-
Articles/Ads
Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CHESHIRE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM. Page 1 of 1 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM. Page 1 of 1 Article TENEBRÆ E TENEBRIS.—No. II. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.
real ivory globes on the top of a silver shield , neatly fixed on each with a suitable inscription . Bro . George Kenning , 47 , Bridge-street , Manchester , was the manufacturer . Bro . T . M ARWOOD , P . G . S . W ., next rose , and in the names of the Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers presented Prov . Grand Lodge with a very handsome silver consecration service . In doing so , Bro . Marwood for
said that the greatest praise was due to Bro . Herbert Finch , P . G . D . C , his zeal and labour in organising and making this projected presentation " un fait accompli . " The want of such a service had long been felt in the province , and , therefore , he ( Bro . Marwood ) in the name of the Provincial Grand Officers felt additional pleasure in making the presentation . He would just observe that the members of Prov . Grand Chapter had also subscribed towards the cost of the service , which he trusted might be at their
disposal when required . Bro . Marwood said it was the fervent wish of all the subscribers that future Prov . Grand Officers might for many generations use the consecration service , and that it might become curious from its very antiquity in promoting the interests of Freemasonry , and he might also add to the honour and glory of the Great Architect of the Universe . ( Applause . ) On the motion of the W . M . of the oldest lodge in the province , Unanimity , No . S 9 , seconded by the W . M . of the youngest lodge , Grove , No . ig 57 , a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the generous donors .
The ACTING PROV . GRAND MASTER also proposed a vote of thanks to the Prov . Grand Officers , and ordered the same to he entered on the minutes .
As it might be interesting to some of our readers to learn a description of the consecration vessels , we herewith append the same : The service consists of four vessels of sterling silver , for the consecrating elements—corn , wine , oil , and salt .- Masonic custom varies as to the use of salt for a consecrating element , but it is not to be wondered at that it obtains in the Province of Cheshire , the county of the Wyches , or salt
springs , a degree of importance . The style of art is pure Greek , each vessel being supported on a triangular base or plinth , at the several angles of which are the Masonic cherubims with outstretched wings . The cornucopia ( conventionally treated ) is richly gilt , the corresponding vessel being for salt . The two vases for wine and oil are appropriately engraved with the wine and olive leaf . The art work is of a high-class order of merit , the
modelling and chasing of the figures being particularly good . A very handsome crucible and incense boat , in electro-plate , and suitably engraved with Masonic emblems , complete the service . After a vote of thanks had been proposed by the Rev . C . W . SI ' ENCERSTANHOPE to Bro . the Rev . R Hodgson , for his kindness in granting the
use of St . Margaret ' s Church to the brethren to hold a Masonic service in , and the ACTING PROV . GRAND MASTER had announced that , b y the wish of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , the next meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge would be held at Birkenhead , Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form at three o'clock .
A long procession of the brethren , ably marshalled by Bro . Herbert Finch , P . G . D . C , afterwards proceeded to St . Margaret's Church , where a short service was held , and a sermon preached by Bro . the Rev . J . Lockwood , M . A ., Prov . G . Chap . After the sermon a collection was made on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund of Benevolence and the Altrincham Hospital . The day ' s programme concluded with a banquet in the Town Hall , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Northumberland And Durham.
PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM .
The busy season of the Masonic year is now getting into full swing , and most of the provincial organisations are holding their annual communications . The Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Northumberland and Durham met on Monday in the new and commodious building lately erected by the Freemasons in Wellington-street , Stockton-on-Tees , when there was a considerable attendance of brethren from various parts of those two counties .
At four o clock p . m . the Board of General Purposes assembled and transacted the technical business , and at 4 . 30 the Rev . H . B . Tristram , Canon of Durham , the Prov . G . M . M . M ., entered in procession , attended by his officers , and opened his lodge . The chairs were occupied as follows : Bros . T . Y . Strachan , D . P . G . M . ; R . B . Reed , S . W . ; F . Maddison , J . W . ;
R . A . Luck , M . O . ; T . Walton , S . O . ; R . L . Armstrong , J . O . ; Rev . T . B . Nicholls , Chap . ; W . E . Franklin , Treas . ; H . Baumann , Reg . of Marks ; D . Sinclair , Sec . ; T . M . Watson , S . D . ; R . G . Salmon , J . D . ; A . S . Fowler , D . C . ; J . Usher , Inspector of Works ; J . F . Seward , Org . ; J . C . Martin , Std . Br . ; R . Kimmond , Swd . Br . ; J . Brown , I . G . ; J . Rose and A . Islay , Stwds .
