Reviews

ST . MARY'S LODGE , No . 76 . This handsomely printed volume , jointly edited by Bro s . Wilmer and Hollingwarth , P . Vis ., with three able lectures on German Freemasonry by our esteemed Bro . Dr . Ernest Wendt , G . Sec . German Correspondence , deserves the note and perusal of all Masonic students . Originally an " Antient" or "Athol" Lodge , No . 63 , warranted in I 7 S 7 , it became 86 at the Union in 1 S 13 , and is now 7 G . It

celebrated its centennary in 1 S 57 . Like most other lodges its earlier records are not forthcoming . Its earliest is traced to 176 S , when 12 members are registered as belonging to No . 63 , 11 years after its warranting . In 1777 . Lodge No . 125 , with six members , gave up its warrant and joined No . 63 , the fortunes of which lodge seem to have fluctuated and never to have bcen very great ; _ indeed , if we are strictly to understand a minute in I 707 »

that " every gentleman made in this lodge should pay three guineas for his initiation , " this entry would show two things , ( 1 ) that matters were irregularly attended to under the " Antients , " and ( 2 ) thus far , the lodge had probably not initiated very manv , if any , _ of position in the social scale . Such an entry is very striking so late as 1797 , and is another proof undoubtedly of how many of the lodges retained for long years a mainly original " operative " character . Before and about the year 1 S 06

frequent records remain of brethren as raised lo the degree of Excellent and High Excellent Master Mason , in all probability pointing to an Irish connection . In or about 1 S 31 , Bro . Broadfoot , well-known as a skilled ritualist , seems to have done much good work in the lodge . There are only two St . Mary ' s Lodges in the Craft , one in England , the other at Digby , Nova Scotia , and it is a curious question whence the name was originally derived ,

or why and wherefore originally assumed . Is it but the continuation of an earlier lodge or gild ? The history of the lodge is , as usual , a history of " ups and downs , " of failures and successes , and its normal state of existence probably represents that of countless other lodges , whether "Ancient" or " Modern . " We thank the two worthy Past Masters for a very readable book , and as the whole true history of Freemasonry in general must rest

on that of particular lodges , we congratulate them on an excellent contribution towards that great desideratum , an enlarged and comprehensive view of the struggles and progress and vitality of Freemasonry in the world . Bro . Dr . Wendt's lectures are , as might be expected , most able , lucid , and interesting . They give us a very straightforward " synopsis" of German Masonic history from the foundation of the lodge called Absalom to this hour . Of course , such a

history isnot in detail j but as a general andcarefully coloured outline it is highly to be commended . But there are two questions which are a " crux " to us , and about which we should like to obtain an answer from our able Bro . Dr . Wendt . Who was Mons . Thuanus , to whom , all our early documents say , a dispensation as Provincial Grand Master was given by the Duke of Norfolk , Grand Master , in 1729 , for the circle of Lower Saxony . Mons .

Thuanus is a suppressed character in German Masonic history , and yet he probably existed . Who was he , and what the history of that circle of Lower Saxony over which he was Provincial Grand Master ? The " Handbuch " utterly ignores him , and Findel seems to doubt his existence . The German idea is that the lodge opened in 1727 , December Cth , by Chas . Sarry , at Hamburgh , which afterwards took the name of "Absalom , " is the foundation of

German Speculative Masonry . The next point is the Steinmetzen . The Steinmetzen Hiitten lasted long into the iSlh century , as Kloss proves , and yet there is not the slightest trace of any recognition by the "Freimaurer" of them in 1736 , nor of any the slightest connection between them . The word " Freimaurer " itself so far seems to be an iSth

century word , unknown to the Steinmetzen , and yet in the face of recent curious evidence " per contra , " both of similar usages and symbolic teaching , Freemasonry in Germany ignoring the Steinmetzen creates for itself a new departure entirely early in the 1 Sth century . These are points which deserve consideration , so far they have not been sufficiently dealt with by German Masonic writers .

LE MONDE MACONNIQUE . This magazine reappears under Bro . Rochet ' s editorship for French Freemasons , and practically for French Freemasons alone . By the lamented death of its quondam editor , Bro . Grimaux , Grand Secretary of the French Grand Orient , French Freemasonry , which can ill afford the loss , is deprived of an able orator , an amiable confrere , and a zealous and intelligent Freemason .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

2 , ] CHARLES SACKVILLE . I have put myself into communication with Bro . Findel , of Leipsic , to see if any way Bro . Macoy ' s statement anent the medal can be verified . Without seeking to

prejudge the question , I may say that all references to it thus far , are such deliberate " sheepwalking" and resting apparently on the Strict Observance Calendar of 1776 , that I shall never be astonished to hear that no such medal exists in the collection of the famous Lodge of Minerva there at Leipsic . DRYASDUST .

