extra written notices are sent to Grand Officers, urging them to attend for a certain purpose, are to be found handed about. It gives rise to the supposition that interest, not argument or justice, is to rule; and these are a few of the causes to which may be traced the existence of a suspicious feeling. Yet every brother acknowledges the truly fraternal and respectful sentiment that is entertained towards the present Grand Master. Hundreds of times the phrase is repeated of his kindness, his charitableness and amiability; yet as frequently it is concluded with a regret at his allowing himself to be badly advised, overruled, or even led contrary to his own opinions, wishes, and convictions. Let him but act upon them for one year, and we do not hesitate to say that while Masonry will improve and flourish, it will place him as before, the most respected and beloved nobleman in England, the brother and ruler of every Freemason. And now having made " Scottice” a clean breast, we beg to state, for the especial information of the Grand Master, the Deputy Grand Master, and the Grand Registrar, that whatever "scorn and contempt" may be felt for us, however it may be assumed that Editors are to be considered as assassins that stab in the dark," or that because a Mason of high standing, and superior moral courage, permits us to use his name and address as a confidential mode of communicating with us, and that it should follow that he is publicly to be assailed in Grand Lodge, and used as a target for invective; we will not retaliate with similar expressions, but will conclude by stating that, although not Hydra-headed, we exceed the Greek dual number, and therefore are entitled to use the editorial Furthermore it is but just to state, that however we admire the stoic firmness of the brother, whose courage was impregnable to the sinister and ferret-like attacks he was painfully submitted to, neither for the article complained of, the retractation of certain expressions, nor for this conclusive summary, is that brother responsible. WE. We have received many communications, rather complimentary than otherwise, relating to the recent proceedings-not one, however, condemnatory of ourselves. The following letter is so much to the point that we conclude by placing it, without comment, before our readers ; To the Editor of the Freemason's Quarterly Review, SIR.- Whilst I cannot approve the article which caused so much time to be consumed at the last Grand Lodge, I am far from the opinion that the reproaches it contained were entirely uncalled for. Towards the Grand Master, personally, I do not believe it was intended as an attack; but rather against a system which he, in his official capacity, suffers to exist. And is there no cause-rather, is The Masters', Past Masters', and Wardens' Club. 123 there not just cause for complaint? How is the government of the Craft carried on, and by wHoм? Let any brother, in a fair spirit of inquiry, inform himself, looking at the ends to which the present management attain, say if those highest in power ought to permit a custom so debasing in its pursuit, so injurious in its result, longer to continue. If the M. W. Grand Master would but carry out his own just views and principles, I am convinced his name would be held in high remembrance by those brethren whose esteem and confidence would be his most valuable jewel; but so long as he is content to allow the interference of dullness and iniquity to be exceeded only by the effrontery continually displayed, it will be necessary by GRAND effort to establish a vote of confidence. It has been said by those of old time, that where there is smoke there is fire, and from the scene which occurred on the last Grand Lodge night, namely, the extraordinary silence of the majority of the brethren, compared with the excitement and tone of another but inconsiderable portion of the meeting, it would appear that there was something like faith in the ancient aphorism. The advice I would give to those now in power is to watch, for the hour is near when these grievances must dwindle into thin air, when tyranny must quail in its own chains, when superstition will be burned in its own fires, when from these ruins Freemasonry shall come forth in her own beauty, and when her rulers shall receive, because they shall deserve, the gratitude, the affection, and the confidence of the noblest and brightest of her sons. London, June 22, 1848. I am, Sir, yours, &c., PISA. THE MASTERS, PAST MASTERS', AND WARDENS' CLUB.