History Of Freemasonry In Cornwall.

p ied the chair . Such would not be right UOAV . The next minute concludes with "The question demanded and nothing proposed , loclge closed in due form ( the Master was in the chair ) , and adjourned to the next regular lodge night . " Then follow the minutes of

several meetings , showing that great activity prevailed in the lodge , and in consequence much work of a general nature Avas despatched each even , and the meetings were both frequent and well attended . February llth , 1762 . — " Lodge of Masters opened in due form . ; ' The W . M . was in the chair , and after

the usual routine , and ceremonies of an ancient aud sacred character had been observed , a subject of peculiarly solemn import was introduced and discussed . It appears that oue of the members had been charged Avith a breach of his Masonic obligations , aud accordingly it Avas proposed by the W . M ., and

unanimously agreed to that " Brother Polack be refused admittance iu this lodge , until he has acquitted himself of a complaint laid against him of a breach of the degree of a Master Mason , and that notice thereof be sent to the lodges in the couuty . " Of AA'hat nature the alleged crime Avas , is not recorded ( and Avisely

not , most probably ) . The Secretary AA- £ S fined 7 s . Gd . on March llth , "for not sending the key" (!) . We think the question of fines has not received that amount of attention it deserves , as surely their infliction would tend to secure more diligence and

jnmetuality from the brethren of the lodge , and the cause of Masonry itself AVOUM thus be advanced by newly admitted members Avitnessing the eagerness aud aim of every officer to acquit himself creditably , and be at his post at the appointed hour . Our Falmouth friends Avere alive to this fact , and no doubt

reaped the benefit of several such Avholesome penalties . On January 2 Sth , 1762 , Bro . Charles Bennett Avas admitted a joining member of the lodge . He Avas initiated at Truro according to our belief , and Avas the author of tiiat vigorous Masonic song , "On the Revival of Masonry , " commencing Avith " When

Masonry expiring lay . " Ifc is a production superior to many of its class . Masonic poetry does not occupy so high a position as it should in England . In Scotland happily lodges in several instances appoint competent brethren to the office of Poet

Laureate , and thus give honour to those Avho commit the " sin of rhyme . " Before me is a neat little hook containing the byelaws of the Cannongato Kilwinning Lodge , No . 2 , Edinburgh . The o'iice of Poet Laureate is placed in the list of Office Beavers in that loclge betvreen the

Inner Guard and the Master of Ceremonies . We are informed in the choice "Songs and Ballads , " by the present Poet Laureate of the loclge , that the laureateship of the Cannongate Kilwinning Avas instituted to do honour to Robert Burns , and after his

History Of Freemasonry In Cornwall.

death it Avas conferred upon James Hogg , the Ettrick Shepherd , who again was succeeded by William Pringle . Anthony Oneal Haye was the next appointed , and we believe this accomplished scholar and Mason still occupies that distinguished position . We have been led a little aside from the dry details

of minutes because of a correspondent of the FKEEJiAsOiVs' MAGAZINE seeking light on this subject . ( To be continued . )

Professor Robertson On Freemasonry.

PROFESSOR ROBERTSON ON FREEMASONRY .

( Continued from page 262 . ) Now , Ave cannot conceive that in this article , which , clearl y sets forth the mind of Scri pture , there is anything condemnatory of the Masonic OB . Ifc is vain and rash , swearing thai is therein

deprecated ¦ and surel y there is nothing vain or rasli in the oath administered to the Freemason . It is not vain / for it is taken in the cause of charity . It is not rash , for it is not proposed Avithout consideration , nor until the candidate has

had ample opportunity of withdraAving , should he wish ifc . The article goes on to say , " A man rnav swear AA'hen the magistrate reciuireth in a cause of faith and charity . " May Ave be permitted to g ive the folloAving quotation from

Professor Harold Browne ' s able " Exposition of the Thirty Nine Articles" on this point ? He says , '• ' It is probably an admitted fact that oaths were laAvful under the Old Testament . This article

refers to a passage in the Prophet Jeremiah ( iv . 2 ) , Thou shalt swear , the Lord liveth , in truth , in judgment , and iu ri ghteousness / The onl y prohibition Avas against false swearing , or SAvearing by false gods . Ifc seems likel y that the

Jeivs someivhafc abused this permission , and Avere rather free in their use of oaths , and of the name of the Almi ghty on trivial occasions . Accordingly , some strict and ascetic sects among them Avere led to the opposite extreme of refusing to

take an oath under any circumstances . If the JCAVS were thus profane and careless in swearing , Ave can readil y see the object of our Saviour ' s denunciation of rash oaths . There are obvious and very great dangers in a habit of this kind .

If , on every trivial occasion , Ave have recourse to an oath for attestation , ifc Avill almost necessarily folloiv that Ave shall li g htly regard an ordinary assertion , and thafc the sanctity of an oath itself Avill be less revered . Hence , such swearing must foster a spirit of untruthfulness . And again , the