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Article INSTALLATION OF H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G. ← Page 2 of 2 Article BRO. BURGESS'S COMPLAINT. Page 1 of 1 Article BRO. BURGESS'S COMPLAINT. Page 1 of 1 Article ST. SWITHIN. Page 1 of 1 Article ST. SWITHIN. Page 1 of 1 Article THE BOYS' SCHOOL. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Installation Of H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales, K.G.
who are desirous of having their photographs taken for the purpose of being engraved in the p icture , had better call there at once . We sincerely wish the undeitaking , what it really deserves , every success , the more so as it is very liberally proposed to identify the three Royal
Masonic Charities with it , by giving to them equally a proportion of the proceeds . We would only add , in conclusion , that the chromo p hotograph which had been advertised in our columns for sometime , as intended to be produced by Bro . E . M . Haigh , the well-known
p hotographer , we notice from an advertisement appearing in our present impression , has been iriven up , Bro . Haigh readily conceding that the proposed steel engraving will be a much more durable , and , probably , acceptable memorial of the occasion , but his valuable services have been
retained to take the photographs required by the artist in engraving Bro . Harty ' s picture . We , therefore , invite the special consideration of our numerous subscribers , and friends , and correspondents to this interesting subject . We shall publish shortly a circular from the brethren who are bringing out tlio picture .
Bro. Burgess's Complaint.
BRO . BURGESS'S COMPLAINT .
We published a letter last week , from our brother Major Burgess , to which we feel bound to call special attention . It appears that this brother of ours has been brought into collision with the authorities of the newly named " Priory of the Temple , " and has been expelled , as we
understand his statement , from that Order . We are not Templars , or Masonic Templars , and therefore we cannot go into the question , though perhaps we shall not err in expressing our humble opinion that there wero probably faults on both sides , and that unfortunately the
whole point at issue has turned more or less on personal feelings and considerations . But as we said before , with the Templar verdict we have nothing to do . Bro . Burgess now complains of a very different matter , and one on which we think we have a right to express our opinion
calmly , carefully , and fraternally . The Grand Mark Lodge professes to be a Masonic body , and we know that several very upright men and good Freemasons are connected with it . Therefore it is that we learn of some recent proceedings with much regret , and that we consider it right
in the interests of Freemasonry to give Bro . Burgess the opportunity and liberty of stating his grievances . They amount to this , the Mark Grand Lodge has , according to his statement , also expelled him , unheard—on the ground of what we believe is called the " Tripartite Treaty , "
which is a treaty or agreement existing between three signataries , the Grand Mark Lodge , the 33 ° Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry , and the Order of the Tempi .. Under this " treaty" a Judicial Committee of the three bodies is held , which appears to be a sort of
supreme tribunal . If we understand the matter correctly , a sentence passed by one Order must be recognised by the other two , without further hearing or consideration . This view of the matter is confirmed by a quotation from a portion of the minutes ofthe meeting of the tribunal , 15 th
February , 1875 , an < ^ which run s as follows : — " This court finds the said sentence lawfully passed , and affirms the same , but decrees that , as regards the Alark Degree the enforcement of the sentence be postponed for the space of twentyeight days , during which time it shall be
competent to the authorities of the Mark Degree to accept the resignation of Major C . J . Burgess . LIMERICK , X Chairman . " Now here it is that we venture to express our opinion Masonically , that in such a sentence we behold a great default of Masonic justice . The primary axiom of
all Masonic jurisprudence is , that every brother shall have a fair trial , that he shall have the charges made known to him , that he shall be heard fraternally and judged equitably . But what are the conditions of such a sentence as the one we call attention to to-day ? The very
reverse of everything we have been taught to regard as Masonic justice . The accused is unheard , he is condemned behind his back , on a statement of facts of which he knows nothing , and he is expelled from an Order against which he has committed no Masonic offence , simply be-
Bro. Burgess's Complaint.
