Papers On Masonry.

PAPERS ON MASONRY .

BY A LEWIS . XVII . —MASONRY IN FR ANbE ; " Heureux l'homme qui n ' a jamais commis une seule aute ! Qu 'il iouisse . de sa vertu : maia qu 'il sach . e

e"icuser less faiblesces des autres ; etqu 'il se ressoiivienue qtlele repentir nous rend it l'e * stime publique . ''—Ales Ecarts , ou Le Pou qui vend de la Sagesse . Par M . Coffin-Rony , Paris , 1807 . Vol . I . p . 45 .

" Happy the man who haa never committed a single fault ! Lethim rejoice iuhis virtue ; hut let him know how to excuse the weaknesses of others ; and remember that repentance restores us to public esteem . "—My Escapes , or The Fool who sells Wisdom . By M . Coffin-liony , Paris , 1807 . Vol . I . p . 45 .

"And in those times there waa no peace to him that w ^ nt out , nor to him that came in , but great vexatious were upon all the inhabitants ofthe countries . And nation was " destroyed of nation , and city of city : for God did vex them with all adversity . Be ye strong , therefore , and let not your hands be weak : for your work shall be

rewarded . —2 Chronicles xf , 5 , 6 , 7 . Masonry , in the country governed so long with a fictitious success , the glory of which is tinsel , aud ita endurance a dream , seems in a somewhat darkened condition . It is all very well to send in satisfactory bulletins , for of this kind were some recently re published documents by an eminent Ruler of

Nations , who was conspicuous alike for a series of daring successes , one great injustice towards his first wife , and one final and irrevocable failure . The Bulletin and Order of the Day is not a difficult , but a dangerous style to adopt . I fear it is like to prove so at the present time in reference to Masonry in France .

Some very few days ago , the Masons of France , in the presumed security of their Grand Orient , met to consider what action should be taken as to rebutting an insult levelled at them by the Popeor rather his advisers . The Grand Master , General Mellinet , was undoubtedly accepted by order of the

Autocrat of France—who , in the words of a facetious contemporary , has apparently " lowered the curb , ' but really done no more than try a last failing attempt to save himself from political ruiu—this Grand Master dissolved a meeting of honest and honourable men , iu a manner as Imperial as it was Imperially ordered .

It was truly a happy day lor distracted France , when the nation , swayed by Jesuitical influences , allowed a certain gentleman to moderate a Republic gradually into an Empire . Of course Baron Haussmaun could , if instructed , pull Paris down to employ the artisans to build their own prison . The

Grand Orient of France bowed to the storm , warmed the adder , and it stings . This is natural to the adder , but it cannot be said tp be natural in Masonry . If no protest can be forwarded ; if even a Papal non possumus cannot be elicited , where is French Masonry" at the end of the

conflict ? It was right for the adder to sting the traveller , because the traveller should not have been so foolish as to have let him in . Without alluding to many matters in connection with the action of Masonry within the last twent y years in France , wliijli would point to its gradual

betrayal , and therefore decadence , it is only sufficient tti consider present fiicts . Where there is a strong Government , but no fair open Government , no real good can be effected . The Governm . ntof France is very strong and very secret . Its cunning has also made use ofthe usual non-interference d ictrine

professed by Freemasons , to utterl y shackle that noble body . How many eminent and agreeable Masons in France are well-known police spies ? Or , rather , how many are not ? Anil that very numerous bod y , as thoy are at the mercy of uiiscrupulousand irresponsible chiefs

whobeheveand actupon a motto which becomes worse than a blasphemy when used by tlicm ( " Adimijoram Dei Gloriam" ) are they not powerless I My friends , the days of tlie Inquisition are not passed away . The princi ple has only become more powerful , because centralized . Far be it from me to revive unpleasant

reminiscences , but certain persons , for certain acts have been thrown ont of New York windows . lLnce it was that I gave precedence to a motto from a French book , a faithful translation of which has been appended by me , published when the events

of 1800 to 1812 were being meditated and accomplished . Those whom it may concern had better look to it . Grand Masters of Masons , desiring , as tlicy should , a peaceful , social , scientific association , should beware of oppressing those to whom the T yler ' s toast now so aptly applies . " Be ye strong therefore , and let

Papers On Masonry.

not " your mindsbe weak : for your work shall * be rewarded . " , The truth , however , is that , if you let any institution whatsoever alone , and free to act according to its own proclaimed standards , it will not turn

against the ruling power , however bad that may be ; it is the meddling pertinacity of the Jesuits that draw upon them the opposition the ^ most ri ghteously receive . It is well-known in certain circles that the abortive Northern Italian

Revolution of 1818-9—not that of Rome in the same year— -was artfully fomented by the Jesuits , just as the last Polish Insurrection was caused by them in order to complicate matters with the Eastern

Church . They furnished means by which to place Louis Napoleon in the Presidential chair , aiid so lightly do they esteem him , that they would not hesitate to pluck him down if it suited any purpose of their own .

