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Cantmts . PAGE . FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE . — Music in Lodges 311 English Gilds 342 Lodge Minutes , No . 13 , by Bro . AV . P . Buchan 346 The Bible and Masonry 347

Masonic Jottings—No . 42 3 < i 8 Masonic Notes aud Queries 349 Masonic Sayings and Doings Abroad 349 MASOHtlO MI 15 . T 1031 : — Masonic Mems 351 CRATT LODGE MEETINGS : — Metropolitan 351

Provincial 352 Royal Arch 353 Hark Masonry 353 Canada 354 Reviews 356 Address at the Consecration of Lodge St , Mary , Booking 358 Presentation to Bro . Edginton 35 S List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 360

Music In Lodges.

MUSIC IN LODGES .

LONDON ; SATURDAY , OCTOBER 29 , 1870 ,

Afc the close of our remarks oa Music in connection with the Masonic ceremonies , on the Sth inst ., we announced that our attention had recently been called to the new American Organs , extensively used in the Lodges and other Masonic

bodies in the United States . We have since received further particulars from the London agents ( Messrs . Breavington , of Old Bond Street ) of the manufacturers of these instruments , " The Mason and Hamlin Organ Manufacturing

Company , of Boston and New York , " whose establishment " affords acres of floor room , and gives employment to hundreds of workmen .- " Provided with every facility for the division of labour , they are thus enabled to produce an instrument "

perfect in its parts , and honourable to the builder . - ' - ' We are informed that the number of organs finished , packed , and shipped from the factory is over one hundred per week , sometimes even reaching 140 or 150 , a proof of the high appreciation in which the instruments are held in the nation of

their origin . The makers issue a sheet of testimonials to the efficiency and excellence of their instruments . As a rule , not much value can be set upon testimonials , which are so easily obtained ; but when we find

that professional musicians have overcome the common prejudice against " new-fangled inventions , " and that men of high rank , both in America , in England , and on the Continent , unite in giving their evidence in praise of the wonderful capabilities of these instruments , we cannot fail to be

impressed with the genuine nature of their testimony . Amongst these names we find those of Edouard Batiste , Professor of the Imperial Conservatory of Music , Paris Dr . Hanslick , Professor of the Imperial Academy of Yienna ; 0 . B . Boise ,

Alumnus of the Leipzig Conservatory ; Charles P . Davies , Fellow of the College of Organists , London ; Julius Eichberg , Director of Boston Conservatory of Music ; Gottschalk , and Thalberg , the celebrated Pianists .

Our own Grand Organist , Bro . J . Coward , who is , as is well known , organist to the Crystal Palace , and the Sacred Harmonic Society , says of them : —¦ " I have to thank you for kindly giving me the opportunity of trying your charming chamber

organ . The quality of tone struck me as being remarkably near to that of the organ proper , and I must say that I have never heard an instrument of the harmonium character that has given me such satisfaction ; the delicacy of the dulciana stop

pleased me very much , while the deep tones of the bourdon produced a fine effect . The flute and oboe are excellent imitations of those instruments , and when coupled together , the rich tone of a large organ , heard at a distance , was the effect produced . " Not having seen the remarks of Bro . Coward , Ave requested Bro . Knappe to examine , test , and

report upon their efficiency , and from him we receive the folloAving : — - " Dear Sir and Brother , —I have seen the Organs of the Mason and Hamlin Co ., and find them so much superior in every regard , as compared with

the best Harmoniums of the English , French , or German manufacturers , that I am Only sorry I did not know them long before , or I should have bought one for the Lodge of Tranquility , instead of a harmonium . The Avorkmanship is most durable ,

the tone of the different registers is most beautiful , and the quickness with which the tone is produced when played is wonderful . Also tho octave coupler is au improvement , and by the automatic bellows swell a greater variety of effect is produced . I am sure it only wants a little practice for a musician to become master of those beautiful

instruments , and all amateurs , who have much trouble in practising the expression stop of a harmonium , will be glad to learn the easy action of expression of Messrs . Mason and Hamlin ' s Organs . I shall go there as soon and as often as I can to examine and play them again . " With such evidence of their superiority over the