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Article I87O. ← Page 2 of 2 Article Multum in Parbo, or Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article ENCYCLOPEDIA METROPOLITANA. Page 1 of 2 Article ENCYCLOPEDIA METROPOLITANA. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
I87o.
of the " Good Old Craft . " Moreover , we have succeeded in rallying around us men who are revered and honoured wherever Freemasonry is known , some of whom , like
the " Masonic Student" and " Lupus , are Working under the friendly shadow of a nom deplume , \ vhi \ e others , like Bro . Hughan , stand " before heaven confessed . " We ask
for a continuance , and even for an increase , of their valuable support during 1871 , and we pledge ourselves , on our side , to leave nothing undone to secure and maintain the
goodwill and respect of our brethren . For this object we labour , and we know that our labours have hitherto met with acceptation .
Let us therefore again express our thanks for the past , and at the same time a hope , that for all our readers and friends 1871 may prove to be A HAPPY NEW YEAR .
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
—*—THE TEMPLARS AND THE CRAFT ( p . 673 ) . I regret that I cannot afford my worthy friend and brother , W . J . Hughan , any information on the point mentioned in his communication—viz .,
" an authority in any of the ancient warrants for working the degrees for which I stated I possessed the seals formerly belonging to the old Athole Lodge , No . 91 , in this town . The warrant of that lodge , of course , I never saw ;
but the warrant of the Lodge at Hinckley , granted on the 30 th January , 1764 , by the Earl of Kelly , G . M ., is an ordinary Craft lodge warrant printed on parchment , with the exception of the signatures and the names , & c , of the officers
of the lodge , and the place of meeting . No mention whatever is made in it of any except the Craft degrees ; and as the old Tyler of that lodge has received all those degrees which I mentioned , except the Red Cross of
Babylon , it appears probable that these different degrees were conferred in the " Ancient" Craft lodges by custom , and not by direct documentary authority from the " Ancient" Grand Lodge . WILLIAM KELLY .
MASONIC CURIOSITIES , ETC . ( p . 620 ) . I have just had pointed out to me the remarks of Bro . Hughan regarding the admission of bastards into our Order , and must say as an Irish Freemason that all the lodges I have
visited entirely prohibit their initiation . Some time ago the matter was fully discussed in the columns of THE FREEMASON , when " Cipes , " to say the least of it , had the best of the argument . But , without re-opening the discussion , I am
satisfied that no brother is entitled to give an opinion on the subject unless he is fully conversant with the tables of consanguinity and affinity and thoroughly understands the law of incest . Our criminal courts have lately had under their notice acts committed by bastards that are too
horrible to mention , in which the lav could not reach the guilty parties in consequence of their being bastards . Let those who approve of the admission of bastards into the Masonic Order first study the law of incest , and consider the results .
INNOCENTE ARROGONL . M . M . Lodge No . 22 , Irish Constitution , and No . 433 , England .
HOLLOWAY ' . S OINTMENT AND PILLS . —Ever Useful—Th- afilic i .-. l hy illness should look the ! diseases fully in the face , and ai once si-ck a remedy for them , a shor search will convince the mo . l sceptical ihat thec noiile medicaments have afforded case , i-nmfuri , and oftentimes < omjilcie re ; very to the most tortured suilcr . rs . I he Ointnie 11 w II c ; ircall dcscripii „ 5 0 woundsbad
sor ; , , leg ; , .-grains , eruptions , orysioe as . rhc iniatism Kou :, and skin afic lions . The I'ills neve .- fail in cirrcctini ; a . d stren :: heniiiff the > toimch , in restoring a d : ian > cd li . cr to a wholes roe condition , in ronsin- t rpid kidneys t „ increase tli ir secretions , and m re-establishing the natural act vity of the . we ' ls Holloways are the remedies for complaints of a ! c | uss , „ f society . —[ AdvLl
Encyclopedia Metropolitana.
ENCYCLOPEDIA METROPOLITANA .
Bv BRO . C . G . FORSYTH . As it has been desired that I should give the article on Freemasonry it may not be out of place to give a few words of my own .
I for my own part , much as I might wish it , can hardly rank among the small and select body of Masonic historians that are on the world ' s stage at the present time .
