-
Articles/Ads
Article Original Correspondence. ← Page 2 of 2 Article Original Correspondence. Page 2 of 2 Article SCOTLAND. Page 1 of 1 Article SCOTLAND. Page 1 of 1 Article THE AMERICAN K. T. TOURISTS. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
line of demarcation between it and the spiritual , since it points to an eternity ? Where is the strength of Freemasonry ? Remember the saying of Gamaliel , Acts v . 38 : If this work be of man—in a carnal state , I presume—it will come to nought . Verily its strength lies in the infallible
plumb-line , which , like Jacob ' s ladder , rises higher and higher , and forms one continual line of union between this world and the next . In conclusion , T . G . A . O . T . U . has created all bodies on a plan drawn by Himself , and that were not so , there never could have been such a body of
men as Freemasons on this earth . Hence , as long as Masons are true , and " hold fast the- form of sound words once delivered , " our venerable system , bannot be called a carnal one . I am , dear Sir and Brother , " REGEM SERVA , " 450 .
A COMPLAINT .
( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) SIR , —Feeling satisfied that you are a lover of fair play , and that your columns are always open for a true and faithful statement of the proceedings of the Craft , may I beg your insertion of the following explanation of the treatment received by myself
at the Lodge of Finsbury , No . 861 . I have already written to the Sunday Times , who have not only refused the insertion of my letter , but have stepped out of the way to pile obloquy upon my head . The installation of the lodge took place on Friday , May 26 th , when such altercation took place as warrants me in offering some explanation . A feeling
has for some time past , I regret to say of discord , crept into the lodge , which has arisen from a display of dominant tyranny on the part of some who should have shown an example more congenial with the ancient landmarks of Masonry— any dissentient from their views has met with most rancorous opposition , ' and unfortunately I have been made
a victim . The bone of contention has been the removal of the lodge to a more convenient place than the present , and I very much doubt if the Grand Lodge knew the particulars , it would allow the meetings to be held there . The Sunday Times had two previous
statements , neither of which were founded upon facts . The true account is , that a brother proposed that the lodge should be removed , and requested the vote to be taken by ballot . This the W . M . refused , and ordered it to be taken by show of hands , when the brother who proposed it
recommended his supporters not to vote , whereupon it was put to the show of hands , and there were sixteen against the removal out of a meeting of thirty-seven . There were not four bands up in favourof removal , as the Sunday Times stated , as
no hands were shown on the contrary . Trusting you will publish this letter in justice to myself , and to show the Craft how Freemasonry is estimated in the Lodge of Finsbury , I am . vours resrjectfullv .
E . BENJAMIN , late J . W . to the Lodge .
THE 1717 THEORY . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I regret to say that I have not been a constant recipient of your paper from its start , and am therefore not in possession of
all the arguments advanced /™ and eon . on the 1717 question . If , therefore , the following quotations from manuscripts , written prior to 1717 , have not hitherto appeared in your paper in connection with the question at issue , permit me to furnish them , as they may serve to throw some light on the
subject : — First . In a constitution printed in C . IK Moore ' s Magazine , Boston , U . S ., in December , 1842 , said to have been copied by Bro . Henry Phillips , P . M . of Moira Lodge ( London ) from the Harlcian MSS ., vol . 194 . 2 , the following regulation is given , under
the heading of " The New Articles : " " 3 istly . That noe person shall be accepted a Freemason , or know the secrets of sayd Society , untiU he hath first taken the oath of secrecy hereafter following : ' I , A . ]} ., Doe , in the presence of Almighty God , and my fellows and Brethren here present , promise and
declare that I will not at any time hereafter , by any act or circumstance whatsoever , directly or indirectly , publish , discover , reveal , or make known any of the secrets , privileges , or counsels of the Fraternity or fellowship of Freemasonry , which at this time , or any time hereafter , shall be made
known unto me . Soe hclpe me God , and the holy contents of this book . '" When and where that document was written I know not . Whether the articles above alluded to , called " new , " were new when the document was
penned , or copied so from some older constitution , I am equally unable to answer . One thing , however , we may be sure of . If the document itself is not a forgery , it must have been written some time before the establishment of the G . L . of England .
