Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within ccriain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

WAS SWEDENBORG \ FREEMASON ? To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Our excellent Bro . Woodford puts this question in your number of the list inst ., and says he wishes " we could settle the point . " For me the question has long been settled by the able researches , extending over many years , of Bro . Samuel Beswick , in the affirmative , and wilh your permission I will state the results in the smallest possible

compass . It is , of course , admitted on all hands that Freemasonry existed in many parts of the world anterior to the revival of 1717 , and a tradition has also been long current lhat Garimont and his fellow ** Templar exiles introduced it into Sweden at a very early date , finally depositing the veritable secrets in a tomb at Upsal . It is also known

that Elias Ashmole was initialed at Warrington , with others , in October , 1648—the latter fact being well attested . It remains to be seen what Masonry this was . Certainly it differed from thc system now in use . The statement that Swedenborg was initiated in London in 1706 is obviously erroneous , as he never came to England till 1710 , but Bro . Beswick states that his enquiries led lo thc result

that Swedenborg was initiated 111 one of the Swedish Templar lodges at Lund , in Sweden , the capital of the province < . f Sconen , seventeen miles east of Copenhagen , geographically situated in E . longitude 13 26 ' , and N . latitude 55 ° 3 ' 33 ' ' , a town in 1827 ( according to MaUe-Brun , " Geographie-Universelle , " vol . iv ., p . 387 ) , of 3500 inhabitants , possessing a university with a library of

40 , 000 volumes , and thc seat of a bishropiic . This University of Lund is not far from Brunsbrn , in West Gothland , where Swedenborg pursued his studies as a youth . There being no Grand Lodges at that time , thc Templar lodges and chapters each worked under self-instituted charters and met according to their own requirements . Thc son of Jcspcr Svedberg , Bishop of Skara ,

would have little difficulty in obtaining admission , and if it lie asked why Emanuel Svenbcrg ( not then ennobled by the name of Swedenborg ) was initiated at MI early an age as eighteen , the reply may bc found in the fact lhat dispensations for the purpose were not unusual , almost every University permitting mere lads to bc initialed . Bro . Beswick cites the instance if George Washington , who

was initiated at thc age of twenty . I have before said lhat thc Masonry into which Swedenborg was received was dissimilar to that now prevalent —more archaic , and , perhaps , in some sense , mystic than Craft Masonry is now . It was similar to that into which Ashmole , the alchymist and Rosicrucian , was received , and , in my opin ' on , was the same as that rite to whlSti I

have tbe honour of being Secietary in this country . It was also far more solemn and secret than it is at present , and this would account for the utter silence with which Swedenborg treated it in after years—traces of Masonic thought are scattered throughout liis numerous works , but couched in such language as to be only intelligible to Freemasons of experience and high degree .

During bis many journeys throughout Europe it is obvious , from his biography , that Swedenborg visited many lodges and communicated wilh Masons ot thc very highest rank in thc outer world . Me was intimate with Savakttc , Delalande , Court dc Gebclin , and other energetic Masons , and on se-veral occasions it would teem probable that the suspici in with which Masonry was regarded

during his long life rendered bim liable to annoyance , if not exactly persecution , at thc hands of the authorities . I * , would take too much space to enter upon thc entire sul . ject here , and to show how intimate was this Masonic relation with the fraternity throughout Europe . I may , however , point eut that , from the time e . f Elias Ashmole onward to thc time of Lavoiser , chemistry and mineralogy .

as at present understock , were still alchymistical to a great extent , and its professors liable to serious misinterpretation . For this reason thc symbolical methods of teaching applied sciences continued in vogue . Swedenborg was eminent as a man of science ; and his mineralogical and metallurgical knowledge was , at a very early age , amply recognised by his illustrious Sovereign—the great and unfortunate

Charles the Twelfth . And when lie had exhausted in his remarkable woiks on mineralogy and the kingdoms of nature all that matter could teach him , his mir . d , filled with sublime symbolical ideas , carried him over a difficult bridge to reason by analogy and correspondence of things interior to himself and to all of us . Thii was not the vulgar and stupid spiritualism of the fashionable saloon

of the present day , but a beautiful appliance of the harmonies of material nature to an interpretation of what mankind will ever esteem—thc sympathies and harmonies of the soul . The followers of Swedenborg at the present day have regarded this philosophy in a purely theological spirit for the most pait , and hence a literal acceptation of much that was meant in a purely symbolical sense . They also deny the initiation of Swedenborg ; but this arises

purely from misinterpretation of his writings , for , not being Masons themselves , they are notable to see the light thrown upon Masonic science in his later writings . But those who have joined the Rite of Swedenborg , as it is now called , will see bow clearly and justly we may claim one of the greatest men of the last century as a brother . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours sincerely and fraternally ,

KENNETH R . H . MACKENZIE , Supreme Grand Secretary Swedenborgian Kite of Freemasonry .

