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Original Correspondence.
to what I have contributed on the subject in question , that he knows about as much of my scholarly acquirements as he does of my impcrviousness to conviction , I take his left-handed compliment for what it is worth . He says that I appear to have written an essay on Hiram Abif , and ho invites me
to send it to him , promising " to give it an attentive reading , " with a readiness " to accept the argument , if in accordance with truth and reason . " It is gratifying to think that Dr . Epstein is " open to conviction . " So far he has an advantage over me . I am sorry that I cannot comply with his request
to send him an essay . I am precluded therefrom by the like reason which induced a certain illustrious personage to exclaim , " I cannot see the British fleet , because it ' s not in sight . " I have written no essay on Hiram Abif , and I shall therefore be deprived of the pleasure of seeing with what readiness
he " accepts arguments in accordance with truth and reason . " What I contributed to THE FREEMASON on this subject , was in three or four papers , in an amicably conducted controversy , published Feb . 12 , March 19 , and April 9 . As a matter of courtesy I was obliged to add something on Dr . Epstein ' s
paper in the American Freemason , inasmuch as " Pygmalion" had it reprinted in our FREEMASON , for my special edification and benefit . When a writer finds himself in such a position as this , having already said all that he has to say upon a subject , but is forced into the noticing of some
supplemental remarks coming from a fresh quarter , he is not expected to go over the whole ground again ; but only to notice such points as may appear to be new in the controversy , leaving what he had already written , in the way of argument and proof to the judgment of his readers . It was not
my fault that I could see nothing in Dr . Epstein ' s contribution that I had not already passed under review ; and I still think that if he had read what I had written , which he admits he had not done , his communication in the last number of THE FREEMASON would have been less " flat , stale and
unprofitable" than it seems to me to be . The several passages which he quotes from Kings and Chronicles I had critically examined , and although I had not found in them so many and great difficulties as Dr . Epstein suggests , I had admitted that they were not free from such difficulties as should
deter one from dogmatising . The substance of what he says , after transcribing the passages , and intimating the accumulating difficulties which he finds in them is , " I , with some others , choose to read Abi or Avi , or Aviv or Avif , instead of ' and his father , '' ofmy father , ' and'his father . '" Be it
so . De gustibns , & c . But Dr . Epstein cannot expect that what is a mere matter of taste with him , should be accepted as proof and conviction by others . He may take this as another evidence that I am not " open to conviction ; " but I hardly think he will do that . He himself looks for " arguments
in accordance with truth and justice" ancl he can scarcely impute blindness or obstinacy to those who are like-minded with himself . The number of aliases which he gives to Hiram would amply suffice for any gentleman of equivocal character in the outside world—but , de gustibus , Sec . It would be
well , however , if wc knew which of the abases we should adopt . Is it Hiram Abi , or Hiram Avi , or Hiram Aviv , or Hiram Avif , or Hiram Abif ? We arc now left in a quandary , enwrapt in as great "darkness as covered the minds of all the translators and commentators of old ; " and wc can see no
hope of its dissipation , if Dr Epstein docs not come to our aid with some of that Masonic light by which he is enabled to read the Hebrew text more correctly than they did . He makes short work of establishing the antiquity of Freemasonry , and the long-pending controversy upon that question should
now cease . The German and Swedish versions of the Old Testament , he says , " were made after Masonry was already in the world . " That carries us back further than the middle of the sixteenth century , say 1530 . Nay , he is disposed to claim for it a much earlier existence than that , for he asks
" whether Masonry is not antc-septuagintic , seeing that it translates the Hebrew text , or rather transcribes it , differently and better than the Septuagint ?" This carries us back to about 300 years B . C ., and gives to Masonry an antiquity which may silence our Brothers Buchan and Leo . But I mav remind
Dr . Epstein that the Septuagint neither translates nor transcribes Abiv or Abiu in 2 chronicles iv ., 16 , for the word seems not to have existed in the copy or copies that version was translated from , but in its place some word of which ai'iiycyKt Was the version—probably ^ i ^ , — " and all their instruments did Huram make , and bring to King
Solomon . " As against my interpretation of the word "father , " as applied to Hiram , Dr . Epstein , referring to the several passages I had quoted—in which the term is used as a title of honour ancl dignityobserves that in all of them the word is so used by either the conferor or the conferee , but " never by an historian , as a third party . " Is not this a sheer hegging of the question ? I , and other purblind
Original Correspondence.
translators and commentators , say that the historians who penned the books of Kings and Chronicles have done so . This is disputed ; ancl Dr . Epstein settles the question by averring that no historian or third party has ever done so ! A short way , that of settling a disputed question . ' But what says Dr .