-There is said to be an oasis in the desert-there is a rallying standard at length displayed-the masonic pibroch has sounded-the clan-masonic listens and applauds confidence gleams gently through the darkness, and hope cheers the true-hearted Mason in his zealous endeavours to effect some change for the better. The masonic club has met, its objects are as simple as they are comprehensive to uphold the best interests of Freemasonry-to gain information-not to indulge in discussion-to effect the open union of moral strength-not the bandying of power with cunning-in short, to meet in club as thoughtful brethren, in Grand Lodge as members prepared to pass good measures and reject what are otherwise. The council have power to pre-arrange subjects for the consideration of the members. The subscription is so trifling that all qualified metropolitan members of Grand Lodge will feel no inconvenience in meeting, while to provincial members the amount is to be reduced one-half. 124 The Masters', Past Masters', and Warden's Club. There are many on dits afloat; among them we hear that a prize will be awarded for the best essay on masonic government, the regulations to be settled by the council. We cordially approve of the objects of the club, and recommend to our readers, metropolitan or provincial, who may feel an interest on the subject, to put themselves in correspondence with the Secretary. THE NEW GRAND OFFICERS.-The appointment of Grand Wardens is highly satisfactory; as to the remaining three, the less said the better. The friends of the widow will not approve of one; the servile character of another will not raise the purple in estimation; and there is something not very gratifying in the idea that the third should be rewarded for deserting his old associates. racter. The CHARITIES.-It is refreshing to find that, notwithstanding the public distress, the masonic charities have maintained their usual chaThe Girls' Festival realized 9007., and the Asylum upwards of 500l. We must refer our readers to the very ample report of the proceedings of the anniversary of the latter, for an illustration of true masonic spirit; and happy are we to record that the occasion may be hailed as a demonstration of confidence of a most unmistakeable nature. The addresses of the chairman and other brethren bore the clearest evidence that the Asylum was deserving of all kindness and support. The spirited engraving of the intended building, which is presented with the present number to our readers, will give confidence-and confidence will, we most earnestly hope, ensure both the erection and endowment of a temple to be dedicated to the honour and glory of the Most High. MASONIC REPROOF. Be silent, Brother B-! Be more discreet !- You must be wrong if only clothed in blue! None can be good, unless begirt with gold! S. ON FREEMASONRY, AS REGARDS ITS UNBOUNDED INFLUENCE ON THE MORAL AND SOCIAL CONDITION OF MAN. BY THE REV. GEORGE OLIVER, D. d. EDITORIAL PRECOGNITION. Ιερα πικρα-ΤHEOCRITUS. "A simple hatter Nor ought a peddlar Become a meddlar In theologye."-MORE. "The common people have been taught (I do not know on what foundation) to regard lunacy as a mark of wit, just as the Turks and our modern enthusiasts do of holiness. But if the cause of madness assigned by a great philosopher be true, it will unavoidably fall upon the dunces. He supposes it to be the dwelling over long on one object or idea; now as this attention is occasioned either by grief or study, it will be fixed by dulness; which hath not quickness enough to comprehend what it seeks, nor force and vigour enough to divert the imagination from the object it laments."-POPE. "On ne donne rien si liberalement que ses conseils."-ROCHEFoucault. "Look here-on this picture and on this."-SHAKSPEARE. There is a capital story told of Douglas Jerrold-we cannot vouch for its truth, although it ought to be correct, because it is in the true Jerroldian style. At a recent re-union, as the French call it, of choice spirits, at the- Coffee House, there was present a great talker, with whom few were acquainted; and therefore, to show his consequence, he bored the company incessantly with an account of what he had done, and what he could do, and how he was noticed by the Duke of ; and in confidential intercourse with the Marquis of -; and smoked cigars with Lord &c. &c.; until it was found necessary, for the general comfort of the party, to put a period to his senseless prate, and whispered hints were circulated to that effect. At length he made a dead set at our friend and brother, Douglas; and taking a pinch of snuff, he said, "Why Jerrold, my dear fellow, you know me-you know me-don't you?"