Original Correspondence.

THE CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — That our brother , " W . M . 392 , 8 . C , " has strangely failed to grasp the princ ' ples which rule in public assemblies—and the failure is the stranger from its existence in a Scottish brother—is amply shown in the letters of our

Worshipful and experienced Past Grand Deacon , Bro . Fenn , and by our brother " 0 . " These letters leave nothing to be added , for while brother " Q " has shown that the principle of non-confirmation of minutes relating to an objectionable motion is a constitutional action , Bro . Fenn has shown that it is a form of action of which Grand Ledge has amply availed itself .

On the general question which has given rise to this discussion I will only add , for the consideration of the rulers in the Craft who may assemble in Grand Lodge at the next meeting , lhat the matter they will decide will have an important effect by good or ill . By the non-confirmation of tbe minutes the subject will , when necessary , be dealt with by the Board of General Purposes . But by

confirming the minutes they will let loose upon lodges , to the disturbance of peace and harmony , the vapourings of the indiscreet , whose forgctfulness of obligations is startling , andtnust shock the conscientious . The appointment of a Committee can lead to no good end , but can be fraught with lamentable evils , from the contemplation of which the whole Craft would shrink with dismay if

they could realise fully the aims and purposes of the many sprites who hanker after compulsion to enforce universal compliance with their ideas of " Uniformity . " Learned scholars would shrink from the task of meddling with our ritual , and Grand Lodge will bc wise if it withholds from us another example of Milton ' s declaration , " Fr . ols rush in

Where angels fear to tread . " Faithfully and fraternally yours , JOHN WHILE , P . M . 222 .

THE EMULATION LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . To the Editor of thc " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I was somewhat amused when I read your announcement that the Committee of this lodge had written to Bro . Stevens in a manner which implies that Ibey have no sympathy with uniformity of ritual .

Judging by the members and followers of ihe Emulation with whom I am acquainted , 1 should say that uniformity of ritual is decidedly their principal aim , because they so openly and strongly condemn every ritual which diffeis from their own . A few days since , I heard one distinguished brother denouncing an installation ceremony as " perfect rot , " simply because it happened tc be done in

the way recognised in thc north of England . Wc northerners do not altogether admit lhat all Masonic wisdom and knowledge are centred in the great metropolis , and wc claim to have some little credit for being abh-. to think out and work a ceremony , although wc do not pride ourselves upon having abilities so transcendency great as some of the advocates of the Emulation working ;

therefore , before wc depart from the lines laid down by our forefathers , we should like a liltle better explanation of the pros and-aans . than we are able to get at present , for when asked-we reason for a certain part of the Emulation ceremony , thc doughty champion above named could only answer , " 1 don ' t know why , sir ; all I know is that I am instructed by the Emulation to do it thus , and 1 follow thos- ; instructions . " Would it not be advisable for the

Emulation Lodge to instruct their advocates to use the force of argument before trying to thrust their working down our throats , as at present , nolens volcns ? Yours fraternally , MANCUN 1 UM .

THE LATE BRO . JOHN BOYD . TcW / ie Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Thc late Bro . John Buyd did so much for and was such an expert in the Royal Arch Degree that t am surprised that nothing has been done to perpetuate his memory , especially in Middlesex , the province in which he

held office as one of the three Grand Principals at the time of his death . If thc members of any lodge in Middlesex would like to form a chapter to be called the "John Boyd Chapter , " and any companions would like to join the same , communications on the subject can be addressed to " Roya I Arch , " care of C . B . Young , Esq ., 2 , Dowgate Hill , E . C . Yours truly and fraternally , "SCRIBE . "

ROYAL ARCH REGULATIONS . To thc Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Referring to the last letter of Bro . Magnus Ohren on the subject of Royal Arch Provincial Officers wearing their collars in a Craft lodge , I fancy a misunderstanding has arisen . The query cf your

correspondent Scribe N ., " in the Freemason of January 31 , was plain enough , viz ., " Is it right for Provincial Grand Officers , Royal Arch , to wear their collars of office in a Craft lodge ? " Bro . Ohren , in jour last issue , se-cms to have drifted away from the original query , and applies his answer to the collar and jewel of a Principal or Past Principal instead of that of a Royal Arch Provincial

Officer . The invariable custom appears to be that Royal Arch Provincial collars arc worn over Craft Provincial collars ; indeed , I have frequently seen them so worn iu Grand Lodge . True , as Bro . Ohren says , there is " the absence of authority to do so in the Book of Constitutions , " but , on the other hand , there is no prohibition mentioned . The forbidden custom , theiefore , should be our guide , ' and , showing the affinity there is between the Craft and j

Original Correspondence.

