Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00900
of £ 2170 6 s . ^ 9 648 15 s . have been invested in £ 10 , 000 Consols , & c , and £ 975 paid for new land . This is surely a prosperous total , and quite justifies the purchases proposed by the Board of General Purposes .
THC great success of the Girls' School Festival , like all great successes , has attracted the admiration of many friends , and thc deprecation of a few opponents ,. We have heard of "remarks " made respecting the recent great gathering , alike
ungenerous and unworthy , and for the life of us we cannot see why , if thc worth y Secretary , for his health , or any other good reason , prefers to appeal from the office , he has to be blamed by any , openly or privately , because he incurs " no expenses " for
the Charity in visiting lodges . One Secretary to the Girls' School shortened a valuable life by constant exposure to weather and fatigue , and wc feel sure that , both now and subsequently , the course
pursued in the Girls School office , which has worked so well for the Charity in 1880 , will receive the warm approval , sympathy , and support of thc Craft .
* ' * IN thc Monde Maconniqtte for M _ y , which we alluded to last week , there is an interesting article on our Charities . One of thc writers finds fault with an able brother who lately sent an
account of Spanish Masonry , as giving too high an antiquity to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite there . But the truth is our able brother does not say so , or mean to say so . His remarks really apply to thc historical fact of the
establishment of Craft Masonry in the warranting in 1728 of the lodge at the " French Arms , " St . Bernard-street , Madrid . Wc admit , that the
parenthetical introduction of the statement as to the founder of the Rite Ecossais in Spain from England may liave led to the very excusable mistake .
* WE notice with much pleasure the mention by tlie Board of General Purposes of our " valuable library " at Freemasons' Hall , and thc proposal to spend the modest sum of £ ? . $ in binding . To
say the truth , thc epithet " valuable " comes upon us with surprise , as wc were not aware that , numericall y and bibliographically , any such description of it could be given . And yet , though there arc , as we all know who interest ourselves in such things ,
" libraries and libraries , " it is just possible , that our Grand Lodge collection may fully justify that appellation , as it contains , we know , some of Taylor thc Platonist ' s , works , copies of the "Constitutions , " and " F . ist of Lodges . " We
were not aware that there was a " catalogue" of it printed , and perhaps Bro . GOULD , who is interesting himself in . such matters , can give us an idea of what it really docs consist . Who can tell but
some most important MS ., like the discovery of the " Codex Sinaiticus" b y TischcndorIT on Mount Athos , may reward the studies of a HUUIIAX , a GOULD , or a Masonic Student ?
* WE hope and trust that as our esteemed President of thc Board of General Purposes lias turned his attention to the ' * books , " lie will now also think of the " readers . " The example of the noble library
at the Guildhall , so familiar to him , proves this one fact incontestably , that readers , like books , want air and light , a comfortable room to sit in to read , to think , to collate . The old argument was , "brethren would not read , brethren did
not read , there was nothing to peruse . " But we are inclined to believe , that if we l . ad a good room , a good library , a good catalogue , and a good librarian , students would be found , and would multi p ly . So we arc now hopeful for the best .
* * OUR readers will have seen probably a character istic effusion of Bro . J ACOB NORTON ' , from Bos
ton , marked by all his earnestness of thought and incisiveness of writing . We always think it better , if possible , to allow a great freedom of discussion in our pages , as it is a most djffkult matter to inter :
Ar00901
fere with the opinions of a writer , or excise special sentences . As Freemasons , we object equally to a " censorship of the Press" and an "index expurgatorius , " and , therefore , il any discussions are to go on in our columns they must , to some extent , be
free and unfettered , except by the necessary consideration of thc laws of Masonry on thc one hand , and thc requirements of common sense and self perservation on the other . Of course , in all discussions on archaeological matters perfect freedom o '
expression is allowable ; but we think wc have all , without any exception , to learn this true and valuable lesson—that , without weakening our own position or surrendering our own judgment , wc can treat respectfully and considerately the theories and arp-uments of others .
* * * IN the best interests of Masonic good feeling wc , therefore , deprecate the use of terms which hurt the feelings , and affect the position of those who practise and accept the Chivalric
Grades . "There is so much doubt on so many matters , that we must all be forbearing in our language and views , and we all perhaps are to blame in ignoring the fact that whatever our own views
may be , others 111 . 13 ' have as strong per contra . So in future in thc Freemason we shall permit no remarks which may serve to hurt or antagonize thc conscientious views of others .
