Recent Innovations In Masonry.

pany , formed an opinion in its favour , whilst it really is but a thing of yesterday , uncountenanced by every Grand Lodge in the world . This grouping of an unrecognised body with legitimate Masonry is subversive of the laws of the Order , aud is a direct infraction of the Book of Constitutions , wherein ifc is laid down , thafc Masonry consists only of fche three degrees , including the Eoyal Arch .

Turning a few pages further , in the same number of the MAGAZINE ( p . 257 ) , there is another report of what is termed the Old Kent Lodge , and in this it appears that the innovations were multiplied , for a Lodge of Excellent and Super-Excellent Masters was formed and " the quasi advanced brethren were passed through the veils by Bro . Purdy , Bro . Shuttleworfch , among others ,

beingpresent as a candidate . NowBros . Purdy and Shufctleworth are old Masons , and cannot plead ignorance of the laws they are bound to support . They are also high grade Masons , vide Bro . Shuttleworth ' s lecter , in the same number , ( page 246 ) , and it is presumed they are both registered members under the Supreme Grand Council . Either way as Craft , Arch , or High-grade Masons , they have done wrong , and added two more names to the roil of the contumacious .

First , wifch regard to Bro . Shuttleworfch , tho G . Vice Chancellor of Knights Templar . Ifc is monstrous that one holding tbe executive office he does , in the Order of Knights Templar , should , by his example and pratice , assist in any ceremonies so positively illegal as those reported . He is well known to be opposed to the Baldwyn Encampmenton the ground of their having severed

them-, selves from their allegiance to the Grand Master of Knights Templar , and yet he offers himself fco undergo an advancement in a lodge without a sanction , and receives two extra degrees , which belong to another jurisdiction , thereby widening the breaches in Masonry , instead of cementing them .

Bro . Purdy , too , seems to have taken upon himself to administer two degrees without any authority ! and it is necessary to enquire what those degrees are . In doing this it must be constantly borne in ' mind thafc the Mark degree , as administered under the pretended auspices of a Grand Lodge of Mark Masters in England , is totally without , authority ; and its members subject to

exclusion from participating in the working in every regular Mark Lodge throughout the Universe , all Grand Chapters being unacquainted with it as a legal body . The degrees of Most Excellent Master and Super-Excellent Master , are modifications of the Eoyal Arch and Perfect Masters degrees , and can only be legitimately conferred bthose in authority belonging thereto

y . In Ireland , Scotland , and America they are indispensable to those who take the Eoyal Arch degree , which includes , as its series , those of E . A ., F . C , M . M ., M . M . M ., P . M ., M . E . M ., and then the E . A .

One of them being a paraphrase of part of the Eoyal Arch degree , the passing of the veils , how can this be conferred unless in a Eoyal Arch Chapter ? as is still done in many places in the North of England , bufc then always in a chapter , and not separated from the rest of that degree . The other being an adaptation of the Perfect Masters degree , how could Bro . Purdy take

upon himself to meddle with it ? In one case he has placed himself above the Grand Chapter of England and in the other usurped the functions of the 33 ° by altering oue of their degrees , and administering a garbled portion of their rite . Leaving him to settle these points as he best can , with his conscience and the two authorities , that of Grand Chapter and the 33 ° let look little

, us a further . Amongst the toasts is thafc of the " Earl of Carnarvon , G . M . of the Order ! " For the ' first time the so-called Mark degree is assumed to be an order , —of what ? None of the regular chapters or lodges , anywhere to be iound , ever dignified it with such a title , and if my Lord

Recent Innovations In Masonry.

Carnarvon considers himself the G . M . of such an order , composed of pieces or fragments of two Masonic jurisdictions to which he belongs , viz ., the Eoyal Arch and the 30 ° , it is quite time he is called upon to account to each of those bodies for the tricks played with their existing authority , under the cover and sanction of his name . ' The following toast of the " Officers ofthe Grand

Lodge , " of course means that myfchical body calling itself a Grand Lodge , sans powers , sans legality , sans everything , and so may be quietly ignored . These innovations , if not checked at once and thoroughly discountenanced , must have the effect of multiplying and distracting the acknowledged centres of Masonic unity . They will lead to the concoction of

degrees , not a very difficult matter , and at last produce a confusion in the Craft , the Arch , the Order of the Temple , and the Ancient and Accepted Eite , which every legitimate Mason will deplore . The thin end of the wedge is introduced , and every regular system of Masonry stands a fair chance to be incorporated piecemeal by the new Order 1 Shall it be so ? This can "

only bedefinitely answered by each Masonic jurisdiction claiming strict obedience from those who are under its control or resorting to severe measures in order to stop the mad pranks of a few , who seem disposed to bring utter confusion on every grade of Masonry . Apologising for the length of this communication , I am , Dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally , ANTLSPUEIOHS MAEK .

Masonry And Politics.

MASONRY AND POLITICS .

TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMASONS * MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR , SIR AND BROTHER , —It is painful to have to animadvert upon the proceedings of any brother holding a conspicuous station in the Craft , and deemed worthy of a notice in the columns of your MAGAZINE ; but the speech of Bro . Biggs , P . M . of Lodge of Economy ( No . 90 ) Winchesteras reported b on March 29 this so

, , y you , exceptionable , in a Masonic point of view , that it demands reprehension by all who are interested in the welfare of the Craft , and loyal to ifcs ancient landmarks . Apropos of a discussion upon certain proposed rules of a Masonic institution ( in which I should have adopted the same side as that taken by Bro . Biggs ) he is reported to have said , in open lod " scarela public school of ancient date

ge , y , in this country , but had some way or another suffered , " " instead of the poor and indigent , or sons of the middle classes , the scholarships were filled by the wealthiest classes . " And this attack upon our public schools , their governors and managers , and , by implication , upon the government of the country , ou whose shoulders must lie the responsibility of the due performance of all trusts

left for specific objects , was allowed fco pass ( seemingly ) unchallenged by the gavel of the W . M ., whose duty it is to see "that no quarrels about religion or nations , or state policy , be brought within the door of the lodge ; being resolved against all politics , as what never yet conduced to the welfare of any lodge , nor ever will . " Let Bro . Biggs take these words to heart , and make

them the chart of his Masonic course in future ; that he may avoid any danger of undoing , by the indiscretion of his speeches as a P . M ., the honourable reputation as a brother Mason , to which , no doubt , he is indebted for the exalted position he now holds , as P . M . of so eminent a lodge as No . 90 . Were I to enter into controversy with our worth

y brother upon the statements contained in his speech , I might show him to be as mistaken in his facts as he is indiscreet in his expressions . I prefer , however , to keep within Masonic bounds . And remain , fraternally yours , A P . M . IN THEEE PEOVINCES .