Royal Arch , I need only refer Bro . Ohren to the first paragraph , page 16 , ot the Boole of Constitutions , 1863 , octavo edition . Fraternally yours , W . F . LAMONBY , Z . 119 , P . P . G . S . B . Cumberland and Westmoreland

To Ihe Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Our excellent Comp . Magnus Ohren has not complied with my request . The original question asked was whether " Provincial Grand Officers , Koyal Arch , could wear their colhrs of office in a Craft lodge , " meaning , of course , the tricoloured

collar ? To this Comp . Ohren replied that they could not do so . I asked him for his authority for such statement , but instead of giving it , after quoting my request concctly at the beginning of his letter , he glides away entirely from the point at issue , and states that which I hope every Royal

Arch Mason is cognisant of , viz ., " That the collar and jewel of a Principal or Past Principal is not proper clothing for a Craft lodge . " No one sajs it is . The word Principal is not used in the original question or in my letter asking for his authority . Yours fraternally , P . P . G . D . C .

Reviews.

Reviews .

WATER . Water Purifying Company , 157 , Stiand , London , W . Who does not like good water ? and how often docs it happen that that s-imple element is worth moie to man than the most expensive dinner or fascinating compounds ? And yet how difficult it is to get it fresh and pure ? How

strange it seems that this great , and goodly , and needful supply of a beneficent Providence should bc lost by the folly , contaminated by the heedlessness of man . Yet so it is . And therefore we have perused this little pamphlet with great pleasure and recommend our readers to do the same . Its price is 6 d .

THE AUSTRALIAN FREEMASON . We have received it , and read it , but there is not much to report about it , except thai the Masonic strife there is not yet smoothed down . This paper n presents tbe case of the English District Grand Lodge .

THE FREEMASON . Sydney . Represents the views of the independent Grand Lodge . We do not think it wise to re-call an old controversy . We do not see our way to recognise ils legality or its Masonic status .

THE MASONIC NEWSPAPER . New York . Vol . II , No . 18 . Is a very well written and well printed weekly paper . It is full of Masonic iiifo-maiion and is ably edited , DURHAM UNIVERSITY JOURNAL . Vol . IV . No . 12 .

Ralph Wm . Saddler , Durham . This modest jouriul is intended for the members ot Durham University , and is carefully edited , and gives much university information . To those who recollect " Old Doorm " and the " amici et sodales" cf many peaceful years , it will appeal with many pleasant memories , and evoke kindly sympathies .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

CURIOUS OLD BOOKS . * The " Clavis Astrologies Elimata , " alluded lo in this column last week , was printed as a second edition in 1676 , for Benjamin Tooke and Thos . Sawbridge , " and was to be" sold at the Sh ' p , in St . Paul's Churchyard , and at the three Flower de Luces , in Lillie Britain . It is a very curious and rare book .

" Freemasonry , the Highway to Hell , " a Sermon , wherein is clearly proved , both from reason and Scripture , that all who possess these mysteries are iu a state of " Eternal Damnation . " Tnis most rational and charitable sermon is printed at London in the year 1761 . It has no printer . Let us trust that no one was willing to give his name to such nonsense and such profanity . " Le Filet d'Ariadne . " Pour entrer avtc seurete , dans

le labinnihe de la Philosophic Hermetiqui-. Is a cuiious woik , published by Laurent d'Houry , Paris , Rue St Jaques , devant Ia Fontaine , St . Severin , 16 95 . It is purely alchemical . " Cryptomenysis Patefacta , " or the Ait of Secret Information , " is a somewhat lare work , published in London , 1685 , for David Brown , at the Black Swan and Bible , without Temple Bar . MASONIC STUDENT .

MS . A NEW CONSTITUTION . [ have now a curious and interesting M * . Constitution , which 1 propose to call the " Wood Constitution , " from the brother from whom I have obtained it . lt is written on vellum and is of date 1610 . It is most carefully written , in a clear round hand , with an attempt at a rubric ruled initial letter , and has a most carefully compiled index .

I he following is the tille page : " I he Constitutions of Masonrye , Wherein is briefly declated the first foundation of science of Masonrye wilh divers good rules , orders , and precepts necessarye lo be observed of all Masons . Psalm 127 : ' Except the Lotd build the house his laboure is but loste that buildes it . ' Newlye translated by F . Whytestones , for John Sargensonne , 1610 . " Bro . Wood tells me " the MS . has been in his possession