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Article BRO. LESSING AND HIS MASONIC CONVERSATIONS. ← Page 2 of 2 Article BRO. LESSING AND HIS MASONIC CONVERSATIONS. Page 2 of 2 Article DEDICATION OF THE NEW MASONIC HALL AT HAVERFORDWEST. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. Lessing And His Masonic Conversations.
the results ( if simple beginnings , and thus it has iareei with the Masonic body , as with so many others . Traditions , more or less trustworthy , have been perpetuated , symbolic legends have been ! V : HnipuIated into shape , and received popular ( . Masonic ) acceptance , but substantial !) -, these legends are about as truthful as are the fables of
Persian Divs , or the fancied Jinns of Arabia ; the tales of Horam , the Son of Asmar , are as credibly true . The spirit of mysticism , however much it may be trampled down , ever re-asserts itself , and tales of magic and wonder , in some form , arise again from age to age . Thus fancied historical
legends have received credence , and stories of H . A . B . and other worthies , have been allowed to pass into veritable acceptation . Symbolically accepted , there is no finer legend than that of H . A . B . ; practically , it is worthless . We must rid ourselves of these adumbrative legends ; we must not let fiction become fact , and in saying so , I feel that none of mv brethren will
challenge me . " And I likewise see that you have been labouring by the tombs of our ancestors , " observes Falk ; so did our illustrious brother Lord Lei gh , when he recentl y laid a foundation-stone with the actual trowel used by King Charles the Second for St . Paul ' s Cathedral . The tombs of onr
ancestors ! Why , every good deed is foreshadowed by our ancestors , and yet they may never have existed in esse , but onl y in posse . Who can trace , with certainti / , the lineage of his famil y for more than perchance two generations ? Yet the principle obtains ; and hence what cannot , and will never be , true , in fact , is deliberatel y to be confirmed as a sign .
The predecessors of tlie Freemasons , it can scarcely be doubted , belonged to the various bodies of mystics , whose obscure ori gin is buried in tlie medircval age . But documentary evidence of ceremonial observance is wholl y deficient . It is like the belief in the One God , a matter rather
patent to the mind , than historicall y demonstrable . Were we to take some of the dicta of the Talmud , some of the axioms of the Rosenkreutzers , some ofthe traditions of the Kni ghts of Rhodes , Malta , or St . John of Jerusalem , we should arrive at more positive history than in
bolstering up a story of King Solomon ' s Temple with all its magnificent adornments . Talmud , Jacob Boehme , Kni ghts of Rhodes , Malta , & c , all exist , but the famous Three committing the terrible murder commemorated in our myth , are trul y figments of a too livel y imagination .
How many Temples were there ? How are we even to find at El Khods any traces of Temples ? How could , accepting the literal interpretation of the Scriptures , King Solomon , notorious for his amours and other things , have been
the individual selected to build a Temple , silent , not made with hands , especially when in alliance with a pagan sovereign , Hiram of Tyre , and an architect doubtfully sprung from the tribe of Naphtali ?
Does it not stamp itself as a seventeenth or eighteenth century adaption of a legend , in itself both praiseworthy and profitable ? And yet the legend is , or may be taken to be , figuratively true . In that sense we surely are ail agreed ,
and I would add my honest testimony to the clrect it has wrought on our noble instinct of Charity . Almost unrivalled in the Universe stands the Masonic Order , but do not let us run away with the idea that it is cither of remote
antiquity , or of speciall y Divine sanction . I shall show in the course ofthe following papers whence it came , and whither it proposes to go . lam strong with the authority of such writers as Kloss upon tin ' s point , and tu him I will next appeal .