My aim is to work in the quarry , preparing the stones for the builder , and by that means assist the Masonic literature of the present day . My reason for calling them a small
body , is in answer to the every-day question of what becomes of the thousands yearly initiated , passed and raised , and then in a sense disappear ; many of them no doubt are
men of learning , but unless it is at some occasional lodge meeting they cannot be said to have forwarded the progress of Masonry as a science in the slightest . At the same
time they must not feel offended at my speaking so openly as I do , for it is not their fault ; it is the want of a more thoroughly extended knowledge of Masonry . I do not
mean the mere knowledge of working a lodge , but a more extended knowledge of our lectures and symbols . The great fear of all young Masons is the breaking through
that solemn mystery that surrounds them . Caution is certainly to be recommended , but there are many things in which there is ample scope for talent , and that of the
highest order , without violating their Masonic fidelity . Undoubtedly , there are many of the brethren of great talent who occasionally lecture at some of the London
lodges , but it is only a privileged few who have the opportunity of hearing them ( no fault of theirs certainly ); we in this part of the kingdom ( Scotland ) are not so well off
as to the method of appointing instructors ( many of whom require instruction themselves ) and to them it rests what knowledge of Freemasonry they gain beyond the mere
dry outline . I could say more on this subject , but perhaps it is best let alone at the present time . Still let the brethren look up , and let the light which has been so long
hid under a bushel shine forth , and if nothing else happens than to cause Bro . Kenning to double the size of his paper , even if he doubles its price will show to the
world that we are unequalled in science , religion and literature , and now to my task , which I will endeavour to fulfil with as few mistakes as possible .
Masonry , Free is the term applied to the peculiar , and secret system of Free and Accepted Masons , and is in modern times a speculative science unconnected with
architecture or operative Masonry , unless we except a partial illustration of the forms in some of the lectures . According to its own peculiar language it is founded on the
practise of social and moral virtue , its distinguishing characteristics is charity in its widest sense , and brotherly love , relief and truth arc exemplified and inculcated in the strongest manner . Nor it is a valid objec-
Encyclopedia Metropolitana.
tion , that Masons in general are not better than their fellow men ; this , if it is the case , arises from the infirmity of human nature , and not from any defect in the system itself . Like every other society of any
magnitude , it has been the object of hyperbolical enconium from its friends , and unmerited obloquy from its enemies ; the uncertainty of its origin , the secrets of its transactions , the supposed obligations
entered into by its initiates ; the power which Masons have of recognising each other , have thrown a shade of mystery over the Craft as it is called . Many of the brethren endeavour to increase this shade , thinking
thereby to obtain additional veneration for the Order , but the effect is probably the reverse ; and in the present age it might be better to inform the " profane " of the general purport of the tenets of the society
in so far as may be done consistently with the duties of a Mason . They would then see much to admire and nothing to condemn . There has been a great diversity of opinion among the writers on Masonry ( i . e .
Speculative Masonry ) as to its antiquity and origin , and a good deal of fanciful assertion has been hazarded , which necessarily will mingle with our following account . While some have not hesitated to make it coeval
with the world itself , others have attributed its rise to the Jesuits , the Egyptian Priests , the Dionysiac artificers , the Ismailites , and the Templars . The trading Freemasons of the middle ages have in their turn had their
advocates , theperiods of building the Tower of Babel , of the Pyramids of Egypt , of Solomon ' s Temple , of the Cathedral of Strasbourg , have each been named as the epoch of its commencement . The advocates
for its early origin rely on the similarity of many of the rites with those used in the various pagan mysteries , and thus prove identity with them . But it appears that Speculative Masonry , to which alone
"Freemasonry is now applied , was scarcely known before the time of Sir Christopher Wren ; and that it was engrafted upon Operative Masonry , which at that time was
frequently called Ireemasonry , adopting the signs and symbols of the Operative Masons together probably with some additional customs of the Rosicrucians of
the seventeenth century , and partly imitated from the religious rites of the Pagans with which Ashmole and his friends ( some of the first framers of Speculative Masonry ) were well acquainted . Some of the peculiar
ceremonies and tokens of the Operative Masons thus adopted might have descended to them from the same rites , for instance at the erection of the Tower of Babel or any edifice of any magnitude , among whom
might be numbered the most scientific characters of the age , and who would form themselvesintoasocietywithpeculiar science in order to secure to themselves the power and rank arising from their knowledge , and
to prevent the same from being improperly divulged to the world at large . As early public edifices would also in general be constructed for religious purposes there would be an intimate connection between
the priests and the architects , they would frequently be initiated into the same myssteries , and the priest and architect would often be united in the same person , as we find was the case in the early Christian
ages . On the dissolution or dispersion of any such society , the knowledge o ( its tenets and mysteries would still exist , although
scattered and perhaps somewhat perverted , till another society would arise formed perhaps for a similar purpose , the members of which would incorporate in their own
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
I87o.
