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Article CORRESPONDENCE. ← Page 2 of 2
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Correspondence.
what becomes of the universality of Masonry ? AVhere is the brotherhood ? I could well wish that some abler pen than mine would employ itself on this subject , which is , I think ( and many Masons good and true agree with me ) a vital one . Do not imagine , my brother , that we wish to partake of the material benefits of English Masonry ; it is only the recognition we ask for . Indeed , our earnest wish is to affiliate ourselves to
the Grand Lodge , but the expense is an effectual barrier . AVith many apologies for thus occupying your valuable time and space , and trusting that this most unhappy subject may be settled by English Masons in a manner consonant with our great laws , I am , vours sincerely and fraternally , Bee firt , 1850 . A POOR , MASOX . [ We shall feel obliged by our correspondent giving us the name
and address of the Lodge to which he alludes ; even if it be so , it is contrary to all Masonic usage for one Grand Lodge to grant charters within the jurisdiction of another . AYc may here notice the following communication which appeared in the columns of the Morning Advertiser on Monday , headed "Advertisement " : — '' SIR , —In an article beaded ' Grand Lodge of Freemasons , ' and inserted in your impression of Thursday , Dec . 1 , it is stated' The Board
, for General Purposes have issued a circular , cautioning the Craft against a spurious Order of Masona , whose head quarters are at Stratford , in Essex , calling themselves ' The Reformed Masonic Order of Memphis , or Rite of the Grand Lodge of Philadelphes . ' I am not about to dispute either the wisdom or the Masonic feeling which has dictated this course of action , but I am anxious to save the time of the Board , aud likewise the great amount of trouble usually incurred in seeking for that proverbial curiosita ' mare ' s nest . ' There isdoubtlessa Masonic Lod
y , , , ge existing at Stratford ( whether spurious or not time and the good conduet of its members can alone determine ) , but so far from its being ' head quarters , ' it is a mere offshoot from a strong and efficient Lodge , bohliug the original warrant from the Masonic body in France , and dovoted exclusively to the purpose of carrying our the true Masonic principles of brotherly love and benevolence , as many members of English Lodges can testify , who have been assisted from its funds ; and , in this
respect , perhaps the ' Board for General Purposes' might have been as well employed in cautioning the members of the Stratford Lodge , as in promulgating its ex cathedra , denunciations against those who , like Luther , have committed the grave offence of attempting to make a great institution a real benefit to the masses , rather than an aristocratic plaything in the hands of those whom the contents of a well filled purse may have elevated to distinction . —I remain , yours very respectfully , " Stratford , b ' xnex . " C . ASIIDOWN . "
AVe certainly think it would have been better to have alluded more particularly to the so-called Grand Lodge from which the Lodge at Stratford holds , the principals of which have admitted in our columns that they do not hold from the Grand Lodge of France . The " offshoot "of an illegal and unconstitutional body must of necessity be as illegal and reprehensible as the source from whence it springs—En . ]
FREEMASONRY NOT PURELY SECULAR . TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DF . AU Sin AXD BROTHER , —One cannot help wondering how any one who has been initiated into Freemasonry , even though he should , like the late Professor Robison , have never advanced beyond the degree of an E . A ., should so far misconceive the object of the Craft as to pronounce our meetings to be purel
y secular , as your correspondent " Z . " does , in your last issue . It is true that Freemasonry enforces no creed in reli gion or code in politics ; but whether we judge it by its beautiful ritual in opening and closing the Lodge in the first three degrees ; or its solemn ceremonies in making , passing , and raising ; the explanation of the tracing boards and the working tools ; or its catechetical instruction in the various sections—whether we judge it by one or
all of tliese , I cannot consider our meetings for the practise of the above , separately or conjointly , as being purely secular , and should as soon think of pronouncing the majority of our Sunday schools so . Our reverend and respected brother , Dr . Oliver , seems to err in his eloquent writings , by regarding Christianity and Freemasonry as quite synonymous terms ; your correspondent " Z" runs into the opposite extreme . They have neither of them
. kept within compass , and thus missed the point within a circle . Our meetings purely secular!—what a farce , then , not to say profanity , it would be to consecrate Lodges , open and close with prayer , beseech a blessing on candidates for the different degrees , and to use the volume of the sacred law , which is never closed in any Lodge , in the manner wc do . I can assure your reader * that
I do not write thus from any desire to be considered an authority on Masonry either here or elsewhere , though I am anxious really to become ono , and to see every other brother do the same . _ Wc often complain that we are misrepresented by the uninitiated ; my own opinion is , that if wc are misunderstood by the outer world , we have ourselves to blame for it . Of that , more anon ; but for the presentIfor onecannot allow brotherespeciall
, , , any , y in the only recognized organ of the Order in England , to pronounce our meetings " purely secular , " without entering my humble protest against the assertion . I am not going to argue for or against the practice of holding Lodges of Instruction on the sabbath ; agreeing as I do with you , brother Editor , that perhaps it is better avoided , as we ought to g ive no cause of offence to any brother unnecessarily .