The minutes having been read and the roll called , the PROV . GRAND SECRETARY read replies to the addresses of condolence passed on the death of the Duke of Albany , and the report of the General Purposes Board was read . I his showed that there were nine Mark lodges in the province , with atotal of 291 members . Ten guineas were voted to the Mark Benevolent
^ Fund , and it was mentioned that this province had given more consistent support to the fund than any other on the roll , and the Provincial Grand Master spoke in warm terms of the scheme adopted of home education as being both cheaper and better than the enlargement of expensive institutions .
The various Masters of lodges made their reports , after which Bro , W . E . Franklin , of Newcastle , was re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer The officers for the year were then appointed as follows : Bro . 'I . Y . Strachan ... ... D . Prov . G . M .
„ C . S . Lane , 39 ... ... ... p v . G . S . W . „ R . A . Luck , 250 ... ... .,, Prov . G . J . W . „ Geo . Carter , 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ T . Bradley , W . M . 133 ... ... ... p . G . S . O . „ W . Coxon , 12 4 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . E . L . Marrett , 13 s ... ... ... prov . G . Chan .
„ R . Thompson , W . M . 192 ... ... Prov , R . of M . „ D . Sinclair , 293 ,., ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ A . Robertson , W . M . 135 ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ W . Hunter , 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ M . Corbett , W . M . 293 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . ofW . „ A . S . Fowler , 122 ... ... ... p . G . D . C .
„ J . f . btewart , 122 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ R . Hudson , 124 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sd . Br . „ J . S . B . Bell , N . and B . T . r ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br ,, A . J . Johnson , 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ W . Atkinson , 2 9 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Northumberland And Durham.
The PROV . GRAND MASTER addressed the officers , pointing out to them the duties expected of them . The elections of Committees having been completed the Prov . Grand Master said that the meeting next year " would be held at Alnwick , at the invitation of the Hotspur Lodge . Provincial Grand Lodge was thereafter closed , and the brethren and their visitors assembled in the Banqueting Hall , where they sat down under the presidency of Canon Tristram to an excellent repast . Amongst the
brethren and visitors present were Bros . E . G . Walthew , 262 , Canterbury ; T . B . Whytehead , Prov . G . Sec . of North and East Yorkshire , Sec . ; and amongst the brethren of the province were Bros . J . C . Moor , 124 ; J . M . Meek , 250 ; J . H . Hart , 122 ; J . G . Smith , 293 ; M . Frampton , 124 ; J . T . Harrison , 293 ; M . Knowles , 122 ; T . J . Johnson , 39 ; J . Stonehouse , 39 ; J . F . Wilson , 39 ; J . Hunter , 39 ; W . Brandt , 127 ; C D . H . Drury , 250 ; J . C . Martin , 250 ; G . Carter , 39 ; and a large number whose names we were unable to procure .
Tenebræ E Tenebris.—No. Ii.
TENEBR ? E TENEBRIS . —No . II .
It is sometimes said by those whose study of the whole question has been limited , and therefore necessarily superficial to some extent , that writers on ritual are inconsistent and uncertain in their opinions on the degrees , and therefore , at the best , unsafe guides to follow or trust in . But those who thus speak have surely never gauged rightly the depth of the matter . Such writers are only hesitating , and reticent , and cautious , because all actual evidence fails them . It is easy to construct a system on our after knowledge ,
or alter supposition of what and how things ought to be , and proclaim all who disagree with us dunces and blockheads ; but the difficulty lies in this , —that without evidence at all so far , of any exact tendency , we are seeking in 1 S 84 to say what was in 1720 . And here is our Crux . We have no evidence . All ritual evidence is late eighteenth century ; and though it is alleged , as I understand his words , by Bro . Robbins that a MS . exists of 1723 in America ( unless indeed he is alluding to the "Grand Mystery , " & c ) , I should lik to see it .
