MASONIC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1311, 5 March 1885, Page 3

MASONIC.

LECTURE BY THE EEY. GEO, BARCLAY,

The ordinary meeting of Lodge Southern Star, 619, S.C., was held in the Masonic Hall, Geraldine, on Thursday evening last, the W. Master, Bro, J. Cunningham, in the Chair. At the conclusion of the ordinary business Bro. the Rev. Geo. Barclay, W.P.M., at the request of the members delivered an excellent and in. structive lecture on Freemasonry. Mr Barclay divided his lecture into three parts, the first being “ What Masons believe as to their origin and antiquity ; ” the second, “ Some facts on the history and progress of Masonryand the third, "The distinctive principles of Masonry,” The lecturer’s remarks under the first head were of a highly antiquarian character, and went somewhat minutely into questions of authorship, ancient and mystical rites, dates, etc. Combatting the statements of De Quincey and others as to the comparatively recent origin of the Masonic Institutions, he described the nature of various ancient secret societies, such as those of Mithras in Persia, Isis and Osiris in Egypt, Eleueis in Greece, together with certain Scandinavian rites cherished by the representatives of the Gothic and Celtic races. The theory that the Tyrian Masons—members of the "Fraternity qf Dionysian Architects” —: communicated their secrets to their fellow Artificers at

Jerusalem when building the Temple, was clearly expounded, while the theory of Abbd Robin, that Masonry came into England with the return of the Crusaders from the East, was shown to be unenable. Reference was made in this connection to a curious manuscript discovered by Locke in the Bodleian Library, supposed to be in the handwriting of Henry YI., in which the statement is made that Pythagoras, deriving his knowledge in the first place from Syria and Egypt, introduced the Masonic mysteries into Greece, from which at a later period it found its way into every country in Europe, including Great Britain. This part of Ms subject the lecturer concluded by soliciting on the part of his audience the warmest esteem and respect for Freemasonry on tho ground of its antiquity, its venerable character, the storms it had survived, the opposition it had conquered, and the principles of vitality it obviously possessed. Under the second head was rapidly sketched the history of the formation of the Grand Lodges in various countries ; in England, in the tenth century, the Grand Lodge of York ; and at a still later date—the sixteenth century The Grand Lodge of London, both lodges in the early part of the present century coalescing into one Grand Lodge for all England. In Scotland; in the twelfth century, the Grand Lodge of Kilwinning was formed, and in every other European country by the middle of the eighteenth century. Up to 1860 there were between two and three thousand ordinary lodges in Great Britain, and at this dale the lodges in the coWies could not be under a thousand. He had not at hand the exact figures. Strange as it might seem that an institution _so pure in its principles, so philanthropic in its aim, so Deposed to anything like conflict with religion, or anarchy in the State, should awaken suspicion or be visited with persecution ; yet such was the case, and here the lecturer, glancing at the history of Freemasonry in Holland, France, Tuscany, Austria, and other countries, gave instances of the hostility shown to it, and of the penalties, fines, imprisonments, confiscation, death, yisitedonthe heads of unoffending members of the craft. Under the third head, Mr Barclay a comprehensive and instructive resume of the principles of the Masonic order. These, he said, might be convenieutly divided into , four gioups—religious, moral, political, and social. As illustrations of the religious principles, he pointed out that the creed of Freemasonry included belief in a sublime Deity—an overruling Providence-—in the Bible as an authoritative standard of life and doctrine, in prayer as a means of soliciting and obtaining the Divine blessing, and in the soul, an immortal spirit, which survived the physical ravages of death, and would hereafter be hold accountable for the deeds done in the body, whether good or evil. _As illustrations of moral or ethical principles, he showed that every grace and virtue fitted to adorn mankind, and to enter into the essence of the highest and noblest human character, was enjoined by Freemasonry —truth, purity, generosity, integrity, etc. Speaking of political principles, he affirmed that Masonry made incumbent on its votaries respect for (he civil magistrates, and forbade them all plots, conspiracies, organisations as against religion, order, good government. For its social principles, courtesy, kindness, sympathy, consideration for the feelings of others, practical benevolence—indeed, everything that entered into the kindly and harmonious relations of men, Masonry emphatically inculcated and requires. All these tenets and principles, and they were set forth in its formularies, charters, rituals, charges. No one, unless wilfully and culpably, could bo ignorant of what the doctrines and duties of Freemasonry really were. It was a shame, then, that either through ignorance or otherwise men should be denounced, anathematised, held up to scorn, and denied the rights of burial, for joining a body whose principles were so pure and virtuous and patriotic, and whose teaching, learned in spirit and carried out in deed, was fitted to elevate and strengthen their character and to make them batter members of society, whether as respects the Church or State. Mr Barclay concluded his lecture, which extended oyer some three-quarters of an hour, by stating bis conviction that Masonry had done great good in the past, and expressing the hope that it would accomplish still greater good in the future, and urging all to .yield to its influences in bringing them nearer in reverence and obedience to the Great Mason of the Universe, to Him whose word should give law to every human being, and whose smile or frown hereafter would be every man’s joy or sorrow, his blessing or his woe. At the conclusion of the lecture, Bro. Shiers proposed, and Bro. J. Williams seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to Bro. Barclay for his exceedingly able and instructive lecture, This was carried unanimously. The W,M, (Bro, John Cunningham) before putting the proposition, said he heartily agreed with the mover and seconder, and trusted Mr Barclay would, ou some future occasion, deal with the subject in some aspects which time would not permit of his doing that evening. The Lodge was then closed.