THE BUILDER MAGAZINE
february 1922
volume 8 - number 2
Memorials to Great Men Who
Were Masons
GENERAL HUGH MERCER
BY BRO. GEO. W. BAIRD, P.G.M. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
THIS FAMOUS General Officer of the Revolutionary Army was a
member of Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, in Virginia - the lodge in which George
Washington was made a Mason. General Mercer was a close personal friend of
Washington, and the idol of the people of Fredericksburg. Not only was he held
in high esteem by the Fredericksburg citizens, but they also raised a monument
to him. In Philadelphia, where he died, the Saint Andrew's Society (Scotch),
with 3000 others, followed his remains to the grave, and erected a monument to
his memory in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Hugh Mercer was born
in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1870; received his education in the Aberdeen
University, and graduated a Doctor of Medicine. It is remarkable how many
medical men were General Officers in our Revolutionary War. Mercer was an
Assistant Surgeon in the Army of Prince Charles Edward, and was in the battle of
Colloden in 1745. His participation in that rebellion, it is thought, was the
reason for his migrating to the Colony of Virginia, in 1747. He made his first
home at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, where he practiced medicine.
The so-called French
and Indian War was well understood by Mercer - it was a war between the
Protestant Colonists and the French Romish Colonists, and it did not take Mercer
long to see that his future religious liberty was at stake.
In 1755-56 Mercer
became a Captain in the Company of Colonel George Washington. In the expedition
of General Braddock, and at his terrible defeat at the battle of Monongahela,
July 9th, 1765, Mercer was severely wounded and left on the field for dead. But
he revived in a few hours and made his way to a stream of water and thence to a
thicket. He was weak from loss of blood, and hungry, and managed to kill a
rattlesnake which he skinned and on which he subsisted until he had gained a
little strength and finally was enabled to reach Fort Cumberland.
The Corporation of
Philadelphia afterwards gave him a gold medal in appreciation of his conduct
during that that campaign.
When the Provincial
forces were reorganized in 1758 Mercer was promoted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy,
and accompanied the Army of General Forbes to Fort Duquesne (Pittsburg) where he
commanded the Post until relieved. He then fixed his residence at
Fredericksburg, Virginia, and resumed the practice a
medicine.
When the Revolutionary
War broke out Mercer warmly espoused the cause of the Colonists, quitted his
profession and became the commandant of three regiments of Minute Men, in the
year 1775. In 1776 he organized and drilled the Virginia Militia. On February
13th of the same year he was promoted to be Colonel of the Third Virginia
Regiment, and on June 5th, 1776 was commissioned a Brigadier General by the
Continental Congress, at the request of General Washington.
When the American Army
retreated through New Jersey General Mercer was with it, and he led the
column to attack the enemy at Trenton on December
6th, 1776, and it is claimed that he
advised the daring night march on Princeton, on January 3rd, 1777.
The situation of the
American Army on the evening of January 2nd was extremely perilous, Washington
having but five thousand men, half of whom were militia who had been in camp but
a few days. To fight the veteran soldiers before them looked like madness - to
attempt to recross the Delaware river under the fire of the enemy would have
been futile. The march to Princeton having been decided upon, the advance
command was given to Mercer.
This was at the time
when the British regiments at Princeton were about to begin their march to
reinforce Lord Cornwallis in the south, and it was these regiments that
discovered the approach of Mercer, at Princeton. Mercer attacked, but was
repelled, and the enemy followed the Americans until they were reinforced by
Washington's Regulars and the Pennsylvania Militia. During the fighting Mercer
was felled by the blow of a Briton's musket, for the fighting was hand-to-hand.
Mercer rose, refused quarter, and defended himself with his sword. He was
bayoneted, and left on the field for dead. After the battle a farmer carried
Mercer to his house, where he suffered great pain until his death, which
occurred on January 12th.
In the year 1773
Congress made provision for the education of the younger son of General Mercer,
in appreciation of the great services the General had rendered to his country.
