonic historians is to a great extent true , that equally divided as between sheepwalking panygerists and fanatical calumnators , historical verity and historical reality have been the last things sought after or even thought of . Writers