_ 13 ro . George Kloss says in his " History of Freemasonry in France , " that " If it be desired to _ re-conduct the origin of Freemasonry into the hi ghest possible antiquity , it would be necessary to desi gnate the first man who built
Willi designative self-consciousness the first shed to protect himself from the sun ' s rays , or the effects of adverse weather , by the title of Freemason . Thus the origin uf Freemasonry would be coincident with the the first efforts of human
inventive activity , leading into nihilism , so far as the power of arclireological research is concerned , for under these circumstances , any builder for
Bro. Lessing And His Masonic Conversations.
his own mere selfish behoof , might be regarded as a Freemason . That this was not tlie case , that it could not be the case , is beyond thc realm of argument . " We may , I think , safely deduce from this , that the Talmudical tradition , preserved amidst the
legends of the middle ages , when magic had its sway , as to the Book delivered by the Angel Raziel to Adam , containing all wisdom , or the story about the two pillars of Seth or Enoch , are merely symbolical ideas , accommodated by the mystics to suit the views they intended to
disseminate ; forming in fact a portion of universal mythology . " Men , " continues Bro . Kloss , whom I here summarize , but do not misinterpret , " could not for ever merely look earthwards , their attention
would be fascinated by the phenomena of the skies , and a natural feeling , not only to think of , but to learn to know the majesty of the Creator , would succeed , at any rate with some few of the more enlightened . "
In this few of the more enlightened , may we not , peihaps , find the ancestors to whom Falk alluded ? By whose tombs Ernest had been labouring at tlie problem of humanity ? Many writers have sought , indeed have
maintained , that modern Freemasonry has been the outbirth of the ancient mysteries of the Egyptians , the Samothracians , the Greeks , and the degraded rehabilitators of the Isiac Rite in the Roman territory . Some humourist has declared that toenails were a base invention of the monks
to deceive the people , so also is it with this high-born origin of Masonry , alike mythical and absurd . Although all secret societies have had their forms and ceremonies , more or less august , they never sought them in pagandom , or even in Hebraic localities .
Ihe best thing , and the truest , that can be said is , that they had their origin in England , that the peculiar rites have grown up . under the hands of sincere and honest men , into tlieir present form from a motive to preserve secret the means of mutual succour and rescue from danger .
Freemasonry was unknown on the Continent , as such , until the Prussian Knights ( Teutsehen Ordcn ) , on the one hand , and Lord Derwentwater on the other , introduced the rude skeleton of Johannite Masonry , severally , into Prussia Proper and France . Surejy if it had any more ancient
origin , it would not have crossed the English Channel , or Pas de Calais , at so late a period as 1725 ? Surely , if it had been more ancient , we should not find four lodges alone meeting under Desaguliers and Anderson , in 1717 , or thereabouts ? And in the face of modern archaeology
who can dare to put more than a symbolical construction on the legend of H . A . B . ? This is not said as a slur , or an insult , either to the First Great Light , or the fraternity at large : I undertake to prove it , point by point , and with
a patient and fraternal hearing , I shall gain the suffrages of my readers . Philology will be called in to bear out what I shall advance , and what Bro . Lessing , in 1778 , did not scruple to assert .
There is also a deep interest attached to this inquiry , As we proceed , the past life of man will start into vivid colours , and , divested of much mystery , without disclosing any esoteric secrets .
it will be seen that man , as man 111 his truest sense , has been linked throughout the ages by the subtlest agencies , intended for his social and mental welfare . For the present then , farewell . CRYPTONYMUS . Sth June , A . D . 1872 , A-L . 5 S 76 .
IIoi . j . tiwAvs' PILI . S AND OINTMENT . —l- ' rom high temperatures many e \ ils result more formidable than mere loss of appetite , apathy , anel restlessness . By headache , giddiness , anel parcheel skin , Nature gives warning that a feverish attack lias begun , which neglect will intensify if the sufferer fail to resort early lei these cleansing anil regulating pills , or some such corrective medicine .
