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Ar00902
jyiyv ** - * ** rVTOOT ^ (^^ i^^^^pl^^a
Rosicrucian Society.
ROSICRUCIAN SOCIETY .
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE YORK COLLEGE . THE annnal meeting of this College was held in the Masonio Rooms , Queen's Hotel , York , on Satnrday , the 24 th ult ., when there was a larse attendance of members , amongst them being Fraters T . B . Whytehead Hon . IX Chief Adept of Yorkshire , J . S . Cumberland Hon . VIII Suffragan , J . W . Wood hall Prov . Treasnrer , Rev . W . C . Lnkis Depnty , and T . J . Wilkinson Secretary . In the absence of Frater Maffey tho Celebrant , in Australia , Bro . J . S .
Cumberland , a Past Celebrant , worked the ceremonies , the ancients chairs being filled by Fratres S . Middleton , J . Todd , J . M . Meek , and T . M . Barron . Frater C . L . Mason acted as Condnctor of Novices , in the absence of Frater Moore , whilst Frater C . R . Fry was in bis place as Gnardinn , Frater A . T . B . Turner as Herald , and Frater T . Trevor ns Torch Bearer . In addition to these there were
Fratres J . F . Taylor , George Ayre , G . Simpson , and M . Maddison The minntes having been confirmed , a suceessfnl ballot was taken for Brother J . S . Walton P . M . 1357 , of Northallerton , after which Bros . J . L . Atherton , James Moncks , C . Palliser , and A . Fraser , aspirants previously accepted , were admitted and duly received into the grade of Zelator with the full ceremonies . The Chief Adept then
proceeded to give the annnal address as follows : W . Suffragan and Fraters , I think we may be said to be living in the golden age of Freemasonry . There has never been a time when the Order could claim to have been making more rapid progress , when it has been able to enumerate amongst its members men of more eminence , or when the trne study of Freemasonry , its history and its objects ,
has engrossed more of the time and attention of its leading members than in this year of grace 1883 . Freemasonry has proved itself a very salamander amongst those societies that have from time to time engaged the love and attention of mankind . Having apparently its purely specnlative origin at some period during thn seventeenth century , it has stood the test of evil report and good
report , through the generations that have since passed away , until now , when we find it more flourishing than ever , handed down to ns from our fathers , a precious inheritance which it will be our joy and our duty to hand down to our sons in the same purity which characterised its principles and workings when we and our fathers first experienced the light of its godlike teachings . Other societies
have come and gone , other institutions have flashed like meteors across the pathway of progress of civilised society , but the lamp of Freemasonry has steadily burned , cherished lovingly by generations of good , worthy , and distinguished brethren , until its fire , kindled at the early altars of brotherly love , relief , and truth , burns in this age with a lustre and brilliancy that would have gladdened
the hearts of those who , in less enlightened days , toilfully struggled , an obscure and humble band , against the prejudices of ignorance and the jeers of folly . I have used the word "godlike" in regard to onr glorious old Craft , for surely there is something very much akin to what is Divine in the teachings of such an Order . Based on the contents of the Volume of the Sacred Law , it shares with that
marvellous book in the halo of light which modern science and latter-day research have thrown around those venerable pages that give authority to our Masonic assemblies . Other works , whose reputations have atone period been high , have sunk down into obscurity and neglect for no other reason than that the light of truth and the investigations of modern science have exposed their weaknesses and their
fallacies and robbed them of their authoritative value , but in the case of our " unerring standard" age has only served to mellow its precepts , and beautify its poetical imagery with the hoary garland of antiquity , whilst its perfect harmony with all that modern philosophy can prove is no less remarkable than the subtilty and intricacy of knowledge which it displays with the innermost workings of the
human heart . And so it is with Freemasonry / Whilst other organisa . tions and societies have arisen , flourished , made their mark in history , and finally decayed and disappeared , Freemasonry has continued to grow and make steady progress . The rude shocks of opposition , and the occasional neglect , even of its own sons , has served bnt to root it more firml y in its position . It has been able to stand the severe test
of that electric light of modern inquiry which will insist upon a why and a wherefore for the existence of everything that is , and it now stands a living triumph of principles that are eternal as that Great Architect on whose beneficent laws they have been originally based . And what , Fraters , can we do as individuals to uphold , maintain , and promote this grand Institution , and to assist , as Masons , in
cottsolidating its walls and contributing to tho welfare and happiness of its members ? In the first place , we can all do what every Mason is expected , and in hononr and in duty is bound to do , from the moment when he enters the portals of the society . We can , to the utmost of onr power carry out in our daily lives the principles and the tenets „ at are so early taught ns in our Masonic career . This is the least
that we can do ; bnt if we all did this and carried out our obligations m their entirety , would it not be competent for Freemasons to work s ucb a reformation in our social system as would leaven the whole World ? I am sure of it . But we are met to-day not as novices in Masonry . I hope that every member of this College has gained Efficient knowledge to render it quite unnecessary for anything to be
Rosicrucian Society.
