V. There is one more objection I have to notice, and that is, — that

Freemasonry encourages habits of excessive conviviality. There was a time when in accordance with the fashion of the hour, even Freemasonry shared the universal customs of society and of the age.
But that state of things, like a good many other habits and man- ners of the times, has gradually past away, and for some years, our Masonic meetings have for the most part^ been marked by much
reticence of social indulgence, and commendable abbreviation of the Lours of refreshment.
We should never forget, I venture to think, ho^^ever, that Freema- sonry is a social institution, and that its very sociality has a great and abiding charm for many a hard-worked man of business, for many a toiling professional, for many a laborious literateur.
Many of my readers will recall to-day pleasant hours of fi^ternal converse and social intercourse in the ** days that are no more ;" and, as wise and tolerant persons as Freemasons, we should always, it seems to me, make due allowance for the social point-of-view of the question.
Indeed, I venture also to think, and to say, that he must have a churlish disposition or a contracted mind who can find fault with innocent conviviality, or the agreeable hours of free-hearted intimacy and cheerful good-fellowship.
In our great zeal for Freemasonry, while we always sternly dis- courage and suppress all tendencies to riot or excess, or late hours, or merely convivial assemblies, we should avoid, I cannot but express my humble opinion, laying down too strict a rule, or too ascetic regulations for our Masonic social gatherings.
And just as we should not too much devote ourselves to the " knife and fork degree," to late " sederunts," and " early hours,'' after the chimes of midnight have long since sounded for many a Masonic brother "Shallow*' as of yore, so we should not seek to drive away the sociality of Freemasonry, or to lay down in- junctions of unforcible strictness, or deprive many worthy men and good Masons of some cheerful relaxation, and of necessary adjourn- ments from ** labour" to " refreshment."
Fi-eemasonry has long since outgrown and lived down the calumny, that it is a purely convivial meeting, a club of good fellows ; and therefore we should always seek, in this as in all other matters, to find the golden mean of moderation and propriety between excess and defect, and then the charge so often made against our order that it fosters late hours and bad habits, would soon entirely pass away and be forgotten.
If ever such an accusation could fairly be made against Free- masonry, it was at a time when all societies and meetings, and even private life itself, were marked by the same one law of ex- aggerated hospitality, but that tendency has long since yielded to other and better and higher views on the subject.
At no time, I make bold to say, could such an allegation be made against our order with fewer claims for truth, and less cause for real complaint than at the present time.
I have now gone through all these many heads of objection, because I felt it incumbent on me to do so ; Ibut, I confess, that when I have come to the last of them, I feel greatly relieved that my labour has ended. For I realize more than ever how weak, how pitiful, how idle, how worthless they all are.
s2
52
Freemasonry redembles, in my mind, a great and goodly building, which, surrounded by fog and enveloped in haze, looks in the dis- tance a shapeless form to the human eye when shrouded in the all embi*acing atmosphere of mist and cloud.
But as the sun pours down its glorious light, and the fog bank "lifts" and slowly fades away, this same building is disclosed in all its stateliness of architecture and beauty of contour to the en« raptured visitor and spectator.
And so is it with our good old order, and the great institution of Freemasonry, for great it assuredly is, and great I trust it long will continue to be, despite the cavils of some, the injustice of others, and the opposition and even malediction of the zealot or of the intolerant.
As all these idle accusations melt into nothingness and seem utterly to disappear like drifting clouds, as all these perverse clamours are stilled, as the heated incrimination is dismissed, as the unrighteous anathema is forgotten and forgiven. Freemasonry seems to stand out clearer and more majestic than ever to our mental apprehension and our fraternal sight !
It appeals even more forcibly than ever alike to our intellect and our sympathies, to our loyalty, and to our affections. For, after all, what have these attacks and assailants served to show ) Is it not simply this 1 That though Freemasonry may be misimderstood by the ignorant, depreciated by the credulous, and condemned by the intolerant, it still is able to pursue its course happily undeterred and undaunted, and to claim the active obedience and to deserve the faithful allegiance of countless members who dignify the order by their high character, their spotless integrity, their exalted worth, their true morality, and their many admirable qualities of heart and mind.
Freemasonry has, like all human institutions, its seasons of vigour and laugour, of earnestness and apathy, of success and of failure, of increase and of decrease ; yet never was there a time in our annals when, on every side of us, we behold symptoms of a most' prosperous order and of a rapidly expanding organization.
Why is this ? But simply because, of late years especially, Free- masonry, true to itself and to its own tenets, has anxiously endeavoured to give a practical turn, so to say, to all its universal principles and all its esoteric teaching^ by making its pretensions square with its profetitsion, and by manifesting to all men by many an un- doubted proof that its labours of charity, and benevolence, and sympathy, and relief are corextensive with its ancient system of de- clamation and oration, of avowal and of comprehension. And therefore it is that Freemasonry may indeed boldly replv to any impugner or sceptic of its reality and its benefits. If you want to know what Freemasonry is, if you are desirous of ascertaining what Freemasonrv seeks to be and to do, " Si quseris, circumspice,"
5fi
UemeDabeir what are our yearly exertions in the cause of true charity j observe how we seek to assist infirmity, to comfort old age, to educate the orphans, and to give relief and to extend a helping hand to many a poor, distressed brother, or his widow and her children, in the trying hour of earthly calamity, or in the presence of bereavement, or in the sad season of earthly misfortune or decay.
Now it has been said, though very unjustly, that Freemasonry is both egotistical and selfish in its professed charitable exertions.
But, as has been well remarked by an able American writer already quoted, " The principle that governs Freemasonry in all its branches in the distribution of its charities and the exercise of all the friendly afiections is that which was laid down by St. Paul for the govern- ment of the in&nt church at Galatia : * As we have opportunity, there- fore let us do good unto all men, especially unto those who are of the household of faith.' This sentiment of preference for one's own family of faith, thus sanctioned by apostolic authority, is after all but the dictate of human nature, and the words of Scripture find their echo in every heart. Blood is thicker than water, and those who have established the claim of worshipping at our altar have esta- blished the first claim on Masonic charity."
We begin with our own brethren, but we do not forget others, and, from some experience of the Masonic order, I will say this, that there are few of our fellow citizens who more earnestly seek to " do good unto all men " than the many warm-hearted members of our often undervalued but true-hearted fraternity.
When, therefore, I look at our noble charities to-day, and recall how large a sum we give habitually through the various channels of our great system in freewill offerings of benevolence and aid to the afflicted and deserving of our brotherhood of Freemasonry, could I find nothing more than this ? I might rest my defence of Freemasonry, I feel, safely here.
