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Article ANTI-MASONIC IMPERTINENCES. ← Page 2 of 2 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Multum in Parbo; or Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1
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Anti-Masonic Impertinences.
kindness , equal rights , and just principles among men , and thus disentegrates society , destroys confidence , and paralyzes every branch of business , and reduces a nation of people to beggaiy an d want . ' These are only a few of the false statements published in this prospectus by one
who siys , ' We speak by the card , we have been there ; ' but they are sufficient to show that if he has ever ' been there , ' he did not get out any too soon for the reputation of the Order . Masonry teaches that " truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue , " a lesson that
never made an impression upon this modern Ananias . He does not offer any evidence to prove the truth of his statements , nor can he in a single instance present any that will substantiate it . Until this is done , nothing more than a mere denial is necessary . " When people will
thus libel 1 ' reemasonry and insult Freemasons , we can only allude to the fact in self defence " . As for taking any further notice of such rubbish , it would be utterly beneath the dignity of our good old Order . We can , like our contemporary , and fully agreeing with his sensible remarks ,
afford to laugh at what he amusingly calls " Anti Masonic Thunder . " Freemasonry is best known by its fruits , and if there were a scintilla of truth in any . fine of the allegations of this vituperative assailant , Freemasons could certainly no longer defind its utility , or believe in its mission . But until , instead of all this ]| unseeni ' y virulence , and
this unveracious witness , we have facts tending to prove these deliberate libels and slanders—as we hold them to be without even the slightest foundation , — we shall prefer to believe that the Craft will outlive in its greatness , its truth , its beneficence , and its good , all such puny assailants , and can afford to disregard utterly all such contemptible impertinences .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do nut hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving ofthtfopinions expressed by our correspondents , hut we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . ]
THE PROPOSED SCOTTISH MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Many thanks to you for publishing , and to the worthy lady who has so feelingly written in your columns . Let me assure her that I feel deeply grateful for her kind and general sympathy . and am certain that her letter will do
much good ; if the wives , sisters , and daughters of Masons in Scotland can be entererl on our side we may hope for a promising future . I know " that women can really accomplish wonders , " may it be granted to us that the warm and true hearted letter of ) our correspondent may evoke similar feelings in the hearts of other Masons wives and sisters , and cause them to urge their husbands and brothers to act as true Masons .
Even if this movement should do no other good , it will show at least to our " sisters " that Masonry has a high and noble aim— " Charity , " and they will never grudge their husbands' attendance at lodge . Apropos of this question , 1 would add that at all social and convivial meetings of the Craft in Scotland one " new toast" should be given from the chair , viz ., " Charity , "
with this addition , when our institution is fully started , " Charity and our Benevolent Institution . " While again using your valuable space I would sincerel y urge our Scottish lodges to appoint some one of their members as Stewards for the Benevolent Institution , names of such Stewards to be sent either direct to myself < r to Bro . J . Laurie , Grand Secretary Scotland , <) S , Georgestreet
, Edinburgh , Bros . W . H . Bickerton , n , West Howard-street , Glasgow ; Dr . Cowan , M . D ., Victoria Building , Tay-street , Perth ; Alexander Henry , 140 , Murragate Dundee ; A . O . Grandfelt , 26 , Marshall , street , Aberdeen ; D . Murray Lyon , Ayr ; or any of the accredited agents of the proposed Institution . I would also add , for the instruction of my Scottish brethren
who may feel inclined to support the institution , that they will in no way pledge themselves to carry out my scheme in toto , unless it seems good to the majority to do so , they are asked only to agree that a " Masonic Benevolent Institution for Scotland shall be established . " The first meeting of promoters will take into consideration the ways and means , and no doubt many useful ideas will be
forthcoming , and many valuable additions made . 1 have it is true drawn up a full scheme , as I know from experience , that an abstract idea and resolution , without any further basis to go upon , would at once fall to the ground . I have simply given ; 1 foundation based upon existing institutions of a similar nature , on which I trust a superstructure may be raised honourable to its builders .
