Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
masonry , —a subject on which they really know nothing at all . To all such we beg to recommend the answer of HORACE WALPOLE , who , when FREDERIC , Prince of Wales , a member of our Order , asked him " 11 he was a Freemason , " replied : " No , Sir ; I never was anything . " Isis , with her veil of old . was a fitting emblem of our great Fraternity , for we are not bound to find brains for those who have none , and we are not compelled to reveal our mysteries for the amusement of the childish , the satisfaction of the credulous , or the enlightment of the ignorant and the profane .
THE point brought out by the election of Bro . CAMA as an honorary member of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , which we reported last week , is of more importance than might at first sight appear . For it proclaims with almost untellable reality the Cosmopolitanism of English Freemasonry .
Other jurisdictions , especially abroad , may avow the same truth ; but , according to our view , there is always an " arriere pensee" in all they say and do on the subject . The French Grand Orient , for instance , uses those magnificent words , —whatever they may really mean , — "La Solidarity Humaine ; " but in the concrete weare all perfectly aware , whatever their professions may be in the abstract , they manage to shut out all who do
really believe in T . G . A . O . U . Hence their assumed Cosmopolitanism is alike one-sided and insincere . Since 1 S 13 the English Grand Lodge has hoisted manfully the grand bannerol Toleration ; and , undeterred by opposition and anathema , has enrolled amongst its members all who believe in the Fatherhood of GOD and the Brotherhood of Man . It alone rejects the Atheist , and declines to admit into its ranks the man who blindly and wilfully shut ? his eyes lo the eternal existence of a Supreme Being , and His
ceaseless moral government of the world . If our English Freemasonry is inconsistent in this respect , as some professors of Positivism assert , on the great ground of absolute freedom and toleration of opinion , it is inconsistent , and must remain inconsistent . Sure we are of this , —that if Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry ever thought to surrender its ancient and valuable formularies of belief in the MOST HIGH to the follies , weakness , and absurdity of the cynic agnosticism of the hour , it would soon be swept away from the surface of the earth , amid the contempt and rejoicing of mankind .
* # * THE continued advance of English Freemasonry is well shown by the new " Cosmopolitan Calendar , " by which , " up to date , " so to say , the English lodges number in the gross 2064 , as against 2022 at this same period last year . Indeed , it is a very wonderful totality which the " Cosmopolitan
Calendar announces so admirably and completely to the Masonic world , and may make us all think seriously on various points connected with the progress and prosperity of English Freemasonry . We may add that the " Cosmo , " as it is often familiarly termed contains reliable information on all Grades which we know not where else to obtain .
* * * SOME time ago we took exception to certain dicta of our esteemed confrere , P . G . M . J SIMONS , of New York , the Editor of the New York Dispatch , in respect of his approval of the law of the Grand Lodge of New York , —that all members present in lodge at a ballot mvst vote , and that nonvoting constituted a Masonic offence . We also ventured to suggest " inter
alia " the formation ol a law 0 / appeal , composed oi all the Grand Masters of the American Grand Lodges , to decide all "dicta " on various subjects , many of which now are slightly conflicting and often very puzzling . To these humbler remarks of ours Bro . SIMONS replies as follows in the New York Dispatch of November 9 th : " About which we desire to remark that , in the United States there are some forty odd Grand Lodges , each of
which is sovereign , supreme , and independent within the lines of its jurisdiction ; and therefore , each makes such regulations as may in its own judgment best suit the needs ot its constituents ; and hence , what is good law in one State may have no effect in another so far as local matters are concerned . While , therefore , we are all as one , so far as the general principles and requirements of the . Fraternity are in question , in minor
matters there are many differences of practice , none of which affect the general status as regards the Institution . The decision above noted is according to the law of New York , and is gradually becoming that of other Grand Lodges in the realm , and the reason for it is , that we hold in this State that the ballot must be secret and must be sacred ; therefore , the rule that all members present must vote , in order that there may be no question
as to how any particular member expressed his opmion , We fail to perceive in this any element of despotism , but only a safeguard to all , to the end that there may be no means of ascertaining the manner of any brother ' s vote . VVe will not agree to any supreme court , because we claim in each jurisdiction to be supreme in ourselves , and , so far as we can see , no one jurisdiction is willing to be governed by another , or to accept principles
outside of the acknowledged rule of the rraternity not fitting its own practice . It follows that there can be no general practice , and that a convention of Grand Masters or delegates is simply an impossibility , because we should none ' of us be willing to accept its decisions . It is all right as it is , and while we accept the present conditions we desire that our correspondent should do the same . " We shall recur to the subject ( D . V . ) next week .
