Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 3 < q Mark Benevolent Fund 3 60 Consecration of the Beckenham Lodge , No . 2047 360 French Freemasonry Fiftj-Years Ago 3 61 English Freemasonrv before 1717 . —No . III . 3 _ ii The Worcester Gathering 3 62
History of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ( Continued ) 362 CORRESPONDENCEThe Inquisition 3 6 3 Grand Lodge of South Australia 3 65 Reviews 365 Notes and Queries 365 Annual Picnic of the Lodge of Antiquity , No . 178 , Wigan 366
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSj Craft Masonry 3 6 ( Instruction 36 S I Royal Arch : 36 X Annual l'icnic of the Truth Lodge , No . ill , Hudderslicld 3 68 The Alibev Lodge , Westminster , No . 2030 3 6 5
New Zealand 369 South Africa 369 Board of Benevolence 370 Freemasonry in Belper 370 Obituary 370 West Lancashire Masonic Fducational Institution 370 Masonic and General Tidings 370 Lodge Meetings for Next Week iii .
Ar00100
THE laudable effort which our Worcester brethren , under Sir EDMUND LECHMERE , their distinguished Prov . G . M ., through Bro . GEORGE TAYLOR , are making for a Masonic Exhibition at Worcester , and lectures , & c , in August next , is highly to be commended , and deserve every encouragement and assistance which Freemasons everywhere can render to it . Among
other prevalent reasons , such movements help on materially the beneficial cause of Masonic studies , and a taste for Masonic archeology and Masonic rcstheticism . English Freemasonry has been too long confined to the perfect performance of ritual and the engaging pleasantness of the social circle . Beyond this few lodges care to go , or to attempt anything . Meeting a few
times a year , in some goodly hotel may be , where there is no accommodation for anything in the shape of a library , anything that tends to create a taste for literature or to excite a craving for some "intellectual fire" is discountenanced and put down . In the first place , it is an innovation , and "all innovations are bad , " says good Bro . GRUMPY ; and in the second place ,
" there is no time" for anything but the normal work , & c , of the lodge , says excellent Bro . RUBRIC . And thus it comes to pass , that few of our good lodges'have a library or a collection of curios , —nothing except the bare lodge furniture ; and any idea of a museum is scouted and ignored at once . It is therefore . good from time to time that such movements as the Worcester
movement , which has also a Charitable end as we understand , should recall our minds to the fact , that there are higher things in our Masonic philosophy than we sometimes dream of , —that ritual is good , and the social circle is good ; but that there is still a great deal further to do and realize than these in Freemasonry . Masonic books are many , Masonic
curios abound , Masonic MSS . and Masonic engravings can be collected , as our energetic brethren at York have so effectively shown , and therefore by all means- let us encourage these opportunities , when they arise , to-day , of studying all the various relics which still attest the universality of our
Masonic Order , the energies of our Masonic forefathers , their literature and their a : stheticism , the many forms which their symbolism marked and their knowledge and ability illustrated , to convince the world that , as the ages come and go , there is , explain it as you will , marvel as you may , here , there , —yes , and everywhere , —Freemasonry .
' * * * H . R . H . the GRAND MASTER sent most thoughtfully a wreath for the funeral of our late Bro . Prince ALEXANDER of ORANGE , Grand Master /> f the Dutch Freemasons . Most kindly was the act , and most seasonable the souvenir . We wish all prosperity to Dutch Freemasonry , now bereft of its Grand
Master , and sincerely trust that the stability and loyalty of our Dutch brethren will resist the pressure of the " movement party , " and prevent the old and honoured Grand Lodge of Holland being turned into a weakly imitator of the follies and retrogression , both of the Grand Orients of Belgium and France . 'We confess we hope for the best , though our hope is somewhat tinged both by doubt and fear .