I would ask them one and all to come forward wilh their support and advice ; if any one has anything better to propose , by all means let him do so . I do not say this now for the first time ; I have all along urged this . Why then , my Scottish brethren , should you hold back ? Rather come forward and endeavour to form as good a scheme as human brains can supply .
Original Correspondence.
I hail with delight that our sisters " have taken up the task , and trust that they may influence their husbands and brothers . There is an old motto much affected by Scotchmen , I "Nulli Sccundus , " let that be ours .
I am , Sir , yours fraternally , G . E . R . HARRIOTT , P . G . M . Wigtown and Kirkcudbright . No . 4 , Howard Place , St . Andrew ' s , March loth , 1875 .
UNITED ORDERS OF THE TEMPLE AND HOSPITAL . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I venture to suggest to my brother Knights Templar through the medium of your valuable columns that the Order of which he is Grand Master , and to which it is well-known he is very much attached , should give the
Prince of Wales a cordial welcome on his return from India . I think that a special Convent General should be held , say at the Middle Temple . Hall , that the Knights should go in procession to the Temple Church to offer up thanks to Almighty God for his safe return , and that afterwards a banquet should be held , either in the Middle or Inner Temple , to celebrate the auspicious occasion . I
have no doubt the authorities would gladly lend their noble halls for such an event , and we should be as Templars on historic ground . The Prince is , I believe , a 3 encher of the Middle Temple . Commending this suggestion to the notice of Lord Lijjierick , the Great Prior , and the powers that be , I am , fraternally yours , A PAST GUANO OFFICER OF GRAND CONCLAVE .
BALLOT FOR CANDIDATES . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir ane ' . Brother , — I shall be glad to know what is the usual custom in lodges in ballotting for candidates whose names have lieen received too late for proposition in open lodge . In the lodge of which I am Secretary we require that
the proposer and seconder shall address a letter to the W . M ., asking for an emergency ( to be held on the next regular lodge night ) to ballot for a candidate who has not been regularly proposed in the lodge , and the name , & c , of the candidate is inserted in the next regular summons , under the heading of " emergency . " At the next lodge night the lodge is declared to be a
lodge of emergency for the purpose of taking the ballot for such a candidate , and if favourable he is at once initiated . We are , however , informed by brethren that all this is not necessary , antl that names of candidates can be received up to the time of printing the summonses without
inserting the emergency , or declaring it in the lodge . This , however , does npt accord with thej Book of Constitutions ( see article on Proposing Members ) , and I shall be glad if my question elicits from some well-informed brother what is the correct practice . 1 am , dear Sir and Brother , yours . fraternally , A SECHF . TAHV .
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you allow me to call the attention of the brethren to the case of the boy , James Edgar Tanare , as advertised in your columns . Bro . Tanare ( the father ) is an
inmate of Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum , and certified by Dr . Shepherd to be incurable . As this is really a most deserving case , I ask the subscribers very earnestly for their votes for the ensuing election . Yours fraternally , J EMMBNS , P . G . Purst .
