DOCSLIB.ORG

Freemasons Guide and Compendium

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Freemasons Guide and Compendium The Freemasons’ Guide and Compendium Dedicated in affection To my Mother Lodge, The PEN AND BRUSH No. 2909 First published in Great Britain 1950 By George. G. Harrap & Co. Ltd 182 High Holborn, London, W.C.1. Reprinted: 1950; 1951; 1953 New and revised Edition 1956 Reprinted 1957; 1959; 1963; 1965; 1967 This CD ROM Edition prepared by Michael Pells & Barry Mason and published by The Lintel Trust , Jersey, CI. 1999 Copyright Eric Dobby Publishing Foreword by the late JOHN HERON LEPPER, P.G.D. LIBRARIAN AND CURATOR TO THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND 1943-52 IT gives me great pleasure to introduce Brother Bernard Jones to what I am confident will prove an ever-increasing circle of those interested in the history and antiquities of the Craft of freemasonry. The aim of this book is to make available in a convenient form and size all those advances in our knowledge due to masonic historians and students of research during the past sixty years. That knowledge is scattered through a great variety of books and pamphlets, and no small amount of time and trouble has gone to the making of what might justly be termed a handbook of masonic lore. The book is unique in that it provides the man who has small leisure for extensive reading with the essence and marrow of what has been accomplished in two generations of masonic scholarship-generations, moreover, that have produced the greatest names in this field of study. While the contents of this book consist in the main of hard fact supported by appropriate evidence, the author in pursuing his design has had to refer to various theories, sometimes conflicting, that have at different times enjoyed popular support. To my mind he has approached this phase of his subject with admirable discretion, setting forth the hypotheses and then leaving the reader, after examination of the pros and cons, to form his own judgement about their credibility. He acts as an expositor, not as an iconoclast or partisan. That being the scheme of the book, it will be patent to every reader of intelligence that the writer of this foreword is in no sense responsible for any of the opinions to be found in it. I must, however, express the gratification I feel that Bernard Jones has joined the band of those who are trying with proper discretion and caution to spread more light among the collective members of the masonic Order. 5 AUTHOR'S NOTE TO NEW EDITION ALTHOUGH an individual preface to this revised edition is hardly called for, I am availing myself of the opportunity of expressing my gratitude for the generous reception so widely given to the first edition of my book by readers everywhere and in particular by masonic students whose kindly criticisms and suggestions I have found most helpful. This edition contains some minor corrections, certain revisions made in the light of recent research, and, in addition, numerous notes mostly devoted to useful points suggested in readers' letters. I record with sorrow the deaths, since the publication of my first edition, of the Rev. Herbert Poole and of a much older friend, J. Heron Lepper, both of them masons of fine quality, Past Masters of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, and of such high esteem in masonic authorship that the whole fraternity will long be under obligation to them; as for my own debt, I have no words in which to acknowledge all, that their help has meant to me. This new edition goes forth accompanied by my sincere wish that it will be of real help not only to many of my old readers but to an ever widening circle of new ones. B.E.J. 6 PREFACE THE addition of one more book on freemasonry to the many thousands already in existence must invite a very proper question. Is it wanted? If not, there can he no excuse for publishing it. Let the reader judge when 1 say that my real object in writing it has been to provide the young mason with a concise, simply worded, and comprehensive guide to the Craft, an explanation of everything in the growth and present practice of freemasonry that (with masonic propriety) can be discussed in print. This book is intended for the ordinary member of the ordinary lodge, who usually has neither time nor facilities for making a regular study of freemasonry yet feels a definite need of instruction, but I hope that the serious student will find in it a few things new to him and possibly some ideas that will provoke his thought. The lack of a book on the lines of this present one must have been felt by every young mason who wishes, for example, to assure himself as to the exact nature of freemasonry's claim to be an ancient system and who seeks a clear view of the rise and emergence of speculative masonry, a view not rose-coloured by romantic fictions or overlaid with hoary fallacies; who wants to know how the system of masonic government developed, how the appointments of his lodge were derived, how the rituals came to assume their form, and whence came the many curious masonic customs and how they have been influenced in the course of history. Robert Freke Gould, still the greatest name in masonic literature, said in 1885, "The few students of our [masonic] antiquities address themselves, not so much to the Craft at large, as to each other., They are sure of a select and appreciative audience, and they make no real effort to popularize truths. ." His words apply with nearly as much force