Original Correspondence.
It is immaterial whether it was written one hundred years before the revival , or only one year . Here , then , we have a document older than 1717 , plainly indicating that Masons were then in possession of some secrets . This , however , does not prove that the " secret" had reference to signs or words ; but the following quotations from Mr . James O .
Halliwell s book on Freemasonry certainly confirms the supposition that before 1717 Masons knew each other by signs and words . Mr . Halliwell says : — " In Aubrey ' s Natural History of Wiltshire , a manuscript preserved in the library of the Royal Society , on page 227 , the following passage may be found : ' Sir William Dugdale told me many years since
that about Henry the Third's time the Pope gave a bull or patents to a company of Italian freemasons to travell up or down over all Europe to build churches . From those are derived the fraternity of adopted masons . They arc known to one another by certain signs and watchwords . It continues to this day The manner of their adoption
is very formal , and with an oath of secrecy . '" We are not . indeed , informed the precise date when Mr . Aubrey wrote the natural history of Wiltshire . Two things arc however certain : 1 st , that Mr . Aubrey must have written that natural history of Wiltshire during his own lifetime ; and , 2 nd , that Sir William Dugdale must have
communicated to Mr . Aubrey the Masonic information , while he ( Dugdale ) was still a mortal . Now I learn from Charles Knight ' s English Cyclopedia , that Aubrey died either in 16 97 or 1700 , and that Sir William Dugdale departed this life on February 10 th , 1686 . Assuming , now , that Aubrey did not write the natural history of Wiltshire until the year
1700 , and by " Sir William Dugdale told me many years si / ice , " Mr . Aubrey meant that Sir William had told him that anecdote just before his demise on February 10 th , 1686 . Wc are here still certainly furnished with strong evidence that more than
thirty-one years before 1717 the Masons had secret initiations , signs , and words . If , therefore , the above quotations , and the inferences they lead to , have not hitherto been advanced by the opponents to the 1717 theory , or rebutted or explained by its advocates , I respectfully submit the above facts to their consideration .
Kcspectfully and fraternally yours , JACOB NORTON . Boston , U . S ., May 29 , 1871 .
THE GEORGE TEDDER FUND .
( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have great pleasure in informing the Craft , through your columns , that the accounts of the above fund were audited by the Committee on Wednesday , the 16 th June , when it appeared that the total amount received ( including
the grant from the Board of Benevolence ) was , £ 110 9 s ., which amount has been devoted to Bro . Tedder ' s benefit . Allow me also , on behalf of the Committee and myself , to thank the Craft for their liberality in responding to the appeal , and yourself , for your
kindness in forwarding the object wc had in view . Further information relative to the case , I shall be happy to furnish to any one who may require it . I am , yours fraternally , JESSE OWENS . 4 , Ovcrly-road , Junction-road , Upper Holloway .
Scotland.
SCOTLAND .
GLASGOW .
On Tuesday , the 6 th inst ., the Girvan Encampment of Knights Templar met at the Masonic Hall , Struthers-street , Glasgow , under the command of Sir Knight Robert Bell , assisted by the following Sir Knights : —J . C . Park , Deputy Commander ; Thos . Canadian , P . E . C . ; J . E . Spoil's , C . G . ; Mat .
Clanachan , C . C . ; James Love , Treasurer ; George Reid , S . C . ; Dugald Butter , J . C . ; and about thirty others . Tire first business was the introduction of a candidate , Comp . George W . Wheeler , of Mount Lebanon Chapter 73 ( li . C ) , and Caledonian Unity 73 ( S . C ) , who , after undergoing the usual initiatory
exercise , was clubbed a Knight of the Temple . The solemn and impressive ceremonies of this order were never more effectively rendered than on this occasion by the Noble Commander , whose working is always distinguished by solemnity and grace . He was ably assisted bv the whole of his subalterns ,
as this encampment for some time past has chosen for its officers only those brothers who by careful working in the other grades of Masonry have proved their worthiness to serve in tiie Temple . The M . K . C . then read to the encampment the passage from THE FREEMASON' relative to the visit of the American
Templars , and said he thought it would be advisable to get up a suitable demonstration to welcome them to . Scotland , and as this was the only encampment in Scotland that holds regular monthly meetings , it would naturally devolve on them to make an effort Co welcome their Transatlantic confreres . After
Scotland.
