Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS .-.. 427 Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset 42 S provincial Grand Chapter of Dorset 428 The Memorial Portrait of Bro . Lord Lathom 428
Lodge of Benevolence . 429 South Afiica ' ..... ; ........ 439 Australia ; . 429 C ORRESPONDENCEStatus of Past Masters 431 Reviews : 43 ' ,
Notes and Queries 432 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 432 Instruction ' . 433
Mark Masonry 433 Ancient and Accepted Rite 433 Canada , 433 . Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 434 Masonic and General Tidings 435 Lodge Meetings fur Next Week 436
Ar00101
We think it not unlikely that on Confirmation oi the Minutes at the next Grand Lodge , the question of the status of Past Masters may again be raised , inasmuch as it is quite clear that only the " fringe of the question " has so far been touched , and that the subject itself has never been thought out fully , or closely . argued out . The change it will introduce in our normal lodge arrangements is so great , so serious , and we will add , so abnormal in itself , that this alteration of the Book of Constitutions requires the most careful scrutiny , and the most earnest reconsideration .
* * WE call attention to the correspondence elsewhere in reference to the " Status of Past Masters . " It will be seen , as we fully anticipated , that a great deal may be said on both sides , and that , as we ventured to intimate also , the question has many difficulties , and has been far too hastily disposed of . It is always well to hear both sides of a question , and as , so far , only one
side has been heard , in the interests of the Craft generally we are clearly warranted in inviting a serious reconsideration of a most vital change in our lodge arrangements and customs and " norma vivendi . " Some of the letters seem to us , we say it deferentially , a little beside the actual question . Bro . LETCHWORTH , in his undoubtedly able letter , forgets that " of a lodge " is defined and admitted to be a technical expression , meaning a
Past Master who has actually sat in the chair for a year . . His idea that a lodge can grant that rank to a Past Master . '?; the lodge is , we feel sure , unknown to Masonic law or precedent . Bro . " G . E . ' s " letter deserves consideration for the " points" he so lucidly puts . Our good brother from Huddersfield writes hastily and incorrectly . We call a " bogus Past Master" one who claims to be Past Master of a- lodge when he has not been its actual Master . He
is in fact a "jay in borrowed plumes . " "Once a Past Master always a Past Master" is a very good adage as regards the Craft in general , ( though it has its limitations ) , but it does not affect , the question of Past Master of a lodge . Bro . TURNER ' case is one of those which undoubtedly occur . But we contend that Bro . TURNER has all the legal rights his rank as Past Master in the Craft gftes him , that he can " de jure " attend a Provincial
Grand Lodge , but that if he wishes to be Past Master of a lodge he must serve the ' chair of the lodge duty . It would almost seem as if this question of Past Masters in a lodge is a new one , whereas numberless have been the cases in the last 20 years where brethren have been admitted as joining Past Masters , but had to serve as Worshipful Master before they became properly Past Master of the lodge . With Bro . LETCHWORTH we want
things left as they are . We are quite sure of this , no lodge with a good array of Past Masters , and with any self respect , will henceforth admit joining Past Master ... As SAM WELLER says : " It's not in human natur so for to do . " We quite agree with the remarks of Bro . LEES in respect to the whole question , and which , as the expression of provincial opinions , deserves note and perusal . ¦ s * *
IN another page , will be found an able statement by Bro . LAMONBY which originally appeared in the Melbourne Argus as to the " bogus " Grand Lodge of Victoria , as well as to the report of certain proceedings thereanent . As he truly points out , the whole thing is a farce . There are 70 English lodges , 15 Scottish , and 10 Irish , and lo and behold ! a few-Scottish and Irish lodges declare themselves the Grand Lodge of Victoria ,