* # * NOTHING is , we believe , settled yet as regards the vacant Province of West Yorkshire . We are sorry to hear of a movement in one lodge which is practically an interference with the prerogative of the GRAND MASTER . We
make every allowance for the feelings of friendship and the like , neighbourly goodwill and p ' ersonal regard ; but such things ought not to be done . The nomination is the undoubted prerogative of the GRAND MASTER alone , and it is the worst possible form , to say the least of it , to seek to anticipate his decision and nomination ; in fact , to " force his hand . " " Absit omen . "
* * * THE announcement in our last Freemason that the " matter . of the Freemasons" had been remitted by the POPE ' S order to the Inquisition , must have caused a smile to pass over the countenances of all our readers every-
Ar00101
where . The time has gone , —and gone , let us believe , for ever—when such a " brulum fulmen " could affect the comfort or hinder the advance of the Masonic bod } . Happily for us all , that once dreaded Institution has lost its terrors ; its power has departed , its place on earth knows it no more . Some fanatic members of the Roman Catholic Church have , it is true , sought to
defend the Massacre of Bartholomew , and some might bc easily found apparently ready to uphold the " fiery mercies " of DOMINIC . But for the mass of thinking men , the very name of the Inquisition is an abomination and a loathing . Having scandalized the world with its abominable cruelties aiid untellable baseness ; having dishonoured religion and denied every principle
of truth and mercy , justice and right , it has indeed left behind it a most unsavoury reputation , has most truly earned for itself the Anathema of Humanity . Atone time , no doubt , its name was great , its arms long , and its influence fell . Bro . COULTOS underwent its most cruel tortures , like other poor Freemasons , at Lisbon , over ioo years ago , until demanded by the
English government ; and to be a Freemason , and fall into the hands of the Inquisition then , was simply the passport to shameful tortures and an awful death . There can be no doubt , from numerous accounts and authorities , that many Freemasons have suffered death at the hands of the Inquisition rather than disavow Freemasonry . To-day , however , Freemasons
everywhere will be disposed to smile at this last outburst of petulant and childish ill-humour , and will continue to move on and march on , upholding its own beneficent and merciful principles , in wondrous and blessed contrast to the avowed and hidden designs of that most hateful of secret societies , which has ever dishonoured the name of God and religion , just ns it has brought
suffering and ignominy upon man . WE trust that some foreign jurisdictions will also lake note of the present position of affairs , and guide their steps and control their words accordingly . There can be no doubt that in some countries thc professions and acts of
some Freemasons are utterly unjustifiable and un-Masonic , altogether opposed to the traditions and genius of Freemasonry , and only serve to weaken the confidence of their own associates , and to array against them the conclusions of the moderate , the sympathies of the serious , and the abormal uneasiness of authority , government , and police .
* * * ONE question affecting the correctness of a statement of ANDERSON in 1738 has received unexpected and easy solution by an entry in the minutes of Grand Lodge , under date March 2 nd , 1732 , and which entry ANDERSON , no doubt , saw , and based his statement properly upon it . It certainly supports
in marked measure his " bona fides " and accuracy . A NDERSON states that in 1695 the Dukeof RICHMOND , Master of a lodge at Chichester , coming to the annual assembly , and there was chosen Grand Master , with Sir CHRISTOPHER WREN as his Deputy . It seems to be doubted by Bro . GOULD whether there is any foundation for such a statement ; indeed , he
says as regards this very assertion of ANDERSON and other similar ones ( p . 12 ) , " not one of the foregoing statements can be cited as an historical fact . " Yet the following extract from the silently-speaking minutes of Grand Lodge shows that on one point ANDERSON was perfectly correct , and , by implication , supports the contention that he was also correct in others . ( See
" Notes and Queries " for a fuller statement . ) It appears that a Bro . E . HALL , March 2 , 1732 , was relieved by Grand Lodge with £ 6 6 s ., having been made a Mason 36 years before , by the father of the Dukeof RICHMOND ( Grand Master of 1724 ) , then present . The lodge was held at the Swan , Chichester . This would take us back to 1696 , and , of course ; earlier . Thus '
any doubt as to the first Duke of R ICHMOND having been a Freemason , and Master of a lodge at Chichester , is removed , and the actuality of his having been Grand Master is , we think , materially strengthened , despite the opinion of our able Bro . GOULD . Remembering the usual inaccuracy of verbiage , and carelessness of details which characterized all such documents and entries
150 years ago , it is but fair to A NDERSON to assume that , as he is found to be clearly correct in one point , he is equally to be credited in the other . It is a very serious question the upsetting by negative evidence and argument long accredited traditions , and we rejoice to publish this partial confirmation of ANDERSON ' S statement in 1738 , just as we doubt not that " lime and circumstances" will tend to uphold and verify many other impugned asseverations of our earliest Masonic writer .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 3 < q Mark Benevolent Fund 3 60 Consecration of the Beckenham Lodge , No . 2047 360 French Freemasonry Fiftj-Years Ago 3 61 English Freemasonrv before 1717 . —No . III . 3 _ ii The Worcester Gathering 3 62
History of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ( Continued ) 362 CORRESPONDENCEThe Inquisition 3 6 3 Grand Lodge of South Australia 3 65 Reviews 365 Notes and Queries 365 Annual Picnic of the Lodge of Antiquity , No . 178 , Wigan 366
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSj Craft Masonry 3 6 ( Instruction 36 S I Royal Arch : 36 X Annual l'icnic of the Truth Lodge , No . ill , Hudderslicld 3 68 The Alibev Lodge , Westminster , No . 2030 3 6 5
New Zealand 369 South Africa 369 Board of Benevolence 370 Freemasonry in Belper 370 Obituary 370 West Lancashire Masonic Fducational Institution 370 Masonic and General Tidings 370 Lodge Meetings for Next Week iii .
