Skip to main content
Museum of Freemasonry

Masonic Periodicals Online

  • Explore
  • Advanced Search
  • Home
  • Explore
  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Dec. 14, 1861
  • Page 5
Current:

The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Dec. 14, 1861: Page 5

  • Back to The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Dec. 14, 1861
  • Print image
  • Articles/Ads
    Article MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. ← Page 3 of 3
    Article Literature. Page 1 of 2 →
Page 5

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Masonic Notes And Queries.

banquetting and effeminacy , to avoid occasionally becoming a traitor to virtue ; ancl , secondly , to counteract the reigning luxury of the age , and to show his friends that the contentment of wise men does not entirely depend upon the palate and stomach , —that their fellow creatures might live happily on a cheaper scale , ancl that by the censureless exchange of thought in the narrow circle of intimacy , pleasures may be enjoyed , for the sake of ivhich one would willingly relinquish high living . For this reason he did not permit his

disciples to partake of wines , meat , or warm food during the clay ; and at the evening meal the elder brethren always presided . Eor this reason he removed from their tables all luxuries of food ; not even fish did he allow , probably because , as Montesquieu remarks , it increases the animal enjoyments ; perhaps , also , because it could not be used for offerings , and it was a matter of great import to him that he and his followers should be considered holy and ardent

ivorshipers of the gods . At certain times they had most splendid repasts prepared , their tables were covered with the most assorted delicacies ; but this was merely that they might look upon them , after ivhich they ivere carried by the slaves , and enjoyed by th em . Thus , by depriving them of all inflammable luxuries , he forced them to remain within the bounds of instinct ivhich nature had set f jr them . ' ¦ ' The founder of this union had nothing so much at heart after frugality , as to accustom his friends to bear with equanimity both Xivospei-ity and adversity . He believed that the virtuous , in order

• unswervingly to persevere in their resolutions , should acquire a certain firmness of mind , and elevate themselves above being affected by outward circumstances . The brethren of his order , therefore , never broke out into the wild shouting in their pleasures , nor imprecations in their anger . Tears , whimpering , cringing , flattery , threats , & c , vrere unknown among them . If it happened that a novice had not yet bacome perfect master of himself in this respect , he had to withdraw , that the others might not be contaminated ;

and he dare not proceed with any undertaking until the inward storm had subsided . These endeavours to control their countenances and gestures ivere not all intended to stifle their sensibilities and sympathy , or to force upon them a formal gravity of manners , but ^ merely to give quiet and composure to their outward appearance , ancl to their minds not only fearlessness and firmness , but also a certain mildness and gentleness

which made of them obliging companions , zealous friends , and forgiving enemies . This , Pythagoras called the harmony of the soul , and considered it to be the mother of modesty , bashfulness , and universal philanthropy ; roughness of manners , on the contrary , he thought were the source of insolence and hardheartedness towards one's fellow-creatures . Eor this reason he forbade his pupils hurting or killing harmless animals , and particularly

useful ones ; for he knew too well that he ivho can witness ivith indifference the last convulsions of au animal , will soon become blind to the tears of the suffering , and deaf to the rattles of the dying . !

Literature.

Literature .

REVIEWS . The Flower Shushan on the Pillars of Solomon ' s Temple . Erom the German of Dr .. KUECHENIIEISTEH . London : Eichard Spencer .

The construction , ornaments , ancl utensils of the Temple of King Solomon have ahvays had a charm for the antiquary and linguist . Each have tried , after their own impressions , to solve the problem of shape , plan , and utility of its various component parts . From the days of Dr . liightfoot , the Temple of Solomon has been a study of interest , and to the Freemason presents not only a vast field of enquiry , but is a

theme for much speculation . A very talented brother , has , with the view of enlig htening us on a disputed point , translated from the German , an essay on The Flower Shushan on the Pillars of Solomon ' s Temple . His views will be best understood by quoting the preface to this interesting book . He states"The following short treatisealthough written for and published

, in an occasional scientific ( non-masonic ) work ( Gelegenheits-sclirift ) . has so intimate a bearing upon the symbols and observances of Ereemasonry , and is so unlikely to come within the reach of any members of the Craft in England , the the translator felt it almost to be a duty to present it in an English garb .