But when to this I add the friendships it forms and the toleration it enjoins, when I reflect that now, as ever, it represents light as opposed to darkness, and freedom as opposed to vassalage, when I realise how it would seek everywhere to promote and incidcate intel- lectual culture and consistent morality, peace, and order, good will and law, reverence for God and love for man, I ask myself, what is the meaning of this paradox, that this needful and important and bene- ficent society is to be opposed and arraigned, calumniated and con- demned ?
What is this perversity of the human intelligence or of eccle- siastical teaching, which would seek to represent Freemasonry, ever a friend to humanity and concord, and religion and virtue, as the ** craft of the Evil One," and its associates as members of that '^ Grand Lodge whose Grand Master is Satan V
Now I do not seek to deny or to conceal from any who read this "defence" of mine that Freemasonry is not perfecti but« like
5i
all other human institutions, has its inevitable weaknesses and deficiencies.
Some one has said — and I fear with some little ti*uth, for instance, — that no persons can write such unbrotherly letters as Freemasons, despite all their professions of brotherly love.
Well, if it be so, as, perhaps I must allow it may be so, Freemasons only show in this, as in everything now, that imperfection and un- reality often enter into and abound in all of earthly arrangement and endeavour.
It is an old story, the difference between theory and practice, be- tween profession and living, between words and deeds, and as long as this world lasts, we shall always have to contend with unavoidable manifestations of good and evil, of strength and weakness, of right theories but bad practice in the struggles of society and in the lives of men.
But let our adversaries and accusers discover and display all the blots they like ; after all, how few there are of any note and im« portance.
Freemasons are only men, and do not claim to be exempt either from the feelings or weakness of their brethren in the world.
All they can say and do say is. Can you find another society, which universal and yet religious as it is and professes to be, has done so much good and so little harm a^long mankind ?
Even to-day, amid the outcry of heated opponents, amid the angry vehemence of ruthless intolerance, it seems to lift itself up above these seething waves of controversy, and leaving recrimination and indignation on one side, only to proclaim more carefully and anxiously than ever, its own simple and conciHatoiy message of peace and fraternal union to the severed and the suffering of the human race.
At the present moment, as I have just said, one of the most unre- lenting adversaries of Freemasonry, whilst it has been condemning our harmless Brotherhood with the bitterest expressions of disapproval and anathema, has also raised a jubilant diout of triumph on account of the secession of Lord Bipon to that Church, and his resignation of the Grand Mastership of English Freemasonry!
But the Church of Bome has been a little premature in her exulta- tion. Deeply as all English Fjreemasons regret that step for Lord Bipon's own sake, as well as for the Craft, they can only regard it and remember it in respectful silence.
Able ruler, as Lord Bipon was undoubtedly, his resignation will not have the slightest appreciable effect on English Freemasonry.
On the contrary, it may even tend to give a further stimulus to our rapidly augmenting lodge rolls.
Freemasons are always loyal, and the Presidency of our Boyal Brother, the Prince of Wales, will be a matter of universal rejoicing to the Craft. For it will recall not only auspicious days of old, and continue that intimate and happy connexion which has existed tor
55
nearly 150 years between the Koyal Family and Freemasonry in this country, but it will be the best answer possible to Lord Ripon's un- happy depcurture from amongst us, and his resignation oi the highest office of Masonic dignity. For though our Order has lost, I fully admit, an acomplished chief in Lord Kipon, it is exactly where it was before he left us, and it is not the least influenced either by his secession, or by the tone the Eoman Catholic Press has thought fit to assume as regards Freemasonry.
]Sr either, in truth, has Freemasonry any fears as to the practical results, if the conflict be still unwisely carried on and persisted in. The Roman Catholic Church is apparently bent on the Quixotic crusade of attempting to " stamp out " Freemasonry everywhere, as well in Italy, and Belgium and Germany, as in the United States and Great Britain. Idle effort ! Chimerical idea! Freemasonry to-day is not to be silenced or appalled by edicts or allocutions, or crushed by anathemas and excommunications. Freemasonry means to hold its own, and is holding its own manfully, even now, despite all attacks and all assailants everywhere.
And as long as it continues to do so in moderation and calmness, with logical arguments, on the true principles of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Freemasonry, so long humanly speak- ing, is its success certain. The only possible danger is, lest in the ardour ot the contest, and the excitement of passing polemics, as Free- masons we should ever pass our proper limits, and seek to defend our- selves by language and proceedings which are at variance altogether with the great and unchanging principles and professions of our order.
Thus hx the attack on Freemasonry has utterly failed, because made in defiance of the known facts of history, and the true position of affairs ; because ignorins: deliberately our veritable teaching, and because, above all, adducing fictitious ^'excerpta'' from self-coudemnatory slanderers, it has based its censure of us on con- siderations and feelings most repulsive to the moral honesty and right judgment of makind. Nothing is so melancholy to the reflective aud the reasoning, as to see how a great religious body like the Church of Rome, (to say nothing here of her petty imitators), has, in the virulence of her animosity, and the unreasonableness of her intolerance, utterly forgotten the great axioms of justice, fisiir-play, liberty of conscience, and truth.
She has condemned Freemasonry anew, as of old, unheard, and with- out giving the slightest weight to the peaceful principles, and the kindly deeds of its members, and she has done all this professedly in the name of religion and of the faith, utterly regardless of the fact, that nothing is so prejudicial in its reflex action on a Church, a^ the promulgation either of doctrines and declarations, which are opposed ^* ipso facto," to the common sense, and the right reason of mankind.
Great in her inconsistency, as in her pretensions to infallibility, though abounding ni secret societies herself, she has reprobated Free-
56
masonry loudly and vehemently, mainly, apparently, because it is A secret order, and because, above all, it repudiates the authority and allocutions of the Iloman Pontiff.
But students of history may be induced, I think by such acts, to recall to mind that the Church of Home is indeed " semper eadem" in her opposition to all liberty of thought, and developement of the in- tellect, and all drawing out of the conscious judgment of the en light- en e'd moral will, and educated private personal responsibility of man. And it is greatly to be feared that^ this fresh outbreak of Boman intolerance and injustice to-day, against our loyal and friendly brotherhood, is but another sad proof, if proof be needed, how the Boman Catholic Church of our own time, like that " whited sepul- chre" of which we have been told, though outwardly abounding in professions of &ivour for art and science, for progress and philanthropy, for all that can adorn society, or elevate mankind, is after all, inwardly as implacable as ever. For imchanged and unrelenting she is assuredly in her deadly hostility to any profession of faith^ or labour of love, which has not received the '' Imprimatur" of the Bomish in^sdlibility, or is not in accordance with the traditions of that Church, which demands surrender of all that best dignifies and ennobles man's nature here, as the test of membership, and the proof of obedience.