The Secretary of
Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 has gone to great pains to search out and give to the
writer the Masonic history of General Mercer, and, I may say, it was recorded in
no other place. From the excerpt furnished the writer, and its wording, it is
evident that the brother who served as Secretary of that lodge during the
particular period mentioned in this article, set a splendid example.
Fredericksburg changed hands at least twenty times during the Civil War, but not
a Masonic possession was
disturbed. Those were days of gallant men.
----o----
MASONIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
BY BRO. SILAS H. SHEPHERD, WISCONSIN
The homely adage that
one cannot make rabbit soup until he has captured his rabbit is brought home to
the Masonic student times without number, for if there is anything difficult to
capture it is a Masonic Bibliography. And they who undertake to fashion the
same, and who succeed therein, even in small measure, deserve the plaudits of
the Craft. All this is by way of introducing one of the most successful essays
in Masonic Bibliography that has ever come to the ink-stained desk
of ye editor. The literary engineer
responsible for the success of this venture is Bro. Silas H. Shepherd who has
been for years a member of the Committee on Masonic Research of the Grand Lodge
of Wisconsin, and whose name is familiar to our readers, albeit not as familiar
as it should be, and will be, we trust. "Masonic Bibliographies and Catalogues"
is published in paper bindings by the above mentioned Committee, and is number
11 in the series of their publications. Bro. Shepherd has been assisted by
Brothers Henry A. Crosby and George C. Nuesse, his colleagues on the Committee.
(Concluded from January Issue)
98. Masonic Publishing Co. *
Semi-annual Catalogues
of Masonic Works, sold by the Masonic Publishing Co., in their salesroom in the
City of New York, from June, 1877, to May, 1899. 8vo. 1000 pages. (Listed in
Catalogue No. 46 of the Masonic Pub. Co., Nov., 1899.)
The writer has an
incomplete set of 21 of these old "auction catalogues" from 1877 to 1902. They
afford a fund of information in regard to the works then offered for sale. It
causes regret that many of the items listed are now impossible to procure at any
price.
99. Masonic Publishing Co. *
Semi-annual Catalogues
of the Masonic Publishing Co., dating from 1899 to 1902. (Numbers 46, 47, 48,
49, 50, 51.)
No. 51 was the last
eatalogue issued in the series. The business changed hands and has since been
conducted by the Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., which has issued many
catalogues.
100. Miner, William Harvey *
Freemasonry. A
Catalogue of Books, for the most part of Masonic interest, with a selection of
standard and important works on allied subjects. No. 65, The Torch Press Book
Shop, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (No date - about 1915.) 47 pages.
The Torch Press Book
Shop is no more. William Harvey Miner now issues catalogues for The William
Harvey Miner Co., Inc., St. Louis, Mo., and still sells Masonic books, although
the No. 66 of the Torch Press had more scarce items than have since been
offered, and was of more value to the student than the ordinary trade catalogue.
101. Miner, W. H. *
Catalogue No. 6 from
the William Harvey Miner Co., Inc., Antiquarian Booksellers, 3518-20-22 Franklin
Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 36 pages.
Practically all of this catalogs is devoted to Masonic
items, and is well compiled.
102. Miner, W.H. *
Catalogue No. 11. The
William Harvey Miner Co., Inc. 20 pages.
103. Missouri, Grand Lodge of
A correct list of the
works collected and bound for the use of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, as
referred to in the Grand Secretary's report of 1872. By George Franz Gouley,
Grand Secretary. St. Louis, 1872. 8vo. paper, 6
pages.
104. Moore, C.
Catalogue of the
Masonic Library of C. Moore, editor of "The Masonic Review," Cincinnati. (No
date - about 1865.) 15 pages.
This catalogue
contains 264 numbers and is noted in the Masonic Bibliography by E.T. Carson.
"The entire collection was purchased by the Masonic Library Association of
Cincinnati."
105. Morgan, W. W.
A Catalogue of Rare,
Interesting and Curious Books pertaining to the Craft Universal, by W.W. Morgan,
London, 1889. 8vo. 16 pages.
