New York dispatch. [volume], January 07, 1877, Page 3, Image 3

About New York dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1863-1899

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H. W. JOHN W. SIMONS. P. G. M„ Editor
Advertisements for the Masonic De
pabtment, to insure their insertion, must be
eent in by SIX O’CLOCK P. M.
IS OHB WORK ALL DONE!
There are not a few persons in the world who
think that the work which Masonry has been
and still is endeavoring to do, is one of supere
rogation, or at least one that can better be per
formed by the mass of mankind without any
special organization for the purpose. Not a
few who think—no doubt earnestly and consci
entiously, according to their light—that, if
there is any real good in the institution and its
work, that good would be more fully demon
strated if the rest of the world would put on
their specs and join the particular mode of
faith to which they incline. It is evident, how
ever, that these people do not know anything
cf the motives or methods of Masonry, and,
what is worse, that they are neither anxious
nor willing to learn. They thus put them
selves in the position of opposing something
about which they have no distinct knowledge,
drawing upon their fancy for facts, and charg
ing mental columbiads to fire them off at va
cancy. The shot is no doubt intended for us,
but it fails to reach its destination because we
do not happen to be in the place aimed at by
the artillerists. If the persons who make these
attacks in force were of no account in the
world; if for them ignorance and want of educa
tion could be pleaded, it would hardly be worth
our while to watch their practice; but the fact
is the other way. The head of that religious
organization which dates back for eighteen
hundred years, and exercises its influence in
every part of the habitable globe, is one for
whom to put forth such an excuse would be
only an insult; we shall not do it, but, on the
contrary, we are free to say that, in one
sense at least, we consider opposition from
such a source an unwilling tribute to the
importance of the craft in the world, and there
fore to us a source of keen regret, not only that
it exists, but that it is founded in total error of
ourselves and what we wish to do. As an ex
ample of the bitter spirit prevailing in the circle
to which we have referred, take the following
from an allocution addressed by the Holy See to
the Bishop of St. Paul in Brazil:
To Our Venerable Brother —Health and Apos
tolic Benediction.—lf your arrival has been very
agreeable to us, venerable brother, it has be
come the more so by the good accounts we
have received of your diocese. In truth at the
moment when not only common report but the
public journals by their impetuosity, their an
ger, their calumny, their violence, and their in
vectives openly show how greatly the Masonic
sect is spread in Brazil, how numerous are the
persons of all ranks whom it has inveigled or
altogether or partly deceived, with what tena
city it applies itself to ruin the authority of the
holy bishops, and to dissolve the Catholic unity
and the constitution of the church at this time.
Wo could not but rejoice io learn that the Holy
Spirit, which ‘•bloweth where it listeth.” had
inspired many of the priests of the diocese
desirous ot marching in the vocation where
unto they are called, to form among them an as
sociation under the name of the Prince of the
Apostles, and under.tho tutelage of the Holy
Heart ot Jesus, in order that uniting them
selves in this conference, called the conference
of St. Peter, they could, by associating their
thoughts and joining their forces, labor with an
unanimous effort, with all the devotion and zeal
of which they are capable, to remove the evils
of religion and all that is for the souls of the
faithful a detriment and a peril.
This document, it will be seen, assumes that
Masonry is a sect — religious, of course—that
hence its labors are specially devoted to ruining
the authority of the bishops and destroying
the unity of the Catholic Church. And yet
every one who knows anything about the Fra
ternity—and those who do not may know if they
will—every one we repeat knows that by the
very nature of things, neither of these as
sumptions can possibly have any place in the
councils of the brethren, for the simple reason
that we know no sect within our broad domain.
Our very first contact with the profane teaches
him that his mode of faith must be between
his conscience and his Maker, and that we
will allow no discussion of it in our
assemblies, and it naturally follows that as an
organization we have not and cannot have any
interest for or against the authority of the pre
lates or the unity of the church. Our pride is,
on the contrary, to furnish one place at least
where men of every creed, at the basis of which
is belief in the existence of God, can meet in
friendly union, cherish and propagate the gen
tler virtues, without the slightest reference to
individual leanings in the matters of faith. The
moment one sect is tolerated more than another,
or the moment we become a sect of any kind,
that instant our organization will have received
its death blow, and will dissolve into its compo
nent elements like the baseless fabric of a
dream. And yet year by year the charges re
cited m the foregoing extract are reiterated,
and if they do not aflect us it is simply because
in the Divine economy there is labor for us to
perform which cannot be hindered by so palpa
ble an error. We can hardly refrain from a
smile, however, when we see that “the priests
cf the diocese have formed among themselves
an association” to promote this work of fight
ing that which does not exist, to protect the
church from an assault no one has thought of
making, and to guard the faithful from an en
tirely imaginary danger. One would think that
the thorough organization and rigid discipline
of the church as a whole, ought to be sufficient
to guard the flock without the addition of anoth
er wheel to its already complicated machinery,
and so it would be if at headquarters they
could be disabused of the fallacy upon
which the whole proceeding is based. It is,
however, unfortunately true that there are
none so deaf as those who will not
bear, nor so blind as those who will not see, and
until the light of the simple truths we have
above stated shall penetrate the Vatican, we
may expect a continuance of these attacks
directed not so much against what we are, as
against what our opponents would seem to wish
we were, in order that the missiles might reach
instead of passing by on the other side, as has
thus tar been the case.
This brings us to the suggestion that there is
stiH a work for Masons to do.; still a labor to
perform which has for its object the spread of
light, truth, toleration and the putting down of
all uncharitableness, and we submit that 'there
is no human organization by which this work
can bo so well and thoroughly done as our own,
because’our organization encircles the globe,
has a foothold in every nation and the princi
ples it declares must be maintained by every
one under the penalty of Ostracism by the rest.
The final victory will come in due time, but
meanwhile we know that our task is not yet
finished, and that it is now as it ever has been our
duty to push forward with patience and perse
verance until the last enemy has been overcome
and the reign of truth been finally and forever
established.
Keep an Eye Open.—There is a party
who will probably undertake to visit some if
not all of our chapters, and who needs to be
looked after. He has a diploma attached to
whioh is a seal bearing the legend “Grand
Chapter of R. A. M., 1854.” In the centre is a
keystone and around it the Royal Arch Motto.
It will be seen that no place is mentioned as the
location of tbe Grand Chapter, probably for the
convenience of enabling the holder to locate
where he thinks best. Let the companions be
on their guard lest this stranger get among the
workmen.
Business Troubles.—The foilswing,
from the pen of Bro. Chadwick, of Oregon,- ex
presses correct ideas:
“Brethren should bear in mind that a Ma
sonic lodge is not a place where business dis
putes and misunderstandings are to be settled.
If lodges are to construe contracts, inquire into
the solvency of brethren, the propriety, of giv
ing them credit, their ability to pay what they
owe, to furnish a poultice for the sore head of
a brother, who has not received his pay from
another brother, a debtor, as fast or as soon as
. he should, etc., then lodges have indeed a job
to cultivate that species of harmony, which
would be equal to a discord in a frog-pond.
Business is business, and if Masons are true to
it, they will never be deceived, or have cause to
expose their ignorance of it, in a Masonic
lodge. Friendship may be an aid to business,
but it is seldom in harmony with its principles.
A Mason may join a lodge with a view to benefit
himself in both business and friendship. He
who does this is sure to be deceived in one of
those inducements, and he will find that his
motive it* not that which a Mwoo respects.”
THE LEGEND ,7F PRINCE EDWIN.
The-following paper contributed, to the Key
stone by the Masonic historian, Bro. George F.
Fort, will be found worthy of attentive perusal
and preservation for future reference:
Masonic traditions posses-s no such immun
ity as to place them beyond that critical test to
which tho assumed events of history are sub
jected. Individual opinions resting exclusively
upon the apparent age of a legend, current
among the craft, must necessarily bo fallacious,
and unless grounded on accepted facts should
be received with extreme reserve. When a tra
dition stands in utter antagonism to historical
records, it cannot be defended, and should be
abandoned to that class of notions aptly termed
myths. One obstruction—perhaps the main one
—with which Masonic investigations are at
tended, arises from hasty suggestions, bearing
an external appearance ot truth, made by our
writers without a careful analysis. The dis
tinguished scholar, Henry Hallam, complained
that the history of Freemasonry had been made
tho object of such unbounded panegyrical es
says that it would be really refreshing to bring
it down to a natural or critical basis.
We propose, and as briefly as possible within
the limits of this article, to examine the proba
ble character of the Prince Edwin fiction, and
its possible authenticity, and so far as may be,
propose a solution ot this vexed question.
