Masonic Notes And Queries.

" the immortal , eternal , never dying , whence proceeds everything that is great , and wise , and happy ? " Assuredly not , all the little book is written against such a thought . The writer almost shows as much as asceticism as a Hindu Yoge who refuses to touch money lest it should defile him . But why have wc now to dispute on the allegorical sense of these particular books which treat on the Philosopher ' s Stone ? Because wc arc locked up in worldlincss , riches ,

and sensuality . Send thc books to some despised Hindu Swami , for he can teach thc Western Christian thc truth of thc Philosopher ' s Stone and his own religion . Several of these Rosicrucian writers , as also Paracelsus and Paschalis , learned it there , but have failed , it appears , to teach the secret of it to the West , and the best must fail with thc man who either has no soul , or believes he has none , which may possibly mean the same thing . 'Therefore , I attach

myself to the system of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Masonry which indicates the mode of proof , and developcs the true Philosopneir ' s Stone . N . B . —i . If Bro . Gould can show me the first use of the term Royal Arch , and what the grade was named before that time , he will unquestionably do a great service to the history of modern Masonry . Most assuredly nothing but documents will reason me out of what" Masonic Student "

terms myth in the face of " Long Livers , combined with known facts . 2 . The suggestion that Dr . Mead was the author of the preface of 1721 was made me by the late Bro . Herbert Irwin , 31-92 ° , but I have not had the opportunity of examining the suggestion , and 1 give that from memory , as it would be very troublesome to run over my letters . 3 . As to Morin , in 17 66 , the first step is to establish beyond question what High Grade system thc Grand Lodge

of France then recognised . 4 . I am obliged to "Masonic Student" for thc hint as to the Montauban documents of 1 S 14 , and will try to follow it out . 5 . I think you would render a Masonic service by reprinting this preface to Long Livers in a sixpenny pamphlet . I am somewhat selfish in this suggestion , as it is calculated to form a good historical basis for our own system , another proof that thc writer means what I have credited him with .

JOHN YARKER . [ We have had to " excise" some passages relative to " ritual , " & c , as they would only draw down long discussions of no good . This mixture of Craft and High Grade ceremonial is peculiar to Bro . Yarkci . —ED . F . M . J

THE CERNEAU COUNCIL , 33 ° , AND II . J . SEYMOUR . Without attempting to enter into any conflicting arguments in respect to the Cerneau , Gourgas , and Van Ranscllaer Councils at New York , their mutual expulsions and anathemas , it is possible apparently to give , in a short notice , the gist of the true position in relation to the circular letter from which you extracted a few weeks ago , and to

the accuracy of which you appear to lend the weight of your journalistic reputation . The Cerneau Council of 1 S 07 , though it had two opponents , seems to have gone on flourishing until thc year 1 SG 5 , when its Grand Secretary was Bro . D . Sickles , and its Grand Com . Bro . E . B . Hays , and it was in alliance with the Grand Orient of France . At this date Bro . Sickles attempted a fusion with Van Ranscllaer and his council , and altered without authority

the headings of thc Cerneau circular to the form of the northern jurisdiction of Van Ranscllaer , which had I believe the support of Bro . Crcicifex in England . Hays was in bad health , but had a meeting called , at which Seymour presided ; a resolution was passed condemnatory of Sickles' action and denouncing any fusion with the other council ; these voters being Seymour , Leveridge , Neefus , Roberts , Holmes , Patten , Turner , Ilanna , Beck , Peel ; , Millard , Inhnson ,

Haines , Silkc , ( Sec . pro . tem ) . A secession of Sickles , MacClennachan , Lawson , limes , and most likely some others followed ; and Seymour denounced the newly organised council as an illegitimate body . For this he was summoned before them to shew cause why he should not be expelled from this body , to which in thc strongest possible language he had refused to belong . As he took no notice of the citation he was expelled in December , iSfis . One

month following the expulsion Sickles wrote to request Seymour to call upon him , and a week after this placed his name on a " Grievance Committee , " which Seymour "treated with silent contempt . " In 1 ^ 7 the Sickles' council resolved— "All action heretofore taken in expelling members from cither council on account of former differences is hereby revoked . " Seymour's body met May 21 st , 1 SG 7 , and the following members again renounced and denounced

the scolders and their council—Haines , Turner , Beck , Peck , Solomon , Kay , Patten , Brown , Shipscy , Ellard , McGce , Dicton , the Vanderbecks , Neefus , Wells , May , Stanton , Dockson , Hodson , Ilanna , Bliss , Flanders , Bennett , Dodge , Holmsley , Pine . In 1 S 70 the Cerneau Council had twenty-three members . The above summary I extract from the "Condensed IIistory , " printed by Barry ,