WE think it right , therefore , to add speciall y today that , though favourable as ever to the claims of Masonic criticism and historical accuracy , and opposed to all pure " myths , " as most hurtful to Freemasonry , and hailing all discussion ancl
Masonic investigation , wc cannot concur in the " epithets" given so freel y to the Hi gh Grades . Whether their claims to antiquity are incontestable or not , clear or dubious , real or unreal , they have a right to expect of us Craft Masons , when wc discuss
such subjects , the common courtesy of man to man , and , above all , of brother to brother . Considering thc many eminent men and Masons who now form the " High Grades , " popularly so-called , we have no right , it seems to us , to carry on any "animus " as against High Grades qua High . Grades .
WEquiteagrcc with what wc understand , liowevcr , to be the main purport of Bro . J ACOB NORTON ' letter , thc devclopcmcnt of , 1 library b y our English Grand Lodge , and , therefore , it is a pity that he
lias somewhat weakened a good cause b y remarks which may indispose some worth y brethren to look at thc matter favourably . We all of us who know Bro . J ACOB NORTON , while we respect his lioncsly , arc aware lliat he sometimes likes to
make an onslaught , like Don Quixote , on Masonic windmills , and that clear as is his judgment and able his pen , he sometimes "comes it rather strong . " Like a good many other worth } ' folk , " his bark is worse than his bite , " as we know .
* * Wi : congratulate the London Masonic Charity Association on thc great success which has attended their recent laudable exertions . Wc shall publish
with pleasure their annual report when ready . Thc single fact that it has aided to elect two men and five widows , London cases at thc last election , is a very notable one , and deserves to be recorded with thankfulness and consideration .
* * WE printed last week a forcible letter from our esteemed Bro . J . H . SOUTHWOOD , but which , with all deference to him , was a confirmation , in one sense , in the " concrete , " of all we had
said in the abstract . We stated that a " cabal " existed to upset the House Committee , —we repeat the statement to-day . That it had been openl y announced we know , which Bro . SOUTHWOOD did not ; that letters had been
written asking brethren to allow themselves to be nominated . Wh y ? To " turn out the House Committee ? " Does it not strike Bro . SOUTHWOOD as a little odd that any one brother , be he who he may , shall , without apparent rhyme or reason , put
Ar00902
forward twelve names to run against the whole House Committee ? Had the proposal been confined to one or two members for a "little change" or a "little new blood , " we should naturally have said nothing . Who is this remarkable
brother , we ask Bro . SOUTHWOOD , who ventures to propose to remove twelve distinguished brethren and fill their places with nominees of his own ? What can he have done ? Who can he be to
claim to have a moral or Masonic right thus to attempt to dictate to the enlightened constituency of Life Governors of the Girls' School ? We pause for a reply .
THE report of thc Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution is most interesting . But we are expressing the feeling of many when we add that we re
gret in their Masonic reports so much "butter , " to use a common "cant expression , is used . This system of "butter" is becoming a great trial and a greater bore .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ Wc do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even Approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wc wish in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
THE ROYAL VISIT TO TRURO . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The great event of the M . W . the Grand Master laying- the two foundation stones of the proposed cathedral for the diocese of Truro , with full Masonic ceremony , took place on the 20 th inst ., and was attended with magnificent weather , no less than by hundreds of Fieemasons and
thousands of the general public , drawn not only from the two Provinces of Cornwall and Devon , but from very many distant parts of thc United Kingdom The full report of the proceedings , which appear to-day in your columns , will be read with interest thoroughout the length and breadth of the British empire , both on account of the event itself—being the first of its kind and character that has ever taken place in England , or elsewhere , with
the exception of Cologne , for upwards of four centurieshut also from the manner , in which the event itself was inaugurated . To the outward world there seemed to have been no hitch whatever in the day's proceedings . Not one in a thousand , either within or without the Masonic centre , suspected that any other feeling than universal satisfaction prevailed . The truth , however , must be told . There were " worms in the
gourd , and how these little pernicious insects did their utmost , and intended secretly , to eat out the very heart and life of the event , was , happily , unknown—except by a few . In their naturally commendable desire to give ecldt to an unprecedented occurrence , and also to add as much as possible to the fund already raised for the foundation of a mother church in the newly-constituted diocese of Truro , the presence of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was earnestly
solicited by thc Bishop ( Dr . Benson ) , the majority of the Cornish clergy , whether dignitaries or otherwise , and the laity , who form the Building ; Committee . H . R . H . was , naturally , requested to lay the foundation stone . Contrary to time-honoured custom , it was , however , determined notonly to place one at the north-east corner of the intended stately edifice , but asecond at the west-end , from which the future nave should take its rise and beginning .