said to him of the elementary duties of every brother . We are , aa it were , re-ore / anised in this Rnsicrncian Society , not in any antagonistic spirit to any other society or system , bnt simply under an additional or special bond of union , by means of which we desire to link together Masons of age , standing * , and experience for : i special and specific purpose . What , onr object is , yon know fnil well . It is thoroughly in
accordance with the spirit of the Masonic age . This is a time , as I have already said , when knowledge grows apace , and the knowledge of Freemasonry , amongst other branches of stud y , is extending its researches into long hidden paths . Freemasonry has always bad abont it a strong literary flavour . Elias Ashmole and many of the verv earliest of its disciples were men of high attainments in
literature . And from his day down to the present we find men of ability and scholarly attainments content to work throngh the early drudgery of the Craft , and subsequently adorning our ranks as rulers and teachers . Dr . Stnkely , whose Masonic Connections have been BO learnedly and carefully investigated by our eminent brother , your present Deputy nnd my late Suffragan , was himsef a man of great
learning and laborious habits , and from his day , the day of the southem revival of Freemasonry down to the present decade , we may trace a long succession of men of parts and attainments such aa Anderson , Preston , Crncefix , Oliver , and others , who all , according to the means at their disposal and the knowledge of facts that they possessed , toiled in the paths of Masonio literature . It is true that ,
until comparatively a recent period ; Masons were content to receive and accept as data statements that we now know to have been completely at variance with facts , but Freemasons were not singular in this respect . We need only refer to works on archaeology aud natural science contemporary with those obsolete histories of Masonry , to discover that men of light and leading in science entertained theories
and arrived at consequent conclusions that to us appear almost childish in their absnrrlity . And as other sciences have advanced , so has Freemasonry with equal strides . A generation of Masons thafc declines the myths and wayward fancies of Preston and Oliver haa trained up a new school of Craft historians , and with the logical historical analyses of Bro . Gould , the unremitting assiduity and
mental grasp of Bro . Woodford , the patient statistical labours of Bro . Hughan , and the careful and scholarly publications of Bro . Murray Lyon , we find ourselves in the happy position of having found an almost royal road to Masonic knowledge . This is therefore pre-eminently a time when a society such as ours should find congenial spirits and an appropriate field for its labours . O . ir objects are fche
elucidation of Masonic history and archasology , and in working in this direction , we know that we are aiding in a great and an important work . Onr labours may not be productive of vast results bufc as in the Brahminical story the granite is worn away in the course of ages by the light yet constant touch of the angel's robe , so no problem can resist for ever the patient attacks of perseverance and
persistency . I have more than once pointed out the direction in whioh members of this College can assist in the elucidation of Masonio history . Our Frater Lnkis has set us all a worthy example of what may be done in this way , and has brought some most valuable facta to light by the exercise of his scholarly activity . And the very fact that every now and then new scraps of information are brought to
light , and fresh theories are broached regarding our Order and its descent , proves how much there is yet left to discover . All of us have not the leisure we should like for these pursuits , but it is wonderfnl bow much may be effected in stray and spare moments by those whoso hearts are in the work . The mines of Masonic lore are as yet but little explored , and it is certain that there must still be in
