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Article MASONIC HISTORIANS.—No. 3. ← Page 2 of 2 Article MASONIC HISTORIANS.—No. 3. Page 2 of 2 Article PROV. GRAND LODGE of HAMPSHIRE and the ISLE OF WIGHT. Page 1 of 2 →
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Masonic Historians.—No. 3.
made by Mr . Wedemar , that he saw Swedenborg ' s name in Lodge No . 6 , London , and the date was 1706 , is explained to mean Lund , or Lunden , as Bro . Beswick has discovered that Swedenborg was not in London until 1710 !
We are also told that all the records of these old lodges at London were destroyed at the beginning of last century . " This certainl y is information for English Masons !!!
The next chapter is , " From Royal University to Royal College of Mines , 1709-1716 . " Bro . Beswick states most positively that during this period " young Emanuel renewed his
acquaintance with the Masonic Fraternity , which had begun at Lund , and having plenty of leisure time he visited alt the lodges , chapters , and commanderies . " It is doubtful whether lodges existed at
this time in Lund , but for certain there were neither chapters nor commanderies ; and , as usual , these assertions are dispelled by the logic of facts , and are proved to rest simply on the
ipse dixit of the author . If the work had rested its claims on attention as a sketch of the life of a great roan , it would have been a success ; but , as a Masonic work , it is a failure . In a letter dated
Nov . 21 st , I 7 i 5 , and penned at Stockholm , we fail to see any mention of Freemasonry whatever : but even in this document Bro . Beswick sees a reference to the Craft , as Bro . Swedenborg
remarks , " I might easily have arrived yesterday had it not been for the darkness , and uncertainty of finding quarters with some one in a blue dress . " This latter allusion is , we are told , au
acknowledgment that Swedenborg meant " the dress belonging to the Order of Sublime and Ineffable Masonry , which he had joined . " This was in
1715 , and " Ineffable Masonry " was unknown until at least forty years later in the same century ! But enough of this . We will search still further for facts .
The 3 rd chapter , on "Travels—Visits lo Lodges—r 7 r 6-r 74 o" commences by the writer declaring : " If we look at York Freemasonry about 1716 , we shall find it to consist of three
degrees only , and these chiefly operative . In England , Sweden , Holland , and France , we search in vain for evidence of a lodge of pure speculative Masonry . " This is not correct ; for
we have records of lodges of that period which were wholly speculative , not only at York , but also in Scotland , and then not even simply of A . D . 1716 , but still earlier . Three degrees arc not mentioned at York until much later .
After this erroneous view , we are quite prepared to read : " Knowing that Swedenborg was intimate with Charles XII ., the brethren solicited him to urge upon their warlike monarch the
propriety of initiating a similar revival of Freemasonry in Sweden ( as in London , 1717 ) , especially Sublime and Ineffable Masonry and the High Templar degrees , as they would keep up
the warlike spirit of the people . ... He accepted the task . . . . His mission was successful , and lodges and encampments were at
once established under the sanction of royal authority . " Again wc have to complain of a want of evidence , and again we object to the assertions .
After this period , however , Bro . Beswick commences in a different spirit , and presents a mass of information , which must have cost him much
time and trouble to obtain . The " Swedenborgian Rite " is explained , and it is stated that " The Eite was more systematically worked in Berlin than elsewhere , for the Prussian monarch
Masonic Historians.—No. 3.
preferred it to all others . For several years before Swedenborg ' s death King Frederick had become dissatisfied with every form of Freemasonry but theSvvedenborgian , which included the three blue degrees of the York Rite . . .
It is equally a notorious historic fact , that King Frederick from 1772-17 S 6 , or up to the day of his death , was a declared enemy of the higher degrees , whilst he did everything to encourage the three symbolic degrees . . . . On the
other hand , he had a lodge working the Swedenborgian Rite , under his own auspices , up to the day of his death" ( page 72 ) . Bro . Beswick remarks of the Swedenborgian Rite , that it
" excludes all cabalistic rites and reveries , and recommendsthe pure EclecticSymbolic Masonry of the York degrees , " and gives a most interesting sketch of its early history .