106. Morrison, Dr.
A Catalogue of the
Rare and Valuable Collection of Masonic Books. Sold by Mr. Bernardy. London,
1850. 8vo. 27 pages.
107. Morton, John Metcalfe *
A Catalogue of Books,
Rare, Curious, Occult, Masonic and Miscellaneous, etc., for sale by John
Metcalfe-Morton, Antiquarian Bookseller of Ye Olde Booke Shoppe, No. 1
Duke Street, Brighton, England. No. XLVIII. 192C
This catalogue
contains 72 Masonic works, some of considerable interest. The catalogues of John
Metcalfe-Morton are issued quite frequently, and always contain enough to make
them very desirable to the Masonic collector and bibliophile
108. New York Grand Lodge Library
Annual Report of the Librarian:
1879 13 pages 1888 16 pages
1884 11 pages 1889 11 pages
1886 16 pages 1890 12 pages
1887 16 pages 1891 12 pages
1892 6 pages 1906 not paged
1899 32 pages 1908 36 pages
The series is probably continued
109. New York Grand Lodge Library
Library of the Grand Lodge of New York. (Catalogue.)
Included in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of N. Y. of 1888. A catalogue of
additions in the 1891 proceedings.
110. New York
Collection made by Committee of Antiquities of the Grand
Lodge of F. & A. M. of New York. 1905.
111. Nova Scotia Grand Lodge
Catalogue of Ancient Masonic Documents, in possession of
Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, A. F. & A. M. Halifax, N. S., 1890. 74 pages.
This Catalogue is the subject of a bibliographical article
in the “Northern Freemason" of 1906, by R.F. Gould. (See "Gould, R. F.," in
second section.)
112. Oliver, George
Works on Freemasonry, lately published by George Oliver.
London: Spencer. (1842.)
113. Oliver, George
Works on Freemasonry by George Oliver. Published by Richard
Spencer, London, 1860. 22 pages. 8mo.
114. Oriental Consistory Library *
Catalogue of Oriental Consistory Library, S. P. R. S. 32d,
Chicago, Ill., 1919, by Miss Mabel K. Dixon, Librarian. 61 pages.
This Catalogue was compiled and arranged according to the
Dewey Decimal System, and is strictly a catalogue. The Catalogue compiled
serially by George Warvelle may be used to advantage in connection with this
one. See "Warvelle, George." (No. 166.) Parvin, Theodore Sutton
See "Iowa Masonic Library." (Nos. 70 to 75.)
115. Pennsylvania, Library of the Grand Lodge of
Catalogue of the Library of the Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania. Phila., 1881. 66 pages.
As Pennsylvania has been among the foremost of Grand Lodges
in the promotion of its literary phases this Catalogue is of more than ordinary
interest. The Grand LoIge of Pennsylvania is now compiling an up-to-date
catalogue, and this will be a boon to the Pennsylvania brethren. as well as a
very welcome help to librarians and bibliophiles in sister jurisdictions.
116. Peterborough (England)
Catalogue of the Museum and Library. Peterborough, 1915. 20
pages.
117. Peterborough
Supplement and Catalogue. Peterborough, 1920. 15 pages.
118. Pope, A. Winthrop
Remarks on some Masonic book-plates and their owners. By A.
Winthrop Pope. Boston, 1908-1911. 61 pages. In two parts.
119. Prescott, Winward *
Masonic Book-plates. Boston. The Four Seas Co., 1918. By
Winward Prescott. 29 pages.
A little booklet which tells the book lover’s life through
his book-plate. Many of the illustrations contain studies in symbolism of more
than ordinary interest.
120. Purnell, Jesse R.
Catalogue of Standard and Rare Masonic Books Pamphlets,
Proceedings, etc., contained in the library of the late Jesse R. Purnell. 10
pages. (No date.)
