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Article AN ANALYSIS OF ANCIENT AND MODERN FREEMASONRY. ← Page 3 of 5 Article AN ANALYSIS OF ANCIENT AND MODERN FREEMASONRY. Page 3 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.
Lodge at London , in 1717 , numbered some four lodges , and about a score of members ; it now , however , has over a thousand lodges under its jurisdiction , besides being the parent of many Grand Lodges which are scattered over the four
quarters of the globe . It is the first and largest Grand Lodge in the world , and its representatives are everywhere treated with the utmost courtesy and attention . The Grand Lodges of Scotland A . D . 1736 , and Ireland , A . D . 1729 , have also been
most successful , both numerically and Masonically , and exchange representatives with France , ( A . D . 1736 ) , and various other grand bodies who value their friendship and representation . In the United States Masonry flourishes on most
congenial soil , although of late the religious mania against the Craft seems rekindling . The first Grand Lodge was constituted in the state ol Massachusetts . Such , however , are the changes in Masonic history that the first is now several
staves down the ladder , so far as the size is concerned . New York , ( A . D . 1787 ) , is the largest numbering some six hundred lodges , and Illionois ,
( A . D . 1823 ) , with a roll of over five hundred , comes next on the list . The majority approximate to three hundred lodges , and with that number are considered an average size . It is calculated that there are upwards of eight thousand lodges
in the world , with a subscribing membership of of over five hundred thousand . The total number of Masons , however , is estimated at fully two millions 1 or , in other words an increase in membership of considerably more than a million and
a half in a ceDtury ! As an evidence of the modern character of the generality of Grand Lodges we may mention that out of the approximate number of seventy , only four were instituted
before 1740 , and all are indebted to Great Britain directly or indirectly for their knowledge of speculative Masonry . It must be expected that amongst such a large body of Masons there would be a considerable difference in the constitutions of the
Grand Lodges . In England , for instance , no degrees are recognized as part of " pure and ancient Masonry " but the " Entered apprentice , Fellow Craft , and the Master Mason , inclnding the Holy Royal Az-ch" ; whereas , in the neighbouring
Grand Lodge—Scotland—the Royal Arch is not recognized at all , but the Mark degree is looked upon as " part and parcel" of the ancient institution , and permitted to be worked in a Craft lodge . The United States practise what is called the
An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.
" York Rite , " consisting of nine degrees , and in France the Ancient and Accepted Scotch Rite , together with other rites of much less antiquity ,, are united with the Craft degrees , and all are recognised as integral parts of the ancient system .
In England the " Past Master " degree is given to an " Installed " Master of a lodge only ; but in Scotland the degree is condemned by the Craft authorities , although about the same age as theRoyalArchdegree . The Grand Chapterof Royal
Arch Masons of the latter country , in common with the Grand Chapters of the United States , Canada , Ireland , and others , confer the degree , as also the Mark and Excellent Master , as preparatory and a necessary prerequisite to the Royal Arch , whether the candidate is a Master of a lodge
or not . In England a Master Mason of a month ' s standing has been constituted a Rose Croix Mason > , and thereby entitled to all the privileges of that beautiful degree , and as if that were not a sum .-:
cient advancement in the period , the chapter has conducted him through all the intermediate degrees from the fourth to the seventeenth inclusive . After a lapse of some twelve months he has then been exalted a Royal Arch Mason , created a
Knight Templar and Knight of Malta , ana in au received some thirt y degrees . In Ireland , however , hone are eligible to be Rose Croix brethren but Master Masons of seven years standing , and only then after having passed through all the
intermediate degrees . In England one month can procure the honour of dispensation after being raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason .
We mention these facts to show how dis-united Masonry is in reality as to its laws , although nominally one body . It is palpable that a Mason in one country received on all hands as a " Knio-ht and Prince , " would in another be shorn of his
dignity , and considered but a pretensious commoner . There are few differences comparativel y among Craft Masons ; what differences there are belong mostly to the " hautes grades , " and excepting those previously mentioned connected
with the word of the third degree , we make bold to say that in the three degrees we have generally uniformity and antiquity combined with the most imposing ceremonies that are to be found in any rite or society in creation . Of all degrees
deserving recognition in England we think none are so well entitled on the score of antiquity aud importance to that honour as the Mark degree . Without
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.