- "Know you! hem!" said Douglas, in his dry way-" Why yes-1 think I do-I may be mistaken though! you are the man I saw acting Merry Andrew on the Mountebank's stage at Maidstone last week. I was rather afraid of the rotten eggs myself!" This was quite enough; the bore made his exit, L. H., without uttering another word; and Norval was highly applauded for his Grampian wit, fresh and breezy from his native hills. We would apply this tale to those who go out of their way to issue senseless tirades against the noble Order of Freemasonry. They may entertain a very high opinion of themselves, and dream of the good (or evil) they are doing, and, like the clown in "Thorney Abbey," fancy themselves "the principall verbe," but they seldom dream, that the fraternity esteem them no better than so many Merry Andrews, who serve very well to amuse them between the intervals of more serious business, like the clowns of our old writers, who were introduced between the acts and scenes of a play, and after it was finished, to keep the audience in good humour by their buffoonery and slang. Douce has recorded the usual stage direction, which was, "Pausa. Vadant et stultus loquitur; and he is several times introduced between the scenes, VOL. VI. S in order that the amusement of the spectators might not be suspended, whilst something was in agitation for the further prosecution of the piece." In like manner, the oppugners of Freemasonry may serve to amuse the lookers on, and cause "some quantity of barren spectators to laugh," while the business of Masonry pursues its dignified course, raining benefits and blessings on mankind. And to show that we are not singular in our opinions on this subject, we insert the following letter from a Scottish Mason, high in office, rank, and influence in Grand Lodge; premising that if our brethren on the other side of the Tweed differ from us in some few nonessentials, they are fully imbued with the genuine principles of the Order. But like some of our cotemporaries, we must insert a proviso that we are not responsible for some of his opinions. To the Editor of the Freemasons' Quarterly Review. Much Esteemed Brother,-You are not ignorant of my zeal in the holy cause of Masonry, nor of my estimation of the value of your services to the Craft, by the promulgation of its principles in the pages of your invaluable Miscellany. I was in hopes that your labours had silenced all cowanian casuistry, and that our maligners had left us to enjoy the peculiar blessings of the society in peace and quietness. You will judge then of my surprise and regret, on receiving, through the post, a copy of a recently published pamphlet, entitled, "The Substance of a Letter addressed to the Author of an Article in the Freemasons' Quarterly Review, for December, 1847, entitled, On the Study of Masonic Antiquities. Chap. VI.;' by Mr. E. C. Pryer." Is he any relation to his namesake, who is the prime object of his professed solicitude? Be this as it may, I shall trouble you with my opinions on this unique production. I do not doubt, in the least, but the writer is a well intentioned man; but I am also afraid he is a bigot, because he takes a one-sided view of the question, and a very narrow-minded view it is. According to his hypothesis, Freemasonry is to be condemned and abandoned, because "it never can make man better, for he is a ruined creature (the italics are his own)-his whole moral being withered and paralyzed by sin,-dead in fact, as God tells us in his Word, in trespasses and sins, and, therefore, no remedial measures ever have, or ever will avail."* And then he goes on, very much at random, to prove from texts of Scripture, what is familiar to every person in this Christian country, that "man is by nature corrupt;" and at length comes to this sapient conclusion, that Freemasonry is not a remedy for sin. Now, I would ask him, whether a clerk to a banker, or a merchant, goes to his office to learn that he is a ruined creature; and, if not, whether he ought to refrain from performing his official duties, because "they are not a remedy for sin ?" Would such conduct be a compliance with the directions of the Gospel, which commands duty to man as well as duty to God? In like manner, no Mason ever dreams of going to a lodge to learn the peculiar doctrines of Christianity. A student might as well attend the medical lectures at St. Bartholemew's Hospital, with a view of learning the course of the stars; or a father apprentice his son to a shoemaker to be instructed in the art of building. But if Masonry be a sinful pursuit, because it does not teach the method of "salvation by grace "then every other worldly pursuit is sinful; for the position will apply with greater effect to almost all other existing societies; and, if practically adopted, would sweep away in one undistinguished mass "to the moles and to the bats" the Royal and Antiquarian Societies; Literary, Philosophical, and Mechanics' Institutions; Sick Clubs, and Friendly Societies, &c. &c. The contents of the British Museum must be dispersed to the winds of heaven; public charities destroyed, and libraries burnt with fire; for they are none of them established |