For several centuries tbe craft of Masons
were solemnly informed that their ancient breth
ren first appeared in Britain in the time of
Athelstan, an Anglo-Saxon King, who reigned
in the year 926, and that his son Edwin was se
lected by that monarch himself to become their
first Grand Master, and that this prince called
a convocation ot Masons at York and provided
tho craft with a regular organization. At what
exact period of time this tradition originated,
is evidently beyond the possibility of reason to
determine. The first knowledge of the pre
sumed introduction of Masonic art into En
gland by Athelstan appears in the ancient man
uscript poem discovered by Halliwell, and is
numbered among tbe treasures of the British
Museum as Royal A. 1. Great diversity of opin
ion exists touching tbe antiquity of this manu
script. Mr. Halliwell, who as a learned anti
quarian assumes to speak with authority upon
this point, asserts it to have been written not
later than the year 1390, and his judgment is
unqualifiedly the most entitled to respect. From
the sweeping character of an act of Parliament
enacted in 1389, during the reign of Richard 11.,
it was absolutely impossible for the craft guild
of Masons to evade tbe lawful necessity to make
a qualified return of the affairs and regulations
of their corporation. It is by no means improb
bable that this vellum chronicle may have been
used for the purpose above indicated. A sin
gular unifomity appears between the general
statements and regulations of this venerable
document and the full returns ot other guilds
made in accordance with the above statute, col
lected and published by a recent editor.
At all events the trauition relating to Athel
stan and the craft was known at whatever period
the old manuscript may have been drawn by
the copyist, and is referred to in the folios as a
matter “ heard spoken of.” Of the existence of
a legend concerning Edwin, not the slighest
trace appears in the chronicle under notice.
This is a significant omission. Subsequent to
the foregoing manuscript about one hundred
years—l4Bo-90—the Cook manuscript, No. 23,198
contains the earliest allusion to a son of Athelstan
but does not specify him by name. We will
assume that Edwin is here referred to. The
Lansdowne manuscript, No. 98, Pint. Ixxv. E.,
in the British Museum, and written in the year
1560, makes the first direct and unique use ot
Edwin’s name as son of Athelstan. In nearly
eveiy particular the manuscript narratives of
the craft, excepting the Halliwell parchment,
may be said to agree upon Edwin’s Masonic
connection and the York asssmbly. The tradi
tion, therefore, touching Athelstan and Prince
Edwin had for an indefinite period of time the
highest credit, and was accepted by our pre
cursors as an unquestioned fact. ,
So far as we know, Dr. Plot, who wrote and
published some interesting facts about the
Freemasons in his “ History ot Staffordshire,”
in 1686, was the earliest to point out the lack of
paternal relationship between Athelstan and
Edwin. He maintained that the Anglo-Saxon
king had no son. But the blow which demol
ished this fragile fiction was dealt by a no less
personage than Sharon Turner, erudite his
torian of the Anglo-Saxons. This scholar brief
ly stated that no Grand Lodge could have been
assembled at York in the year 926 by Edwin,
son of Athelstan, for the very best reason that
this monarch had no son.
This legend of the time of Athelstan, so far
as the same relates to Edwin, has been aban
doned by more accurate Masonic writers, but
m its stead the effort has been made to refer
the craft tradition from the tenth century to
the seventh—associating it still with the city
of York. Bro. Woodford, in the Introduction
p., xiv., to Bro. Hughan’s “Old Masonic
Charges,” suggests that “ tradition sometimes
gets confused, alter the lapse of time, and that
he believes tbe tradition in itself is true which
links Masonry to the churcli building by the
operative brotherhood under Edwin in 627, and
to a Guild Charter under Athelstan in 926.”
Prior to Bro. Woodford, and long before he had
called attention to this novel adjustment of
craft legends, Bro. Francis Drake, in 1726, de
clared “Edwin, about the year 600, had laid the
foundation of our (York) Cathedral, and sat as
Grand Master.”
By means of a pious fraud, so frequently re
sorted to by the early evangelists, Edwin, King
of Northumberland, in the year 627, professed
the faith of Christ, and with many of his sub
jects was baptized on Easter day at York, in
St. Peter’s Church, which he himself had con
stracted of timber, during the time he was be
ing catechised for baptismal rites. Edwin af
terward began the erection of a larger church
of stone, under the direction of Paulinus, in
tending to enclose the oratory within the walls,
but a violent death left tbe work unfinished. It
will be observed from the foregoing statement,
which is drawn mainly from the historians
Bede and Henry Huntingdon, that the earliest
building referred to was composed of wood, and
built by the half-civilized king himself; the
other, according to the unequivocal expression
of tbe venerable author, was also personally
conducted by the same king, and constructed of
stone, Pauhmjs leaching him.
This, theretore, is the total proof from which
the theory has sprung that Edwin organized,
m 627, the Masous<into an operative body, and
sat as their first Grand Master at the building
of the ancient York Church! We unhesitating
ly assert that at this period there were no arti
ficers or builders, according to tbe strict rules
of art, in England, who were sufficiently skilled
to erect a stone church; and that the building
of stone alluded to was composed of rough rub
ble or broken fragments rudely held together
by cement—in truth, just such an edifice as
might bo constructed in the most primitive
style out of uuhewn stones, and roughly con
joined without higher skill than is required
to form fragmentary pieces into an unshapely
mass, simply fastened together by means of
mortar. Manifestly under tbe tutorship of
Paulinus, the King of Northumberland, with
the aid of his people, was equal to the task of
carrying broken stone or cementing it with mor
tar, and this is the exact significance of the pas
sage in Bede’s history.
Fortunately, the earliest introduction of arti
ficers into England, competent to erect a stone
church according to the rules of an exact science
and mechanical skill, does not depend upon con
jecture. In tbe year 672, St.'Benedict intro
duced from Gaul or France into England the
first body of artificers who were skilled in tho
construction of stone church edifices. These
builders were architects, and under the privi
leges of their incorporation, re-affirmed by the
Theodosian edicts two centuries previous, and
the Gothic rulers of Northern Italy, had a regu
lar organization. Twenty-nine years before
their importation from Gaul by Saint Benedict,
tho Langobardic ruler Rothar had, in the year
643, recognized these building colleges, and
specifically designated them as Collegia Coma
cinorum. I can interpret the expression Coma
cinorun only as signifying associate Masons,
co-macinorum, instead of the meaning usually
given: Colleges of Como. At all events, when
these artificers appeared in Great Britain in the
year 672, they brought with them the highest
skilled labor, a profound knowledge of mechani
cal or technical art—the most abstruse of all
arts—and an organization developed and per
fected through centuries, possessing the un
doubted right to live and be governed whereso
ever sojourning, in strict accordance with cor
porate laws which had been successively allowed
and affirmed from the time of Constantine the
Great to Rothar, King of the Lombards, in the
year 643, er within thirty years of their appear
ance in England.
From this but one conclusion can be drawn,
that in the year 627 King Edwin could not have
been Grand Master ot a body of skilled crafts
men, because there was at that time no such
assembly around the walls ot his rude edifice of
stone and mortar at York, and for the additional
reason that an uncivilized ruler had no recog
nition as the head of artificers whose science
represented centuries of exalted periods of
civilization 1 This legend is equally unfortun
ate on the basis of undisputed history. Our
venerable authority—Bede—expressly states
that the object of Bishop Benedict in introduc
ing workmen from the Gallic.provinces was to
have artificers who were competent to build “a
church in the style of the Romans,” which signi
"fies an absolute dearth of skilled labor in Eng
land. History, however, settles the question
by declaring in the most positive manner that
“Saint Benedict first qf all brought artificers
into England who could build stone churches."
Halliwell’s manuscript narrates that Masonic
craft came into Europe in the time of King
Athelstan, whose reign began about the year
924, and continued several years. No other an
cient document agrees with this assertion. The
majority of Masonic chronicles refer the period
of the appearance of Masonry'into Britain to
thg age of Saint Alban, one of the early evan
gelist martyrs, many centuries prior to the time
of Athelstan ; but they all agree that the craft
came from abroad, and specify Athelstan’s reign
as an interesting period of Masonic history.
From the preceding statement it will be ob
served that the older craft chronicles are lack
ing in harmony upon vital points of tradiiion,
and in some respects, tested by their own rec
ords, are totally antagonistic. From the his
toric facts already adduced, it is very clear that
in case the ancient craftsmen were for the first
time brought into England in the year 672, they
were certainly not introduced prior, in St. Al
ban’s age, nor later in the year 926, when Athel
stan was on the throne.
In the seventh century, A. D. 672, when these
builders made their earliest entrance into Brit-
NEW YORK DISPATCH, JANUARY 7, 1877.
ain, they brought with them certain traditions,
which bad maintained an uninterrupted exist
ence down to the time when the oldest English
record was drawn up which professed to associ
ate with a more remote period of the fraternity
the legend of Holy Four Martyrs of the age of
Diocletian. This tradition connected the Ma
sons of England with their continental precur
sors in Germany, who also possessed it. And
curiously enough this old chronicle makes no
allusion to Charles Martel, who is invariably re
ferred to in craft records written -subsequent to
the fourteenth century, but these in turn es
chew all mention of the martvrs crowned. The
Carlovmgian monarch figures conspicuously as
patron ot the Gallic Masons in the year 1251.