no English lodge joining in the movement . Indeed , we are assured that our English brethren , forming two-thirds of Freemasonry there , are universally addressing the Grand Lodge of England in terms of loyal adherence and devotion . Well may we ask , what next '? How on any pretence of Masonic precedent of law or right can a small minority proclaim itself the Grand Lodge of Victoria , the majority of lodges and the entirety of one jurisdiction utterly ignoring the movement ? . We are inclined
' 0 think and to hope that such a " venture will prove " too tough a morsel to di gest , alike in America and Canada . Admitted , if you like for the sake of argument , that a majority of Irish and Scottish lodges respectively might transform themselves into an Irish or Scottish lodge in Victoria , or an united Irish and Scottish Grand Lodge by a joint majority of the two jurisdictions ; they cannot by any possibility bind or implicate the abstaining jurisdiction , a lon g way the largest in number and influence . If the American and
Canadian Bodies look with complacency on such an irregular , fantastic , and childish parody of all Masonic tradition and constitutions , then all we can | a y is , farewell to the unity and peace of the great Antflo-Saxon Masonic __ mily , ^ In great Britain we are not likely ever to recognize movements so inauspiciousl y begun and so unmasonically consummated . As in the past , so lr > the future , the Grand Lodge of England will act with dignity , firmness , and yet consideration , When itschildren propose to leave their good old
Ar00102
mother for newer associates , or more distinguished jurisdictions , when they seek to carry out their " migration " in a legal , constitutional , and befitting way , the greatest and oldest Grand Lodge in the world , the parent of all other Grand Lodges , will place no impediment whatever further in the way , but what Masonic law enforces , or Masonic justice for others may demand . It is alleged there are complaints against the Irish and Scottish Grand
Lodges . Of these we know nothing , and gravely doubt their legitimate existence ; but against thc English Grand Lodge there are admittedly none . And yet , to gratify the personal ambition of a few hungry office-seekers , whose personal vanity and egotism blind them to their own want of Masonic lore and their ignorance of Masonic history ; to encourage a foreign element , friendly to no ruling power ; to gratify that " Proletariat , " even of Masonry ,
which exists , strange to say , almost everywhere , the peaceful connection of years is to be rudely and hastily broken up , without a trace of Masonic sympithy , good feeling , or good form , and the utter absurdity repeated o £ establishing a so-called Grand Lodge , which is in reality a clandestine and illegal and irregular body , and which cannot expect Irom the Grand Lodge of England , or , we believe , from any other jurisdiction , recognition in
any shape whatever . We are rejoiced to note the evidence of great loyalty and faithful adherence among the lodges and brethren of Victoria . We have said before , and wc repeat it now , that with the serious difficulties of distance and increased population , a legitimate movement , in due Masonic form , amongst our English lodges in the Colonies will always meet with courteous attention at home ; but we cannot recognize a course of procedure which is repugnant lo every feeling we have of loyalty .
honesty , straight running , and Masonic duty , and can only result indiscrediting Freemasonry in " those latitudes , " as it must weaken it , and undermine it as before the world . We thank Bro . LAMONBV for his manly protest and his seasonable remarks , and are glad to think the Victorian Freemasons have so true a brother and so good a " worker , " as we well know he is , among them . It is perhaps as well to add that this illegal body seems to have been formed on July and .