All the evidences being late , it would be important if in 1 S 13 we had any evidence of what really took place when the two bodies were happily united , what their divergencies were , what their agreements . But here again we are disappointed . The members of the Lodge of Reconciliation have , we understand , left no traces of their work , like those scrupulous or unscrupulous
brethren of old immortalized by Preston . Therefore in this haze and uncertainty it becomes us all to speak with becoming moderation and hesitation . Dogmatism and infallibility can find no "locus standi" here ; wc can only approach the subject with the modesty of students and the docility of learners .
That in 1720 three degrses like ours existed , is absolutely clear from the very verbiage of Payne ' s Regulations . That lodges before 1725 were giving" the Master ' s Degree , with or without dispensation , is also , I think , as certain . And , if so , such an admission must carry its bach before 17 ' 7-We may therefore reject at once and for ever the theory that Payne , Desaguliers , and Co . invented the Second and Third Degrees , and we may well believe " per contra " that in 1717 the system adopted by the revived Grand
Lodge was an older system , —simple . il you like ; limited , if you will ; confused and disorganized , may be , and therefore methodized , extended , developed by Payne and others . I think this is shown us , though I have to speak cautiously here , by our present ritual system . It clearly contains an older " stone" in a new " setting . " Since 1717 it has unde-gone , no doubt , several changes ; but many archaisms linger to certify of a period and terminology long , long before 1717 .
I must again point out that w « arguing mainly as to English Customs from Scottish ones . With the exception of the Charges , no connection that I am aware of has been proved to exist between the Scottish and English lodge system , and as , when Desaguliers went to Edinburgh , he found clearly , as " minuted , " an existing system of some kind , the presumption certainly is , that in ritual work the main and essential conditions of agreement existed ,
which fact , if true , utterly upset the Desaguliers theory of ritual manipulation and formation , ot any rate , as far as Scotland is concern' d . As it seems to me we are just now falling into the faults of good old Oliver , dogmatizing and laying down the law on imperfect data , and on unaccredited facts , I am glad to be permitted , as a very old Masonic student , here lo raise a protest and offer a warning . I might
prolong this paper to an almost unlimited extent ; but , having some feeling for my readers , I forbear , and still only add a few words . It would , no doubt , be possible to construct a system , based on our after knowledge both of what has been , and what is now , to represent what was in our idea , of what ought to have and must have been in 1717 . But as I for one do not believe in writing Masonic or any other history in that way , I prefer to keep close to the simple results of ascertained facts and lawful
induction . And therefore I repeat , it is almost impossible in our present state of knowledge and light ,-to offer any certain theory of the gradal system in vogue in 1717 . It isan arbitrary exercise of judgment which declares either the monograde or bi-gradal theory to be absolutely correct , and by far the safest course and soundest , especially on the legitimate grounds of historical and expert criticism , is not to pronounce decidedly on so vexed a question , but to leave it " open , " with the full right and effect of individual opinion thereanent .
It may be that the true explanation of all our seeming difficulties will be eventually found to be this , that the ceremonies in use in 1717 were very short and simple , that by the law of accretion they have been added to almost imperceptibly as time ran on , from contemporaneous forms , and synchronous authorities , and that there has been an almost necessary elaboration of
simpler " formula ; , " which preserved the essence , the substance , and the germ of what has been gradually developed , carefully methodized , and parphrastically expanded . My readers will note the difference of the views , —the one tending to existence and developement , the other to absolutely new creation , formation , & c . Critically , "though I say it , as ought not , " perhaps , —I have no doubt which view experts will eventually adopt . ' A . F . A . W .
