Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00403
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION FOR AGED FREEMASONS AND WIDOWS OF FREEMASONS . In compliance with a requisition received in accordance with Rule S , A SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING Of the Governors and Subscribers of this Institution will be held at FREEMASONS' HAM ., GREAT QUEEN-STREET , LONDON , On Wednesday , the gth November iust ., At : V to 4 o'clock in the Afternoon , To take into consideration the revisal of the Rules and Regulations of the Institution , as agreed to by the Sub-Committee appointed for that purpose ( copies of which have been forwarded to every Provincial Grand Secretary ) with a view to the improvement and further development of its objects ; to consieler any and every proposition or motion which may then be brought forward for that purpose , and , if found expedient , to adjourn the meeting from time to time until all the alterations shall have been considered ; and also to enact such laev or laws in respect thereto as may be deemed expedient , subject to the approval of Grand Lodge , according to the laws of thc Institution . By order , JAMES TERR'S ' , SECRETARY . Freemasons' Hall , Lonelon , W . C , 2 nd November , 1 SS 1 . The ncxt ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL will be held on WEDNESDAY , the 22 nd FEBRUARY , 1882 , under Ihe presidency of COL . LLOYD PHILIPPS , Prov . G . M . for South Wales ( Western Division ) . Brethren willing or desirous to serve as Stewards , anel assist in rendering the success of the Festival worthy thc patronage so kindly extended , are fraternally requested to forward their names without delay , as above .
Ad00404
JOHN HERVEY MEMORIAL J FUN u . Amount aln-. oiy a lenou I'devi in th '** /'•* - < ¦ / ¦ - * ¦ uos ,, n ... . ¦¦ 1 . 7 . v- / ' ' St . Luke's Lodge , No . m 110 Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex " ... 6 5 ° Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey 10 10 o Royal Brunswick Lodge , No . 732 10 10 o Villiers Lodge , No , 11 9 « Hartington Lodge , No . 1021 110 St . Thomas'Chapter , No . i . p 3 3 ° Bro . J . A . Yardley , No . 142 o 5 o Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex 10 10 11 Temperance Loelge , No . 142 220 Temperance Chapter , No . 142 220 Bro . Percy F . Sutton , S . W . No . u 1 o o Sir Thomas White Lodge , No . 1 S 24 10 10 o Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D 5 5 ° Bro . George Drysdale , 1 S 20 220 Total £ 799 14 (> Remittances on account of the Fund ( crossed "London and Westminster Bank , account of John Hervey Memorial Fund" ) , nnd all communications relating thereto , should be sent to the Honorary Secretary , Bro . R . R . DAVIS , P . M . 25 6 , Melvill Lodge , Manor-road , Wallington , Surrey .
Ad00405
BOOKS , & c ., RECEIVED . " The Citizen , " " Broad Arrow , " " Proceedings of the Grand Lodgeof Massachusetts , " " Le Monde Maconnique , " " The Jewish Chronicle , " "The Hull Packet , " "The Evening Telegram " ( Toronto ) , " Die Bai ' thutte , " "The West London Advertiser , " "The Isle of Wight Times , " "Proceedings of the National Great Priory of Canada , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " " Cassell's Illustrated Almanac , " "Snow Time and Glow Time , " "New York Dispatch , " "Der Long Islaender , " "The Liberal Freemason , " "The Freemasons' Repository , " "The Hebrew Leader , " " Keystone . ' ^
Ad00406
TO ADVERTISERS . fut F HLEMASIIX has a lari-c circulation in all parts eif the (' -lobe . In it the ulliei ^ l Reports of the Grand Lodges of Kngl . ind , Ireland , ami Scotland arc published with the special sanction of the respective Grand Masters , and it contains a complete record nt . Masonic worn in this country , our Indian limpirc , and Ihe Colonics . The vast accession to the ranks of the Order during Ihe past fewyears , and the increasing interest manifested in its doings , has Kiven the Freemaimi a position and inlluence which few journals can lay claim to , and the proprietor can assert v , ith confidence that announcements appearine ; in its columns challenge the attention of a very large and iiillueutial body of readers . Advertisements ( or the current week ' s issue are ; receiveel up to six o ' clock mi Wednesday' ercnim ; .
