Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

BEOS . HATE AND WHITE . I sincerely regret , while at the same time I thank him for the truly fraternal spirit displayed in his letter—that Bro . Gitteus should imagine for a second that there has beeu any personality in the discussion between Bro . White and myself . We are personally

unacquainted , but if we met to-morrow , I do not suppose for a moment that either of us would be the less a good brother , because we hold different opinions and have waged a paper warfare . For myself , I was brought up in a hard-hitting literary school , which did not care however strongly it wrote against

opinions ,- but " personality was never for an instant permitted . For myself , I have to thank Bro . Gittens for his kindness , and J can assure him , he will get no cross-fire from me . —A . 0 . HAYE .

PICTUS , BItO . HUGHAN , AND FEEEJIASONEY . Without any pretensions to being thought a " Masonic scholar " ( to whom the report of a meeting of the P . G . Lodge of Yorkshire is referred , by an esteemed correspondent who styles himself " Pictus ' ' ) , I should like to see a little more regard paid to

historic accuracy in the sketches of meetings and lodge assemblies so vividly described in the Freemasons ' Magazine . " Pictus" does well in calling attention to the " remarks prefaced to a report of a meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge of Yorkshire West . ' I presume he

refers to the " York Legend . " Much has beeu written on this fruitful topic , and therefore it is not my intention to say more . Undoubtedly York possesses more antique evidences of Freemasonry—as an operative institution—than London , although to the latter city belongs the honour of reviving the

ancient Craft , remodelling the " old landmarks , " and really creating the Freemasonry of A . D . 1717 , and since , which the former city accepted subsequently and adopted as its own . My notice has , however , been particularly directed to the following paragraph ( page 157 ) , viz .: — "As

to the early existence of the Masonic Craft in Sheffield , we learn that in 1765 the Rose and Crown Lodge was consecrated in Sheffield under a warrant from the Grand Lodge at York . " I believe this to le incorrect , hut shall be glad to acknowledge my error if furnished with proof to the contrary . Without wishing to be more positive than the

evidence will allow , I think it is quite impossible to afford sufficient proof of the alleged consecration having taken place under the Grand Lodge of TbrJe . In the first place , I do not believe that the lodge at Sheffield either was warranted by the Grand Lodge of York or consecrated at the date named . In the

second place , I think it more than likely that the lodge had no existence before A . D . 1780 , or rather later , and that its centenary is not likely to occur for a few years yet , if the works in my possession are to he relied upon ; and , thirdly , it is my opinion that the lodge was really under the Grand Lodge of

England ( whose orig inal members seceded from the regular Grand Lodge about 1740 ) called the Athol Masons . I shall be happy to afford the information I have relative to this matter by letter to the writer of the article in question . —W . J . HUGHAN .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC HISTORY . Could not some brethren , such as the members of the Lodge of Antiquity , give us some notes from their early Minute Books . Our Scottish brethren are very far ahead of us iu this respect . When shall we see "" The History ( not fabulous ) of Freemasonry , and

of the Grand Lodge of England . " I will not grudge a guinea for such a work . —A MIDDLESEX MASON " .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is nob responsible for the opinion * expressed by Correspondents , "HOMCEOPATHY AND FREEMASONRY . "

TO Tin : EDITOR OF Tin ; pjEi _ j _ ir . _ soNd' HAGAZISE ± XI > MASONIC HHIKOH . Dear Sir and Brother , —The letter of "M . D . " ( page 170 ) gives an example of how little the true spirit of Freemasonry is understood and practised amongst many of its members . What real Mason will not blush at the words—'' the fact of my practising homoeopathy would be an insuperable barrier to my

admission . " If such be really the case , " M . D . " would only be doing his duty hy mentioning the name of the lodge . The columns of the Macpa-ine are the place to show up such cancer sores as these , and keep them from spreading . More light will tend to chase away tbe evil . A worthy brother , more especially a past

office-bearer of a lodge , should find no difficulty in affiliating to any lodge he chooses when he settles in a new town . Let us trust , however , that on second thoughts the lodge " M . D . " refers to will intimate its readiness to hold out the right hand of fellowshi p in a true fraternal spirit . Yours fraternally , PICTUS .

Freemasonry Is Not A Religion.

FREEMASONRY IS NOT A RELIGION .

TO THE EDITOH 01 ' THE lil-EEjrASOIfS ITAGAZIA-E AlfD ItASO-MIO SIIEKOK . Dear Sir and Brother , —I have read with pleasure the letter of "Dnalxo " ( p . S 7 ) anentthis subject , and coincide with his views . I would repudiate the toleration idea as au uumasonic assumption of superiority . The Jew or Turk is not admitted into Freemasonry

under toleration . It is a ri p / lit , which he can claim equally with the professing Christian . If Freemasonry cau be said to be a religion at all , it may be called an Universal Religion , for , in our practice , all that is asked of its votaries is , — " Do you believe in the being and existence of a God ? and do

you believe in the sacred and binding nature of an oath ? " Au answer in the affirmative to these two questions on the part of the candidate , with his submission to " the rules aud regulations of the lodge , " clears the way for his admission . Such being the case , Christian , Jew , Turk , or Hindoo , are all one to

Freemasonry . Freemasonry , therefore , is not a religion as " religion" is commonly understood . Freemasonry is like grass , the cow , sheep , horse , or ass can all find their suitable food iu it . Tho horse may think it was especially made for him , because , says he , " See how I eat and thrive thereon ; " but so can also the cow or sheep say . So with Freemasonry pure and simple ; it is not for one particular class