existence manuscript allusions aud references to early Freemasonry , that if discovered would materially aid us in the construction of such a detailed history of our Order as would be its crowning triumph in this century . On occasions of these meetings I should be very glad if more members would prepare papers and bring with them Masonic relics of all kinds in order that we might all have fche benefit of
investigating their peculiarities . Our society is certain to be strong and useful in proportion to the work that we perform , and members would find much more pleasure and encouragement in attendance afc onr meetings if they always found something , however trifling , offered for their intellectual and Masonio benefit . Thus far the York College has enrolled npon its books many
of the mnst intelligent brethren in the county and the north of England , and I hope it will continue to gather in members who enter not for the sake ( as tbey may perhaps vainly suppose ) of obtaining another degree , bnt from a really intelligent desire to aid in the effort to do something for the literature of the Order , and to become a working element in a Society thafc has for its
objects the glory of God , the good of mankind , and the promotion of scientific Freemasonry . If this is the case the College cannot fail to prosper and to be of sterling valne , but if we should lose sight of our true raison d'itre and become a mere social club of Masons , we shall not deserve a continuance of that success whioh has thus far attended onr efforts . Let us all unite in an honest endeavour to work iu the
directions I have indicated , and our reward will surely follow . Fraters , I th-nk you for yonr attention . The election of Officers was proceeded with , and Frater C . L . Mason V was elected Celebrant , and Frater J . S . Cumberland VII was re-elected Treasurer . It was arranged to hold the next meeting of the College at Leeds , on the 23 rd of Ma v . Letters of apology for absence were read from the following
members : —Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , W . Lawton , W . Rowley , M . Millington , T . W . Holmes , E . T . Clark , Rev . J . Blake , C . G . L . Kipling , W . Paley , C . S . Lane , W . Harrison , S . Wilson , and R . W . Moore . At the close of the meeting the members met at high tea , and spent a pleasant evening , in the course of which Fra . Cumberland exhibited his valuable collection of old Masonic jewels , which was much admired .
Bro . tbe Rt . Hon . the Lord Mayor ( Alderman Knight ) presided , on Thursday evening , at the " public supping" of the boys at Christ's Hospital ( Blue Coat School ) . There was a very large attendance .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00902
jyiyv ** - * ** rVTOOT ^ (^^ i^^^^pl^^a
Rosicrucian Society.
ROSICRUCIAN SOCIETY .
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE YORK COLLEGE . THE annnal meeting of this College was held in the Masonio Rooms , Queen's Hotel , York , on Satnrday , the 24 th ult ., when there was a larse attendance of members , amongst them being Fraters T . B . Whytehead Hon . IX Chief Adept of Yorkshire , J . S . Cumberland Hon . VIII Suffragan , J . W . Wood hall Prov . Treasnrer , Rev . W . C . Lnkis Depnty , and T . J . Wilkinson Secretary . In the absence of Frater Maffey tho Celebrant , in Australia , Bro . J . S .
Cumberland , a Past Celebrant , worked the ceremonies , the ancients chairs being filled by Fratres S . Middleton , J . Todd , J . M . Meek , and T . M . Barron . Frater C . L . Mason acted as Condnctor of Novices , in the absence of Frater Moore , whilst Frater C . R . Fry was in bis place as Gnardinn , Frater A . T . B . Turner as Herald , and Frater T . Trevor ns Torch Bearer . In addition to these there were
Fratres J . F . Taylor , George Ayre , G . Simpson , and M . Maddison The minntes having been confirmed , a suceessfnl ballot was taken for Brother J . S . Walton P . M . 1357 , of Northallerton , after which Bros . J . L . Atherton , James Moncks , C . Palliser , and A . Fraser , aspirants previously accepted , were admitted and duly received into the grade of Zelator with the full ceremonies . The Chief Adept then
proceeded to give the annnal address as follows : W . Suffragan and Fraters , I think we may be said to be living in the golden age of Freemasonry . There has never been a time when the Order could claim to have been making more rapid progress , when it has been able to enumerate amongst its members men of more eminence , or when the trne study of Freemasonry , its history and its objects ,