It may, we think, be asserted as within the
limits of reasonable certainty, that from the
reign of Athels'tan to the Norman conquest—
little over one hundred years—there is no prob
ability that a legend could have grown up which
claimed that the craft first appeared in England
in Athelstan’s time: At no period during the
stretch of years alluded to was this possible,
especially as the converse of such assertion
must have been known to the generation of
craftsmen immediately preceding any supposed
epoch of the origin of the tradition. Wo may,
therefore, safely say that from the death of
Athelstan to the Norman conquest in 1066, no
tradition associated the English ruler with the
introduction of Masons into his kingdom. With
tbe establishment of the Normans and large
importation of French craftsmen into England,
all references to any pre-eminence of Anglo-
Saxon patrons in the guilds of foreign builders
would for an extended period of time be care
fully secluded. It is unnecessary to enlarge
upon the total and abrupt change which ensued
in the conquered country, in consequence of the
radical alteration in its ancient government by
the relentless exclusion of all Anglo-Saxon ele
ment by the Norman invaders. This transfor
mation necessarily affected, if it did not com
pletely eradicate, the native building corpora
tions, which apparently were compelled to
merge their separate existence into the predom
inant bodies of their confreres from France.
It may well be conceded that after the modi
fying influences of several centuries had per
mitted the Anglo-Saxon admixture of the Ma
sonic colleges to reappear, in exact proportion
as the different nationalities became less dis
tinctly marked the gradual effort was begun to
trace craft history through a line of native as
cent to early English sources. At the close of
the fourteenth century the guild of builders in
England depending on oral transmission, sug
gested the origin of their craft in Athel 8 tan’s
day. Later records, or perhaps chronicles cop
ied in remote parts of the realm, enlarged the
traditions of the fraternity and added a more
distant commencement in the age of Saint
Alban, introducing moreover the name of Prince
Edwin, together with the fabulous assembly at
York. It is, perhaps, impossible to fix a date
for the legends of Edwin and Athelstan, but ad
hering to the line of argument adduced in the
foregoing article, we assert that so far as the
same relates to Athelstan, it is no earlier than
the fourteenth century, while the tradition of
Edwin is clearly an enlargement of crait chron
icles of the fifteenth.
Strict Observance Lodge 94.—At the
stated communication of this lodge, to be held
Wednesday next, the Grand Master and officers
of New Jersey are expected to be present, as
also the officers of Passaic Lodge of that ilk.
The occasion will doubtless be one of much in
terest, and the brethren generally are invited to
be present.
Taking an Observation.—lt is well at
times to pause and consider our ways. We
should review the past and make a careful esti
mate of the present, to the end that a better
progress and larger attainment be assured for
the future. Thus the merchant takes an ac
count of stock, makes investigation of his busi
ness and reckons up the gains or losses to
which he has been subject. Thus the shipmas
ter takes a daily observation that he may as
certain the distance which has been sailed
over, the course that has been kept, and his
present position. Individually, and with re
gard to all the interests with which we are con
nected, it is our duty to take frequent observa
tions, that we may know just where we are,
what we have been doing, and whither we are
tending. We are helped to such work by
special seasons and occasions. At certain
periods we are almost forced ’to look backward
upon our course —to pause and consider! The
close of the year is an occasion that prompts to
such observation. When we are about to cross
one of those imaginary lines by which continu
ous time is divided into annual periods, it is
natural to halt, to send a glance backward over
the way that has been traveled, while some
serious thought is evoked in regard to the
present condition and future prospects. Just
now wo have come close upon another of these
suggestive lines. A few more rising and set
ting suns, and 1876 will be as much of an “ old
year” as the first year of the world’s history.
Standing by its waiting grave, we shall have
quickened memories, to call to mind what the
year has given and what it has taken away, to
consider its changes of varied character, in the
light of which we can best determine where we
are now standing and whither our steps seem
tending.
As Masons, also, it is appropriate that we use
these closing days in the taking of an observa
tion respecting the institution to which we are
attached. Engaging in such work, we shall find
abundant cause of congratulation in consider
ing the progress made and the position now
held by the craft. In numbers, resources,
character and outward influence, the Masonic
institution, taking the whole world into survey,
was never stronger than now. In Great Britain
and its dependencies, Masonry has made vast
strides toward popularity during the year just
ending. The secession of the late Grand Mas
ter of Masons in England proved to be a bless
ing in disguise; for, by the filling of the place
thus made vacant by the heir apparent to the
British throne, a fresh impetus was given to
the institution, and from that day to this it has
prospered as never before. English Masonry is
especially strong not only in numbers and
wealth, but in the character of its membership,
composed as it is quite largely of the more in
fluential classes in society. Masonry is in
theory a democratic organization. It puts men
upon a common level. It doos not recognize
the factitious distinctions of society. Never
theless it loses nothing when it attracts to its
membership cultivated minds—when its course
is shaped by men of recognized ability and
character, when it gathers large means
into its treasuries.
On the Continent of.Europe Masonry has also
flourished during the year. In Germany, under
the patronage and favor of Emperor William,
lodges have multiplied and a condition of high
prosperity is evident. To the American Ma
sonic vision, it looks as though the multiplying
of Grand Lodges, the dividing ot jurisdictions,
and the “new departures” made by some of these
governing Irodies, would in the end bring about
confusion and disorganization and work great
injury to the craft. Masonry cannot long live
and thrive except by strict adherence to its
fundamental principles. In this connection we
may allude to France where Masonic societies
have been multiplying during the year, and
where the outward progress has been great, but
where some attempts have been made to per
vert the Institution from its intrinsic charac
ter. If our brethren in that jurisdiction cany
out’the proposition already made to eliminate a
recognition of God from the Masonic ritual, they
will cut themselves aloof from the sympathy of
the craft generally. Masonry’is not" to become
atheistic in its liberality, nor is it to bo used as
an engine of opposition against either Church
or State. When it takes on this character.it is
not Masonry except in name.
In Italy as the power of the Papacy has
waned. Masonry has made progress. The last
year has witnessed large accessions to the Fra
ternity and the organizing of many new lodges.
From other parts of Europe like favorable ac
counts reach us, while from far-off India come
glowing statements of the forward steps taken
by tho craft since the visit of the Prince of
Wales. In Lucknow a new Masonic temple has
been erected at a cost of 150,000 rupees. Good
reports also reach us as to the healing of differ
ences and the prospects of a better feeling b -
tween rival Masonic organizations m Brazil ar..i
■ other of the South American States, If this
much-desired result can be brought about, and
the jealous interference of governments, .ear
ful of all secret societies because of the facility
they offer to revolutionists, can be warded •,
South American Masonry will speedily enter
upon broader and brighter ways.
As regards our own country, the observa
tion we take is in the main satisfactory.
Numerically there have been no great
gains. But little work has been done m
lodges, and it would be unsafe to esti
mate the accessions of the year as more
than supplying the losses by death, suspensions
and limits. But there has been no abatement
of epergy and zeal. Masonic Temples have
been builded all over the land ; lodges have se
cured better quartersand more helpful appoint
ments for the rendering of the work ; they have
not gone behind in influence or in good works,
but on the contrary, there is a manifold testi
mony coming np from all sections of the coun
try, showing the efforts that have been made to
improve tho quality of Masonry—to make its
channels run purer than ever .for the diflusion
of Brotherly love, relief and truth. Some pro
gress most certainly has been made during the
year in disseminating abroad and enforcing the
idea |that Masonry is not for the vulgar, the
ignorant and the selfish, <but is an institution
adapted to meet the needs of intelligent men
which naturally leads up to the higher domain
of both intellectual and moral life. We may
well congratulate ourselves on tho many ap
peals of one and the same tenor that have gone
forth from Grand and subordinate bodies, call
ing upon Masons to awake to the real character
and aims of the institution,—to study its prin
ciples, do wors within the illumined lines of its
unfolding, and so come to an appreciation of its
character and real glory.