316 , Washington-street , New York . It rests under these circumstances for the American Craft to consider , irrespective of acknowledgments , which side in strict justice has the best claim to their consideration . JOHN YARKER . [ VVe have had to take out one or two passages . Wc refer Bro . Yarker to our leader . —En . F . M . J

AN OLD MS . I purchased at Bro . Spencer ' s sale of his Masonic library , through Mr . E , W . Stibbs , a curious old M . S ., which had belonged to Bro . Dr . Oliver , in which , if I remember rightly , he seemed to think there were , as he said somewhere ' though my reference is mislaid , some tokens of Masonry . I have myself gone through the book carefully , but wishing to have the opinion of an " expert" upon it , at thc suggestion

of my friend , Bro . Canon Greenwell , I submitted it to Professor Fowler , of Durham , and his " analysis" of it follows , and is very interesting in itself and to all collectors and students : — "Mr . Woodford ' s MS . volume , with autograph of Geo . Oliver , D . D ., i-S . ^ fi , is in its original stamped binding , having on one side Our Lady standing on the Moon with the

Divine Infant in her arms , nnd surrounded by rays of glory , on the other Christ stripped , Jiishandsbouncl together , and His head with cruciferous nimbus . Over llim the letters I N R 1 and I C K C . Clasp gone and binding otherwise damaged . Size 7 x . sin . Leaves ( of vellum ) not numbered . It is written in black , and rubricated , with blue capitals ornamented with red . Date about 1420 . " It begins with the headings of the several chapters , in

Masonic Notes And Queries.

15 ' distinctions' or groups , then the chapters themselves , under their rubrics or headings , and after the last a colophon , giving the date of 1317 to the compilation of this particular set of statutes . This is at the end of thc Sth quaternus or gathering . "That very rare collection the Nomnsticon Cistcrcieitse contains a set of statutes of 12 S 9-1316 , which are probably the same as these ( Norn . Cist . 4 S 1-5 S 2 ) .

" The upper part of fo . 3 is torn away , but only contained part of the headings , and the beginning of thc Carta Cari / atis , which has often been printed ( a ) . " After thc Sth quaternus come the statutes of Benedict XII . ( Nom . Cist . 5 S 6-G 14 ) . Thc rubrics are defaced on account of thc Pope being mentioned . "Then come the Novella ; of 1350 ( Nom . Cist . 616-CG 2 ) , in 14 distinctions , ending at last leaf of 14 th quaternus .

" Then a form for visitations , and one for resignation and election of an abbot . " These seem to be the most valuable' parts of the MS ., as they are not to be seen anywhere in print so far as I know . " At thc end are memoranda of ( 1 ) dates of foundations of Waverley and of Furncss , ( 2 ) privileges to abbots of the Order , and ( 3 ) homicide , and on the last remaining page ,

there being three cut out , a letter from John Abbot of Garandon , father abbot and immediate visitor of the monastery of Bordesley , concerning thc election of a new abbot ( 1452 ) . " The Nomasticon Cisterciense is the great collection of Cistercicn statutes ; it is very scarce , but probably in B . M . and other great libraries . There is not one in any of our Durham libraries . ( Fo . Paris 1 G 64 , pp . 6 S 6 , with Index , & c ) .

" Les Monuments Primitifs de la Regie Cistcrciennc Dijon , Imprimcric Darantiere , rue Chabot Cliarn . y , 1 S 7 S , contains the Benedictine rule , the earliest Cist , statutes in Latin and in old French , & c , pr . 10 fr . postage I f . 15 . " There is a good introduction and it is well edited altogether . * "J . J . F . " Durham , February 17 . " ( a ) It comes at the beginning of all sets of Cist . Statutes .

STEPHEN MORIN . PART THE SECOND . Had my friend andbrother , "MasonicStudent , " awaited the second part of my investigations into the history of Stephen Morin , he would not have supposed it necessary to enlighten any one as to Grand Orient—Grand East—Orient or East—a phrase understood by every bright Mason all over the world . I have however to do with Stephen Morin and his patent , and therefore recur to the

trustworthy pages of Bro . Kloss , merely premising that this is a continuation of my former article at page twentynine of this volume . " A pecularity , " says Kloss , " in the beginning of this ' patent deserves special [ notice , because in later times an especial stress has been laid upon it , in the measure , that certain party interests have arisen , either to affirm or * to ignore in the intention of forming conclusions . This consists in the expression , 'Inthe Grand Orient oi