has engrossed more of the time and attention of its leading members than in this year of grace 1883 . Freemasonry has proved itself a very salamander amongst those societies that have from time to time engaged the love and attention of mankind . Having apparently its purely specnlative origin at some period during thn seventeenth century , it has stood the test of evil report and good
report , through the generations that have since passed away , until now , when we find it more flourishing than ever , handed down to ns from our fathers , a precious inheritance which it will be our joy and our duty to hand down to our sons in the same purity which characterised its principles and workings when we and our fathers first experienced the light of its godlike teachings . Other societies
have come and gone , other institutions have flashed like meteors across the pathway of progress of civilised society , but the lamp of Freemasonry has steadily burned , cherished lovingly by generations of good , worthy , and distinguished brethren , until its fire , kindled at the early altars of brotherly love , relief , and truth , burns in this age with a lustre and brilliancy that would have gladdened
the hearts of those who , in less enlightened days , toilfully struggled , an obscure and humble band , against the prejudices of ignorance and the jeers of folly . I have used the word "godlike" in regard to onr glorious old Craft , for surely there is something very much akin to what is Divine in the teachings of such an Order . Based on the contents of the Volume of the Sacred Law , it shares with that
marvellous book in the halo of light which modern science and latter-day research have thrown around those venerable pages that give authority to our Masonic assemblies . Other works , whose reputations have atone period been high , have sunk down into obscurity and neglect for no other reason than that the light of truth and the investigations of modern science have exposed their weaknesses and their
fallacies and robbed them of their authoritative value , but in the case of our " unerring standard" age has only served to mellow its precepts , and beautify its poetical imagery with the hoary garland of antiquity , whilst its perfect harmony with all that modern philosophy can prove is no less remarkable than the subtilty and intricacy of knowledge which it displays with the innermost workings of the
human heart . And so it is with Freemasonry / Whilst other organisa . tions and societies have arisen , flourished , made their mark in history , and finally decayed and disappeared , Freemasonry has continued to grow and make steady progress . The rude shocks of opposition , and the occasional neglect , even of its own sons , has served bnt to root it more firml y in its position . It has been able to stand the severe test
of that electric light of modern inquiry which will insist upon a why and a wherefore for the existence of everything that is , and it now stands a living triumph of principles that are eternal as that Great Architect on whose beneficent laws they have been originally based . And what , Fraters , can we do as individuals to uphold , maintain , and promote this grand Institution , and to assist , as Masons , in
cottsolidating its walls and contributing to tho welfare and happiness of its members ? In the first place , we can all do what every Mason is expected , and in hononr and in duty is bound to do , from the moment when he enters the portals of the society . We can , to the utmost of onr power carry out in our daily lives the principles and the tenets „ at are so early taught ns in our Masonic career . This is the least
that we can do ; bnt if we all did this and carried out our obligations m their entirety , would it not be competent for Freemasons to work s ucb a reformation in our social system as would leaven the whole World ? I am sure of it . But we are met to-day not as novices in Masonry . I hope that every member of this College has gained Efficient knowledge to render it quite unnecessary for anything to be
Rosicrucian Society.