Ar00100
THE laudable effort which our Worcester brethren , under Sir EDMUND LECHMERE , their distinguished Prov . G . M ., through Bro . GEORGE TAYLOR , are making for a Masonic Exhibition at Worcester , and lectures , & c , in August next , is highly to be commended , and deserve every encouragement and assistance which Freemasons everywhere can render to it . Among
other prevalent reasons , such movements help on materially the beneficial cause of Masonic studies , and a taste for Masonic archeology and Masonic rcstheticism . English Freemasonry has been too long confined to the perfect performance of ritual and the engaging pleasantness of the social circle . Beyond this few lodges care to go , or to attempt anything . Meeting a few
times a year , in some goodly hotel may be , where there is no accommodation for anything in the shape of a library , anything that tends to create a taste for literature or to excite a craving for some "intellectual fire" is discountenanced and put down . In the first place , it is an innovation , and "all innovations are bad , " says good Bro . GRUMPY ; and in the second place ,
" there is no time" for anything but the normal work , & c , of the lodge , says excellent Bro . RUBRIC . And thus it comes to pass , that few of our good lodges'have a library or a collection of curios , —nothing except the bare lodge furniture ; and any idea of a museum is scouted and ignored at once . It is therefore . good from time to time that such movements as the Worcester
movement , which has also a Charitable end as we understand , should recall our minds to the fact , that there are higher things in our Masonic philosophy than we sometimes dream of , —that ritual is good , and the social circle is good ; but that there is still a great deal further to do and realize than these in Freemasonry . Masonic books are many , Masonic
curios abound , Masonic MSS . and Masonic engravings can be collected , as our energetic brethren at York have so effectively shown , and therefore by all means- let us encourage these opportunities , when they arise , to-day , of studying all the various relics which still attest the universality of our
Masonic Order , the energies of our Masonic forefathers , their literature and their a : stheticism , the many forms which their symbolism marked and their knowledge and ability illustrated , to convince the world that , as the ages come and go , there is , explain it as you will , marvel as you may , here , there , —yes , and everywhere , —Freemasonry .
' * * * H . R . H . the GRAND MASTER sent most thoughtfully a wreath for the funeral of our late Bro . Prince ALEXANDER of ORANGE , Grand Master /> f the Dutch Freemasons . Most kindly was the act , and most seasonable the souvenir . We wish all prosperity to Dutch Freemasonry , now bereft of its Grand
Master , and sincerely trust that the stability and loyalty of our Dutch brethren will resist the pressure of the " movement party , " and prevent the old and honoured Grand Lodge of Holland being turned into a weakly imitator of the follies and retrogression , both of the Grand Orients of Belgium and France . 'We confess we hope for the best , though our hope is somewhat tinged both by doubt and fear .
