TO OUR READERS.

Post tot naufragia portum.

Our next number will conclude a volume, and also the second series of the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review." Each of the previous series has been epochal in construction, and important in results.

We felt conscious that at the commencement of our undertaking we were too obviously in advance to secure the patronage of the many; not that we desire to arrogate in this expression any self-opinionated reliance on our own merits or acquirements, but that the great mass of Masons then required to become acquainted with the principles of truth ; they had surrendered rights, and become too apathetic to recover them, unless some independent organ arose to act firmly and unceasingly in the cause. Some of these rights have been recovered, and a salient cohort of brethren, with pure honesty of purpose, have effected great improvement; it will be the duty of the future journalist to aid them, and deserve the approbation of the fraternity.

We have, it is true, drawn down upon ourselves the envy and malignant power of those whose actions "shun the light;" but we are abundantly recompensed by the good opinion of those who have minds that think and hearts that feel.

Arrangements are in progress, not merely for a third series, but inasmuch as we may refer to the spɔlia opima gained from intolerance and misgovernment in the glorious settlement of annuities for widows, mean as is the amount,—and the new system of reporting by the Grand Master, drivelling as it is,—it is hoped that the third series may send the plough still farther into the luxuriant soil, and raise up stores therefrom that will delight if not surprise the future age of Masonry. Among other great improvements, we shall endeavour to enlighten our readers by some of the grandest conceptions, which promise to give to much traditionary lore the undoubted evidence of incontestible proof.

The Earl of Durham attained his majority on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 1849; may he follow in the steps of his lamented sire !

THE

FREEMASONS'

QUARTERLY REVIEW,

AND

GENERAL ASSURANCE ADVOCATE.

SECOND SERIES-SEPTEMBER, 30, 1849.

"I have ever felt it my duty to support and encourage its principles and practice, because it powerfully developes all social and benevolent affections; because it mitigates without, and annihilates within, the virulence of political and theological controversy-because it affords the only neutral ground on which all ranks and classes can meet in perfect equality, and associate without degradation or mortification, whether for purposes of moral instruction or social intercourse."-The EARL OF DURHAM on Freemasonry, 21st Jan. 1834.

"This obedience, which must be vigorously observed, does not prevent us, however, from investigating the inconvenience of laws, which at the time they were framed may have been political, prudent-nay, even necessary; but now, from a total change of circumstances and events, may have become unjust, oppressive, and equally useless.

*

"Justinian declares that he acts contrary to the law who, confining himself to the letter, acts contrary to the spirit and intent of it."-H. R. H. the DUKE OF SUSSEX, April 21, 1812, House of Lords.

TO THE CRAFT.

It is permitted me to present the third part of my valedictory address. The Great Architect of the Universe has vouchsafed me a respite from personal suffering; and next to a devout acknowledgment of His gracious mercy, I feel that I cannot better fulfil my mission than by taking a brief retrospect of the ordeal by which nature has been tested, and I hope and trust has been thereby brought to a happier state of serious consideration with regard to the future.

How often have I reflected with secret awe on the charge delivered in the third degree. At the time the Master "raised " me, it made a deep and lasting impression. As I reflect on it now, a feeling of sincere gratitude sanctifies that impression by demanding of me that I should

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endeavour to convey to others the advantages which I have derived from the attempt to follow out the precepts of our sublime Order.

But I have been solaced far beyond the conception of earthly reward, in the permission to comprehend-at a vast distance, it is true-the great promise of futurity offered to all who place an implicit faith in our Father and Creator.

It becomes, then, due to the wondrous system of morality, to acknowledge and confess what I owe to its consolatory and holy influence. During the severity of illness, my bedside has been surrounded by those near and dear to me; and as they prayed fervently to the throne of grace, I could value the gentle aspirations of these beloved ones, as with fear and trembling they petitioned at the mercy-seat for a blessing on him whom they almost considered to be beyond hope. Yet at that very time it seemed to me as if a temporary cloud opened, and foreshadowed in the distance a bright vision. Was it a type of promised revelation?

I shall ever reflect upon that moment with steadfast hope. I have felt that it is good to be afflicted, and implore of the merciful Lord that I may gradually be prepared for the change of worlds!

It is right to be, if possible, clean at heart. I have therefore expressed myself accordingly. Many kind friends well know, however, that "there is a time when the claims of the public are satisfied; then a man may properly retire to review his mind, and purify his heart." He may occasionally venture a gentle visit to the arena of public business; and his opinion will not be regarded with less respectful deference, because he may be unfitted for controversial discussion.

omen.