Ilolleiways' I'ills meet all disarrangements of the circulation and nervous centres with efficiency anil safety , anil through these potent auxiliaries they are competent to check the advancing malady and to conepjer the threatened peril . In disorelereil digestion , torpidity of the liver , alvine pains , itritable bowels , diarrhoea , or dysenteric symptoms , Holloway ' s Ointment should be well rubbed twice a day upon the abdomen . —ADVT .
Dedication Of The New Masonic Hall At Haverfordwest.
DEDICATION OF THE NEW MASONIC HALL AT HAVERFORDWEST .
The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Western Division of South Wales was held at the Masonic Hall , recently erected by the members of the Cambrian Lodge , 464 , at Haverfordwest , under the presidency of the Rig ht Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master ,
Bro . Sir Pryse Pryse , Bart ., of Gogerddan , assisted by tlie Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Major J . A . Lloyd-PhilMps , of Mabws , Cardiganshire . There was a large r . iuster of the brethren of
the province , and a few distinguished visitors , among whom were : —Bro . E . J . Morris , of Swansea , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the Eastern Division of South Wales ; and Bro . Capt . S . G . Hcnfray , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for . Monmouthshire .
The first part of the day ' s proceedings was the dedication and consecration ofthe new Masonic hall , which is a very handsome structure , with a noble Corinthian portico , situate in Picton Place , Haverfordwest , built by the brethren of the Cambrian Lodge , in that town , at a cost of
nearly ,= £ 2000 . From the steps of the portico , a roomy vestibule , with staircase leading to commodious robing rooms , is gained , and attached is a large airy ante-room , and the entrance to the hall , which is a splendid apartment of about 70 feet long , by 30 feet wide , and very lofty , well
lighted by three large windows atthe eastern end , and by several gas sunlights . The fittings and furniture are in good taste , and if a raised dais was added in the east , the hall would be very complete and handsome , and a temple well worthy the noble purpose for whicii it has been
designed . Lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . T . Rule Owen , and a procession formed of the Provincial Grand Officers , who , with the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , and his deputy and guests , entered the hall at about 3
o ' clock . The prayers and portions of scriptureproper to the occasion , were most impressively delivered by the Provincial Grand Chaplain , the Rev . Latimer M . Jones , the vicar of St . Peter ' s , Carmarthen , and W . M . of Lodge 476 , in that town .
The ceremony of dedication and consecration was splendidly performed by the R . W . the Provincial Grand Master , and the musical arrangements , under the Provincial Grand Organist , Bro . W . D . Harding , P . M . 4 64 , left nothing to be desired .
A procession , most admirably marshalled by Bro . J . Pell , 10 72 , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., was then formed , and the whole of the brethren , numbering upwards of 150 , proceeded to St . Mary ' s church , wherethey were received with a Te Damn ,
beautifully executed by the Provincial Grand Organist , and the choir of the church . After the prayers had been read a most impressive sermon was preached by the Prov . Grand Chaplain , the Rev . Latimer M . Jones . Procession was then reformed and the brethren
returned to the Hall , when the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master immediately proceeded to hold the Provincial Grand Lodge . The minutes ofthe previous meeting having been read by the Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . G . T . Smith , P . M . 1072 , the accounts of the Prov . G . Treasurer were received and approved , as was also the report of the Audit Committee .
Sir Pryse Pryse , the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , then proposed the re-election of Bro . Capt . Henry Williams , P . M . 366 , as Prov . G . Treasurer , which was seconded by the Prov . S . G . Warden , and carried unanimously . The Prov . G . Master then proceeded to invest the Prov . G . Officers for the year as follows :.-
—Major J . A . Lloyd-Philipps Dep . Prov . G . M . T . Philipps , P . M . dd , 378 , 7 p # s . G . Warden . 99 ° 5 James Weeks Szlumper , \ p T r \ V C . E ., W . M . 1072 j 1 . J . ^ r . vv .
