Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . ] CHAIR DEGREEOPERATIVE LODGES

AND TEMPLARY . ( To ike Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — The difference in working , alluded to by " Leo " and " Ammi , " is easily explained , and there ought to be no difficulty in arriving at uniformity . AVhen the ceremony of a

Master Mason was first adopted , it was evidently intended to be conferred upon the Master of a lodge only , for the legend implies a 3 much , and the statement was further made by the "Ancients ; " but as the building art increased throughout England , there were many Master Masons ( or employers of F . C . )

in one lodge , and as these received the Master ' s ceremony , it became necessary to invent a distinctive one for the Master of a lodge , viz ., the degree of Chair Master , which , in turn , lost also its distinctive character , and came to be conferred on any brother willing to pay the fee .

Following the runic marks , I have suggested that Masonry was introduced from France , through the Arabs , who employed immense numbers of stonecutters between A . D . COO and 800 , in Syria and in Spain . The growth of speculative Masonry was gradual between 1600 and 1717 . Permit me to say

a few words by way of closing the correspondence with our esteemed Bro . Hughan and " Rose Croix , ' ' and also to thank " Lathomus" for his able letter , which accurately expresses my own views . I cannot accept the German writers as authorities on English Freemasonry , and far too much is made

of their sceptical works ; an over suspicious spirit will destroy any institution , aud I invariably find that those who are the most forward to decry the traditions of the Order , are the least acquainted with them . I must assure " Rose Croix " that I did not adopt Bro . Dr . Leeson ' s statement of the

1722 Constitution , until I had ascertained every particular about the work in question ; and I must object to the 1717 Grand Lodge being styled " the mother Grand Lodge of the world , " because this term , so far as England is concerned , can only apply to the Athelstau General Assembly , which , we arc

assured , was formed on the model of those existing abroad . In reference to the statement that the chivalric orders were unknown in Bristol before 1779 , I can only say that they assert the existence of a vellum document of 1780 , proving a long previous

existence ; and the well-informed brother , Thomas Dunckerley , was instilled in theircamp , ] and asserted , in 17 'J 1 , that it had been held there time out of mind . There is also an assumption of antiquity in every other document of about the same date . I am aware this will have very little weight with

many Craft Masons , whose stock assertions on the " high grades" can only imply that every holder of these degrees , since 1717 , has been either a knave or a fool . Should it ever be established that Freemasonry before 1717 had only one ceremony , it will not effect at all the status of the Templars of St .

John—all they contended for last centuiy being that the Arch Degree was established by them , and conferred only on those who held the rank of a Master in Freemasonry , their order having probably been conferred for a long time by knighthood and the simple investment with the cross of their Order .

The Chevalier Ramsay was a pious and most learned man , and though he may have been mistaken in the theories he embodied in the degrees invented by him between the 18 ° and 30 ° , his works betray his honesty of purpose . The most satisfactory proof of the antiquity of the Templar system , seems to be in the charter of

the Ordre-du-Temple . The present form of the English Oilier could scarcely have been adopted until after its connection with speculative Masonry — -which , in the form possessed by the Athol and York Assemblies , I hold , with Sir AV . Scott , may be as old as the civil wars of England—and , whilst the charter could not well have been concocted later

than 1705 , it proves that at that time the Stuart , or Scotch Order of the Temple , had secret forms of recognition ( which the French branch altered ) , and included the kni ghts of St . John ; thus proving , ou the supposition that the charter was concoctjd in 1705 , perfect identity with the present Order , and their belief in its genuine antiquity aud superior

claims to their own Order—or why go out of the way to attack it ? I hope to write to Bro . Hughan ere long , and , in the meantime , as requested , append my address . « Fraternally yours , « ,. Chorlton-road . JOHN YARKER . Manchester .

Past Masters As Preceptors.

PAST MASTERS AS PRECEPTORS .