I hail the tranquil proceedings of the last Grand Lodge as an auspicious It was oil on the troubled waters, and carries with it hope for the future. The confirmation of the vote for annuities to widows, was in particular a graceful tribute paid to deserving Woman, and to those who have, with untiring zeal, supported the ennobling principles of honour and justice.

Grove, Gravesend, 25th Sept., 1849.

ROBERT THOMAS CRUCEFIX,

SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Forti et fideli nil difficile.

We cannot avoid offering our felicitations on the altered tone and temper of certain members at the last Grand Lodge. There was an evident deference to opinion, a desire to allow justice and reason to have some share in its deliberations and decisions; and a careful abstinence from the pooh-pooing, which those in authority, backed by their "Swiss," were in the habit of treating all fair argument, augurs well for nascent repentance.

There are some men on whom the benefit of experience has been, and will always be thrown away; they live in a world of their own, as limited as their ideas, and as mean as their conceits. Enthroned in prejudice and fortified by power, their minds are as impervious to reason and the enlightenment of the age, as the hide of a Rhinoceros would be to the assailing darts of an infant. Let us hope that of this number but few remain, and that the day of our redemption is drawing near, when Masonry and its institutions may be rescued from the degradation which perverted power, false reasoning, and men's fears, have cast around it.

Our present special purpose is to offer our congratulations on the important measure adopted by the last Grand Lodge, in enacting a new mode for taking divisions on any question. In order perfectly to appreciate the new law, it will be necessary to collate it with the old one. By the old law, whenever a division was taken, it was by a show of hands, each member holding up one hand in favour of or against a motion. If upon such a show the Grand Master found it difficult to decide, it became the duty of the Deacons to count the numbers, and their report decided the question-aye or nay.

Now all this appears primâ facie fair enough; but in truth there was no practical fairness in the matter,-general dissatisfaction was the result. Let us for a moment cast a glance at this proceeding.

The Grand Master by the old plan, was placed in the invidious position of deciding on a view,—and against his decision there was no appeal! If the Grand Master declined to decide, the Deacons were called into action to report the results on questions in which in all likelihood they had an interest, and from their decision there was no appeal!! In our mind's eye we now see these infallible magnates slowly measuring their

steps down the Grand Lodge, waving their official wands with magical effect, calling up (not spirits like Prospero, but) numbers, to decide questions in which they of course had no interest. We also see our busy friends the venerable Grand Secretary and the Assistant Grand Master of the Ceremonies rushing from their seats, and backing the Deacons by a sort of supervising power; and then the quartette, after some sotto voce conference, march to the dais, and whisper to the Grand Master the result of their cabalistic inquisition. The Grand Lodge hears nothing of their report, or scarcely anything of the Grand Master's; but by "hook or by crook" it has been generally found that the majority was in favour of some measure supported by the purples, or mutatis mutandis, opposed by them.

Without stopping to comment on the impertinence of any Grand Officer or Officers not authorised by law assisting the Deacons, we will ask whether the long continuance of a practice like that represented, was not a disgrace to any Institution professing to be governed by principles of natural justice and the rules of all well regulated society?

To correct a vice of so glaring a character, it will be concluded that no objection could be interposed. Not so gentle reader. When some two years ago, a Brother proposed to amend this system, he was met at the "porchway"-not of King Solomon's Temple-but of the Board of General Purposes, and told that the Grand Master himself intended to remedy the evil. Of course he was obliged to defer to such authority -and what think ye was the "remedy" for the evil, or rather the tub thrown out to the whale? Why merely that instead of sitting whilst voting, the Brethren should stand up! The plumb-rule was the masonic miracle that was to set all things to rights. Of course this modicum of reformation was perfectly abortive, and the evil remained in its primitive vigour.

However time which cicatrizes wounds often redresses wrongs. The Grand Lodge has at last on the suggestion of that excellent and able Mason Brother Faudel, agreed to alter the old law, and to enact, that when a division is demanded by any two of its members, there shall be a real-not a sham-ascertaining of numbers,—that the members for or against shall go to the right and left of the Lodge, as the case may be, and that two (one from the opposite side of each question) shall be the Tellers, who shall (audibly we hope) report the numbers to the Grand Lodge.

We hail this new measure as a step in the right direction: it will to a certain extent remedy the evil; but it is not such a plenary alteration on the whole, as we should deem well calculated to give full satisfaction