History Of Freemasonry And Concordant Orders.*

Bro . Singleton , like most of the other writers in this book , shows a commendable freedom from bias , and places certain facts or hypotheses on record whence the reader may deduce his own theories . The mystic student will probably demur to the theory of man ' s duality , for Eastern Cults teach his sevenfold nature ,

while a Kabbalist would at once say , as would a Pythagorean , that "two" is unbalanced force or destruction , while "three , " or the triad , g ives equilibrium . Considerable diversity will exist as to the correctness of the formula ? on p . p . 44-5 , and many cognoscenti may prefer the arrangement by Kenneth Mackenzie

in his " Cyclopaedia . " There is a printer's error m making the perpendicular of the right-angled triangle 3 , instead of 4 ( following the sketch ) . This is really of importance in the true reading of this symbol , as , according to our late Venerable Master , Albert Pike , it was understood by Py thagoras . The philosopher , we

believe , learnt the interpretation from the Bactrians , who thereby typified the seven Amesha Cpentas . It is begging the question to assume that the cultured Egyptians read Osiris , Isis , and Horus into this emblem , as the later authors , who are responsible for the idea , had evidently no knowledge of the Pythagorean

dogma , which was only transmitted orally to a chosen few , and was early lost . On this point General Pike favoured me with a lengthy correspondence , and with the foregoing statement I entirely agree . Orientalists understand by the five - pointed star , with unbroken lines , man , the

lesser World , or Microcosm , but if with one point downwards , dispersion , or destruction . The seven-pointed star is the Macrocosm or Creation . The phrase " Arya Varta" is usuall y employed for Hindustan , but our author evidently means the early Land of the Aryan race , whether that was on the slopes of

the Hindoo Koosh , or , as some now believe , on the shores of the Black Sea . To anyone desirous of learning or tracing the close connection between the mythology of that interesting people and the later superstitions of other nations , I would

recommend a perusal of the works of the Rev . Sir G . W . Cox . The Hindu tri-lateral A . U . M . is an example of an Ineffable Name , as each letter stands for an idea , and which , with its fellows , gives a dogma only expounded to high grade initiates .

We have many vague hints about the archaic mysteries scattered through early writings , the most satisfactory , perhaps , being the often quoted sixth book of the iEneid , which allude to the Eleusinian festa—the story of Apuleius—and the Assyrian references in the Adonais of Theocritus . As a rule , sacrifices

formed an integral part of the ceremonial , from which all but the initiated were carefully excluded . No doubt these gatherings eventually degenerated into bacchanalian orgies , but we are now only concerned with their original and purer basis . The lustralions and various purifications were common with all the older

secret societies ( as still dimly shadowed by ourselves ) , and the whole tendency was to lead gradually up to a frame of mind suitable for the reception of the final climax , which was imparted

to a select few , amongst a polytheistic crowd of the crowning dogma , the DIVINE UNITY , though manifested in many ways . Uttering a name merely would have been a sorry equivalent for the hardships each had to undergo , unless accompanied by some further instruction .

Tree and Serpent worship were , undoubtedly , prevalent , but these were offshoots or developments of what we term " Solar myths , " the greatest of all , however , being the Phallic , and , later still , Priapic Cults . In this view , Baal , Osiris , Mahadeva , Adonis , & c , were the great vivifiers or active generators , with

Astarte , Isis , Ceres , and others , to represent the productive powers of Nature . Traces of this faith in varying form are abundant even at the present day . In India the " Litigant Pujah" is largely practised . One striking feature of all the mysteries was the death and resurrection of the central

figure—usually personated by the candidate , and the symbolical pastos , or coffin , was always in evidence . Some authorities deduce hence the solar origin of the myths , and it is historicall y correct that the observances were held at the solstices or equinoctial periods . Critical comparison of these old customs

with our own rituals will repay the aspirant who desires to know on what grounds we base our descent from so distant a past . A well-founded belief points to these Oriental secret societies as the foundation and , perhaps in other cases , the model of such

communities as the Lollards , Albigenses , Paterini , and Katharoi , which arose during the Middle Ages for political , religious , or similar reasons . There is also an impression that the Templars were indoctrinated with some of these same dogmas .

It is unreasonable to expect that Bro . Singleton could touch even the fringe of " Occultism" in the dozen pages at his command . No more debateable or obscure subject exists . I must challenge the statement that there are " no Kabbalists now . " It is studied by many in America , Europe , and Asia at any rate . The '' Kabbalah " is in four divisions , of which the literal is well

History Of Freemasonry And Concordant Orders.*

known , but ' ihe practical , dealing with magic , is kept secret from all except a very small number whose mouths are shut . The lengthy extracts from Eliphas Levi's works on Magic will

give an idea of the difficulties that beset the enthusiast who endeavours to master what some term a science , while others revile it as an imposture . The tetragammaton on page 101 is said to be a copy of that employed by Faust for necromantic

purposes . Occultism , inter alia , busies itself with numbers , and here the Craftsman may glean information as to the reasons which place 3 , 5 , 7 , and 9 so prominently forward in various Masonic rites . By far the best work of Dr . Oliver is his " Pythagorean

Triangle , " and much may be learned therefrom to supplement the bald monitorial lectures which touch on but do not explain the importance attached , especially to 3 , 5 , and 7 . Freemasonry and Geometry were bracketted together in the " Regius " MS .