22 o ] FREEMASON . In 1610 a Freemason is said to be equivalent to one " which can draw his plot , work , and set accordingly , having charge over others . " MASONIC STUDENT . * The fishing on the Tay and its tributaries has now been brought to a close , and the season has been one

of the most successful on record . Some of the takes during the past fortnight bave been extraordinarily large . At one ftation on the coast near Dundee six tons of salmon were captured in one day , and between Dundee and Perth takes of 10 and 12 tons per day were common . Never were

salmon , grilse , and trout so plentiful . It ought to be generally known that Rose ' s Lime Juice Cordial supplies a delicious cooling drink in watereffervescing in all mineral waters—wholesome and refreshing in summer . Purchasers should order Rose's Cordial , Wholesale Stores , 11 , Curtain Road , London , and Leith . N . B . —r Advt . l

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft JHasonrjj . SUNDERLAND . —Palatine Lodge ( No . 97 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Park-terrace , on Thursday , the gth inst ., when the lodge was opened in due form by the W . M ., Bro . C . McNamara , assisted by his officeis : Bros . J . C . Moor ( Freemason ) , S . W . ; j . R . Pattison , J . W . ; R . Singleton , Hon . Sec ; W . Birch , acting S . D . ; C . M . Wake , J . D . ; J . G . Nasber , I . G . ; and J . Brown , Tyler . There were

among the visiting brethren Bros . Coulson , P . G . J . D . ; A . T . Munro , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Tonkinson , P . M . ; G . C . Watson , P . M . ; T . M . Watson , P . M . ; G . Lord , P . M . ; T . Sharp , P . M . ; A . Curry , P . M . ; W . Beattie , P . M . 97 ; H . Colder , W . M . 1119 ; J . Sedcole , J . W . 1119 ; J . Hewson , J . W . 949 ; Davison , J . W . ; Hadrian , Bouillett , Ohio , W . S . ; J .. E . Nelson , S . W . So ; H . E . Crisp , and W . Simpson , I . G . 949 ; and there was also a large assemblage

of the brethren of the lodge . The minutes of the last lodge having been read and confirmed , and the circular calling the meeting read , Mr . John Colling and Mr . James Nicholson , both of Sunderland , were balloted for and unanimously elected , Mr . Collins being afterwards initiated by Bro . A . T . Munro , P . P . G . S . B ., and Mr . Nicholson by the W . M ., Bro . C . McNamara , who ' also gave the charge to both brethren

in a very impressive manner . Bro . Peter Dove , who had been regularly initiated at the last meeting , was made a F . C . by G . C . Watson , P . M . The petition of the widow of the late Bro . Cockerell was next duly considered and fully signed in open lodge . " Hearty good wishes " were given by the visiting brethren to the W . M ., and the lodge was closed in harmony , the brethren retiring to the banqueting room , where the W . M . presided , and was

sunported by a large number of members and visitors . After the loyal and Masonic toasts had been proposed and heartily responded to , The Worshipful Master , in proposing ' * The Health of the Newly-initiated Brethren , " said : Brethren , having drunk the health of the Queen , whom all Masons adore ; the Prince of Wales , whom we all revere ; the powers we all look up to with pleasure and support , there now conies

the pleasing duty of proposing the newly-initiated candidates to-night . From the extra-commendable way they both underwent the ceremony , we may be reasonably led to hope that they will in due time make worthy Masons , not Masons in name alone , but Masons at heart . I think I cannot do better than give them a little insight of what is required of them more than they have already heard . Bros . Colling and Nicholson , you have already been told to-night that

Masonry consists of several Degrees , with peculiar secrets restricted to each . You have also further been told that those secrets are not communicated indiscriminately , but are conferred on candidates according to merit and ability ; but I may tell you , without betraying any trust reposed in me , that the whole and sole object of Masonry is for the improvement of man , morally and spiritually . I have no doubt you have formed some

estimate of Masonry before you came amongst us ; indeed , like myself , there may have fallen into your hands a paper which was handed to me b y a brother of this lodge wherein was a long panegyric against Masonry , setting forth that we were a nest of conspirators , revolutionists , and combined for unlawful purposes , more especially to capsize the Church of Rome . This we treated as it deserved without a second thought . I have no doubt you have heard it said that we

are a set of convivialists ; you may have gleaned that we are a social lot ; you may futhermore have heard that our aim is to be happy ourselves and to communicate happiness to others ; but let me tell you that he who looks upon Masonry only as a social institution may be said to be likened unto those who value books only for their binding and not for their contents . The whole ritual of Masonry , its ceremonials , symbols , and teachings , are but the