* # * NOTHING is , we believe , settled yet as regards the vacant Province of West Yorkshire . We are sorry to hear of a movement in one lodge which is practically an interference with the prerogative of the GRAND MASTER . We
make every allowance for the feelings of friendship and the like , neighbourly goodwill and p ' ersonal regard ; but such things ought not to be done . The nomination is the undoubted prerogative of the GRAND MASTER alone , and it is the worst possible form , to say the least of it , to seek to anticipate his decision and nomination ; in fact , to " force his hand . " " Absit omen . "
* * * THE announcement in our last Freemason that the " matter . of the Freemasons" had been remitted by the POPE ' S order to the Inquisition , must have caused a smile to pass over the countenances of all our readers every-
Ar00101
where . The time has gone , —and gone , let us believe , for ever—when such a " brulum fulmen " could affect the comfort or hinder the advance of the Masonic bod } . Happily for us all , that once dreaded Institution has lost its terrors ; its power has departed , its place on earth knows it no more . Some fanatic members of the Roman Catholic Church have , it is true , sought to
defend the Massacre of Bartholomew , and some might bc easily found apparently ready to uphold the " fiery mercies " of DOMINIC . But for the mass of thinking men , the very name of the Inquisition is an abomination and a loathing . Having scandalized the world with its abominable cruelties aiid untellable baseness ; having dishonoured religion and denied every principle
of truth and mercy , justice and right , it has indeed left behind it a most unsavoury reputation , has most truly earned for itself the Anathema of Humanity . Atone time , no doubt , its name was great , its arms long , and its influence fell . Bro . COULTOS underwent its most cruel tortures , like other poor Freemasons , at Lisbon , over ioo years ago , until demanded by the
English government ; and to be a Freemason , and fall into the hands of the Inquisition then , was simply the passport to shameful tortures and an awful death . There can be no doubt , from numerous accounts and authorities , that many Freemasons have suffered death at the hands of the Inquisition rather than disavow Freemasonry . To-day , however , Freemasons
everywhere will be disposed to smile at this last outburst of petulant and childish ill-humour , and will continue to move on and march on , upholding its own beneficent and merciful principles , in wondrous and blessed contrast to the avowed and hidden designs of that most hateful of secret societies , which has ever dishonoured the name of God and religion , just ns it has brought
suffering and ignominy upon man . WE trust that some foreign jurisdictions will also lake note of the present position of affairs , and guide their steps and control their words accordingly . There can be no doubt that in some countries thc professions and acts of
some Freemasons are utterly unjustifiable and un-Masonic , altogether opposed to the traditions and genius of Freemasonry , and only serve to weaken the confidence of their own associates , and to array against them the conclusions of the moderate , the sympathies of the serious , and the abormal uneasiness of authority , government , and police .
* * * ONE question affecting the correctness of a statement of ANDERSON in 1738 has received unexpected and easy solution by an entry in the minutes of Grand Lodge , under date March 2 nd , 1732 , and which entry ANDERSON , no doubt , saw , and based his statement properly upon it . It certainly supports
in marked measure his " bona fides " and accuracy . A NDERSON states that in 1695 the Dukeof RICHMOND , Master of a lodge at Chichester , coming to the annual assembly , and there was chosen Grand Master , with Sir CHRISTOPHER WREN as his Deputy . It seems to be doubted by Bro . GOULD whether there is any foundation for such a statement ; indeed , he
says as regards this very assertion of ANDERSON and other similar ones ( p . 12 ) , " not one of the foregoing statements can be cited as an historical fact . " Yet the following extract from the silently-speaking minutes of Grand Lodge shows that on one point ANDERSON was perfectly correct , and , by implication , supports the contention that he was also correct in others . ( See
" Notes and Queries " for a fuller statement . ) It appears that a Bro . E . HALL , March 2 , 1732 , was relieved by Grand Lodge with £ 6 6 s ., having been made a Mason 36 years before , by the father of the Dukeof RICHMOND ( Grand Master of 1724 ) , then present . The lodge was held at the Swan , Chichester . This would take us back to 1696 , and , of course ; earlier . Thus '
any doubt as to the first Duke of R ICHMOND having been a Freemason , and Master of a lodge at Chichester , is removed , and the actuality of his having been Grand Master is , we think , materially strengthened , despite the opinion of our able Bro . GOULD . Remembering the usual inaccuracy of verbiage , and carelessness of details which characterized all such documents and entries
150 years ago , it is but fair to A NDERSON to assume that , as he is found to be clearly correct in one point , he is equally to be credited in the other . It is a very serious question the upsetting by negative evidence and argument long accredited traditions , and we rejoice to publish this partial confirmation of ANDERSON ' S statement in 1738 , just as we doubt not that " lime and circumstances" will tend to uphold and verify many other impugned asseverations of our earliest Masonic writer .