A Plea For Freemasonry.

the church , Avhich indicate when the priest aud congregation shall kneel and when they shall stand , ifc refers to questions such as these : What words shall be used in such a place , and Avhat ceremony shall be used on such an occasion ? It

belongs entirely to the inner organization of the Institution , or to the manner in which its services shall be conducted , ancl is interesting or important only to its own members . The language of its ritual or the form of its ceremonies has nothing

more to do Avith the philosaphic designs of Freemasonry , than the rubrics of a church have to do with the religious creed professed by that church . It might at any time be changed in its most material points , without in the slightest degree

affecting the external character of the Institution . Of course , this ritualistic element is in one sense important to fche members of fche Society , because by a due observance of the ritual , a general uniformity is preserved . But beyond this , the Masonic

ritual makes no claim to the consideration of scholars , and never has been made , and indeed , from the very nature of its secret character , never can be made a topic of discussion with those who are outside of the Fraternity .

But the other , the philosophic element of Freemasonry , is one of much importance . For it , and through ifc , I clo make the plea that the Institution is entitled to the respect , and even veneration of all good men , and is Avell Avorth the veneration of

scholars . —Masonic Trowel . ( To be Continued . )

Masonic Jottings, No. 64.

MASONIC JOTTINGS , No . 64 .

BY A PAST PROVINCIAL GEAND MASTER . DECREES OF THE GRAND LODGE 1717 TO 1720 . Bro . Findel states that the Decrees of the Grand Lodge 1717 to 1720 Avere revised , arranged

aud digested by Grand Master Payne and formed the groundivork of the inestimable collection—fche 39 General Regulations . He refers to the Book of Constitutions 1723 , 1738 . THE OLD YORK CONSTITUTION . "In Germany this document occupied a very prominent place even down to our times , and had

Masonic Jottings, No. 64.

much influence , Avhilsfc Kaause , Schneider , Fessler and many more considered ifc as genuine , indeed as the most ; ancient extant . " —Findel . "AN ACCEPTED MA . SON . "—DR . PLOT . A Correspondent Avill find " an accepted Mason . "

mentioned in the passage of Dr . Plot , cited FindeFs History , page 125 , first edition . PROGRESS . Brother . —expect not Progress so long as those who affect to desire it , continued as regardless of

the rules by which only it can be ensured , as they have shown themselves during the last two years . * * * The letter to which my brother alludes will be found " Freemason's Magazine , " 29 th January , 1870 .

ERASURE OP THE CHARGES OF 173 S . The effect of the erasure from the Book of Constitutions of the Charges of 1738 would be to make English Freemasonry a Christian Freemasonry exclusively .

ASHMOLE . LONDON MASONS' COMPANY—FOUR OLD LONDON LODGES . Ashmole , 10 th March , 1682 was received by the London Mason's Company , for reasons analogous to those for which , it may be presumed , he Avould have been received by one of the four olcl London Lodges .

SCIENCE AND ATHEISMS . A Brother thinks the union of Science and Atheism altogether impossible . Alas ! The wayward intellect , the more Ave learn of Nature , overlooks her Author more . " *

LODGES NOT UNDER THE GRAND LODGE OF PNGLAND 1733 . In the Book of Constitutions , published 1738 , after a list of Provincial Grand Masters ? , appointed for different places abroad , comes the following

passage : — " All these foreign Lodges are under the pati-onage of our Grand Master of England ; but the old Lodges of Scotland , Ireland , France , and Italy , affecting independence , are under their own Grand Masters ; they have however , the same

Constitution , charges , and regulations , in substance , Avith their brethren of England , and are equally zealous for the Augustan style , and the secrets of he ancient ancl honourable Fraternity . "