some conversation as to the best form of giving that welcome , it was moved by the Captain-General , and seconded by the Past Commander , that a committee be formed to correspond with the American Templars on their arrival at Queenstown , and offer them a fraternal greeting ; also to arrange the time
and form of the demonstration . The following Sir Knights were then appointed as the said Committee , viz ., the M . N . C ., R . Bell ; H . Speirs , C . G . ; T . Clanachan , P . N . C . ; T . Love , T . ; and Jas . Barclay . The encampment was then closed in the usual form and with the proper ceremonies . An emergency
meeting was held on Wednesday , the 14 th inst . Sir Kt . B . Bell presided and informed the Sir Knights that the meeting had been called to make arrangements to meet their Transatlantic brethren , he having received a telegram from them from Cork to the effect that they would gladly avail
themselves of the kind invitation of this encampment . Sir Kt . J . E . Speirs , C . C , then reported the steps already taken by the committee , and suggested the appointment of a larger committee to make the necessary arrangements . After some discussion , it was decided to invite the distinguished visitors to a banquet , to be held in the hall of this encampment
on Saturday , the 24 th inst ., and to suggest to them the desirablility of the members of this encampment joining their visitors in attending Divine service at the Cathedral on Sunday . [ The interest evinced in this proposed demonstration may be judged from the fact that though only a few hours ' notice was given of the meeting , twenty-five Sir Knights attended . ]
The American K. T. Tourists.
THE AMERICAN K . T . TOURISTS .
The following " Letter of Credence ' to the American Masonic tourists has been sent to us , and we have great pleasure in making it public : — To the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master , the Grand and Subordinate Officers , and Sir Knights of all Encampments and Priories of the Royal , Exalted , Religious and Military Order
of Masonic Knights 1 emptor in England and I Vales , and jurisdiction thereunto belonging ; as well as lo those of Scotland , Ireland , France , Germany , and in whatever country wherein the Symbol of the Cross has been displayed upon the banners of Templarism to advance the moral , intellectual , and religious knowledge of our Christian Order ,
PEACE , UNITY , FRATERNAL LOVE . The active and honorary membership of the Sir Knights of Allegheny Commandery , No . 35 , of the city of Allegheny , Pennsylvania ( whose names are hereunto attached in their own handwriting ) , deriving a charter from the Right Eminent Grand
Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Pennsylvania—in their associate capacity as a subordinate Commandery , having made all the necessary arrangements for an excursion through Europe , and to visit all Encampments and Priories on their designated route—it is eminently proper on such an
occasion that this Right Eminent Grand Commandery of Knights Templar should present a Letter of Credence to those valiant and magnanimous Knights of Allegheny Commandery , No . 35 . It is more particularly required from this Grand Bodv , as Pennsylvania was the first State in the
American Union which organized a Grand Encampment , in Philadelphia , in 1797 , from Sir Knights who came to this State from the mother country , and brought with them the rites and ceremonies of our chivalric and Christian Order . Hence it is right and proper that the glorious old Kevstone State
should be the first Grand Commandery in America to send back to ouv mother country one of her subordinate Commandcries , fully equipped , to visit the home , the altars , the asylums , the historic reminiscences ; nay , the graves and monuments , of our Templar fathers . This fact of itself should , and
we trust ever will , render more stable and lasting the fraternal intercourse which should exist between two countries descended from a common origin and bound together by the same ties . In the exalted character of Knights Templar , therefore , we affectionately and fraternally commend
each and every of the members and Sir Knights of Allegheny Commandery . No . 35 , as Master Masons who have worked on the Square—as Royal Arch Masons who have wrought on the Triangle at the rebuilding of the Second Temple , and brought lo light treasures of inestimable value—and as Sir Knights who as pilgrim penitents in our asylums ,
have not only visited the Sepulchre , but knelt around the Sacred Delta , and beheld the Cross of our ascended Redeemer . These Sir Knights go from among us for a season as our immediate representatives , and we pray you , as Officers and Sir Knights , to extend to our beloved subordinate , the Sir Knights of Allegheny Commandery , No . 35 , and those associated with
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
line of demarcation between it and the spiritual , since it points to an eternity ? Where is the strength of Freemasonry ? Remember the saying of Gamaliel , Acts v . 38 : If this work be of man—in a carnal state , I presume—it will come to nought . Verily its strength lies in the infallible
plumb-line , which , like Jacob ' s ladder , rises higher and higher , and forms one continual line of union between this world and the next . In conclusion , T . G . A . O . T . U . has created all bodies on a plan drawn by Himself , and that were not so , there never could have been such a body of
men as Freemasons on this earth . Hence , as long as Masons are true , and " hold fast the- form of sound words once delivered , " our venerable system , bannot be called a carnal one . I am , dear Sir and Brother , " REGEM SERVA , " 450 .