"Xot only will the English Master Mason be enabled to trace the origin and cause of certain differences that exist between Masonry , as practised in Germany and as worked in England , but he will also be led to confess that the foreign Avorking is in those cases the more consonant with the Hebrew origin of many Masonie observances , and that , whatever errors exist , they have probably been introduced or confirmed at the Union of the two Grand Lodges in

1 S 13 . ' ' There is another consideration which cannot fail to strike the candid reader , and that is the impossibility of maintaining ( as so many attempt ) the literal accuracy—in other words , the literal inspiration—of any one particular version ofthe Old Testament . "The translator is not sufficiently at home in the Hebrew language to venture to point out the grammatical or etymological

errors , which undoubtedly often occur in the spelling or writing of various Hebrew words , not only in the original text of this treatise , but in most Masonic w-orks in ivhich the Hebrew words are given in Hebrew characters ; he lias , however , to express his thanks to his friend Dr . Weil for hai'ing drawn his attention to one case , which enabled him to trace the same and similar errors in other works—errors which are but too often a fruitful source of misconception in the various attempts that are made to arrive at

the true meaning of those ivords . " Finally , the translator , although perfectly conversant with the German language , must request the indulgence ofhis readers for any inaccuracy or inelegancy of diction , as he has been more accustomed to tranlate from English into German , than the converse . " Berne , 12 th June , 1861 . " " K . J . S . " In this spirit the work is laid before us and it might be

supposed that Ave should offer some comments of onr oAvnon the subject . This , however , would hardly be fair to the Author and Translator because any isolated passage ire could quote would do an injustice to the whole course of reasoning , which is gradually wrought up to a certain point , determining what the fknver " Shushan " really was . There is also another reason why we cannot enter into a consideration of

the subject here , the price is so trifling that every brother interested can buy the book , which is brimful of learning , argument , and information . Indeed if Ave wished to present a brother ivith a curious and interesting subject for thought , nothing better than this work could be selected .

County Education . A letter addressed to the Eight Hon . the Earl of Devon , by the Eev . J . L . BKEKETOX . London : Eidgway . The above pamphlet is from an ardent friend to the cause of ii'hat he terms " the secondary" education of the country , ancl its gist may be seen from the folioAving extractwhere

, its reverend author says : — "I wish to vindicate the County Education Movement from an imputation it has incurred , in some quarters , of being an interference with other educational interests . Ton are aware that I have personally been relieved by your noble kinsmen , the late and the present Earl Eortescue , from the charge of having , uncalled forpushed into prominence my own views and lans . To them

, p , and not to me , is due the honour , or the blame , of making public those plans and recommending them for trial . I will only say further of myself that any views I have entertained were formed while I was a stranger to Devonshire , and were , therefore , entirely independent of any existing or contemplated institutions in this county . To my ivise ancl earnest master , Dr . Arnold , I owe , among many thoughts and purposes , the impression that much

good ivas to be dons in improving what he called ' the secondary ' education of the country ; and to my own father 1 am indebted for the firm persuasion that this improvement , with many other civil blessings , might find its best source and stay in the restored life of our local and ancestral institutions , in the parishes and counties of England . "As to the practical experiment by which these views have been tested in this placenot onlis its success owing to the rare fortune

, y of having been supported by a man of such sterling character and great influence as the late Lord Lieutenant of Devon , but the experiment itself would never have been attempted or even alluded to in public , bat for his and his son's encouragement . I mention this in order to disengage , by a simple statement of facts , the object in view from the means and manner in ivhich it has been carried out .

" Is then the proposal to establish a County System of Education , consisting of public proprietary schools , a college , and examinations , to be looked upon as an interference with other interests ? Those interests may be assumed to be ( 1 ) The Endowed Grammar

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1861-12-14, Page 5” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 22 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_14121861/page/5/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
HONORARY GRAND OFFICERS. Article 1
A SUSPENSION IN INDIA. Article 1
THE MASON'S LAST REQUEST.—A SKETCH OF THE BATTLE-FIELD . Article 2
ARCHITECTURE AND ARCHÆOLOGY. Article 3
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 3
Literature. Article 5
Mr. Beeton's Publications. Article 6
GRATIFYING TESTIMONIALS. Article 7
NOTES ON LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART. Article 7
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 8
EAST LANCASHIRE. Article 9
GRAND CONOLAVE AND THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES. Article 9
THE MASONIC MIRROR. Article 10
METROPOLITAN. Article 10
PROVINCIAL. Article 11
SCOTLAND. Article 12
INDIA. Article 13
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 17
MASONIC FESTIVITIES. Article 19
Obituary. Article 19
THE WEEK. Article 19
SPECIAL NOTICE. Article 20
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 20
Page 1