»*« THE state of things Masonically in Canada and Quebec is not good We have already adverted to the suggestion of Masonic repudiation of the old concordat , a suggestion which , remembering the past , we are deeply grieved to sec emanating from the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada , as auguring ill for the
future of Canadian Masonry . If there is one thing more clear than another it was the honourable and distinct understanding arrived at as regards the Masonic status and legal position of the English lodges remaining loyal to the Grand Lodge of England , and not only was it an understanding "in futurum , " but Grand Master WILSON distinctly for the Grand Lodge of Canada , ( never in any sense repudiated at the lime ) , proclaimed in no
measured terms the perfect legality and propriety of the procedure of the English lodges . It is possible that he might for uniformity ' s sake have wished for one dominant Grand Lodge and one only , but he goesout of his way , and with the consent of the then Grand Lodge , to declare ihat they found no fault with tho English lodges , but fully admitted their right , and recognized their legal and Masonic position . Words cannot be more
clear or explicit . " Litera senpta manet , " and we recommend those would be breakers of treaties and repudiators of lawful and loyal Masonic obligations to read the intelligent and thoroughly Masonic words of Grand Master WILSON - . Lord ZETLAND , as a noble specimen of an English gentleman and Freemason , was true to his undertaking , and kept to his honourable understanding and acceptance of a " fait accompli . From
that hour all outward semblance of active jurisdiction has been kept down , so as not to antagonize the views or interfere wilh the progress of the Grand Lodge of Canada , and the only reward we obtain is this childish agitation as regards the English lodges , this appeal to American , not English , Masonic law , as the law , just as if the Canadian lodges were off-shoots of American Grand Lodges , and this new and combined attack on privileges
authorized and admitted alike by deliberate concordats andtan honourable understanding . We can not conceal the fears which recent publications have given us , nor how we regret to believe that the " breach is widening , " and that we shall have a chronic and open and running sore , which admits neither of palliative remedies nor an healing Eirenicon . The Grand Lodge ot England , as we have often taken occasion to say , would not be true to its own historical position or Masonic obligation , its past history , its present prestige , if it
abandoned the children of its own cradle and nurture , who still demand legally and loyally to adhere to their warranting Grand Lodge . From that position the English Grand Lodge never will recede , come what may ; and as it neither cares for menace , nor the " tall talk" of irresponsible wire pullers , it will still continue manfully to adhere alike to Masonic precedent and Masonic law , to an honourable understanding , and to loyal decorum and duty .
& * # A STATEMENT has been made in one of the daily papers that a military Masonic body has directed from Paris the recent abortive revolution in Spain . We feel quite sure that the Spanish Freemasons had nothing to do with such disgracelul proceedings , neither had any real Masonic body . If
such an organization exists , it is probably a remnant of one of those hurtful secret associations as Les Templiers . La Maryane , Madre Natura , tha Carbonari , Les Philadelphes , a Military Secret Order , & c , which , by their abuse of the word Liberty , have so injured the cause of true freedom in the world , so discredited tlie name of Freemason ry , and - - . o impeded the real advance and civilization of mankind , under the necessarily always abiding conditions of law and order , right and peace .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS .-.. 427 Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset 42 S provincial Grand Chapter of Dorset 428 The Memorial Portrait of Bro . Lord Lathom 428
Lodge of Benevolence . 429 South Afiica ' ..... ; ........ 439 Australia ; . 429 C ORRESPONDENCEStatus of Past Masters 431 Reviews : 43 ' ,
Notes and Queries 432 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 432 Instruction ' . 433
Mark Masonry 433 Ancient and Accepted Rite 433 Canada , 433 . Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 434 Masonic and General Tidings 435 Lodge Meetings fur Next Week 436
Ar00101
We think it not unlikely that on Confirmation oi the Minutes at the next Grand Lodge , the question of the status of Past Masters may again be raised , inasmuch as it is quite clear that only the " fringe of the question " has so far been touched , and that the subject itself has never been thought out fully , or closely . argued out . The change it will introduce in our normal lodge arrangements is so great , so serious , and we will add , so abnormal in itself , that this alteration of the Book of Constitutions requires the most careful scrutiny , and the most earnest reconsideration .