Epstein to such passages as 2 Kings v ., 13 : " And his [ Naaman ' s ] servants came near , and spake unto him , and said : My Father , if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing , " & c ., and chap , vi ., 21 " andthe Kingof Israel said unto Elisha , when he saw them , my father , shall I smite them ? " In both
places the honorary title of " Father " is used , not by the conferor or by the conferee , but by a third party . Dr . Epstein is perplexed by the reference to Joseph , whom God had made a " Father unto Pharoah . " No wonder ; the references should have been printed— Genesis XLV ., 8 , compared with
chap . XLI ., 41-44 . The custom there referred to was not unknown among other Eastern peoples , as I have shown in a subsequent number of THE FREEMASON ( June 18 ) . In conclusion , permit me to express a hope that I
have m no way violated the courtesy due to a scholarly gentleman in my dissent from Dr . Epstein ' s view upon the question at issue , and to assure him of my sincere respect . Yours fraternally , WILLIAM CARPENTER .
Aid To The Sick & Wounded In War.
AID to the SICK & WOUNDED in WAR .
The following circular has been issued by the Grand Lodge of Scotland : — "Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , 20 th September , 1870 . " R . W . Sir and Brother , —I am directed by the
Managing Committee of the Fund of Scottish Masonic Benevolence , to inform you that an appeal has been submitted to them from the Grand Orient of France , soliciting aid in favour of the families of the killed and wounded in the Franco-Prussian war , and the Committee , believing that this appeal will
meet with sympathy and a cordial response from the Brethren throughout the country , invite the Lodges severally to collect from their members subscriptions for this object . I have therefore to request that you will be so good as to bring this matter immediately under the notice of your Lodge , and open
a subscription list for its members , sending me , as early as possible , the amount subscribed , in order that the aggregate sum may be forwarded to its destination without delay . " I remain , yours fraternally , " WM . A . LAURIE , G . Sec . "
ON Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., an entertainment was given by the Freeman Lodge , No . 105 , in the Assembly Rooms , Stowmarkct , Suffolk , in aid of the funds for aiding the sick and wounded in the present war . The programme , arranged by Bros . Frederick Long , W . M ' ., and G . S . Golding ,
S . W ., was very attractive , ancl long before the time for commencing every available place was filled , and had the room been double the size doubtless it would have been crammed . The great feature of the evening was the singing ancl readings of Bro . Emra Holmes , 31 , who was greeted with frequent applause and hearty encores to both his songs . Bro . \ V . A .
Smith also sang very capitally . The chair was filled by Bro . Spencer Freeman , and the result of the entertainment , after paying all expenses , was a profit of about , £ 10 to be paid over to the fund for the sick ancl wounded . The entertainment is to be repeated , in aid of the same good cause , in one of the neighbouring villages .
I HE Percy M . M . Lodge , No . 114 , Guilford , intend having a concert in the county and borough halls , on the 18 th October , in aid of the sick and wounded .
THE Consecration of the King Harold Lodge , No . 1327 , will take place on Tuesday next , the 27 th inst ., at the Britannia Hotel , Waltham New Town , at 2 p . m . Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B . Herts , will be the consecrating officer , and doubtless a large number of the provincial brethren will attend .
FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION . —I liken Freemasonry to a friend ; I liken Religion to a wife . With his wife a man may go into the depths of the vastest wilderness , ancl there they two alone may
exercise and fulfil their religious duties , ancl perhaps lay the foundation of a future kingdom . A man alone with God can exercise bis religion . A man with his fellow-man can exercise his Freemasonry . -W . P . B .