cause it has a " tripartite treaty" with another Order , which is not Masonic at all , and openly says so . Of all positions for honourable and fairminded men to put themselves into , we cannot really conceive anyone so thoroughly un-English aud unjust , per se , to every one
concerned , and so un-Masonic ! For the whole arrangement is radically vicious and unsound . Let us suppose the case of a hasty sentence and of an irritated official ; we are not speaking now of Major Burgess ' s trial , but of ari illustrative case . Suppose we say that , " ab origine , " the
sentence in one order is itself objectionable on account of informality , personal feelings , or some such idea as this , too prevalent just now in respect of angry charges " aut inveniam aut faciam , " and to what a climax of injustice and absurdity the tripartite treaty necessarily leads
its signataries . If the sentence be passed according to the letter of the enactments of any one Order , the other two are bound , apparently , to accept it , " mutatis mutandis . " In this very case , as we understand originally , a point occurs of some importance for Bro . Burgess , viz , that
he did not absolutely fail to attend the council of the Great Priory , Nov . 26 th , 1874 , but offered to attend on another day , being unable to attend on that actual day . His whole sentence is based on the fact , as we understand , of his " having failed to attend , " but if he was
precluded from attending and offered to attend on any other day , the original sentence may fairly be challenged . Why then is an independent body of Freemasons , like the Mark Grand Lodge simply to register and endorse a sentence of the Order of the Temple , not a Masonic body ? And
why too , we ask , is it not to allow the brother so arraigned an opportunity of explanation , objection , and defence ? We write simply in the interests of Masonic justice , for the welfare and rights of all our brethren , and take no sides in the matter , nor express an " ex parte" opinion on one side or the other . We shall be glad to
hear some explanation from the authorities of the Grand Mark Lodge-in regard of these quasi judicial proceedings , and we feel bound to express a hope , that despite the tripartite treaty , the Grand Mark Lodge itself will hesitn . ^ . 0 condemn any brother unheard , and without some definite charges against his character , pr ofession , and duty , as a Mark Mason .
St. Swithin.
ST . SWITHIN .
It may not be perhaps generally known amongst our intelligent Order that St . Swithin was a Freemason . Preston tells us specifically that though "during the Heptarchy Masonry continued in a low state , " in the " year 856 it revived under the patronage of St . Swithin . " If
any of our brethren ask what was this " patronage" ofthe good old Saint , we believe that the explanation is to be found in this , that St . Swithin was a great church builder and restorer , and may have been , and probably was , a patron of the operative guilds or sodalities of Freemasons .
Probably our knowledge of St . Swithin , for the most part , takes a somewhat different turn and form . We all of us often talk about St . Swithin , and hear of St . Swithin annually on July 15 th . A very strong belief and a very pious legend of our English people is , that if it rains on St .
Swithin ' s Day , it will rain for 40 days subsequently . Well this year the watery Saint has given us a " strong order . " It did rain on St . Swithin ' s Day , it rained incessantly for nearly 50 hours , and daily since , though we have had gleams of fair weather , we still have to chronicle
rain , ram , rain . Is the old saying to be verified ? How much longer is the rain to go on ? Is it really going to rain more or less for 40 days ? If so , what a melancholy look out for the close of the London season , for angels in pink , and angels in blue , for innumerable occasions of gay
gatherings , soft words , kind looks , and pleasant flirtations ! Considering moreover the deep interest which our English folk take in the weather , some one has said that it makes up three parts of our conversation , we feel that such
a subject can never be unseasonable . A poet , some of us like much , has embalmed the memory of a fair partner in tender verse , who could and would only talk about the weather , and from what we read of the effects of the weather in some
St. Swithin.
localities , and in various ways ; it is not , we think , too much to say , that all our readers will feel the most intense interest in this most important question . For there is a very serious side to this pressing topic of the weather what shall we sav of the important interests of our farmers ?
