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Article Untitled ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE REVISED CONSTITUTIONS.—I. Page 1 of 1 Article THE REVISED CONSTITUTIONS.—I. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC LANDMARKS. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
behind his crimson lights , ' is far from misplaced . Acknowledged facts speak sufficiently for themselves . No man can afford to buy sound bitter beer from a brewer of established reputation and to retail it at two pence for the half-pint . Jam , if made at home by the most economical and
thrifty of housewives , costs more for each pound than jam can be purchased for at West End shops , after the profits of the manufacturer and of the retail dealer are supposed to have been satisfied . Minor revelations can be found in any number by those
who will have the diligence to consult the pages of the Lancet , or of any other medical journal of established position . Ground coffee is adulterated with chicory , chicory with beans , and beans again with roasted horse liver . Cayenne pepper is mixed with red lead and flour ; mustard with turmeric
and o-ambogc ; and even the harmless powder which is supposed to soothe the skins of babies and of delicate females has its weight increased by the addition of chalk ancl gypsum ; while the chalk and gypsum are rendered actually poisonous by a further adulteration with arsenic . Gypsum is
cheaper than orris-root ; arsenic is cheaper than gypsum . ' Caveat emptor . ' As for the abominable compounds which are sold as butter , cheese , Congou tea , potted meat , pickles , and tinned soup , it is often impossible to give them in ordinary society the exact measure of condemnation which they deserve .
And the worst is that there seems to be little , if any , shame about the matter . " The only consolation the poor suffering public and humble customers have , is that every now and then these little tricks of trade are found out , and then come the great sentence of the law and public exposure and indignation . Still , the evil goes on . What can be done to check it , to stop it ?
The Revised Constitutions.—I.
THE REVISED CONSTITUTIONS . —I .
Naturally , the attention of the English Craft has , for sometime , been directed to the proposed revision of the " Book of Constitutions , " and already several provinces have considered the various alterations in detail ; the only one , however which as yet , has published its report is that of
Cornwall . So far as we have been able to discover , the brethren generally have warmly supported the revision , at least in all its important details ; and whilst there will doubtless be several other changes or additions proposed , it is likely that in the main , thc new Book of Constitutions will be what the indefatigable and zealous Committee have adopted .
It should be remembered , that the present re-arrangement of the laws of the Grand Lodge of Fingand is well described by that title , for it is practically much more than a revision , the rules , as the Committee state , being arranged methodically , having regard to their bearing and sequence . In this respect , it is the first of its kind since 1 S 15 , * when the laws of the " United Grand
Lodge of England , " were issued . Since then , including the corrections of ISIQ , the several editions of 1827 , 1 S 41 , 1847 , 1853 , 1855 , 185 S , 1861 , 1 S 63 , 1867 and 1873 have all followed the somewhat faulty arrangement of that of iSi *** , and in reality each successive edition has only served to increase the
confusion and peculiarities of the compilation . The issues of 1815 and 1 S 27 were styled " The Second Part ; " the first , however , was never issued , but as it would have contained the strange " hash " of Masonic history to be found in the editions of last century , altered probably but in few particulars , the omission is rather to be commended .
The great merit of the present compilation consists in its being entirely re-arranged , and , in many respects , re-written , so as to bring the whole of the old rules retained and the proposed new regulations into one compact whole . The order observed throughout cannot be improved upon , and , with or without an index , there is now no difficulty in finding the rules which
relate to any particular subject . The marginal notes to the numerous paragraphs , of themselves invaluable to facilitate reference to the laws , form , when collected , a copious index , and are really the best possible evidence of the methodical compilation which it is proposed to substitute for the current
edition of the laws . All who have consulted the " Constitutions , " say for the last twenty years , must have noticed how the constant alterations and additions made , kept on increasing the difficulties of the Masters of lodges and others who sought to have an intelligent apprehension of their Masonic
duties . Then again , the numbering of the several paragraphs , following the forty-seven different headings , was found to be unnecessarily awkward and misleading ; and a most cumbersome mode of description was reqnired to point out any laws referred to . Now , all these difficulties are entirel y
removed , for whilst thirty-six of these " headings " are retained , and grouped into three principal divisions , viz ., 1 . Grand Lodge ; 2 . Provincial and District Grand Lodges ; and 3 . Private Lodges ; the whole of the rules are numbered consecutively throughout the book , so that the number alone is all that is needed as a reference to each law , and no rule occurs more than
once . The Committee propose to omit the ceremonial directions for"Constituting a New Lodge , " because obsolete , and also the article on " Masonic Funerals ( vide p . 13 C , edit . 1873 ) .
* The last century witnessed the following issues , viz .: 1723 , 173 S ( also , with a new title page 174 C ) , 175 0 , 1767 , ( appendix 1776 ) and 17 S 4 . An unauthorised edition was published in 17 G 9 ( Svo . ) which was virtually as that of 17 C 7 .