* * * TESTIMONIALS are presented nowadays so frequently , and occasionally on such slight grounds , of justification , that we need offer no apology for making special reference to the gathering on Friday last in the Venetian Hall of the Holborn Restaurant , and the occasion which led to it . There are probably few men who have been more worthily honoured , not only by his
friends , but also bv the representatives of the institutions he has so often and so largely befriended , than Bro . Captain GEORGE LAMBERT , Past Grand Sword Bearer ; but it must be borne in mind likewise that there are few among us who have so richly deserved such honour . To us Masons especially the circumstances in which Bro . LAMBERT fi gured so prominently on the day referred to must be gratifying in the highest degree . It has been
said that a brother cannot be a good Mason who is not a good man . Here , at all events , we have the case of a brother in doing honour to whom it is difficult to say whether Masons or non-Masons have shown the greater anxiety . Perhaps it will suffice if we point out that both have shown a laudable desire to recognise services which have been rendered to both , and
thai 1 here is not a pin to choose in the degree of success achieved by each . The great fact we are desirous of signalising here is , that it is a member of that Ijeni gliied (?) and much calumniated Masonic Brotherhood whom so many piomineni persons and the representatives of so many public institutions have recently delighted to honour , and that that member is Bro . GEORGE LAMBERT , Past Grand Sword Bearer of England .
Ar00201
A SIMILAR celebration was held under the same hospitable roof on the following day , when Bro . MARSHALL , our Grand Treasurer , was presented by his friends with an appropriate testimonial in recognition of his services to the Craft in particular and the public generally . Bro . MARSHALL is the junior in Masonry of Bro . LAMBERT , but he has begun his career as one of our
brotherhood with the evident determination to prove that youth is no impediment to good and worthy work , while his friends and admirers made it clear on Saturday that the question of years is of little or no account with them when the occasion is held to have arisen for recognising merit of an exceptional character .
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
The following business will be transacted on Wednesday , the 3 rd December . 1 . The minutes of the Quarterly Communication of the 3 rd September , 1884 , for confirmation . 2 . Nomination of a Grand Master for the ensuing year . 3 . Nomination of a Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year .
4 . To read a letter , dated 3 rd October , 1 S 84 , from the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Quebec on the subject of the three English lodges in that colony , and addressed to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , together with the reply of his Royal Highness thereto . = ; . Appointment of a President of the Board of Benevolence .
6 . Election of a Senior and a Junior Vice-President of the Board of Benevolence . 7 . Election of 12 Past Masters to serve on the Board of Benevolence for the year ensuing . 8 . Report of the Board of Benevolence for the last quarter , in which are recommendations for the following grants , viz .: — The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Harmony , No . 20 S ,
Rochdale . . . . . . £ 50 0 o The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Friendship , No . 202 , Devonport . ' . . . . . 50 o o A brother of the Alfred Lodge , No . 306 , Leeds . . 100 o o A brother of the Brent Lodge , No . 1284 , Topsham . . 50 o o The widow of a broiher of the St . Matthew Lodge , No . 1447 ,
Barton-on-Humber .... 100 o o A brother of the f ' ripplegate Lodge , No . 1613 , London . 50 o o A brother of the Warden Lodge , No . 794 , Sutton Coldfield . 50 o o A brother of the Lodge of Harmony , No . 935 , Salford . . 50 o o The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Prudence , No . 219 ,
Todmorden . . . . . . 75 o o A brother of the Lodge of Faith , No . 484 , Ashton in-Makerfield . 100 o o The widow of a brother of the Royal Forest of Dean Lodge , No . 1067 , Newnham-on-Severn .... too o o
A brother of the Worcester Lodge , No . 280 , Worcester . . 100 o o A brother of the Leopold Lodge , No . 1571 , London . . 50 o o A brother of the Duke of Cornwall Lodge , No . 1839 , London . 50 o o The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Faith , No . 141 , London . 50 o o A brother of the Lodge of Industry , No . 1 S 6 , London . 50 0 o
9 . REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . TO the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Board of General Purposes regret having to report that Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , has been reluctantl y compelled by the very serious state of his health , to resign his position as chief clerk in the Grand Secretary ' s Office , after a service of 30 years .
