Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

" NOTES ON THE UNITED ORDERS OF THE TEMPLE AND HOSPITAL . " In reply to Bro . Holmes ' s remarks , at page 714 , I find that in again perusing the words of Professor Aytoun ' s song , at page 607 , there is nothing in the said song to support Bro .

Holmes ' s idea that Professor Aytoun " evidently believed in the present Knights Templar as the descendants of the Crusading Red Cross Knights , " or he would not have written those " stirring lines" referred to . The Templar historical references in the song close with the

battle of Bannockbum , A . D . 1314 , consequently so far as the song is concerned it rather goes to show non-belief in the supposed legitimate descendancy of the present Knights Templar from the 14 th century Templars . The idea

reiterated , at page 592 that , Bruce formed the Bannockbum Templars into the Royal Order of Scotland , is but a modern " legend . " No proof to the contrary has ever yet been published that I know of . If either Bro . Holmes or anyone

else can produce satisfactory evidence , why let them do so , the pages of The Freemason will , I have no doubt , he open to receive it . As to the Royal Order having documents 200 years old , I am quite ready to admit it , nay , the } may even have them 400 years old ; only I

cannot admit , as yet , that any documents older than the second quarter of last century , if even so old , either mention or refer to it . In reference to the emblems in Glasgow Cathedral , llro . Holmes says he merely copied Bro . Kerr ' s remarks as given in the published report of the

late Grand Mark Lodge Conference ; now he should not have done so , because his doing so was perpetuating error . There is also the less excuse for Bro . Holmes in this matter , seeing that the many mistakes contained in this Grand Mark Lodge report were shown up bv Uro .

Hughan at pages 48910491 of The Ereemasoii for August 5 th , 1871 , and also by m } ' . self at pages 474 , July 29 th , and 522 . August 19 th , 18 7 1 . Whether or not there be certain emblems in Glasgow Cathedral is not a matter of mere opinion but a matter of fact . To settle the

question I went up lo the Cathedral and looked with my own eyes , and so saw that Bro . Kerr was wrong . Bro . Kerr possibly was only speaking from memory , and his memory played him false . Bro . Holmes ' s closing taunt about the "Volume of the Sacred Law " is not a Masonic

remark , neither is it at all to the point . I believe the saitl volume 10 be a grand old book , just as I believe the Parthenon to be a grand old building ; and supposing 1 consider the Rig-Veda to be older than the llible , that does nol cause me to disrespect the latter any more than allowing the Rameseum to be older than the Parthenon causes me to think little of the

Parthenon . There is much to admire 111 all , while each has some special beauties and noble characteristics of its own . W . I' . BUCHAN .

NOTES ON THE TEMl'LAKS AND NORTONIAN AMENITIES . I have read wilh pleasure the replies of a " Masonic . Student " and Bro . Carpenter lo llro . Jacob Norton ' s diatribes . But really J don ' t see that we have much to complain of .

Out-American friends are rather given to strong language—some people vvould call it coarseand Bro . Norton has himself been called some rather hard names by his Yankee brethren . Bro . Norton has only called us " Charlatans '' as yet , and hard words break no bones .

Charles Dickens writing to John Forster about the time of the publication of his ' American ' Notes , " mentions tlie fact of a forged letler , purporting to come from him , and which appeared in one of the American papers . i

( Y ^ ou are to understand , '' he writes , " that il is not done as a joke and is scurrilously reviewed . Mr . Park Benjamin begins a lucubration upon it with these capitals : — ' Dickens is a Fool and a Liar . '" After this Pro . Norton ' s remark ? , . ire quite gentlemanly . EMRA HOLMES .

Surrey Masonic Hall Company (Limited).

SURREY MASONIC HALL COMPANY ( LIMITED ) .

A meeting of the members and others interested in this Company was held at the Green Coat Schools , Camberwell-grcen , on Saturday last , and was attended by a number of influential members of the Craft , who took part in the proceedings with enthusiasm . Thc chair was

taken shortly after seven o ' clock by Bro . Edward Worthington , and the platform was occupied by tlie Directors , amongst whom we observed : — Bros . John Thomas , Dr . Pinder , II . C . Levander , James Stevens , J . L . Green , M . I . arlham , C . Dunbar , & c .

The Chairman opened the business of the evening with a very lucid statement as to thc objects and expectations of the Company , and congratulated those present upon the considerable success which had thus far attended the exertions of the Directors . The Company hail

been formed to raise a capital of , £ 2 , 500 in , £ 5 shares , for the purpose of erecting a building which ., whilst more especially affording accommodation for lodges and chapters , might nevertheless be applied to public uses in respect of meetings , concerts , and olher entertainments , in

a district of the metropolis at present very much in need of such convenience . Nearly , £ 800 ol these shares had been already subscribed for , and so far without much publicity . A very suitable site , being a plot of ground between the Post Office and the County Court in