The Revised Constitutions.—I.
Wc presume that the " Charges of a Free-Mason , " which have prefa ce d the "Book of Constitutions" from 1723 to 1 S 73 ( the sesqui-centennial of the former publication ) will be reproduced in the new edition , according to the arrangement as issued in 1 S 15 , which was on the lines of the version b y Dr . Anderson , in 1723 .
We have thought it well thus to allude to this important subject , by . vay of being introductory to our examination of the proposed revision , and in subsequent articles we hope to refer in detail to the method observed b y the committee in their compilation ; the laws which they have retained ; the new rules they propose ; and the omissions which they suggest . The importance
of the undertaking now before the Craft must be our excuse , if any , indeed , be needed , for a lengthy enquiry into the basis , scope , and chief characteristics of the revision , and we shall be pleased to open our columns as thc examination continues to a correspondence on the presumed merits or demerits
of the proposed changes . VVe ask simply that brethren write as briefl y as possible on the various points raised ; and that they seek , with us , to do their utmost to improve , if possible , the excellent compilation now soliciting thc careful consideration and support of the English Craft .
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
The General Committee of this Institution met on Thursday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Col . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , in the chair . There were likewise present Bros . Joshua Nunn , John A . Rucker , Frank Richardson , Arthur E . Gladwell , E . H . Finney , Fredk . Adlard , J . H . Matthews , James F . Corben , J . J . Caney , F . R . W . Hedges ( Secretary ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) .
After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , a recommendation of the House Committee was adopted , that the salary of the senior clerk m the office of the Institution should commence at ^" 100 a year , and of the junior clerk at £ 6 K . 1 year .
The CHAIRMAN reported the receipt of ^/ i / S iSs . for a purchase case ; after which one petition was approved , and the child placed on the list foi election in April . The Committee then adjourned .
Masonic Landmarks.
MASONIC LANDMARKS .
What are the landmarks of Masonry , and where can they be found ? We do not mean the list manufactured for encyclopaedias , but an authoritative list of " ye olden lime . " It may be remarked with absolute truth that of all the unsettled questions running through Masonic discussions this is decidedly the most unsettled
The term itself is ever at the nib of the pen of writeis and on the tongue of speakers , but no one has yet succeeded in reducing it to a definite quantity , plainly and unequivocally , beyond dispute , for no two authorities agree on the subject , as may be found by looking through the various treatises on Masonic law . The earliest mention of landmarks of which we have any
knowledge is to be found in the Thirty-nine Articles of 1723 , in the last of which it is said that , " Every Annual Grand Lodge has an inherent power and authority to make new regulations , or to alter these for the real benefit
of this ancient fraternity ; provided always that the old landmarks be carefully preserved , and that such alterations and new regulations be proposed and agreed to at the third quarterly communication preceding the annual grand feast . "
One would suppose from the foregoing , that not only had the landmarks been in existence from time immemorial , but that they were well-known ; or , otherwise , how could the Craft know when one was being removed , or take measures to carefully preserve them ? It is a fact , nevertheless , that no attempt at definition of the quality of a landmark , nor of the name or number
of any of them , appears in the regulations of 1723 ; in fact , it is our belief that the late Dr . Mackey was the first to define the quality of a landmark , and to set forth in his work on Masonic Jurisprudence some twenty-five propositions which he undertakes to defend as the landmarks . He was followed by various others , among the rest by the Grand Lodge of New York ,
which in its Constitution adopted in 1834 ., sets out thirty-one assertions as landmarks , a landmark being first defined as the unwritten law of Masonry , while nearly all the thirty-one landmarks are simply concise statements of
points in the written law . After a year or so of reflection , it was deemed best to strike out this list , and from that time forward our Constitution , though referring to the landmarks , leaves us in the dark as to what they are or where the enquiring mind is to seek for them in case of need .