Pythagoras Lodge
We list three catalogtles of the Library of Pythagoras
Lodge viz., 1869 and May and Nov., 1887. These three catalogues tell the story
well known to the book lover. The first Catalogue represents the collection and
classification, and the last two the final dispersion that other libraries may
be enriched.
121. Pythagoras Lodge (1)
Catalogue of Books and Medals, collected by Pythagoras
Lodge, No. 1, in Brooklyn. New York, 1859. 8vo., pages XII - 145.
This Catalogue contains 1,395 numbers, many of which are in
foreign languages, and most of which are of a philosophical and occult nature.
122. Pythagoras Lodge (2) *
Twenty-first semi-annual sale Catalogue of the Masonic
Publishing Co., embracing the extensive collection of Rare and Antique Masonic
Books, Catalogues, Magazines Periodicals, etc., in the late Masonic Library of
Pythagoras Lodge, No. 1 of N. Y., to be sold at their salesrooms, 63 Blenker
Street, N. Y., on Wednesday, May 18th, 1887. New York. Masonic Publishing Co.
This sale attracted such collectors as Hughan, Lawrence,
Watson and others, and such works as "Multa Pancis" (1763) were included in the
many rare bargains they obtained. The catalogue of Not., 1887 (No. 3) contains a
reprint from the London Freemason describing the May sale.
123. Pythagoras Lodge (3) *
The Masonic Library
of Pythagoras Lodge No. 1, Free and Accepted Masons of New York. New York,
(November.)
This is one of the
"Auction Catalogues" of Geo. A. Leavitt & Co., and contains the remainder of the
Library of Pythagoras Lodge after the previous sale in May, 1887. See No. 122.
124. Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, London*
A Classified Index to the Catalogue Slips, Lodge of the
Quatuor Coronati, No. 2076, London. Edited
by G.W. Speth, Secretary. Margate, 1893.
The index of 105
pages gives ready aceess to the 2247 "Catalogue Slips," many of which are
enriched by the notes of Brother Speth
125. Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, London*
A List of Articles
Contained in Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, volumes I to XXX, with an Enumeration and
Roll of Authors, compiled by Rodk. H. Baxter. Margate, 1919. 23 pages.
This is a valuable
asset to the student fortunate enough to have access to the "Ars," and makes
reference to the many distinguished contributors easy.
126. Reading, England
A Catalogue of the
Library in the Masonic Hall, Reading. Reading, 1896. 12 pages.
127. Reeves, James S.
Catalogue of the
Masonic Library of the late Dr. James S. Reeves, East Tawas, Mich. 103 pages.
(No date.)
An interesting
Catalogue in manuscript in the Library of Supreme Council, S. J., at Washington,
D. C.
128. Riggs, W. H.
Catalogue of Standard
and Rare Masonic Books, Magazines, Pamphlets, Proceedings, etc., contained in
the library of W. H. Riggs, Martinsburg, W. Va., 1884. 14 pages.
129. Ross, Peter
Rough list of Books,
Pamphlets, etc., bearing upon the Morgan Controversy, by Peter Ross. 1902. 7
pages.
Sadler, Henry
See "England, United
Grand Lodge." (No. 36.)
130. Scotland*
Grand Lodge of
Scotland. Catalogue of Books and Manuscripts in the Library at Freemasons' Hall,
Edinburgh. Published by authority of Grand Lodge by the Grand Secretary, 1906.
This catalogue is of
particular value to the student on account of containing the valuable library
which Dr. Charles Morison, who died in 1849, bequeathed to the Grand
Lodge of Scotland. “The Books and
Manuscripts consisted of over two thousand works, mainly in the French language.
They chiefly consisted of the larger part of the library of the Grand Lodge of
'The Scots Philosophic Rite' at Paris." The objects of this rite were Masonic
archaeological research, etc.
131. Simons, John W.*
Catalogue of Masonic and Miscellaneous Books, Pamphlets,
Magazines, etc., contained in the library of John W. Simons, of New York. N. Y.
Masonic Publishing (No. date.)
