Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

overwhelming grief and crushing agony that followed. During that hour of suffering to an innocent being, so sadly and suddenly bereaved, in a foreign land, among strangers, there was one who, as master of that ill-omened craft, with a tearless eye and a heart of stone, could belch forth his command-' be still!' But he was not a Mason. But there was another there, whose sympathy, too deep for tears, found expression in effectual and Masonic aid. After days of ineffectual effort to find the missing husband and brother, the unfortunate widow was returned to New York, where her case was finally laid before the Board of Relief, on the 17th of May, 1858, but not until, by the counsel of suspected advisers, she had determined to leave for Europe at once (if the means could be obtained, for all was lost with her husband,) with acquaintances who were returning, saddened and discouraged by her misfortunes.

"The hope of yet finding her missing husband, with the most solemn pledges of protection and support, were alone sufficient to change her purpose, and so far remove her fear of troubling others, as to induce her to take up her temporary home with the author of this report.

. "The British consul, and other high officials, were consulted; a detective was employed, and on the morning of the 20th, the body was found floating in the river near Newburg. Beacon Lodge, at Mateawan, near Fishkill, caused the remains to be buried in the most beautiful part of their rural cemetery. But on the 21st, ere the announcement could be made, with the return of some relics found upon the person, confidence having supplanted fear and excitement, nature, in its relaxation, had yielded to mental derangement. Upon the return of comparative health, after the lapse of weeks, she was accompanied to the grave, and sent on her way free toward the bosom of home. 'Could the fraternity of New York have witnessed the scene of that last visit at the grave, when, alone with the author of this report, she repaired to the sacred spot to weep and pray, and embrace the very earth; or could they have witnessed her departure for Europe, and seen how, standing upon the upper deck, supported on either side by the highest officers of a noble steamer, the chief of them a Mason, her gratitude was evinced by tears and exclamations, waving back her thanks from the utmost limit of vision, every heart would have rejoiced in the glory of Masonry, and every tongue would have cried out, Let it be established forever!"

[ocr errors]

AFRICAN LODGE, BOSTON.

BROTHER CHASE, of the Masonic Journal, gives an interesting extract which he recently found, respecting the Lodge of negroes in Boston. "In the course of our researches," he says, "in preparing a history of our native town, we recently reëxamined the account given by Dr. Belknap, in reply to questions proposed by Judge Tucker, of Virginia, in relation to negroes and negro slavery in Massachusetts. It was written in 1795, and may be found in the Massachusetts Historical Society's Collection of that year (Vol. 5, p. 210). In answering the questions proposed to him, Dr. Belknap several times mentions the name of Prince Hall, a very intelligent black man, aged 57 years,' from whom he seems to have gathered some of his information. In answering the question, 'Does harmony in general prevail between the black and white citizens,' &c., he alludes to the answer given him by Prince Hall, and adds

"Having once and again mentioned this person, I must inform you that he is Grand Master of a Lodge of Freemasons, composed wholly of blacks, and distinguished by the name of African Lodge. It was begun in 1775, while this town was garrisoned by British troops, some of whom held a Lodge and initiated a number of negroes. After the peace they sent to England, and procured a Charter under the authority of the Duke of Cumberland, and signed by the Earl of Effingham. The Lodge at present consists of thirty persons, and care is taken that none but those of a good moral character are admitted.

"I shall add the following note, written by a white gentleman of the Craft, of good information and candor

"The African Lodge, though possessing a Charter from England, meet by themselves; and white Masons, not more skilled in geometry, will not acknowledge them. The reason given is, that the blacks were made clandestinely in the first place, which, if known, would have prevented them from receiving a Charter. But this inquiry would not have been made about white Lodges, many of which have not conformed to the rules of Masonry. The truth is, they are ashamed of being on equality with blacks. Even the fraternal kiss of France, given to merit without distinction of color, doth influence Massachusetts Masons to give an embrace less emphatic to their black brethren. These, on the other hand, valuing themselves on their knowledge of the Craft, think themselves better Masons in other respects than the whites, because Masonry considers all men equal who are free, and our laws ad

mit no kind of slavery. It is evident from this, that neither avowedly nor tacitly do the blacks admit the preeminence of the whites, but it is as evident that a preeminence is claimed by the whites.''

"This extract, from the character of its author for truthfulness and candor in historical matters, and the fact that it was written so very near the beginning of negro Masonry in America, seems to us to be more important and valuable, historically, than all else that we have yet read touching the vexed subject."

THE PROGRESSIVE SPIRIT OF MASONS.-The ritual of the Order has become so diversified, that the Freemason of the olden time is lost, and can scarcely become reconciled that he is in a Lodge of Freemasons, and the laws have become as complex, as intricate, and as uncertain as the civil code; and while the humble Brother, who is proved innocent, is notwithstanding punished, the evil doer of high rank and position goes unwhipt of Justice, although he may be guilty of abusing the confidence of his Brethren, and violating his Masonic obligations. It will be well for the Ancient Craftsmen to take a retrospect of the past; and it will be better for those, whose Masonic Life is young, to listen to the voice of experience, and take heed and govern themselves accordingly. The progressive spirit which is so manifest, which is rapidly changing the entire Masonic system, has not for its object the improvement or elevation of Man; it is not a progress in the cause of humanity, of benevolence, or of charity, although from spire and steeple, from the house tops and the inner chambers of the Temple, it vaunteth its knowledge and greatness. The confusion in our Masonic Temples is increasing, the want of harmony is daily becoming more apparent, confidence is becoming weaker, and suspicion and distrust are usurping its place, and unless the true and trusty, the aged and experienced Craftsmen raise their voices in behalf of our beloved and time honored Order, and oppose with a united and resistless opposition the innovating spirit which is so greatly in the ascendant, Ancient Freemasonry will only be known as an institution which once existed, of which the present only bears its name.-Mirror and Keystone.