Reviewing the past, there is much disclosed
that both moves us to grateful feeling and in
spires us. Taking an observation thus, wo can
note with grateful pride the course already trav
ersed and tho position attained. But to asso
ciations, as to individuals, the ideal always is in
advance of the actual realization. There is
work yet to be done, if Masonry is to be made
the agent of good in the world which it is capa
ble of becoming. Let us rise in hope to use
the resources and opportunities tlfat are now
available; let us have faith that the future may
always bo mado better than tho past ; let us
stand by the old ways and yet make progress.—
Freemason's Repository,
COMMANDERY NEWS.
j Late Hours.—The commandery, like its
neighbors masonically, is credited with a great
deal more than properly belongs to it. Among
the numerous things generally'charged to Tem-
Slar labor by the cunning and crafty is “ iate
ours,” when the truth would reveal the fact
that fully two hours were spent in a neighbor
ing saloon after the conclave was ended. We
do not object to a little recreation in this form
provided excess does not follow the habit and
it is not charged to the wrong side of the ledger
by the participants. Another form of tamper
ing with truth relative to this matter is the dila
tory way in which commanderies are opened for
labor and the procrastination of tho same when
in session. Touching this part of our subject,
R. E. Sir Samuel A. Gilbert, of Missouri, in his
annual address said truly: “Late hours are
conducive neither to health nor good morals.
We keep too late hours. From 7to 11 o’clock
gives ample time to do all the work that ought
to be done in one night, but cock-crow often
finds us in our asylums. A man’s own home is
his best asylum after 11 o’clock at night, and
our law ought to absolutely prohibit all work in
our commanderies after that hour.”
The remarks quoted are apropos to the labors
of many of our commanderies, but not to more
than one in every ten will it apply as the real
cause for late hours in our vicinity.
That one is one too often, for if proper
judgment is used by the Commander it can be
avoided and yet the bona-fide labor done
properly. We have frequently observed in the
labors of tbe asylum a great amount of droll
ing as to the work of the ritual arising from in
advertence with the officers in regard to the
paraphernalia which is necessary to the order
in the process of conferring.
Again, we have observed much time wasted
in a dogged silence on the part of the command
when the Comibanaer desired an expression as
to the feasibility of the subject under con
sideration. All of these unnecessary delays
help to swell the wasted moments and aid
materially to prolong the sessions. In this fact
we find tbe reason that keeps many Sir Knights
away from tho asylum, also furnishing a strong
objection to many to attend in consequence of
the opposition of the families to say nothing of
the good opinion of the public which is lost to
us in a measure by such a course.
We are satisfied that an improvement in this
direction in and out of the asylum can be
with much profit both to the commandery and
the individual Knight.
We know of no reason except in very rare in
stances when the labors of the asylum could
not be completed at 10 o’clock, wmeh would
leave an hour for recreation subsequently and
then reach home before the we sma' hours of
morning. Suppose. Sir Knights, we begin the
new year with a new departure in this matter
and observe the results.
To posts—march!
Our Salutation.—On Monday, January Ist,
after we had donned our suit of store clothing,
and placed upon our head a bran new tile of
Dunlap’s pattern, wo sallied out to pay our an
nual visit to several dear friends, who were
booked in our memorandum as Knights of es
teem and preferment. The first among the
number to welcome us to a dwelling place amid
the bloom of roses and domestic felicity were
R. E. Sir John W. Simons and fits godd lady,
need we say that there was peace and joy as
well as a happy greeting in that household—
there was—and none seemed to feel the pleas
ure of the call of your humble servant with
more satisfaction —except ourself—than did this
happy couple. .We spent a pleasant hour or
more with our host and hostess in chit chat,
and drank and ate with merry gusto the good
things they had set before their guests. Fi
nally with one of the fragrant havanas at the
expense of our genial host, we bid them good
by for a time, to peep within the home circle of
others, thinking now few there are within the
mystic circle of valiant Templars that have been
true to its teachings ? How many have been
false to him that should
To thine ownself be true,
And it must follow as the night, the day,
Thou canst then be false to any man.
E, Sir Charles Aikman next greeted us, and
here we enjoyed the repast with delight. His
good and amiable wife did the honors with
royal grace, And then we departed to wish a
“happy new year” to Sir Knight Althaus and
his faithful companion. While here we were
honored with a memento of bounteousness, for
which we reverentially make our bow and wish
them years and years of happiness. The storm
of snow now began, but, not being dismayed,
we called upon Sir Knights Caulkens, Muller,
Phelan, and Johnson, at each of which we were
handsomely entertained by purity and inno
cence, which, with a true Knight, is the highest
pedestal of human worship. We regret that
the day was not long enough, or the distance
was not shortened, for there were many dear
friends on our list which it would have given us
a great delight to have paid a complimentary
isit; but fate decreed it otherwise, and they all
must accept the will for the act, while we •wish
them a happy new year for all time to come.
Palestine, No. 18.—Wednesday evening last
the officers and knights of this commandery
marched to the armorv of the Ninth Regiment,
where they presented the board of officers with
a handsome silver service in recognition of kind
ness toward the commandery. Tho speeches
were by Commander Thorne and Col. Hitch
cock, and were, of course, eloquent and appro
priate.
Honor.—We cheerfully give place to the fol
lowing note from a distinguished brother, as it
is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth:
Brooklyn, E. D., Jan. 4, 1877.
Templar Column.
Dear Sir and W. Bro.: I have been informed
that you prepare the matter for the above col
umn," and as I wish to have you give just credit
where it properly belongs, I write to say that
De Witt Clinton Commandery of Knights Tem
plar, located in this district, is deserving of a
recognition for gallantry and hospitality that is
not generally accorded it. My lodge and other
lodges of the district have frequently been
obliged to call upon that body for the use of
the banquet had and the crockery belonging
to them, and I have yet to learn of a single in
stance where it was refused. All this without
hope of fee or reward. Such magnanimity and
good feeling to the lower grades of Freema
sonry, as exhibited by this soldierly set of men,
should be publicly known; hence I write this
note and request its insertion.
Yours fraternally, H. C. S.
Prevalibit. —By the regulation of the Grand
Encampment, reaffirmed by the Statutes of the
Grand Commandery, all propositions of candi
dates must lie over before balloting four weeks
after the date of receiving the same.
The Mason’s Beacon. —This poem, by
Bro. John Mahon, originally published in. the
Dispatch, is meeting, we are glad to see, with
appreciation abroad, the masonic and secular
press, as far as California, having reproduced
it. It is only a question of time when it will
come back to us from the antipodes, a testi
mony at once of the merits of the poem and.the
vast circulation of this journal. We learn with
great pleasure that Prof. A. Noziglia has con
sented to arrange the music for the piano,
when the wives and daughters of craftsmen
will have an opportunity of adding it to the
jewels of the househo|d.
B. W. Brother Tiechman will install
the officers of Piatt Lodge, No. 194, in full
form, on Tuesday evening next. Brethren cor
dially invited.
The Master Mason’s Degree will be
conferred in Polar Star Lodge, No. 245, on Wed
nesday evening, January 10th. Fraternity cor
dially" invited.
The Progress of the Controversy
Raised by thK French Grand Orient.—lt is
somewhat amusing, though not a little serious,
to note how quickly fulfilment has followed pre
diction in this vexala queestio. We have already
said thai the effect of the French agitation, and
the unwise decision of the Grand Orient would
be to produce isolation, and that isolation has
already commenced. Indeed, it is not too much
to say that the effect of the action of the Grand
Orient of France has been to produce pain and
stupefaction in other Masonic bodies. Bro. An
dre Rousaelle seemed to fancy that all such fears
were chimerical and groundless, he will, we sus
pect, be ready to admit ere very long, that Bro.
•Behr and others were perfectly right in their
apprehensions and prognostications. The Grand
Orient of Egypt has already manifested its en
tire disapproval of the step. By a resolution
and decree of November 1, unless this motion
for removing the belief in God and the immor
tality of the soul be withdrawn, it declines to
acknowledge the Grand Orient ot France as a
lawful Masonic power, and withdraws any re
quest for recognition, and refuses any repre
sentative on its own behalf, at the Grand Orient
of France, or any representative of the Grand
Orient of France in the Grand Orient of Egypt.
The arguments on which the decrees are based
seem to be these;
1. That the belief in God is an uni
versal and unchangeable law of Freemasons ;
and 2ndly, that the suppression of belief in
God, as a necessary condition of admission,
must not only lead to other consequences, but
must inevitably drive out of Freemasonry all
believers in God. To the Grand Orient of
Egypt, such a step appears, as to us, a Revolu
tion. We have never concealed our opinion of
the mistaken and worse than mistaken policy
which has resulted in such a dead-lock for the
Grand Orient of France, as this resolution will
prove to be if carried out. Wo conceive it to
be an act of childish folly, only equalled by its
mischievous perversity. Despite the eloquence
and ability by which this measure has been de
fended, eloquence and ability deserving of a
better cause to support, we, from the first, have
pointed out in language nearly similar to that
of the Grand Orient of Egypt, what the effect
would be on other bodies, and how seriously the
whole Masonic edifice was shaken by such a
breach in its constitutional foundation. We
still trust that there is time for the Grand
Orient of France to retrace its steps. For of
one thing we feel sure—of course we speak with
no authority beyond our own opinion—that if,
by any official act, the belief in the existence of
Clod a*nd the Immortality of the Soul is openly
repudiated by French Freemasonry, it will be
impossible for the Grand Lodge of England on
its principles to acknowledge the existence or
authority of the Grand Orient of France as an
integral portion of pure and ancient Masonry.