In many , if not in all , of the Mediaeval Cathedrals the " equilateral triangle" governs the structure . Says one authorit y " triangulation forms part of the harmonic law of nature , " and another remarks that " symbolism dominates architecture . "

It is certain that before 1723 circa there was only one degree or esoteric ceremony in Scotland , but Bro . Speth has won over Bro . R . F . Gould ( whose noble history has been largely availed

of for this new work ) to his theory that in England , at least as early as the time of Ashmole , two Degrees were known and practised . This hypothesis does not receive the approval of Bro . Hughan and many other competent brethren .

I regret to notice a repetition of the exploded story that Ramsay introduced the Royal Arch into England ; so far as we can learn this rite is indiarenous to the soil .

In this country ( Scotland ) a Master Mason , if otherwise eligible , may become a R . A . companion , the chair Degree prerequisite having been relaxed many years ago , and in fact almost

from the time of Lau . Dermott , the P . M . was only constructive . The two plates , with explanatory notes , at the close of the article , form a useful adjunct , and may whet the appetite for further light on very curious speculations .

The connection of our Order with , or descent from , the " Ancient Mysteries , " is a great crux , and the essay we have been reviewing deals with matters about which widely divergent views are held by our most capable teachers ; it is , therefore , only to be expected that our learned contributor , Bro .

Singleton , should here and there lay himself open to friendly question and criticism at the hands of a Mason belonging to a different school of enquiry . Though we disagree occasionally , yet there is a great deal more in which we are in accord , and I can heartily recommend this monograph . He has shown a wise

impartiality in dealing with some of the vexed questions which confront us , and has presented a mass of valuable information not easily accessible to the ordinary reader . The entire History , being in compendious form and very moderate price , should

command a large sale , as well as go far to remove the stigma of ignorance so often levelled at our members , for here the various phases of our Society and its foregoings can be seen in panoramic form . EDW . MACBEAN .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of North And East Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .

A Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Assembl y Rooms , Thirsk , on the invitation of the Falcon Lodge , No . 1416 , on Wednesday , the Sth inst ., when the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , Provincial Grand Master , presided , supported by Bro . Lieut .-Colonel the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , J . P ., D . I .., P . G . W . England , Deputy Provincial Grand Master . There was a large number of brethren present .

1 he Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , the minutes ofthe Provincial Grand Lodge held at Malton , on the 9 th July , 1890 , were taken as read and confirmed . Letters of apology for absence were received from Bros , John T . Belli , W . H . Rose , J . P ., H . Onslow Piercy , Reg . Bell , Gilbert Wilkinson , Col . R . G . Smith , Capt . H . Darley , S . Walker , M . D ., W . B . Richardson , P . P . G . W . ; Rev . R . G . Fish , P . G . C . ; Rev . W . Valentine , Rev . G . L . M .

Rees , P . P . G . C . ; C . Waistell , W . Lawton , G . Bohn , C . E ., H . A . Williamson , P . P . G . Reg . ; J . T . Atkinson , G . L . Shackles , P . P . G . D- ; Geo . Kirby , E . Bryan , S . Chadwick , R . H . Peacock , J . Bordas , R . v - Powley , A . W . Walker , P . P . G . D . C . ; Jos . Knaggs , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; J- s-Moss , A . Eraser , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Holgreaves , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R- &• Lucas , W . M . 660 ; J . H . Scott , W . M . 1511 ; A . T . B . Turner , P . M . 1611 ; W . Grayston , S . W . 1248 ; and T . W . Webb , T . VV . 2 fU .

The Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s annual balance sheet having been audited and found correct , was unanimously adopted . The PROVINCIAL GRAND SECRETARY read the annual report of the Board of Benevolence . The report was unanimously confirmed . t The annual report of the Charities Association , having been printed and circulated , was then , on the proposition of Bro . WOODALL , P . P . G . W ., taken as read , and nnaniinniislv arlnni-prl

The PROVINCIAL GRAND TREASURER read the preliminary report of the third Festival of the Educational Fund , held at Scarborough , on the 27 th ot May last , which , on the proposition of Bro . WOODALL , P . P . G . W ., seconded by Bro . J . SYKES RYMER , P . P . G . Reg ., was unanimousl y adopted .