Ad00407
TO OUR READERS . T : it I'K I . I . MAMIX i- * published every Friday morning , price 3 d ., and contains Ihe fullest and latest information relating to l- ' recinasonry in every degree . Subscriptions , iiu ' ii-liiii-1 W .-ii / c .- --_ United State . ;* , * . „ , ¦¦ « , China , Australia United Kingdom . Canada the Coiiti- N ' Zc . a , an ( 1 & c . nent , kc . ' 13 s . 15 s . 6 d . 17 s . 6 d . omittances may be made in Stamps , but Post Ollice Orders or Iliei | iies are preferred , tbe former payable to Gi ; ouoi : KKXXIXI ; , Chief Ollice , London , the latter crossed London Joint Stock Hank .
Ar00408
THEFREEMASON. SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 5 , 18 S 1 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We elo not hole ) ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expresseeUiy oeircorres \) ondents , but evewish in aspirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] GRAND LODGES OF ENGLAND AND QUEBEC . To the Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As one of several interested in the happy settlement of the present difficulty between the Grand Lodges of England and Quebec , I beg to thank you for your kind articles on thc subject in the Freemason of the 29 th ult . It
is undoubtedly a difficult subject to write about , unless one sees thc veal principles involved , and what actually the Grand Lodge of England may fairly be asked to do . The learned Grand Master of Quebec , Dr . Graham ( who was Grand Master on the formation of that Grand Lodge , and has been the occupant of the chief chair many times
since ) , is laudably anxious to see all conflicting questions for ever settled , prior to his retirement as Grand Master , and I believe he has only consented to again act as Grand Master in the hope that such a result might bc achieved . His correspondence with our Royal Grand Master inserted in the Proceedings , with Dr . Graham ' s annual address , is an
evidence of his strong desire for pen ce and unity , anel I think that the communications of onr respected Grand Secretary , on behalf of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , are also as strong proofs of the desire of the English Craft for the happiness and prosperity of the Quebec Craft , only the result must bc obtained according to the spirit and principle
which have guided the Grand Lodge of England from its formation in the settlement of such matters . The Grand 1 odge * nofr compelled lodges to imitn will-i n 11 ov Or .-ind Lodge , nnd never will , th . ' il is rrrtain . Whal is termed tin * ¦* AniM-ii-in dm-Ii ' m' - ' * is mil . and in vci * ha- b' - ' -n . thai nl" llu * |> ivmi--v < ir : in > l l . odiv <> i the *
uiiild . li i .- i / mn-iarntivrl ; / -v . -. * . and not universal rvrn in ihe Uniti-il Stale . * . , and it involves an injustice In lodges which still prefer their old allegiance . Taking Quebec , however , Iiy itself , circHmsi-me .-es arc such as a speedy union of nil the lodges in that province is most desirable , and to that result our Grand Secretary evidently leans as
he says , " There is reason to believe that in the course of nature matters may terminate as you ( Dr . Graham ) desire . " Until , however , the three lodges in Montreal elect of themselves to join the Grand Loelge of Quebec ( and we hope they will soon do so ) they arc entitled to , and will receive , our support ' on all occasions according to our
Constitutions and customs . England , however , from thc formation of the Grand Lodge of Quebec has refrained from chartering new lodges in that province , and has not thrown any difficulties in the way of the lodges uniting with the new Grand Lodge . All the Scottish lodges now have joined it , and the late adherents have been allowed to
retain their old warrants as souvenirs from their alma mater . 1 am strongly of the opinion that thc friendly offer of union so heartily offered by the Grand Master of Quebec will , ere long , be accepted by the three lodges which as yet elect to remain under England , and until then
permit me to add my hope to yours that forbearance will be exercised by both bodies in that province , and * the * princip les of the Craft be exemplified in their rclation ' with one another . Yours fraternally , W . J . HUGHAN .
Reviews.
Reviews .
