Visits Between Lodges.

encourage such other by every means in their power in the contest who shall display the most consummate knowledge of the Royal Art . Thero is , then , absolutely no reason , so far as we can see , against the proposal , while there are several of great importance in its favour . The question , we

see , has been left for farther consideration . It was not contemplated , indeed , that the visit should take place immediately , but two or three months hence . There is , thus , ample time for members of tho two Lodges to look at the proposal from every imaginable point of view . When this

allround consideration is completed , we fancy the result will be pretty much what we have described . But suggestions that have escaped us may occur to others , and it is possible , though we cannot say it is probable , the picture we have drawn may require to be somewhat toned down . On the other hand .

there is the chance that it may present an even brighter aspect . In either case we are indebted to Bro . Stevens for a very admirable suggestion , which may be promotive of substantial good , and can do no harm . Two or three months hence , too , will he an excellent time for the visit to

be arranged , assuming , of course , that the arrangements are perfected to that end . A considerable number of members are away , seeking somo rest from their business or professional labours . The warmth of these latter days has not been calculated to arouse in us any great amount

of enthusiasm for work . With the temperature in the shade varying at between 80 ° and 90 ° , we may be excused if we prefer doing only what is required of us , but in the autumn we shall not experience the same carelessness . We shall have resumed our ordinary business habits , and we shall

then enjoy such a visit—if one be arranged—at least with infinite pleasure , on the score both of its novelt y and desirability . The Confidence Lodge of Instruction is to be congratulated on the sound sense which marks both its ordinary procedure and the suggestions it occasionally offers for tho greater wellbeing of the Craft .

The Importance Of Masonic Study:

THE IMPORTANCE OF MASONIC STUDY :

OUR last week ' s issue contained the concluding portion of a review which had been current in these pages for nearly a whole month . It is seldom we find it necessary or desirable to appropriate so much of our space to the consideration of a single work . But there were special reasons in this instance which led us to a departure from

our common practice . Just now there is comparative quiet in the world of Masonry . The number of Lodges which are holding meetings at this period of the year is small ; there is space , therefore , at our disposal . Then there is the admitted difficulty—which , however , we are

not much troubled about—of providing the weekly amount of pabulum for our readers , which ordinarily induces the journalist to make the most of a long yarn when he is fortunate enough to light upon one . These , however , aro not the motives which induced us to insert so lengthened a criticism . We were led to extend our remarks to a

length so unusual by the anxiety we felt that greater prominence should be given generally to the study of Masonic history . We have repeatedly expressed our regret at the apathy evinced by the Craft in all matters relating to the

rise and progress of the Society . The most ordinary subjects are treated with marvellous indifference , but the ignorance that prevails as to the early career of Freemasonry and its development , both at home and abroad , are the reverse of creditable to the brotherhood . The

belief when a man enters within the sacred precincts of Masonry is , that he so enters from a desire to increase his store of knowledge . Too many , however , appear to think that when they have learned certain formulae the sum of their knowledge is complete . Anything above or beyond

this very narrow limit is deemed unnecessary—a labour of love , perhaps , in so far as it is undertaken without compulsion , but not a labour which duty prescribes . At all times , indeed , this remarkable ignorance of the rise and spread of the Royal Art has prevailed more or less in all

countries , many even exhibiting a persistent objection to the publication of every branch of Masonic literature . When , then , we received a copy of so much of the early records of the Grand Lodge of New York as has appeared thus far , we felt that it would be impossible for us to give too great prominence to so important a work . It waa one

The Importance Of Masonic Study:

more proof , m addition to others we have had of late years , that the perverse antagonism to Masonic literature which had been displayed so freely was gradually giving way under the pressure of more liberal views . The publication of these early records , with the sanction of the Grand

Lodge itself , by one of the Lodges under its jurisdiction , was an example that could not fail to exercise a large amount of influence for good . The history of our Society is most imperfect , and the contents of these numbers are a most valuable contribution towards one section of

any future history of the Craft which may be written . These transactions , indeed , will form the basis of such a history for the State of New York . Therefore , it was , we viewed their

appearance with a feeling of so much thankfulness . Again , the contents were so full of interest , shedding light not only on the early struggles of Freemasonry in this region , but oftentimes likewise on the manners and customs that

prevailed there , that no one could sit down to read them without feeling a sense of pleasure , all the more genuine , perhaps , if , as a rule , he were no friend of Masonic literature . Here there were a host of reasons for our dwelling at more than ordinary length on this work . In our humble

way we were doing yeoman service to the cause of Masonic literature , by praising and , therefore , encouraging the publication of Masonic history . The work was an important one , and its contents most interesting , and worthy ,

perhaps , of being summarised as well as criticised . Thus our review , as we proceeded , assumed the more imposing proportions of an abridged history , nor does it repent us that we have devoted so much space and labour to such good

purpose . In order to show that our estimate of the value of this work is not exaggerated , we draw attention to one or two facts which came under notice in the progress of our reading . Thus , in different places are mentioned certain Lodges ,

whose connection with the province of New York was severed at a later period , and by following which we are enabled to note the spread of Masonry in Connecticut , Ohio , Michigan . We find also the same struggle between Ancients and Modems as in England , but while in the latter

country this schism was not healed till the year 1813 , a very short time sufficed for the Lodges of the two rival sections to be welded into one body , acknowledging the supremacy of one Grand Lodge , and submitting to one code of laws . The earliest Lodges in the State received their

warrants from the so-called Moderns , but the Warrant of Constitution to Grand Lodge itself emanated from the Atholl Grand Lodge , and as there was no central Modern authority in the State towards the close of the War of Independence it was not a difficult task for the younger

body to arrogate to itself the chief Masonic power . There does not , indeed , appear to have been any Ancient Lodge in the City of New York anterior to 1776 , yet such was the vigour with which they acted when once they had been created , that it was under the auspices of Lodge 169

on the Grand Roll of England ( Ancients ) that the Provincial Grand Lodge , was organised or , it may be , as suggested in the introductory chapter , reorganized ; and one of its members , Bro . the Rev . W . Walter , was appointed the first G . M . under the Atholl warrant . Yet peace having been con .

eluded , and the Provincial Grand Lodgo having declared itself independent , when in 1789 the seniority of the several Lodges came to be determined , the validity of the instruments issued by the Modern Grand Lodge of England was fully recognised , and the first and second places on the roll

of the State Lodge of New York were assigned to Lodges warranted by Prov . G . M . Harison , while St . Andrew ' s , No . 169 , came third only . There were difficulties in the way of perfect harmony in these earlier days of Freemasonry in New York , but the rivalry of Ancients and Moderns does

not appear to have been either very violent or very enduring . No serious trouble appears to have been felt in removing the differences which distinguished the two sets or categories of Masons , and once that was done , the rest appears to have been tolerably plain sailing . The order of

precedence was settled in accordance with the dates of warrants , but no account was taken who issued them . We believe the same facility of arrangement has not always

marked the progress of Freemasonry in the State of New York . This is the more creditable , therefore , to the Craftsmen of those days , and the more worthy of being noted here . These are two out of many points that might be mentioned as furnishing evidence of the great value of this particular publication . And the more carefully we study