A COMPLAINT .
( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) SIR , —Feeling satisfied that you are a lover of fair play , and that your columns are always open for a true and faithful statement of the proceedings of the Craft , may I beg your insertion of the following explanation of the treatment received by myself
at the Lodge of Finsbury , No . 861 . I have already written to the Sunday Times , who have not only refused the insertion of my letter , but have stepped out of the way to pile obloquy upon my head . The installation of the lodge took place on Friday , May 26 th , when such altercation took place as warrants me in offering some explanation . A feeling
has for some time past , I regret to say of discord , crept into the lodge , which has arisen from a display of dominant tyranny on the part of some who should have shown an example more congenial with the ancient landmarks of Masonry— any dissentient from their views has met with most rancorous opposition , ' and unfortunately I have been made
a victim . The bone of contention has been the removal of the lodge to a more convenient place than the present , and I very much doubt if the Grand Lodge knew the particulars , it would allow the meetings to be held there . The Sunday Times had two previous
statements , neither of which were founded upon facts . The true account is , that a brother proposed that the lodge should be removed , and requested the vote to be taken by ballot . This the W . M . refused , and ordered it to be taken by show of hands , when the brother who proposed it
recommended his supporters not to vote , whereupon it was put to the show of hands , and there were sixteen against the removal out of a meeting of thirty-seven . There were not four bands up in favourof removal , as the Sunday Times stated , as
no hands were shown on the contrary . Trusting you will publish this letter in justice to myself , and to show the Craft how Freemasonry is estimated in the Lodge of Finsbury , I am . vours resrjectfullv .
E . BENJAMIN , late J . W . to the Lodge .
THE 1717 THEORY . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I regret to say that I have not been a constant recipient of your paper from its start , and am therefore not in possession of
all the arguments advanced /™ and eon . on the 1717 question . If , therefore , the following quotations from manuscripts , written prior to 1717 , have not hitherto appeared in your paper in connection with the question at issue , permit me to furnish them , as they may serve to throw some light on the
subject : — First . In a constitution printed in C . IK Moore ' s Magazine , Boston , U . S ., in December , 1842 , said to have been copied by Bro . Henry Phillips , P . M . of Moira Lodge ( London ) from the Harlcian MSS ., vol . 194 . 2 , the following regulation is given , under
the heading of " The New Articles : " " 3 istly . That noe person shall be accepted a Freemason , or know the secrets of sayd Society , untiU he hath first taken the oath of secrecy hereafter following : ' I , A . ]} ., Doe , in the presence of Almighty God , and my fellows and Brethren here present , promise and
declare that I will not at any time hereafter , by any act or circumstance whatsoever , directly or indirectly , publish , discover , reveal , or make known any of the secrets , privileges , or counsels of the Fraternity or fellowship of Freemasonry , which at this time , or any time hereafter , shall be made
known unto me . Soe hclpe me God , and the holy contents of this book . '" When and where that document was written I know not . Whether the articles above alluded to , called " new , " were new when the document was
penned , or copied so from some older constitution , I am equally unable to answer . One thing , however , we may be sure of . If the document itself is not a forgery , it must have been written some time before the establishment of the G . L . of England .
Original Correspondence.