Lodge at London , in 1717 , numbered some four lodges , and about a score of members ; it now , however , has over a thousand lodges under its jurisdiction , besides being the parent of many Grand Lodges which are scattered over the four
quarters of the globe . It is the first and largest Grand Lodge in the world , and its representatives are everywhere treated with the utmost courtesy and attention . The Grand Lodges of Scotland A . D . 1736 , and Ireland , A . D . 1729 , have also been
most successful , both numerically and Masonically , and exchange representatives with France , ( A . D . 1736 ) , and various other grand bodies who value their friendship and representation . In the United States Masonry flourishes on most
congenial soil , although of late the religious mania against the Craft seems rekindling . The first Grand Lodge was constituted in the state ol Massachusetts . Such , however , are the changes in Masonic history that the first is now several
staves down the ladder , so far as the size is concerned . New York , ( A . D . 1787 ) , is the largest numbering some six hundred lodges , and Illionois ,
( A . D . 1823 ) , with a roll of over five hundred , comes next on the list . The majority approximate to three hundred lodges , and with that number are considered an average size . It is calculated that there are upwards of eight thousand lodges
in the world , with a subscribing membership of of over five hundred thousand . The total number of Masons , however , is estimated at fully two millions 1 or , in other words an increase in membership of considerably more than a million and
a half in a ceDtury ! As an evidence of the modern character of the generality of Grand Lodges we may mention that out of the approximate number of seventy , only four were instituted
before 1740 , and all are indebted to Great Britain directly or indirectly for their knowledge of speculative Masonry . It must be expected that amongst such a large body of Masons there would be a considerable difference in the constitutions of the
Grand Lodges . In England , for instance , no degrees are recognized as part of " pure and ancient Masonry " but the " Entered apprentice , Fellow Craft , and the Master Mason , inclnding the Holy Royal Az-ch" ; whereas , in the neighbouring
Grand Lodge—Scotland—the Royal Arch is not recognized at all , but the Mark degree is looked upon as " part and parcel" of the ancient institution , and permitted to be worked in a Craft lodge . The United States practise what is called the
An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.
" York Rite , " consisting of nine degrees , and in France the Ancient and Accepted Scotch Rite , together with other rites of much less antiquity ,, are united with the Craft degrees , and all are recognised as integral parts of the ancient system .
In England the " Past Master " degree is given to an " Installed " Master of a lodge only ; but in Scotland the degree is condemned by the Craft authorities , although about the same age as theRoyalArchdegree . The Grand Chapterof Royal
Arch Masons of the latter country , in common with the Grand Chapters of the United States , Canada , Ireland , and others , confer the degree , as also the Mark and Excellent Master , as preparatory and a necessary prerequisite to the Royal Arch , whether the candidate is a Master of a lodge
or not . In England a Master Mason of a month ' s standing has been constituted a Rose Croix Mason > , and thereby entitled to all the privileges of that beautiful degree , and as if that were not a sum .-:
cient advancement in the period , the chapter has conducted him through all the intermediate degrees from the fourth to the seventeenth inclusive . After a lapse of some twelve months he has then been exalted a Royal Arch Mason , created a
Knight Templar and Knight of Malta , ana in au received some thirt y degrees . In Ireland , however , hone are eligible to be Rose Croix brethren but Master Masons of seven years standing , and only then after having passed through all the
intermediate degrees . In England one month can procure the honour of dispensation after being raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason .
We mention these facts to show how dis-united Masonry is in reality as to its laws , although nominally one body . It is palpable that a Mason in one country received on all hands as a " Knio-ht and Prince , " would in another be shorn of his
dignity , and considered but a pretensious commoner . There are few differences comparativel y among Craft Masons ; what differences there are belong mostly to the " hautes grades , " and excepting those previously mentioned connected
with the word of the third degree , we make bold to say that in the three degrees we have generally uniformity and antiquity combined with the most imposing ceremonies that are to be found in any rite or society in creation . Of all degrees
deserving recognition in England we think none are so well entitled on the score of antiquity aud importance to that honour as the Mark degree . Without