Tic DOI . OREUX , Neuralgia , Rheumatism , Lumbago , and all singular complaints , cured by Dr . Gee's Anodyne ( embrocation ) . J Vice , 2 s . yd ., or sent for 3 s . It has never yet failed . Read testimonials and judge for yourselves . Agents , T . liarton and Co ., 2 G 0 , . Strand , W . C . — [ Advt . l
Chapter Work.
CHAPTER WORK .
By J P . LITTLE , Grand High Priest Grand Chapter , "Va . ( Continued from page 453 ., ) THE JEWISH HALF-SHEKEL . The ancient Hebrews had but one coin . It was the half-shekel of silver , and was called sacred ,
because by the law of Moses every Hebrew was required once a year to deposit this sum and in this coin in the Treasury of the Temple for the service of the sanctuary . He could not put in an equivalent sum in foreign money ; he must put in this very coin , and hence it was that in later times ,
when the Roman coinage was alone used in trade and business , and this ancient coin was now obsolete , that money changers sat in the outer courts of the Temple , and made a regular trade in exchanging half-shekels for Roman coins . This was done by the connivance of the priest , who shared in the profits of the transaction .
There was no shekel coined ; it was a weight , not a coin , although used in business . When Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah he weighed out the price in shekels ; it was not counted . The halfshekel was in value equal to the fourth part of an American dollar .- On one side of the coin was a representation of the pot of manna ; on the other the rod of Aaron , with three buds .
The penny was a Roman com—the denanousthat had come into use in later times . It was in value about equal to one-half of the half-shekel , and was considered a good day ' s wages for a good day ' s work .
THE MEASURES OF TIME . By our ancient brethren the day was divided into twelve hours , commencing at sunrise and ending at sunset . Thus the length of the hours was determined by the length of this interval , and , consequently , the summer hours were longer than those
of a winter day . The sixth hour corresponded to our twelve o ' clock ; it was mid-day or noon . ' ! All the ancient nations counted the day from sunset to sunset ; the day began at sundown and not as with us ( derived from the Romans ) at midnight . Tho evening nnd the morning constituted
and divided the day ; thus we have it in Genesis : " The evening and the morning made the first day . " The Hebrews still count their days from the preceding sunset . There was another division of time into watches of three hours each ; this was a military division
introduced by the Romans in their camps . We do not hear anywhere in ancient times anything of high or low twelve as dividing marks of time . The Hebrew Sabbath , when all work must cease , was the seventh day , our Saturday . On Friday ,
the sixth day , the labour of the week was over , and on the sixth hour of this day , that is , at noon , work was suspended , and the rcmaimr of the day employed in paying off the workmen and receiving the week's supply of food , & c , all work being first inspected and approved or rejected , as it deserved .
MARKS . The form of the ancient keystone was different from that now in use ; it was cone-like in shape , with the point cut off , and was esteemed the sacred portion of the arch . Upon the top of this—inasmuch as the remainder was invisible , being buried
in the arch itself—was placed the name or mark of the builder . There is nothing more universal and at the same time more curious to the student than the prevalence of these Masonic marks on the stones of buildings . They may be met with in every part
of the earth where the science of architecture has been cultivated and where man has erected noble works for his own gratification or for the service of God . Wc find them graven on the stones of many cathedrals scattered over Europe ; we meet with them in the great works of ancient art upon Roman ,
Greek , Assyrian , and Egyptian temples ; we find them in the gigantic structures of Judea ; and even among those singular ancl nameless ruins that arc hidden in the forcits of Yucatan . Wc find them everywhere and of every form and character , as varied and as numerous as the individuals who
wrought on the buildings . They preceded the era of letters and were a language to the illiterate ; men who could not write their names could make their mark , ancl by the mark the man was known as well and as widely as though his name was written . 1 have no doubt that by
collecting and comparing those marks a history of the various cathedrals and other great buildings erected during the middle ages might be gathered . At present their history is unknown ; here and there the name of some king or bishop , with perhaps that
of a chief architect , is beard of . All that wc do know is that they were put up by wandering builders , who assembled for work and wages , dwelt together in collections of huts called lodges , were governed by their own laws , lived separate from all
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
to what I have contributed on the subject in question , that he knows about as much of my scholarly acquirements as he does of my impcrviousness to conviction , I take his left-handed compliment for what it is worth . He says that I appear to have written an essay on Hiram Abif , and ho invites me