It is a curious fact that in none of the letters written by Swedenborg and printed in this work are there to be found any reference to Freemasonry . Bro . Beswick explains this hy stating every care was taken to avoid any publicity with
regard to the Craft , and nothm *? was recorded and preserved by Swedenborg that would exhibit his connection witb the Craft , This is likely to be true , and plainly proves to our mind the reasons why we should be sceptical of any
account of this noted man s Masonic career , seeing that he took such pains to prevent any particulars being known . It would be interesting to know how Bro . Beswick has obtained information on the subject , seeing " every care was taken to prevent publicity . "
The Order of Charles XIII . of Sweden , confined to Masons , and into which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was recently received , is declared to have been supported and continued by members whose qualifications were " only a
modification ofthe qualifications of a candidate for the Swedenborgian Rite . ' ' The " Order of Illuminati" is carefully considered in the 13 th and following chapters , as also the innovations of Count Zinnendorf .
The impostor , Count Cagliostro , has his character pourtrayed to perfection in chapter 17 th , and the system which he invented in 1779 is reviewed in a fair spirit and just manner . The " impious fabrications " of this noted individual
are briefly noticed , and it seems he attempted to deceive the London followers of Emanuel Swedenborg , but though at first he partially succeeded , the " cloven foot" soon showed itself , and he was cast off .
We are informed that the "Swedenborg Rite " was introduced into the United States in 1 S 59 . Applications for admission have come from every quarter of the American continent . It consists of six degrees , viz : " r , Entered
Apprentice ; 2 , Fellow Craft ; 3 , Master Mason ; 4 , Enlightened Freemason , or Green Brother ; 5 , Sublime Freemason , or Blue Brother ; 6 , Perfect Freemason , or Red Brother ; " so that instead
of the " Red , White and Blue , " the fashion now is Green , Blue , and Red . The Order is thrown open to all Masons of merit , without regard to their religious belief .
The extensive sketch of tbe Rite we cannot now allude to . It is certainly well arranged , and the last part of the book is the most valuable . We should think it the best work on the subject , and excepting the Masonic part , the
work is interesting as a novel , and certainly in many respects an important , addition to Swedenborgian literature . The correspondence relative to Swedenborg , as also his letters , are valuable to those who accept his teachings , but
Masonically , we fail to sec their importance . In the ritual of this rite " Phremason " is preferred to T' / wmason , because our ancient brethren were called so from two words . Phre or Pi-re , " The Light , and Mason to search . " This statement
is offered as a proof of the excellency of the Order , and the superiority of its definitions . We might have thought more ofthe ritual if nothing
had been said , but this exhibits the unreasonableness ofthe ceremonies so much that we shall be surprised if tlie Rite ever receives much support anywhere .
Prov. Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.
PROV . GRAND LODGE of HAMPSHIRE and the ISLE OF WIGHT .
The annual Grand Lodge of this province was held at the Star Assembly Room , Gosport , on Thursday , 17 th inst , at high noon , under the presidency of Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . M ., Bro . Naish officiating as D . P . G . M ., Bro . H . M . Emanuel as S . G . W ., and Bro . J . Wallingford ,
as J . G . W . There was a large attendance of the brethren , including Bros . J . R . Stebbing , P . G . D . England ; Hon . B . Mildred , D . P . G . M . South Australia ; Capt . Hooper , P . P . G . W . ; Rev . C . R . Pettnt , P . G . Chaplain ; M . E . Frost , P . G . Treas . ; Hickman and Le Feuvre , P . G . Sees . ; W . H . Ford
P . P . G . W . ; F . G . Bradbear , P . G . Reg . ; J . H . Smith , P . G . D . ; Binckes , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; Aslatt , Stapleford , Wells , and Woollons , P . P . G . D . 's ; A . Cudlipp , P . G . Dir . of Cirs . ; E . G . Holbrook , Asst . Dir . of Cers . ; J . P . Hine , P . G . Sword Bearer ; and several other officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , besides the
W . M . ' s and representatives ofthe various lodges in the province . The provincial business having been transacted , The R . W . Prov . Grand Master then said that he had a painful communication to make to the Grand Lodge . He regretted to say that a few days since
he received a letter from the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . C . E . Deacon , informing him that though his health was now better than it had been , yet he felt that age and infirmities prevented him from satisfactorily discharging the duties appertaining to his office , and therefore he wished to resign
his position . He could assure the Grand Lodge that , as Prov . G . M ., lie received this communication with pain , and when they reflected upon the lengthened period during which Bro . Deacon had exerted himself in behalf of Freemasonry in this province , he thought all the brethren would receive