I can assure " Z . " that I have never attended any Masonic meeting on a Sunday ; but I think he is too severe upon those brethren who do attend Sunday Lodges of Instruction when he writes— " Surely this is contrary to the letter of the moral law ; and , our meetings being purely secular , contrary to the law of the land , too , " and regards it as " a blot upon our escutcheon . " Giving " Z" credit for being actuated onlby the best of motives
. y , but thinking that he docs not hold Freemasonry in the high estimation to which it is entitled , I trust that he will receive these few remarks in the kindly spirit with which they are given . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , Bun / , December bth , 1859 . GEOKGK MAHKIIAJI TVKIIDVU . U
THE BOYS SCHOOL . TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MTI' . HOR . DEAR SIR AXD BKOTIIEE , —As I hear there is likely to be a vacancy in the office of Secretary to this school by the resignation of Bro . Thiselton , let me advise the governors not to promise their votes until the names of all the candidates arc before them . Yours fraternall
y , December 1 th , 1859 . A L IFE GOVF . RXOR . [ There is an old adage about "looking for dead mens' shoes , " and we have been furnished with the names of two candidates for the office , which wc decline publishing , not believing that Bro . Q'hiselton has any intention of resigning , though the wish may be the father to the thought . — -E D , ]
THE CALENDAR . TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAOAMNE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR Snt . AXD BROTHER , —The Calendar Committee of the Board of General Purposes , by the circular lately issued to the
several Lodges in England , doubtless hath been roused to energy by the articles which have from time to time been in your excellent Al ' agazhie . Their attention should be especially directed to the form of columns suggested by Bro . E . S . Cosscus , ( p . 98-I-, No . 4 ( i , 1858 ) , which , if adopted , I venture to-say would not take a day to complete the lists , if Bro . Farnfield , who knows all about it , could give his assistance to their completion . Yours fraternally , r oth December , 1859 . 11 . E . X ,
SIIOITINO IN NEW YORK . — " The first thing she asked to see was for some 'bed spreads . ' 'AVhat did you ask for VI said . 'Bedspreads . ' Not liking to ask again what she meant , I quietly waited till they were produced , aud they turned out to be counterpanes . A white ' sun shade , was tho next article—that was a parasol . My curiosity was again excited by her asking for 'paper cambric , and twelve yards of ' cotton batting . ' I began to despair of ever being able to make myself intelligibly understood in the shopping line . Tliese latter articles were
common glazed muslin , and wadding , which is sold by the yard instead of sheets , a great convenience . Our next visit was to Ball and Black , the great jewellers , to look at some brooches , bracelets , and rings , when , to my astonishment , she asked for ' breast pins , ' ' wristlets , and ' finger rings . lVe now went into Thompson's to have luncheon . She asked me what I liked best ; but , thinking that perhaps the eatables might be called by names I knew nothing about , I inquired of her what was best , to which she lied' Let me order what I think will suit . ' Her
rep , you orders were as follows : — ' AVaiter , will you bring stews with crackers , soft-shell crabs , squab owl , with Irish potatoes aud fixings—and waiter don't forget sonic cold slaw , and squash pie . ' It was with the greatest curiosity , that I waited the appearance of viands with such outlandish names , audit was not long before tho waiter appeared with our wonderful luncheon , "—American PhHo ' jraphs .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
what becomes of the universality of Masonry ? AVhere is the brotherhood ? I could well wish that some abler pen than mine would employ itself on this subject , which is , I think ( and many Masons good and true agree with me ) a vital one . Do not imagine , my brother , that we wish to partake of the material benefits of English Masonry ; it is only the recognition we ask for . Indeed , our earnest wish is to affiliate ourselves to
the Grand Lodge , but the expense is an effectual barrier . AVith many apologies for thus occupying your valuable time and space , and trusting that this most unhappy subject may be settled by English Masons in a manner consonant with our great laws , I am , vours sincerely and fraternally , Bee firt , 1850 . A POOR , MASOX . [ We shall feel obliged by our correspondent giving us the name