* * WE call attention to the correspondence elsewhere in reference to the " Status of Past Masters . " It will be seen , as we fully anticipated , that a great deal may be said on both sides , and that , as we ventured to intimate also , the question has many difficulties , and has been far too hastily disposed of . It is always well to hear both sides of a question , and as , so far , only one
side has been heard , in the interests of the Craft generally we are clearly warranted in inviting a serious reconsideration of a most vital change in our lodge arrangements and customs and " norma vivendi . " Some of the letters seem to us , we say it deferentially , a little beside the actual question . Bro . LETCHWORTH , in his undoubtedly able letter , forgets that " of a lodge " is defined and admitted to be a technical expression , meaning a
Past Master who has actually sat in the chair for a year . . His idea that a lodge can grant that rank to a Past Master . '?; the lodge is , we feel sure , unknown to Masonic law or precedent . Bro . " G . E . ' s " letter deserves consideration for the " points" he so lucidly puts . Our good brother from Huddersfield writes hastily and incorrectly . We call a " bogus Past Master" one who claims to be Past Master of a- lodge when he has not been its actual Master . He
is in fact a "jay in borrowed plumes . " "Once a Past Master always a Past Master" is a very good adage as regards the Craft in general , ( though it has its limitations ) , but it does not affect , the question of Past Master of a lodge . Bro . TURNER ' case is one of those which undoubtedly occur . But we contend that Bro . TURNER has all the legal rights his rank as Past Master in the Craft gftes him , that he can " de jure " attend a Provincial
Grand Lodge , but that if he wishes to be Past Master of a lodge he must serve the ' chair of the lodge duty . It would almost seem as if this question of Past Masters in a lodge is a new one , whereas numberless have been the cases in the last 20 years where brethren have been admitted as joining Past Masters , but had to serve as Worshipful Master before they became properly Past Master of the lodge . With Bro . LETCHWORTH we want
things left as they are . We are quite sure of this , no lodge with a good array of Past Masters , and with any self respect , will henceforth admit joining Past Master ... As SAM WELLER says : " It's not in human natur so for to do . " We quite agree with the remarks of Bro . LEES in respect to the whole question , and which , as the expression of provincial opinions , deserves note and perusal . ¦ s * *
IN another page , will be found an able statement by Bro . LAMONBY which originally appeared in the Melbourne Argus as to the " bogus " Grand Lodge of Victoria , as well as to the report of certain proceedings thereanent . As he truly points out , the whole thing is a farce . There are 70 English lodges , 15 Scottish , and 10 Irish , and lo and behold ! a few-Scottish and Irish lodges declare themselves the Grand Lodge of Victoria ,
no English lodge joining in the movement . Indeed , we are assured that our English brethren , forming two-thirds of Freemasonry there , are universally addressing the Grand Lodge of England in terms of loyal adherence and devotion . Well may we ask , what next '? How on any pretence of Masonic precedent of law or right can a small minority proclaim itself the Grand Lodge of Victoria , the majority of lodges and the entirety of one jurisdiction utterly ignoring the movement ? . We are inclined
' 0 think and to hope that such a " venture will prove " too tough a morsel to di gest , alike in America and Canada . Admitted , if you like for the sake of argument , that a majority of Irish and Scottish lodges respectively might transform themselves into an Irish or Scottish lodge in Victoria , or an united Irish and Scottish Grand Lodge by a joint majority of the two jurisdictions ; they cannot by any possibility bind or implicate the abstaining jurisdiction , a lon g way the largest in number and influence . If the American and
Canadian Bodies look with complacency on such an irregular , fantastic , and childish parody of all Masonic tradition and constitutions , then all we can | a y is , farewell to the unity and peace of the great Antflo-Saxon Masonic __ mily , ^ In great Britain we are not likely ever to recognize movements so inauspiciousl y begun and so unmasonically consummated . As in the past , so lr > the future , the Grand Lodge of England will act with dignity , firmness , and yet consideration , When itschildren propose to leave their good old
Ar00102
mother for newer associates , or more distinguished jurisdictions , when they seek to carry out their " migration " in a legal , constitutional , and befitting way , the greatest and oldest Grand Lodge in the world , the parent of all other Grand Lodges , will place no impediment whatever further in the way , but what Masonic law enforces , or Masonic justice for others may demand . It is alleged there are complaints against the Irish and Scottish Grand
Lodges . Of these we know nothing , and gravely doubt their legitimate existence ; but against thc English Grand Lodge there are admittedly none . And yet , to gratify the personal ambition of a few hungry office-seekers , whose personal vanity and egotism blind them to their own want of Masonic lore and their ignorance of Masonic history ; to encourage a foreign element , friendly to no ruling power ; to gratify that " Proletariat , " even of Masonry ,
which exists , strange to say , almost everywhere , the peaceful connection of years is to be rudely and hastily broken up , without a trace of Masonic sympithy , good feeling , or good form , and the utter absurdity repeated o £ establishing a so-called Grand Lodge , which is in reality a clandestine and illegal and irregular body , and which cannot expect Irom the Grand Lodge of England , or , we believe , from any other jurisdiction , recognition in
any shape whatever . We are rejoiced to note the evidence of great loyalty and faithful adherence among the lodges and brethren of Victoria . We have said before , and wc repeat it now , that with the serious difficulties of distance and increased population , a legitimate movement , in due Masonic form , amongst our English lodges in the Colonies will always meet with courteous attention at home ; but we cannot recognize a course of procedure which is repugnant lo every feeling we have of loyalty .