Itisindeed, as I said at the outset, a most remarkable fact in the history of our race, to note the tendency to persecute, and calumniate others, so prevalent amongst men, and even Christians ; and in nothing does the Church of Kome so stand out in the annals of time, as a beacon, both of warning and of awe, as in her ceaseless efforts to emasculate the human conscience, and to do injury to the real, great, loving message of true religion.
Now I have said all this, not from any love of controversy, not from any wish to attack the Church of Bome, not from any sympathy whatever, with the heated declamations of the hour, and above all, in no spirit of disrespect or unkindness, either to the benevolent head of the Boman Catholic Church, or to Boman Catholics themselves.
But I wish to put the matter clearly and fully before my brethren, as from the Church of Eome the main attacks, and the actual condemnation of Freemasonry proceed even now.
Believing, as I do conscientiously, both that the Church of Bome has nothing to do with Freemasonry, and has no right to condemn Freemasonry or Freemasons, I feel bound to enter my himible pro- test against the unwise and unchristian course her rulers are adopting to-day.
I do not for one moment dispute the right of the Church of Bome, or any religious body to make what terms of membership they respect- ively think rights and even to exclude Freemasons from the roll of Church members, much as I should regret that any religious body should take so foolish and so \mrighteous a step.
But the Church of Rome not only does this, but professes to pass A condemnation on a society which enrols in its ranks one hundred non- Koman Catholics for one Roman Catholic. Indeed, I believe the pro- portion is greater. So true is Rome to her old principles of thought and action that even to-day, despite the evident folly of such a claim, she demands for the occupant of the ^' seat of St. Peter '* a spiritual supervisiion over all Christians, and, in fact, over the whole world, and therefore professes to issue these unjustifiable edicts, in the mterests of the faith, and for the promotion of virtue, charity, and truth. Now I have myself no fear of the actual result of this conflict between Freemasonry and the Roman Church, if it is to be waged by that Church, (for Freemasonry wages no war with any religious body,) if only Freemasons are true to Freemasonry^ if only Freemasons are true to themselves.
Otherwise I should have to believe that light would be overcome by darkness, liberty by tyranny, brotherly love by uncharitableness, and toleration by intolerance !
But what has Freemasonry really to dread 1
No purely human organisation, that I am aware of, is susceptible of such a defence as Freemasonry really and truly is.
Here is a society — or sodality, call it which you will— alike tolerant and straightforward, bold yet peaceable, governed by ancient laws and esoteric teaching, by an occult ceremonial, and by mysterious condi-^ tions of membership, which has brought within its goodly organisa^ iion men of the most conflicting and discordant views, whether in politics or religion.
Is Freemasonry to be blamed for its constitution ?
Can it be condemned for its proceedings )
Are the practical records of the reality of its calm and consistent professions a fair subject either for censure or ridicule ?
Certainly not !
Freemasonry may have its defects like any other institution of earth ; it may have here and there, so to say, a stone loose or decayed in its glorious superstructure, but it has outlived so far the inroads of 9mall and great, which have long since vanished entirely from the fstce of the earth.
As its professions and teaching are ever those of brotherly sympathy and universal beneficence, it has sought, andnot unsuccessfully sought, to carry them out in practice by many a work of unhesitating good will, and by many a labour of zealous munificence. It grants month by month large sums of relief, in its tripartite arrangements, to the indi- gent, the suffering, and forlorn, it oflers annuities to aged Freemasons of both sexes to assist them in the decline of life or the advance of decrepitude er the reverse of fortune, it educates the orphan sons and daughters of the brotherhood with unsparing liberality and striking success.
58
All these various works and efforts and institutions which demand large annual subsidies from a generous fraternity are commenced^ carried on, and supported with large hearted, and praiseworthy, and even princely liberality by our great English brotherhood. Indeed, perhaps there is no one point in our English system which is so credit- able to our order and to Freemasonry, as all the past history, the pre- sent position, and the annual returns of our Masonic charities.
And I will also say this :
I believe in no profession of Freemasonry which does not evidence the reality of its belief and of its principles by these evident tokens of sincerity, of having " counted the cost '' of Masonic membership.
The best test of all true Freemasonry is, what does it do for charity 1 How does it manifest biotherly love and sympathy and relief?
Whenever these indicisB of the true spirit of our good old crafb are wanting, depend upon it there is something wrong in that section of the Masonic family. In vain you may tell me of noble orations in the name of humanity and solidaritv, in vain I may have to listen to declamatory harrangues about liberty, equality and fraternity ; use- less it is to tell me of philanthropical aspirations, of psychological studies, of illuminating rhapsodies. If charity be wanting the rest are worthless !
I do not believe in that Freemasonry, or those Freemasons, where^ and among whom nothing but a sterile logomachy or glowing declamations are endured or applauded. All these things, like the truest and happiest of ceremonial observances, like '* el6gant banquets" and '' pleasant re- unions," the '' feast of reason and the flow of soul/' and the high and important avocations of the *' Knife and Fork Degree " itself, are, I am sorry to say, to so cynical a brother as I fear some may think me to be, but as ^'sounding brass or a tinkling cjmbaL" If Freemasonry has no manifest tokens of its inward vitality and truth to offer to the outward world besides its jewels and decorations, its speeches and its refreshment, its social gatherings and its festive board, it will soon perish utterly and vanish also in turn from the face of the earth ! But so long as the Divine grace of Charity shall sweeten all its toils, and consecrate all its endeavours, so long, I believe, in the good providence of God, will Freemasonry happily survive both the changes of time and the convulsions of society, to proclaim in good will and toleration, in sincerity and benevolence, its simple, remedial, and healing teaching to mankind.
And Freemasonry, in addition to its many *' overt acts" of active sympathy and relief, offers, I think, we should not forget in conclusion, in its lodges a pleasant hour of retreat from business or care, or toil or trouble, to many a hardworking and zealous member of our fraternity.
How many long friendships have been formed in our lodge rooms 1 How many hours of pleasant intercourse, of heart-coiuj^aiiionahip,
59
have there been spent f How much of innocent gaiety, and of oheerfo] '' bonhommie*' have there combined to lighten some hours of anxiety, and to cheer some toiling and weary children of men ?