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments, and remove not the ancient landmarks which thy fathers have set. Solomon.

MASONRY UNIVERSAL.-"Freemasonry is the most perfect system of morality that the mind of man originated; the most faithful exposition of the duties man owes to himself, his neighbor, and his God, short of Divine revelation. It is the perfection of human wisdom-the reflection of beauty, the durability of strength; it is stamped with the immortality of truth, and imbued with the spirit of Charity and Benevolence. It adapts itself to men of every creed and nation, and ' wherever the foot of civilized man may tread, it carries its instruction and offers its charities. It interferes not with man's conscience, and meddles not with human dogmas or formulas of faith, but greets the Mussulman in his Mosque, the Pagan in his Temple, the Jew in his Synagogue, and the Christian at his Altar, if they be but good men and true, and with its commanding authority requires of them that they be just to themselves, true to their God, and faithful to their fellows; to walk by the plumb line of rectitude-to square their actions by virtue, and test their words by the level of Truth. It selects the worthy and well qualified from all nations, and with the cement of brotherly love unites them into one general whole-speaking the same mystic language-worshipping at the same altar, and adoring the same God. This is the power of attraction with the many, though others may be influenced by sordid and mercenary motives, with falsehood on their lips and treachery in their hearts, to seek a name and a place among us. These are spots in our feasts of charity '-' Trees whose roots wither without bearing fruit.'

[ocr errors]

WAS THE DUKE OF Wellington a FREEMASON?" Among the numerous appointments, titles and orders of the great Duke of Wellington, can you tell me if he at any time belonged to our fraternity?—InQUIRER."

[ocr errors]

In the Freemasons' Calendar, printed under the sanction of the Grand Lodge of Dublin, for the years of 1848 to 1856, there appears in each volume a portion headed "Traditional and Recorded Information respecting the Order of Freemasonry;" but this was omitted in the publication for 1857, and whether it has been so since we cannot say, not having the books to refer to. In all the years above mentioned, from 1848 to 1856, the following statement is made;" 1790. The Duke of Kent initiated; and Dec. 7th, the Duke of Wellington initiated in No. 494, at Trim, of which Lodge his grace's father, the Earl of Mornington, and his brother, the Marquis Wellesley, had been

Masters." A well informed brother, whom we hold in great respect, has stated to us that he remembers a characteristic letter from the Duke, appearing in some newspaper or periodical, in which his grace denied all knowledge of the Craft, or having at any time been made a Mason. Feeling anxious to oblige "Inquirer," we have put his query to all whom we supposed likely to throw any light on the subject of its authenticity, but without avail; nor can we trace No. 494 among the Irish Lodges, or even find that there was a Lodge existing at any time at Trim. Perhaps some of our Irish brethren may be able to set this matter right, by proving to us the correctness or incorrectness of the authority quoted.-London Freemasons' Magazine.

66

AFTER CHRIST 1357.--The Charges and Regulations of Masons were now for good reasons revised and meliorated, as an old record thus sets forth: In the gloricus reign of King Edward the Third, when Lodges were many and frequent, the Grand Master with his Wardens, as the head of the Grand Lodge, with the consent of the lords of the realm, then generally Freemasons, ordained

I. That for the future, at the making or admission of a brother, the constitutions and proper charges and monitions should be read by the Master or Wardens, as hereunto annexed.

II. That Master Masons or masters of work should be examined if they be able of cunning to serve their respective lords, as well the highest as the lowest, to the honor and worship of the aforesaid art, and to the profit of their lords; for they be their lords that employ them and pay them for their service and travel.

III. That when the Master and Wardens meet in a Lodge, the sheriff, if need be, or the mayor or alderman, if a brother, where the Chapter or congregation is held, shall be made fellow and sociate to the Master, in help of him against rebels, and for upbearing the rights of the realm.

IV. That entered 'Prentices at their making shall be charged not to be thieves nor thieves maintainers. That the Fellow Crafts shall travel honestly for their pay, and love their fellows as themselves, and that all shall be true to the King of England, to the realm, and to the Lodge.

V. That if any of the fraternity shall be fractious, mutinous, or disobedient to the Grand Master's orders, and after proper admonitions should persist in his rebellion, then the Lodge shall determine against him, that he shall forswear or renounce his Masonry, and shall no more be of the Craft; the which if he presume to do, he shall be prisoned till his grace be granted him and issued. For this cause principally, have these congregations been ordained, that as well the lowest as the highest should be well and truly served in this art. Amen. So mote it be."

CLARE.

« AnteriorContinuar »