to-day as when he wrote them, and the need to do what the older students have largely left undone is no small part of the inspiration that led me to my task and maintained me in the doing of it. Every mason has received the injunction to make a daily advancement in masonic knowledge, but he seldom or never has an easy means of doing so. 1 trust this book will provide that means, that it will serve to enlarge or even open up the young mason's interest and give him a 7 new joy in masonry, and that in hundreds of lodges lecturers will find in my pages material upon which they can base modest and plainly worded talks of a kind which I know, from my own personal experience, the brethren welcome and appreciate. I did not decide to write this book until I had assured myself that what I had in mind was what my brethren in the lodges did in fact need, and that I either had or could acquire the necessary qualifications for the task. Although I had been long aware that such a book was wanted, it was not until I had had heart-to-heart talks with Brother J. Heron Lepper that I determined to devote a few of my remaining years to the task of writing it. Brother Lepper did two things. He finally convinced me of the need for the book. As Librarian and Curator at Freemasons' Hall, as the Treasurer of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, as a masonic authority and historian, and as one to whom freemasons all over the world go for information, he had a unique qualification to advise as to the kind of book I should write. Of his rich store of advice he gave freely and gladly, and I well know that the thanks I now tender him must inevitably be inadequate. I particularly appreciate his kindness in writing a foreword to this book. The second thing he did was to assure me, from a personal knowledge based upon an editorial association a score of years back, that he believed I, was the man to attempt what both of us, as book craftsmen, knew to be a considerable task-one calling for hard work, steady application, wide yet critical reading, a flair for explanation, and ever a clear vision of the purpose that inspired the original intention. As to my qualifications, I was initiated in 1905 in a lodge consisting almost entirely of authors, journalists, and artists, and in due course passed to the chair and to the Royal Arch and Mark Degrees. I have had thirty years as Secretary of my mother lodge, a particularly rich and useful experience. As it so happens that I have spent fifty years in the editorial production of books and journals dealing with a variety of practical subjects, including architecture and building, all written from the one point of view of instructing the uninformed reader, it should follow that I ought to have some acquaintance with the art of teaching by the printed word. May it prove that my craftsmanship is equal to my high purpose! The point may fairly be stressed that this book presents in general an essentially modern treatment. The old-fashioned masonic books so often tell a story that is more romantic than factual, and repeat fallacies that should long ago have died a natural death. They have a way of mixing up fact and fiction so that only a well-versed student can safely pick his way through them and they tend to give new life to unreliable stories and ideas that were either invented or put into new dress by Anderson in his Constitutions of 1723. Fallacies die hard, very hard indeed. 8 This book, being based as far as possible on modern research, is believed to be as authentic as the present state of knowledge permits, and the fact that it has been read in manuscript by Brother the Rev.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • George Abbot 1562-1633 Archbishop of Canterbury
    English Book Owners in the Seventeenth Century: A Work in Progress Listing How much do we really know about patterns and impacts of book ownership in Britain in the seventeenth century? How well equipped are we to answer questions such as the following?: • What was a typical private library, in terms of size and content, in the seventeenth century? • How does the answer to that question vary according to occupation, social status, etc? • How does the answer vary over time? – how different are ownership patterns in the middle of the century from those of the beginning, and how different are they again at the end? Having sound answers to these questions will contribute significantly to our understanding of print culture and the history of the book more widely during this period. Our current state of knowledge is both imperfect, and fragmented. There is no directory or comprehensive reference source on seventeenth-century British book owners, although there are numerous studies of individual collectors. There are well-known names who are regularly cited in this context – Cotton, Dering, Pepys – and accepted wisdom as to collections which were particularly interesting or outstanding, but there is much in this area that deserves to be challenged. Private Libraries in Renaissance England and Books in Cambridge Inventories have developed a more comprehensive approach to a particular (academic) kind of owner, but they are largely focused on the sixteenth century. Sears Jayne, Library Catalogues of the English Renaissance, extends coverage to 1640, based on book lists found in a variety of manuscript sources. Evidence of book ownership in this period is manifested in a variety of ways, which need to be brought together if we are to develop that fuller picture.