Are the fields now bright and waving with their golden ears to be prostrated by a 40 days' rain , and laid in mournful mildew ? Are the hopes of many industrious workers to be blighted , and the harvest of hungry millions to be a failure ? Let us piously hope not , but that for once the
old saying will be falsified , and there will be at once a general revival of the geniality and good humour of society , which at present is in a dreadful condition . Indeed , we hardly like to attempt to realize what must be the inevitable condition of our young men if this influence of
"Jupiter pluviahs" istocontinue really for 40 days . But though we began in a somewhat jesting vein , we have yielded already to a more serious temperament . In fact , it is no laughing matter , properly speaking . The happiness of nations and the good of millions depend on fine weather
and a good harvest , and in the Providence of the Great Architect of the Universe , all will yet be Well , we fondly hope , with us and with our neighbours in this respect . But as we are always glad to make use of " seria mista jocis , " we are glad to be permitted to call attention once
more to the floods in France . This weather will , in all probability , increase the severity of the suffering at Toulouse and elsewhere , and we venture to express our confidence that our lodges will respond to the appeal of Madame McMahon , and swell our Bro . the Lord Mayor ' s
list , which is now daily increasing . We made a mistake in our last , onjthe authority of our contemporary the Graphic , which we now correct on the same authority . Verdun is not a town of 10 , 000 inhabitants , but only a village of 400 . Not one house , however , is left standing , and
many of its population have perished in the waters . It is just possible , from some accounts from Monmouthshire , that we may have before long to make application for relief even for potions of our own country , and we shall nil _ quai . _ n _ ~ : \ v . ' : " - all such claims - _ . kindly , for
needful relief , whether rising up at home or abroad , will be met at once by that liberality and large-heartedness which our English people ever evince in the hours of calamity and distress . May we be able in our next issue to announce that the legend of St . Swithin is inaccurate , that the " clerk of the weather " has thought better
of it , that sunshine has returnad to reward the labour of our husbandmen , and gladden the hearts of millions , and that our " gals , " that next important and pleasant section of contemporary society , have returned to their normal condition of laughing faces , merry words , and contented spirits .
The Boys' School.
THE BOYS' SCHOOL .
We have received Bro . Binckes ' s reply to Bro . Tew ' s pamphlet , but , we confess , we see no use or good in publishing it in our columns . In our opinion the matter has been adjudicated upon by thc only competent authority , the House Committee , and if Bro . Tew is dissatisfied with that decision , he ought to appeal to the General
Committee . We confess that we sympathize much with Bro . Binckes in the matter , but we feel sure that he will give us credit for being actuated with a truly Masonic feeling , both towards the Boys' School and himself , when we decline to re-open the question in our columns , on which just now the press of matter is very great .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
I We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —Eo . l
HOW MASONS ARE MADE . To thc Edilor of the Freemason . Dear Sir anti Brother , — As the evidence brought before a Grand Jury , being entirely on the side of the prosecution , naturally
paints the acts of the prisoner in the blackest light ; so the letter of " L . of L ., " unless replied to , would probably leave a stigma on the Lodge of Loyalty , Prescot , and its officers . If the idea was carried out in Prescot that no one but a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Installation Of H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales, K.G.
who are desirous of having their photographs taken for the purpose of being engraved in the p icture , had better call there at once . We sincerely wish the undeitaking , what it really deserves , every success , the more so as it is very liberally proposed to identify the three Royal
Masonic Charities with it , by giving to them equally a proportion of the proceeds . We would only add , in conclusion , that the chromo p hotograph which had been advertised in our columns for sometime , as intended to be produced by Bro . E . M . Haigh , the well-known
p hotographer , we notice from an advertisement appearing in our present impression , has been iriven up , Bro . Haigh readily conceding that the proposed steel engraving will be a much more durable , and , probably , acceptable memorial of the occasion , but his valuable services have been
retained to take the photographs required by the artist in engraving Bro . Harty ' s picture . We , therefore , invite the special consideration of our numerous subscribers , and friends , and correspondents to this interesting subject . We shall publish shortly a circular from the brethren who are bringing out tlio picture .
Bro. Burgess's Complaint.
BRO . BURGESS'S COMPLAINT .