Page 1

2 Articles
Page 2

Page 2

2 Articles
Page 3

Page 3

4 Articles
Page 4

Page 4

1 Article
Page 5

Page 5

2 Articles
Page 6

Page 6

3 Articles
Page 7

Page 7

3 Articles
Page 8

Page 8

2 Articles
Page 9

Page 9

4 Articles
Page 10

Page 10

2 Articles
Page 11

Page 11

2 Articles
Page 12

Page 12

2 Articles
Page 13

Page 13

3 Articles
Page 14

Page 14

1 Article
Page 15

Page 15

1 Article
Page 16

Page 16

1 Article
Page 17

Page 17

2 Articles
Page 18

Page 18

1 Article
Page 19

Page 19

3 Articles
Page 20

Page 20

3 Articles
Page 5

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Masonic Notes And Queries.

banquetting and effeminacy , to avoid occasionally becoming a traitor to virtue ; ancl , secondly , to counteract the reigning luxury of the age , and to show his friends that the contentment of wise men does not entirely depend upon the palate and stomach , —that their fellow creatures might live happily on a cheaper scale , ancl that by the censureless exchange of thought in the narrow circle of intimacy , pleasures may be enjoyed , for the sake of ivhich one would willingly relinquish high living . For this reason he did not permit his

disciples to partake of wines , meat , or warm food during the clay ; and at the evening meal the elder brethren always presided . Eor this reason he removed from their tables all luxuries of food ; not even fish did he allow , probably because , as Montesquieu remarks , it increases the animal enjoyments ; perhaps , also , because it could not be used for offerings , and it was a matter of great import to him that he and his followers should be considered holy and ardent

ivorshipers of the gods . At certain times they had most splendid repasts prepared , their tables were covered with the most assorted delicacies ; but this was merely that they might look upon them , after ivhich they ivere carried by the slaves , and enjoyed by th em . Thus , by depriving them of all inflammable luxuries , he forced them to remain within the bounds of instinct ivhich nature had set f jr them . ' ¦ ' The founder of this union had nothing so much at heart after frugality , as to accustom his friends to bear with equanimity both Xivospei-ity and adversity . He believed that the virtuous , in order

• unswervingly to persevere in their resolutions , should acquire a certain firmness of mind , and elevate themselves above being affected by outward circumstances . The brethren of his order , therefore , never broke out into the wild shouting in their pleasures , nor imprecations in their anger . Tears , whimpering , cringing , flattery , threats , & c , vrere unknown among them . If it happened that a novice had not yet bacome perfect master of himself in this respect , he had to withdraw , that the others might not be contaminated ;

and he dare not proceed with any undertaking until the inward storm had subsided . These endeavours to control their countenances and gestures ivere not all intended to stifle their sensibilities and sympathy , or to force upon them a formal gravity of manners , but ^ merely to give quiet and composure to their outward appearance , ancl to their minds not only fearlessness and firmness , but also a certain mildness and gentleness

which made of them obliging companions , zealous friends , and forgiving enemies . This , Pythagoras called the harmony of the soul , and considered it to be the mother of modesty , bashfulness , and universal philanthropy ; roughness of manners , on the contrary , he thought were the source of insolence and hardheartedness towards one's fellow-creatures . Eor this reason he forbade his pupils hurting or killing harmless animals , and particularly

useful ones ; for he knew too well that he ivho can witness ivith indifference the last convulsions of au animal , will soon become blind to the tears of the suffering , and deaf to the rattles of the dying . !

Literature.

Literature .

REVIEWS . The Flower Shushan on the Pillars of Solomon ' s Temple . Erom the German of Dr .. KUECHENIIEISTEH . London : Eichard Spencer .

The construction , ornaments , ancl utensils of the Temple of King Solomon have ahvays had a charm for the antiquary and linguist . Each have tried , after their own impressions , to solve the problem of shape , plan , and utility of its various component parts . From the days of Dr . liightfoot , the Temple of Solomon has been a study of interest , and to the Freemason presents not only a vast field of enquiry , but is a

theme for much speculation . A very talented brother , has , with the view of enlig htening us on a disputed point , translated from the German , an essay on The Flower Shushan on the Pillars of Solomon ' s Temple . His views will be best understood by quoting the preface to this interesting book . He states"The following short treatisealthough written for and published

, in an occasional scientific ( non-masonic ) work ( Gelegenheits-sclirift ) . has so intimate a bearing upon the symbols and observances of Ereemasonry , and is so unlikely to come within the reach of any members of the Craft in England , the the translator felt it almost to be a duty to present it in an English garb .