his resignation with regret . In that acceptance they would ill discharge their duty did they not return their most hearty thanks to Bro . Deacon for those services , and express their regret at the decision which he had felt himself bound to make . ( Hear , hear . ) For more than a quarter of a
century Bro . Deacon had occupied this post . During the greater part of the time that their late lamented Brother Sir Lucius Curtis occupied the position he ( the Prov . G . M . ) had now the honour of filling-, Bro . Deacon was his faithful Deputy , and when he kindly consented to continue that office upon his
( the speaker ' s ) being placed in it , he could not say how much he felt indebted to him . All present knew how important and onerous were the duties attendant upon presiding over so large a province as this , and Bro . Deacon had been so long accustomed to those duties as to be perfectly conversant
with every part of them . In tendering to Bro . Deacon his own personal , cordial , and warmest thanks , he could not do otherwise than wish him much happiness in his retreat from the more active duties of life , and he was quite certain he should express the feelings of the Prov . Grand Lodge
collectively , as he did of every brother present individually , when he said that entertaining a lively sense of many of Bro . Deacon ' s qualities they hoped he would long live to enjoy the respect and affection of those who knew him best , and they hoped life and health would be extended to him
yet for a prolonged period . ( Hear , hear . ) He could assure Bro . Deacon that he would carry with him into his retirement the cordial love and affection with which he was regarded in this province through so many active years as he was associated with it . ( Hear , hear . ) Let them hope that although
relinquishing those duties Bro . Deacon would not refrain , when his health permitted , from showing a continued interest in Masonry . For his own part he could not but believe that so long as he lived the cause for which he had done 30 much must be dear to him , and that he would aesist thc brethren
by his advice , and grace their gatherings with his presence whenever thc state of his health should justify it . Entertaining these feelings , he moved that a vote of thanks be presented to Bro . Deacon for his past services , and that there be entered on thc minutes this Prov . Grand Lodge ' s recognition of his labours on its behalf during so many years ,
and conveyed to him by the Prov . Grand Secretaries theassuranccofthebiehretith . it he would receive in his retirement their heartiest good wishes . ( Loud apolause . ) Bro . Miller , the W . M . of thc Gosport Lodge , in seconding the resolution , felt no observations had need be added to the felicitous remarks of the G . M . in order to ensure thc most cordial unani-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Historians.—No. 3.
made by Mr . Wedemar , that he saw Swedenborg ' s name in Lodge No . 6 , London , and the date was 1706 , is explained to mean Lund , or Lunden , as Bro . Beswick has discovered that Swedenborg was not in London until 1710 !
We are also told that all the records of these old lodges at London were destroyed at the beginning of last century . " This certainl y is information for English Masons !!!
The next chapter is , " From Royal University to Royal College of Mines , 1709-1716 . " Bro . Beswick states most positively that during this period " young Emanuel renewed his
acquaintance with the Masonic Fraternity , which had begun at Lund , and having plenty of leisure time he visited alt the lodges , chapters , and commanderies . " It is doubtful whether lodges existed at
this time in Lund , but for certain there were neither chapters nor commanderies ; and , as usual , these assertions are dispelled by the logic of facts , and are proved to rest simply on the
ipse dixit of the author . If the work had rested its claims on attention as a sketch of the life of a great roan , it would have been a success ; but , as a Masonic work , it is a failure . In a letter dated
Nov . 21 st , I 7 i 5 , and penned at Stockholm , we fail to see any mention of Freemasonry whatever : but even in this document Bro . Beswick sees a reference to the Craft , as Bro . Swedenborg
remarks , " I might easily have arrived yesterday had it not been for the darkness , and uncertainty of finding quarters with some one in a blue dress . " This latter allusion is , we are told , au
acknowledgment that Swedenborg meant " the dress belonging to the Order of Sublime and Ineffable Masonry , which he had joined . " This was in
1715 , and " Ineffable Masonry " was unknown until at least forty years later in the same century ! But enough of this . We will search still further for facts .
The 3 rd chapter , on "Travels—Visits lo Lodges—r 7 r 6-r 74 o" commences by the writer declaring : " If we look at York Freemasonry about 1716 , we shall find it to consist of three
degrees only , and these chiefly operative . In England , Sweden , Holland , and France , we search in vain for evidence of a lodge of pure speculative Masonry . " This is not correct ; for
we have records of lodges of that period which were wholly speculative , not only at York , but also in Scotland , and then not even simply of A . D . 1716 , but still earlier . Three degrees arc not mentioned at York until much later .