In the lodge room, all those to whom I write, like myself, can recall many and many a joyous meeting, and many, alas ! many a faded hour of pleasantness and peace, when in the flow of manhood and high spirits we could greet so gladly the smile of bonesc friendship, or claap the warm hand of brotherly devotion.
And if to some of us, as to the writer, the echoes are hushed to-day of those soft strains of tender memory, and seem to float away and vanish in the distance, they can still revisit us in some casual hour, and replenish our minds with the awakened sympathies of unforgotten moments of friendship and brotherhood '^ ever bright and fair."
And when to all that is purely personal, to you as to me, I venture to superadd all that is truly Masonic, both in theory and practice, in profession and in reality, I feel and hope how great a claim I have established for some credit and some respect for our venerable and useful fraternity, and that my defence of our arraigned and calumni- ated order is not altogether made in vain.
On the contrary, I feel it myself more strongly than ever, and, I believe, my brethren will agree with me, that as Freemasons we may rejoice to recollect and to own that we are members of our anoient and honourable craft.
To use the words of a lecture by Bro. Codrington in 1770 : " Thus have I given you some account of Masonry, and qualifications neces- sary to make a worthy member of it ; by which you see it is not a ridiculous and trifling, but a very serious and important institution ; an institution foimded on the most exalted principles of moral and social virtue. May we ever keep in view its noble and real design, and catch the spirit of it. May it be our glory to practise the duties it prescribes. Moral architects as we are, may we build temples for every virtue ; prisons and dungeons for vice, indecency and im- jnornlity. May we be disposed to every humane and friendly office, ever ready to pour oil and wine into the wounds of our distressed brethren, and gently bind them up, (it is one of the principal ends of our institution), so that when those who speak evil or lightly of us behold our conduct, and see by our means the hungry fed, the naked clothed, the sick sustained and cherished, — shall see our light so usefully shine, — their evil speaking may be silenced, their foolish prejudices removed, and they may be convinced that Masonry is an useful and a venerable structure^ supported by the great ard ever* lasting pillars of wisdom^ strength and beauty."
Disregarding all unjust attacks, and smiling at all intolerant op- ponents, we shall all of us only feel more persuaded of the benefit and importance of Freemasonry ; and our prayer will be that the great Architect of the universe may long continue to bless our order with all the good gifts of Masonic unity, concord, and peace ; to
«0
preserve it unharmed and unchanged in the onward and troubled career of human affairs, to fill every Masonic heart amongst us with true charity, care, and sympathy, each for each, for all poor and dis- tressed Freemasons in this wide world of ours, as well as for all suf- fering members of the human race, and that He will deign, above all, to cement our venerable order as well by the faithful profession and the upright lives of its enrolled members, with every moral and every social virtue. So mote it be !
APPENDIX.
WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?
*' A very important question is asked in our lectures '* What is Free masonry ?" and the ordinary reply to the query is, that it is '*a pecu- liar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols," but the subject demands a closer examination, and a more elaborate answer, for it embraces every part of that noble science which has existed as far as we know, from time immemorial, and under whose powerful influence such wonderful results have been obtained. The question, however, is often reiterated by those who are outside our order, and sometimes with no friendly motive, for like all other human institutions it has its detractors, however pure may be its objects or spotless its career. From vain curiosity they strive to penetrate the arcana of our secrets, but happily^ such efforts have hitherto proved fruitless to all who do not possess the master key by which alone they can be obtained. While such inquirers should always be discouraged| and our order close tyled against them, there are^ however, many others who are prompted by truly laudable motives, and a favourable opinion precon- ceived of our institutions, who feel a longing desire to know something of the origin, growth and progress of that gigantic tree whose branches are spread over the entire surface of the habitable globe, and from which such abundant fruits have been gathered. The first class of in- quirers to which I have alluded, are, I am happy to say, very limited in numbers, but nothwithstanding their insignificance, they are very ener- getic and vituperative in their slanders, and in the presence of kindred spirits in feehngs and inclinations are ever ready to denounce our insti- tution as a body that should not exist, and ought at once to be put down by the strong arm of the law. We, however, can well afford to laugh at their puny threats, aad treat their vaunted allocutions with all the contempt they deserve, uid in the few remarks I intend to offer, I shall perhaps not again refer to a class of inquirers who possess no title, and have no claim to our consideration. As regards the latter class tp which I have referred, their motives cannot be too highly com- mended, for, unmindful of the vulgar remarks sometimes levelled at us by those who really know nothing about the secrets and objects of Qur order; they seek to inquire for themselves as to the great motives
62
which appjdr to iiave Such a patent influence in inducing so many of their fellow men to a nit e together with no other law than that which is enforced by their own free will, to extend the light of truth, and pro- mote the welfare and happiness of their fellow creatures. To such inquirers we give a hearty welcome, and if they want to know more of U8, and how we prove that in uniting together our object is to render ourselves more extensively serviceable to our fellow creatures, we may well use the expressive epitaph on Sir Christopher Wren, and tell them to look around at the noble institutions we have provided for the de- serving objects committed to our care. Like the Roman Matron Cor- nelia we can say, * These are our jewels — ^these are the bright and shining lights of Freemasonry.' It has been said that 'on the empire of England the sun never sets,' an apt and forcible illustration of the extent and power of country to which we owe our birth ; but great, noble, and dazzling as is the acquisition of territory, as an inseparable and inevitable result of conquest, such victories are sometimes only obtained at the cost of thousands of lives, with desolation, ruin, and widows and orphans following in their train But with regard to Free- masonry, although its domain is even far more extended— although as regards its influence the sun is always at its meridian — it brings no such pangs in her bright career, for hers is the mission of peace and good- will to all mankind. Her conquests are great, noble, and bloodless, and her mission is to extend the blessings of peace and the bounties of charity to every deserving object under heaven. Her reign commenced in the primitive period of the world, and her territory is not confined to one country, language or people, for it is spread over the entire habit- able globe. It stands with a rock for its foundation, honour, truth, and virtue for its superstructure, whilst the three great pillare support- ing its noble temple, are Faith, Hope, and Charity, thereby implying our faith in the Great Architect of the Universe, a hope in salvation, and to be in charity with all men. Our institution, too, can boast of its antiquity, forming the great link between the period when civilization just emerged from barbarism into an age in which it has expanded to such noble proportions. It was in the early days of Freemasonry that natural religion first beamed on man, the darkness which ushered in his existence began to disappear, his mind was insensibly drawn to the con- templation of the works of nature, and up through them to Nature's God. Step by step he was led to higher and nobler aspirations, and a due reverence of the Almighty, through whose benign influence and great mercy we live, and move, and have our being. It has been well said that the Almighty Architect of the Universe has never left Himself without a faithtul witness amongst men, as the patriarch, saved from uni- versal desolation, has preserved the sacred fire ot religion, and trans- mitted it pure and untainted to his descendants. Even in the rudest period the teachings of Freemasonry were full of veneration of the Deity, and the utmost regard for His supreme wisdom and power. The first tent or tabernacle erected by Moses in the wilderness for the prop«r