ACCUSATIONS AGAINST FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of The Freemason Dear Sir and Brother , — A series of accusations against Masonry have recently appeared in the leading papers , the truth or falsehood of which 1 wish , for my own satisfaction to
ascertain . Will you , therefore , in your " answers to correspondent " give me as much information as possible as regards the following points . 1 st—Where may I obtain an authoritative declaration of princip'es , ( like our own constitutions ) , of the Orient of France , the Orient of Belgium , and the hupreme Italian
Authority , also 11 list of lodges of these respective countries , with names of chief officials like our own Cosmopolitan Calendar . 2 nd—Louis Blanc and Felix Pyatt are asserted to be Masons ? Are they , if so , what are their characters ? Are they not avowed Atheists ? 3 rd—Did the Grand Orient of Belgium issue a proiet
de loe to suppress all religious education . ' If so , where can it be procured ? 4 th—Where can I obtain the Dutch F ' leemasons' Almanack for 1872 , and the price ? Is there a translation . ' 5 th—Was an International Congress of Freemasons ' held at Lugano , in 1872 ? If so , where are the records
of it to be obtained , and price ? Is there a translation ? 6 th—Why did Prince Murat resign the Grand Mastership of France ? 7 th—What patt did the Masons take in the affairs of the commune ? Where can I obtain official account of
their appearance on the walls of Paris at that time . A Bro . Thirifocq is said to have written on this matter in an "Appeal lo Freemasons of every Rite . " Is he a Mason ? If so , is any thing known of his character ? Where can his book be obtained , and price ? 8 th—Prince Frederick of Orange is said to have resigned
Original Correspondence.
the Grand Mastership of the Netherlands because he was a Christian . What was the real reason of such resignation , and where may I obtain evidence of it ? You will see how hi ghly necessary it is that every Mason should be as fully as possible informed on these matters so that he may be enabled to meet them if false ,
and to exercise that great virtue " silence " if true . If you would kindly answer these queries in Saturday ' s paper , especially as to the consiituii -us and list of lodges of foreign Masonry , and questions seven and eight , you will greatly oblige vours truly and fraternally , A . B .
Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo ; or Masonic Notes and Queries .
THE MS . CONSTITUTIONS . The readers of the " Freemason " who take an interest in archaeological studies and all that appertains to the evidences of the Craft will rejoice to think how much progress has been made in this latest divelopement of Masonic research . A few years ago when , for instance , with others I began the then somewhat arduous work of
collating and verifying our Masonic MS . Constitutions , very little was comparatively known of them , even of their actual number . Old discussions had in the " Freemasons ' Magazine and Masonic Mirror " elicited the fact , that in the British Museum there were five copies of the Constitutions , as well as the additional MS . Constitutions edited by Bro . Matthew Cooke , as well as the Masonic poem edited by
W . O . Halliwell , now W . O . Phillips , in 1840 . It would not be fair here to forget that Bro . Matthew Cooke published a list of the MS . Constitutions in the British Museum about i 860 in the "Freemasons Magazine ; " neither should we overlook the debt that English archaeological Masonic students owe to the Rev . J . Dallaway , a non-Mason . Bro . Mathew Cooke ' s publication of the additional MS ., which
now is generally called Cook ' s MS ., was , no doubt , also a great step in Masonic archaeology in England . But it is not , I think , too much to say , that to the publication by another non-Mason , Mr . W . O . Halliwell , of that curious old poetic Constitulion we owe the impetus happily given to a more critical study of our evidences and our constitutions , which has led , alike in
Germany and England , to almost a new school of Masonic students . To Bro . W . J . Hughan must be fairlytjponceded in England ( though we must not overlook the earlier publications of Laurie ) nor forget Bro . D . M . Lyon ' s contributions in Scotland — to Bro . W . J . Hughan , I repeat , must be fairly conceded in England , if not the first collation , at any rate the first publication of
our Masonic Constitutions . He paved the way for future students by the opportune republication in 186 9 of Cole ' s copperplate edition of a MS . Constitution published in 1728 or i" 2 <) . In 1871 Bro . Richard Spencer published a most interesting volume , and to whom the warm thanks of all Masonic students are due . And in 1872 Bro . W . J . Hughan
issued his most valuable collection of the Constitutions , an era in English archaeology . But since that time many new ones have turned up . Bro . Hughan has lighted upon the Chester MS . and the Aberdeen MS ., and a copy of a MS . said to have been in the possession of Sir Christopher Wren . Bro . Norton has found the Scarborough MS ., Bro . D . M . Lyon has carefully
republished and collated the Kilwinning MS . and the Aitcheson Haven . The Wilson MS . is on the eve of publication , and I have no doubt but that many new MSS . may yet be traced out . Bro . Hughan calls attention to Dermott ' s MS . and Morgan ' s MS ., discoveries peculiarly his own , and I am not yet without hopes of tracing the MS . Constitution , which
Dr . Plot saw , and Ashmole used . We want , however , many others , such as the original of Dowland ' s MS ., the original of Rawlinson ' s MS ., and others alluded to by Bro . W . J . Hughan ; and I feel sure that a careful search in all old lodge boxes and chests , often stowed away in garrets , would result in the discovery of other rolls and other MSS .
