Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

State, to his proposals to erect a school on Mount Lebanon Hill, for the education of the orphan children of Freemasons. He is very sanguine in the feasibility of his plan, and seems to be directing his best energies towards its accomplishment. He asks the aid and co-operation of his Brethren.]

MASONIC INTELLIGENCE.

MISSISSIPPI.

We have had the proceedings of the Grand Chapter of Mississippi, at its first annual communication, at Jackson, some time upon our desk, but owing to the crowded state of our pages, have not been able to notice them at an earlier day. The following extracts will be read with interest:

A sufficient number of subordinate Chapters being represented, the Grand Chapter was opened in the seventh degree, in ancient form; prayer being duly offered to the Throne of Grace, by the Rev. Gr. Chaplain.

The M. E. Grand High Priest, delivered an appropriate and eloquent address, which was directed to be published with the proceedings. [Copy not furnished.] Comp. Charles Scott, of Jackson Chapter, No. 6, in behalf of said Chapter, welcomed the Grand Chapter to its first meeting in Jackson, as follows:

Companions :-In behalf of the Jackson Royal Arch Chapter, and the Craft generally, I tender you the most cordial salutation. In locating your body at the Capital of the State, it is believed that you consulted the best interests of our ancient and honorable Institution. Here civil government enacts its laws, and has established the seat of social and political power, and here, too, is now the capital of your jurisdiction. Individual interest and local prejudice have been merged in the general good of the Order, thus furnishing a new evidence of the elevated character of the Craft. Unity of sentiment, unity of feeling, and unity of design, constitute a triune power, or a three-fold cord, which is not easily broken. Let us then work in harmony and peace, for solemn are the responsibilities which rest upon us as men and Masons. No matter from what point Masonry may be surveyed, it will be found a moral and a wonderful institution. Pure and unimpaired, it has been handed down from far off centuries; it has passed over the wrecks of nations, and the dust of thousands of generatious. Its principles are those of truth. They are the principles of our sacred religion, and are from everlasting to everlasting. They existed before the foundations of the earth were laid, and formed an arch more magnificent than the firmament with all its "glorious inlay of stars."

Masonry is a most powerful agent of virtue, and next to written Revelation, there is no gift for which man stands so much indebted to his great Creator. The Bible and Masonry, as lovely sisters, walk hand in hand, and wherever their doctrines are inculcated, the veriest depths of vice will be broken up, and the spirit of God will move upon the face of benighted intellect. If that Great Light of our Order be a brilliant effluence of Divine Truth; if it conducts to the City and Temple, and encircles the brow of the Christian with the rich halo of redemption, I feel assured that our solemn rites and mystic ceremonies constitute at least "one bright sheet of our charter of immortality." They teach that there is a progression in morals and intellect; that man may yet advance and be exalted to a more sublime degree of intelligence and faith; that when the great proclamation shall be issued, and he is released from his captivity of three score years and ten, he may go up to the city of the New Jerusalem, to aid and assist in re-building the house of the Lord, whose foundation rests near the ruins of our ancient nature.

Every step in Masonry, every mystery of the Order, like "the things hard to be understood" in Scripture, are witnesses of the mighty truth. From every dangerous path, and every rugged way, from every solemn veil we penetrate, and from every mysterious sign and word of exhortation, we derive the most brilliant illustrations of a glorious destiny.

May we all, then, become more alive to the solemn duties which rest on us as Free and Accepted Masons. Let us ever keep in view the great tenets of the Order, and preserve them inviolate. And may the living Arches we raise, be exalted in the name of the Lord, that great Architect, whose designs are all beautifully drawn on the Divine Trestle-board, by which all good workmen may pursue their labors, with equal honor to themselves and glory to their Master.

The M. E. Grand High Priest reported that since the organization of this Grand Chapter, he had granted dispensations for the organization of three new Chapters, viz: one known as "Magnolia Chapter," in the town of Brownsville; one at Lexington, called "Lexington," and one at Granada, called "De Witt Clinton"; and that he had authorized "Clinton Chapter, No. 2," to resume its labors.

The Deputy Grand High Priest reported that he had granted dispensations for the organization of two Chapters, viz: one known as "Canton Chapter," in the town of Canton; and one at Macon, called "Macon Chapter."

