Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

—•—I am second to none in my appreciation of the Masonic zeal and erudition of Brother John Yarker , and therefore always read his communications with much pleasure . It occurs to me ,

however , that his oft allusion to the " 1686 York Templar ne plus ultra , or degree of ' Holy Wisdom , ' " is not correct , if the date alluded to really means A . D . 1686 . Nothing at York , amongst the preserved records confirm any such

statement , so far as my researches are concerned , and the labours of Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , M . A ., ( one of the brightest ornaments of the Craft , ) entirely agree with my independent examination of those valuable documents ; as also

do those of Bro . J . G . Findel , the Masonic historian , and other well-known Masons . The mere fact of a certificate existing bearing the date of 1686 , would surely not be sufficient to prove that the degree was instituted in that

year ? I quite believe , with Bro . Yarker , that " all Templar Conclaves who have not yet surrendered their right in a formal manner , are entitled to work the degrees of Rose Croix and Kadosh" —provided they used such powers

anterior to the institution of the "Ancient and Accepted Rite" in this country , and work these degrees apart from the Conclave . How far such a thing is desirable is open to consideration , as according to general usage , and excepting such

as the "Baldwyn , " Bristol , no such privileges are now claimed . The right of such Conclaves so to do , however , is indisputable . I am glad to find Bro . Yarker is asking for the

publication of what we have in the past and still seek to obtain , viz ., the " Arras Warrant of 1747 , '" and the one of earlier date , which are so much spokeii of , and which so few seem to acknowledge .

The fact of Bro . Yarker being personally insulted is a sad one , and I hope will cause him as little thought as the attack was most undeserved . WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN .

BRO . " RUSTICUS" AND " ST . JOHN THE BAPTIST . " I repeat , that I am well aware who said in Grand Lodge of Scotland assembled , that St , John the Baptist had nothing to do with us .

Were the brother's name to be published in THE FREEMASON , he would believe that he had become famous . He is often to be seen sitting in the chambers of the Grand Lodge , and if Bro .

Rusticus enquires of any of the Grand Lodge officials , they are quite well aware who he is . I have no objection that the Editor gives up my private address , when I shall give Bro . Rusticus every particular . CIPES .

ANCIENT MASONIC MANUSCRIPT READ AT THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE . An ancient Masonic mtmuscript of about date 1 7 22 , gave some valuable instructions which it would be well if the Craft abide by them . I

quote one ortwoas examples : — "Those admitted as members of thc Order , must be of good honest parents and observers of the laws of the land ; " " Members to correct such brethren as are offending ; " and many others of equal value . A MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE .

AMERICAN MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . A Royal Arch Mason made under the English system can be admitted as a visitor in a chapter when opened in the Royal Arch degree , but not in the degrees of Mark Master and M . E . Master .

Every subordinate chapter is , however , authorized to confer those degrees without charge on regular English Royal Arch Masons . See Art . IN ., sec . 5 , General Grand Constitution . Tlie same is true in regard to English Knights Templar who

have not received tlie Order of thc Red Cross . Suspension from a lodge suspends from the chapter , and restoration from such suspension by the lodge restorer , the status in the chapter .

Otherwise in case of expulsion . In the one case , the rights and privileges are in abeyance , in tlie other , they are extinct . A majority vote is sufficient in c . Jier case , unless otherwise specially

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

provided in the By-laws . ( See Trans . G . Chap ., for 1869 , p . 39 . ) The rules of St . Bernard forbid the Knights of the Temple kissing their sisters or mothers ,

but nothing is said about pretty cousins 01 brides . We therefore decide that such may be kissed with a clear conscience . Personally , we make it a point never to miss a good opportunity . —Masonic Tidings , New York .

GERMANY . The earliest history of Freemasonry in Germany is supposed to be closely interwoven with the history of the building associations of the middle ages , " as we may easily recognise a

strong similarity in the usages , customs , and peculiar terms of the fraternity of Freemasons of the present day , and the ' ¦ Stein Metzen' ( stone cutters ) of Germany , r . The classification of their members into Masters , Fellow Crafts , and

Apprentices ; 2 . The government of the society by a certain number of officers ; 3 . The exclusion of the uninitiated from their meetings ; 4 . The peculiar qualifications for membership ; 5 . The equality of all members of the Craft ; 6 .

Their mutual obligations to relieve suffering ; 7 . Their peculiar laws , jurisdiction , and general regulations ; 8 . The ceremony of initiation ; 9 . The manner of opening and closing their assemblies ; 10 . The privileges of a

Masons son ; , n . The examination of foreign brethren , & c . Taking all these circumstances into consideration , and combining with them the results of historical investigation , it must be conceded that the modern society is the direct

descendant and successor m an unbroken line of the operative Fraternity of Masons of the middle ages" ( Findel ' s History of Freemasonry ) . In 1783 , Preston says , eleven German Masons applied for authority to open a lodge at