Ihe difficulty is further complicated by the fact that there is not in existence any acknowledged authority which can assert the landmarks , or having asserted them , enforce their observance beyond its own jurisdiction . The authority becomes still more shadowy when reduced to a matter of individual opinion , which can only be an opinion after all . Still another
difficulty is found in the fact that not only are mythical Constitutions cited , but the real one of 1723 , has undergone numerous and sometimes important changes in every subsequent edition . Now , if the ancient charges and regulations , first published in 1723 , contain the landmarks , and to some extent they undoubtedly do , where was the authority to remove or change
that which is held to be , by its very nature , incapable of change ? We cannot definitely answer the first part of thc query , because we have no authority ; but we imagine that two or three principles , at most , involve all the landmarks likely to be respected . The second part , calling for an authoritative list of the olden time , can be distinctly and prompty answered ' . No such thing exists . —By Bro . John IV . Simons , in the "Keystone . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
behind his crimson lights , ' is far from misplaced . Acknowledged facts speak sufficiently for themselves . No man can afford to buy sound bitter beer from a brewer of established reputation and to retail it at two pence for the half-pint . Jam , if made at home by the most economical and
thrifty of housewives , costs more for each pound than jam can be purchased for at West End shops , after the profits of the manufacturer and of the retail dealer are supposed to have been satisfied . Minor revelations can be found in any number by those
who will have the diligence to consult the pages of the Lancet , or of any other medical journal of established position . Ground coffee is adulterated with chicory , chicory with beans , and beans again with roasted horse liver . Cayenne pepper is mixed with red lead and flour ; mustard with turmeric
and o-ambogc ; and even the harmless powder which is supposed to soothe the skins of babies and of delicate females has its weight increased by the addition of chalk ancl gypsum ; while the chalk and gypsum are rendered actually poisonous by a further adulteration with arsenic . Gypsum is
cheaper than orris-root ; arsenic is cheaper than gypsum . ' Caveat emptor . ' As for the abominable compounds which are sold as butter , cheese , Congou tea , potted meat , pickles , and tinned soup , it is often impossible to give them in ordinary society the exact measure of condemnation which they deserve .
And the worst is that there seems to be little , if any , shame about the matter . " The only consolation the poor suffering public and humble customers have , is that every now and then these little tricks of trade are found out , and then come the great sentence of the law and public exposure and indignation . Still , the evil goes on . What can be done to check it , to stop it ?
The Revised Constitutions.—I.
THE REVISED CONSTITUTIONS . —I .
Naturally , the attention of the English Craft has , for sometime , been directed to the proposed revision of the " Book of Constitutions , " and already several provinces have considered the various alterations in detail ; the only one , however which as yet , has published its report is that of
Cornwall . So far as we have been able to discover , the brethren generally have warmly supported the revision , at least in all its important details ; and whilst there will doubtless be several other changes or additions proposed , it is likely that in the main , thc new Book of Constitutions will be what the indefatigable and zealous Committee have adopted .
It should be remembered , that the present re-arrangement of the laws of the Grand Lodge of Fingand is well described by that title , for it is practically much more than a revision , the rules , as the Committee state , being arranged methodically , having regard to their bearing and sequence . In this respect , it is the first of its kind since 1 S 15 , * when the laws of the " United Grand
Lodge of England , " were issued . Since then , including the corrections of ISIQ , the several editions of 1827 , 1 S 41 , 1847 , 1853 , 1855 , 185 S , 1861 , 1 S 63 , 1867 and 1873 have all followed the somewhat faulty arrangement of that of iSi *** , and in reality each successive edition has only served to increase the
confusion and peculiarities of the compilation . The issues of 1815 and 1 S 27 were styled " The Second Part ; " the first , however , was never issued , but as it would have contained the strange " hash " of Masonic history to be found in the editions of last century , altered probably but in few particulars , the omission is rather to be commended .
The great merit of the present compilation consists in its being entirely re-arranged , and , in many respects , re-written , so as to bring the whole of the old rules retained and the proposed new regulations into one compact whole . The order observed throughout cannot be improved upon , and , with or without an index , there is now no difficulty in finding the rules which
relate to any particular subject . The marginal notes to the numerous paragraphs , of themselves invaluable to facilitate reference to the laws , form , when collected , a copious index , and are really the best possible evidence of the methodical compilation which it is proposed to substitute for the current
edition of the laws . All who have consulted the " Constitutions , " say for the last twenty years , must have noticed how the constant alterations and additions made , kept on increasing the difficulties of the Masters of lodges and others who sought to have an intelligent apprehension of their Masonic
duties . Then again , the numbering of the several paragraphs , following the forty-seven different headings , was found to be unnecessarily awkward and misleading ; and a most cumbersome mode of description was reqnired to point out any laws referred to . Now , all these difficulties are entirel y
removed , for whilst thirty-six of these " headings " are retained , and grouped into three principal divisions , viz ., 1 . Grand Lodge ; 2 . Provincial and District Grand Lodges ; and 3 . Private Lodges ; the whole of the rules are numbered consecutively throughout the book , so that the number alone is all that is needed as a reference to each law , and no rule occurs more than
once . The Committee propose to omit the ceremonial directions for"Constituting a New Lodge , " because obsolete , and also the article on " Masonic Funerals ( vide p . 13 C , edit . 1873 ) .
* The last century witnessed the following issues , viz .: 1723 , 173 S ( also , with a new title page 174 C ) , 175 0 , 1767 , ( appendix 1776 ) and 17 S 4 . An unauthorised edition was published in 17 G 9 ( Svo . ) which was virtually as that of 17 C 7 .