Sometimes the lodge papers get into the hands of a Secretary , who mixes them with his private papers , and at his death they are sold with his effects . I would then earnestly ask all W . M . ' s and Secretaries of lodges , and I am sure Brj . W . J . Hughan will join in my prayer , to have at once a correct list made of all MSS ., or
books belonging to the lodge . In my opinion we are only yet at the beginning of our discoveries . So apathetic and careless have we all been , so overlaid by the dust of years are our lodge archives which may exir . t , so little store have our forefathers set by what would be invaluable evidence to a MASONIC STUOENT .
MASONIC TOKKKS , AND BRO . J . N . I am very pleased to see that Bro . J . N ., of Box 34 , Post Office , Bolton , Lane , has a few of the Masonic Tokens of 1794 , commemorative of the installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , in 1799 , for sale . ( Vide" Freemason , " 18 th inst . ) A few have turned up of late , consequent upon the
Grand Installation of April last leading to so much discussion , & c . Prior to this event , I failed to meet with any , and doubtless in a few months we shall revert to an old experience , for there cannot bs many left now , after the hunt that has been made . Full particulars of these tokens are given by several writers in the " Freemason , " for
June 12 th , 1875 , and a list of those then known in the same paper for September 25 th . The number for August 7 th is especially worth consulting on the subject . ' Bro . J . N . ' s motive is a good one , and brethren will do well to avail themselves of his fraternal offer . WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Anti-Masonic Impertinences.
kindness , equal rights , and just principles among men , and thus disentegrates society , destroys confidence , and paralyzes every branch of business , and reduces a nation of people to beggaiy an d want . ' These are only a few of the false statements published in this prospectus by one
who siys , ' We speak by the card , we have been there ; ' but they are sufficient to show that if he has ever ' been there , ' he did not get out any too soon for the reputation of the Order . Masonry teaches that " truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue , " a lesson that
never made an impression upon this modern Ananias . He does not offer any evidence to prove the truth of his statements , nor can he in a single instance present any that will substantiate it . Until this is done , nothing more than a mere denial is necessary . " When people will
thus libel 1 ' reemasonry and insult Freemasons , we can only allude to the fact in self defence " . As for taking any further notice of such rubbish , it would be utterly beneath the dignity of our good old Order . We can , like our contemporary , and fully agreeing with his sensible remarks ,
afford to laugh at what he amusingly calls " Anti Masonic Thunder . " Freemasonry is best known by its fruits , and if there were a scintilla of truth in any . fine of the allegations of this vituperative assailant , Freemasons could certainly no longer defind its utility , or believe in its mission . But until , instead of all this ]| unseeni ' y virulence , and
this unveracious witness , we have facts tending to prove these deliberate libels and slanders—as we hold them to be without even the slightest foundation , — we shall prefer to believe that the Craft will outlive in its greatness , its truth , its beneficence , and its good , all such puny assailants , and can afford to disregard utterly all such contemptible impertinences .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do nut hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving ofthtfopinions expressed by our correspondents , hut we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . ]
THE PROPOSED SCOTTISH MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Many thanks to you for publishing , and to the worthy lady who has so feelingly written in your columns . Let me assure her that I feel deeply grateful for her kind and general sympathy . and am certain that her letter will do
much good ; if the wives , sisters , and daughters of Masons in Scotland can be entererl on our side we may hope for a promising future . I know " that women can really accomplish wonders , " may it be granted to us that the warm and true hearted letter of ) our correspondent may evoke similar feelings in the hearts of other Masons wives and sisters , and cause them to urge their husbands and brothers to act as true Masons .