Taking into consideration the lengthened services of Bro . Buss , the able , efficient , and courteous manner in which he has at all times discharged . his duties , his advanced age , and the fact of his resignation being forced upon him by his state of health , the Board unanimously recommend to Grand Lodge that Bro . Buss be granted a retiring pension of £ 400 per annum , being the full amount of the salary he has been receiving for several years as chief clerk .
The Board further report that Bros . W . J . Hughan and T . B . Whytehead have each presented a book to the library , which the Board have acknowledged with thanks . ( Signed ) THOMAS FENN , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 18 th November , 1884 .
To the report is subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge Accounts , at the last meeting ol the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 14 th day of November inst ., shewing a balance in the Bank of England ( Western Branch ) of ^ 1466 6 s . 4 d ., and in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 100 , and lor servants' wages £ 100 , and balance for annual allowance lor library £ a 12 s . 2 d .
10 . REPORT OF SPECIAL BUILDING COMMITTEE . To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Special Building Committee have to report to Grand Lodge the progress they have made in the work committed to their charge .
The Great Hall has now been restored on the same lines as the one recently burned , but advantage has been taken of the opportunity to re-open the old gallery at the entrance end , and to connect it with the Hall by a staircase , thereby providing about 80 additional seats ; other extra seats have also been provided in various parts of the Hall , making a total increase of accommodation for over 100 brethren below the dais .
It having been found that the means of entrance and exit hitherto existing were quite inadequate for the requirements of Grand Lodge , and indeed were such as would probably not be sanctioned under the present Metropolitan Regulations , an exit for use in case ot fire or other accident has had to be constructed at the back of the proper left of the dais , leading by broad
stone steps to the yard in the west rear of the Hall ; another exit has also been formed on the west side under the gallery leading into the main corridor , and a third from the gallery into the upper corridor , making now five separate exits which can be used in cases of urgent necessity . A new and complete system of ventilation has been provided , which , it is hoped , may conduce to the comfort of the brethren .
The boiler flues and chimney belonging 10 the kitchen of Freemasons ' Tavern—which have hitherto been in dangerous proximity to the Hall—have now been removed to another position . The 10 pictures of Grand Masters having been unfortunately destroyed , authentic copies have been made by well - known artists , namely , Bros . The Chevr . Desanges , Stephen Peirce , H . S . Marks , W . M . Hay , and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
masonry , —a subject on which they really know nothing at all . To all such we beg to recommend the answer of HORACE WALPOLE , who , when FREDERIC , Prince of Wales , a member of our Order , asked him " 11 he was a Freemason , " replied : " No , Sir ; I never was anything . " Isis , with her veil of old . was a fitting emblem of our great Fraternity , for we are not bound to find brains for those who have none , and we are not compelled to reveal our mysteries for the amusement of the childish , the satisfaction of the credulous , or the enlightment of the ignorant and the profane .
THE point brought out by the election of Bro . CAMA as an honorary member of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , which we reported last week , is of more importance than might at first sight appear . For it proclaims with almost untellable reality the Cosmopolitanism of English Freemasonry .
Other jurisdictions , especially abroad , may avow the same truth ; but , according to our view , there is always an " arriere pensee" in all they say and do on the subject . The French Grand Orient , for instance , uses those magnificent words , —whatever they may really mean , — "La Solidarity Humaine ; " but in the concrete weare all perfectly aware , whatever their professions may be in the abstract , they manage to shut out all who do
really believe in T . G . A . O . U . Hence their assumed Cosmopolitanism is alike one-sided and insincere . Since 1 S 13 the English Grand Lodge has hoisted manfully the grand bannerol Toleration ; and , undeterred by opposition and anathema , has enrolled amongst its members all who believe in the Fatherhood of GOD and the Brotherhood of Man . It alone rejects the Atheist , and declines to admit into its ranks the man who blindly and wilfully shut ? his eyes lo the eternal existence of a Supreme Being , and His
ceaseless moral government of the world . If our English Freemasonry is inconsistent in this respect , as some professors of Positivism assert , on the great ground of absolute freedom and toleration of opinion , it is inconsistent , and must remain inconsistent . Sure we are of this , —that if Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry ever thought to surrender its ancient and valuable formularies of belief in the MOST HIGH to the follies , weakness , and absurdity of the cynic agnosticism of the hour , it would soon be swept away from the surface of the earth , amid the contempt and rejoicing of mankind .