We published a letter last week , from our brother Major Burgess , to which we feel bound to call special attention . It appears that this brother of ours has been brought into collision with the authorities of the newly named " Priory of the Temple , " and has been expelled , as we
understand his statement , from that Order . We are not Templars , or Masonic Templars , and therefore we cannot go into the question , though perhaps we shall not err in expressing our humble opinion that there wero probably faults on both sides , and that unfortunately the
whole point at issue has turned more or less on personal feelings and considerations . But as we said before , with the Templar verdict we have nothing to do . Bro . Burgess now complains of a very different matter , and one on which we think we have a right to express our opinion
calmly , carefully , and fraternally . The Grand Mark Lodge professes to be a Masonic body , and we know that several very upright men and good Freemasons are connected with it . Therefore it is that we learn of some recent proceedings with much regret , and that we consider it right
in the interests of Freemasonry to give Bro . Burgess the opportunity and liberty of stating his grievances . They amount to this , the Mark Grand Lodge has , according to his statement , also expelled him , unheard—on the ground of what we believe is called the " Tripartite Treaty , "
which is a treaty or agreement existing between three signataries , the Grand Mark Lodge , the 33 ° Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry , and the Order of the Tempi .. Under this " treaty" a Judicial Committee of the three bodies is held , which appears to be a sort of
supreme tribunal . If we understand the matter correctly , a sentence passed by one Order must be recognised by the other two , without further hearing or consideration . This view of the matter is confirmed by a quotation from a portion of the minutes ofthe meeting of the tribunal , 15 th
February , 1875 , an < ^ which run s as follows : — " This court finds the said sentence lawfully passed , and affirms the same , but decrees that , as regards the Alark Degree the enforcement of the sentence be postponed for the space of twentyeight days , during which time it shall be
competent to the authorities of the Mark Degree to accept the resignation of Major C . J . Burgess . LIMERICK , X Chairman . " Now here it is that we venture to express our opinion Masonically , that in such a sentence we behold a great default of Masonic justice . The primary axiom of
all Masonic jurisprudence is , that every brother shall have a fair trial , that he shall have the charges made known to him , that he shall be heard fraternally and judged equitably . But what are the conditions of such a sentence as the one we call attention to to-day ? The very
reverse of everything we have been taught to regard as Masonic justice . The accused is unheard , he is condemned behind his back , on a statement of facts of which he knows nothing , and he is expelled from an Order against which he has committed no Masonic offence , simply be-
Bro. Burgess's Complaint.
cause it has a " tripartite treaty" with another Order , which is not Masonic at all , and openly says so . Of all positions for honourable and fairminded men to put themselves into , we cannot really conceive anyone so thoroughly un-English aud unjust , per se , to every one
concerned , and so un-Masonic ! For the whole arrangement is radically vicious and unsound . Let us suppose the case of a hasty sentence and of an irritated official ; we are not speaking now of Major Burgess ' s trial , but of ari illustrative case . Suppose we say that , " ab origine , " the
sentence in one order is itself objectionable on account of informality , personal feelings , or some such idea as this , too prevalent just now in respect of angry charges " aut inveniam aut faciam , " and to what a climax of injustice and absurdity the tripartite treaty necessarily leads
its signataries . If the sentence be passed according to the letter of the enactments of any one Order , the other two are bound , apparently , to accept it , " mutatis mutandis . " In this very case , as we understand originally , a point occurs of some importance for Bro . Burgess , viz , that
he did not absolutely fail to attend the council of the Great Priory , Nov . 26 th , 1874 , but offered to attend on another day , being unable to attend on that actual day . His whole sentence is based on the fact , as we understand , of his " having failed to attend , " but if he was
precluded from attending and offered to attend on any other day , the original sentence may fairly be challenged . Why then is an independent body of Freemasons , like the Mark Grand Lodge simply to register and endorse a sentence of the Order of the Temple , not a Masonic body ? And
why too , we ask , is it not to allow the brother so arraigned an opportunity of explanation , objection , and defence ? We write simply in the interests of Masonic justice , for the welfare and rights of all our brethren , and take no sides in the matter , nor express an " ex parte" opinion on one side or the other . We shall be glad to
hear some explanation from the authorities of the Grand Mark Lodge-in regard of these quasi judicial proceedings , and we feel bound to express a hope , that despite the tripartite treaty , the Grand Mark Lodge itself will hesitn . ^ . 0 condemn any brother unheard , and without some definite charges against his character , pr ofession , and duty , as a Mark Mason .
St. Swithin.
ST . SWITHIN .
It may not be perhaps generally known amongst our intelligent Order that St . Swithin was a Freemason . Preston tells us specifically that though "during the Heptarchy Masonry continued in a low state , " in the " year 856 it revived under the patronage of St . Swithin . " If
any of our brethren ask what was this " patronage" ofthe good old Saint , we believe that the explanation is to be found in this , that St . Swithin was a great church builder and restorer , and may have been , and probably was , a patron of the operative guilds or sodalities of Freemasons .
Probably our knowledge of St . Swithin , for the most part , takes a somewhat different turn and form . We all of us often talk about St . Swithin , and hear of St . Swithin annually on July 15 th . A very strong belief and a very pious legend of our English people is , that if it rains on St .