to send it to him , promising " to give it an attentive reading , " with a readiness " to accept the argument , if in accordance with truth and reason . " It is gratifying to think that Dr . Epstein is " open to conviction . " So far he has an advantage over me . I am sorry that I cannot comply with his request
to send him an essay . I am precluded therefrom by the like reason which induced a certain illustrious personage to exclaim , " I cannot see the British fleet , because it ' s not in sight . " I have written no essay on Hiram Abif , and I shall therefore be deprived of the pleasure of seeing with what readiness
he " accepts arguments in accordance with truth and reason . " What I contributed to THE FREEMASON on this subject , was in three or four papers , in an amicably conducted controversy , published Feb . 12 , March 19 , and April 9 . As a matter of courtesy I was obliged to add something on Dr . Epstein ' s
paper in the American Freemason , inasmuch as " Pygmalion" had it reprinted in our FREEMASON , for my special edification and benefit . When a writer finds himself in such a position as this , having already said all that he has to say upon a subject , but is forced into the noticing of some
supplemental remarks coming from a fresh quarter , he is not expected to go over the whole ground again ; but only to notice such points as may appear to be new in the controversy , leaving what he had already written , in the way of argument and proof to the judgment of his readers . It was not
my fault that I could see nothing in Dr . Epstein ' s contribution that I had not already passed under review ; and I still think that if he had read what I had written , which he admits he had not done , his communication in the last number of THE FREEMASON would have been less " flat , stale and
unprofitable" than it seems to me to be . The several passages which he quotes from Kings and Chronicles I had critically examined , and although I had not found in them so many and great difficulties as Dr . Epstein suggests , I had admitted that they were not free from such difficulties as should
deter one from dogmatising . The substance of what he says , after transcribing the passages , and intimating the accumulating difficulties which he finds in them is , " I , with some others , choose to read Abi or Avi , or Aviv or Avif , instead of ' and his father , '' ofmy father , ' and'his father . '" Be it
so . De gustibns , & c . But Dr . Epstein cannot expect that what is a mere matter of taste with him , should be accepted as proof and conviction by others . He may take this as another evidence that I am not " open to conviction ; " but I hardly think he will do that . He himself looks for " arguments
in accordance with truth and justice" ancl he can scarcely impute blindness or obstinacy to those who are like-minded with himself . The number of aliases which he gives to Hiram would amply suffice for any gentleman of equivocal character in the outside world—but , de gustibus , Sec . It would be
well , however , if wc knew which of the abases we should adopt . Is it Hiram Abi , or Hiram Avi , or Hiram Aviv , or Hiram Avif , or Hiram Abif ? We arc now left in a quandary , enwrapt in as great "darkness as covered the minds of all the translators and commentators of old ; " and wc can see no
hope of its dissipation , if Dr Epstein docs not come to our aid with some of that Masonic light by which he is enabled to read the Hebrew text more correctly than they did . He makes short work of establishing the antiquity of Freemasonry , and the long-pending controversy upon that question should
now cease . The German and Swedish versions of the Old Testament , he says , " were made after Masonry was already in the world . " That carries us back further than the middle of the sixteenth century , say 1530 . Nay , he is disposed to claim for it a much earlier existence than that , for he asks
" whether Masonry is not antc-septuagintic , seeing that it translates the Hebrew text , or rather transcribes it , differently and better than the Septuagint ?" This carries us back to about 300 years B . C ., and gives to Masonry an antiquity which may silence our Brothers Buchan and Leo . But I mav remind
Dr . Epstein that the Septuagint neither translates nor transcribes Abiv or Abiu in 2 chronicles iv ., 16 , for the word seems not to have existed in the copy or copies that version was translated from , but in its place some word of which ai'iiycyKt Was the version—probably ^ i ^ , — " and all their instruments did Huram make , and bring to King
Solomon . " As against my interpretation of the word "father , " as applied to Hiram , Dr . Epstein , referring to the several passages I had quoted—in which the term is used as a title of honour ancl dignityobserves that in all of them the word is so used by either the conferor or the conferee , but " never by an historian , as a third party . " Is not this a sheer hegging of the question ? I , and other purblind
Original Correspondence.
translators and commentators , say that the historians who penned the books of Kings and Chronicles have done so . This is disputed ; ancl Dr . Epstein settles the question by averring that no historian or third party has ever done so ! A short way , that of settling a disputed question . ' But what says Dr .
