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  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Feb. 1, 1855
  • Page 5
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Feb. 1, 1855: Page 5

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Page 5

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Untitled Article

But happily , men who are capable of perjury , and such deeds dishonourable as are indicated here , are not of a class to persevere in the acquisition of Masonic lore to a sufficient extent to do any lasting or material injury . So little , in fact , has Masonry to fear from scum of this sort ; that Dr . Oliver has noticed every pretended revelation and antagonistic production which appeared throughout the eighteenth century , giving titles at full length , with the dates , and

publishers . About 1730 , these " belchings of Billingsgate" had become so numerous , that a worthy and accomplished Brother , the Rev . James Anderson , D . D ., brought out a masterly " Defence of Masonry , " mainly in reply to the productions of one Prichard , a renegade . This " Defence" produced a very powerful effect upon the public mind , and turned the current in favour of Masonry . The "Defence " proved fatal to the poor perjurer Prichard .

The Square pursues his story , giving an amusing account of the different Masters to whose sashes he was from time to time appended , and reporting , in brief , their sentiments on divers matters affecting the good conduct of their particular Lodge , as well as the welfare of the Craft in general . Masonic processions and Masonic balls come in for a share of his notice , and the latter meet with his severe

reprehension , as also does the hard drinking which was so customary in those days . During the time the Square adorned the breast of Dr . Manningham , D . G-. M ., the Fraternity made great progress , although the exercise of discipline led to some disaffection and division of opinion , resulting in the melancholy schism which , for half a century and upwards , divided the Craft into two sections . The ultimate effect of the schism , however , according to the Square's version

of it , was beneficial rather than otherwise . Numerous innovations , of a continental origin , were about this time introduced into some of the Lodges , to the great perplexity of those who wished to adhere to the ancient landmarks of the Order . Some of the singular and incredible legends attached to these novel observances are related by the Square in a very amusing manner . He also gives the ancient test questions , and affords a vast variety of curious information .

We are now brought down to the age of Preston , Dagge , and Dunckerley , when publications of all kinds relating to Masonry appeared in great abundance . This portion of the Square ' s story is full of fact and anecdote , and cannot fail to excite the deepest interest in the minds of all those who are concerned for the welfare

of our Order . Bro . Dunckerley ' s career is sketched in a very graphic manner ; he was an able and indefatigable Mason , and devoted himself to the progress of Masonry with great enthusiasm . One day , in the year 17 G 0 , Bro . Dunckerley received a curious piece of information . A lady partaking of the last rites of the church , upon her

* About this time Lord Level was Grand Master , and amongst those initiated were B . K . H . tlie Duke of Lorraine , the Duke of Newcastle , and HR . II . the Prince of Wales . The Earls of London , Morton , and Darnley , as well as the Marquis of Caernarvon , were also members of the order .

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1855-02-01, Page 5” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 9 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_01021855/page/5/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
Obituary Article 60
LODGES OF INSTRUCTION. Article 59
ERRATA. Article 64
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE. Article 22
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . Article 24
THE PRINCIPLES OP MASONRY. Article 9
KNIGHT TEMPLARISM. Article 48
MASONIC CURIOSITIES. Article 13
LAYS OF THE WAR. BY BBO. G. K. GILLESPIE, A.M. Article 18
CORRESPONDENCE Article 20
REVELATIONS OF A SQUAREE.* Article 1
PATRIOTIC FUND. Article 24
METROPOLITAN. Article 25
LANCASHIRE. Article 34
PROVINCIAL. Article 29
IRELAND. Article 53
INDIA. Article 55
METROPOLITAN LODGE MEETINGS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY. Article 57
CHAPTERS OF INSTRUCTION. Article 60
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 61
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Untitled Article

But happily , men who are capable of perjury , and such deeds dishonourable as are indicated here , are not of a class to persevere in the acquisition of Masonic lore to a sufficient extent to do any lasting or material injury . So little , in fact , has Masonry to fear from scum of this sort ; that Dr . Oliver has noticed every pretended revelation and antagonistic production which appeared throughout the eighteenth century , giving titles at full length , with the dates , and

publishers . About 1730 , these " belchings of Billingsgate" had become so numerous , that a worthy and accomplished Brother , the Rev . James Anderson , D . D ., brought out a masterly " Defence of Masonry , " mainly in reply to the productions of one Prichard , a renegade . This " Defence" produced a very powerful effect upon the public mind , and turned the current in favour of Masonry . The "Defence " proved fatal to the poor perjurer Prichard .

The Square pursues his story , giving an amusing account of the different Masters to whose sashes he was from time to time appended , and reporting , in brief , their sentiments on divers matters affecting the good conduct of their particular Lodge , as well as the welfare of the Craft in general . Masonic processions and Masonic balls come in for a share of his notice , and the latter meet with his severe

reprehension , as also does the hard drinking which was so customary in those days . During the time the Square adorned the breast of Dr . Manningham , D . G-. M ., the Fraternity made great progress , although the exercise of discipline led to some disaffection and division of opinion , resulting in the melancholy schism which , for half a century and upwards , divided the Craft into two sections . The ultimate effect of the schism , however , according to the Square's version

of it , was beneficial rather than otherwise . Numerous innovations , of a continental origin , were about this time introduced into some of the Lodges , to the great perplexity of those who wished to adhere to the ancient landmarks of the Order . Some of the singular and incredible legends attached to these novel observances are related by the Square in a very amusing manner . He also gives the ancient test questions , and affords a vast variety of curious information .

We are now brought down to the age of Preston , Dagge , and Dunckerley , when publications of all kinds relating to Masonry appeared in great abundance . This portion of the Square ' s story is full of fact and anecdote , and cannot fail to excite the deepest interest in the minds of all those who are concerned for the welfare

of our Order . Bro . Dunckerley ' s career is sketched in a very graphic manner ; he was an able and indefatigable Mason , and devoted himself to the progress of Masonry with great enthusiasm . One day , in the year 17 G 0 , Bro . Dunckerley received a curious piece of information . A lady partaking of the last rites of the church , upon her

* About this time Lord Level was Grand Master , and amongst those initiated were B . K . H . tlie Duke of Lorraine , the Duke of Newcastle , and HR . II . the Prince of Wales . The Earls of London , Morton , and Darnley , as well as the Marquis of Caernarvon , were also members of the order .

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