A l-I-. W THOUGHTS ON FREEMASONRY . By Bvo . Rev . II . 1 ' . R . UKI-. * * , P . P . G . C . Dorsetshire . Bro . 11 . Ling , Dorchester . This is an address , ( published by request ) , originally delivered before the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset at Bridport , September Sth , 1 XS 1 . It is a very able lecture , and well deserves to be printed , and greater Masonic publicity .
Bro . Kaikes's words arc weighty , and his thoughts are well arranged , and there is a lucidity of explanation highly commendable , as well as an easy ( low of words , which renders thc pamphlet very readable . His " teachings " seem to bc carefully grounded on thc lore and text book of our ancient Craft ; and we quite agre j with the Grand Secretary , who says very justly , that it is an "excellent discourse , "
and that it may be " read with great advantage by any Mason . " Wc wish that some of our foreign brethren coulel realize for themselves the kindl y and gentle principles of English , nay , of cosmopolitan Freemasonry , as so ably set forth in these unpretending , but effective , pages . Instead of "burning questions" and " petverse controversies , " instead of those " epea pteroenta" of crude
exposition , wild themes , and hurtful philosophies ( so-called ) , in which they too often indulge , they would finel that true Freemasonry is still built on the " Rock of Ages , " and still preserves on the sacred basis of inspired revelation the symbolism nnd the law of a divine morality , and lovingly and admiringly proclaims its own unchanging and unchangeable lessons of " Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth , "
THE HISTORY 01 " THE LODGE OK UNITY , No . 1 S 3 . By G . W . Si'in'U , P . M . George Kenning , iG , Great Queen-street . Thc " advance sheets " of this new work are now before us . Though some affect to say and to think that it is not " good form " to review in the Freemason works , old or new , reprinted , or issued by our Publisher , yet as these reviews arc perfectly independent of , and completely indif-
Reviews.
ferent to " intern " or "extern" influences / we think we cannot be doing wrong in bringing to the cognizance of our readcrscertain Masonic works of which otherwise they might remain , and probably would remain , entirely ignorant , not hearing of them in any other quarter . We , therefore , shall continue to mention all such Masonic works in these pages , until in truth any can fairly accuse us either of partizan sympathies , or undue partialities . Bro . Speth ' s work is a
most interesting one , most compact and clear , most readable and reasonable . It is , in fact , a simple , but effective , lodge history , and we tender to Bro . Sp ' eth "in limine " our warmest thanks for thus placing before us in connected and continuous order , the records of that important lodge , —the Lodge of Unity , No . 1 S 3 . Bro . Speth commences the special annals of his lodge with a little review of eighteenth century Freemasonry . Wc note one little error
in respect of the Lodge of Antiquity which Bro . Speth will do well to correct in subsequent editions . It was not the " majority " of the lodge but the " minority , " ( a very great "difference , " and with a "distinction " too ") , which in the great controversy sided with thc Grand Lodge of England . It was a decided majority with which Preston founded thc Grand Lodge south of the Trent , under a charter from the Grand Lodge at York , which charter still
remains in the archives of the Lodge of Antiquity . This is not a point , strictly speaking , of much importance , in a happily dead and buried struggle , but we mention it , because it is always well to be perfectly correct in suchmatters . Freemasonry has alreadysu / ifered much and vitally from slipshod "sheep-walking" and historical and anachronistic errors . It is but fair to remark that Bro . Speth has been misled by the fact that the minority was formed into a " Lodgeof
Antiquity * by the Grand Loelge , but thc archives , & c ., remained with the majority ; Bro . Speth says , at p . 7 , " the Ancients also sometimes called themselves York Masons , " etc ., Sic , "but apparently without sufficient reason . " We arc not aevare of any authority ever given by the York Grand Lodge to the ancient Masons thus to claim affinity to York . If it exists , it has yet to be found , and we think it would be safer to say ,