It is immaterial whether it was written one hundred years before the revival , or only one year . Here , then , we have a document older than 1717 , plainly indicating that Masons were then in possession of some secrets . This , however , does not prove that the " secret" had reference to signs or words ; but the following quotations from Mr . James O .
Halliwell s book on Freemasonry certainly confirms the supposition that before 1717 Masons knew each other by signs and words . Mr . Halliwell says : — " In Aubrey ' s Natural History of Wiltshire , a manuscript preserved in the library of the Royal Society , on page 227 , the following passage may be found : ' Sir William Dugdale told me many years since
that about Henry the Third's time the Pope gave a bull or patents to a company of Italian freemasons to travell up or down over all Europe to build churches . From those are derived the fraternity of adopted masons . They arc known to one another by certain signs and watchwords . It continues to this day The manner of their adoption
is very formal , and with an oath of secrecy . '" We are not . indeed , informed the precise date when Mr . Aubrey wrote the natural history of Wiltshire . Two things arc however certain : 1 st , that Mr . Aubrey must have written that natural history of Wiltshire during his own lifetime ; and , 2 nd , that Sir William Dugdale must have
communicated to Mr . Aubrey the Masonic information , while he ( Dugdale ) was still a mortal . Now I learn from Charles Knight ' s English Cyclopedia , that Aubrey died either in 16 97 or 1700 , and that Sir William Dugdale departed this life on February 10 th , 1686 . Assuming , now , that Aubrey did not write the natural history of Wiltshire until the year
1700 , and by " Sir William Dugdale told me many years si / ice , " Mr . Aubrey meant that Sir William had told him that anecdote just before his demise on February 10 th , 1686 . Wc are here still certainly furnished with strong evidence that more than
thirty-one years before 1717 the Masons had secret initiations , signs , and words . If , therefore , the above quotations , and the inferences they lead to , have not hitherto been advanced by the opponents to the 1717 theory , or rebutted or explained by its advocates , I respectfully submit the above facts to their consideration .
Kcspectfully and fraternally yours , JACOB NORTON . Boston , U . S ., May 29 , 1871 .
THE GEORGE TEDDER FUND .
( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have great pleasure in informing the Craft , through your columns , that the accounts of the above fund were audited by the Committee on Wednesday , the 16 th June , when it appeared that the total amount received ( including
the grant from the Board of Benevolence ) was , £ 110 9 s ., which amount has been devoted to Bro . Tedder ' s benefit . Allow me also , on behalf of the Committee and myself , to thank the Craft for their liberality in responding to the appeal , and yourself , for your
kindness in forwarding the object wc had in view . Further information relative to the case , I shall be happy to furnish to any one who may require it . I am , yours fraternally , JESSE OWENS . 4 , Ovcrly-road , Junction-road , Upper Holloway .
Scotland.
SCOTLAND .
GLASGOW .
On Tuesday , the 6 th inst ., the Girvan Encampment of Knights Templar met at the Masonic Hall , Struthers-street , Glasgow , under the command of Sir Knight Robert Bell , assisted by the following Sir Knights : —J . C . Park , Deputy Commander ; Thos . Canadian , P . E . C . ; J . E . Spoil's , C . G . ; Mat .
Clanachan , C . C . ; James Love , Treasurer ; George Reid , S . C . ; Dugald Butter , J . C . ; and about thirty others . Tire first business was the introduction of a candidate , Comp . George W . Wheeler , of Mount Lebanon Chapter 73 ( li . C ) , and Caledonian Unity 73 ( S . C ) , who , after undergoing the usual initiatory
exercise , was clubbed a Knight of the Temple . The solemn and impressive ceremonies of this order were never more effectively rendered than on this occasion by the Noble Commander , whose working is always distinguished by solemnity and grace . He was ably assisted bv the whole of his subalterns ,
as this encampment for some time past has chosen for its officers only those brothers who by careful working in the other grades of Masonry have proved their worthiness to serve in tiie Temple . The M . K . C . then read to the encampment the passage from THE FREEMASON' relative to the visit of the American
Templars , and said he thought it would be advisable to get up a suitable demonstration to welcome them to . Scotland , and as this was the only encampment in Scotland that holds regular monthly meetings , it would naturally devolve on them to make an effort Co welcome their Transatlantic confreres . After
Scotland.