I believe I am not misinformed that when thc request was preferred to His Royal Highness there was no idea whatever in the minds of the Committee concerning Masonic rites and ceremonies . H . R . H ., with his usual condescension and courtesy , assented , and slated , that the Princess would accompany him ; but he made it a sinequd nott that he should lay both stones as the M . W . G . M . of the time-honoured guild of Freemasons . This decision fell like
a bombshell amongst the Committee , more especially as regarded thc Bishop and those of the Cornish Ritualistic clergy , now , unhappily , in a majority in the diocese , for their antipathy to Freemasonry issaid tobenot less intense than that of Pope , Cardinals , conclaves , and priesthood of the Church of Rome through the length and breadth of the world . Par nobile fratrum ! The Bishop and his clergy had , however , gone too far to recede . They had asked the
Prince of Wales to lay the foundation stone , and he had chosen to lay both , and they dared not , openly , express their disapprobation at the manner , in which he intended so to do . From their prevalent conduct both before and during the ceremony , it is , however , quite conclusive that they would , if they cculd , have declined H . R . H . ' s presence altogether—except in his own private andpersonal character ! Foiled in this respect the next thing
to be done , as indicative of their hostility to the Craft , was to thwart the proceedings at every step . It was therefore , given out that the first corner-stone would he laid Masonically , but that the second would be laid Ecclesiastically ! What was meant by this was not explained , although to the eye of the initiated it was seen to " mean mischief . " It was soon made apparent to the Bishop and clergy that if each stone were not laid Masonically byH . R . H . he would
not go to Truro at all ; and they were , therefore , compelled to give way , although up to the very last moment they gave out that the second stone would belaid Ecclesiastically , and so strong was the impression abroad that it would be so , that it was reported , after the ceremony , actually to have been so—a mistake into which the Freemason inadvertently fell in its last number .
So far , therefore , as to episcopal and clerical doings before the event . By and bye we will deal with their conduct during the proceedings . I have now to refer to the Cornish Prov . Grand Lodge , and most heartil y do I wish that 1 could assert that what they did palliated , even in the slightest degree , the annoyances set up by the clerical element . No sooner was the M . W . the G . M's decision made
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00900
of £ 2170 6 s . ^ 9 648 15 s . have been invested in £ 10 , 000 Consols , & c , and £ 975 paid for new land . This is surely a prosperous total , and quite justifies the purchases proposed by the Board of General Purposes .
THC great success of the Girls' School Festival , like all great successes , has attracted the admiration of many friends , and thc deprecation of a few opponents ,. We have heard of "remarks " made respecting the recent great gathering , alike
ungenerous and unworthy , and for the life of us we cannot see why , if thc worth y Secretary , for his health , or any other good reason , prefers to appeal from the office , he has to be blamed by any , openly or privately , because he incurs " no expenses " for
the Charity in visiting lodges . One Secretary to the Girls' School shortened a valuable life by constant exposure to weather and fatigue , and wc feel sure that , both now and subsequently , the course
pursued in the Girls School office , which has worked so well for the Charity in 1880 , will receive the warm approval , sympathy , and support of thc Craft .
* ' * IN thc Monde Maconniqtte for M _ y , which we alluded to last week , there is an interesting article on our Charities . One of thc writers finds fault with an able brother who lately sent an
account of Spanish Masonry , as giving too high an antiquity to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite there . But the truth is our able brother does not say so , or mean to say so . His remarks really apply to thc historical fact of the
establishment of Craft Masonry in the warranting in 1728 of the lodge at the " French Arms , " St . Bernard-street , Madrid . Wc admit , that the
parenthetical introduction of the statement as to the founder of the Rite Ecossais in Spain from England may liave led to the very excusable mistake .
* WE notice with much pleasure the mention by tlie Board of General Purposes of our " valuable library " at Freemasons' Hall , and thc proposal to spend the modest sum of £ ? . $ in binding . To
say the truth , thc epithet " valuable " comes upon us with surprise , as wc were not aware that , numericall y and bibliographically , any such description of it could be given . And yet , though there arc , as we all know who interest ourselves in such things ,
" libraries and libraries , " it is just possible , that our Grand Lodge collection may fully justify that appellation , as it contains , we know , some of Taylor thc Platonist ' s , works , copies of the "Constitutions , " and " F . ist of Lodges . " We
were not aware that there was a " catalogue" of it printed , and perhaps Bro . GOULD , who is interesting himself in . such matters , can give us an idea of what it really docs consist . Who can tell but
some most important MS ., like the discovery of the " Codex Sinaiticus" b y TischcndorIT on Mount Athos , may reward the studies of a HUUIIAX , a GOULD , or a Masonic Student ?