63
and decent celebration of Divine worship by a singular coincidence formed the great prototype and ground plan of the magnificent temple bailt qX Jerusalem by King Solomen, which for its extent and regal splendour was at that time considered one of the wonders of the world, but great like all the edifices reared by the hands of man which were designed to last for all time, they have all disappeared from the earth, and true to the prophecy which was pronounced when they were all rich in their regal splendonr, the ploughshare of time has passed over their site, and not one stone has been left on another. The glories of Solomon could not preserve this stately fabric from ruin ; and the temple that was reared with such industry, skill and care, has passed away ' like the baseless fabric of a vision, and left not a wreck behind.* But what shall we say of Freemasonry, the order which King Solo- mon in all his glory delighted to honour. Has that shared the fate of the temple to which we have just referred ? — has it like the splendid structure of our Royal founder, crumbled to the dust. To these ques- tions we can give an emphatic answer, and say that the great Order of Freemasonry not only still exists, but has gone on increasing in strength, adding every year to its vitality, and like the sapling oak it has grown to a noble and majestic tree, under whose spreading branches the young find shelter and the old repose. And why is all this, why is it that men hitherto strangers, should thus meet on the common ground of love to each other ? It may be simply expressed in a few words, be- cause it is founded on religion, and virtue, and its precepts teach us to extend Jthe hand of brotherly love to all who come within the charmed circle of our order. It has been well described by a brother whose name I forget, in eloquent terms, when he said, * Amid the institutions which in all ages have best deserved the protection of sovereigns, the esteem of philosophers, and the support of mankind,' our order has stood conspicuous as eminently inculcating the knowledge of the su- preme God, obedience to princes, subjugation of the passions, love towards our fellow creatures, and humanity to the distressed. Works of art may show the genius of man, and the fertility of his imagination ; the perfection of the sciences may mark the extent of his enterprise and spirit, but nothing can demonstrate the goodness of his heart more than Freemasonry. Whether it be in peace or war — in the calm of sunshine, of prosperity, or the bitter gales of adversity, Freemasons welcome each other with cordiality, sacrifice themselves one for another, receivewith brotherly love, cherish with reUef, and greet with truth those who have no other claim than fraternity, no other tie than one bond of recognition." — jBro. ff, Thompson.
'• 64
THE SECRETS OF FREEMASONRY. O
" Freemasonry, I admit, has its secrets. It has secrets peculiar to itself; but of what do they principally consist? They consist of signs and tokens, which serve as testimonials of character and qualifications, which are only conferred after a due course of instruction and examin- ation These are of no small value. They speak an universal language, and act as a passport to the attention and support of the initiated in all parts of the world. They cannot be lost so long as memory retains its power. Let the possessor of them be expatriated, shipwrecked, or imprisoned ; let him be stripped of everything he has got in the world, these credentials remain. They have stayed the hand of the destroyer ; they have softened the asperities of the tyrant ; they have mitigated the horrors of captivity ; they have subdued the rancour of malevolence, and broken down the barrier of political animosity. On the field of battle ; in the solitudes of the uncultivated forest, or in the busy haunts of the crowded city, they have made ftiends men of the most hostile feelings. The most distant regions, and the most diversified conditions rush to the aid of each other, and feel special joy and satisfec'ion that they have been able to aflford relief to a brother Mason.*' — Benjamin Franklin,
THE DESIGN OF FREEMASONRY.
^ The design of the Masonic institution is to make us wiser, better, and consequently, happier. The principal subject which Masonry, as a speculative science, has to deal with is man. It seeks to unfold in him a proper appreciation of the Deity and his works, and in all his laudable undertakings to look for applause and g^dance to the author of all wisdom, the Almighty ruler of the universe. His moral sensi- bilities are to be developed and exercised, his intellect cultivated and refined, his evil passions subdued, and all acting together in accordance with nature's laws, impress the world with the importance and dignity of the individual man. When we take into consideration that he is made in the image and likeness of the Supreme Architect of the Universe, and that the same Almighty Being breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, we will realize in a measure the importance of the subject. In our physical construction we are fearfully and wonderfully made, pre- senting instances of astonishing endurance and tenacity to life, and instances to impress us how easily the ** silver cord is loosed " and the vital spark suddenly extinguished. While as Masons we contemplate and properly estimate the mysterious processes of human life, and are filled with wonder at the infinite wisdom and knowledge of a being who governs and directs the pulsations of every human heart, as well as the
66
Xnov^ments of worlds and systems of worlds which geometry reveals, and by hypothesis, worlds and systems of worlds beyoad the reach of human observation and conception ; yet feel grateful that he has im- planted in man the noblest of all gifts, reason, which, if properly exercised and guided by the Great Light in Masonry, (the Holy Bible), which always has a prominence on the Masonic sJtar, ' that book of books/ the only book by which the bark of mnn can navigate the sea of life, and gain the port of bliss securely, will direct his steps through the intricate paths of life to a safe and peaceful haven. Freemasonry is designed to take hold of man in his rude and natural state, and, by developing the nobler powers of his nature, prepare him intellectually and morally for the various duties he may be called upon to perform, ' while travelling through this vale of tears.' It recognizes the fact tha*: unless the passions of man, that rage within his breast like an ocean amid a storm, be regulated and subdued, they will operate as a destroy- ing element, as a consuming fire ; consequently he is met at the very threshold of the Temple, and in the most impressive manner made acquainted with its absolute and vital importance. Tongues cannot depict the wretchedness, suffering and misery produced in the world by the unrestrained exercise of the passions Men may be found in every station and avenue of life with shattered constitutions, ruined fortunes, and blasted hopes, showing the results unmistakeably, in their presentation, of the fearful wreck their passions have been making in the individual man; and when we take into consideration the mental anguish and suf- fering occasioned by these acts to those more intimately connected with them, as well as the effect upon society in general, we cannot but realize the importance of this branch of Masonic teaching ; for by teaching the individual