Hamburg , under the patronage of the Grand Lodge of England , for which purpose the Grand Master , Lord Strathmore , granted a dispensation to establish a permanent lodge , concerning which but little is now known . December 6 th , 1737 ,

a lodge was established at Hamburg , by authority ofthe Grand Lodge of England , which , in 1741 , assumed the title of " Absolom . " August nth , 1738 , a deputation of this lodge was convened at Brunswick for the purpose of initiating

theCrownPnnce . afterwardsFredenckll . By this valuable accession of nobility , Masonry was greatly benefitted throughout Germany . Soon after his initiation , he organized a lodge in the castle of Rheimberg , and in 1740 , when Frederick

ascended the throne , he conducted the work of a lodge established at the castle in Charlottenburg . In 1738-9 , several lodges were established in Dresden , and in 1741 the lodge " Minerva of the Three Palm Trees" was organized at

Leipsic . In 1742 , the Lodge of Unity was established at Frankfort-on-Maine . In 1741 , a Provincial Grand Lodge for Hamburg and Lower Saxony was established . The second lodge of Hamburg was founded in 1743 , under

the name of St . George . In 1744 , a lodge under the title " Frederick " was founded at Hanover , which did not , however , enter into active operation till 1746 . This lodge is still in existence . The war of 1750 compelled most of the lodges

to close their work till 1758 . About the year 1757 , the first lodge of the system of " strict observance" was established at Naumburg , under the title of the " Lodge of tlie Three Banners . " This system , which claimed to be the true and

legitimate successor of the Order of the Knights Templar , had for a short time an unprecedented popularity . In 1755 , a warrant with ample powers to establish a provincial lodge in Hamburg , was received from the Grand Lodge of

England . In 1766 , another Provincial ( Irand Lodge was established at Frankfort-on-the-Main , by tlie Grand Lodge of England . In 1776 , the Society of Illuminati , a secret political organization , was introduced and spread throughout tlie country to the injury of Freemasonry . About

the year 1780 , the Swedish Rite was introduced and practised by several lodges in Germany . In 17 S 9 , an important event took place for . the better and more peaceful condition of the Order . Many of the lodges being dissatisfied with the immense number of rites and high degrees

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

engrafted upon the plain and unpresuming system of Freemasonry , resolved to modify the different elements then in use , and as near as possible to return to the original or primitive condition . For this purpose a convention ofthe lodges of Germany was held . at Frankfort in

1783 , at which convention a reunion was formed under the title of the " Eclectic Union , " which had for its material or chief points—1 . Three Masonic degrees alone are acknowledged by all the united lodges ; 2 . Each lodge is left free to introduce as many of the higher degrees as it

may deem proper , but they must not be compulsory upon the whole association ; 3 . None of the associated lodges are dependent on the other , they are all equal ; 4 . The provincial lodges of Wetzlau and Frankfort-on-the-Main form a general directory . In consequence of this

independent action of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Frankfort in severing its connection with the Grand Lodge of England , plans were immediately adopted to renew and perpetuate the English authority upon the soil of Germany . In 1789 , a new warrant , with powers for the

establishment of a Provincial Grand Lodge , giving full jurisdiction over the whole of the Upper and Lower Rhine , and the circle of Franconia , was granted by the Grand Lodge of England . During the wars in which the elder

Napoleon was the master spirit , Masonry occupied a quiet and unobtrusive position throughout the country . Freemasonry is in high repute in Germany , embracing within her ample folds the elite of the country . —Macoy ' s Encyclopedia .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

The Right Hon . Earl Percy has accepted the office of Provincial Grand Mark Master for Northumberland and Durham .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . HENRY STEVENS . With deep regret we have to announce the death of Brother Henry Stevens , of the Albion Tavern , Margate . The sad event took place on the nth inst ., after a very short illness , at

the age of 46 . He was a good husband and father ; his hand was always open to relieve the poor and afflicted ; and he is deeply regretted ancl lamented by a very numerous circle of Masonic and private friends . May his soul rest in peace .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . UNIFORMITY OF WORKING AND RITUAL .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —It had been my intention not to have again intruded on your space until after thc election by Grand Lodge , on thc 2 nd proximo , of the members of thc committee which was voted in accordance with my motion at thc

last Quarterly Communication , but it appears that some misunderstanding of the nature of the movement has arisen in thc minds of many brethren , and that it is desirable that the object and purpose for which thc proposed committee is required should be thoroughly explained . Will you kindly

grant me space in your columns for the necessary explanation ? If your readers will kindly refer to my letter introducing this subject , published in No . 3 , page 5 , of Tin * . FREEMASON , under thc heading , " Past Masters as Preceptors , " they will find that I therein

suggest the " establishment of a lodge having for its members those only who are skilled in the working of Craft Masonry , who should be recognised throughout thc Order as duly qualified authorities , and form in their collective capacity a Court or Lodge of Appeal , to whom all questions of working and ritual should be refer * cd . " Thc same letter

acknowledges the existence of difficulties , differences of opinion , individual likings and attachments to respective teachings , and other circumstances which might impede efforts to secure uniformity , and then proceeds to explain in what manner the " Lodge of Preceptors " might be formed , and what especial functions they might discharge .