COLUMN . —As Oliver well says , a round pillar made lo support as well as adorn a building whose construction varies in the different orders of architecture . Technically perhaps it is better to say that a column is a cylindrical p illar which serves either for the support or ornament of a building . It consists of a capital , which is the top or head , the shaft , which is the cylindrical part , and a base on which it rests . In a Masons' Lodge three columns or pillars are well known—wisdom , strength , and beauty . — Kenuing ' s Cyclopedia of Freemasonry .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.
real ivory globes on the top of a silver shield , neatly fixed on each with a suitable inscription . Bro . George Kenning , 47 , Bridge-street , Manchester , was the manufacturer . Bro . T . M ARWOOD , P . G . S . W ., next rose , and in the names of the Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers presented Prov . Grand Lodge with a very handsome silver consecration service . In doing so , Bro . Marwood for
said that the greatest praise was due to Bro . Herbert Finch , P . G . D . C , his zeal and labour in organising and making this projected presentation " un fait accompli . " The want of such a service had long been felt in the province , and , therefore , he ( Bro . Marwood ) in the name of the Provincial Grand Officers felt additional pleasure in making the presentation . He would just observe that the members of Prov . Grand Chapter had also subscribed towards the cost of the service , which he trusted might be at their
disposal when required . Bro . Marwood said it was the fervent wish of all the subscribers that future Prov . Grand Officers might for many generations use the consecration service , and that it might become curious from its very antiquity in promoting the interests of Freemasonry , and he might also add to the honour and glory of the Great Architect of the Universe . ( Applause . ) On the motion of the W . M . of the oldest lodge in the province , Unanimity , No . S 9 , seconded by the W . M . of the youngest lodge , Grove , No . ig 57 , a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the generous donors .
The ACTING PROV . GRAND MASTER also proposed a vote of thanks to the Prov . Grand Officers , and ordered the same to he entered on the minutes .
As it might be interesting to some of our readers to learn a description of the consecration vessels , we herewith append the same : The service consists of four vessels of sterling silver , for the consecrating elements—corn , wine , oil , and salt .- Masonic custom varies as to the use of salt for a consecrating element , but it is not to be wondered at that it obtains in the Province of Cheshire , the county of the Wyches , or salt
springs , a degree of importance . The style of art is pure Greek , each vessel being supported on a triangular base or plinth , at the several angles of which are the Masonic cherubims with outstretched wings . The cornucopia ( conventionally treated ) is richly gilt , the corresponding vessel being for salt . The two vases for wine and oil are appropriately engraved with the wine and olive leaf . The art work is of a high-class order of merit , the
modelling and chasing of the figures being particularly good . A very handsome crucible and incense boat , in electro-plate , and suitably engraved with Masonic emblems , complete the service . After a vote of thanks had been proposed by the Rev . C . W . SI ' ENCERSTANHOPE to Bro . the Rev . R Hodgson , for his kindness in granting the
use of St . Margaret ' s Church to the brethren to hold a Masonic service in , and the ACTING PROV . GRAND MASTER had announced that , b y the wish of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , the next meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge would be held at Birkenhead , Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form at three o'clock .
A long procession of the brethren , ably marshalled by Bro . Herbert Finch , P . G . D . C , afterwards proceeded to St . Margaret's Church , where a short service was held , and a sermon preached by Bro . the Rev . J . Lockwood , M . A ., Prov . G . Chap . After the sermon a collection was made on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund of Benevolence and the Altrincham Hospital . The day ' s programme concluded with a banquet in the Town Hall , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Northumberland And Durham.
PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM .
The busy season of the Masonic year is now getting into full swing , and most of the provincial organisations are holding their annual communications . The Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Northumberland and Durham met on Monday in the new and commodious building lately erected by the Freemasons in Wellington-street , Stockton-on-Tees , when there was a considerable attendance of brethren from various parts of those two counties .
At four o clock p . m . the Board of General Purposes assembled and transacted the technical business , and at 4 . 30 the Rev . H . B . Tristram , Canon of Durham , the Prov . G . M . M . M ., entered in procession , attended by his officers , and opened his lodge . The chairs were occupied as follows : Bros . T . Y . Strachan , D . P . G . M . ; R . B . Reed , S . W . ; F . Maddison , J . W . ;
R . A . Luck , M . O . ; T . Walton , S . O . ; R . L . Armstrong , J . O . ; Rev . T . B . Nicholls , Chap . ; W . E . Franklin , Treas . ; H . Baumann , Reg . of Marks ; D . Sinclair , Sec . ; T . M . Watson , S . D . ; R . G . Salmon , J . D . ; A . S . Fowler , D . C . ; J . Usher , Inspector of Works ; J . F . Seward , Org . ; J . C . Martin , Std . Br . ; R . Kimmond , Swd . Br . ; J . Brown , I . G . ; J . Rose and A . Islay , Stwds .