that such a ciaim nf Dennett ' s was his own , and utterly unauthorized b y thc York Masons . Thc Lodge of Unity \ vas chartered ! in April , 17119 , by the Duke o * f Beaufort , Grand Master . Twenty lodges were constituted in that year , and the Lodge of Unity was the fifth . At the Union in 1 S 13 only six of these twenty were surviving , I hough ; as five of th- * * twenty were foreign lodges , —one at Naples , one- ; ni Flushing , and three in Sweden , —they
probably hael heroine merged in oilier bodies : this leaves nine iinnci- oiinf' -iiW . Hio . Spclli alludes 10 the changes effected by the Union in 1 . S 1 ; .. eelien , on the amalgamation , the lodge :. w' -rr pl . ii-cil .-lllcrn .-iti-ly bv jot . and as thc Antients drew No . 1 the Modi-ms lost a place . The Lodge of Antiquity—the oldest lodge in the world , anterior to thc Grand Lodge itself , and thus the mother of all private lodges ,--had to take No . 2 , anel , in fact , lost the number and status which specially
belonged to it . I'herc is one ; more point to which Bro . Speth alludes , to which wc must take a little exception , namely , to thc statement that , as regards the Grand Lodge revival in 1717 , " many of the pre-existing lodges joined Grand Lodge , but some continued working on their own undoubted and inherent authority , and these were popularly known as lodges of St . John . " We do not know Bro . Speth's authority for this statement . It is probably based on the
" Grand Mystery , " or some of Oliver's rather loose and inaccurate statements . The member of the Lodge of St . John , alluded to in Article 5 , is probably an " unattached Mason , " a member of no regular lodge , though a Mason , unless indeed independent lodges existed , of which no trace remains . Some of thc earl y bye-laws are very interesting and peculiar . Take for example Article 1 , ( page iC ); and there is also Articlej , ( page 17 ); and Article 13 , ( page iS ); well worthy of our special notice and attention . " Article
ist . Without Order and Decency in this society a dissolution must be the consequence therefore at the third stroke ol the Master ' s Mallett profound silence shall be observed and no private Committee held and any brother who swears curses or talks obscenely disputes about politicks , is disguis'd in licjuor or becomes disguis'd therein or offers to lay wagers dispose of Play-House Tickets sits down unclothed hisses to what another brother proposes or debates or refuses to
stand up and address himself to the Master in anything he may have to relate such Behaviour shall bc publickly rcpremanded by thc Master for the first offence and for a seconel offence shall be fin'd two and sixpence if thc majority of thc present members ' confirm the same which if he refuses shall be dealt with as they think proper . " " Article 5 th . Every visiting or travelling brothershall pay one shilling & sixpence to the Tyler for the use of the
lodge before admission , & no brother shall be permitted to ballot in any affair relating to the lodge unless he becomes a member & no brother shall be permitted to ballot in anything relative to this lodge unless he have paid his full quarterage up to the last quarter day & in | all . kinds of Ballot the Master shall bc intitled to one vote and a casting vote on an equality , & any brother who is only a member of tbe lodge of St . John ' s shall pay to the Tyler two shillings
before he be admitted as a visitor or a travelling brother . " " Article 13 th . In order to keep the harmony amongst the bretliren after the lodge is clos'd , no private piques or quarrels or state affairs shall bc brought within the doors wherein the lodge is held for that would blast our designs therefore any brother found guilty shall stand to the determination of the brethren next lodge night for the first offence the second offence to be fined two shillings anel sixpence for the use of the lodge & for the third offence
shall bc excluded . " Indeed , were we are not afraid to detract from the facts and freshness of the book itself , wc might multiply these interesting extracts , but wc prefer to leave Bro . Speth to tell his ow ' n lucid tale , and we will only add , in conclusion , that the work reflects great credit on Bro . Speth , and will be reael not onl y by the members of the lodge of Unity , but by the members of the Craft in general , with every feeling of interest and gratitude . Such lodge histories arc invaluable to the Masonic student and the Masonic arch .-eologist .