Even if this movement should do no other good , it will show at least to our " sisters " that Masonry has a high and noble aim— " Charity , " and they will never grudge their husbands' attendance at lodge . Apropos of this question , 1 would add that at all social and convivial meetings of the Craft in Scotland one " new toast" should be given from the chair , viz ., " Charity , "
with this addition , when our institution is fully started , " Charity and our Benevolent Institution . " While again using your valuable space I would sincerel y urge our Scottish lodges to appoint some one of their members as Stewards for the Benevolent Institution , names of such Stewards to be sent either direct to myself < r to Bro . J . Laurie , Grand Secretary Scotland , <) S , Georgestreet
, Edinburgh , Bros . W . H . Bickerton , n , West Howard-street , Glasgow ; Dr . Cowan , M . D ., Victoria Building , Tay-street , Perth ; Alexander Henry , 140 , Murragate Dundee ; A . O . Grandfelt , 26 , Marshall , street , Aberdeen ; D . Murray Lyon , Ayr ; or any of the accredited agents of the proposed Institution . I would also add , for the instruction of my Scottish brethren
who may feel inclined to support the institution , that they will in no way pledge themselves to carry out my scheme in toto , unless it seems good to the majority to do so , they are asked only to agree that a " Masonic Benevolent Institution for Scotland shall be established . " The first meeting of promoters will take into consideration the ways and means , and no doubt many useful ideas will be
forthcoming , and many valuable additions made . 1 have it is true drawn up a full scheme , as I know from experience , that an abstract idea and resolution , without any further basis to go upon , would at once fall to the ground . I have simply given ; 1 foundation based upon existing institutions of a similar nature , on which I trust a superstructure may be raised honourable to its builders .
I would ask them one and all to come forward wilh their support and advice ; if any one has anything better to propose , by all means let him do so . I do not say this now for the first time ; I have all along urged this . Why then , my Scottish brethren , should you hold back ? Rather come forward and endeavour to form as good a scheme as human brains can supply .
Original Correspondence.
I hail with delight that our sisters " have taken up the task , and trust that they may influence their husbands and brothers . There is an old motto much affected by Scotchmen , I "Nulli Sccundus , " let that be ours .
I am , Sir , yours fraternally , G . E . R . HARRIOTT , P . G . M . Wigtown and Kirkcudbright . No . 4 , Howard Place , St . Andrew ' s , March loth , 1875 .
UNITED ORDERS OF THE TEMPLE AND HOSPITAL . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I venture to suggest to my brother Knights Templar through the medium of your valuable columns that the Order of which he is Grand Master , and to which it is well-known he is very much attached , should give the
Prince of Wales a cordial welcome on his return from India . I think that a special Convent General should be held , say at the Middle Temple . Hall , that the Knights should go in procession to the Temple Church to offer up thanks to Almighty God for his safe return , and that afterwards a banquet should be held , either in the Middle or Inner Temple , to celebrate the auspicious occasion . I
have no doubt the authorities would gladly lend their noble halls for such an event , and we should be as Templars on historic ground . The Prince is , I believe , a 3 encher of the Middle Temple . Commending this suggestion to the notice of Lord Lijjierick , the Great Prior , and the powers that be , I am , fraternally yours , A PAST GUANO OFFICER OF GRAND CONCLAVE .