It is somewhat remarkable , but appears to be a law of history , that the founders of such institutions are almost without exception amiable and wellmeaning nieil—but , as the conceiver of a great idea alone can grasp its entirety—so those who succeed to it warp it selfishly to their purposes . Masonry is the

Oiilyiustitution which has been true to itself ; and to those who respect it , it is a great matter of regret to see it oppressed in countries where its quiet influence is humanizing mankind , and forming a bond of union which overcomes racial antipathies , and neutralizes the influence of political animosity .

But , I repeat , we must not blame the brethren of enslaved countries if their Masonic action be tinged with political and patriotic motives . It is neither wise for the Emperor , whose Imperial robes are covered with wasps—not bees—to order Freemasons to sit down in silence , nor is it even politic . If he

choose to remember that repentance restores us to public esteem , " he will act fairly and expel the Jesuits from France ; it is only fair if he muzzles the Freemasons . Never was a time when the biblical text I have chosen for this paper was more aptly illustrated .

In these days , amidst astounding political and social convulsions , there can be no peace to him that goeth out , norto him that | cometh in . Great vexation is , truly , upon the inhabitants of the countries . We have seen agitations iu all purts of the worldpoverty and disease are amongst us , but irom the

alleviation of these the Fraternity of Charity is not debarred . Why then stop their action when it is absurdly aud cruelly assailed by those who ought to know better ? There is an ominous rest among the armed hosts of Europe , portending violcntstruggles between

these serried multitudes , but the Brotherhood of Peace is repressed ! This can never last . " Nation was destroyed of nation , and city of city , " and so it will be again , methinks , if the only intermediators who teach science , kindness , straightforward labour , and a love of truth , are thrust out and

humiliated . But I do not suspect that Freemasons and other secret societies—not enjoying the Papal or Imperial favour—will desist from their objects . At any rate , some are free to tight against the paralyzing influence both of Popery and Jesuitism . While their unbroken chain ol * members exist—and it is not likely

that even the Jesuits can prevail over that—the battle will be continued for the good of man , and the advancement of his mental welfare . Should the Emperor desire to be "healed , " he will expel the Jesuits , dethrone the miserable Pope , and fulfil that specious declaration at Bordeaux , IIempire e ' est la Pai . v . But ? CRYPTO "NYMUS .

ON Sunday morning Lust , a most interesting and instructive sermon for the benefit of that excellent institution , the School for Boys , at Wood Green , was preached at the church of St . Helen ' s , Bishopsgate , by the Vicar the Rev . J . E . Cox , M . A ., F . S . A . Past Grand Chaplain ( who wore the riband and

jewel of a VXi C . ) from Genesis chap . 4 , part ct verse 9 , "Am 1 my brother ' s keeper ? " from which . sentence the Rev . Bro . most eloquently drew a very beautiful moral on the subject of brotherly love , and brotherly duties , and in a most able manner introduced and applied in an eflective style many of

tliH beautiful sentences of morality and the various virtues and duties made use of and inculcated in the several ceremonies and lectures of our lodges and chapters , but as the Very Worship ful and Rev . Brother ' s sermon is to be publihed and sold for the benefit of the school funds , we forbear to dilate

further upon it , but strongly recommend every Brother Mason and Brother Christian to purchase it , and road the instructive lesson upon that most beautiful of all Masonic and Christian virtues , Universal Charity , inculcated in it . We regret to

add that the attendance of the Brotherhood was not so numerous as could have been wished , but those worth y Brothers and friends who did attend , contributed very liberally . This venerable and beautiful old church is well worth a visit , the choral services are exceedingly well conducted .

Freemasonry Versus Masonry.

FREEMASONRY VERSUS MASONRY .