IHE NINETEENTH CENTURY . New Poem by thc POET LAUREATE . Wc do not profess or presume to criticize the serial entitle ' the " Nineteenth Century " in thc Freemason , inasmuch as it lies far outside our boundaries , and treats upon subjects which impinge upon that debateable region of political or social controversies which are forbidden b y Masonic law , and are , therefore , inadmissible in a Masonic journal . But a " pome is a pome , " as an American writer laug li-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00403
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION FOR AGED FREEMASONS AND WIDOWS OF FREEMASONS . In compliance with a requisition received in accordance with Rule S , A SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING Of the Governors and Subscribers of this Institution will be held at FREEMASONS' HAM ., GREAT QUEEN-STREET , LONDON , On Wednesday , the gth November iust ., At : V to 4 o'clock in the Afternoon , To take into consideration the revisal of the Rules and Regulations of the Institution , as agreed to by the Sub-Committee appointed for that purpose ( copies of which have been forwarded to every Provincial Grand Secretary ) with a view to the improvement and further development of its objects ; to consieler any and every proposition or motion which may then be brought forward for that purpose , and , if found expedient , to adjourn the meeting from time to time until all the alterations shall have been considered ; and also to enact such laev or laws in respect thereto as may be deemed expedient , subject to the approval of Grand Lodge , according to the laws of thc Institution . By order , JAMES TERR'S ' , SECRETARY . Freemasons' Hall , Lonelon , W . C , 2 nd November , 1 SS 1 . The ncxt ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL will be held on WEDNESDAY , the 22 nd FEBRUARY , 1882 , under Ihe presidency of COL . LLOYD PHILIPPS , Prov . G . M . for South Wales ( Western Division ) . Brethren willing or desirous to serve as Stewards , anel assist in rendering the success of the Festival worthy thc patronage so kindly extended , are fraternally requested to forward their names without delay , as above .
Ad00404
JOHN HERVEY MEMORIAL J FUN u . Amount aln-. oiy a lenou I'devi in th '** /'•* - < ¦ / ¦ - * ¦ uos ,, n ... . ¦¦ 1 . 7 . v- / ' ' St . Luke's Lodge , No . m 110 Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex " ... 6 5 ° Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey 10 10 o Royal Brunswick Lodge , No . 732 10 10 o Villiers Lodge , No , 11 9 « Hartington Lodge , No . 1021 110 St . Thomas'Chapter , No . i . p 3 3 ° Bro . J . A . Yardley , No . 142 o 5 o Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex 10 10 11 Temperance Loelge , No . 142 220 Temperance Chapter , No . 142 220 Bro . Percy F . Sutton , S . W . No . u 1 o o Sir Thomas White Lodge , No . 1 S 24 10 10 o Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D 5 5 ° Bro . George Drysdale , 1 S 20 220 Total £ 799 14 (> Remittances on account of the Fund ( crossed "London and Westminster Bank , account of John Hervey Memorial Fund" ) , nnd all communications relating thereto , should be sent to the Honorary Secretary , Bro . R . R . DAVIS , P . M . 25 6 , Melvill Lodge , Manor-road , Wallington , Surrey .
Ad00405
BOOKS , & c ., RECEIVED . " The Citizen , " " Broad Arrow , " " Proceedings of the Grand Lodgeof Massachusetts , " " Le Monde Maconnique , " " The Jewish Chronicle , " "The Hull Packet , " "The Evening Telegram " ( Toronto ) , " Die Bai ' thutte , " "The West London Advertiser , " "The Isle of Wight Times , " "Proceedings of the National Great Priory of Canada , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " " Cassell's Illustrated Almanac , " "Snow Time and Glow Time , " "New York Dispatch , " "Der Long Islaender , " "The Liberal Freemason , " "The Freemasons' Repository , " "The Hebrew Leader , " " Keystone . ' ^
Ad00406
TO ADVERTISERS . fut F HLEMASIIX has a lari-c circulation in all parts eif the (' -lobe . In it the ulliei ^ l Reports of the Grand Lodges of Kngl . ind , Ireland , ami Scotland arc published with the special sanction of the respective Grand Masters , and it contains a complete record nt . Masonic worn in this country , our Indian limpirc , and Ihe Colonics . The vast accession to the ranks of the Order during Ihe past fewyears , and the increasing interest manifested in its doings , has Kiven the Freemaimi a position and inlluence which few journals can lay claim to , and the proprietor can assert v , ith confidence that announcements appearine ; in its columns challenge the attention of a very large and iiillueutial body of readers . Advertisements ( or the current week ' s issue are ; receiveel up to six o ' clock mi Wednesday' ercnim ; .
Ad00407
TO OUR READERS . T : it I'K I . I . MAMIX i- * published every Friday morning , price 3 d ., and contains Ihe fullest and latest information relating to l- ' recinasonry in every degree . Subscriptions , iiu ' ii-liiii-1 W .-ii / c .- --_ United State . ;* , * . „ , ¦¦ « , China , Australia United Kingdom . Canada the Coiiti- N ' Zc . a , an ( 1 & c . nent , kc . ' 13 s . 15 s . 6 d . 17 s . 6 d . omittances may be made in Stamps , but Post Ollice Orders or Iliei | iies are preferred , tbe former payable to Gi ; ouoi : KKXXIXI ; , Chief Ollice , London , the latter crossed London Joint Stock Hank .
Ar00408
THEFREEMASON. SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 5 , 18 S 1 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We elo not hole ) ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expresseeUiy oeircorres \) ondents , but evewish in aspirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] GRAND LODGES OF ENGLAND AND QUEBEC . To the Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As one of several interested in the happy settlement of the present difficulty between the Grand Lodges of England and Quebec , I beg to thank you for your kind articles on thc subject in the Freemason of the 29 th ult . It
is undoubtedly a difficult subject to write about , unless one sees thc veal principles involved , and what actually the Grand Lodge of England may fairly be asked to do . The learned Grand Master of Quebec , Dr . Graham ( who was Grand Master on the formation of that Grand Lodge , and has been the occupant of the chief chair many times
since ) , is laudably anxious to see all conflicting questions for ever settled , prior to his retirement as Grand Master , and I believe he has only consented to again act as Grand Master in the hope that such a result might bc achieved . His correspondence with our Royal Grand Master inserted in the Proceedings , with Dr . Graham ' s annual address , is an
evidence of his strong desire for pen ce and unity , anel I think that the communications of onr respected Grand Secretary , on behalf of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , are also as strong proofs of the desire of the English Craft for the happiness and prosperity of the Quebec Craft , only the result must bc obtained according to the spirit and principle
which have guided the Grand Lodge of England from its formation in the settlement of such matters . The Grand 1 odge * nofr compelled lodges to imitn will-i n 11 ov Or .-ind Lodge , nnd never will , th . ' il is rrrtain . Whal is termed tin * ¦* AniM-ii-in dm-Ii ' m' - ' * is mil . and in vci * ha- b' - ' -n . thai nl" llu * |> ivmi--v < ir : in > l l . odiv <> i the *
uiiild . li i .- i / mn-iarntivrl ; / -v . -. * . and not universal rvrn in ihe Uniti-il Stale . * . , and it involves an injustice In lodges which still prefer their old allegiance . Taking Quebec , however , Iiy itself , circHmsi-me .-es arc such as a speedy union of nil the lodges in that province is most desirable , and to that result our Grand Secretary evidently leans as
he says , " There is reason to believe that in the course of nature matters may terminate as you ( Dr . Graham ) desire . " Until , however , the three lodges in Montreal elect of themselves to join the Grand Loelge of Quebec ( and we hope they will soon do so ) they arc entitled to , and will receive , our support ' on all occasions according to our
Constitutions and customs . England , however , from thc formation of the Grand Lodge of Quebec has refrained from chartering new lodges in that province , and has not thrown any difficulties in the way of the lodges uniting with the new Grand Lodge . All the Scottish lodges now have joined it , and the late adherents have been allowed to
retain their old warrants as souvenirs from their alma mater . 1 am strongly of the opinion that thc friendly offer of union so heartily offered by the Grand Master of Quebec will , ere long , be accepted by the three lodges which as yet elect to remain under England , and until then
permit me to add my hope to yours that forbearance will be exercised by both bodies in that province , and * the * princip les of the Craft be exemplified in their rclation ' with one another . Yours fraternally , W . J . HUGHAN .
Reviews.
Reviews .