Epstein to such passages as 2 Kings v ., 13 : " And his [ Naaman ' s ] servants came near , and spake unto him , and said : My Father , if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing , " & c ., and chap , vi ., 21 " andthe Kingof Israel said unto Elisha , when he saw them , my father , shall I smite them ? " In both
places the honorary title of " Father " is used , not by the conferor or by the conferee , but by a third party . Dr . Epstein is perplexed by the reference to Joseph , whom God had made a " Father unto Pharoah . " No wonder ; the references should have been printed— Genesis XLV ., 8 , compared with
chap . XLI ., 41-44 . The custom there referred to was not unknown among other Eastern peoples , as I have shown in a subsequent number of THE FREEMASON ( June 18 ) . In conclusion , permit me to express a hope that I
have m no way violated the courtesy due to a scholarly gentleman in my dissent from Dr . Epstein ' s view upon the question at issue , and to assure him of my sincere respect . Yours fraternally , WILLIAM CARPENTER .
Aid To The Sick & Wounded In War.
AID to the SICK & WOUNDED in WAR .
The following circular has been issued by the Grand Lodge of Scotland : — "Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , 20 th September , 1870 . " R . W . Sir and Brother , —I am directed by the
Managing Committee of the Fund of Scottish Masonic Benevolence , to inform you that an appeal has been submitted to them from the Grand Orient of France , soliciting aid in favour of the families of the killed and wounded in the Franco-Prussian war , and the Committee , believing that this appeal will
meet with sympathy and a cordial response from the Brethren throughout the country , invite the Lodges severally to collect from their members subscriptions for this object . I have therefore to request that you will be so good as to bring this matter immediately under the notice of your Lodge , and open
a subscription list for its members , sending me , as early as possible , the amount subscribed , in order that the aggregate sum may be forwarded to its destination without delay . " I remain , yours fraternally , " WM . A . LAURIE , G . Sec . "
ON Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., an entertainment was given by the Freeman Lodge , No . 105 , in the Assembly Rooms , Stowmarkct , Suffolk , in aid of the funds for aiding the sick and wounded in the present war . The programme , arranged by Bros . Frederick Long , W . M ' ., and G . S . Golding ,
S . W ., was very attractive , ancl long before the time for commencing every available place was filled , and had the room been double the size doubtless it would have been crammed . The great feature of the evening was the singing ancl readings of Bro . Emra Holmes , 31 , who was greeted with frequent applause and hearty encores to both his songs . Bro . \ V . A .
Smith also sang very capitally . The chair was filled by Bro . Spencer Freeman , and the result of the entertainment , after paying all expenses , was a profit of about , £ 10 to be paid over to the fund for the sick ancl wounded . The entertainment is to be repeated , in aid of the same good cause , in one of the neighbouring villages .
I HE Percy M . M . Lodge , No . 114 , Guilford , intend having a concert in the county and borough halls , on the 18 th October , in aid of the sick and wounded .
THE Consecration of the King Harold Lodge , No . 1327 , will take place on Tuesday next , the 27 th inst ., at the Britannia Hotel , Waltham New Town , at 2 p . m . Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B . Herts , will be the consecrating officer , and doubtless a large number of the provincial brethren will attend .
FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION . —I liken Freemasonry to a friend ; I liken Religion to a wife . With his wife a man may go into the depths of the vastest wilderness , ancl there they two alone may
exercise and fulfil their religious duties , ancl perhaps lay the foundation of a future kingdom . A man alone with God can exercise bis religion . A man with his fellow-man can exercise his Freemasonry . -W . P . B .