In THE FREEMASON for-April 10 th , page 6 , I made a few remarks upon the . above subject , which I was glad to' find met the " approval of some * of bur Masonic students , arid since then nty ideas' arient' the antiquity there expressed have only been deepenetljby

time ; at least , as yet , I have seen nothing to change them , but rather otherwise , for I now have to assert that I know , as yet , of no substantial evidence of the existence of our Freemasonry as a Speculative Institution previous to the " revival , " as it is called , of A . D . 1717 . Further , our Masonic histories (?)—with the

exception of Findel ' s ; few I have seen are of much worth , generally speaking—make much of the circumstance of Elias Ashmole becoming a member of the Masonic body in 1646 , but I am not inclined to allow that he was then made a Freemason as we now understand the term , for I consider that td

have been impossible ; because so far as I can judge * , Freemasonry was not then in existence . Ashmole therefore was simply made a Freeman of the Masons ' Society ; that is , that he being admitted , thereby became _/ * - * < 2 e of it , and was therefore entitled to the

priviliges and honours of membership ; but that merely made him a Free-mason , just as joining the weavers would have made him a Free-wearer , or a Freeman of the Weavers' Society . The London Weavers are very old , having , it is said , been charterd by Henry IL in 1164 .

Another idea I have formed , is that Freemasonry somehow . was-a , ' product ofthe Reformation . It was not , so far as I know , in existence during the Reformation struggles * as an institution , nor in Shakespeare ' s time , or we wOuld be able to trace ; or hear about it . Then , had Freemasonry really occupied the position

( previous to 1717 ) which our notions have given it , how comes it that amongst the twelve " Great Livery Companies " of London , the . Masons arc non est ? and arc so far back amongst the " Companies " in precedence as No . 30 ? Then when in tlie time of

Edward III . —1327 to 1377 —many of the trade fraternities were incorporated , the King joined one of them , not the Masons , but the Merchant Tailor's , or as they were' then designated the "Linen Armourers . "

About tins time all artificers and people of mysteries had each to choose his own mystery , which ever after had to be kept by . Honour to whom honour is due , therefore if the " re vivalists" of 1717 were the real founders of

Freemasonry they are entitled to the honour ; they may have used an old site , but their building was new , aiid of materials which the site had never before upheld . To call Ashmole the founder of Freemasomy as Chamber's Encyclopedia says—is therefore a mistake . As I observed before , Operative Masonry is one thing

and I reemasonry another , and at present I know of no real evidence of the existence of Freemasonry previous to the second decade of the 18 th century ; however , I am quite open to be set right if I be wrong . Only substantial proof must be forthcoming , and—let Truth triumph . LEO .

IN Parti , of " Life and Fashion , " published b y James Watson , 334 , Strand , price Cd ., there is a portrait of the Earl of Zetland as Grand Muster of the Freemasons of England . THE death is announced of Mr . Edward Richardson , the sculptor , at the age of fifty-seven . He was

the restorer of the effigies of what are called the Knight Templars in the Temple Church , and ofthe recumbent elligy of the Earl of Powis at Welshpool . Tim Hon . James Lmlovic , tho Muster of Lindsay , was married on the 22 nd inst . to Miss Wilbraham , daughter of Colonel Edward Bootle Wilbraham , of

the Scots Fusilier Guards , at St . George ' s , Hanoversquare . At the dejeuner afterwards there were present the Earl and Countess of Derby , Earl Crawford , Lord Skelmersdale , Lord Stanley , Lord and Lady Lindsey , and Lady Adcla Mary Wilbraham . Bro . Lindsay is a member ol the Lodge of Harmony , No . 255 , and a zealous Mason .

In our report of the Festival of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent , last week , we omitted to mention the interesting fact , that on investing Bro . Turtle ( W . Af . 184 ) with the collar of Prov . Grand Supt . of Works , the It . W . Grand Master presented

him , on behalf of the lodge over which hu presides , with a centenary jewel , to be worn by the W . M . of the lodge for the time being , the Chatham United Lodge of Benevolence having completed the centenary of its cousecration .

HOI . LOWAY ' S OINTMKNT AND PILLS . —Diseases and casualties incidental to ymilli may be safely treated hy the use of these excellent medicaments according tu the printed directions allixed to each box and pot . Nor is thia Ointment applicable abmc to external ailments ; conjointly with the pills it exercises the most saliitory iiillnonco in checking inflammations situated in the interior of lhe body .

When rubbed upon the chest and back it gives the most sensible relief in asthma , bronchitis , pleurcy and threatening consumption . Holioway ' s remedies arc especially serviceable in liver and stomach complaints . For the cure of bad legs , all sorts of wounds , sores , and likewise scrofula and scorbutic alli-C'tions , this ointment produces a cooling and soothing feeling most acceptable to the sufferer . - ADVT .