Swithin ' s Day , it will rain for 40 days subsequently . Well this year the watery Saint has given us a " strong order . " It did rain on St . Swithin ' s Day , it rained incessantly for nearly 50 hours , and daily since , though we have had gleams of fair weather , we still have to chronicle
rain , ram , rain . Is the old saying to be verified ? How much longer is the rain to go on ? Is it really going to rain more or less for 40 days ? If so , what a melancholy look out for the close of the London season , for angels in pink , and angels in blue , for innumerable occasions of gay
gatherings , soft words , kind looks , and pleasant flirtations ! Considering moreover the deep interest which our English folk take in the weather , some one has said that it makes up three parts of our conversation , we feel that such
a subject can never be unseasonable . A poet , some of us like much , has embalmed the memory of a fair partner in tender verse , who could and would only talk about the weather , and from what we read of the effects of the weather in some
St. Swithin.
localities , and in various ways ; it is not , we think , too much to say , that all our readers will feel the most intense interest in this most important question . For there is a very serious side to this pressing topic of the weather what shall we sav of the important interests of our farmers ?
Are the fields now bright and waving with their golden ears to be prostrated by a 40 days' rain , and laid in mournful mildew ? Are the hopes of many industrious workers to be blighted , and the harvest of hungry millions to be a failure ? Let us piously hope not , but that for once the
old saying will be falsified , and there will be at once a general revival of the geniality and good humour of society , which at present is in a dreadful condition . Indeed , we hardly like to attempt to realize what must be the inevitable condition of our young men if this influence of
"Jupiter pluviahs" istocontinue really for 40 days . But though we began in a somewhat jesting vein , we have yielded already to a more serious temperament . In fact , it is no laughing matter , properly speaking . The happiness of nations and the good of millions depend on fine weather
and a good harvest , and in the Providence of the Great Architect of the Universe , all will yet be Well , we fondly hope , with us and with our neighbours in this respect . But as we are always glad to make use of " seria mista jocis , " we are glad to be permitted to call attention once
more to the floods in France . This weather will , in all probability , increase the severity of the suffering at Toulouse and elsewhere , and we venture to express our confidence that our lodges will respond to the appeal of Madame McMahon , and swell our Bro . the Lord Mayor ' s
list , which is now daily increasing . We made a mistake in our last , onjthe authority of our contemporary the Graphic , which we now correct on the same authority . Verdun is not a town of 10 , 000 inhabitants , but only a village of 400 . Not one house , however , is left standing , and
many of its population have perished in the waters . It is just possible , from some accounts from Monmouthshire , that we may have before long to make application for relief even for potions of our own country , and we shall nil _ quai . _ n _ ~ : \ v . ' : " - all such claims - _ . kindly , for
needful relief , whether rising up at home or abroad , will be met at once by that liberality and large-heartedness which our English people ever evince in the hours of calamity and distress . May we be able in our next issue to announce that the legend of St . Swithin is inaccurate , that the " clerk of the weather " has thought better
of it , that sunshine has returnad to reward the labour of our husbandmen , and gladden the hearts of millions , and that our " gals , " that next important and pleasant section of contemporary society , have returned to their normal condition of laughing faces , merry words , and contented spirits .
The Boys' School.
THE BOYS' SCHOOL .
We have received Bro . Binckes ' s reply to Bro . Tew ' s pamphlet , but , we confess , we see no use or good in publishing it in our columns . In our opinion the matter has been adjudicated upon by thc only competent authority , the House Committee , and if Bro . Tew is dissatisfied with that decision , he ought to appeal to the General
Committee . We confess that we sympathize much with Bro . Binckes in the matter , but we feel sure that he will give us credit for being actuated with a truly Masonic feeling , both towards the Boys' School and himself , when we decline to re-open the question in our columns , on which just now the press of matter is very great .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
I We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —Eo . l
HOW MASONS ARE MADE . To thc Edilor of the Freemason . Dear Sir anti Brother , — As the evidence brought before a Grand Jury , being entirely on the side of the prosecution , naturally
paints the acts of the prisoner in the blackest light ; so the letter of " L . of L ., " unless replied to , would probably leave a stigma on the Lodge of Loyalty , Prescot , and its officers . If the idea was carried out in Prescot that no one but a