The foregoing reports were received and approved, and charters were subsequently ordered to be issued to these Chapters.

On motion of Comp. Stearns,

Resolved, That in the opinion of this Grand Chapter, it is irregular and improper for a Chapter in another State, to confer degrees upon Brethren residing in this State, without the special consent of the Chapter within whose jurisdiction such Brethren may reside.

MAINE.

The Grand Lodge of Maine held its annual communication at Portland, in May last. We extract such parts of the proceedings as we are able to find room for:

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES.

A communication was received from United Lodge, at Brunswick, asking information respecting the propriety of receiving into their Lodge a person who has lost a leg; which cominunication was referred to R. W. Bros. Bacon, Stevens and Bradford, who subsequently reported in the language of the committee appointed to revise the By-laws:

"That when the deformity of the candidate is not, in the opinion of the Lodge, such as to prevent him from being instructed in the arts or mysteries of Freemasonry, or does not amount to an inability honestly to acquire the means of subsistence, the admission will not be an infringement upon the ancient landmarks, but will be perfectly consistent with the spirit of our Institution."

Which report was read and accepted.

RESTORATION OF CHARTERS.

A petition was received from John Miller and twentythree others, members of St. George Lodge, at Waldoborough, setting forth that said Lodge was originally chartered in the year 1806, by the M. W. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts; and that on the 10th day of October last past, the village of Waldoborough was visited by a destructive conflagration, and the Charter, Records, and most of the furniture and fixtures of said Lodge were burnt; and praying for a new charter, with power to hold said Lodge alternately, for such periods of time as the members may direct, in the towns of Warren and Waldoborough.

The R. W. District Deputy Grand Master of the 4th District, in which said Lodge was located, being present, and approving the same, it was, on motion, Voted, That the prayer of the petitioners be granted, free from the usual charge. A petition was received from the members of Tranquil Lodge, at Minot, setting forth that the Charter of said Lodge was destroyed by fire on the 17th day of September, 1843; that they are desirous of resuming the labors of the Lodge, and praying for a renewal of their charter, with power to open and hold said Lodge at said Minot, or in the town of Auburn, being formerly a part of Minot, when said charter was originally granted.

The R. W. District Deputy Grand Master of the 2d District, in which said Lodge was located, being present, and approving the same, it was, on motion, Voted, That the prayer of the petitioners be granted, free of the usual charge.

PAST MASTER'S DEGREE.

Bros. C. B. Smith and T. S. Bowles were appointed a committee on the subject of conferring the Past Master's Degree in an irregular manner; which committee subsequently reported the following preamble and resolution, viz:

"Whereas it has been represented to this Grand Lodge that certain Brethren in the eastern part of the State have assumed the authority to confer upon Master Masons, who have not been elected to preside over any regularly constituted Lodge, the degree of Past Master, which proceeding this Grand Lodge regards as highly improper and unmasonic: Therefore,

Resolved, That this Grand Lodge do solemnly protest against the repetition of an act so manifestly objectionable, and which can be regarded only as an unwarrantable innovation upon the rights and privileges of the Institution in this jurisdiction."

Which report was accepted, and the preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted.

THANKS TO P. G. MASTER.

On motion of R. W. Robert P. Dunlap,

Resolved, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge be tendered to the M. W. John T. Paine, Past Grand Master, for the able and courteous manner in which he has presided over their deliberations; and for the zeal and fidelity manifested by him in sustaining the interest and the honor of the Craft in this jurisdiction; and that our fraternal regard be extended to him, with our best wishes for his future welfare and happiness.

CAPITATION TAX.

The proposition submitted at the last communication, and sent out to the Lodges, providing that, hereafter, each subordinate Lodge shall pay annually to the Grand Lodge one-eighth of a dollar for each of its members; and that the sum arising from said one-eighth of a dollar be appropriated, in whole or in part, to the payment of the expense of one delegate from each Lodge, who shall attend the annual communication of the Grand Lodge-was taken up, and, on motion,

Voted, That the same be adopted.