of the " Good Old Craft . " Moreover , we have succeeded in rallying around us men who are revered and honoured wherever Freemasonry is known , some of whom , like
the " Masonic Student" and " Lupus , are Working under the friendly shadow of a nom deplume , \ vhi \ e others , like Bro . Hughan , stand " before heaven confessed . " We ask
for a continuance , and even for an increase , of their valuable support during 1871 , and we pledge ourselves , on our side , to leave nothing undone to secure and maintain the
goodwill and respect of our brethren . For this object we labour , and we know that our labours have hitherto met with acceptation .
Let us therefore again express our thanks for the past , and at the same time a hope , that for all our readers and friends 1871 may prove to be A HAPPY NEW YEAR .
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
—*—THE TEMPLARS AND THE CRAFT ( p . 673 ) . I regret that I cannot afford my worthy friend and brother , W . J . Hughan , any information on the point mentioned in his communication—viz .,
" an authority in any of the ancient warrants for working the degrees for which I stated I possessed the seals formerly belonging to the old Athole Lodge , No . 91 , in this town . The warrant of that lodge , of course , I never saw ;
but the warrant of the Lodge at Hinckley , granted on the 30 th January , 1764 , by the Earl of Kelly , G . M ., is an ordinary Craft lodge warrant printed on parchment , with the exception of the signatures and the names , & c , of the officers
of the lodge , and the place of meeting . No mention whatever is made in it of any except the Craft degrees ; and as the old Tyler of that lodge has received all those degrees which I mentioned , except the Red Cross of
Babylon , it appears probable that these different degrees were conferred in the " Ancient" Craft lodges by custom , and not by direct documentary authority from the " Ancient" Grand Lodge . WILLIAM KELLY .
MASONIC CURIOSITIES , ETC . ( p . 620 ) . I have just had pointed out to me the remarks of Bro . Hughan regarding the admission of bastards into our Order , and must say as an Irish Freemason that all the lodges I have
visited entirely prohibit their initiation . Some time ago the matter was fully discussed in the columns of THE FREEMASON , when " Cipes , " to say the least of it , had the best of the argument . But , without re-opening the discussion , I am
satisfied that no brother is entitled to give an opinion on the subject unless he is fully conversant with the tables of consanguinity and affinity and thoroughly understands the law of incest . Our criminal courts have lately had under their notice acts committed by bastards that are too
horrible to mention , in which the lav could not reach the guilty parties in consequence of their being bastards . Let those who approve of the admission of bastards into the Masonic Order first study the law of incest , and consider the results .
INNOCENTE ARROGONL . M . M . Lodge No . 22 , Irish Constitution , and No . 433 , England .
HOLLOWAY ' . S OINTMENT AND PILLS . —Ever Useful—Th- afilic i .-. l hy illness should look the ! diseases fully in the face , and ai once si-ck a remedy for them , a shor search will convince the mo . l sceptical ihat thec noiile medicaments have afforded case , i-nmfuri , and oftentimes < omjilcie re ; very to the most tortured suilcr . rs . I he Ointnie 11 w II c ; ircall dcscripii „ 5 0 woundsbad
sor ; , , leg ; , .-grains , eruptions , orysioe as . rhc iniatism Kou :, and skin afic lions . The I'ills neve .- fail in cirrcctini ; a . d stren :: heniiiff the > toimch , in restoring a d : ian > cd li . cr to a wholes roe condition , in ronsin- t rpid kidneys t „ increase tli ir secretions , and m re-establishing the natural act vity of the . we ' ls Holloways are the remedies for complaints of a ! c | uss , „ f society . —[ AdvLl
Encyclopedia Metropolitana.
ENCYCLOPEDIA METROPOLITANA .
Bv BRO . C . G . FORSYTH . As it has been desired that I should give the article on Freemasonry it may not be out of place to give a few words of my own .
I for my own part , much as I might wish it , can hardly rank among the small and select body of Masonic historians that are on the world ' s stage at the present time .