* WE hope and trust that as our esteemed President of thc Board of General Purposes lias turned his attention to the ' * books , " lie will now also think of the " readers . " The example of the noble library
at the Guildhall , so familiar to him , proves this one fact incontestably , that readers , like books , want air and light , a comfortable room to sit in to read , to think , to collate . The old argument was , "brethren would not read , brethren did
not read , there was nothing to peruse . " But we are inclined to believe , that if we l . ad a good room , a good library , a good catalogue , and a good librarian , students would be found , and would multi p ly . So we arc now hopeful for the best .
* * OUR readers will have seen probably a character istic effusion of Bro . J ACOB NORTON ' , from Bos
ton , marked by all his earnestness of thought and incisiveness of writing . We always think it better , if possible , to allow a great freedom of discussion in our pages , as it is a most djffkult matter to inter :
Ar00901
fere with the opinions of a writer , or excise special sentences . As Freemasons , we object equally to a " censorship of the Press" and an "index expurgatorius , " and , therefore , il any discussions are to go on in our columns they must , to some extent , be
free and unfettered , except by the necessary consideration of thc laws of Masonry on thc one hand , and thc requirements of common sense and self perservation on the other . Of course , in all discussions on archaeological matters perfect freedom o '
expression is allowable ; but we think wc have all , without any exception , to learn this true and valuable lesson—that , without weakening our own position or surrendering our own judgment , wc can treat respectfully and considerately the theories and arp-uments of others .
* * * IN the best interests of Masonic good feeling wc , therefore , deprecate the use of terms which hurt the feelings , and affect the position of those who practise and accept the Chivalric
Grades . "There is so much doubt on so many matters , that we must all be forbearing in our language and views , and we all perhaps are to blame in ignoring the fact that whatever our own views
may be , others 111 . 13 ' have as strong per contra . So in future in thc Freemason we shall permit no remarks which may serve to hurt or antagonize thc conscientious views of others .
WE think it right , therefore , to add speciall y today that , though favourable as ever to the claims of Masonic criticism and historical accuracy , and opposed to all pure " myths , " as most hurtful to Freemasonry , and hailing all discussion ancl
Masonic investigation , wc cannot concur in the " epithets" given so freel y to the Hi gh Grades . Whether their claims to antiquity are incontestable or not , clear or dubious , real or unreal , they have a right to expect of us Craft Masons , when wc discuss
such subjects , the common courtesy of man to man , and , above all , of brother to brother . Considering thc many eminent men and Masons who now form the " High Grades , " popularly so-called , we have no right , it seems to us , to carry on any "animus " as against High Grades qua High . Grades .
WEquiteagrcc with what wc understand , liowevcr , to be the main purport of Bro . J ACOB NORTON ' letter , thc devclopcmcnt of , 1 library b y our English Grand Lodge , and , therefore , it is a pity that he
lias somewhat weakened a good cause b y remarks which may indispose some worth y brethren to look at thc matter favourably . We all of us who know Bro . J ACOB NORTON , while we respect his lioncsly , arc aware lliat he sometimes likes to
make an onslaught , like Don Quixote , on Masonic windmills , and that clear as is his judgment and able his pen , he sometimes "comes it rather strong . " Like a good many other worth } ' folk , " his bark is worse than his bite , " as we know .
* * Wi : congratulate the London Masonic Charity Association on thc great success which has attended their recent laudable exertions . Wc shall publish
with pleasure their annual report when ready . Thc single fact that it has aided to elect two men and five widows , London cases at thc last election , is a very notable one , and deserves to be recorded with thankfulness and consideration .
* * WE printed last week a forcible letter from our esteemed Bro . J . H . SOUTHWOOD , but which , with all deference to him , was a confirmation , in one sense , in the " concrete , " of all we had
said in the abstract . We stated that a " cabal " existed to upset the House Committee , —we repeat the statement to-day . That it had been openl y announced we know , which Bro . SOUTHWOOD did not ; that letters had been
written asking brethren to allow themselves to be nominated . Wh y ? To " turn out the House Committee ? " Does it not strike Bro . SOUTHWOOD as a little odd that any one brother , be he who he may , shall , without apparent rhyme or reason , put
Ar00902
forward twelve names to run against the whole House Committee ? Had the proposal been confined to one or two members for a "little change" or a "little new blood , " we should naturally have said nothing . Who is this remarkable
brother , we ask Bro . SOUTHWOOD , who ventures to propose to remove twelve distinguished brethren and fill their places with nominees of his own ? What can he have done ? Who can he be to
claim to have a moral or Masonic right thus to attempt to dictate to the enlightened constituency of Life Governors of the Girls' School ? We pause for a reply .
