The Rise And Purposes Of Speculative Masonry.

was , however , in existence at that period no code of laws to regulate the internal ceremony of the lodges , except a few brief by-laws of their own , which in fact were little more than a dead letter , for the brethren acted pretty much as their own

judgment dictated . But as this freedom led to many irregularities , and was likely to afford a pretext for unconstitutional practices , it was resolved that every lodge to be hereafter convened , except the four old lodges at this time existing ,

should be legally authorised to act by a warrant from the Grand Master for the time being , granted to certain individuals on petition , with the consent and approbation of the Grand Lodge in communication ; and that without such warrant no lodge

should be hereafter deemed regular or constitutional . " Accordingly , on St . John Baptist ' s day 1717 , a Grand Lodge was held , and Bro . Anthony Sayer elected Grand Master of Masons , who being forthwith invested with the badges of office and

power , was duly congratulated and homaged , and appointed Bros . Capt . Joseph Elliott and Lamball his Grand Wardens . At this communication

it was resolved that whilst the antient usuages and landmarks of the Order should be most vigilantly and conscientiously preserved , it not being in the power of any man or body of men to make innovation in the body of Masonry , yet that the

Craft should no longer be held to be the peculiar possession of operative builders , and such others as were " accepted " by their lodges , but that the benefits of the Fraternity should be extended to all men of respectability and character throughout

the world , by means of lodges , in which , if their members so willed it , the symbolic science of Freemasonry should be cultivated to the exclusion of practical architecture . ( To be continued . )

The Hebrew Brethren Of New York And The Dist. G. Master.

THE HEBREW BRETHREN OF NEW YORK AND THE DIST . G . MASTER .

Hon . James Gibson , who signs himself " Grand Master of Masons in New York , " as an appendix to his report to Grand Lodge , submitted the following document : — " Geo . W . HarrisDistDGMof the Fourth

, . ... District : " R . W . Sir and Brother , —I have thoroughly considered the facts and reasons presen t ed in favour of a petition for a new lodge , to be called Gan Eden , ' and to be located in Brooklyn .

The Hebrew Brethren Of New York And The Dist. G. Master.

" In its favour I find there is entire unanimity among the Craft in the vicinity of its proposed location . The brethren petitioning are respected and esteemed by all who know them , and are nob only able but willing to labour diligently in the good work of building up and sustaining a lodge .

The officers named for the proposed dispensation are amply and satisfactorily vouched for as suitably proficient in the standard work and lectures established by the M . W . Grand Lodge , and eminently worthy , in respect to character and standing , to enable them to transact the work of the lodge

with fidelity and dispatch . " Had I any doubt on any of these questions , your recommendation , specially stating the facts , and making honourable mention as to the ability and reputation of the petitioners , would have dispelled all questions on that subject .

" The only questions arise out of the facts creating , as claimed , the necessity for the proposed new lodge . It is urged that ' men unexceptionable in every respect have been refused admission into lodges of Freemasons in Brooklyn , simply because they are Jews . ' It is claimed on behalf

of the petitioners that ' they only desire to start a lodge wherein all who may apply at the door shall receive proper Masonic treatment ; a lodge which shall judge of candidates by their moral character , and in which religious faith or sect shall be no bar to admission . ' It is stated that ' all the persons

whose names appear upon the petition are Hebrews , " " and they ' ask that they be regarded in no unfavourable light on that account . '

" These are substantially the leading principles on which the petition is grounded , and by which , if granted , it must be sustained . The decision of the application , therefore , presents for discussion a determination of princi ples lying at the very foundation of our institution . I approach

the subject with solicitude , and regret that it should not have arisen while an abler Craftsman was at the helm . Bub it has arisen , and must be determined ; and while adjudging it I would only ask that they who think the judgment erroneous shall exercise true Masonic charity , and refer the error to the reason , and not to the heart of the judge .

" The _ universality or catholicity of Masonry , as distinguished from systems of faith or creeds , is acknowledged as one of the fundamental principles of the Fraternity . In order to be a Mason it is not essential that one shall believe in the dogmas of any religion whatever . The institution is

cosmopolitan in its character and receives any one , being in other respects duly qualified , who acknowledges the existence of God , whether he be Jew or Gentile , Christian or Mahomedan ; but it receives them all into the one lodge , and upon an equality as before the Masonic W . Not only is no particular creed necessary or requisite to admission , but the belief of one applying in any