Revd Latimer M . Jones , 1 G cha la ; n-W . M ., 476 ) l Henry Williams , P . M . 366 . P . G . Treasurer . T . Rule Owen , W . M . 4 64 , P . G . Registrar . G . Tempany Smith , P . M . \ -p Q Sec i ° 7 3 )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. Lessing And His Masonic Conversations.
the results ( if simple beginnings , and thus it has iareei with the Masonic body , as with so many others . Traditions , more or less trustworthy , have been perpetuated , symbolic legends have been ! V : HnipuIated into shape , and received popular ( . Masonic ) acceptance , but substantial !) -, these legends are about as truthful as are the fables of
Persian Divs , or the fancied Jinns of Arabia ; the tales of Horam , the Son of Asmar , are as credibly true . The spirit of mysticism , however much it may be trampled down , ever re-asserts itself , and tales of magic and wonder , in some form , arise again from age to age . Thus fancied historical
legends have received credence , and stories of H . A . B . and other worthies , have been allowed to pass into veritable acceptation . Symbolically accepted , there is no finer legend than that of H . A . B . ; practically , it is worthless . We must rid ourselves of these adumbrative legends ; we must not let fiction become fact , and in saying so , I feel that none of mv brethren will
challenge me . " And I likewise see that you have been labouring by the tombs of our ancestors , " observes Falk ; so did our illustrious brother Lord Lei gh , when he recentl y laid a foundation-stone with the actual trowel used by King Charles the Second for St . Paul ' s Cathedral . The tombs of onr
ancestors ! Why , every good deed is foreshadowed by our ancestors , and yet they may never have existed in esse , but onl y in posse . Who can trace , with certainti / , the lineage of his famil y for more than perchance two generations ? Yet the principle obtains ; and hence what cannot , and will never be , true , in fact , is deliberatel y to be confirmed as a sign .
The predecessors of tlie Freemasons , it can scarcely be doubted , belonged to the various bodies of mystics , whose obscure ori gin is buried in tlie medircval age . But documentary evidence of ceremonial observance is wholl y deficient . It is like the belief in the One God , a matter rather
patent to the mind , than historicall y demonstrable . Were we to take some of the dicta of the Talmud , some of the axioms of the Rosenkreutzers , some ofthe traditions of the Kni ghts of Rhodes , Malta , or St . John of Jerusalem , we should arrive at more positive history than in
bolstering up a story of King Solomon ' s Temple with all its magnificent adornments . Talmud , Jacob Boehme , Kni ghts of Rhodes , Malta , & c , all exist , but the famous Three committing the terrible murder commemorated in our myth , are trul y figments of a too livel y imagination .
How many Temples were there ? How are we even to find at El Khods any traces of Temples ? How could , accepting the literal interpretation of the Scriptures , King Solomon , notorious for his amours and other things , have been
the individual selected to build a Temple , silent , not made with hands , especially when in alliance with a pagan sovereign , Hiram of Tyre , and an architect doubtfully sprung from the tribe of Naphtali ?
Does it not stamp itself as a seventeenth or eighteenth century adaption of a legend , in itself both praiseworthy and profitable ? And yet the legend is , or may be taken to be , figuratively true . In that sense we surely are ail agreed ,
and I would add my honest testimony to the clrect it has wrought on our noble instinct of Charity . Almost unrivalled in the Universe stands the Masonic Order , but do not let us run away with the idea that it is cither of remote
antiquity , or of speciall y Divine sanction . I shall show in the course ofthe following papers whence it came , and whither it proposes to go . lam strong with the authority of such writers as Kloss upon tin ' s point , and tu him I will next appeal .