We write as Amici Curia, and in the trust
that the French Grand Orient will, by a special
Assembly, at once put a stop to a baneful and
perilous agitation,— fondon Freemason.
Montgomery Lodge, No. 68. —As
announced, tbe officers of this lodge were pub
licly installed in the commandery room of the
Temple, on Friday evening, Dec. 29th, 1876.
, Not for many a year has our city seen .a night
J so terrible inclement, notwithstanding which a
' largo number were in attendance a fair propor
i tion being ladies. The ceremonies of installa
tion were very beautifully and most impressively
rendered by R. W. James E. Morrison, officiating
as Grand Master. One feature evidently created
by Bro. Morrison, viz: The Master kneeling and
engaging in silent Drayer. supported on either
side by the Masters and Past Masters present,
who added to the solemnity and impressiveness
of the scene, by placing their hands on the
kneeling brother’s head. The spirit of this fea
ture is in keeping with the teachings of the in
stitution, that before entering upon any great,
or important undertaking we should always in
voke the aid of Deity.”
After the installation ceremonies had been
concluded, Bros. Burnett, Van Riper and Si
mons, favored audience with recitations,
Bro. Burnet receiving well-deserved applause
for both in extremely pathetic as well as ex
tremely humorous recitations; he was particu
larly happy and effective. Mr. Augustus F.
Hall, late of the Oates English Opera Troupe,
also favored the company with a number of nis
choice vocalisms which were very pleasing and
most artistically rendered. Among the large
number present we noticed W. John G. Barker,
W. William Armstrong, W. M. Postley, W.
Thomas Irwin, W. Herman G. Carter, W.
M. Mullins, W. John Wilshaw, W. Bro. Hopkins,
W. Bro. Van Nest, W. Bro. Tomes, Bro. William
E. JFrost, Bro. C. D. Hay ward, Bro. James Bar
rett, W. Wm. Neeley, R. W. Charles 8. Arthur,
and R. W. George Dickey, District Deputy
Grand Masters. The retiring Master, W. Isaac
H. Ford, was made the recipient of a very beau
tiful Past Master’s jewel, the gift of the mem
bers of his lodge. R. W. Bro. Morrison made
the presentation on behalf of the lodge, and
was, as he always is, eloquent, forcible and
pathetic. The reply of Bro. Ford was particu
larly good, and evinced his sincere appreciation
of tne honor done him. Dr. MacWhinnio, Wil
liam Hayden, George W. Farrell, George Des
soye, F. Oscar Woodruff, Benjamin Carr, Joseph
H. Clute, Duncan MacArthur, James M. Turner,
George Bartholomew, George W. Ryer, Christo
pher Y. Wemple, will accept our sincere con
gratulations upon the successful inauguration
of an administration so lull of promise.
Kings County Lodge No. 511.-—On
Tuesday evening the town hall .at Flatbush was
filled with ladies and gentlemen, residents of that
village and Brooklyn, the occasion being a pub
lic installation ot the officers of the above
named lodge. R. W. Bro. J. J. Couch,’ D. G.
M., performed the ceremonies of installation,
assisted by R. W. Bro. Hubbell, D. D. G. M. At
the conclusion of the installation B. W. Bro.
Couch delivered an address on the subject of
the purposes and objects of Masonry, and later
in the evening the Chaplain of the lodge, Rev.
Bro. C. L. Wells, delivered an eloquent address
upon tbe same subject. Both speakers took a
different field of thought, and shed much light
upon this interesting subject.
The programme comprised about a dozen
musical selections, embracing quartettes, songs,
and duetts, in which the following talented ar
tists participated : Messrs. William S. Loggat,
Alonzo E. Stoddart, Louis Belcher and Duncan.
The singing of these gentlemen wasjolegant, and
a more agreeable entertainment could not be
desired.
KiThe audience afterward adjourned to tbe room
below, where refreshments were prepared, and
the way pickled oysters, ice-cream, etc., disap
peared clearly showed that our Flatbush people
have the proper conception of what is good to
eat.
After refreshments dancing followed until a
late hour, and concluded the celebration in
honor of the public installation of this pros
perous lodge. Among those present the writer
noticed Bros. Mathews and J. M. Hopper, Past
Master Ex-Judge Lott and many others. W.
Bro. H. L. Bartlett was indefatigable in his ef
forts to make all present enjoy themselves.
Masonry in East Orange, N. J.—We
had the pleasure on Wednesday evening last on
tne invitation of 111. Bro. Chas. W. Anderson,
Master of Hope Lodge, No. 124, of attending
the installation of the officers of that body at
their beautiful rooms in the township of East
Orange. After the ordinary business had been
disposed, W. 81. Anderson invited W. M. Bro. J.
C. Young of Independent R. A. Lodge No. 2 of
this city to act as installing officer, which pleas
ing duty was performed by that distinguished
brother with much grace and acceptability, as
sisted by Bro. Henry M. Odder, acting as Grand
Marshal, who was peculiarly happy in that role.
Tile following comprises the names of the sev
eral officers of the lodge for the current year :
Henry E. Jepson, M.; Andrew Van Tuyl, 8. W.;
Noyes Streeter, Jr., J. W.; P. M. George Booth,
Treas.; P. M. Chas. W. Anderson, Sec.; John
W. Corson, M. D., Chaplain ; P. M. George VV.
Fortmeyer, 8. D.; Oliver Libby, J. D.; D. M.
Logan, T. D. Logan, M. of C.; George Bowen,
Tyler; P. M. Geo. W. Fortmeyer, Oliver Libby,
Richard W. Seaman, Trustees’. The remarks of
the installins efficer and especially his closing
words to the members of tho lodge, were replete
with novelty and freshness relieved entirely of
the trite language ordinarily adopted in tho
monitorial rituals, in fact, the festival was one
long to be remembered in the bistory of the
prosperous lodge, which under tbe mastership
of W. Bro. Anderson, has so happily progressed
daring the past two Masonic years, who retires
from thg East at his own positive request, re
gretfully permitted by his fellow craftsmen.
This lodge has been pronounced by Grand Mas
ter Smith as second to none in the State of New
Jersey.
Continental Lodge 287. —The public
installation of the officers of this lodge at the
temple was a marked and very successful occa
sion. The large hall was comfortably filled by
an appreciative audience, and everything passed
off smoothly and well. Col. Ehlers, with the
martial air of a veteran, who has seen many a
squadron in the field, inducted tho new officers
in their several stations, and impressed upon
each the feeling that he had passed through the
hands of a workman. The musical and other
exercises were rendered with skill, were re
ceived with no stinted measure of applause.
The crowning feature of the evening, howevei,
was an impromptu address by R. W. Bro.
Charles Roome, whose male accents and pol
ished rhetoric fairly took the listeners by storm,
and made such an impression as but few of our
most practiced speakers can hope to rival. We
regret our inability to reproduce the text, but
congratulate all present on the privilege of
listening. Our best wish for tho new-comers is
that they may bo able to maintain the prestige
of their immediate predecessors.
Citizens’ Lodge, No. 628.—The offi
cers of this lodge will be installed at the meet
ing of Friday next, when the R. W. Joseph J.
Couch, D. G. M., will preside and officiate.
Brethren are invited.
Eastern Star Notes.—Delta officers
elected : Sisters 8. C. Lefferts, W. M.; M. Paul
ding, A. M.; Baltars, Treas. ; Libbie Farrar,
Sec. ; Ellen E. Farrar, Cond.; Margaret Linn,
Asst. Cond.; *E. Bassett, Warder; Emma
Brewer, Adah ; Julia Howell, Ruth ; L. J. Er
denbricker, Esther ; Sarah Burroughs, Martha ;
R. Hallegjcer, Electa; Yoronstend, Organist;
Sisters Langfield, Holmes and Bro.'Lefl'erts,
Trustees ; Bro. 8. Paulding, W. P. Public in
stallation to-morrow evening, when good sing
ing and speaking may be expected, with a so
cial evenings enjoyment at the room corner
Eighth avenue and Eighteenth street.
Mybthe, of Dundee.—Sisters Bessie J. Rallin
son, W. M.; Martha Gardner, A. M. ; Elvira
Jarden, Treas.; H. M. Ellis, Sec.; Bro. Wm.
Rallinson, W. P.