man to control his passions you prepare him in the aggregate to be good citizens and. rulers, under whose harmonious and enlightened sway, no foreign or fratricidal war would drench a land with blood, or fill it with the weeping and wailing of orphans. The human passions is a theme which is dwelt upon in the Holy Scriptures, where we may find ' line upon line and precept upon precept.' The minister, while standing behind the sacred desk, proclaiming the everlasting Gospel of peace, struggles with all his powers of mind and soul, for the reduction of this disturbing and destroying element. Learned disquisitions on the same subject may be found among the writings of moralists and philo- sophers of all ages of the world. Freemasonry, from remote antiquity, from her beautiful and harmonious system and regularity, leads her sub- jects step by step, and, by keeping constantly before their minds the essential qualifications of a good Mason, touches and opens their hearts gradually to receive those principles of morality and virtue which prompt them to deeds of charity, * to soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds.' Her moral code cannot be improved — it needs no revising, enlarging, or changing. It is founded on the immutable truths of the Bible, indisputable and eternal. Through a long succes-
6(5
sion of centuries, amid the wreck of empires and the darkness of the middle ages, she preserved her light undimmed, and emerged in all her beauty and brilliancy, like gold tried in the furnace. No other system ever devised by men to impress on mankind great moral truths has ever had the power to unite men of different nationalities, religions, habits and customs, scattered over every other part of the habitable globe, to work together in harmony, and all seeking to purify the moral atmos- phere, teaching mankind, the necessity of walking uprightly in their several stations, before God and man, squaring their actions by the square of virtue, and reminding them that they are travelling on the level of time toward ' that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller ever returns.' There is something that inspires us with thoughts above ourselves when we contemplate the genius, the pure spirit of Masonry. No special allurements have ever induced her to overstep her ancient landmarks and parade her beauties ostentatiously before an in- different world ; but the world nevertheless feels the benefit of her labours, like gentle dew falling in the stillness of the midnight hour. She encompasseth not sea and land to make proselytes, but exerts an unobtrusive influence upon the hearts of men, which prompts them to seek admission within her temple walls ; she presents no allurements to those who have no higher motive than to forward selfish aims and selfish ambitions, but those who drink in her pure spirit she elevates in the scale of morality and virtue, and proves indeed a fostering mother.
"Happiness is what Freemasonry seeks to confer upon her votaries, and happiness is what God designed for man by endowing him with mental and moral power, and making him lord of creation, spreading out before him nature in all her profusion, and inviting him to explore her to her most concealed recesses. She invites to the study of astronomy, that he may learn to admire the starry heavens, and take in and com- prehend the beauty of that faultless dome, studded with those beautiful gems of the night, compared with which all man's ingenuity and skill, even in the palmiest days of Grecian and Roman architecture, sink into insignificance. She invites to the study of mathematics, by a proper knowledge of which he may be made to feel the insignificance of all human calculations compared with the calculations of Him whose prob- lems are beyond the possibility of human solution. His attention is called to the five senses of human nature — hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, and tasting — that the world of wonders by which he is sur- rounded may contribute to his happiness, enabling him to find ' tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, and good in everything.'^ He looks abroad upon the varied fields of nature, and although poor, perhaps, compared with those whose mansions glitter in his sight, calls the delightful scenery all his own — ' his are the mountains, and the valleys his; and the resplendent rivers his by a peculiar right, and by an emphasis of interest his, whose eyes they fill with tears of holy joy, whose heart
67
with love, and whose exalted mind with thoughts of that unwearied One who planned and formed, and still upholds, a world.'
*' It is our privilege by the exemplification of Masonic virtues in our family circles, to lead them to feel that the white apron is not a mean- ingless badge ; but an emblem of all that is lovely and noble in human character ; and while it is our duty to watch with a jealous eye that no innovations are suffered to creep in' and destroy or mar the harmony and beauty of her proportions, yet we must not forget that we live in an age of progress unexampled in the history of the world, where the means for the improvement of the mind lie scattered around us like leaves in autumn weather ; and that duty to our God, to ourselves, and the claims society has upon us, alike demand that we should not let these golden opportunities pass unheeded and unimproved.
tellectual developement at the hands of her chosen disciples. At the very outset of a Mason's career, she puts on the yoke of mental disci- pline, for the purpose of inducing mental culture, and makes it, to a certain extent, a pre-requisite to his standing before men and brethren as a Free and Accepted Mason ; and if this is necessary at the very out- set, how much more necessary to his advancement if he desires to understand the principles which have kept a society together in one unbroken mysterious chain running back for . more than four thousand years — if he wishes to understand * the secret sympathy, the silver link, the silken tie, which heart to heart and mind to mind can bind ' — if he wishes to hold sympathetic communion with a ' Rob Morris,' whose soul stirring productions seem in unison and harmony with the music of the spheres, he must study as he has, breathe the spirit of our glorious institution, which entertains no narrow, contracted views of the prin- ciples which it inculcates ; but on the contrary dispersing sectionalism and bigotry like mist before the beams of the morning sun — teaching man that catholic and liberal view of duty which eoibraces all mankind, wherever located, as having one destiny — teaching him solemn lessons of morality, and impressing him with the truth that 'I^eaves have their time to fall, and flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, and stars to set ; but Thou, Thou hast all seasons for Thine own, oh, death !' an institution eminently calculated to exercise in harmonious union all the capacities of the intellect and all the most exquisite powers of the soul ; filling man with a high sense of his duty to God, to his neighbour, and the various relations he sustains to his family, enabling him to delight in the soul kindling flashes in the eyes of his children, indicating an ardent desire for more light, and qualifying him to nurture the budding thought, to bloom and ripen for immortality, ennobling and enriching everything with which he comes in contact ; developing and enlarging the powers with which a beneficent Creator has endowed him ; levelling, plumbing,
C8
and squaring him for that upper and glorious temple, where the
Supreme Architect of the Univerde presides. — Bro, W, B, R. RuayaUf N.iS,
THE CONSTITUTION OF FREEMASONRY.
'^ In its constitutional character. Masonry is essentially a moral insti- tution. The uninitiated frequently ask : ' Has Masonry a creed ? Is it a religious order ?* Some of my brothers will give different answers to these questions — many, I know, view it from h different stand-point than the one I take. In what I may say of it I wish to be understood as speaking but my own views. Our order has no authorised mouth- piece ; no human oracle, whose voice of sentiments can bind the Craft. Nothing I might say could bind it, or compromise it, even if I had the will to do so.