_ 13 ro . George Kloss says in his " History of Freemasonry in France , " that " If it be desired to _ re-conduct the origin of Freemasonry into the hi ghest possible antiquity , it would be necessary to desi gnate the first man who built
Willi designative self-consciousness the first shed to protect himself from the sun ' s rays , or the effects of adverse weather , by the title of Freemason . Thus the origin uf Freemasonry would be coincident with the the first efforts of human
inventive activity , leading into nihilism , so far as the power of arclireological research is concerned , for under these circumstances , any builder for
Bro. Lessing And His Masonic Conversations.
his own mere selfish behoof , might be regarded as a Freemason . That this was not tlie case , that it could not be the case , is beyond thc realm of argument . " We may , I think , safely deduce from this , that the Talmudical tradition , preserved amidst the
legends of the middle ages , when magic had its sway , as to the Book delivered by the Angel Raziel to Adam , containing all wisdom , or the story about the two pillars of Seth or Enoch , are merely symbolical ideas , accommodated by the mystics to suit the views they intended to
disseminate ; forming in fact a portion of universal mythology . " Men , " continues Bro . Kloss , whom I here summarize , but do not misinterpret , " could not for ever merely look earthwards , their attention
would be fascinated by the phenomena of the skies , and a natural feeling , not only to think of , but to learn to know the majesty of the Creator , would succeed , at any rate with some few of the more enlightened . "
In this few of the more enlightened , may we not , peihaps , find the ancestors to whom Falk alluded ? By whose tombs Ernest had been labouring at tlie problem of humanity ? Many writers have sought , indeed have
maintained , that modern Freemasonry has been the outbirth of the ancient mysteries of the Egyptians , the Samothracians , the Greeks , and the degraded rehabilitators of the Isiac Rite in the Roman territory . Some humourist has declared that toenails were a base invention of the monks
to deceive the people , so also is it with this high-born origin of Masonry , alike mythical and absurd . Although all secret societies have had their forms and ceremonies , more or less august , they never sought them in pagandom , or even in Hebraic localities .
Ihe best thing , and the truest , that can be said is , that they had their origin in England , that the peculiar rites have grown up . under the hands of sincere and honest men , into tlieir present form from a motive to preserve secret the means of mutual succour and rescue from danger .
Freemasonry was unknown on the Continent , as such , until the Prussian Knights ( Teutsehen Ordcn ) , on the one hand , and Lord Derwentwater on the other , introduced the rude skeleton of Johannite Masonry , severally , into Prussia Proper and France . Surejy if it had any more ancient
origin , it would not have crossed the English Channel , or Pas de Calais , at so late a period as 1725 ? Surely , if it had been more ancient , we should not find four lodges alone meeting under Desaguliers and Anderson , in 1717 , or thereabouts ? And in the face of modern archaeology
who can dare to put more than a symbolical construction on the legend of H . A . B . ? This is not said as a slur , or an insult , either to the First Great Light , or the fraternity at large : I undertake to prove it , point by point , and with
a patient and fraternal hearing , I shall gain the suffrages of my readers . Philology will be called in to bear out what I shall advance , and what Bro . Lessing , in 1778 , did not scruple to assert .
There is also a deep interest attached to this inquiry , As we proceed , the past life of man will start into vivid colours , and , divested of much mystery , without disclosing any esoteric secrets .
it will be seen that man , as man 111 his truest sense , has been linked throughout the ages by the subtlest agencies , intended for his social and mental welfare . For the present then , farewell . CRYPTONYMUS . Sth June , A . D . 1872 , A-L . 5 S 76 .
IIoi . j . tiwAvs' PILI . S AND OINTMENT . —l- ' rom high temperatures many e \ ils result more formidable than mere loss of appetite , apathy , anel restlessness . By headache , giddiness , anel parcheel skin , Nature gives warning that a feverish attack lias begun , which neglect will intensify if the sufferer fail to resort early lei these cleansing anil regulating pills , or some such corrective medicine .
Ilolleiways' I'ills meet all disarrangements of the circulation and nervous centres with efficiency anil safety , anil through these potent auxiliaries they are competent to check the advancing malady and to conepjer the threatened peril . In disorelereil digestion , torpidity of the liver , alvine pains , itritable bowels , diarrhoea , or dysenteric symptoms , Holloway ' s Ointment should be well rubbed twice a day upon the abdomen . —ADVT .
