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Article CORRESPONDENCE. ← Page 2 of 2
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Correspondence.
all times characterise Freemasons . Not for " edification " is all this , as regards the fraternity itself , while I much fear that the effect produced upon the Gentile mind is anything but profitable , or one calculated to encourage opinions favourable to the Institution .
A plague on all your theories ! I am sometimes tempted to exclaim . As well attempt to discover the philosopher's stone , as to find a satisfactory solution of the problem—the origin of Freemasonry . Cfui lono ? Why this foudness for continual groping in the dark ? Why not be contented with the Q . E . D ., and forbear from inquiring how it is arrived at . We are
told"Men mar tho beauty of their dreams , By tracing their source too well . " And it may be that there is a risk of imperilling the superstructure by raking too minutely amongst the foundations . The more I think over the question , the more I
read what is written thereon , the more firmly persuaded I am of the utter impossibility of tracing out the origin of our Order so as to enable us to quit the realm of theory and to repose in the sure anchorage of fact . That in 1717 four lodges were in existence in London is , I apprehend , incontrovertible . That
these lodges had then long been in existence is fairly presumable ; how long , none can venture to determine . Whether Masonry , operative aud speculative together , was worked in those lodges ; whether Masonry , purely operative or purely speculative , occupied the time and attention of the memberswhether
-; specu lative Masonry borrowed its symbols from the building art ; or , whether the figures and designs introduced in the various superb edifices which adorn this and other lands were borrowed from the
symbols used as illustrations by the speculative brethren , who shall say ? With present views it would be unbecoming in me to dogmatise , but of this there can be little doubt : that in the olden days the members of our Order were distinguished as "Latomi , " and the O . B . imposed on every initiate called upon him to keep concealed
and unknown the fact of his initiation , the place where , and by whom , he was initiated . Under these circumstances , the absence of records , memoranda , or histories , may be readily understood . Our predecessors of a comparatively remote day shrank from publicity , wended their way in silence , and did good stealth
by . Now , all is altered . Times are changed , and we have changed with them . Publicity is the order of the day , and our proceedings are reported for the information of the world , while in every locality iu the metropolis hebdomadally appears the newsvenders' afficlte of the contents of periodicals
exclusively devoted to the interests of the Order . Such is the contrast between past and present ; such the explanation of the difficulty of the task of the historian of antiquity , as compared with the labours of those who in future will write the history of this and succeeding centuries .
With all that I have said , let it not be imagined for a single moment that I condemn research , or that I lightly regard the students of Masonic archaeology My object is simply to express the feelings ancl opinions of a large number of brethren who deeply rever-ence and regard our ancient and time-honoured
Institution ( for such it undoubtedly is ) , but who do not think it acquires either lustre or renown from mythical associations and fanciful legends , or from attempts to give to it an antiquity as early as Babel , or to establish the throne of the first Grand Master in the garden watered by the four rivers . For myself , I am content to believe that from the earliest ages
there has existed a society or body of men who made knowledge their study , and who cultivated the arts and sciences , who vigorously guarded the possessions they acquired , admitting to the enjoyment thereof only those deemed worthy of reception , when fitness was tested by severe probationary ritesand who
con-, sidered themselves the depositories of truth and wisdom , which they regarded as the appanage of a few , not as the property of the many . Tinder what denominations such a society has been variously known , through what phases it has passed , how transmitted to modern times , I do not attempt to explain .
Suffice it , that in Ereemasonry I recognise the modern phase , or adaptation of this society , but with objects and purposes wholly dissimilar . The knowledge she possesses she seeks to disseminate by attracting within her fold ( but without solicitation ) the generous and the good of all creeds , climes , aud tongues . Her is exercised for the amelioration of want and
power the mitigation of distress , aud her influence is exercised everywhere and always in inculcating the principles of love , beneficence , and rectitude . This is the Order of which we are members ; and while firmly persuaded of its immemorial existence , I yet feel utterly unable to ascertain its precise origin or
antiquity , loving to regard it in the same manner as I would gaze upon a mountain whose lofty summit is hid in the morning mist , which prevents my ascertaining its exact altitude , but which my imagination permits me to picture as towering height upon height , until I fancy I see it piercing the blue vault of heaven itself .
These are very hastily written lines , and , on their perusal , the verdict of some may be that I , and those who think with me , are content to abide in a " Fool's Paradise . " In this , however , they would greatly err . My purpose simply is to endeavour—no matter how indifferently—to impress the brethren at large with a hih sense of the value and importance of
Freeg masonry , and to call upon them to use their best energies in the practical application of its principles and tenets , rather than useless inquiries into its origin and antiquity . Various jurisdictions , and differiug and different degrees and rites , may have various claims upon various and varying sympathies , some
giving a preference in one direction and some in another , but I believe all are productive of good if rightly appreciated , and that the adherents of either are deserving of the kindest consideration of their brethren generally , and ought to be , at least , secure from persecution and censure . Did leisure permit , I
could write at much greater length on this subject ; but hastily and imperfectly as I have expressed myself , I trust my desire maybe approved , which mainly is to attempt to throw oil upon the troubled waters of Masonic controversy , and to excite a desire for unity of thought , feeling , and action , which with me is " a consummation most devoutly wished . " Yours fraternally , FREDERICK BINCKES .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
all times characterise Freemasons . Not for " edification " is all this , as regards the fraternity itself , while I much fear that the effect produced upon the Gentile mind is anything but profitable , or one calculated to encourage opinions favourable to the Institution .