BALLOT FOR CANDIDATES . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir ane ' . Brother , — I shall be glad to know what is the usual custom in lodges in ballotting for candidates whose names have lieen received too late for proposition in open lodge . In the lodge of which I am Secretary we require that
the proposer and seconder shall address a letter to the W . M ., asking for an emergency ( to be held on the next regular lodge night ) to ballot for a candidate who has not been regularly proposed in the lodge , and the name , & c , of the candidate is inserted in the next regular summons , under the heading of " emergency . " At the next lodge night the lodge is declared to be a
lodge of emergency for the purpose of taking the ballot for such a candidate , and if favourable he is at once initiated . We are , however , informed by brethren that all this is not necessary , antl that names of candidates can be received up to the time of printing the summonses without
inserting the emergency , or declaring it in the lodge . This , however , does npt accord with thej Book of Constitutions ( see article on Proposing Members ) , and I shall be glad if my question elicits from some well-informed brother what is the correct practice . 1 am , dear Sir and Brother , yours . fraternally , A SECHF . TAHV .
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you allow me to call the attention of the brethren to the case of the boy , James Edgar Tanare , as advertised in your columns . Bro . Tanare ( the father ) is an
inmate of Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum , and certified by Dr . Shepherd to be incurable . As this is really a most deserving case , I ask the subscribers very earnestly for their votes for the ensuing election . Yours fraternally , J EMMBNS , P . G . Purst .
ACCUSATIONS AGAINST FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of The Freemason Dear Sir and Brother , — A series of accusations against Masonry have recently appeared in the leading papers , the truth or falsehood of which 1 wish , for my own satisfaction to
ascertain . Will you , therefore , in your " answers to correspondent " give me as much information as possible as regards the following points . 1 st—Where may I obtain an authoritative declaration of princip'es , ( like our own constitutions ) , of the Orient of France , the Orient of Belgium , and the hupreme Italian
Authority , also 11 list of lodges of these respective countries , with names of chief officials like our own Cosmopolitan Calendar . 2 nd—Louis Blanc and Felix Pyatt are asserted to be Masons ? Are they , if so , what are their characters ? Are they not avowed Atheists ? 3 rd—Did the Grand Orient of Belgium issue a proiet
de loe to suppress all religious education . ' If so , where can it be procured ? 4 th—Where can I obtain the Dutch F ' leemasons' Almanack for 1872 , and the price ? Is there a translation . ' 5 th—Was an International Congress of Freemasons ' held at Lugano , in 1872 ? If so , where are the records
of it to be obtained , and price ? Is there a translation ? 6 th—Why did Prince Murat resign the Grand Mastership of France ? 7 th—What patt did the Masons take in the affairs of the commune ? Where can I obtain official account of
their appearance on the walls of Paris at that time . A Bro . Thirifocq is said to have written on this matter in an "Appeal lo Freemasons of every Rite . " Is he a Mason ? If so , is any thing known of his character ? Where can his book be obtained , and price ? 8 th—Prince Frederick of Orange is said to have resigned
Original Correspondence.
the Grand Mastership of the Netherlands because he was a Christian . What was the real reason of such resignation , and where may I obtain evidence of it ? You will see how hi ghly necessary it is that every Mason should be as fully as possible informed on these matters so that he may be enabled to meet them if false ,
and to exercise that great virtue " silence " if true . If you would kindly answer these queries in Saturday ' s paper , especially as to the consiituii -us and list of lodges of foreign Masonry , and questions seven and eight , you will greatly oblige vours truly and fraternally , A . B .
Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo ; or Masonic Notes and Queries .