^' As I read our tenets, and interpret, the theory, practice and spirit, our order, Masonry has a creed. It is a religious order. Our Great Light is the Holy Bible ! From that we take our creed. That creed is. Faith in God, Hope in Immortality, Charity to all mankind. This is our way, so plain, so simple, * that the wayfaring man, though a fool, cannot err therein.'
'* Faith, that there i§ a God, a faith taught us by nature, taught us by every system of worlds, and every world of every system, taught us by material creation, above, neath us, taught us by every mountain that rears its lofty summit to the skies, by every valley, with its emerald carpet and sun-lit flowers, by every season and by every creature. A faith taught us by Revelation, by that Great Book — that light shining through all the earth, taught us by prophet, priest, and seer, taught us in the living words, in characters blazing from every page — all proving, with the certainty of the demonstration, there is a God.
" * Our faith is the stahle chain tbat binds us to the Infiuike ; The voice of a deep life within, * That will remain, until we crowd it thence.'
** Our Hope.
** 'Tis the divinity that stirs within us;
'TIb Heaven itself that poiuts out a heareafber.
And intimates eternity to man.
69
^* Not only does Masonry point us the way, and bid us hope, but urges, commaads, begs us to follow it.
** Eternal Hope ! when yonder spheres sablime Pealed their first notes to sound the march of time, Thy joyous youth began, but not to hude. When all the sister planets have deoay'd ! When rapt in fire, the realms of ether glow. And Heay'ns last thunder shakes the earth below, Thou, undismayed shall o'er the ruins smile, And ligut thy torch at nature's funeral pile.
'* The Great Apostle says, ^ Now abideth faith, hope and charity, but the greatest of these is charity.' As Masons understand it, this charity refers to all men, but more particularly to our brother Masons, ' whereso- ever dispersed throughout the habitable globe.' Nor is that charity alone which contributes to the pecuniary necessities of our brothers, but that God-like charity which, like a mantle, oovers their errors, puts the most lenient and favourable construction on all their acts. Ckaher- ing to our hearts rays from the Great Light ever present in our lodge, we are taught to be charitable to the opinions, to the actions, to the mo- tives of men, patient with their errors, forgiving when they retract. Beautifully has the poet described our Masonic charity ;
** Pure is her aim, and in her temper mild, Her wisdom seems the weakness of a child ; She makes excuses when she might condemn, Reviled by those who hate her, prays for them I Suspicion lurks not in her heartless breast ; The worst suggested she believes the best : Not soon provok'd, however stung and teas'd, And if perhaps made angrv, soon appeased : She rather waives than will dispute her right, And injured, makes forgiveness her delight
'^ Such a creed needs neither priest or prelate to interpret; no learned criticism to explain ; no profound erudition, hunting up far-fetched meanings for his words. The way to it does not lie through the dark, turbulent and disturbed streams of religious controversy. The words mean just what they say — they are short ; scarcely as many letters as other creeds have volumes. Is not this a religion ? If you define re- ligion to be the close, technical following of some particular theory or dogma, cut out and grooved, and fitted together by human hands, it is cot religion. If it consists in a mind and heart imbued with a love for God and for man, is it not religion ?
' Teacher, while on earth, said, • Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, asd with all thy strength — this is the first and great commandment ; and the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments
70
hang all the law and the prophets/ That is the Christian creed ! That has been the Masonic creed from the earliest institution of oar order.
" *Thou shalt love the Lord thy God.* Masonry enjoins it. To Him her temples are erected. Without that, without an abiding love, trust, and belief in him, the bright temple of Masonry, with all its glittering jewels and dazzling ornaments, must be for ever shut within impene- trable walls. He who has not this must pause at her outer door — his footsteps can never resound in her halls. ' Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' He who neglects this is no Mason. Cover him with the gorgeous paraphernalia of our order, place him on the topmost pinnacle of our column, if his heart is not filled with this, if, in his out* ward walk, by thoua^ht, by word, by action, he fails to show forth this, he is no Mason. In vain would the door of every lodge and temple throughout the world fly open at his knock ; in vain would all our learning, and tradition, and mysteries flow from his tongue glibly as oil, if, in his heart of hearts, he is not thoroughly imbued with this principle ; if he lacks in this, he hath not part or lot with us.
" This, ladies and gentlemen, as I understand it, is the religion of Freemasonry. Holding such a broad creed, is it any wonder that upon it, so many men of such varied feelings and principles, races and nation- alities, can and do gather. We are not a church, in the ordinary accept- ation of that term. Masonry bows to no idols, worships no graven images, deifies no mortals : the consciences of her votaries lay them- selves bare to no human eye ; no human mediator stands between them and their God. Resting upon the Word of God as . the source of all light, they look upon their faith as well founded. Taught by it that there is an immortality beyond the grave, and guided by its teachings, with love for all, and charity towards every man, they hope to reach the Celestial Lodge on High. Is it any sacrifice of faith, any lowering of the true Christian character so to think ?
'' Paul, the great expounder, travelling to Athens, found an altar, with the inscription, ' to the Unknown God.' At that altar had probably knelt Plato, Socrates, and all the great minds who illuminated Grecian art, philosophy and literature. From it had ascended incense, offered by Jews and Greeks, by the Latin and Barbarian. The stones around it had been pressed by the knees of strangers from every land, and searchers after the Unknown God from every clime. And now knelt there the great Apostle and expounder of the new religion. As his feet pressed the steps of that altar, and as his voice went forth to that vast throng, think you that no thought ot the others who had worshipped there crossed his mind ^ Do you imagine that he thereby lost his Christian character, that he was lowered in his Christian faith ? Did it not rather elevate his thoughts ; did it not lessen his feeling of iso- lation, that thought, that back of him stood an altar arounJ wliicli till
71
heathendom might kneel ? That at that altar had prohably been offered prayers and sacrifices by the greatest and best and purest in the earth ! Did it not add power to his voice, new light to his words with his hearers, that he, a stranger preaching a new-fangled doctrine, could yet kneel at tbeir altar, and reach his God from it ? Such an altar Masonry erects ; not inscribed to an Unknown God, but to the God of Abraham, of Isaac and Jacob — an altar at which all who recognize His existence, and strive to do His works, may kneel, and together lift their voices to his throne of Grace.