My aim is to work in the quarry , preparing the stones for the builder , and by that means assist the Masonic literature of the present day . My reason for calling them a small
body , is in answer to the every-day question of what becomes of the thousands yearly initiated , passed and raised , and then in a sense disappear ; many of them no doubt are
men of learning , but unless it is at some occasional lodge meeting they cannot be said to have forwarded the progress of Masonry as a science in the slightest . At the same
time they must not feel offended at my speaking so openly as I do , for it is not their fault ; it is the want of a more thoroughly extended knowledge of Masonry . I do not
mean the mere knowledge of working a lodge , but a more extended knowledge of our lectures and symbols . The great fear of all young Masons is the breaking through
that solemn mystery that surrounds them . Caution is certainly to be recommended , but there are many things in which there is ample scope for talent , and that of the
highest order , without violating their Masonic fidelity . Undoubtedly , there are many of the brethren of great talent who occasionally lecture at some of the London
lodges , but it is only a privileged few who have the opportunity of hearing them ( no fault of theirs certainly ); we in this part of the kingdom ( Scotland ) are not so well off
as to the method of appointing instructors ( many of whom require instruction themselves ) and to them it rests what knowledge of Freemasonry they gain beyond the mere
dry outline . I could say more on this subject , but perhaps it is best let alone at the present time . Still let the brethren look up , and let the light which has been so long
hid under a bushel shine forth , and if nothing else happens than to cause Bro . Kenning to double the size of his paper , even if he doubles its price will show to the
world that we are unequalled in science , religion and literature , and now to my task , which I will endeavour to fulfil with as few mistakes as possible .
Masonry , Free is the term applied to the peculiar , and secret system of Free and Accepted Masons , and is in modern times a speculative science unconnected with
architecture or operative Masonry , unless we except a partial illustration of the forms in some of the lectures . According to its own peculiar language it is founded on the
practise of social and moral virtue , its distinguishing characteristics is charity in its widest sense , and brotherly love , relief and truth arc exemplified and inculcated in the strongest manner . Nor it is a valid objec-
Encyclopedia Metropolitana.
tion , that Masons in general are not better than their fellow men ; this , if it is the case , arises from the infirmity of human nature , and not from any defect in the system itself . Like every other society of any
magnitude , it has been the object of hyperbolical enconium from its friends , and unmerited obloquy from its enemies ; the uncertainty of its origin , the secrets of its transactions , the supposed obligations
entered into by its initiates ; the power which Masons have of recognising each other , have thrown a shade of mystery over the Craft as it is called . Many of the brethren endeavour to increase this shade , thinking
thereby to obtain additional veneration for the Order , but the effect is probably the reverse ; and in the present age it might be better to inform the " profane " of the general purport of the tenets of the society
in so far as may be done consistently with the duties of a Mason . They would then see much to admire and nothing to condemn . There has been a great diversity of opinion among the writers on Masonry ( i . e .
Speculative Masonry ) as to its antiquity and origin , and a good deal of fanciful assertion has been hazarded , which necessarily will mingle with our following account . While some have not hesitated to make it coeval
with the world itself , others have attributed its rise to the Jesuits , the Egyptian Priests , the Dionysiac artificers , the Ismailites , and the Templars . The trading Freemasons of the middle ages have in their turn had their
advocates , theperiods of building the Tower of Babel , of the Pyramids of Egypt , of Solomon ' s Temple , of the Cathedral of Strasbourg , have each been named as the epoch of its commencement . The advocates
for its early origin rely on the similarity of many of the rites with those used in the various pagan mysteries , and thus prove identity with them . But it appears that Speculative Masonry , to which alone
"Freemasonry is now applied , was scarcely known before the time of Sir Christopher Wren ; and that it was engrafted upon Operative Masonry , which at that time was
frequently called Ireemasonry , adopting the signs and symbols of the Operative Masons together probably with some additional customs of the Rosicrucians of
the seventeenth century , and partly imitated from the religious rites of the Pagans with which Ashmole and his friends ( some of the first framers of Speculative Masonry ) were well acquainted . Some of the peculiar
ceremonies and tokens of the Operative Masons thus adopted might have descended to them from the same rites , for instance at the erection of the Tower of Babel or any edifice of any magnitude , among whom
might be numbered the most scientific characters of the age , and who would form themselvesintoasocietywithpeculiar science in order to secure to themselves the power and rank arising from their knowledge , and
to prevent the same from being improperly divulged to the world at large . As early public edifices would also in general be constructed for religious purposes there would be an intimate connection between
the priests and the architects , they would frequently be initiated into the same myssteries , and the priest and architect would often be united in the same person , as we find was the case in the early Christian
ages . On the dissolution or dispersion of any such society , the knowledge o ( its tenets and mysteries would still exist , although
scattered and perhaps somewhat perverted , till another society would arise formed perhaps for a similar purpose , the members of which would incorporate in their own