( To ihe Editor of the freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am pleased to see the commencement of a correspondence on this subject , the ventilation of which I feel assured will result in the adoption of some such plau for securing

uniformity of ritual as I have put forward . However the proposed "Lodge of Preceptors " may be formed , whether after the plan suggested by our Brother "P . M . 200 , " ( with which 1 do not exactly coincide ) , or otherwise , it should be by the wisdom of Grand Lodge , supported by the strength

of the Craft generally , and aided by the beautifying influence of the shining lights of the Order . In other words it should be subject to supreme authority , upheld by and at the expense of the Institution , and its object attained by the voluntary labours of Brethren of the highest merit . I quite set aside all

question of fees for membership , aud desire that neither in regard to furniture , lodge room , or other necessaries , should there be the least call upon the purses of its members . My idea is that of a lodge constituted , fitted , furnished aud prepared by Graud Lodge , into which it shall be inducted such of the

Brethren as arc " able and willing to take the management of the work , " of guidance and instruction , which can be entered only through the doorway of " merit and ability , " and shall have no other entrance to it of any kind . " Promotion by purchase " should be entirely ignored , and membership considered the

very highest honour in the power of the Grand Lodge to bestow in recognition of zeal and assiduity . Its members after carefully ascertaining the fitness of others to assist their deliberations , migh t recommend , but it should be the province of Grand Lodge to appoint . And such distinctive marks of importance

should be provided for its members as should invite a general desire in the breasts of the all worthy Masons to fit themselves for a participation in the honours and dignities so conferred . All this and much more can be done if only earliest men and skilled Masons will unite and

persevere with a firm determination to "let no jealously or i ; on-Masonic spirit creep in . " It is no Utopian schenie , aud should not present any difficulty to the descendant of those who so firmly established our noble Institution in the face of calumny and opposition . And the ulterior object in view , that of

deciding upon and enforcing tbe observance of one recognised system of ceremonial and ritual , is surely incentive strong enough for those who desire to see the welfare and continuance of the Institution strengthened and promoted , and all possibility that the seeds of future dissension liiiglitgerniinateand in

a few years lead to the repetition of a former schism . Your correspondent " Delta " suggests a " written ritual , " the Ms > S . of which should be preserved with the Archives of the Grand Lodge , and of which a portion should be printed by authority for the use of the Craft ; but this is a point upon which much

diversity of opinion will surely exist , and is moreover one which could more properly and safely be determined by the very body we are seeking to have established . The "Lodge of Preceptors" should settle ' * all questions relating to ritual and well as ceremonial . "

Since I last wrote on this subject I have had a forcible and practical illustration of the necessity for the proposed Lodge . I attend many Lodges of Instruction , and have consequently heard many different " workings . " Within the past week at one of those meetings a very able Brother , a P . M . of a

Provincial Lodge presided for the lirst time , and in the first degree . His repeated departure from the recognised working in that Lodge of instruction caused frequent interruptions , and at last reduced him to the necessity of entirely submitting himself to the promptings of an expert Brother , acting as

I . l . M . On the conclusion of tue evenings labour the Brother before referred to , took me aside to express his regret at his apparent inefficiency , and then , to prove that he was not ahogether unskilled , he poured into my delighted ear such a specimen of " ritual" as positively

astonished me . It was another ritual altogether , but so beautiful in its composition , and perfect in its relative connections , that I could not but feel how very much our method would benefit by the introduction of some portions of it . I sympathised much with our brother who had earnestly

desired to distinguish himself , was certainly well skilled in his usual mode of working , aud yet so signally failed on the occasion I refer to . It was , however , another proof that what is now proposed is necessary , and 1 shall not hesitate to continue the agitatiou for the preparation of a memorial to the

M . AV . G . M . to consider the question further . Past Masters are therefore again respectfully invited to communicate by letter their wishes to join in conference on the suggested memorial . AVe shall meet some time in the course of next month , and

special notice of the meeting shall be forwarded to all those who desire it , and who will address Yours truly and fraternally , JAMES STEVENS , P . M ., P . Z ., tic . Clapham-commoii , April llfth , 186 !) .

Chair Degree.

CHAIR DEGREE .

( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I can inform "Ammi " that I know perfectly well that the " Past Master ' s Degree " is held to be legal by the Supreme G . R . A . Chap , when it is given in a Royal Arch Lodge ; but I was not referring to the Royal Arch , but to

chairing , as I said , " on the blue , " which chairing , "Ammi" admits , many lodges in Scotland practise ; consequently , if a brother be chaired in one blue lodge , he will be eligible to see the degree worked in all other blue lodges which practise it . Is " Ammi " aware that the " Mark " is , or can be , practised by

all lodges in Scotland with consent of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , said Grand Lodge ignoring the Royal Arch as a part of St . John ' s Masonry , but considering the " Mark" as appertaining to the Fellow Craft , while the " Chair " ceremony is held to appertain to the Master . The Royal Arch tried

to get the Grand Lodge of Scotland to put a stop to their daughter lodges working the " Mark , " but the G . L . of Scotland could not see it . The old Scottish lodges tell the Royal Arch , " Why should we give up the mark and chair to please you , seeing our Fellow Crafts got their marks recorded iu our books

long before you were born , and our Master , when elected , filled the chair Ions before you were ever heard of ; your Royal Arch ideas are a new creation merely of last ceutury , whereas we were in existence long before . " I beg to disagree with the following remarks , made

by " Delta , " "Lathomus , " and "Cryptonymus : " — First , " Delta" says , " In a ritual preserved , as that of Masonry is , by tradition only . " I deny that . " Delta" should either say nothing or tell the truth . Secondly , " Lathomus , " says " Bro . Hughau'a suggestion that the terms Master and Fellow were

only distinctions in rank , not m degree or secrets , is , however ingenious , inadmissible , because equally repugnant to the most ancient constitutions aud to the most modern minutes , even of the operative lodges . " I consider Bro . Hughan is right . The ofiice of Master , Master Mason , or Master of AVork ,

is ancient , but the " degree " of M . M . is only about 150 years old , and I know of no proof to make it older . The old minutes of old lodges extant , previous to A . D . 1700 , show that there was then no such "degree" practised in the seventeenth century . Thirdly , "Cryptonymus" tells m that "tho

wandering guilds , in defiance and grim mockery of priestly rule , mingled . sarcastic emblems indicative of their solemn protests against priestly arrogance and evil doing , " & c . ; the priests " did not dare to remove these evidences of Masonic playfulness from the edifices raised for them by their opponents . " (!)

I am afraid " Cryptonymus" forgets the power of the " priestly rule , " I therefore deny his inference . These " sarcastic emblems" were , I would consider , undoubtedly ploced there with consent of the bishop , abbot , or other superior of the cathedral or monasters' , either to point a lesson or in some cases ,

possibly , as a practical joke wrought in stone , or to act aa a warning by recording the memory of sorno brother monk who had been caught fooling ; whatever they were made lor , I consider it was done with consent , not " in defiance . " " Cryptonymus " also says , "But henceforward there arose a cry that

Freemasons desired to subvert that society , which in truth , by precept and example , they only sought to remodel . " If that refers to anything the Freemasons did , or could do , before the seventeenth century , I beg to say " Cryptonymus " makes that assertion without any substantial foundation

whatever . Tho idea of the members of the building fraternities of the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries being opposed to Rome is a mistake . And as for " Frnpninsoiivv " nrnvinns to the . sovr » nt . eent . h enn . - . — ..

. . . . ~ . ,, ,..... _ ..... _ . „ tury , opposing Rome , where is there any evidence of it ? AVhere , even , did " Freemasonry" exist previous to tho seventeenth century 1 LEO .

INFORMATION DESIRED BY A COUNTRY BROTHER .

( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AXD BROTHER , —I am a member of a country lodge , but having within the past few weeks become permanently settled in Loudon , I should like to enter a Loudon lodge as joining member .

AVill any brother kindly inform me the numbers of a few lodges , any one of which I could enter with as little expense as possible . I am only a workingman , who has plenty of calls on his purse ; but at the same time should like to rise in the Craft—if

such ambitious pinnacle can be obtained in other than strictly" ashionable" lodges My thirst for Masonic knowledge will possibly be excused , wdien I state that I am the son of a P . M ., M . M ., R . A ., K . T ., & c , and , moreover , grandson of one whoso

name I was delighted to see in the last number of TUB FREEMASON , in connection with the records of the St . John's Lodge , Banff , of which he was AV . M . Any information I can therefore get on the point I have mentioned will be much valued . EASTERN STAR .