Obanob, of Port Jervis Bro. Sproull in-
stalled the newly elected officers, the occasion
being a public installation according to the cus
tom of this chapter. About two hundred per
sons were present. The evening’s entertain
ment concluded with a supper at which a plate
was provided for every person present. Sister
Annock is ths W. M., and Bro. Van Elton tho
W. P. Sister Quackenboss assisted as Grand
Marshal during the ceremonies of installation.
Amity.—Bro. Sproull installed the newly
elected officers at tho recent meeting assisted
by Sister Lefferts, Grand Marshal.
Connecticut.—The writer has received a
copy of the published proceedings of the recent
meeting of the Grand Chapter. From its pages
he loams that there are 21 chapters with a total
membership of 1,670 ; initiated during the
year, 145; died, 12. Meriden Chapter has 319
members, the largest membership in the State.
Three charters were granted for new chapters.
The order in Connecticut seems to be in a very
harmonious as well as prosperous condition.
Azalia, of Stratford Sisters Clarissa Curtis,
W. 11.; A. Whitney, A. JI.; Bro. J. Merrick, W.
Patron.
Bbibgbfobt Chapter held a meeting on New
Year’s evening, when tbe newly elected officers
were installed by Bro. Sproull, after which fol
lowed a supper. The attendance was very large
and included a delegation of twenty members
from Azalia.
Bro. Ford, P. G. P., of Connecticut, on Wed
nesday evening installed the newly elected offi
cers of Ivauhoe Chapter of Hartford : Bro. Al
bert A. Fox, W. P. ; Sister Sarah A. Cullem, W.
M.; Mary E, Ford, A. M.; 81. E. Dows, Treas. ;
Bro. R. Queen, Sec. After installation followed
refreshments, singing', and recitations. Ajax.
Masonry in Syria.—By the favor of
Bro. John C. Hutchings, of this city, we have
seen a very interesting letter written to him by
Sir and Bro. Samuel W. Hallock, of Beyrout,
Syria, dated November 6, 1876. Bro. Hallock
has Deen for a /lumber ot years the Director of
the Printing and Eleotrotypiug establishment
ot tho American Mission, and is a devoted Mason
and Knight Templar. He has in consequence,
experienced while in Syria, where there is the
strongest opposition to Masonry, considerable
ill-feeling from certain classes, Mohammedan
and Jesuit, but be does his duty faithfully and
independently, both to the Craft and the world,
and has thus won respect even from those who
at first opposed him. He keeps his lodge certifi
cate framed, and publicly hinging in his office—
the only one probably thus visible in the
country. Opposition to Masonry, however, is
becoming sensibly weaker. Bro. Hallock has
sat in a lodge tn which have been present the
Governor General of Syria, with Turks, Greeks,
Syrians. Arabs, Druses, Maronites, English,
French, Italians and Americans, and among all
of these Brethren perfect harmony prevailed, -s>
, Keystone,
Questions—Tliouffiits—ldeas.
Inquisitive Brother.—lst. A brother being
indebted to his lodge tor two years’ dues, is he
obliged to pay the full amount to save him from
suspension for non-payment of dues. 2d. Can
he pay part of his indebtedness to the lodge, if
unable to pay the full amount.
Answer— lt would depend on the will of the
lodge, which might accept or refuse a partial
payment.
P. M.—Has a district deputy the authority
and right to visit a lodge in his jurisdiction
on election night, preside in the Eist, go
through the order of business, appoint tellers,
and virtually take full charge of the lodge until
closed, without being invited by the master; be
having previously visited the lodge in his official
capacity, and complimented them on their work,
and certified to the correctness of their books ?
Answer.— Generally speaking, no; though
there might be circumstances to justify such
action, which might reasonably be urged in his
defense if complaint were made.
Tecumseh Lodge, No. 487.—The offi
cers of this lodge were publicly installed last
Thursday by R. W. Henry C. Banks, assisted by
W. Bro. Wm. Barrows as Marshal. The cere
monies were interspersed with musical selec
tions, and addresses were delivered by W. Wm.
Gil], Master, and R. W. Jno. C. Boak, G. S. B.
The attendance was large and the affair greatly
enjoyed by all present.
Clinton Lodge, No. 453.—0ne of
those special entertainments which sometimes
occur in lodge matters, took place in the above
lodge, at a regular communication held on the
evening of January 4th, at its rooms in Brook
lyn. The occasion for the departure was the
installing of the officers elect for the ensuing
year, and which was consummated in the most
instructive manner that has been our lot to wit
ness for a number of years. R. W. Bro. H. 0.
Sawtell presided, assisted by W. Bro. Rickard,
acting as Grand Marshal. The ceremonies re
ceived a further assistance at the hands of W.
Bros. Seaman, Decker, Hubbs, Burton, Grim,
Pickett, Wilson, Simonson/and Thomas R. Le
Count, Assist. G. Lecturer. W. Bro. Ives, the
Master elect, together with the Wardens, and
officers elected and appointed, were duly put in
the harness of Masonic labor at the close of
which the brethren and guests adjourned to the
banquet hall of De Witt Clinton Commandery,
and refreshed themselves with the fat things of
the land. Then followed speech and song by
clerical and lav until the hour of twelve, when
the company’separated for home, feeling the
spirit of the text.
“How pleasant and how good it was, for
brethren to dwell together in unity.”
Independent Royal Arch, No. 2.—
The public installation of this fine lodge was an
affair of more than usual brilliancy, though not
public. Before proceeding to the special cere
mony of the evening, the retiring Master, W.
Bro. Young, presented to the installing officer,
M. W. Ellwood E. Thome, a certificate of Hon
orary Membership, handsomely engrossed and
inclosed in an album. R. W. Charles 8. Arthur
and his officers were then severally inducted to
their stations, R. W. Charles Roomo officiating
as Grand Marshal, after which Bro. Thorne re
turned the compliment to W. Bro. Young by
presenting him with a jewel in behalf of the
lodge, and then a splendid collation rounded off
the pleasures of the evening. We greatly re
gret our inability to be present on account of
the difficulty in crossing the river. Better luck
next time, and warmest congratulations to the
lodge and its officers.
Rochester. —The Eleventh Annual
Grand Reunion of all the bodies of the A. and
A. Rite in Rochester, will occur on the 23d inst.
There will be three sessions daily ending on the
25th, during which all the grades will be exem
plified. We trust there may boa large attend
ance and everything pass off to the satisfaction
of the brethren.
The Craftsmen’s Mutual Benefit As
sociation will meet for business, in the Tem
ple, to-morrow evening, at 8 o’clock.
Radiant Lodge, No. 739.—The atten
tion of the members of this lodge i® particular
ly called to the card in another column.
The Quaker City. —The following inte
rns ting communication from the pen of a val
ued fratre, not unknown in New York circles,
will be perused with interest by his hosts of
friends. After a temporary sojourn in Philadel
phia, he will be with us again in all the original
vitality of exuberant nature, in the meanwhile
we trust that he will continue his agreeable let
ters, for which our readers will join in warm
appreciation.
Philadelphia, Jan. 3, 1877—Dear Dispatch.
—Matters in the Centennial City have been slow
since the closing of the “ big show,” and the
daily exodus of foreign goods and commission
ers and their retinue continues. Last week
matters brightened up in the vicinity of Broad
and Eilbert streets, consequent upon the annual
communication of the Grand Lodge of the State
of Pennsylvania, A. Y. M. A very large meet
ing of the fraternity were present, and the pro
ceedings of the Grand Lodge were dispatched
with that harmony and promptness so charac
teristic of Masonry in the Keystone State.
Through the courtesy of that distinguished and
zealous Mason, Bro. N. Van Horn, of this city,
I was present at the grand banquet and sympo
sium given by Franklin Lodge on the evening
of Dec. 80, which was but one of a series of such
matters of bliss as this lodge periodically in
dulges in. The banquet was given at “Greens”
adjacent to the Temple, and upwards of one
hundred members of the lodge attended. It
appears that Franklin Lodge, in addition to
their regular communications, indulge in the
luxury of an extra one on the last week day of
every month and on such extra occasions the
“old boys” assemble in full force, and melii
> fluent fraternization, and of course have to be
looked after with the same core that a monthly
rose requires, pruning, watering, &c. So from
labor to refreshment during the waning hours
of each month is a sine qua with Franklin
Lodge. At these festive gatherings all speech
making is tabooed, and songs, recitations and
anecdote fill the few hours allotted. W. M. Ed
ward L. Fenimore is extremely painstaking to
have everything felicitous, and presides with
equal dignity either in the banquet hall or in
the East. 1 have also been a visitor to the Ma
sonic Club, whose tastefully-arranged rooms are
in a mansion of modest pretension on Filbert
street above Thirteenth street. There you can
always meet the shining lights of Masonry of the
Quaker City, and enjoy yourself in a manner
such as may be indulged in at any well-regu
lated club-house. I’maii these few lines to you
with a Happy New Year. Morp anon. Veteran.