said to him of the elementary duties of every brother . We are , aa it were , re-ore / anised in this Rnsicrncian Society , not in any antagonistic spirit to any other society or system , bnt simply under an additional or special bond of union , by means of which we desire to link together Masons of age , standing * , and experience for : i special and specific purpose . What , onr object is , yon know fnil well . It is thoroughly in
accordance with the spirit of the Masonic age . This is a time , as I have already said , when knowledge grows apace , and the knowledge of Freemasonry , amongst other branches of stud y , is extending its researches into long hidden paths . Freemasonry has always bad abont it a strong literary flavour . Elias Ashmole and many of the verv earliest of its disciples were men of high attainments in
literature . And from his day down to the present we find men of ability and scholarly attainments content to work throngh the early drudgery of the Craft , and subsequently adorning our ranks as rulers and teachers . Dr . Stnkely , whose Masonic Connections have been BO learnedly and carefully investigated by our eminent brother , your present Deputy nnd my late Suffragan , was himsef a man of great
learning and laborious habits , and from his day , the day of the southem revival of Freemasonry down to the present decade , we may trace a long succession of men of parts and attainments such aa Anderson , Preston , Crncefix , Oliver , and others , who all , according to the means at their disposal and the knowledge of facts that they possessed , toiled in the paths of Masonio literature . It is true that ,
until comparatively a recent period ; Masons were content to receive and accept as data statements that we now know to have been completely at variance with facts , but Freemasons were not singular in this respect . We need only refer to works on archaeology aud natural science contemporary with those obsolete histories of Masonry , to discover that men of light and leading in science entertained theories
and arrived at consequent conclusions that to us appear almost childish in their absnrrlity . And as other sciences have advanced , so has Freemasonry with equal strides . A generation of Masons thafc declines the myths and wayward fancies of Preston and Oliver haa trained up a new school of Craft historians , and with the logical historical analyses of Bro . Gould , the unremitting assiduity and
mental grasp of Bro . Woodford , the patient statistical labours of Bro . Hughan , and the careful and scholarly publications of Bro . Murray Lyon , we find ourselves in the happy position of having found an almost royal road to Masonic knowledge . This is therefore pre-eminently a time when a society such as ours should find congenial spirits and an appropriate field for its labours . O . ir objects are fche
elucidation of Masonic history and archasology , and in working in this direction , we know that we are aiding in a great and an important work . Onr labours may not be productive of vast results bufc as in the Brahminical story the granite is worn away in the course of ages by the light yet constant touch of the angel's robe , so no problem can resist for ever the patient attacks of perseverance and
persistency . I have more than once pointed out the direction in whioh members of this College can assist in the elucidation of Masonio history . Our Frater Lnkis has set us all a worthy example of what may be done in this way , and has brought some most valuable facta to light by the exercise of his scholarly activity . And the very fact that every now and then new scraps of information are brought to
light , and fresh theories are broached regarding our Order and its descent , proves how much there is yet left to discover . All of us have not the leisure we should like for these pursuits , but it is wonderfnl bow much may be effected in stray and spare moments by those whoso hearts are in the work . The mines of Masonic lore are as yet but little explored , and it is certain that there must still be in
existence manuscript allusions aud references to early Freemasonry , that if discovered would materially aid us in the construction of such a detailed history of our Order as would be its crowning triumph in this century . On occasions of these meetings I should be very glad if more members would prepare papers and bring with them Masonic relics of all kinds in order that we might all have fche benefit of
investigating their peculiarities . Our society is certain to be strong and useful in proportion to the work that we perform , and members would find much more pleasure and encouragement in attendance afc onr meetings if they always found something , however trifling , offered for their intellectual and Masonio benefit . Thus far the York College has enrolled npon its books many
of the mnst intelligent brethren in the county and the north of England , and I hope it will continue to gather in members who enter not for the sake ( as tbey may perhaps vainly suppose ) of obtaining another degree , bnt from a really intelligent desire to aid in the effort to do something for the literature of the Order , and to become a working element in a Society thafc has for its
objects the glory of God , the good of mankind , and the promotion of scientific Freemasonry . If this is the case the College cannot fail to prosper and to be of sterling valne , but if we should lose sight of our true raison d'itre and become a mere social club of Masons , we shall not deserve a continuance of that success whioh has thus far attended onr efforts . Let us all unite in an honest endeavour to work iu the
directions I have indicated , and our reward will surely follow . Fraters , I th-nk you for yonr attention . The election of Officers was proceeded with , and Frater C . L . Mason V was elected Celebrant , and Frater J . S . Cumberland VII was re-elected Treasurer . It was arranged to hold the next meeting of the College at Leeds , on the 23 rd of Ma v . Letters of apology for absence were read from the following
members : —Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , W . Lawton , W . Rowley , M . Millington , T . W . Holmes , E . T . Clark , Rev . J . Blake , C . G . L . Kipling , W . Paley , C . S . Lane , W . Harrison , S . Wilson , and R . W . Moore . At the close of the meeting the members met at high tea , and spent a pleasant evening , in the course of which Fra . Cumberland exhibited his valuable collection of old Masonic jewels , which was much admired .
Bro . tbe Rt . Hon . the Lord Mayor ( Alderman Knight ) presided , on Thursday evening , at the " public supping" of the boys at Christ's Hospital ( Blue Coat School ) . There was a very large attendance .