France . ' Dazard , who on the 27 th of February , 1 S 12 , first printed Morin ' s patent from the Golden Book of de Grassc Tilly , and after him Vassal , give the commencement of the patent in the same literal way that wc have given it . Thory , whose history , of thc Grand Orient also appeared in 1812 , gives the initial pages thus : 'To the Glory of the Almighty Architect of all ' worlds , ' and then follows on the rest of the text . VVe also find this in Besirchet ( II . 207 )

and in the Univers Macounii / ue , col . 117 , from which Thory no doubt ' reprinted . The interest of Thory anil his party evidently consisted in maintaining that the Grand Lodgeof France in 1701 had no relations with the High Degrees , although it is plainly seen , from the signatures to the patent , and the continual references to the Grand Lodge in the text itself , that such a connection existed . In addition to this it is impossible to explain , without such an amicable

union between thc two bodies , how the two highest officials , signatories to the patent , could have , allowed themselves to have endowed Stephen Morin with the power to form a St . John ' s Lodge of a vague and migratory character , in the name of the Grand Lodge . Although Thory and the French writers , expressly following him , declare that Stephen Morin was a Jew , it is only necessary to indicate his Christian name aiid his connection with the Lodge La

Trinity , to she- ?/ that as a High Grade Mason lie would be most unsatisfactory to his presumed co-religionists , but it is further settled by Article J I . of the statutes of 1755 . We should also mention a misprint in Thory . According to him , Morin was empowered in all places where the Sublime Grades were not yet diffused to nominate Inspectors . But Hazard writes in full conformity with the actual condition of things ' subslitnls tfrltdcs . ' Thory also omits the not

unimportant word Bordeaux in his reprint . It is somewhat remarkable that thc Philadelphia body of 17 S 3-G was chiefly composed of Jews , and it is additionally curious to find a number of Christians continually in the Royal Arch Degrees masquerading as Jews and descendants of thc tribes , particularly when such gross unmasonic conduct is beingCvery day exercised towards the Jews in such a Masonic country as Prussia . If Masonry be derived from

the Temple of King Solomon as wc are . taught , then doubly dear to us should lie those families and tribes traditionally descended from the co-religionists of David and Solomon , but if Masonry has nothing but universalism to recommend it , then the Jews should in no way be excluded . In the High Grades the whole scries of teaching is entirely Jewish , until we reach a point with which the Scottish Rite

has nothing to do . To denominate the High Grades Christian is a misnomer , for the few Christian attributes in Masonry arc so recent as to be unworthy of historical consideration . VVe will not now follow Stephen olorin across the Atlantic , but in my next I will describe what he actually performed under his patent , and that this was unsatisfactory was evident from his having to return and another be empowered in his stead . KENNETH R . II . MACKENZIE , IX ° .

1 Ii . u . nw . w ' s . Oivntr . -. T . \ . \ n 1 ' n . l . s combine both snnitive nnd s ' nna ' . i : e powers in a lii'jli decree—by Ihe former term is understood Iheir abiliiv In preserve health , by the latter their capability tn restore health . With these remedies at band no invalid need beat fault in i ; uide himself or herself thrnuuh the many trials to which cverv one is subjected diirini : our Ion ;; and oft-times inclement winter . ' (" oiiedis , i-iil Is , ulcerated , lluo ' ats , whooping coue . h , can be snccessfullv treateil bv rubbiiii ; this Ointment upon the chest , and by talon- . the Pills during damp , fraiiry weal her , nsllunalical sull ' ereis will experience Ibe utmost possible relief from the inunction of Ihe Ointment , ami all tender-chested persons will save endless misery bv uiloplini ; this treatment . —fAnvr . J

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . J . S . WOOLLEY . We record with very deep regret the death of Bro . J . S . VVoolley , of Upper Herbert-place , Swansea , who expired at his residence on Monday morning , the 17 th inst ., at a comparatively early age , being in his 43 rd year at the time" of his death . Wc cannot speak too highly of his many excellent qualities ; he was a kind husband , an affectionate

parent , and a firm friend . Bro . Woolley leaves a wife and four children to lament hisloss—two sons and two daughters . One son holds an engagement under the eminent firm with which his father was for so many years connected ; the other son is a medical student ; and the youngest daughter is in the Royal Academy of Music . Bro . VVoolley was particularly identified with Bridgend , having actively interested

himself in the establishment and direction of the " Ogmorc " Lodge ; he was the first VV . M ., and was re-elected at the end of his term of office . VVe add the remarks which have appeared ir . an evening contemporary , and which will , we feel , be thoroughly endorsed by his numerous friends in this locality : " Bro . Woolley was for many years the representative in South Wales of Messrs Ind . Coopeand Co .