This is one of the
"Auction Catalogues," and was issued subsequent to 1870, as works up to that
date are included. Brother Simons is best known through his "A Familiar Treatise
on the Principles and Practice of Masonic Jurisprudence" (1864). The catalogue
shows the interest he took in this phase of Freemasonry by the large percentage
of Constitutions, Ahiman Rezons, Monitors and manuals it contains.
132. Shanklin, England
Masonic Exhibition
held at "The Chalet," Pylstone, Shanklin. Catalogue of exhibit edited by Alfred
Greenham, with archaeological notes by Wm. J. Hughan, Shanklin, 1886. 102 pages.
The custom of holding
these exhibitions combined the raising of funds for benevolent purposes with
improvement in historical and archaeological phases of Freemasonry.
133. Sheffield, England
Sheffield Masonic
Library Scheme. Sheffield, 1876. 15 pages. Pages 10 to 15 contain list of
Masonic Books.
134. Sheffield, England
Catalogue of Books in the Library of the Hallamshire
College. (Soc. Ros. in Anglia.) Sheffield, 1917. 72 pages.
135. Snyder, William
Catalogue of William
Snyder's Masonic Library. Lafontaine, Indiana. (No date.) 9 pages.
136. Spencer, R.
Catalogue of a valuable collection of books on Freemasonry
(500 titles). London. (No date.)
137. Spencer, London
Catalogue of a
valuable collection of books on Freemasonry, comprising many curious, rare and
interesting works relating to the Order in this and foreign countries; including
Histories of the Knights Templars, Knights of Malta, and of St. John of
Jerusalem; the Rosicrucian Brethren, Mystic Writers, etc.; also a small
collection of Masonic engravings, portraits, etc., the whole illustrating the
origin, principles and progress of Masonry throughout the world. 8vo., 31 pages.
London. Spencer. (No date - about 1860.)
Enoch T. Carson
describes this catalogue as "A fine collection, the largest and best that has
been offered for sale in England. It contains about 600 numbers of books,
manuscripts and engravings, in English, French and German. It was sold en bloc."
138. Spencer, R.
Catalogue of Books sold by R. Spencer. London, 1875.
Richard Spencer was
one of the foremost promoters of the Masonic book trade, and his catalogues are
of great interest. The older ones are now very scarce. The firm of Spencer & Co.
still do a large business in Masonic books. The first Richard Spencer published
Masonic books in 1799. "Early in the next century he was succeeded by the second
Richard Spencer, his nephew. He in turn was succeeded by Walter Spencer, his
(the second Richard’s) son, and since about 1878, the firm has been known as
'Spencer & Co.' "
139. Spencer & Co.*
Spencer & Co.'s Masonic Illustrated Price List of Jewels,
Clothing, Furniture, Banners, and all Requisites for Freemasonry. London. 19th
edition.
A Portion of this
catalogue is given to books (a large percentage of which are rituals). To the
American Mason the advertising of rituals "in a form intelligible only to the
initiated" appears a strange phraseology.
140. Spencer & Co.
Catalogue of a valuably collection of books on Freemasonry.
1870 81 pages 1874 31 pages
1873 19 pages 1885 43 pages
1873 7 pages 1892 30 pages
141. Spencer & Co.*
Catalogue of Standard Works on Freemasonry, Music, etc.,
Spencer & Co., 19-20-21 Great Queen Street, London, W. C. Established 1801. 25
pages. (No date.)
A full set of all the
catalogues issued by this old firm would be a splendid treat for the Masonic
bibliophile.
Speth, G. W.*
See "Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, London." (No. 124.)
142. Speth, G. W.*
A Masonic Curriculum, by G. W. Speth. American edition,
published by the Palestine Bulletin, Detroit, Mich., 1901.
An English edition
was issued several years before this one. This work is a proposed course of
study and refers the student to the best works to be read and consulted on the
many phases of Freemasonry and allied subjects. It is one of the best works of
one of the most profound and thorough Masonie scholars. It is now out of print.
but we hope to see a reprint soon.