The minutes having been read and the roll called , the PROV . GRAND SECRETARY read replies to the addresses of condolence passed on the death of the Duke of Albany , and the report of the General Purposes Board was read . I his showed that there were nine Mark lodges in the province , with atotal of 291 members . Ten guineas were voted to the Mark Benevolent
^ Fund , and it was mentioned that this province had given more consistent support to the fund than any other on the roll , and the Provincial Grand Master spoke in warm terms of the scheme adopted of home education as being both cheaper and better than the enlargement of expensive institutions .
The various Masters of lodges made their reports , after which Bro , W . E . Franklin , of Newcastle , was re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer The officers for the year were then appointed as follows : Bro . 'I . Y . Strachan ... ... D . Prov . G . M .
„ C . S . Lane , 39 ... ... ... p v . G . S . W . „ R . A . Luck , 250 ... ... .,, Prov . G . J . W . „ Geo . Carter , 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ T . Bradley , W . M . 133 ... ... ... p . G . S . O . „ W . Coxon , 12 4 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . E . L . Marrett , 13 s ... ... ... prov . G . Chan .
„ R . Thompson , W . M . 192 ... ... Prov , R . of M . „ D . Sinclair , 293 ,., ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ A . Robertson , W . M . 135 ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ W . Hunter , 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ M . Corbett , W . M . 293 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . ofW . „ A . S . Fowler , 122 ... ... ... p . G . D . C .
„ J . f . btewart , 122 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ R . Hudson , 124 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sd . Br . „ J . S . B . Bell , N . and B . T . r ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br ,, A . J . Johnson , 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ W . Atkinson , 2 9 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Northumberland And Durham.
The PROV . GRAND MASTER addressed the officers , pointing out to them the duties expected of them . The elections of Committees having been completed the Prov . Grand Master said that the meeting next year " would be held at Alnwick , at the invitation of the Hotspur Lodge . Provincial Grand Lodge was thereafter closed , and the brethren and their visitors assembled in the Banqueting Hall , where they sat down under the presidency of Canon Tristram to an excellent repast . Amongst the
brethren and visitors present were Bros . E . G . Walthew , 262 , Canterbury ; T . B . Whytehead , Prov . G . Sec . of North and East Yorkshire , Sec . ; and amongst the brethren of the province were Bros . J . C . Moor , 124 ; J . M . Meek , 250 ; J . H . Hart , 122 ; J . G . Smith , 293 ; M . Frampton , 124 ; J . T . Harrison , 293 ; M . Knowles , 122 ; T . J . Johnson , 39 ; J . Stonehouse , 39 ; J . F . Wilson , 39 ; J . Hunter , 39 ; W . Brandt , 127 ; C D . H . Drury , 250 ; J . C . Martin , 250 ; G . Carter , 39 ; and a large number whose names we were unable to procure .
Tenebræ E Tenebris.—No. Ii.
TENEBR ? E TENEBRIS . —No . II .
It is sometimes said by those whose study of the whole question has been limited , and therefore necessarily superficial to some extent , that writers on ritual are inconsistent and uncertain in their opinions on the degrees , and therefore , at the best , unsafe guides to follow or trust in . But those who thus speak have surely never gauged rightly the depth of the matter . Such writers are only hesitating , and reticent , and cautious , because all actual evidence fails them . It is easy to construct a system on our after knowledge ,
or alter supposition of what and how things ought to be , and proclaim all who disagree with us dunces and blockheads ; but the difficulty lies in this , —that without evidence at all so far , of any exact tendency , we are seeking in 1 S 84 to say what was in 1720 . And here is our Crux . We have no evidence . All ritual evidence is late eighteenth century ; and though it is alleged , as I understand his words , by Bro . Robbins that a MS . exists of 1723 in America ( unless indeed he is alluding to the "Grand Mystery , " & c ) , I should lik to see it .