"Xot only will the English Master Mason be enabled to trace the origin and cause of certain differences that exist between Masonry , as practised in Germany and as worked in England , but he will also be led to confess that the foreign Avorking is in those cases the more consonant with the Hebrew origin of many Masonie observances , and that , whatever errors exist , they have probably been introduced or confirmed at the Union of the two Grand Lodges in

1 S 13 . ' ' There is another consideration which cannot fail to strike the candid reader , and that is the impossibility of maintaining ( as so many attempt ) the literal accuracy—in other words , the literal inspiration—of any one particular version ofthe Old Testament . "The translator is not sufficiently at home in the Hebrew language to venture to point out the grammatical or etymological

errors , which undoubtedly often occur in the spelling or writing of various Hebrew words , not only in the original text of this treatise , but in most Masonic w-orks in ivhich the Hebrew words are given in Hebrew characters ; he lias , however , to express his thanks to his friend Dr . Weil for hai'ing drawn his attention to one case , which enabled him to trace the same and similar errors in other works—errors which are but too often a fruitful source of misconception in the various attempts that are made to arrive at

the true meaning of those ivords . " Finally , the translator , although perfectly conversant with the German language , must request the indulgence ofhis readers for any inaccuracy or inelegancy of diction , as he has been more accustomed to tranlate from English into German , than the converse . " Berne , 12 th June , 1861 . " " K . J . S . " In this spirit the work is laid before us and it might be

supposed that Ave should offer some comments of onr oAvnon the subject . This , however , would hardly be fair to the Author and Translator because any isolated passage ire could quote would do an injustice to the whole course of reasoning , which is gradually wrought up to a certain point , determining what the fknver " Shushan " really was . There is also another reason why we cannot enter into a consideration of

the subject here , the price is so trifling that every brother interested can buy the book , which is brimful of learning , argument , and information . Indeed if Ave wished to present a brother ivith a curious and interesting subject for thought , nothing better than this work could be selected .

County Education . A letter addressed to the Eight Hon . the Earl of Devon , by the Eev . J . L . BKEKETOX . London : Eidgway . The above pamphlet is from an ardent friend to the cause of ii'hat he terms " the secondary" education of the country , ancl its gist may be seen from the folioAving extractwhere

, its reverend author says : — "I wish to vindicate the County Education Movement from an imputation it has incurred , in some quarters , of being an interference with other educational interests . Ton are aware that I have personally been relieved by your noble kinsmen , the late and the present Earl Eortescue , from the charge of having , uncalled forpushed into prominence my own views and lans . To them

, p , and not to me , is due the honour , or the blame , of making public those plans and recommending them for trial . I will only say further of myself that any views I have entertained were formed while I was a stranger to Devonshire , and were , therefore , entirely independent of any existing or contemplated institutions in this county . To my ivise ancl earnest master , Dr . Arnold , I owe , among many thoughts and purposes , the impression that much

good ivas to be dons in improving what he called ' the secondary ' education of the country ; and to my own father 1 am indebted for the firm persuasion that this improvement , with many other civil blessings , might find its best source and stay in the restored life of our local and ancestral institutions , in the parishes and counties of England . "As to the practical experiment by which these views have been tested in this placenot onlis its success owing to the rare fortune

, y of having been supported by a man of such sterling character and great influence as the late Lord Lieutenant of Devon , but the experiment itself would never have been attempted or even alluded to in public , bat for his and his son's encouragement . I mention this in order to disengage , by a simple statement of facts , the object in view from the means and manner in ivhich it has been carried out .

" Is then the proposal to establish a County System of Education , consisting of public proprietary schools , a college , and examinations , to be looked upon as an interference with other interests ? Those interests may be assumed to be ( 1 ) The Endowed Grammar

  • Prev page
  • 1
  • 4
  • You're on page5
  • 6
  • 20
  • Next page
  • Accredited Museum Designated Outstanding Collection
  • LIBRARY AND MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1058497 / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025

  • Accessibility statement

  • Designed, developed, and maintained by King's Digital Lab

We use cookies to track usage and preferences.

Privacy & cookie policy