THE report of thc Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution is most interesting . But we are expressing the feeling of many when we add that we re
gret in their Masonic reports so much "butter , " to use a common "cant expression , is used . This system of "butter" is becoming a great trial and a greater bore .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ Wc do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even Approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wc wish in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
THE ROYAL VISIT TO TRURO . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The great event of the M . W . the Grand Master laying- the two foundation stones of the proposed cathedral for the diocese of Truro , with full Masonic ceremony , took place on the 20 th inst ., and was attended with magnificent weather , no less than by hundreds of Fieemasons and
thousands of the general public , drawn not only from the two Provinces of Cornwall and Devon , but from very many distant parts of thc United Kingdom The full report of the proceedings , which appear to-day in your columns , will be read with interest thoroughout the length and breadth of the British empire , both on account of the event itself—being the first of its kind and character that has ever taken place in England , or elsewhere , with
the exception of Cologne , for upwards of four centurieshut also from the manner , in which the event itself was inaugurated . To the outward world there seemed to have been no hitch whatever in the day's proceedings . Not one in a thousand , either within or without the Masonic centre , suspected that any other feeling than universal satisfaction prevailed . The truth , however , must be told . There were " worms in the
gourd , and how these little pernicious insects did their utmost , and intended secretly , to eat out the very heart and life of the event , was , happily , unknown—except by a few . In their naturally commendable desire to give ecldt to an unprecedented occurrence , and also to add as much as possible to the fund already raised for the foundation of a mother church in the newly-constituted diocese of Truro , the presence of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was earnestly
solicited by thc Bishop ( Dr . Benson ) , the majority of the Cornish clergy , whether dignitaries or otherwise , and the laity , who form the Building ; Committee . H . R . H . was , naturally , requested to lay the foundation stone . Contrary to time-honoured custom , it was , however , determined notonly to place one at the north-east corner of the intended stately edifice , but asecond at the west-end , from which the future nave should take its rise and beginning .
I believe I am not misinformed that when thc request was preferred to His Royal Highness there was no idea whatever in the minds of the Committee concerning Masonic rites and ceremonies . H . R . H ., with his usual condescension and courtesy , assented , and slated , that the Princess would accompany him ; but he made it a sinequd nott that he should lay both stones as the M . W . G . M . of the time-honoured guild of Freemasons . This decision fell like
a bombshell amongst the Committee , more especially as regarded thc Bishop and those of the Cornish Ritualistic clergy , now , unhappily , in a majority in the diocese , for their antipathy to Freemasonry issaid tobenot less intense than that of Pope , Cardinals , conclaves , and priesthood of the Church of Rome through the length and breadth of the world . Par nobile fratrum ! The Bishop and his clergy had , however , gone too far to recede . They had asked the
Prince of Wales to lay the foundation stone , and he had chosen to lay both , and they dared not , openly , express their disapprobation at the manner , in which he intended so to do . From their prevalent conduct both before and during the ceremony , it is , however , quite conclusive that they would , if they cculd , have declined H . R . H . ' s presence altogether—except in his own private andpersonal character ! Foiled in this respect the next thing
to be done , as indicative of their hostility to the Craft , was to thwart the proceedings at every step . It was therefore , given out that the first corner-stone would he laid Masonically , but that the second would be laid Ecclesiastically ! What was meant by this was not explained , although to the eye of the initiated it was seen to " mean mischief . " It was soon made apparent to the Bishop and clergy that if each stone were not laid Masonically byH . R . H . he would
not go to Truro at all ; and they were , therefore , compelled to give way , although up to the very last moment they gave out that the second stone would belaid Ecclesiastically , and so strong was the impression abroad that it would be so , that it was reported , after the ceremony , actually to have been so—a mistake into which the Freemason inadvertently fell in its last number .
So far , therefore , as to episcopal and clerical doings before the event . By and bye we will deal with their conduct during the proceedings . I have now to refer to the Cornish Prov . Grand Lodge , and most heartil y do I wish that 1 could assert that what they did palliated , even in the slightest degree , the annoyances set up by the clerical element . No sooner was the M . W . the G . M's decision made