"Well Said.—The mason goes forth
from the lodge with new motives and added
obligations to rectitude of life. However
humble and unambitious his fortune or name,
he goes forth with confidence. If he is “just
and true ” that confidence is never deceived.
The fidelity of Masonry is universal ; he shall
not be forsaken. To whatever clime he wanders
it is still the same ; the language of Masonry is
universal, he shall be recognized as a brouter.
No matter how adverse his fate, its charity is
universal: if, worthy, he shall be relievfed.
Shall I be “told that these are fanciful theories
--idle boasts, or -emptly shows ? Was the im
mortal Warren, the fatal martyr of Bunker Hill,
a patron of hypocrisy ? Could the great and
good Washington be delighted with idle
pageantry, or the philosophic Franklin be
pleased with frivolity ? Yet these bore their
testimony byjkneeling at Masonry’s altar.— Bro.
Hon. Tom Corwin, of Ohio.
OFFICERS RECENTLY ELECTED.
LODGES.
CITIZENS, 628.—J H Emerich, M; C D Hayward,
SW; Wash Hadley, J W;M A Hyatt, Treas; W M
Postley, Sec; C D Haskins, 6 D; S H Waker, J D; W
E Scovil, H 8 Linn, M of C; I E Martin, .W Me Whin
nie, Stewards; E A Acker, Chaplain; E M Drevet,
Marshal; G F Ilsley, Organist; J Canavan, Tyler.
EXCELSIOR, 195.—Frank R Lawrence, M; Gouv
K Lansing, S W; John Y Luther, J W; Edward L
Merrifield, Treas; Josiah Parkin, Soo; J E Ludden,
S D; Frederick C Callisen, J D; Rev W H Pendleton,
Rev E H Kettell, Chaplains; N M Beckwith, Mar
shal; Joseph A Picard, Robert P Courtney, Mof C;
Louis P Carman, William Coverly, Stewards; Wil
liam Cock, Tyler; Isaiah Paxson, William Van Tas
sell, Robert G Larasen, Trustees.
HARMONY, 199. —Christopher Young. M; H
Rehwinkel, SW; Henry Saac, J W; Fred Carle, Sec;
John Wohn, Treas; Thomas Borner, S D; Her ry
Dreissigarker, 8 D; Bernard N.ckrl, J D; William
Schlous, C Senwonk, M of C; Peter Kraemer, ao.ias
Fischel, Stewards; Alois Driner, Librarian; Anthony
Fischer, Marshal; Fred Grasser, Tyler.
HOPE, 244.—Courtes T. Hubbs, M; Ed T T Marsh,
S W; W D Nichols, J W; W A Auten, Treas; Ed F
Sheridan, Sec; Wm E Lawrence, Geo W Bogart, J C
Dingman, Trustees; David P Smith, 8 D; Joseph
Thompson, J D; Willard C Black, James M Hubbs,
Mof C; James R Cole, Charles H Marsh. Siewaris;
R W Sheridan, Marshal; Geo F Taylor, Organist;
James Esle.r, Tyler; Wm H Housner, William C
Black, Geo W Begart, John Bean, James Lynch, In
vestigating Oom; Ed T T Marsh, W D Nichols, Da
vid Smith, Joseph Thompson, Finance Com; David
P Smioh, Joseph Thompson, Com. on Lectures.
KEYSTONE, 235.—Joseph L Michel, M; Nicholas
A Swan, S W; John Crowley, J W; Tim Y Robert
son, Treas ; z Edgar T Stewarc, Sec; M Francis Con-
Ipn, S D; Adrian W Tenuy, J D; Andrew N Hyatt,
Henry F Tenny, M C; Jno Buckbee, Marshal; Chas
H Quail, Crawford Maxwell, Wm Webb, Trustees;
Geo W Jones, Organist; Wm De Lander, Tyler.
LA FRATERNIDAD, 387.—Manuel de la C Berara,
M; Emilio Charum, 8 W; Francisco Laheus, J V. ;
W Die Ramon Illa, P M, Orator; Ramon del Vaile, re
elected, Sec: Antonio Rodriguez, re-elected, Treas;
W Bro Juan I Diaz, P M, 8 1); Cipria jo Munoz, J L';
Miguel Martinez aud Emilio A Ramirez, M of C;
Andres Celcis, Tyler.
PARK, 516.—William T Vanderbilt, M; Samuel C
Malian, SW; Robert Roberts, JW; Horatio Sands,
Sec; J G C Taddiken,jTreas; Thomas B Renton, S D;
WmR Steel, JD; James nimmens, M of C; Charles
Stephenson, Organist; C V R Ackerman, Marshal;
James B Wood, Chaplain; E D Bertine, John W
Hanna, Lewis Sommer, Trustees; Thos McCracken
Tyler.
POCAHONTAS, 211. Seneca Falls, N. Y.—Hiram J.
Purdy, M; Peter H Van Huken, 8 W; M D Sisson, J,
W; 0 E* Wessiell, Sec; D H Gurdon, Treas; Chas
Eeigal, S D; Irving Lewis, J D; L B Cross, Tyler.
TRUE CRAFTSMANS,. 651.—Edward Stich, M; John
H Callender, 8 W; Nathan Lewis, J W; R Keiler,
Treas; Wm J Trimble, Sec; Leopold Wallach, 8 D; A
Lichtenstein, JD; J A Simm, Ed Dreyfus, Mof C;
Sami Lupsiger, M H Livingston, Stewards; James
Graham, Organist; Andw Ferguson, Tyler; J p Soft,
mou, Joseph 0 Lori, M S ft* TW**
| UHLAND, 735.—William Ruschaupt, M; Joseph
I Micuel, S W; Reinhart List, J W; Frederick Schnei-
I der, 8 D; Alexander List, J l>; Jacoo Schmuck,
‘ Tr.as; Jonn Wachter, See; John A Hoag, Chaplain;
, Louis Schreiber, Frederick Scheilenberiz. M of C;
I Win Vollmer, Louis Jackel, St swards; Jacob Ber
| trand, Jonn Reichard, John A Haa?, .trustees; Ul
| rich Gaier, Tyler; Leopold Mittelstadt, John Hum
! mel, Frederick Schaffer, Jphn Voogilin, GcO Wolf,
I Standing Committee.
• CHAPTERS.
UNION, 180.—John Spence, HP; Charles Forbes,
K; James McCanless, S; Joseoh Nash, Lroas; John
Hoole, Sec; Wm J McDonald, C of H; Duiel Wal
ford, PS; Gilbert Vrindten, R A C; James Kenne
dy, M 3 V; Isaac Uley, M 2 V; Alexander M McKean,
M 1 V; E P St John, Organist; Donald Mclnroy, Ty
ler; David Ritchie, Martin Caution, Chaplains.
EABOR EXCHANGE.
A M. M. desires employment as assist
ant bookkeeper, clerk, or in any other capacity whereby
he is enabled to support himself and family. Address C.
F. 8., care of John C. Wyman, No. 133 Hudson st., N. Y.
Employment wanted by a Master Mason
in good standing, having first-class city testimonials. Was
last employed as night engineer. Would be Hau of any
employment, that he may oe able to support his family.
Address P. D. C., New York Dispatch office.
A young man of good address, oompan
ion R. A. M., is willing to work for his board. Good pen
man; conversant with Spanish and English languages.
No matter what kind of work. Good references. Address
ESPARTACILS, New York Dispatch office.
A married man and a M. M. in good
standing would like to obtain a situation that would ena
olehim to support his family. No> objection to work cut
of the city. Address P. LYNCH, No. 441 West 39th street,
City.
MASONIC DIRECTORY.
ALMA LODGE, No. 728.—The regular commu
nications of Alma Lodgs, No. 723. will be held on the 2nd
and 4th Thursdays of each montn, in Livingston Room,
Masonic Temple.
GEORGE Wi SCHOONMAKER, M.
F. J. Vogell, Sec.
ASTOR LODGE, No. 603.—The regular com
munications of this lodge are held in the DORIC ROOM
of the Masonic Temple the 2d aud 4th *1 hursdays of each
month. Brethren of sister lodges are fraternally in
vited. ALFRED A. FARLEY, M.
Geo. W. Dabt, Acting Sec.
ENTERPRISE LODGE, No. 228, meets first and
third Tuesdays, in Doric Room, Masonie Temple, corner
of Sixth avenue and Twenty-third street, at 8 o’clock P.
M. The fraternity are cordially invited.
CHARLES G. BUNELL, M.
Wm. E. Frost, Secretary.
INDEPENDENT LODGE, No. 185, meets sec
ond and fourth Monday evenings, In Clinton Room. Ma
sonic Teurnle. JOHN H. GARRISON, M.
John W. Crawford Sec.