Dedication Of The New Masonic Hall At Haverfordwest.
DEDICATION OF THE NEW MASONIC HALL AT HAVERFORDWEST .
The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Western Division of South Wales was held at the Masonic Hall , recently erected by the members of the Cambrian Lodge , 464 , at Haverfordwest , under the presidency of the Rig ht Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master ,
Bro . Sir Pryse Pryse , Bart ., of Gogerddan , assisted by tlie Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Major J . A . Lloyd-PhilMps , of Mabws , Cardiganshire . There was a large r . iuster of the brethren of
the province , and a few distinguished visitors , among whom were : —Bro . E . J . Morris , of Swansea , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the Eastern Division of South Wales ; and Bro . Capt . S . G . Hcnfray , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for . Monmouthshire .
The first part of the day ' s proceedings was the dedication and consecration ofthe new Masonic hall , which is a very handsome structure , with a noble Corinthian portico , situate in Picton Place , Haverfordwest , built by the brethren of the Cambrian Lodge , in that town , at a cost of
nearly ,= £ 2000 . From the steps of the portico , a roomy vestibule , with staircase leading to commodious robing rooms , is gained , and attached is a large airy ante-room , and the entrance to the hall , which is a splendid apartment of about 70 feet long , by 30 feet wide , and very lofty , well
lighted by three large windows atthe eastern end , and by several gas sunlights . The fittings and furniture are in good taste , and if a raised dais was added in the east , the hall would be very complete and handsome , and a temple well worthy the noble purpose for whicii it has been
designed . Lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . T . Rule Owen , and a procession formed of the Provincial Grand Officers , who , with the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , and his deputy and guests , entered the hall at about 3
o ' clock . The prayers and portions of scriptureproper to the occasion , were most impressively delivered by the Provincial Grand Chaplain , the Rev . Latimer M . Jones , the vicar of St . Peter ' s , Carmarthen , and W . M . of Lodge 476 , in that town .
The ceremony of dedication and consecration was splendidly performed by the R . W . the Provincial Grand Master , and the musical arrangements , under the Provincial Grand Organist , Bro . W . D . Harding , P . M . 4 64 , left nothing to be desired .
A procession , most admirably marshalled by Bro . J . Pell , 10 72 , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., was then formed , and the whole of the brethren , numbering upwards of 150 , proceeded to St . Mary ' s church , wherethey were received with a Te Damn ,
beautifully executed by the Provincial Grand Organist , and the choir of the church . After the prayers had been read a most impressive sermon was preached by the Prov . Grand Chaplain , the Rev . Latimer M . Jones . Procession was then reformed and the brethren
returned to the Hall , when the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master immediately proceeded to hold the Provincial Grand Lodge . The minutes ofthe previous meeting having been read by the Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . G . T . Smith , P . M . 1072 , the accounts of the Prov . G . Treasurer were received and approved , as was also the report of the Audit Committee .
Sir Pryse Pryse , the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , then proposed the re-election of Bro . Capt . Henry Williams , P . M . 366 , as Prov . G . Treasurer , which was seconded by the Prov . S . G . Warden , and carried unanimously . The Prov . G . Master then proceeded to invest the Prov . G . Officers for the year as follows :.-
—Major J . A . Lloyd-Philipps Dep . Prov . G . M . T . Philipps , P . M . dd , 378 , 7 p # s . G . Warden . 99 ° 5 James Weeks Szlumper , \ p T r \ V C . E ., W . M . 1072 j 1 . J . ^ r . vv .
Revd Latimer M . Jones , 1 G cha la ; n-W . M ., 476 ) l Henry Williams , P . M . 366 . P . G . Treasurer . T . Rule Owen , W . M . 4 64 , P . G . Registrar . G . Tempany Smith , P . M . \ -p Q Sec i ° 7 3 )