and address of the Lodge to which he alludes ; even if it be so , it is contrary to all Masonic usage for one Grand Lodge to grant charters within the jurisdiction of another . AYc may here notice the following communication which appeared in the columns of the Morning Advertiser on Monday , headed "Advertisement " : — '' SIR , —In an article beaded ' Grand Lodge of Freemasons , ' and inserted in your impression of Thursday , Dec . 1 , it is stated' The Board
, for General Purposes have issued a circular , cautioning the Craft against a spurious Order of Masona , whose head quarters are at Stratford , in Essex , calling themselves ' The Reformed Masonic Order of Memphis , or Rite of the Grand Lodge of Philadelphes . ' I am not about to dispute either the wisdom or the Masonic feeling which has dictated this course of action , but I am anxious to save the time of the Board , aud likewise the great amount of trouble usually incurred in seeking for that proverbial curiosita ' mare ' s nest . ' There isdoubtlessa Masonic Lod
y , , , ge existing at Stratford ( whether spurious or not time and the good conduet of its members can alone determine ) , but so far from its being ' head quarters , ' it is a mere offshoot from a strong and efficient Lodge , bohliug the original warrant from the Masonic body in France , and dovoted exclusively to the purpose of carrying our the true Masonic principles of brotherly love and benevolence , as many members of English Lodges can testify , who have been assisted from its funds ; and , in this
respect , perhaps the ' Board for General Purposes' might have been as well employed in cautioning the members of the Stratford Lodge , as in promulgating its ex cathedra , denunciations against those who , like Luther , have committed the grave offence of attempting to make a great institution a real benefit to the masses , rather than an aristocratic plaything in the hands of those whom the contents of a well filled purse may have elevated to distinction . —I remain , yours very respectfully , " Stratford , b ' xnex . " C . ASIIDOWN . "
AVe certainly think it would have been better to have alluded more particularly to the so-called Grand Lodge from which the Lodge at Stratford holds , the principals of which have admitted in our columns that they do not hold from the Grand Lodge of France . The " offshoot "of an illegal and unconstitutional body must of necessity be as illegal and reprehensible as the source from whence it springs—En . ]
FREEMASONRY NOT PURELY SECULAR . TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DF . AU Sin AXD BROTHER , —One cannot help wondering how any one who has been initiated into Freemasonry , even though he should , like the late Professor Robison , have never advanced beyond the degree of an E . A ., should so far misconceive the object of the Craft as to pronounce our meetings to be purel
y secular , as your correspondent " Z . " does , in your last issue . It is true that Freemasonry enforces no creed in reli gion or code in politics ; but whether we judge it by its beautiful ritual in opening and closing the Lodge in the first three degrees ; or its solemn ceremonies in making , passing , and raising ; the explanation of the tracing boards and the working tools ; or its catechetical instruction in the various sections—whether we judge it by one or
all of tliese , I cannot consider our meetings for the practise of the above , separately or conjointly , as being purely secular , and should as soon think of pronouncing the majority of our Sunday schools so . Our reverend and respected brother , Dr . Oliver , seems to err in his eloquent writings , by regarding Christianity and Freemasonry as quite synonymous terms ; your correspondent " Z" runs into the opposite extreme . They have neither of them
. kept within compass , and thus missed the point within a circle . Our meetings purely secular!—what a farce , then , not to say profanity , it would be to consecrate Lodges , open and close with prayer , beseech a blessing on candidates for the different degrees , and to use the volume of the sacred law , which is never closed in any Lodge , in the manner wc do . I can assure your reader * that
I do not write thus from any desire to be considered an authority on Masonry either here or elsewhere , though I am anxious really to become ono , and to see every other brother do the same . _ Wc often complain that we are misrepresented by the uninitiated ; my own opinion is , that if wc are misunderstood by the outer world , we have ourselves to blame for it . Of that , more anon ; but for the presentIfor onecannot allow brotherespeciall
, , , any , y in the only recognized organ of the Order in England , to pronounce our meetings " purely secular , " without entering my humble protest against the assertion . I am not going to argue for or against the practice of holding Lodges of Instruction on the sabbath ; agreeing as I do with you , brother Editor , that perhaps it is better avoided , as we ought to g ive no cause of offence to any brother unnecessarily .