The committee on Foreign Correspondence, in their closing remarks, observe: "On the whole, though the correspondence in possession of your committee, shows that there are differences of opinion amongst Masons-as, being Free Masons, they are free to differ in the spirit of love and in the desire for truth; yet no where are heard any harsh sounds-nor noise of any tool of iron. Masonry, purified by the past desertions of men who never appreciated its beauties nor understood its principles, has arisen, of late years, with unwonted vigor. There are now thirtyone Grand Lodges in the United States, with which are connected more than eighteen hundred subordinate Lodges, besides Royal Arch Chapters, Encampments, and other Masonic organizations."

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

MASONIC CHIT CHAT.

We cut the following from an exchange paper. We have not examined the work named, but presume the paragraph may be found there, as stated. The statement is not new. It was made at the time of the occurrence referred to, but did not receive much credit. The captain of the vessel, however, who took the individual in question, as a passenger, out to Smyrna, in 1826, still resides in this neighborhood, and entertains no doubt that he was the veritable Morgan:

"A GOOD ENOUGH MORGAN.-In Standish's' Shores of the Mediterranean,' published in London, 1838, there is the following curious paragraph:

[ocr errors]

I met at Smyrna with a renegade, who had renounced his Christian creed and lives as a Turk. He is a native of the United States of America, by name Morgan, and charged with having revealed, what has resisted the importunities of the wife and the cunning inquisitive all over the world, namely, the secrets of Freemasonry. His life at home was threatened. His credulous countrymen believed that he had disappeared in the falls of Niagara, but he found safety in flight, and is regarded by the Asiatics as a regenerated babe.""

AN IMPOSTOR.-We are desired to caution our Brethren in the city, and elsewhere, against the impositions of a man by the name of Lorenzo Goff, who is travelling in different parts of this and the neighboring States, soliciting charity of the Fraternity, under various pretences, most or all of which are believed to be false. He is an Irishman by birth, and claims to be a Mason. The country is full of such men, and if our Brethren would not be imposed upon by them, they must discountenance itinerant begging. The only safe course is to refer all such applicants to the committees on charity, where such committees exist, and to the Masters of the Lodges, where they do not. Charity improperly or unworthily bestowed, is produc. tive only of evil.

A dispensation has been issued for the establishment of a new Lodge at North Adams, in this State. The Lodge at Medway

has also been revived.

Br. Wm. T. Legrand is our authorized agent for the Magazine, at Lexington, Miss.

President POLK, on his late visit to this city, was invited to attend a meeting of the Grand Lodge and interchange congratulations with his Brethren of this Commonwealth. He expressed himself pleased with the compliment, but felt compelled to decline the invitation on account of the limited time his engagements allowed of his remaining in the city. It is not unworthy of remark, as an interesting incident, that the three gentlemen who rode in the carriage with the President on his visit to Charlestown and Bunker Hill, were all Masons, viz.: His Honor G. Washington Warren, Mayor of the City; C. W. Moore, President of the Common Council, and Alderman Willard. The President is a R. A. Mason.

Some of our contemporaries have a way of their own in doing several thingsnot the most reputable of which is the way they appropriate our facts, and authorities and opinions to their own pages, and pass them off to their readers as original. We dislike to see our articles mutilated, and, as the persons referred to are determined to have them in some form or other, if they will in future take them entire, we shall be greatly obliged to them. We do not ask them to give us credit for them, for that would be an act of honesty of which they probably would not care to be guilty.

We know nothing of the merits of the case stated by our correspondent at Hayneville, Ala., (who writes under date of June and that is not sufficient to enable us to give 28th,) except what he himself communicates, an opinion in relation to the subject. If he have any grievances to complain of, he can will doubtless he afforded him. memorialise the Grand Lodge, and a hearing

Our correspondent who writes from Cranston, R. I., will find, we think, a sufficient answer to his inquiry, in vol. v. p. 36, of this Magazine. The 33d is not of the nature of a working degree; but it is a governing degree, somewhat analogous to the Past Master's and High Priest's degrees, and was instituted by Frederick II. of Prussia, at the time of the occurrence of the events spoken of in the article to which our correspondent is referred.

It will be seen by reference to the adGrand Masonic Bodies of the United States, vertisements on the covers, that the General will meet at Columbus, Ohio, on the 14th of September next. It is expected that the attendance will be more than usually large.

« AnteriorContinuar »