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Article CORRESPONDENCE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 2 of 2 Article LIVERPOOL MASONIC LITERARY SOCIETY. Page 1 of 1
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Correspondence.
We see , now , the conditions of admission of French Masons into English Lodges differs somewhat from what I had previously sup . posed , bnt the facts remain unaltered , viz .: that under certain conditions French Masons may still visit English Lodges , while the English Masons may visit French Lodges that were constituted either before or after tho change in the French Constitution waa
made ; and from the address of the Earl of Carnarvon , I further learu that some other Grand Lodges , either in Europe or elsewhere , have also eliminated the Doity from their Ritual . On consulting the Proceedings of the Grand Lodgo of Scotland , I found that the said Grain ! Lod ^ e merely adopted the identical resolutions that were sent tbeui by the Grand Lodge of England .
Hence , Scotch Masons may also visit with impunity Lodges chartered by the Grand Orient of France . Our American Grand Lodges seem to be ruled by greater saints than the Lodges of England , Scotland and Ireland are , for not only is an American Mason prohibited to visit a Grand Orient Lodge , bnt he is not even allowed to visit a Scotch Rite concern that is chartered
by the Grand Orient of France . Nay , more ; if a Sovereign of one of onr American Scotch Rite factions shonld visit , in Paris , a Scotch Rite concern , subject to the Grand Orient of France , every one of his American adherents is , according to the opinion of a high Masonic authority , liable to expulsion from his Blue Lodge . I would be very much pleased to learn that I am mistaken in wh & t
I am about to say , viz .: It is my opinion that the Grand Lodr » e of Massachusetts is the only Grand Lodge that is ruled by descendants of the Anglo-Saxon race whioh abstained from joining in tho jprnsQde against the Grand Orient of France on account of change made in hor Constitution . I was , however , under an impression that some years ago the Massachusetts Grand Lodge did forbid her Masons to
visit French Lodges on account of the French Grand Orient having acknowledged a Scotch Rite concern in Louisiana , which assumed the right of chartering Blue Lodges . But , on the other hand , I learned that a brother who was initiated in Paris in a Grand Orient Lodge in 1879 ( that is two years after the French Constitution was changed ) , was allowed to visit Lodges in Boston , and that ho was even allowed
to join a Lodge in Boston . Upon further searching , I found that friendly intercourse took place between the Grand Lodge here and the French Grand Orient in 1867 and in 1868 , but owing to a complaint having been made by tho Grand Lodge of Louisiana against tho French Grand Orient for acknowledging a Louisiana Scotch Rite concern which assumed the right to initiate persons into Masonrv ,
the said subject was referred to a committee , and all that the said committee recommended was , that whereas the Masons that aro made by the Louisiana Scotch Riters were not legitimate Masons , therefore no Massachusetts Masons should visit a Grand Orient Lodge , if one or more of tho Louisiana illegal made Masons was present in the said Lodge . Otherwise there waa no restriction for
our Masons to visit French Lodges . . And strange to say , as far as I could learn , the above resolution of the committee was never put to a vote by the Grand Master , and it simply stands in the Proceedings as the opinion of the committee . When the universal indignation of our Anglo-Saxon ruled Grand Lodges broke out against the French Grand Orient , on account of its
change of Constitution , the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts referred tho Grand Orient question to a Committee , with Bro . Chickering , of Fittsfielcl , as its chairman . Several months after the said appointment , I heard that Bro . Chickering's report was returned to the Committee for some amendment . What kind of amendment was wanted , I knew not , but as I knew Bro . Chickering , I informed him about the
discussion I had in the FREEMASON ' S CIIRONICIE , in England , on the Grand Orient question , and offered to lend him all that was printed , pro and con upon the question , should he desire it . The brother thanked me for the offer , but informed me that he would not further trouble himself with the subject . The cause of Bro . Chickering's refusal to amend tho resolutions remained unknown to me for several
years . From Grand Master C . A . Welch I have , however , learned that Chickering ' s report was too violent for his colleagues' approval , the majority of the Committee was opposed to the resolutions , —some unpleasant feeling was doubtless manifested by tbe disappointed chairman . It wafc , however , finally agreed that the preamble to the resolutions , which , my informant said , " was filled with glittering
generalities , " should be read before the Grand Lodge , after which a motion was to be made to recommit the report , which was done accordingly , to which Bro . Welch added , " the Committee never reported , and nobody ever called for their report . " And so ended ihe Grand Orient question in Massachusetts . That Massachusetts ba ? lacked iu what may be called Anglo-Saxon
Masonic Orthodoxy , for some years past , may be inferred from tho following fact : —Fifteen years ago , Bro . Charles Bradlaugh , au avowed atheist , was invited to visit an old Lodge in Boston ; he was thure toasted , with Masonia honours , and he made a speech , which was printed ; all which was no secret fco the Grand Lodge of Massa . chusetts , but nevertheless , the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts found
no fault whatever with the said Lodge , or with any one who attended the Lodge on that occasion . I must , however , add , that to the best of ray belief no one suffered any harm whatever who sat in the said Lodge in company with an atheist . Again . Bro . Nickerson , our Grand Secretary , received a letter from a Bostonian Mason , whose father was formerly Grand Master here , stating that he ( the writer ) was an agnostic , aad wanted to
know what the Grand Lodge was going to do about it . To which Bro . Nickerson made no reply . But a week or so later he wrote another letter , more defiaut and insulting than the former one , and Bro . Nickerson again made no reply , and that was the last of it . I do not know what our pious American Grand Secretaries will say to Bro . Niokerson's want 6 f Masonic Orthodoxy . I , however , think that he acted very sensibly in the above case .
And now , I will sum up what I have learned from the forenamed investi gation . First and foremost , I found that no Grand Lodge outside of those ruled by the descendants of the Anglo-Saxon race
Correspondence.
made any / uss whatever with the Grand Orient of France on account of , the change she made in her Constitution and Ritual . Second , that English and Scottish Masons may continue to visit the Grand Orient Lodges with impunity , and Grand Orient Masons are not altogether debarred from visiting English and Scottish Lodges . And third , that
of all the Grand Lodges that ore ruled by the descendants of the Anglo-Saxon race , I believe ( until otherwise proved ) that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts alone acted wisely in not interfering with tho right of tbe Grand Orient of Franco to eliminate theology from her Constit n-
tion and Ritual . Hence Massachusetts Masons may freely visit French Lodges , whether they were constituted in accordance with the old mode or tho new , and French Masons can visit Massachusetts Lodges without being postered with impertinent questions about their theological beliefs and disbeliefs .
Fraternally yours , ^ J ACOB N ORTON . Boston , Mass ., 2 nd February 1890 . The paragraph alluded to by Bro . Norton is as follows" For the sake of information which may not be known to
you , I beg to state that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts never prohibited any of her children visiting Lodges under Ihe Grand Orient of France cm account of omitting the question about belief in God . And all that tho Grand
Lodge of England did in the case was , that every foreign Mason who wants to visit an English Lodgo is asked whether he believes in God , and whether , to his knowledge , any atheists belong to his Lodgo ? But an English Mason may visit Grand Orient Lodges . "—EDITOR F . O .
Liverpool Masonic Literary Society.
LIVERPOOL MASONIC LITERARY SOCIETY .
A MEETING of this Society was held on Saturday , the 22 nd nlfc ., at tho Adelphi Hotel , Liverpool , for the purpose of hearing a lectnre by the well-known Masonic antiquary and archaeologist , Bro . G . W . Speth P . M . Secretary Qnatuor Coronati Lodge , on " The Degrees of Antient ( pre 1717 ) Freemasonry . " There was a very large attendance of Provincial Grand Officers , past and present , as well as W . M . ' s and others . The chair was taken by Bro . Joseph
Hawkins W . M . 216 , who introduced the lecturer to tlio brethren . Bro . Speth expressed the great gratification he experienced in being the first to discourse to thoir newly-formed Society , to which ho wished every success . He hoped to be able to place some new themes before them that would certainly not in any way undermine tho faith of tho younger members of the Craft . Ho called anything
before 1717 " antient , " and since that " modern "; gave au explanation of some of the antient symbols , showed why others had fallen desuetude , and carried the history of the application of these as far back as the second century . He said that even then the foundation of Masonic law was a belief in the Supreme being . He also said that everything contained in the Craft at the present day existed at that
period in a much simpler form , and added that in both operative and symbolic Masonry the various grades were developed gradually , as well as tho connections of the Craft with the old great trade guilds . In support of this he quoted documents dating back to 1583 , and even to the time of the earlier Saxon kings . He then called attention to tho gradual introduction of the present signs and symbols in
use all over the globe , and finally remarked that the present degrees in Craft Masonry were not recognised in their now accepted Order before 1725 . The lecture , illustrated by diagrams and photographs of many antient MSS ., was listened to with the greatest interest throughout , and a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to
Bro . Speth . In reply to Bro . Dr . Costine P . P . G . D ., the lecturer stated that he had not alluded to Royal Arch Masonry , as it was not gemane to the matter immediately in hand . The chairman announced that in future the lectures would be addressed to members only , a large number of whom enrolled themselves after the proceedings terminated .
On Monday , the 17 th ult ., a concert was given in aid of the Masonic Charities nnder the auspices of the Lodge of United Brethren , No . 346 , at the Grosvenor Hotel ,
Darwen , a large company being under the chairmanship of Bro . W . E . L . Gaine W . M . A programme of a very interesting character was gone through .
The Worshipful Master and brethren of the Excelsior Lodge , Leeds , entertained their friends at tho Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , the 18 th ult . The proceedings began with a concert of vocal and instrumental music , and a ball and supper followed .
The annual festival oi the Lodge of Philanthropy , No . 940 , was held in the Masouic Hall , Stocktou , on the 20 th ult . Bro . Alfred Atkinson was installed in the chair of K . S ., the ceremony of installation being performed by Bro . T . F . Pearce .
The officers , non-commissioned officers , and men of the 24 th Regiment , being desirous of erecting a memorial to their comrades who fell in the Burmese War , have commissioned Mr . Taylor , of Berners Street , to execute a stained glass window and memorial brass , with the name of every man who fell in action , or died during the campaign , to be placed in the Priory Church , Brecon , where the memorial to their comrades who fell in the South African Campaign is erected .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
We see , now , the conditions of admission of French Masons into English Lodges differs somewhat from what I had previously sup . posed , bnt the facts remain unaltered , viz .: that under certain conditions French Masons may still visit English Lodges , while the English Masons may visit French Lodges that were constituted either before or after tho change in the French Constitution waa
made ; and from the address of the Earl of Carnarvon , I further learu that some other Grand Lodges , either in Europe or elsewhere , have also eliminated the Doity from their Ritual . On consulting the Proceedings of the Grand Lodgo of Scotland , I found that the said Grain ! Lod ^ e merely adopted the identical resolutions that were sent tbeui by the Grand Lodge of England .
Hence , Scotch Masons may also visit with impunity Lodges chartered by the Grand Orient of France . Our American Grand Lodges seem to be ruled by greater saints than the Lodges of England , Scotland and Ireland are , for not only is an American Mason prohibited to visit a Grand Orient Lodge , bnt he is not even allowed to visit a Scotch Rite concern that is chartered
by the Grand Orient of France . Nay , more ; if a Sovereign of one of onr American Scotch Rite factions shonld visit , in Paris , a Scotch Rite concern , subject to the Grand Orient of France , every one of his American adherents is , according to the opinion of a high Masonic authority , liable to expulsion from his Blue Lodge . I would be very much pleased to learn that I am mistaken in wh & t
I am about to say , viz .: It is my opinion that the Grand Lodr » e of Massachusetts is the only Grand Lodge that is ruled by descendants of the Anglo-Saxon race whioh abstained from joining in tho jprnsQde against the Grand Orient of France on account of change made in hor Constitution . I was , however , under an impression that some years ago the Massachusetts Grand Lodge did forbid her Masons to
visit French Lodges on account of the French Grand Orient having acknowledged a Scotch Rite concern in Louisiana , which assumed the right of chartering Blue Lodges . But , on the other hand , I learned that a brother who was initiated in Paris in a Grand Orient Lodge in 1879 ( that is two years after the French Constitution was changed ) , was allowed to visit Lodges in Boston , and that ho was even allowed
to join a Lodge in Boston . Upon further searching , I found that friendly intercourse took place between the Grand Lodge here and the French Grand Orient in 1867 and in 1868 , but owing to a complaint having been made by tho Grand Lodge of Louisiana against tho French Grand Orient for acknowledging a Louisiana Scotch Rite concern which assumed the right to initiate persons into Masonrv ,
the said subject was referred to a committee , and all that the said committee recommended was , that whereas the Masons that aro made by the Louisiana Scotch Riters were not legitimate Masons , therefore no Massachusetts Masons should visit a Grand Orient Lodge , if one or more of tho Louisiana illegal made Masons was present in the said Lodge . Otherwise there waa no restriction for
our Masons to visit French Lodges . . And strange to say , as far as I could learn , the above resolution of the committee was never put to a vote by the Grand Master , and it simply stands in the Proceedings as the opinion of the committee . When the universal indignation of our Anglo-Saxon ruled Grand Lodges broke out against the French Grand Orient , on account of its
change of Constitution , the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts referred tho Grand Orient question to a Committee , with Bro . Chickering , of Fittsfielcl , as its chairman . Several months after the said appointment , I heard that Bro . Chickering's report was returned to the Committee for some amendment . What kind of amendment was wanted , I knew not , but as I knew Bro . Chickering , I informed him about the
discussion I had in the FREEMASON ' S CIIRONICIE , in England , on the Grand Orient question , and offered to lend him all that was printed , pro and con upon the question , should he desire it . The brother thanked me for the offer , but informed me that he would not further trouble himself with the subject . The cause of Bro . Chickering's refusal to amend tho resolutions remained unknown to me for several
years . From Grand Master C . A . Welch I have , however , learned that Chickering ' s report was too violent for his colleagues' approval , the majority of the Committee was opposed to the resolutions , —some unpleasant feeling was doubtless manifested by tbe disappointed chairman . It wafc , however , finally agreed that the preamble to the resolutions , which , my informant said , " was filled with glittering
generalities , " should be read before the Grand Lodge , after which a motion was to be made to recommit the report , which was done accordingly , to which Bro . Welch added , " the Committee never reported , and nobody ever called for their report . " And so ended ihe Grand Orient question in Massachusetts . That Massachusetts ba ? lacked iu what may be called Anglo-Saxon
Masonic Orthodoxy , for some years past , may be inferred from tho following fact : —Fifteen years ago , Bro . Charles Bradlaugh , au avowed atheist , was invited to visit an old Lodge in Boston ; he was thure toasted , with Masonia honours , and he made a speech , which was printed ; all which was no secret fco the Grand Lodge of Massa . chusetts , but nevertheless , the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts found
no fault whatever with the said Lodge , or with any one who attended the Lodge on that occasion . I must , however , add , that to the best of ray belief no one suffered any harm whatever who sat in the said Lodge in company with an atheist . Again . Bro . Nickerson , our Grand Secretary , received a letter from a Bostonian Mason , whose father was formerly Grand Master here , stating that he ( the writer ) was an agnostic , aad wanted to
know what the Grand Lodge was going to do about it . To which Bro . Nickerson made no reply . But a week or so later he wrote another letter , more defiaut and insulting than the former one , and Bro . Nickerson again made no reply , and that was the last of it . I do not know what our pious American Grand Secretaries will say to Bro . Niokerson's want 6 f Masonic Orthodoxy . I , however , think that he acted very sensibly in the above case .
And now , I will sum up what I have learned from the forenamed investi gation . First and foremost , I found that no Grand Lodge outside of those ruled by the descendants of the Anglo-Saxon race
Correspondence.
made any / uss whatever with the Grand Orient of France on account of , the change she made in her Constitution and Ritual . Second , that English and Scottish Masons may continue to visit the Grand Orient Lodges with impunity , and Grand Orient Masons are not altogether debarred from visiting English and Scottish Lodges . And third , that
of all the Grand Lodges that ore ruled by the descendants of the Anglo-Saxon race , I believe ( until otherwise proved ) that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts alone acted wisely in not interfering with tho right of tbe Grand Orient of Franco to eliminate theology from her Constit n-
tion and Ritual . Hence Massachusetts Masons may freely visit French Lodges , whether they were constituted in accordance with the old mode or tho new , and French Masons can visit Massachusetts Lodges without being postered with impertinent questions about their theological beliefs and disbeliefs .
Fraternally yours , ^ J ACOB N ORTON . Boston , Mass ., 2 nd February 1890 . The paragraph alluded to by Bro . Norton is as follows" For the sake of information which may not be known to
you , I beg to state that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts never prohibited any of her children visiting Lodges under Ihe Grand Orient of France cm account of omitting the question about belief in God . And all that tho Grand
Lodge of England did in the case was , that every foreign Mason who wants to visit an English Lodgo is asked whether he believes in God , and whether , to his knowledge , any atheists belong to his Lodgo ? But an English Mason may visit Grand Orient Lodges . "—EDITOR F . O .
Liverpool Masonic Literary Society.
LIVERPOOL MASONIC LITERARY SOCIETY .
A MEETING of this Society was held on Saturday , the 22 nd nlfc ., at tho Adelphi Hotel , Liverpool , for the purpose of hearing a lectnre by the well-known Masonic antiquary and archaeologist , Bro . G . W . Speth P . M . Secretary Qnatuor Coronati Lodge , on " The Degrees of Antient ( pre 1717 ) Freemasonry . " There was a very large attendance of Provincial Grand Officers , past and present , as well as W . M . ' s and others . The chair was taken by Bro . Joseph
Hawkins W . M . 216 , who introduced the lecturer to tlio brethren . Bro . Speth expressed the great gratification he experienced in being the first to discourse to thoir newly-formed Society , to which ho wished every success . He hoped to be able to place some new themes before them that would certainly not in any way undermine tho faith of tho younger members of the Craft . Ho called anything
before 1717 " antient , " and since that " modern "; gave au explanation of some of the antient symbols , showed why others had fallen desuetude , and carried the history of the application of these as far back as the second century . He said that even then the foundation of Masonic law was a belief in the Supreme being . He also said that everything contained in the Craft at the present day existed at that
period in a much simpler form , and added that in both operative and symbolic Masonry the various grades were developed gradually , as well as tho connections of the Craft with the old great trade guilds . In support of this he quoted documents dating back to 1583 , and even to the time of the earlier Saxon kings . He then called attention to tho gradual introduction of the present signs and symbols in
use all over the globe , and finally remarked that the present degrees in Craft Masonry were not recognised in their now accepted Order before 1725 . The lecture , illustrated by diagrams and photographs of many antient MSS ., was listened to with the greatest interest throughout , and a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to
Bro . Speth . In reply to Bro . Dr . Costine P . P . G . D ., the lecturer stated that he had not alluded to Royal Arch Masonry , as it was not gemane to the matter immediately in hand . The chairman announced that in future the lectures would be addressed to members only , a large number of whom enrolled themselves after the proceedings terminated .
On Monday , the 17 th ult ., a concert was given in aid of the Masonic Charities nnder the auspices of the Lodge of United Brethren , No . 346 , at the Grosvenor Hotel ,
Darwen , a large company being under the chairmanship of Bro . W . E . L . Gaine W . M . A programme of a very interesting character was gone through .
The Worshipful Master and brethren of the Excelsior Lodge , Leeds , entertained their friends at tho Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , the 18 th ult . The proceedings began with a concert of vocal and instrumental music , and a ball and supper followed .
The annual festival oi the Lodge of Philanthropy , No . 940 , was held in the Masouic Hall , Stocktou , on the 20 th ult . Bro . Alfred Atkinson was installed in the chair of K . S ., the ceremony of installation being performed by Bro . T . F . Pearce .
The officers , non-commissioned officers , and men of the 24 th Regiment , being desirous of erecting a memorial to their comrades who fell in the Burmese War , have commissioned Mr . Taylor , of Berners Street , to execute a stained glass window and memorial brass , with the name of every man who fell in action , or died during the campaign , to be placed in the Priory Church , Brecon , where the memorial to their comrades who fell in the South African Campaign is erected .