A l-I-. W THOUGHTS ON FREEMASONRY . By Bvo . Rev . II . 1 ' . R . UKI-. * * , P . P . G . C . Dorsetshire . Bro . 11 . Ling , Dorchester . This is an address , ( published by request ) , originally delivered before the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset at Bridport , September Sth , 1 XS 1 . It is a very able lecture , and well deserves to be printed , and greater Masonic publicity .
Bro . Kaikes's words arc weighty , and his thoughts are well arranged , and there is a lucidity of explanation highly commendable , as well as an easy ( low of words , which renders thc pamphlet very readable . His " teachings " seem to bc carefully grounded on thc lore and text book of our ancient Craft ; and we quite agre j with the Grand Secretary , who says very justly , that it is an "excellent discourse , "
and that it may be " read with great advantage by any Mason . " Wc wish that some of our foreign brethren coulel realize for themselves the kindl y and gentle principles of English , nay , of cosmopolitan Freemasonry , as so ably set forth in these unpretending , but effective , pages . Instead of "burning questions" and " petverse controversies , " instead of those " epea pteroenta" of crude
exposition , wild themes , and hurtful philosophies ( so-called ) , in which they too often indulge , they would finel that true Freemasonry is still built on the " Rock of Ages , " and still preserves on the sacred basis of inspired revelation the symbolism nnd the law of a divine morality , and lovingly and admiringly proclaims its own unchanging and unchangeable lessons of " Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth , "
THE HISTORY 01 " THE LODGE OK UNITY , No . 1 S 3 . By G . W . Si'in'U , P . M . George Kenning , iG , Great Queen-street . Thc " advance sheets " of this new work are now before us . Though some affect to say and to think that it is not " good form " to review in the Freemason works , old or new , reprinted , or issued by our Publisher , yet as these reviews arc perfectly independent of , and completely indif-
Reviews.
ferent to " intern " or "extern" influences / we think we cannot be doing wrong in bringing to the cognizance of our readcrscertain Masonic works of which otherwise they might remain , and probably would remain , entirely ignorant , not hearing of them in any other quarter . We , therefore , shall continue to mention all such Masonic works in these pages , until in truth any can fairly accuse us either of partizan sympathies , or undue partialities . Bro . Speth ' s work is a
most interesting one , most compact and clear , most readable and reasonable . It is , in fact , a simple , but effective , lodge history , and we tender to Bro . Sp ' eth "in limine " our warmest thanks for thus placing before us in connected and continuous order , the records of that important lodge , —the Lodge of Unity , No . 1 S 3 . Bro . Speth commences the special annals of his lodge with a little review of eighteenth century Freemasonry . Wc note one little error
in respect of the Lodge of Antiquity which Bro . Speth will do well to correct in subsequent editions . It was not the " majority " of the lodge but the " minority , " ( a very great "difference , " and with a "distinction " too ") , which in the great controversy sided with thc Grand Lodge of England . It was a decided majority with which Preston founded thc Grand Lodge south of the Trent , under a charter from the Grand Lodge at York , which charter still
remains in the archives of the Lodge of Antiquity . This is not a point , strictly speaking , of much importance , in a happily dead and buried struggle , but we mention it , because it is always well to be perfectly correct in suchmatters . Freemasonry has alreadysu / ifered much and vitally from slipshod "sheep-walking" and historical and anachronistic errors . It is but fair to remark that Bro . Speth has been misled by the fact that the minority was formed into a " Lodgeof
Antiquity * by the Grand Loelge , but thc archives , & c ., remained with the majority ; Bro . Speth says , at p . 7 , " the Ancients also sometimes called themselves York Masons , " etc ., Sic , "but apparently without sufficient reason . " We arc not aevare of any authority ever given by the York Grand Lodge to the ancient Masons thus to claim affinity to York . If it exists , it has yet to be found , and we think it would be safer to say ,
that such a ciaim nf Dennett ' s was his own , and utterly unauthorized b y thc York Masons . Thc Lodge of Unity \ vas chartered ! in April , 17119 , by the Duke o * f Beaufort , Grand Master . Twenty lodges were constituted in that year , and the Lodge of Unity was the fifth . At the Union in 1 S 13 only six of these twenty were surviving , I hough ; as five of th- * * twenty were foreign lodges , —one at Naples , one- ; ni Flushing , and three in Sweden , —they