, , the well-known brewers of Burton , in thc furtherance of whose trade he brought to bear those business instincts , and pushing , energetic capacity , which were his chief characteristics . He held a very prominent position in connection with the Masonic body , being a Past Provincial officer , a Past Master of the Indefatigable Lodge , and also a Past Master of the Ogmorc Lodge at Bridgend , of which

lodge he was the first W . M ., and in thc prosperity of which he always took a most active interest . Genial and generous-hearted in disposition , he made innumerable friends throughout the district over which he travelled for so long a period of hislife , and there is not one who knew him but will hear of his death with sincere regret , and those who knew him best will feel most regret at his loss . "

BRO . DR . J . D . MOORE , P . M ., P . G . S . B . OF - ENGLAND , & c . We record this ; week with regret the death of Bro . John Daniel Moore , M . D ., which took place at his residence in Queen-street , Lancaster , on the 17 th inst ., at the age of forty-six . For some months back Dr . Moore has shown signs of failing health , but much against the advice of his

friends he continued to attend his professional dutiesinstead of taking that rest which he stood so much in need of himself . About three months ago Dr . Moore had a severe attack of illness , which subsequentl y developed into a complication of diseases , and from which—although at one time he had sufficiently recovered to be able to take outdoor exercise—he never rallied . For a couple of weeks or so

prior to his death , Dr . Moore was slightly better , but on Friday last a relapse set in , and it was evident he could not long survive , his frame being exhausted by thc previous sufferings he had undergone , and he died , as already stated . Although Dr . Moore was not a native of the town yet he has been resident 'here so long as to have become identified with it . He first came to Lancaster about 1 SG 2 , as assistant

medical officer to the Lancastct County Lunatic Asylum . Subsequently he " entered into partnership with Mr . Howitt , surgeon , of Queen-square , and in conjunction with that gentleman carrried on a large practice , which since the retirement of the latter a few years ago , was successfully continued by the deceased . Some few years back Dr . Moore took considerable interest in subjects of natural

history and science , and on which he frequently lectured , treating the matter in hand with a freshness and vigour which made it at once interesting and instructive . Dr . Moore was for a period of sixteen years honorary secretary of the Lancaster Athcnicum Company , in the management of which he took a very prominent part during the whole of that time . His illness , and subsequent resignation of the

office he held , had an important inlluence in accelerating the decision of the directors to abandon the society's entertainments . He was also the surgeon to the Dukeof Lancaster ' s Own Yeomanry , an office which he held at the time of his death . For the last fifteen years Dr . Moore devoted considerable time and attention to Masonic matters , and very rapidly , and at the same time very deservedly , attained

the front yank amongst the members of that body , and in this district was looked upon as the leader in Masonic thought . His advancement in the Craft was mainly attained by sheer hard work and constant study of Masonic lore , and it may truly be said of him that no Lancaster gentleman ever manifested a more lively interest in all matters conned ed with the Craft . He was a member of all the lodges in the town , and always met with a hearty welcome

at the business and other meetings of the Order . The remains were interred at Lancaster Cemetery on Thursday morning , the 20 th inst ., and the funeral was attended by about eighty gentlemen , representatives of Freemasons ' lodges , and others . Three beautiful wreaths were laid upon the coffin . A goodly number of persons congregated around the grave to lake a lingering I „ ok at the coffin after thc body had been consigned to its las ' , resting-place .

BRO . S . VV . IRON . By the death of Bio . Past Master S . W . Iron , the Burgoync Lodge , No . 902 , has lost one of its most esteemed members . The departed brother was initiated in thc above lodge on the iSth April , 1 S 64 , and having duly served all the minor offices was unanimously elected to the chair of K . S ., into which he was duly inducted on the 23 rd February ,

iSGg , and has ever since taken the deepest interest in the welfare of this his mother lodge . Some ten years ago he was exalted in Royal Arch Masonry in the Buckingham Chapter , 591 , at Aylesbury , but we believe he never occupied office in this holy rite . Our brother's death was the result of an accident directly attributable to the late inclement weather . Alighting from a cab at the door of

his private residence , on his return from his usual avocation 011 the evening of Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., and proceeding up the first ( light of ssteps on his way to his dinner , in his dining room , he slipped on a piece of ice at thc top step and falling down the entire flight stiuck the back of his head upon thc iron scraper , sustaining a star fracture of

the skull , from which he never rallied but expired painlessly twenty-four hours afterwards . A coroner ' s inquest , held on the following Saturday , returned a verdict of accidental death . The unhappy occurrence of course placed the Burgoync Lodge in mourning at its regular meeting , on Monday evening last . ii