some conversation as to the best form of giving that welcome , it was moved by the Captain-General , and seconded by the Past Commander , that a committee be formed to correspond with the American Templars on their arrival at Queenstown , and offer them a fraternal greeting ; also to arrange the time
and form of the demonstration . The following Sir Knights were then appointed as the said Committee , viz ., the M . N . C ., R . Bell ; H . Speirs , C . G . ; T . Clanachan , P . N . C . ; T . Love , T . ; and Jas . Barclay . The encampment was then closed in the usual form and with the proper ceremonies . An emergency
meeting was held on Wednesday , the 14 th inst . Sir Kt . B . Bell presided and informed the Sir Knights that the meeting had been called to make arrangements to meet their Transatlantic brethren , he having received a telegram from them from Cork to the effect that they would gladly avail
themselves of the kind invitation of this encampment . Sir Kt . J . E . Speirs , C . C , then reported the steps already taken by the committee , and suggested the appointment of a larger committee to make the necessary arrangements . After some discussion , it was decided to invite the distinguished visitors to a banquet , to be held in the hall of this encampment
on Saturday , the 24 th inst ., and to suggest to them the desirablility of the members of this encampment joining their visitors in attending Divine service at the Cathedral on Sunday . [ The interest evinced in this proposed demonstration may be judged from the fact that though only a few hours ' notice was given of the meeting , twenty-five Sir Knights attended . ]
The American K. T. Tourists.
THE AMERICAN K . T . TOURISTS .
The following " Letter of Credence ' to the American Masonic tourists has been sent to us , and we have great pleasure in making it public : — To the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master , the Grand and Subordinate Officers , and Sir Knights of all Encampments and Priories of the Royal , Exalted , Religious and Military Order
of Masonic Knights 1 emptor in England and I Vales , and jurisdiction thereunto belonging ; as well as lo those of Scotland , Ireland , France , Germany , and in whatever country wherein the Symbol of the Cross has been displayed upon the banners of Templarism to advance the moral , intellectual , and religious knowledge of our Christian Order ,
PEACE , UNITY , FRATERNAL LOVE . The active and honorary membership of the Sir Knights of Allegheny Commandery , No . 35 , of the city of Allegheny , Pennsylvania ( whose names are hereunto attached in their own handwriting ) , deriving a charter from the Right Eminent Grand
Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Pennsylvania—in their associate capacity as a subordinate Commandery , having made all the necessary arrangements for an excursion through Europe , and to visit all Encampments and Priories on their designated route—it is eminently proper on such an
occasion that this Right Eminent Grand Commandery of Knights Templar should present a Letter of Credence to those valiant and magnanimous Knights of Allegheny Commandery , No . 35 . It is more particularly required from this Grand Bodv , as Pennsylvania was the first State in the
American Union which organized a Grand Encampment , in Philadelphia , in 1797 , from Sir Knights who came to this State from the mother country , and brought with them the rites and ceremonies of our chivalric and Christian Order . Hence it is right and proper that the glorious old Kevstone State
should be the first Grand Commandery in America to send back to ouv mother country one of her subordinate Commandcries , fully equipped , to visit the home , the altars , the asylums , the historic reminiscences ; nay , the graves and monuments , of our Templar fathers . This fact of itself should , and
we trust ever will , render more stable and lasting the fraternal intercourse which should exist between two countries descended from a common origin and bound together by the same ties . In the exalted character of Knights Templar , therefore , we affectionately and fraternally commend
each and every of the members and Sir Knights of Allegheny Commandery . No . 35 , as Master Masons who have worked on the Square—as Royal Arch Masons who have wrought on the Triangle at the rebuilding of the Second Temple , and brought lo light treasures of inestimable value—and as Sir Knights who as pilgrim penitents in our asylums ,
have not only visited the Sepulchre , but knelt around the Sacred Delta , and beheld the Cross of our ascended Redeemer . These Sir Knights go from among us for a season as our immediate representatives , and we pray you , as Officers and Sir Knights , to extend to our beloved subordinate , the Sir Knights of Allegheny Commandery , No . 35 , and those associated with