honesty , straight running , and Masonic duty , and can only result indiscrediting Freemasonry in " those latitudes , " as it must weaken it , and undermine it as before the world . We thank Bro . LAMONBV for his manly protest and his seasonable remarks , and are glad to think the Victorian Freemasons have so true a brother and so good a " worker , " as we well know he is , among them . It is perhaps as well to add that this illegal body seems to have been formed on July and .
»*« THE state of things Masonically in Canada and Quebec is not good We have already adverted to the suggestion of Masonic repudiation of the old concordat , a suggestion which , remembering the past , we are deeply grieved to sec emanating from the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada , as auguring ill for the
future of Canadian Masonry . If there is one thing more clear than another it was the honourable and distinct understanding arrived at as regards the Masonic status and legal position of the English lodges remaining loyal to the Grand Lodge of England , and not only was it an understanding "in futurum , " but Grand Master WILSON distinctly for the Grand Lodge of Canada , ( never in any sense repudiated at the lime ) , proclaimed in no
measured terms the perfect legality and propriety of the procedure of the English lodges . It is possible that he might for uniformity ' s sake have wished for one dominant Grand Lodge and one only , but he goesout of his way , and with the consent of the then Grand Lodge , to declare ihat they found no fault with tho English lodges , but fully admitted their right , and recognized their legal and Masonic position . Words cannot be more
clear or explicit . " Litera senpta manet , " and we recommend those would be breakers of treaties and repudiators of lawful and loyal Masonic obligations to read the intelligent and thoroughly Masonic words of Grand Master WILSON - . Lord ZETLAND , as a noble specimen of an English gentleman and Freemason , was true to his undertaking , and kept to his honourable understanding and acceptance of a " fait accompli . From
that hour all outward semblance of active jurisdiction has been kept down , so as not to antagonize the views or interfere wilh the progress of the Grand Lodge of Canada , and the only reward we obtain is this childish agitation as regards the English lodges , this appeal to American , not English , Masonic law , as the law , just as if the Canadian lodges were off-shoots of American Grand Lodges , and this new and combined attack on privileges
authorized and admitted alike by deliberate concordats andtan honourable understanding . We can not conceal the fears which recent publications have given us , nor how we regret to believe that the " breach is widening , " and that we shall have a chronic and open and running sore , which admits neither of palliative remedies nor an healing Eirenicon . The Grand Lodge ot England , as we have often taken occasion to say , would not be true to its own historical position or Masonic obligation , its past history , its present prestige , if it
abandoned the children of its own cradle and nurture , who still demand legally and loyally to adhere to their warranting Grand Lodge . From that position the English Grand Lodge never will recede , come what may ; and as it neither cares for menace , nor the " tall talk" of irresponsible wire pullers , it will still continue manfully to adhere alike to Masonic precedent and Masonic law , to an honourable understanding , and to loyal decorum and duty .
& * # A STATEMENT has been made in one of the daily papers that a military Masonic body has directed from Paris the recent abortive revolution in Spain . We feel quite sure that the Spanish Freemasons had nothing to do with such disgracelul proceedings , neither had any real Masonic body . If
such an organization exists , it is probably a remnant of one of those hurtful secret associations as Les Templiers . La Maryane , Madre Natura , tha Carbonari , Les Philadelphes , a Military Secret Order , & c , which , by their abuse of the word Liberty , have so injured the cause of true freedom in the world , so discredited tlie name of Freemason ry , and - - . o impeded the real advance and civilization of mankind , under the necessarily always abiding conditions of law and order , right and peace .