The Revised Constitutions.—I.
Wc presume that the " Charges of a Free-Mason , " which have prefa ce d the "Book of Constitutions" from 1723 to 1 S 73 ( the sesqui-centennial of the former publication ) will be reproduced in the new edition , according to the arrangement as issued in 1 S 15 , which was on the lines of the version b y Dr . Anderson , in 1723 .
We have thought it well thus to allude to this important subject , by . vay of being introductory to our examination of the proposed revision , and in subsequent articles we hope to refer in detail to the method observed b y the committee in their compilation ; the laws which they have retained ; the new rules they propose ; and the omissions which they suggest . The importance
of the undertaking now before the Craft must be our excuse , if any , indeed , be needed , for a lengthy enquiry into the basis , scope , and chief characteristics of the revision , and we shall be pleased to open our columns as thc examination continues to a correspondence on the presumed merits or demerits
of the proposed changes . VVe ask simply that brethren write as briefl y as possible on the various points raised ; and that they seek , with us , to do their utmost to improve , if possible , the excellent compilation now soliciting thc careful consideration and support of the English Craft .
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
The General Committee of this Institution met on Thursday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Col . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , in the chair . There were likewise present Bros . Joshua Nunn , John A . Rucker , Frank Richardson , Arthur E . Gladwell , E . H . Finney , Fredk . Adlard , J . H . Matthews , James F . Corben , J . J . Caney , F . R . W . Hedges ( Secretary ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) .
After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , a recommendation of the House Committee was adopted , that the salary of the senior clerk m the office of the Institution should commence at ^" 100 a year , and of the junior clerk at £ 6 K . 1 year .
The CHAIRMAN reported the receipt of ^/ i / S iSs . for a purchase case ; after which one petition was approved , and the child placed on the list foi election in April . The Committee then adjourned .
Masonic Landmarks.
MASONIC LANDMARKS .
What are the landmarks of Masonry , and where can they be found ? We do not mean the list manufactured for encyclopaedias , but an authoritative list of " ye olden lime . " It may be remarked with absolute truth that of all the unsettled questions running through Masonic discussions this is decidedly the most unsettled
The term itself is ever at the nib of the pen of writeis and on the tongue of speakers , but no one has yet succeeded in reducing it to a definite quantity , plainly and unequivocally , beyond dispute , for no two authorities agree on the subject , as may be found by looking through the various treatises on Masonic law . The earliest mention of landmarks of which we have any
knowledge is to be found in the Thirty-nine Articles of 1723 , in the last of which it is said that , " Every Annual Grand Lodge has an inherent power and authority to make new regulations , or to alter these for the real benefit
of this ancient fraternity ; provided always that the old landmarks be carefully preserved , and that such alterations and new regulations be proposed and agreed to at the third quarterly communication preceding the annual grand feast . "
One would suppose from the foregoing , that not only had the landmarks been in existence from time immemorial , but that they were well-known ; or , otherwise , how could the Craft know when one was being removed , or take measures to carefully preserve them ? It is a fact , nevertheless , that no attempt at definition of the quality of a landmark , nor of the name or number
of any of them , appears in the regulations of 1723 ; in fact , it is our belief that the late Dr . Mackey was the first to define the quality of a landmark , and to set forth in his work on Masonic Jurisprudence some twenty-five propositions which he undertakes to defend as the landmarks . He was followed by various others , among the rest by the Grand Lodge of New York ,
which in its Constitution adopted in 1834 ., sets out thirty-one assertions as landmarks , a landmark being first defined as the unwritten law of Masonry , while nearly all the thirty-one landmarks are simply concise statements of
points in the written law . After a year or so of reflection , it was deemed best to strike out this list , and from that time forward our Constitution , though referring to the landmarks , leaves us in the dark as to what they are or where the enquiring mind is to seek for them in case of need .
Ihe difficulty is further complicated by the fact that there is not in existence any acknowledged authority which can assert the landmarks , or having asserted them , enforce their observance beyond its own jurisdiction . The authority becomes still more shadowy when reduced to a matter of individual opinion , which can only be an opinion after all . Still another
difficulty is found in the fact that not only are mythical Constitutions cited , but the real one of 1723 , has undergone numerous and sometimes important changes in every subsequent edition . Now , if the ancient charges and regulations , first published in 1723 , contain the landmarks , and to some extent they undoubtedly do , where was the authority to remove or change
that which is held to be , by its very nature , incapable of change ? We cannot definitely answer the first part of thc query , because we have no authority ; but we imagine that two or three principles , at most , involve all the landmarks likely to be respected . The second part , calling for an authoritative list of the olden time , can be distinctly and prompty answered ' . No such thing exists . —By Bro . John IV . Simons , in the "Keystone . "