probably hael heroine merged in oilier bodies : this leaves nine iinnci- oiinf' -iiW . Hio . Spclli alludes 10 the changes effected by the Union in 1 . S 1 ; .. eelien , on the amalgamation , the lodge :. w' -rr pl . ii-cil .-lllcrn .-iti-ly bv jot . and as thc Antients drew No . 1 the Modi-ms lost a place . The Lodge of Antiquity—the oldest lodge in the world , anterior to thc Grand Lodge itself , and thus the mother of all private lodges ,--had to take No . 2 , anel , in fact , lost the number and status which specially
belonged to it . I'herc is one ; more point to which Bro . Speth alludes , to which wc must take a little exception , namely , to thc statement that , as regards the Grand Lodge revival in 1717 , " many of the pre-existing lodges joined Grand Lodge , but some continued working on their own undoubted and inherent authority , and these were popularly known as lodges of St . John . " We do not know Bro . Speth's authority for this statement . It is probably based on the
" Grand Mystery , " or some of Oliver's rather loose and inaccurate statements . The member of the Lodge of St . John , alluded to in Article 5 , is probably an " unattached Mason , " a member of no regular lodge , though a Mason , unless indeed independent lodges existed , of which no trace remains . Some of thc earl y bye-laws are very interesting and peculiar . Take for example Article 1 , ( page iC ); and there is also Articlej , ( page 17 ); and Article 13 , ( page iS ); well worthy of our special notice and attention . " Article
ist . Without Order and Decency in this society a dissolution must be the consequence therefore at the third stroke ol the Master ' s Mallett profound silence shall be observed and no private Committee held and any brother who swears curses or talks obscenely disputes about politicks , is disguis'd in licjuor or becomes disguis'd therein or offers to lay wagers dispose of Play-House Tickets sits down unclothed hisses to what another brother proposes or debates or refuses to
stand up and address himself to the Master in anything he may have to relate such Behaviour shall bc publickly rcpremanded by thc Master for the first offence and for a seconel offence shall be fin'd two and sixpence if thc majority of thc present members ' confirm the same which if he refuses shall be dealt with as they think proper . " " Article 5 th . Every visiting or travelling brothershall pay one shilling & sixpence to the Tyler for the use of the
lodge before admission , & no brother shall be permitted to ballot in any affair relating to the lodge unless he becomes a member & no brother shall be permitted to ballot in anything relative to this lodge unless he have paid his full quarterage up to the last quarter day & in | all . kinds of Ballot the Master shall bc intitled to one vote and a casting vote on an equality , & any brother who is only a member of tbe lodge of St . John ' s shall pay to the Tyler two shillings
before he be admitted as a visitor or a travelling brother . " " Article 13 th . In order to keep the harmony amongst the bretliren after the lodge is clos'd , no private piques or quarrels or state affairs shall bc brought within the doors wherein the lodge is held for that would blast our designs therefore any brother found guilty shall stand to the determination of the brethren next lodge night for the first offence the second offence to be fined two shillings anel sixpence for the use of the lodge & for the third offence
shall bc excluded . " Indeed , were we are not afraid to detract from the facts and freshness of the book itself , wc might multiply these interesting extracts , but wc prefer to leave Bro . Speth to tell his ow ' n lucid tale , and we will only add , in conclusion , that the work reflects great credit on Bro . Speth , and will be reael not onl y by the members of the lodge of Unity , but by the members of the Craft in general , with every feeling of interest and gratitude . Such lodge histories arc invaluable to the Masonic student and the Masonic arch .-eologist .
IHE NINETEENTH CENTURY . New Poem by thc POET LAUREATE . Wc do not profess or presume to criticize the serial entitle ' the " Nineteenth Century " in thc Freemason , inasmuch as it lies far outside our boundaries , and treats upon subjects which impinge upon that debateable region of political or social controversies which are forbidden b y Masonic law , and are , therefore , inadmissible in a Masonic journal . But a " pome is a pome , " as an American writer laug li-