KEYSTONE LODGE, No. 235.—Regular com
munications of this lodge will be held on the first and
third Wednesday evenings of each month, at 8 o’clock,
at the Bryant Rooms, Twenty-third stree,, west of Sixth
Avenue. JOSEPH L. MICHEL, M.
Edgar T. Stewart, Sec.
MANAHATTA LODGE, No. 489, meets on tho
second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month, at
Eastern Star Hall, corner of Seventh street and Third
avenue. 'The fraternity will find a cordial welcome.
WILLARD A. PEARCE, M.
Wm. J. Lawless, Sec.
MONTGOMERY LODGE, No. 68, meets in new
Masonic Temple, Twenty-third street and Sixth avenue.
Ist and 3d Mondaj’ evenings.
J. WALLACE MAC WHINNIE, M.
George e. Simons, Sec.
MYSTIC TIE LODGE, No. 272, meets first,
third and fifth Tuesdays of each month, at Eastern Star
Hall, corner of Seventh street and Third avenue. The
fraternity cordially welcome.
F. Bridate. Sec.
NAPHTHALI LODGE, No. 752, meets at No
8 Union square, on the first and third Fridays of each
month. Fraternity cordially invited.
GEORGE CAMPBELL, M.
L. A. Anderson. Secretary.
PRUDENCE LODGE, No. 632, meets on the
Ist, 3d and sth Friday evenings of each month, at the
rooms (Odd Fellows’ Hall) cor. Grand and Centre sereets.
„ „ „ HENRY HYANS, M.
B. F. Corley, Sec.
PUTNAM LODGE, No. 338, meets the first and
third Fridays in each month, In lonic Room, Masonie
Temple, cor. of Sixth ave. and Twenty-third st. The
fraternity are cordially invited.
„ WILLIAM WHAN, M.
Robert R. Bowne, Sec.
STRICT OBSERVANCE LODGE, No. 94, meets
at the northeast comer of Twenty-third street and Sixth
avenue Booth’s Building), on the 2d and 4th Wednesday
evenings of each month. The fraternity cordially invit
ed to meet with us. JOHN M. CRAI(I, M.
Robert Curren, Sec.
WASHINGTON LODGE, No. 21, meets on the
first and third Tuesdays, at No. 289 Bleecker street. The
craft are fraternally invited.
WM. P. ARCHER, M.
Ale Rouse, Sec., Na 20 Clarkson street.
ANCIENT CHAPTER, No. 1. R. A. M., meets
first and third Thursday of each month, at their rooms,
southeast corner of Fourteenth street and Fourth, ave
nue (above the German Savings Bank). All Royal Arch
Masons are cordially invited.
JOS. M. LEVEY, H. P.
J. B. Russell, Bx. No. 333 East 36t i sl
CONSTITUTION CHAPTER, No. 230, R. A. M.,
meets on the first and third Tuesdays in the Chapter
Room, Masonic Temple, Twenty-third street and Sixth
avenue. Visiting companions are always welcome.
SAMUEL GODCHAUD, H. P.
Wm. F. Ford, Sec.
OOPESTONE CHAPTER, No. 203, R. A. M.,
meets on the second and fourth Monday of every
at No. 135 West Thirtieth street. Members of other
Chapters are cordially invited to be present.
STANDARD CHAPTER, No. 252, R. A. M.,
meets on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays, at their
rooms, No. 8 Union Square. All R. A. Masons are cor
dially Invited.
WILLIAM F. LONG, H. P.
Walter W. Wood. Sec.
COLUMBIAN COMMANDERY, No. 1, K. T.—
Regular conclaves at their Asylum, Masonic Temple,
corner Sixth avenue and Twenty-third street, first and
third Tuesdays. Knights Templar of other Command
eries courteously invited.
WALTER M. FLEMING, E. C.
Fred’k w. Herring, Recorder.
MANHATTAN COMMANDERY} No. 31, K. T.—
Regular conclaves are held on the second and fourth
Wednesdays of every month, at the Asylum, Masonic
Temple. Sir Knights of other Commanderies are cour
teously invited to meet with us.
JOHN H. MASTERTON. E. C.
GEORGB B. BROWNE, Gen.
WILLIAM H. MORRIS, Capt. Gen.
Thos. M. Miler, Rec.
ANCIENT AND PRIMITIVE RITE OF FREE
MASONRY, ALPHA GRAND COUNCIL, 30th deg., meets
at Masonic Hall, Nos. 114 and 116 East Thirteenth street,
fourth Tuesdays. ' „
ALEX. B. MOTT, 33°, S. D.
James T. Fellows, 33d, Sec.
Radiant □, No. 739.—Brethren are no
titled that the annual election of officers will be held (by
dispensation) on Monday, 22d inst, at No. 33 Union Square,
and they are hereby summoned to be present.
DANIEL MEEK. M.
James Murphy. Sec.
Brooklyn Masonie Mutual Relief As-
SOCIATION.—The annual meeting of the members of
the above association will be held at their rooms, No. Id
Court street, on Saturday evenin'?. Janna*'" 13th. 1877, at
1% o’clock, for the purpose of electing a Board of Dirc
tors and Officers for the ensuing year, fou are re
quested to be present.
GEORGE M. ANDERSON, Secretary.
Robert Macoy,
PUBLISHER AND DEALER IN
MASONIC BOOKS, DIPLOMAS, JEWELS
AND PARAPHERNALIA.
No. 1 HAHII.AY S'I’ILEET,
(ASTOR HOUSE.) NEW YORK
REVISED EDITION
WELLS’ EVERY MAN HIS OWN LAWYER.
NOW READY.
AGENTS (MALE AND FEMALE) WANTED.
CONSTANT EMPLOYMENT.
Masonic Matters, Personals, etc.—See
Brooklyn Magazine. 4 months on cents, mailed
anywhere. Address Theodore Thlelex, publisher, No. c 97
Fulton street, grooklyn,
To the Fraternity.
MA.SOTVIC VjVLOrt
On the Battlefield, the Desert, and the Sea.
Incidents of tbe great Rebellion, and adventures with th<
Indian, the Pirate, and the Brigand,
A LECTURE BY BRO. THOMAS DUGAN,
P. M.. P. H. AND I’. E. C.
Address, No. 341 Hoyt st., Brooklyn, N. Y.
One-half proceeds to the Charity Fund.
To-Let.—Grand Lodge Rooms, No. 948
Broadway, elegantly refitted and reiurnished.
. RENT from Ist May next $350 PER ANNUM.
Address K, H. THOMAS, P. Q, Box 2,2;0.
Lodge Room To Let,
AT REDUCED RENT.
The elegantly located Lodge Room (with parlors at.
tached) corner of Bowery and Bleecker street. For par.
ticulars apply to R. W. Bro. JOHN W. SIMONS, on the
premises.
To Let. —From Nov. 1, for second and
fourth Fridays, the
TUSCAN ROOM. MASQNIC HALL,
Twenty third street and Sixth avenue. Apply to the Jan
ifcor.
NOTARY and COMMISSIONER
\ FOR ALL THE STATES.
HENRY C. BANKS.
Law and Collection Offices of BANKS & BANKS,
Nos. 3 JOHN STREET and 192 BROADWAY (Room 7) t
House: No. 132 East Eighteenth street,
NEW YORK CITY.
Bro. C. D. Hayward.
THE OLD-ESTABLISHED AND WELL-KNOWN
DENTAL ROOMS,
No. 173 SIXTH ANENUE, corner Twelfth street
Dr. H. gives his personal attention to all operations, not
requiring his patients to submit to unskilled operators.
Gas made fresh for each patient, for the painless extras,
tion of teeth, Perfectly harmless. No charge when artl
ftcial teeth are inserted.
A long and successful experience as well ai personal U
tention. Guarantees success.
CHARGES VERY LOW FOR SUPERIOR WORK.
West Side Lodge Boom,
WASHINGTON HALL,
NO. 781 EIGHTH AVENUE,
Between Forty-seventh and Forty-eighth streets,
TO LET AT A LOW RENT.
Apply on the premises to
WILLIAM BISCHOF.
Best of Wines, Liquors and Cigars always on hand.
CHEAP MUSIC,
_t> vJ V 1 O Full catalogues free b$
mail. ‘ BOOSEY & CO.,
No. 32 East Fourteenth street, New York.
Sluyvesant House,
ON THE EUROPEAN PLAN,
No. 293 THIRD AVENUE,
Between Twenty-second and Twenty-third streets.
BILLIARD TABLES,
FINE WINES, LIQUORS, AND LAGER BEER.
A GOOD CIGAR A SPECIALTY.
ISAAC B. CONOVER
Proprietor
First Citizen —“ And you, too, are foi
a war ?” Secowu C.i <en —“ Not a bit of it. My bravi
f übstitute suffered too juuah in tba last one."
3