I can assure " Z . " that I have never attended any Masonic meeting on a Sunday ; but I think he is too severe upon those brethren who do attend Sunday Lodges of Instruction when he writes— " Surely this is contrary to the letter of the moral law ; and , our meetings being purely secular , contrary to the law of the land , too , " and regards it as " a blot upon our escutcheon . " Giving " Z" credit for being actuated onlby the best of motives
. y , but thinking that he docs not hold Freemasonry in the high estimation to which it is entitled , I trust that he will receive these few remarks in the kindly spirit with which they are given . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , Bun / , December bth , 1859 . GEOKGK MAHKIIAJI TVKIIDVU . U
THE BOYS SCHOOL . TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MTI' . HOR . DEAR SIR AXD BKOTIIEE , —As I hear there is likely to be a vacancy in the office of Secretary to this school by the resignation of Bro . Thiselton , let me advise the governors not to promise their votes until the names of all the candidates arc before them . Yours fraternall
y , December 1 th , 1859 . A L IFE GOVF . RXOR . [ There is an old adage about "looking for dead mens' shoes , " and we have been furnished with the names of two candidates for the office , which wc decline publishing , not believing that Bro . Q'hiselton has any intention of resigning , though the wish may be the father to the thought . — -E D , ]
THE CALENDAR . TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAOAMNE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR Snt . AXD BROTHER , —The Calendar Committee of the Board of General Purposes , by the circular lately issued to the
several Lodges in England , doubtless hath been roused to energy by the articles which have from time to time been in your excellent Al ' agazhie . Their attention should be especially directed to the form of columns suggested by Bro . E . S . Cosscus , ( p . 98-I-, No . 4 ( i , 1858 ) , which , if adopted , I venture to-say would not take a day to complete the lists , if Bro . Farnfield , who knows all about it , could give his assistance to their completion . Yours fraternally , r oth December , 1859 . 11 . E . X ,
SIIOITINO IN NEW YORK . — " The first thing she asked to see was for some 'bed spreads . ' 'AVhat did you ask for VI said . 'Bedspreads . ' Not liking to ask again what she meant , I quietly waited till they were produced , aud they turned out to be counterpanes . A white ' sun shade , was tho next article—that was a parasol . My curiosity was again excited by her asking for 'paper cambric , and twelve yards of ' cotton batting . ' I began to despair of ever being able to make myself intelligibly understood in the shopping line . Tliese latter articles were
common glazed muslin , and wadding , which is sold by the yard instead of sheets , a great convenience . Our next visit was to Ball and Black , the great jewellers , to look at some brooches , bracelets , and rings , when , to my astonishment , she asked for ' breast pins , ' ' wristlets , and ' finger rings . lVe now went into Thompson's to have luncheon . She asked me what I liked best ; but , thinking that perhaps the eatables might be called by names I knew nothing about , I inquired of her what was best , to which she lied' Let me order what I think will suit . ' Her
rep , you orders were as follows : — ' AVaiter , will you bring stews with crackers , soft-shell crabs , squab owl , with Irish potatoes aud fixings—and waiter don't forget sonic cold slaw , and squash pie . ' It was with the greatest curiosity , that I waited the appearance of viands with such outlandish names , audit was not long before tho waiter appeared with our wonderful luncheon , "—American PhHo ' jraphs .