** Masonry represents no particular sect or denomination. We unite in our brotherhood men who agree upon the great doctrines and funda- mental principles that underUe morality, godliness, charity. We say to our initiates, believe in these, beyond that we do not go ; on all other and non-essential matters, follow the dictates of your own reason, obey vour own conscience. It matters not to us whether one brother believes in the fallibility of the Pope, and another regards him as anti-Christ ; whether one clings to Christian perfection and another to total dam- nation ; whether one holds to infant baptism and another condemns it ; whether one talks of an apostolic succession and another of an universal ministry. We say to all, have faith in God, hope in immortality, practise charity to all men; this is our Alpha and Omega.*' — Bro. George Reynolds,
Under the Patronage of the M. W. Grand Masters of England and Scotland ; and the Grand Masters of many Foreign Grand Lodges.
cc
THE FR.EEMA.SON.*
A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER,
PRICE TWOPENCE, PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY,
Containing all the most important information of the week, relating to
FREEMASONRY
IN EVERY DEQREE.
Subscription, payable in advanceyfor\2 months^ including Poitage, lOf., in the United Kingdom only. Foreign parts. Postage on 2 oz. Newspapers to be added,
PRICE SIXPENCE, POST FREE SEVENPENCE.
THE
MASONIC MAGAZINE :
A MONTHLY DIGEST OF
FREEMASONRY IN ALL ITS BRANCHES.
Annual Subscription, payable in advance, in the United Kingdom, including postage, 7s. ; for
Foreign Parts, Postage on 4-02. book packet to be added.
Price 2s. f Post Free (United Kingdom), 2s. 2d. Foreign Parts, Postage on 5 oz.
book packet to be added to the 2s,
THE COSMOPOLITAN
MA.SONIO O^LEND^R,
Diary and Pocket-Book,
is a comprehensive masonic book of reference.
CONTAINS: Lists of Lodges, Chapters, K.T. Preceptories, Conclaves, and Grand Councils, with the Names of Officers, in England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Quebec, New Brunswick, British Columbia, United States, Central and South America, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Hamburgh, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, Greece, Turkey, Peru, Netherlands, &c., together with full particulars of Every Grand Masonic Body throughout the Globe.
The London Meetings are given in the memorandum spcice of each day. ^ The Country Lodges appear in Towns, alphabetically arranged. It also contains the Charges and Entered Apprentice's Song.
MAY BE HAD OF ALL BOOK
Single Copies^ ordered by letter^ may be paid for in stamps; orders for more than one^ to be accompanied by post-office order, payabU to GEORGE KENNING, Chief Office, London.
PUBLISHING OFFrCE-iairTLEEinTREET, LONDON.
BRO. GEORGE KENNING,
r.M., P.Z., Mk.M., A.M., K.T., IJ.C'.K., K.O.S., 30 .
1, 3 & 3, LITTLE BRITAIN,
AND
17'5, ^LDERSa^TE STREET,
liONDON, E.C.
/ 108, FLEET STREET, LONDON. BUANCiIES:-| 2, MONUMENT PLACE, LIVERPOOL.
( 1 45, ARGYLE STREET, & 2, ST. ENOCH'S LANE, GLASGOW.
■■,(»•/ >^/«/'*./>.-*/.y^^«/*/»^ y / • ,
THE LARGEST STOCK. IN THE WORLD
OF
Jewels, Clothing, Ribbons,
Tassels, Furniture, Banners,
Books, Stationery, Tracing Boards,
And every Requisite for all Degrees in Freemasonry.
Ptict Sisiisi on 9lppUcAU0n*
MASONIC MUSIC IN STOCK
AT
Bro. KENNING'S MASONIC DEPOTS.
s. d. What Better Theme than Masoory ? Words by Bro. James Stevens ; music
by Bro. Wilhelin Ganz .. .. .. .. ., ,, ..40
Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth ; written by Bro. Sewell ; composed by Bro.
J. Rhodes 4
The Final Toast; written by D. L. Richardson ; music by Bro. Edwin J. Crow 3 The E.A. Song; arranged by the late Bro. Parry, of the "Lodge of Antiquity,"
No. 2 6
Masonic Harmonia •• .. .. .. .. •• .. ..90
Masonic Music, compiled for the use of the *' Merchant Lodge," No. 241, by
Bro. J. II. Younghusband, P.M., P.Z., P.E.C., and P. Pro. J.G.W. West
Lancashire .. .. .. .. .. .. •• .. ..06
The Freemason (Tell me the Sign, John) ; written by George Palmer ... . . 3
»Three Times Tliree ; composed by Bro. Harroway, " Royal York Lodge," Brighton 3 The Shake of the Hand (in G & B flat) ; composed by John Blockley . . ..30
The Freemasons* Festival March and Masonic Hymn, by Bro. W. B. Tolputt
(Past Master of the '* Temple Lodge," No. 816, Folkestone) .. ..30 The Freemason Quadrilles; inscribed (by permission) to the Most Hon. the
Marquess of Ripon, K.G.; by Bro. Joshua liiarshall (P.G.O., West York- shire), Solo or Duet .. .. .. •• .. .. .'. ..40
Music for the Ceremony of Advancement to the Mark Degree ; composed by
Bro. Edwin J. Crow, dedicated to the Past Grand Master, Bro. Rev. G.
R. Portal 3
Here's to His Health in a Song; written by J. J. Bealey; composed by J. M.
Bentley .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..4
Hird's Masonic Quadrille, by C. T. Hird 4
So Mote it Be, by Bro. Jno. P. Nunn r 2 6
Masonic Mischief, by G. Grant .. .. .. .. ., ..30
Men of the Trowel, answer to Masonic Mischief . . • , . . ..30
The Mystic Tie, song with quartett chorus, written by Bro. Wm. Carpenter,
composed by Jas. C. Baker, Mus. D. . . . . . •
** Welcome," a Masonic Song, written by Bro. Wm. Carpenter, composed by
Bro. Jas. C. Baker . . • . . . . . . . 4
Masonic Song, words by William Allan, music by Culino . . . . ..20
Red Cross Knight, composed by Bro. H. Parker, words by Bro. R. W. Little 3 The Mark Master's Song, dedicated to the Earl of Percy, M.P., M.W.G.M.M.M.,
by Bro. T. B. Yeoman., .. ..
All the above Half- Price.
The Freemasons' March, for the Pianoforte, composed by Selmar Elahienberg 2 Masonic Ode, written by Bro. G. Passenger ; composed by Bro. B. Sharpe . . 5 The Masonic Minstrel ; being a complete collection of upwards of 200 Masonic
Songs, Odes, Anthems, &c., with a list of Toasts and Sentiments. 3s. 6d.
cloth, 4s. roan, gilt edges .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Melodia Masonica : Five Songs and a Trio, set to Music and arranged by Bro.