* # * THE continued advance of English Freemasonry is well shown by the new " Cosmopolitan Calendar , " by which , " up to date , " so to say , the English lodges number in the gross 2064 , as against 2022 at this same period last year . Indeed , it is a very wonderful totality which the " Cosmopolitan
Calendar announces so admirably and completely to the Masonic world , and may make us all think seriously on various points connected with the progress and prosperity of English Freemasonry . We may add that the " Cosmo , " as it is often familiarly termed contains reliable information on all Grades which we know not where else to obtain .
* * * SOME time ago we took exception to certain dicta of our esteemed confrere , P . G . M . J SIMONS , of New York , the Editor of the New York Dispatch , in respect of his approval of the law of the Grand Lodge of New York , —that all members present in lodge at a ballot mvst vote , and that nonvoting constituted a Masonic offence . We also ventured to suggest " inter
alia " the formation ol a law 0 / appeal , composed oi all the Grand Masters of the American Grand Lodges , to decide all "dicta " on various subjects , many of which now are slightly conflicting and often very puzzling . To these humbler remarks of ours Bro . SIMONS replies as follows in the New York Dispatch of November 9 th : " About which we desire to remark that , in the United States there are some forty odd Grand Lodges , each of
which is sovereign , supreme , and independent within the lines of its jurisdiction ; and therefore , each makes such regulations as may in its own judgment best suit the needs ot its constituents ; and hence , what is good law in one State may have no effect in another so far as local matters are concerned . While , therefore , we are all as one , so far as the general principles and requirements of the . Fraternity are in question , in minor
matters there are many differences of practice , none of which affect the general status as regards the Institution . The decision above noted is according to the law of New York , and is gradually becoming that of other Grand Lodges in the realm , and the reason for it is , that we hold in this State that the ballot must be secret and must be sacred ; therefore , the rule that all members present must vote , in order that there may be no question
as to how any particular member expressed his opmion , We fail to perceive in this any element of despotism , but only a safeguard to all , to the end that there may be no means of ascertaining the manner of any brother ' s vote . VVe will not agree to any supreme court , because we claim in each jurisdiction to be supreme in ourselves , and , so far as we can see , no one jurisdiction is willing to be governed by another , or to accept principles
outside of the acknowledged rule of the rraternity not fitting its own practice . It follows that there can be no general practice , and that a convention of Grand Masters or delegates is simply an impossibility , because we should none ' of us be willing to accept its decisions . It is all right as it is , and while we accept the present conditions we desire that our correspondent should do the same . " We shall recur to the subject ( D . V . ) next week .
* * * TESTIMONIALS are presented nowadays so frequently , and occasionally on such slight grounds , of justification , that we need offer no apology for making special reference to the gathering on Friday last in the Venetian Hall of the Holborn Restaurant , and the occasion which led to it . There are probably few men who have been more worthily honoured , not only by his
friends , but also bv the representatives of the institutions he has so often and so largely befriended , than Bro . Captain GEORGE LAMBERT , Past Grand Sword Bearer ; but it must be borne in mind likewise that there are few among us who have so richly deserved such honour . To us Masons especially the circumstances in which Bro . LAMBERT fi gured so prominently on the day referred to must be gratifying in the highest degree . It has been
said that a brother cannot be a good Mason who is not a good man . Here , at all events , we have the case of a brother in doing honour to whom it is difficult to say whether Masons or non-Masons have shown the greater anxiety . Perhaps it will suffice if we point out that both have shown a laudable desire to recognise services which have been rendered to both , and
thai 1 here is not a pin to choose in the degree of success achieved by each . The great fact we are desirous of signalising here is , that it is a member of that Ijeni gliied (?) and much calumniated Masonic Brotherhood whom so many piomineni persons and the representatives of so many public institutions have recently delighted to honour , and that that member is Bro . GEORGE LAMBERT , Past Grand Sword Bearer of England .
Ar00201
A SIMILAR celebration was held under the same hospitable roof on the following day , when Bro . MARSHALL , our Grand Treasurer , was presented by his friends with an appropriate testimonial in recognition of his services to the Craft in particular and the public generally . Bro . MARSHALL is the junior in Masonry of Bro . LAMBERT , but he has begun his career as one of our
brotherhood with the evident determination to prove that youth is no impediment to good and worthy work , while his friends and admirers made it clear on Saturday that the question of years is of little or no account with them when the occasion is held to have arisen for recognising merit of an exceptional character .
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
The following business will be transacted on Wednesday , the 3 rd December . 1 . The minutes of the Quarterly Communication of the 3 rd September , 1884 , for confirmation . 2 . Nomination of a Grand Master for the ensuing year . 3 . Nomination of a Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year .