    [Show full text]
  • George Abbot 1562-1633 Archbishop of Canterbury
    English book owners in the seventeenth century: a work in progress listing How much do we really know about patterns and impacts of book ownership in Britain in the seventeenth century? How well equipped are we to answer questions such as the following?: • What was a typical private library, in terms of size and content, in the seventeenth century? • How does the answer to that question vary according to occupation, social status, etc? • How does the answer vary over time? – how different are ownership patterns in the middle of the century from those of the beginning, and how different are they again at the end? Having sound answers to these questions will contribute significantly to our understanding of print culture and the history of the book more widely during this period. Our current state of knowledge is both imperfect, and fragmented. There is no directory or comprehensive reference source on seventeenth-century British book owners, although there are numerous studies of individual collectors. There are well-known names who are regularly cited in this context – Cotton, Dering, Pepys – and accepted wisdom as to collections which were particularly interesting or outstanding, but there is much in this area that deserves to be challenged. Private Libraries in Renaissance England and Books in Cambridge Inventories have developed a more comprehensive approach to a particular (academic) kind of owner, but they are largely focused on the sixteenth century. Sears Jayne, Library Catalogues of the English Renaissance, extends coverage to 1640, based on book lists found in a variety of manuscript sources. The Cambridge History of Libraries in Britain and Ireland (2006) contains much relevant information in this field, summarising existing scholarship, and references to this have been included in individual entries below where appropriate.
    [Show full text]
  • Pastoral Care According to the Bishops of England and Wales (C.1170 – 1228)
    University of Cambridge Faculty of History PASTORAL CARE ACCORDING TO THE BISHOPS OF ENGLAND AND WALES (C.1170 – 1228) DAVID RUNCIMAN Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge Supervised by DR JULIE BARRAU Emmanuel College, Cambridge This dissertation is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy January 2019 DECLARATION This dissertation is the result of my own work and includes nothing which is the outcome of work done in collaboration except as specified in the text. It is not substantially the same as any that I have submitted, or, is being concurrently submitted for a degree or diploma or other qualification at the University of Cambridge or any other University or similar. It does not exceed the prescribed word limit for the relevant Degree Committee. ABSTRACT DAVID RUNCIMAN ‘Pastoral care according to the bishops of England and Wales (c.1170-1228)’ Church leaders have always been seen as shepherds, expected to feed their flock with teaching, to guide them to salvation, and to preserve them from threatening ‘wolves’. In the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, ideas about the specifics of these pastoral duties were developing rapidly, especially in the schools of Paris and at the papal curia. Scholarly assessments of the bishops of England and Wales in this period emphasise their political and administrative activities, but there is growing interest in their pastoral role. In this thesis, the texts produced by these bishops are examined. These texts, several of which had been neglected, form a corpus of evidence that has never before been assembled. Almost all of them had a pastoral application, and thus they reveal how bishops understood and exercised their pastoral duties.