outward expression , the body which enshrines the soul or spirit of Alasonry . There is an interior spirit in all Ihe teachings of Masonry . The Masonic Degrees have been said to be allegorical of youth , manhood , and age , the three stages of life's probation . They are the entered , the passing , and the raising . The entered and the passing are preliminary to the raising , and man can only be finally raised according to the Masonic teachings after the earthly

body has ceased to be animated by thc spirit . I hope you will endeavour to inculcate those teachings . You have already had explained to you to-night certain working tools . These are the visible illustrations of the moral lessons they teach . They are necessary for illustration and are the best that can be adopted for that purpose . T he lessons they teach are the spirit or soul of which they form the body , each having a different form , conveying a different

lesson . laken as a whole they form one just and perfect system of man ' s duty towards his God , his neighbour , and himself , the ultimate of which is man's perfection . They teach us that man is immortal and that his life on earth is only for a season . It is therefore of the highest importance that thc true morality of Masonry should be deeply impressed upon the breast of every candidate on his initiation into the Order . We therefore sincerely hope that you will

not content yourselves with being admitted amongst us , and further being passed and raised , and become acquainted with the secrets appertaining to each Degree in name only , but that you will to the best of your ability endeavour to master their full meanings , and act up to their teachings , so that the Palatine Lodge may hereafter point to you as two brethren worthy of the Order .

Amongst other toasts given was that of " The worthy Secretary , Bro . R . Singleton , " who had lately taken unto himself a wife . The W . M . called upon Bro . G . C Watson , P . M ., to give the toast of " Bro . Singleton ' s Health , " which he did in a very humorous style , that was heartily taken up and responded toby the brethren . Bro . Singleton replied in suitable terms , and a very enjoyable evening was spent .

LYMINGTON . —New Forest Lodge ( No . 319 ) . —The usual montby meeting of this lodge was held at the Bugle Hotel , on the 14 th inst . There was a numerous gathering of the brethren on the occasion , and the ceremo-

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

nies of the day were abl y carried out by the W . M ., Bro . Horton , whose year of office is just closing . The brethren , in electing a W . M . for the ensuing year , fixed their choice on Bro . J . D . Rawlins , S . W ., who was also elected as the lodge ' s representative on the Provincial Charity Committee . Bro . H . Doman , P . M ., was re-elected Treasurer , an office which he has held since 1 S 72 , and Bro . Bailey was

reelected Tyler . Bro . Horton has had a successful year of office , and has carried out its many onerous duties in a most excellent and satisfactory manner , and deserves great credit for his able and courteous management . The brethren , to mark their sense of his merit , unanimously voted that a Past Master ' s gold jewel should be . presented to him at the installation meeting , when he will vacate the Master ' s chair . His successor , Bro . I . D . Rawlins , is an

able and painstaking mason , and while congratulating him on his accession to the chair , the brethren expressed their warmest wishes for his success during the coming year . At the close of the lodge business the brethren adjourned to a banquet provided by Bro . Dore , P . M ., in his usual excellent style , and spent a short but very pleasant evening together , breaking up a little before S o ' clock , in time for the evening train for Southampton , where many of them reside .

MONKWEARMOUTH . —Williamson Lodge ( No . 949 ) . —The usual monthly meeting was held on the 13 th inst ., when the lodge was opened by Bro . Charles Cobham , W . M ., all the officers being present . A ballot was taken for Mr . John Wright Wayman ( the Mayor of Sunderland ) , Mr . " Joseph Tacchi , and Mr . Lemeuel Richard Davies , as candidates for initiation into Freemasonry , and all were declared unanimously elected . Bro .

Wm . Wilson ( the ex-Mayor ) was also successfully balloted for as a joining member . Mr . Davis being present , he was duly initiated into Masonry ; and two E . Ps . were afterwards passed to the Second Degree . Lodge being closed the visitors and brethren adjourned for refreshment , and a very pleasant and lively social hour was spent , and with brotherly greetings the brethren parted .