4 . To read a letter , dated 3 rd October , 1 S 84 , from the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Quebec on the subject of the three English lodges in that colony , and addressed to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , together with the reply of his Royal Highness thereto . = ; . Appointment of a President of the Board of Benevolence .
6 . Election of a Senior and a Junior Vice-President of the Board of Benevolence . 7 . Election of 12 Past Masters to serve on the Board of Benevolence for the year ensuing . 8 . Report of the Board of Benevolence for the last quarter , in which are recommendations for the following grants , viz .: — The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Harmony , No . 20 S ,
Rochdale . . . . . . £ 50 0 o The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Friendship , No . 202 , Devonport . ' . . . . . 50 o o A brother of the Alfred Lodge , No . 306 , Leeds . . 100 o o A brother of the Brent Lodge , No . 1284 , Topsham . . 50 o o The widow of a broiher of the St . Matthew Lodge , No . 1447 ,
Barton-on-Humber .... 100 o o A brother of the f ' ripplegate Lodge , No . 1613 , London . 50 o o A brother of the Warden Lodge , No . 794 , Sutton Coldfield . 50 o o A brother of the Lodge of Harmony , No . 935 , Salford . . 50 o o The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Prudence , No . 219 ,
Todmorden . . . . . . 75 o o A brother of the Lodge of Faith , No . 484 , Ashton in-Makerfield . 100 o o The widow of a brother of the Royal Forest of Dean Lodge , No . 1067 , Newnham-on-Severn .... too o o
A brother of the Worcester Lodge , No . 280 , Worcester . . 100 o o A brother of the Leopold Lodge , No . 1571 , London . . 50 o o A brother of the Duke of Cornwall Lodge , No . 1839 , London . 50 o o The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Faith , No . 141 , London . 50 o o A brother of the Lodge of Industry , No . 1 S 6 , London . 50 0 o
9 . REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . TO the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Board of General Purposes regret having to report that Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , has been reluctantl y compelled by the very serious state of his health , to resign his position as chief clerk in the Grand Secretary ' s Office , after a service of 30 years .
Taking into consideration the lengthened services of Bro . Buss , the able , efficient , and courteous manner in which he has at all times discharged . his duties , his advanced age , and the fact of his resignation being forced upon him by his state of health , the Board unanimously recommend to Grand Lodge that Bro . Buss be granted a retiring pension of £ 400 per annum , being the full amount of the salary he has been receiving for several years as chief clerk .
The Board further report that Bros . W . J . Hughan and T . B . Whytehead have each presented a book to the library , which the Board have acknowledged with thanks . ( Signed ) THOMAS FENN , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 18 th November , 1884 .
To the report is subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge Accounts , at the last meeting ol the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 14 th day of November inst ., shewing a balance in the Bank of England ( Western Branch ) of ^ 1466 6 s . 4 d ., and in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 100 , and lor servants' wages £ 100 , and balance for annual allowance lor library £ a 12 s . 2 d .
10 . REPORT OF SPECIAL BUILDING COMMITTEE . To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Special Building Committee have to report to Grand Lodge the progress they have made in the work committed to their charge .
The Great Hall has now been restored on the same lines as the one recently burned , but advantage has been taken of the opportunity to re-open the old gallery at the entrance end , and to connect it with the Hall by a staircase , thereby providing about 80 additional seats ; other extra seats have also been provided in various parts of the Hall , making a total increase of accommodation for over 100 brethren below the dais .
It having been found that the means of entrance and exit hitherto existing were quite inadequate for the requirements of Grand Lodge , and indeed were such as would probably not be sanctioned under the present Metropolitan Regulations , an exit for use in case ot fire or other accident has had to be constructed at the back of the proper left of the dais , leading by broad
stone steps to the yard in the west rear of the Hall ; another exit has also been formed on the west side under the gallery leading into the main corridor , and a third from the gallery into the upper corridor , making now five separate exits which can be used in cases of urgent necessity . A new and complete system of ventilation has been provided , which , it is hoped , may conduce to the comfort of the brethren .
The boiler flues and chimney belonging 10 the kitchen of Freemasons ' Tavern—which have hitherto been in dangerous proximity to the Hall—have now been removed to another position . The 10 pictures of Grand Masters having been unfortunately destroyed , authentic copies have been made by well - known artists , namely , Bros . The Chevr . Desanges , Stephen Peirce , H . S . Marks , W . M . Hay , and