    [Show full text]
  • English Book Owners in the Seventeenth Century a Work in Progress Listing
    English book owners in the seventeenth century A work in progress listing How much do we really know about patterns and impacts of book ownership in Britain in the seventeenth century? How well equipped are we to answer questions such as the following?: • What was a typical private library, in terms of size and content, in the seventeenth century? • How does the answer to that question vary according to occupation, social status, etc? • How does the answer vary over time? – how different are ownership patterns in the middle of the century from those of the beginning, and how different are they again at the end? Having sound answers to these questions will contribute significantly to our understanding of print culture and the history of the book more widely during this period. Our current state of knowledge is both imperfect, and fragmented. There is no directory or comprehensive reference source on seventeenth-century British book owners, although there are numerous studies of individual collectors. There are well-known names who are regularly cited in this context – Cotton, Dering, Pepys – and accepted wisdom as to collections which were particularly interesting or outstanding, but there is much in this area that deserves to be challenged. Private Libraries in Renaissance England and Books in Cambridge Inventories have developed a more comprehensive approach to a particular (academic) kind of owner, but they are largely focused on the sixteenth century. Sears Jayne, Library Catalogues of the English Renaissance , extends coverage to 1640, based on book lists found in a variety of manuscript sources. The Cambridge History of Libraries in Britain and Ireland (2006) contains much relevant information in this field, summarising existing scholarship, and references to this have been included in individual entries below where appropriate.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA Los Angeles Reginald Pecock And
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles Reginald Pecock and Vernacular Theology in Pre-Reformation England A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in English by Jennifer Anh-Thư Tran Smith 2012 © Copyright by Jennifer Anh-Thư Tran Smith 2012 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Reginald Pecock and Vernacular Theology in Pre-Reformation England by Jennifer Anh-Thư Tran Smith Doctor of Philosophy in English University of California, Los Angeles, 2012 Professor Henry Ansgar Kelly, Chair My dissertation, Reginald Pecock and Vernacular Theology in Pre-Reformation England, is about the adaptation of inaccessible Latin forms of discourse into texts intended primarily for an English reading lay population in Late Medieval England. It focuses on the surviving pedagogical and polemical texts written by Reginald Pecock in the middle of the fifteenth century: The Reule of Crysten Religioun, The Donet, The Folewer to the Donet, The Poore Mennis Myrrour, The Repressor of Over Much Blaming of the Clergy, and The Book of Faith. Pecock is significant for many reasons, both historical and linguistic. He was the most prolific English theologian of the fifteenth-century, writing in English at a time when doing so was fraught with political and religious implications. He was also the only sitting bishop to be convicted of heresy before the Reformation. Despite Pecock’s importance to ii fifteenth-century history and literature, however, his writings have often been maligned and misunderstood, in large part because his style and language are famously difficult to follow. The project that I have undertaken attempts to close the conceptual gaps that make Pecock so difficult an encounter and to provide the critical tools and analysis that will open up his work to wider scholarly engagement.
    [Show full text]
  • Anthony Poole (C.1629-1692), the Viol and Exiled English Catholics
    Anthony Poole (c.1629-1692), the Viol and Exiled English Catholics Patxi Xabier del Amo Iribarren Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Leeds School of Music March, 2011 1 The candidate confirms that the work submitted is his own and that appropriate credit has been given where reference has been made to the work of others. This copy has been supplied on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. The right of Patxi Xabier del Amo Iribarren to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. © 2011, The University of Leeds and Patxi Xabier del Amo Iribarren. 2 Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Peter Holman, and the Music Department at the University of Leeds for all the support I have received during my time as a research student here. Working alongside Peter on this project has been an extraordinary privilege. His passion for the subject matter, wealth of knowledge and zeal for precision, made him an ideal guide and companion on this expedition. Our supervision sessions were invariably thought-provoking, mind-broadening, assumption-challenging and inspirational, and I rate what I managed to learn in them as the most valuable treasures I take away from this experience. A number of scholars and archivists helped me in various ways, and without their encouragement and observations this research project would not have been as rewarding as it has turned out to be.
    [Show full text]