All the evidences being late , it would be important if in 1 S 13 we had any evidence of what really took place when the two bodies were happily united , what their divergencies were , what their agreements . But here again we are disappointed . The members of the Lodge of Reconciliation have , we understand , left no traces of their work , like those scrupulous or unscrupulous
brethren of old immortalized by Preston . Therefore in this haze and uncertainty it becomes us all to speak with becoming moderation and hesitation . Dogmatism and infallibility can find no "locus standi" here ; wc can only approach the subject with the modesty of students and the docility of learners .
That in 1720 three degrses like ours existed , is absolutely clear from the very verbiage of Payne ' s Regulations . That lodges before 1725 were giving" the Master ' s Degree , with or without dispensation , is also , I think , as certain . And , if so , such an admission must carry its bach before 17 ' 7-We may therefore reject at once and for ever the theory that Payne , Desaguliers , and Co . invented the Second and Third Degrees , and we may well believe " per contra " that in 1717 the system adopted by the revived Grand
Lodge was an older system , —simple . il you like ; limited , if you will ; confused and disorganized , may be , and therefore methodized , extended , developed by Payne and others . I think this is shown us , though I have to speak cautiously here , by our present ritual system . It clearly contains an older " stone" in a new " setting . " Since 1717 it has unde-gone , no doubt , several changes ; but many archaisms linger to certify of a period and terminology long , long before 1717 .
I must again point out that w « arguing mainly as to English Customs from Scottish ones . With the exception of the Charges , no connection that I am aware of has been proved to exist between the Scottish and English lodge system , and as , when Desaguliers went to Edinburgh , he found clearly , as " minuted , " an existing system of some kind , the presumption certainly is , that in ritual work the main and essential conditions of agreement existed ,
which fact , if true , utterly upset the Desaguliers theory of ritual manipulation and formation , ot any rate , as far as Scotland is concern' d . As it seems to me we are just now falling into the faults of good old Oliver , dogmatizing and laying down the law on imperfect data , and on unaccredited facts , I am glad to be permitted , as a very old Masonic student , here lo raise a protest and offer a warning . I might
prolong this paper to an almost unlimited extent ; but , having some feeling for my readers , I forbear , and still only add a few words . It would , no doubt , be possible to construct a system , based on our after knowledge both of what has been , and what is now , to represent what was in our idea , of what ought to have and must have been in 1717 . But as I for one do not believe in writing Masonic or any other history in that way , I prefer to keep close to the simple results of ascertained facts and lawful
induction . And therefore I repeat , it is almost impossible in our present state of knowledge and light ,-to offer any certain theory of the gradal system in vogue in 1717 . It isan arbitrary exercise of judgment which declares either the monograde or bi-gradal theory to be absolutely correct , and by far the safest course and soundest , especially on the legitimate grounds of historical and expert criticism , is not to pronounce decidedly on so vexed a question , but to leave it " open , " with the full right and effect of individual opinion thereanent .
It may be that the true explanation of all our seeming difficulties will be eventually found to be this , that the ceremonies in use in 1717 were very short and simple , that by the law of accretion they have been added to almost imperceptibly as time ran on , from contemporaneous forms , and synchronous authorities , and that there has been an almost necessary elaboration of
simpler " formula ; , " which preserved the essence , the substance , and the germ of what has been gradually developed , carefully methodized , and parphrastically expanded . My readers will note the difference of the views , —the one tending to existence and developement , the other to absolutely new creation , formation , & c . Critically , "though I say it , as ought not , " perhaps , —I have no doubt which view experts will eventually adopt . ' A . F . A . W .
COLUMN . —As Oliver well says , a round pillar made lo support as well as adorn a building whose construction varies in the different orders of architecture . Technically perhaps it is better to say that a column is a cylindrical p illar which serves either for the support or ornament of a building . It consists of a capital , which is the top or head , the shaft , which is the cylindrical part , and a base on which it rests . In a Masons' Lodge three columns or pillars are well known—wisdom , strength , and beauty . — Kenuing ' s Cyclopedia of Freemasonry .