A plague on all your theories ! I am sometimes tempted to exclaim . As well attempt to discover the philosopher's stone , as to find a satisfactory solution of the problem—the origin of Freemasonry . Cfui lono ? Why this foudness for continual groping in the dark ? Why not be contented with the Q . E . D ., and forbear from inquiring how it is arrived at . We are
told"Men mar tho beauty of their dreams , By tracing their source too well . " And it may be that there is a risk of imperilling the superstructure by raking too minutely amongst the foundations . The more I think over the question , the more I
read what is written thereon , the more firmly persuaded I am of the utter impossibility of tracing out the origin of our Order so as to enable us to quit the realm of theory and to repose in the sure anchorage of fact . That in 1717 four lodges were in existence in London is , I apprehend , incontrovertible . That
these lodges had then long been in existence is fairly presumable ; how long , none can venture to determine . Whether Masonry , operative aud speculative together , was worked in those lodges ; whether Masonry , purely operative or purely speculative , occupied the time and attention of the memberswhether
-; specu lative Masonry borrowed its symbols from the building art ; or , whether the figures and designs introduced in the various superb edifices which adorn this and other lands were borrowed from the
symbols used as illustrations by the speculative brethren , who shall say ? With present views it would be unbecoming in me to dogmatise , but of this there can be little doubt : that in the olden days the members of our Order were distinguished as "Latomi , " and the O . B . imposed on every initiate called upon him to keep concealed
and unknown the fact of his initiation , the place where , and by whom , he was initiated . Under these circumstances , the absence of records , memoranda , or histories , may be readily understood . Our predecessors of a comparatively remote day shrank from publicity , wended their way in silence , and did good stealth
by . Now , all is altered . Times are changed , and we have changed with them . Publicity is the order of the day , and our proceedings are reported for the information of the world , while in every locality iu the metropolis hebdomadally appears the newsvenders' afficlte of the contents of periodicals
exclusively devoted to the interests of the Order . Such is the contrast between past and present ; such the explanation of the difficulty of the task of the historian of antiquity , as compared with the labours of those who in future will write the history of this and succeeding centuries .
With all that I have said , let it not be imagined for a single moment that I condemn research , or that I lightly regard the students of Masonic archaeology My object is simply to express the feelings ancl opinions of a large number of brethren who deeply rever-ence and regard our ancient and time-honoured
Institution ( for such it undoubtedly is ) , but who do not think it acquires either lustre or renown from mythical associations and fanciful legends , or from attempts to give to it an antiquity as early as Babel , or to establish the throne of the first Grand Master in the garden watered by the four rivers . For myself , I am content to believe that from the earliest ages
there has existed a society or body of men who made knowledge their study , and who cultivated the arts and sciences , who vigorously guarded the possessions they acquired , admitting to the enjoyment thereof only those deemed worthy of reception , when fitness was tested by severe probationary ritesand who
con-, sidered themselves the depositories of truth and wisdom , which they regarded as the appanage of a few , not as the property of the many . Tinder what denominations such a society has been variously known , through what phases it has passed , how transmitted to modern times , I do not attempt to explain .
Suffice it , that in Ereemasonry I recognise the modern phase , or adaptation of this society , but with objects and purposes wholly dissimilar . The knowledge she possesses she seeks to disseminate by attracting within her fold ( but without solicitation ) the generous and the good of all creeds , climes , aud tongues . Her is exercised for the amelioration of want and
power the mitigation of distress , aud her influence is exercised everywhere and always in inculcating the principles of love , beneficence , and rectitude . This is the Order of which we are members ; and while firmly persuaded of its immemorial existence , I yet feel utterly unable to ascertain its precise origin or
antiquity , loving to regard it in the same manner as I would gaze upon a mountain whose lofty summit is hid in the morning mist , which prevents my ascertaining its exact altitude , but which my imagination permits me to picture as towering height upon height , until I fancy I see it piercing the blue vault of heaven itself .
These are very hastily written lines , and , on their perusal , the verdict of some may be that I , and those who think with me , are content to abide in a " Fool's Paradise . " In this , however , they would greatly err . My purpose simply is to endeavour—no matter how indifferently—to impress the brethren at large with a hih sense of the value and importance of
Freeg masonry , and to call upon them to use their best energies in the practical application of its principles and tenets , rather than useless inquiries into its origin and antiquity . Various jurisdictions , and differiug and different degrees and rites , may have various claims upon various and varying sympathies , some
giving a preference in one direction and some in another , but I believe all are productive of good if rightly appreciated , and that the adherents of either are deserving of the kindest consideration of their brethren generally , and ought to be , at least , secure from persecution and censure . Did leisure permit , I
could write at much greater length on this subject ; but hastily and imperfectly as I have expressed myself , I trust my desire maybe approved , which mainly is to attempt to throw oil upon the troubled waters of Masonic controversy , and to excite a desire for unity of thought , feeling , and action , which with me is " a consummation most devoutly wished . " Yours fraternally , FREDERICK BINCKES .