After this erroneous view , we are quite prepared to read : " Knowing that Swedenborg was intimate with Charles XII ., the brethren solicited him to urge upon their warlike monarch the
propriety of initiating a similar revival of Freemasonry in Sweden ( as in London , 1717 ) , especially Sublime and Ineffable Masonry and the High Templar degrees , as they would keep up
the warlike spirit of the people . ... He accepted the task . . . . His mission was successful , and lodges and encampments were at
once established under the sanction of royal authority . " Again wc have to complain of a want of evidence , and again we object to the assertions .
After this period , however , Bro . Beswick commences in a different spirit , and presents a mass of information , which must have cost him much
time and trouble to obtain . The " Swedenborgian Rite " is explained , and it is stated that " The Eite was more systematically worked in Berlin than elsewhere , for the Prussian monarch
Masonic Historians.—No. 3.
preferred it to all others . For several years before Swedenborg ' s death King Frederick had become dissatisfied with every form of Freemasonry but theSvvedenborgian , which included the three blue degrees of the York Rite . . .
It is equally a notorious historic fact , that King Frederick from 1772-17 S 6 , or up to the day of his death , was a declared enemy of the higher degrees , whilst he did everything to encourage the three symbolic degrees . . . . On the
other hand , he had a lodge working the Swedenborgian Rite , under his own auspices , up to the day of his death" ( page 72 ) . Bro . Beswick remarks of the Swedenborgian Rite , that it
" excludes all cabalistic rites and reveries , and recommendsthe pure EclecticSymbolic Masonry of the York degrees , " and gives a most interesting sketch of its early history .
It is a curious fact that in none of the letters written by Swedenborg and printed in this work are there to be found any reference to Freemasonry . Bro . Beswick explains this hy stating every care was taken to avoid any publicity with
regard to the Craft , and nothm *? was recorded and preserved by Swedenborg that would exhibit his connection witb the Craft , This is likely to be true , and plainly proves to our mind the reasons why we should be sceptical of any
account of this noted man s Masonic career , seeing that he took such pains to prevent any particulars being known . It would be interesting to know how Bro . Beswick has obtained information on the subject , seeing " every care was taken to prevent publicity . "
The Order of Charles XIII . of Sweden , confined to Masons , and into which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was recently received , is declared to have been supported and continued by members whose qualifications were " only a
modification ofthe qualifications of a candidate for the Swedenborgian Rite . ' ' The " Order of Illuminati" is carefully considered in the 13 th and following chapters , as also the innovations of Count Zinnendorf .
The impostor , Count Cagliostro , has his character pourtrayed to perfection in chapter 17 th , and the system which he invented in 1779 is reviewed in a fair spirit and just manner . The " impious fabrications " of this noted individual
are briefly noticed , and it seems he attempted to deceive the London followers of Emanuel Swedenborg , but though at first he partially succeeded , the " cloven foot" soon showed itself , and he was cast off .
We are informed that the "Swedenborg Rite " was introduced into the United States in 1 S 59 . Applications for admission have come from every quarter of the American continent . It consists of six degrees , viz : " r , Entered
Apprentice ; 2 , Fellow Craft ; 3 , Master Mason ; 4 , Enlightened Freemason , or Green Brother ; 5 , Sublime Freemason , or Blue Brother ; 6 , Perfect Freemason , or Red Brother ; " so that instead
of the " Red , White and Blue , " the fashion now is Green , Blue , and Red . The Order is thrown open to all Masons of merit , without regard to their religious belief .
The extensive sketch of tbe Rite we cannot now allude to . It is certainly well arranged , and the last part of the book is the most valuable . We should think it the best work on the subject , and excepting the Masonic part , the
work is interesting as a novel , and certainly in many respects an important , addition to Swedenborgian literature . The correspondence relative to Swedenborg , as also his letters , are valuable to those who accept his teachings , but
Masonically , we fail to sec their importance . In the ritual of this rite " Phremason " is preferred to T' / wmason , because our ancient brethren were called so from two words . Phre or Pi-re , " The Light , and Mason to search . " This statement
is offered as a proof of the excellency of the Order , and the superiority of its definitions . We might have thought more ofthe ritual if nothing
had been said , but this exhibits the unreasonableness ofthe ceremonies so much that we shall be surprised if tlie Rite ever receives much support anywhere .