Tic DOI . OREUX , Neuralgia , Rheumatism , Lumbago , and all singular complaints , cured by Dr . Gee's Anodyne ( embrocation ) . J Vice , 2 s . yd ., or sent for 3 s . It has never yet failed . Read testimonials and judge for yourselves . Agents , T . liarton and Co ., 2 G 0 , . Strand , W . C . — [ Advt . l
Chapter Work.
CHAPTER WORK .
By J P . LITTLE , Grand High Priest Grand Chapter , "Va . ( Continued from page 453 ., ) THE JEWISH HALF-SHEKEL . The ancient Hebrews had but one coin . It was the half-shekel of silver , and was called sacred ,
because by the law of Moses every Hebrew was required once a year to deposit this sum and in this coin in the Treasury of the Temple for the service of the sanctuary . He could not put in an equivalent sum in foreign money ; he must put in this very coin , and hence it was that in later times ,
when the Roman coinage was alone used in trade and business , and this ancient coin was now obsolete , that money changers sat in the outer courts of the Temple , and made a regular trade in exchanging half-shekels for Roman coins . This was done by the connivance of the priest , who shared in the profits of the transaction .
There was no shekel coined ; it was a weight , not a coin , although used in business . When Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah he weighed out the price in shekels ; it was not counted . The halfshekel was in value equal to the fourth part of an American dollar .- On one side of the coin was a representation of the pot of manna ; on the other the rod of Aaron , with three buds .
The penny was a Roman com—the denanousthat had come into use in later times . It was in value about equal to one-half of the half-shekel , and was considered a good day ' s wages for a good day ' s work .
THE MEASURES OF TIME . By our ancient brethren the day was divided into twelve hours , commencing at sunrise and ending at sunset . Thus the length of the hours was determined by the length of this interval , and , consequently , the summer hours were longer than those
of a winter day . The sixth hour corresponded to our twelve o ' clock ; it was mid-day or noon . ' ! All the ancient nations counted the day from sunset to sunset ; the day began at sundown and not as with us ( derived from the Romans ) at midnight . Tho evening nnd the morning constituted
and divided the day ; thus we have it in Genesis : " The evening and the morning made the first day . " The Hebrews still count their days from the preceding sunset . There was another division of time into watches of three hours each ; this was a military division
introduced by the Romans in their camps . We do not hear anywhere in ancient times anything of high or low twelve as dividing marks of time . The Hebrew Sabbath , when all work must cease , was the seventh day , our Saturday . On Friday ,
the sixth day , the labour of the week was over , and on the sixth hour of this day , that is , at noon , work was suspended , and the rcmaimr of the day employed in paying off the workmen and receiving the week's supply of food , & c , all work being first inspected and approved or rejected , as it deserved .
MARKS . The form of the ancient keystone was different from that now in use ; it was cone-like in shape , with the point cut off , and was esteemed the sacred portion of the arch . Upon the top of this—inasmuch as the remainder was invisible , being buried
in the arch itself—was placed the name or mark of the builder . There is nothing more universal and at the same time more curious to the student than the prevalence of these Masonic marks on the stones of buildings . They may be met with in every part
of the earth where the science of architecture has been cultivated and where man has erected noble works for his own gratification or for the service of God . Wc find them graven on the stones of many cathedrals scattered over Europe ; we meet with them in the great works of ancient art upon Roman ,
Greek , Assyrian , and Egyptian temples ; we find them in the gigantic structures of Judea ; and even among those singular ancl nameless ruins that arc hidden in the forcits of Yucatan . Wc find them everywhere and of every form and character , as varied and as numerous as the individuals who
wrought on the buildings . They preceded the era of letters and were a language to the illiterate ; men who could not write their names could make their mark , ancl by the mark the man was known as well and as widely as though his name was written . 1 have no doubt that by
collecting and comparing those marks a history of the various cathedrals and other great buildings erected during the middle ages might be gathered . At present their history is unknown ; here and there the name of some king or bishop , with perhaps that
of a chief architect , is beard of . All that wc do know is that they were put up by wandering builders , who assembled for work and wages , dwelt together in collections of huts called lodges , were governed by their own laws , lived separate from all