BATTLE—Abbey Lodge ( No . 1184 ) . —This successful lodge met on Tuesday , the 16 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , among those present being Bros . A . D . Womersley , W . M . ; C . W . Duke , P . P . G . D ., P . M . 40 , I . P . M . ; B . H . Thorpe , P . P . G . D ., P . M ., S . W . ; J . F . Richardson , J . W . ; Very Rev . E . R . Currie , Chap , and S . D . ; H . G . F . Wells , P . M ., Treas . ; R . Hughesf Sec :

J . B . Foord , 40 , acting J . D . ; J . Fielding , Org . ; VV . C . lill , acting I . G . ; Jesson , Tyler ; W . Lamborn , P . P . G . P ., P . M . ; J . B . Sargent , P . M . ; C . Martin , T . J . Walder , W . T . Jordan , W . E . Skinner , H . Foster , and W . A . Raper . Visitor : Bro . W . S . Allen , 40 . Lodge having been opened and the minutes of the previous meeting confirmed , Bro . W . A . Rapera candidate

, for the M . M . Degree , was raised , the ceremony being capitally worked by Bro . C W . Duke , P . P . G . D ., P . M . The W . M ., Bro . A . D . Womersley , moved a resolution , which was seconded by Bro . B . H . Thorpe , P . P . G . D ., P . M ., and carried unanimously , expressing the sympathy of the lodge

with the K . VV . Prov . Grand Master , Sir Walter W . Burrell , Bart ., M . P ., on the melancholy bereavement he had recently sustained in the loss of his son , Bro . H . Burrell , and the Secretary , Bro . R . Hughes , was instructed to forward a letter of condolence accordingly . Some other matters of business having bcen disposed of , the lodge was closed .

FELTHAM . —Lebanon Lodge ( No . 1326 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Railway Hotel , on Saturday , the iSth inst ., Bro . David Steinhauer , W . M ., presiding . There were present Bros . J . J . Marsh , S . W . ; F . Knight , J . VV . ; the Secretary ; VV . R . Vassila , S . D . ; J . Lawrence , J . D . ; E . A . Smith , acting I . G . ; C . XV . Baker , Steward ; J . Gilbert , P . G . Tyler Middlesex .

iyler ; J . VV . Baldwin , P . G . P . Middlesex , I . P . M . ; C . X J . £ ? =. . , * * , * J * * Woodrow , P . M . ; VV . Hammond , P . P . G . D . Middlesex , P . M . ; John Hammond , P . P . G . D . Middlesex , P . M . ; H . Potter , P . M ., W . S . ; Cosman Citroen , J . A . Wilson , E . H . Boutcher , A . Samson , J . Mason , P . P . G . D . Middlesex , P . M . ; VVilliam Walters , William Henry Walters , C . J . Akehurst , and others .

Amongst the visitors we noticed Bros . Thomas Poore , P . M . 720 ; W . H . Luckcraft , 871 ; H . Forss , S . D . 917 ; 1 homas Clark , 1178 ; W . A . Ackers , 117 S ; and some others whose names we were unable to ascertain . Lodgehaving been opened the minutes of last raeetingwere read and confirmed . Ballots were taken and declared to be unanimous in favour of the admission of Messrs . H .

Hermann and James Clark Goshin as candidates for initiation into Freemasonry . Bros . Charles John Akehurst , John Alfred Wilson , and William Archer Ackers were next raised to the Degree of a Master Mason . Taking into consideration that the W . M . is a native of Austria , this , his maiden , effort at work reflected the greatest credit on him . His accuracy was undeniable , and the work was abiv rendered .

It was much regretted that his old teacher , Bro . David Rose , P . M . 73 , was not present , as he might justly have felt proud in turning out such a proficient scholar . The names of two gentlemen were given in who were anxious to become initiates at the next regular and final meeting of the season . An old Past Master who had resigned was unanimously elected an honorary member of this lodge . Apologies were received from those officers who were

absent , excusing and regretting their non-attendance , caused by circumstances entirely beyond their own control . Great sympathy was expressed towards Bro . Matthew Mildred , I . G ., who was absent through ill-health , all wishing him a speedy recovery . The lodge was then closed and refreshment followed labour . The usual loyal toasts were given and responded to . Songs and recitations whiled away a few hours , and the brethren separated , returning to London .

WALTHAM NEW TOWN . —King Harold Lodge ( No . 1327 ) . —The installation meeting o £ this lodge was held on the 16 th inst . The lodge was opened by the VV . M ., Bro . John Noyes , Prov . G . Asst . Purst .. assisted by the following P . Ms ., officers and brethren : Bros . I . Fisher . I . P . M .. P . P . G . S . B . R . W _> st . P . M . and

Treas ., P . P . G . S . D . ; C Lacey , P . M ., P . P . GJ . D . J W . Gilbert , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W . and D . C ; T . Kelly , P- "' and Sec , P . P . G . P . ; S . Jacobs , P . M . P . P . G . P . ; , I * Tydeman , P . M ., P . P . G . A . P . Essex ; J . Gaskell . P . * 1076 ; J . Robinson , S . W ., W . M . elect ; W . A . Rogers . J . W . ; W . Lewis , S . D . ; W . A . Sproat , J . D . ; -