Prov. Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.
PROV . GRAND LODGE of HAMPSHIRE and the ISLE OF WIGHT .
The annual Grand Lodge of this province was held at the Star Assembly Room , Gosport , on Thursday , 17 th inst , at high noon , under the presidency of Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . M ., Bro . Naish officiating as D . P . G . M ., Bro . H . M . Emanuel as S . G . W ., and Bro . J . Wallingford ,
as J . G . W . There was a large attendance of the brethren , including Bros . J . R . Stebbing , P . G . D . England ; Hon . B . Mildred , D . P . G . M . South Australia ; Capt . Hooper , P . P . G . W . ; Rev . C . R . Pettnt , P . G . Chaplain ; M . E . Frost , P . G . Treas . ; Hickman and Le Feuvre , P . G . Sees . ; W . H . Ford
P . P . G . W . ; F . G . Bradbear , P . G . Reg . ; J . H . Smith , P . G . D . ; Binckes , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; Aslatt , Stapleford , Wells , and Woollons , P . P . G . D . 's ; A . Cudlipp , P . G . Dir . of Cirs . ; E . G . Holbrook , Asst . Dir . of Cers . ; J . P . Hine , P . G . Sword Bearer ; and several other officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , besides the
W . M . ' s and representatives ofthe various lodges in the province . The provincial business having been transacted , The R . W . Prov . Grand Master then said that he had a painful communication to make to the Grand Lodge . He regretted to say that a few days since
he received a letter from the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . C . E . Deacon , informing him that though his health was now better than it had been , yet he felt that age and infirmities prevented him from satisfactorily discharging the duties appertaining to his office , and therefore he wished to resign
his position . He could assure the Grand Lodge that , as Prov . G . M ., lie received this communication with pain , and when they reflected upon the lengthened period during which Bro . Deacon had exerted himself in behalf of Freemasonry in this province , he thought all the brethren would receive
his resignation with regret . In that acceptance they would ill discharge their duty did they not return their most hearty thanks to Bro . Deacon for those services , and express their regret at the decision which he had felt himself bound to make . ( Hear , hear . ) For more than a quarter of a
century Bro . Deacon had occupied this post . During the greater part of the time that their late lamented Brother Sir Lucius Curtis occupied the position he ( the Prov . G . M . ) had now the honour of filling-, Bro . Deacon was his faithful Deputy , and when he kindly consented to continue that office upon his
( the speaker ' s ) being placed in it , he could not say how much he felt indebted to him . All present knew how important and onerous were the duties attendant upon presiding over so large a province as this , and Bro . Deacon had been so long accustomed to those duties as to be perfectly conversant
with every part of them . In tendering to Bro . Deacon his own personal , cordial , and warmest thanks , he could not do otherwise than wish him much happiness in his retreat from the more active duties of life , and he was quite certain he should express the feelings of the Prov . Grand Lodge
collectively , as he did of every brother present individually , when he said that entertaining a lively sense of many of Bro . Deacon ' s qualities they hoped he would long live to enjoy the respect and affection of those who knew him best , and they hoped life and health would be extended to him
yet for a prolonged period . ( Hear , hear . ) He could assure Bro . Deacon that he would carry with him into his retirement the cordial love and affection with which he was regarded in this province through so many active years as he was associated with it . ( Hear , hear . ) Let them hope that although
relinquishing those duties Bro . Deacon would not refrain , when his health permitted , from showing a continued interest in Masonry . For his own part he could not but believe that so long as he lived the cause for which he had done 30 much must be dear to him , and that he would aesist thc brethren
by his advice , and grace their gatherings with his presence whenever thc state of his health should justify it . Entertaining these feelings , he moved that a vote of thanks be presented to Bro . Deacon for his past services , and that there be entered on thc minutes this Prov . Grand Lodge ' s recognition of his labours on its behalf during so many years ,
and conveyed to him by the Prov . Grand Secretaries theassuranccofthebiehretith . it he would receive in his retirement their heartiest good wishes . ( Loud apolause . ) Bro . Miller , the W . M . of thc Gosport Lodge , in seconding the resolution , felt no observations had need be added to the felicitous remarks of the G . M . in order to ensure thc most cordial unani-