THE MS . CONSTITUTIONS . The readers of the " Freemason " who take an interest in archaeological studies and all that appertains to the evidences of the Craft will rejoice to think how much progress has been made in this latest divelopement of Masonic research . A few years ago when , for instance , with others I began the then somewhat arduous work of
collating and verifying our Masonic MS . Constitutions , very little was comparatively known of them , even of their actual number . Old discussions had in the " Freemasons ' Magazine and Masonic Mirror " elicited the fact , that in the British Museum there were five copies of the Constitutions , as well as the additional MS . Constitutions edited by Bro . Matthew Cooke , as well as the Masonic poem edited by
W . O . Halliwell , now W . O . Phillips , in 1840 . It would not be fair here to forget that Bro . Matthew Cooke published a list of the MS . Constitutions in the British Museum about i 860 in the "Freemasons Magazine ; " neither should we overlook the debt that English archaeological Masonic students owe to the Rev . J . Dallaway , a non-Mason . Bro . Mathew Cooke ' s publication of the additional MS ., which
now is generally called Cook ' s MS ., was , no doubt , also a great step in Masonic archaeology in England . But it is not , I think , too much to say , that to the publication by another non-Mason , Mr . W . O . Halliwell , of that curious old poetic Constitulion we owe the impetus happily given to a more critical study of our evidences and our constitutions , which has led , alike in
Germany and England , to almost a new school of Masonic students . To Bro . W . J . Hughan must be fairlytjponceded in England ( though we must not overlook the earlier publications of Laurie ) nor forget Bro . D . M . Lyon ' s contributions in Scotland — to Bro . W . J . Hughan , I repeat , must be fairly conceded in England , if not the first collation , at any rate the first publication of
our Masonic Constitutions . He paved the way for future students by the opportune republication in 186 9 of Cole ' s copperplate edition of a MS . Constitution published in 1728 or i" 2 <) . In 1871 Bro . Richard Spencer published a most interesting volume , and to whom the warm thanks of all Masonic students are due . And in 1872 Bro . W . J . Hughan
issued his most valuable collection of the Constitutions , an era in English archaeology . But since that time many new ones have turned up . Bro . Hughan has lighted upon the Chester MS . and the Aberdeen MS ., and a copy of a MS . said to have been in the possession of Sir Christopher Wren . Bro . Norton has found the Scarborough MS ., Bro . D . M . Lyon has carefully
republished and collated the Kilwinning MS . and the Aitcheson Haven . The Wilson MS . is on the eve of publication , and I have no doubt but that many new MSS . may yet be traced out . Bro . Hughan calls attention to Dermott ' s MS . and Morgan ' s MS ., discoveries peculiarly his own , and I am not yet without hopes of tracing the MS . Constitution , which
Dr . Plot saw , and Ashmole used . We want , however , many others , such as the original of Dowland ' s MS ., the original of Rawlinson ' s MS ., and others alluded to by Bro . W . J . Hughan ; and I feel sure that a careful search in all old lodge boxes and chests , often stowed away in garrets , would result in the discovery of other rolls and other MSS .
Sometimes the lodge papers get into the hands of a Secretary , who mixes them with his private papers , and at his death they are sold with his effects . I would then earnestly ask all W . M . ' s and Secretaries of lodges , and I am sure Brj . W . J . Hughan will join in my prayer , to have at once a correct list made of all MSS ., or
books belonging to the lodge . In my opinion we are only yet at the beginning of our discoveries . So apathetic and careless have we all been , so overlaid by the dust of years are our lodge archives which may exir . t , so little store have our forefathers set by what would be invaluable evidence to a MASONIC STUOENT .
MASONIC TOKKKS , AND BRO . J . N . I am very pleased to see that Bro . J . N ., of Box 34 , Post Office , Bolton , Lane , has a few of the Masonic Tokens of 1794 , commemorative of the installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , in 1799 , for sale . ( Vide" Freemason , " 18 th inst . ) A few have turned up of late , consequent upon the
Grand Installation of April last leading to so much discussion , & c . Prior to this event , I failed to meet with any , and doubtless in a few months we shall revert to an old experience , for there cannot bs many left now , after the hunt that has been made . Full particulars of these tokens are given by several writers in the " Freemason , " for
June 12 th , 1875 , and a list of those then known in the same paper for September 25 th . The number for August 7 th is especially worth consulting on the subject . ' Bro . J . N . ' s motive is a good one , and brethren will do well to avail themselves of his fraternal offer . WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN .