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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Light Of Ages.
the snn , and the symbol of his apparent progress in the heavens . He appears at the South gate of the celestial temple , and , passing this point , receives tho first blow ( intimation of coming destruction or death ) ; going on towards tho West , ho receives anothor more serions wound and "blood is drawn . " As he approches the North , the midnight point , he is put to death , by another snn , transformed
u spirit of darkness , and for n time the Evil One is triumphant . Tho representative lies in the tomb three spaces of time , and then is raised by three trials , to become again tho King of Earth , enthroned in Heaven . This is an allegorical presentation of the apparent course of tho sun dnrtng the various months of the year . About
Christmastime the days begin to grow longer , and tho year is born again . Tho ring ( annum ) of the seasons rolls on ; after the seed-time of sprin <» follows the ripening of summer and the harvests of autumn ; while the winter is the year grown old , which mnst be born again . Tho passage of the twenty . four hours of the day may be typified in like manner .
In the term Hiram is easily recognized Brahma of the Hindus , Osiris of the Egyptians , Mithras of the Persians , Bacchus of the Greeks , and Balder * the Beautiful of the Goths , ( and many others might be named ) , of which these various peoples celebrated the birth , maturity , downfall , and death , with the resurrection to a new life and glory . Each became a source of joy , power , and triumph , to the
respective nation . Even so aro ceremonies connected with the worship of one who " was called a Nazarene . " These allegories , drawn from the motions of the heavenly bodies , have lost much of their primitive beauty in the modern scientific mind ; but they seem mote interesting and impressive in the earl y days of the ancient wise men , who represented the sun and stars as the
homes of powerful beings and of pure spirits . Yet in this stupendous vast ness of universal nature is an awful grandeur that must make the thoughtful mind devout . Upon this symbolio chain of ideas have been hung many wise moral teachings which human experience has found to be good for man ' s guidance through life .
The various systems of religion among men , more or less national in their character , more or less modified by peculiarities of race , may be considered as so many different " lodges . " The simile of the course of the sun through the heavens is appli . cable to the history of the birth , rise , progress , downfall and death , of nations .
While speoial forms of life dissolve away as the ever-approaohin » West is brought necessarily near , the race lives on . This simile may also teach us that man is , most intimately indeed , a part of the life of the earth , both as it is a separate orb and it fills a place in the great universe of the Supreme Ruler . As the history of human thought is studied in the past , it may be
seen , that while various systems of religion have arisen , flourished and decayed , the eternal principles of right remain unchanged . By these principles , founded on truth , men should govern themselves . Morality is not dependent upon theology , but is of far hi gher source and of much greater value . Thus , through careful research and observation , Masonry is found
to be very ancient in origin , and to have come down to the present time through many and various chanuels . Yet , though now widely spread among men of different races and languages , the institution ( or central ideas ) remain , in essential parts , practically the same as in the beginning . In its truth and purity Masonry may " well be called the univeral religion . ( To be continued ) .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .
RELIEF AND TRUTH . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . SIK AND BEOTHEK , —The present time 3 are big with changes . "Reform" is the rallying cry both in imperial and municipal politics , and it has extended , in a certain measure , to the Craft aud its cognate associations . We have reformed our Constitutions , Bro .
Webb recently raised a most important matter in connection with the Boys' School , and now Bro . Charles Lacey comes forward , at a critical period , with a proposal for a momentous alteration in the annuities to be given in fntnre to our " Old Folks . " He has raised the question
of Relief , and it is the dnt y of tho supporters of tho Royal Benevolent Institution to see w hero tho Truth lies . lam not iu a position to say of Bro . Laecy ' s proposal what the famous Earl of Chesterfield said in reference to a poetic epistle , entitled "Truth in Rhyme , " addressed to Lord Bute by David Mallett : —
"It has no faults , or I no faults can spy , It is all beauty , or all blindness I ;" but I do say that Bro . Lacey speaks with no moan authority . Hid opinions aro backed by a reputation to which few , if any ,
brethren can prefer a bettor title , aud they aro worthy of tht most careful consideration of tho Fraternity at large . Personally I am disposed to agreo with Bro . Lacey in his views with regard t < : tho prospective reduction of annuities to be grauted to the " Old
* When Balder ' was wounded by the mistletoe the assembled gods wero " struck with horror . " He was made ( in tho legend ) to drink from a human skull . A ring was given him to wear as a safeguard .
Correspondence.
Folks " of the future , but tho qnestion opens up so many considor . ations that I think tho opinion of tho Craft should be matured before action is either taken or abandoned . Those who are acquainted with tho history of the Benevolent Institution need not to bo told that it had a small beginning , and grew with the Craft until it reached its present proportions . To those
who aro not so well informed it may he necessary to say , quoting from an excellent little pamphlet , issued by you , entitled " Occasional Papers on tho History of Freemasonry , " that " at first the distressed brethren were granted annuities ranging according to age and a graduated scale from £ 10 to £ 30 per annum . In 1876 this system was abolished , and tho annuitants on both funds received
equal annual payments , which have been increased till at the present timo the old brethren are paid £ 10 per annum each , and the old ladies £ 32 . " To meet tho requirements of this Institution an annual sum of £ 12 , 000 is needed . These facts and figures point to a marvellous growth and development , and indicate a responsiblity that no well-wisher of thi 3 important Charity can ignore . The force of oir .
oumstances command attontion , and no one will deny that the time has arrived when the whole case must be reviewed . At one period of the history of the Institution thorejwas a laok of candidates ; when all who applied were admitted on its funds . Now the case is altered , and the painful necessity of refusing many poor applicants has arisen . There may be causes for this ohange with whioh I am not
acquainted , there are others which lie on the very surface . Among these must be regarded the onormons growth of the Craft , and the ncreased amounts granted to annuitants . They appear to me to be the main factors in the question , and to afford matter for careful inquiry and muoh anxious thought . While the number of the Craft has grown so rapidly , it must be remembered that the funds of
the Institution havo also grown enormously . The question is whether the ratio of noedy members of the Craft has not increased beyond all just proportion . That it is greater than the present means of relief , is beyond dispute . I am convinced that many men have been admitted into the Order who ought never to have been received . It would be difficult to prove this assumption ; I might say almost
impossible , because when once a brother is admitted the right of judging him is gone . He then becomes the equal of his peer , and remains so as long as he complies with the conditions of membership . Inquiry must precede admission , and here it is , I think , where failure has arisen . So far the past and the present must be accepted , and we must deal with conditions as they exist . The future , to a
large extent , lies in the hands of the brethren themselves , and if greater care henceforward is exercised in the admission of members , Bro . Lacey ' s movement will aohieve a vast amount of good . If the view I have taken with regard to the abnormal growth of the Craft be oorrect , the increased number of applicants for relief is at once explained . Then comes the second point , which clenches the
argument . The difference between the amounts granted in the early days of the Institution , and those now given is so great as to stimulate a desire for the present income . The prize is now worth coveting even by those who at first fulfilled all the requisite conditions of mem . bership , much more so by those—if they exist—who never ought to have joined .
In this state of affairs it becomes absolutely necessary to consider some very obvious questions . One is , and that too of great moment , cau the present strain of demand for support be maintained ? Those who have any knowledge of the enormous labour that is necessary on the part of the Executive of the several Charities of the Order , to say nothing of the painful responsibility that is thrown upon them , know
how difficult it is to keep abreast of present wants . I know Bro . Terry has stated that a comparatively small sum , I think he said 5 s per annum from each member , would give him sufficient to meet all present requirements of the Institution , which he so ably assists to administer , but then that small sum must be multiplied by three , at least , in order to support the other equally deserving Charities .
Many Lodges havo their own Benevolent Fund , to which each member ia expected to subscribe when the Charity box is passed round at the refreshment table . Apart from this and other considerations , it i 3 impossible Jo get all tho brethren to be of one mind , unless Grand Lodge passed a law making a per capitum charge upon all Lodges com pulsory , a course they are not likely to take . But supposing the present
income can be maintained , it is insufficient to meet the demands . Speaking on the 13 th ult ., Bro . Terry said that in June there were 38 male candidates aud 14 vacancies ; 82 female candidates , and only eight vacancies . How is this deplorable condition of things to be met ? The suggestion that the age of eligibility of candidates should be increased from 60 to 65 years is an excellent one , and will do
something to relieve the pressure ; but more is needed , if the many who now crave assistance are not to be sent empty away . Atthij juncture , Bro . Lacev proposes that the amount of the men's annuities should in future be " £ 32 10 s , instead of £ 40 , and that the widows ' annuities should be reduced from £ 32 to £ 26 . The suggested alteration is not to affect the eloction of the present year , but only those
annuitants coming on after the election of 1885 . He contends that whereas the rate 3 now in force would satisfy 100 annuitants , 123 would bo provided for by the new rules . The scheme seems to me to meet the case . At any rate , Bro . Licoy has raised a challenge , which those who differ from him cannot evade . Your contemporary , in that off-hand manner which it so often
assumes , —and which appears to me to be very dictatorial , and not a little offensive , —pooh-poohs the idea of reduction . "It would bo a retrograde movement , " says this superior authority , and would injure the "future support of the Institution . " Why retrograde ? It wonld not lessen the gross sum required for relief , while it would assist au increased number of applicants . The stimulus to effort would not be
decreased , but tho pain of refusal would be reduced . I do not for a moment contend that the amouut of the annuities is now too large , but thab is not the point . The qnestion is , whether it could not bo ro . luced in order that more might share in the advantages of the Ii stitution . If your contemporary , or any one else , can show a better rc-medy , let them produce it . The present state of matters is a grave
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Light Of Ages.
the snn , and the symbol of his apparent progress in the heavens . He appears at the South gate of the celestial temple , and , passing this point , receives tho first blow ( intimation of coming destruction or death ) ; going on towards tho West , ho receives anothor more serions wound and "blood is drawn . " As he approches the North , the midnight point , he is put to death , by another snn , transformed
u spirit of darkness , and for n time the Evil One is triumphant . Tho representative lies in the tomb three spaces of time , and then is raised by three trials , to become again tho King of Earth , enthroned in Heaven . This is an allegorical presentation of the apparent course of tho sun dnrtng the various months of the year . About
Christmastime the days begin to grow longer , and tho year is born again . Tho ring ( annum ) of the seasons rolls on ; after the seed-time of sprin <» follows the ripening of summer and the harvests of autumn ; while the winter is the year grown old , which mnst be born again . Tho passage of the twenty . four hours of the day may be typified in like manner .
In the term Hiram is easily recognized Brahma of the Hindus , Osiris of the Egyptians , Mithras of the Persians , Bacchus of the Greeks , and Balder * the Beautiful of the Goths , ( and many others might be named ) , of which these various peoples celebrated the birth , maturity , downfall , and death , with the resurrection to a new life and glory . Each became a source of joy , power , and triumph , to the
respective nation . Even so aro ceremonies connected with the worship of one who " was called a Nazarene . " These allegories , drawn from the motions of the heavenly bodies , have lost much of their primitive beauty in the modern scientific mind ; but they seem mote interesting and impressive in the earl y days of the ancient wise men , who represented the sun and stars as the
homes of powerful beings and of pure spirits . Yet in this stupendous vast ness of universal nature is an awful grandeur that must make the thoughtful mind devout . Upon this symbolio chain of ideas have been hung many wise moral teachings which human experience has found to be good for man ' s guidance through life .
The various systems of religion among men , more or less national in their character , more or less modified by peculiarities of race , may be considered as so many different " lodges . " The simile of the course of the sun through the heavens is appli . cable to the history of the birth , rise , progress , downfall and death , of nations .
While speoial forms of life dissolve away as the ever-approaohin » West is brought necessarily near , the race lives on . This simile may also teach us that man is , most intimately indeed , a part of the life of the earth , both as it is a separate orb and it fills a place in the great universe of the Supreme Ruler . As the history of human thought is studied in the past , it may be
seen , that while various systems of religion have arisen , flourished and decayed , the eternal principles of right remain unchanged . By these principles , founded on truth , men should govern themselves . Morality is not dependent upon theology , but is of far hi gher source and of much greater value . Thus , through careful research and observation , Masonry is found
to be very ancient in origin , and to have come down to the present time through many and various chanuels . Yet , though now widely spread among men of different races and languages , the institution ( or central ideas ) remain , in essential parts , practically the same as in the beginning . In its truth and purity Masonry may " well be called the univeral religion . ( To be continued ) .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .
RELIEF AND TRUTH . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . SIK AND BEOTHEK , —The present time 3 are big with changes . "Reform" is the rallying cry both in imperial and municipal politics , and it has extended , in a certain measure , to the Craft aud its cognate associations . We have reformed our Constitutions , Bro .
Webb recently raised a most important matter in connection with the Boys' School , and now Bro . Charles Lacey comes forward , at a critical period , with a proposal for a momentous alteration in the annuities to be given in fntnre to our " Old Folks . " He has raised the question
of Relief , and it is the dnt y of tho supporters of tho Royal Benevolent Institution to see w hero tho Truth lies . lam not iu a position to say of Bro . Laecy ' s proposal what the famous Earl of Chesterfield said in reference to a poetic epistle , entitled "Truth in Rhyme , " addressed to Lord Bute by David Mallett : —
"It has no faults , or I no faults can spy , It is all beauty , or all blindness I ;" but I do say that Bro . Lacey speaks with no moan authority . Hid opinions aro backed by a reputation to which few , if any ,
brethren can prefer a bettor title , aud they aro worthy of tht most careful consideration of tho Fraternity at large . Personally I am disposed to agreo with Bro . Lacey in his views with regard t < : tho prospective reduction of annuities to be grauted to the " Old
* When Balder ' was wounded by the mistletoe the assembled gods wero " struck with horror . " He was made ( in tho legend ) to drink from a human skull . A ring was given him to wear as a safeguard .
Correspondence.
Folks " of the future , but tho qnestion opens up so many considor . ations that I think tho opinion of tho Craft should be matured before action is either taken or abandoned . Those who are acquainted with tho history of the Benevolent Institution need not to bo told that it had a small beginning , and grew with the Craft until it reached its present proportions . To those
who aro not so well informed it may he necessary to say , quoting from an excellent little pamphlet , issued by you , entitled " Occasional Papers on tho History of Freemasonry , " that " at first the distressed brethren were granted annuities ranging according to age and a graduated scale from £ 10 to £ 30 per annum . In 1876 this system was abolished , and tho annuitants on both funds received
equal annual payments , which have been increased till at the present timo the old brethren are paid £ 10 per annum each , and the old ladies £ 32 . " To meet tho requirements of this Institution an annual sum of £ 12 , 000 is needed . These facts and figures point to a marvellous growth and development , and indicate a responsiblity that no well-wisher of thi 3 important Charity can ignore . The force of oir .
oumstances command attontion , and no one will deny that the time has arrived when the whole case must be reviewed . At one period of the history of the Institution thorejwas a laok of candidates ; when all who applied were admitted on its funds . Now the case is altered , and the painful necessity of refusing many poor applicants has arisen . There may be causes for this ohange with whioh I am not
acquainted , there are others which lie on the very surface . Among these must be regarded the onormons growth of the Craft , and the ncreased amounts granted to annuitants . They appear to me to be the main factors in the question , and to afford matter for careful inquiry and muoh anxious thought . While the number of the Craft has grown so rapidly , it must be remembered that the funds of
the Institution havo also grown enormously . The question is whether the ratio of noedy members of the Craft has not increased beyond all just proportion . That it is greater than the present means of relief , is beyond dispute . I am convinced that many men have been admitted into the Order who ought never to have been received . It would be difficult to prove this assumption ; I might say almost
impossible , because when once a brother is admitted the right of judging him is gone . He then becomes the equal of his peer , and remains so as long as he complies with the conditions of membership . Inquiry must precede admission , and here it is , I think , where failure has arisen . So far the past and the present must be accepted , and we must deal with conditions as they exist . The future , to a
large extent , lies in the hands of the brethren themselves , and if greater care henceforward is exercised in the admission of members , Bro . Lacey ' s movement will aohieve a vast amount of good . If the view I have taken with regard to the abnormal growth of the Craft be oorrect , the increased number of applicants for relief is at once explained . Then comes the second point , which clenches the
argument . The difference between the amounts granted in the early days of the Institution , and those now given is so great as to stimulate a desire for the present income . The prize is now worth coveting even by those who at first fulfilled all the requisite conditions of mem . bership , much more so by those—if they exist—who never ought to have joined .
In this state of affairs it becomes absolutely necessary to consider some very obvious questions . One is , and that too of great moment , cau the present strain of demand for support be maintained ? Those who have any knowledge of the enormous labour that is necessary on the part of the Executive of the several Charities of the Order , to say nothing of the painful responsibility that is thrown upon them , know
how difficult it is to keep abreast of present wants . I know Bro . Terry has stated that a comparatively small sum , I think he said 5 s per annum from each member , would give him sufficient to meet all present requirements of the Institution , which he so ably assists to administer , but then that small sum must be multiplied by three , at least , in order to support the other equally deserving Charities .
Many Lodges havo their own Benevolent Fund , to which each member ia expected to subscribe when the Charity box is passed round at the refreshment table . Apart from this and other considerations , it i 3 impossible Jo get all tho brethren to be of one mind , unless Grand Lodge passed a law making a per capitum charge upon all Lodges com pulsory , a course they are not likely to take . But supposing the present
income can be maintained , it is insufficient to meet the demands . Speaking on the 13 th ult ., Bro . Terry said that in June there were 38 male candidates aud 14 vacancies ; 82 female candidates , and only eight vacancies . How is this deplorable condition of things to be met ? The suggestion that the age of eligibility of candidates should be increased from 60 to 65 years is an excellent one , and will do
something to relieve the pressure ; but more is needed , if the many who now crave assistance are not to be sent empty away . Atthij juncture , Bro . Lacev proposes that the amount of the men's annuities should in future be " £ 32 10 s , instead of £ 40 , and that the widows ' annuities should be reduced from £ 32 to £ 26 . The suggested alteration is not to affect the eloction of the present year , but only those
annuitants coming on after the election of 1885 . He contends that whereas the rate 3 now in force would satisfy 100 annuitants , 123 would bo provided for by the new rules . The scheme seems to me to meet the case . At any rate , Bro . Licoy has raised a challenge , which those who differ from him cannot evade . Your contemporary , in that off-hand manner which it so often
assumes , —and which appears to me to be very dictatorial , and not a little offensive , —pooh-poohs the idea of reduction . "It would bo a retrograde movement , " says this superior authority , and would injure the "future support of the Institution . " Why retrograde ? It wonld not lessen the gross sum required for relief , while it would assist au increased number of applicants . The stimulus to effort would not be
decreased , but tho pain of refusal would be reduced . I do not for a moment contend that the amouut of the annuities is now too large , but thab is not the point . The qnestion is , whether it could not bo ro . luced in order that more might share in the advantages of the Ii stitution . If your contemporary , or any one else , can show a better rc-medy , let them produce it . The present state of matters is a grave