Cambenvell New-road , close to the Railway Station , having been secured , plans had been prepared which were now submitted to the meeting . Those plans had been prepared by Bro . John Thomas , who , in common with the olher Directors and the Secretary , had given his valuable services

gratuitous !)' , and in consequence all preliminary expenses had been kept down to the lowest limit . The present object of the Directors was to ascertain , by a series of meetings to be held in the several localities in the southern district of

the metropolis , the disposition of their Masonic brethren and the public generally towards the undertaking , and to afford an -opportunity for full explanation of their plans . lie would now call upon Bro . Stevens to propose the first

resolution . Bro . Jair . es Stevens ( Director ) said that ilgave him great pleasure lo move the resolution , with which he would conclude a few remarks having reference 10 the necessity for such a building ; is that for which this Company was formed . There

could be no doubl . that tor many years a feeling had been gaining ground amongst Freemasons , lhat for the good of their Order as well for their own personal benefit the meetingsof their various lodges should be dissociated from tavern nccommodatiuii : and it was certainly a very

health y sign thai the objections lo the continuance of that practice were so strongly on lhe increase . If only regarded in this respect , the present Company deserved the strongest support , not otil ) ' from those who were connected with the lodcrcs in this district , but from all

olher members ol the Order who desired to see ils sublime teachings unimpaired by temptations which , lo say the least , could nol but militate in some degree against the standard of morality upon whicli Freemasonry is based . To all such it would be a matter of indifference whether

or nut the small investment in shares they might be disposed to make , relumed them other interest than that of a consciousness of having assisted in a good . work . Al the same time , if it could be shown—as he was bold to say the Directors of this Company could show

—lhat 111 a commercial sense- other advantages to investors vvere likely to arise , a still further argument in favour ofthe Masonic Hall existed . In man } ' provincial towns lhe experiment had been tried with considerable success , and whilst he hailed with satisfaction the result of the

enthusiastic efforts of our brethren 111 such places , he could nol help coniristing such results with the apathy of members of the Order in the several metropolitan districts . If Masonic Temples and Institutions can be erected in second rate towns and prove good investments , why should such a large district

Surrey Masonic Hall Company (Limited).

of London as that south of the Thames , be wanting in similar accommodation ? The want of such kept many and many good and inlluential men from entering the Order , and whilst Freemasonry is worked in public-houses

nothing else could be expected . Although many other arguments in favour of the present proposal , could be adduced , he would confine himself now to the principle of severance from tavern accommodation as the most

important reason for this undertaking , and move , " That in the opinion of this Meeting the erection of a Masonic Hall for the purposes of Freemasonry in the Southern District of the Metropolis is necessary and advantageous ;

that the scheme now submitted by the Directors of the Surrey Masonic Hall Company appears to be reasonable and capable of being carried out ; and the meeting hereby pledges itself to support the undertaking . "

Bro . Smale fully endorsed the arguments of the proposer , and seconded thc resolution .

Bro . E . Frances also supported the motion . Bro . Britlan . whilst he acknowledged tbe powerful argument wilh which the proposer had submitted the resolution , could not fully support it without being suppliedwiu-. further information .

However much he agreed , with probably all present , in the sentimental view en the question , namely that of meeting , elsewhere than at taverns , he still thought that it would be necessary to ensure success , that the merits of the underlakinn in a commercial sense should bc

thoroughly understood . lie already , he must confess , saw a great deal to be commended both in the scheme submitted by the Directors and in the elaborate 'plans which now lay before them , but still he desired to see further , and to know whether lhe thing would paw He did not

for one moment suspect that a large interest would be obtained by shareholders , and should say that probably no Mason present either expected or desired any , but would the estimate building prove sufficient , and those who supported the under taking have reason to believe thev would

not be required lo dip iurther into their pockets beyond the cost of lheir shares . He put this question at once to the Directors as their reply would materially inlluence himself and many friends as to the course they should pursue .

Bro . Dr . Binder ( Director ) assured Bro . Mriltan that very careful estimates had been made both in regard to the first cost of building , and also as lo the probable receipts and expenditure subsequent to ils erection .

Iiro . John Thomas ( Director ) staled , that hehad no hesitation in assuring the meeting that lhe erection of the building in accordance with the plans he had prepared would be amply covered bv the proposed capital .

Bro . James Stevens ( Director ) , at the request of the Chairman , then read a statement of the estimates which had been prepared , the particulars of which he desired , for obvious reasons , not to have published at present , although ihey Appeared to give thc greatest satisfaction to thc meeting generally , and were admitted to have

been carefully and fairly framed . ( We may state that if lhe I ) irectors estimates are realised , dividends of from 8 lo 10 per cent , may bc anticipated by shareholders . ) Bro . Brillan thanked the Directors for then information , and after a few general remarks in favour of the undertaking , expressed his willingness to take live shares therein .

I he resolution was then put and carried unanimously : and several brethren in the body of thc hall having spoken in support of the Company , also agreed to become shareholders . Bro . Noehmer congratulating the Directors

and tne meeting generally upon the unanimity of the entire proceedings , which augured well for the success of lhe undertaking , moved , "That the thanks of the meeting be given to P A . Nairne , Esq ., and the Committee of the Green Coat Schools , for the use of tbe room . "

Bro . Parsons seconded the resolution , which was carried with acclamation . Thanks were also voted to the Directors , and lo Bro . Allman for his zealous services as Secretary , and after the usual compliments to the Chairman , the meeting separated .