143. Staton, James W.*
Catalogue of the Masonic Library of James W. Staton,
deceased. Now offered for sale by his administrators, R. E. & H. W. Staton,
Brooksville, Ky. 1904. 155 pages.
This catalogue is
largely made up of "proceedings," and when the library was placed on the market
it afforded an opportunity for many libraries to obtain numbers of proceedings
they desired. It is of considerable interest in having the proceedings well
classified.
144. Staton, James W.
Bibliographical notes on the proceedings of the Grand
Council of Royal and Select Masters of the State of Kentucky. By James W. Staton,
Brooksville, Ey., 1881. 5 pages.
145. Staton, James W.
Masonic Bibliographical memoranda relating to reprints. By
James W. Staton, Brooksville, Ky., 1887. 19 pages.
The reprints of early
proceedings are of great value to students, and it is now very difficult to
obtain many of the reprints.
146. Steinbrenner, G. W.*
Catalogue of Important Masonic Books. Being a private
collection gathered during many years, with much care and at a large cost,
comprising choice and scarce works in several languages, on the Origin, History,
Usages, etc., of the Order of Freemasons throughout the world. Bangs, Merwin &
Co., New York, 1867. 17 pages.
This is one of the
many "Auction Catalogues" which were issued during the last half of the
Nineteenth century. These old catalogues are of interest in showing many works
which are now extremely scarce advertised for sale. At present it is customary
for the one desiring a rare book to advertise for it. Such rare works as
Preston's Illustrations of Masonry (2nd edition) and Thory's Acta Latomorum are
advertised in this catalogue. This was the collection of the Masonic historian
and writer, G. W. Stembrenner.
147. Stevens (London)
Catalogue of a valuable Library founded by the late Dr. H.
B. Leeson, to be sold by auction. London, 1873. 31 pages.
148. Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U. S. A.*
Catalogue of the Library of the Supreme Council, 33d, for
the S. J. of the U. S. Washington, D. C., 1880. 42 pages.
149. Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U. S. A.*
Libraries of the Supreme Council of the 33d for the
Southern Jurisdiction of the U. S. A. at Washington, 1st Jan., 1884. J. J.
Little & Co., 1884. 267 pages.
150. Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U. S. A.
The Taylor Collection in the Library of the Supreme Council
33d, A.A.S.R. Washington, D. C., 1905. 98 pages
One of the best collections of occult works in the United
States.
151. Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U. S. A.
The Busby Collection in the Library of the Supreme Council,
Washington, D. C. Press of the Wilkin-Shiery Printing Co., 1907. 82 pages.
All scientific books.
152. Tait, William*
A Catalogue of Books, Ancient and Modern, 1914.
Freemasonry, Kabalah, Mythology, Oriental Religions, Symbolism. William Tait,
Bookseller and Publisher, Belfast, Ireland. (No. 16.) 40 pages.
This is one of the best catalogues issued as a trade
catalogue recently.
153. Tarratt (Leicester)
Catalogue of the Library of the late W. Kelly, to be sold
at auction by W.H. Tarratt, Feb., 1895. Leicester. 21 pages. Taylor, George
See "Worcestershire Masonic Library and Museum.” (No. 172.)
154. Taylor, T.
A Catalogue of Books on Freemasonry, the Templars,
Astrology, Platonists, by T. Taylor, London. Gardner, 1897
Thorp, J. T.*
See "Leicester, England." (No. 84.)
155. Triibner & Co.
Catalogue of American Books on Freemasonry, on sale by
Trubner & Co., London, 1857. 8 pages.
156. Warvelle, George*
Library of Oriental Consistory, Chicago, Ill. A serial
catalogue in ten parts, by George Warvelle. (No date. 156 pages.
This catalogue was compiled by an ardent book lover who was
thoroughly conversant with Masonic literature, but did not compile it with
sufficient system to make its valuable contents readily available to those who
used it. It is, however, an interesting bibliographical treasure to the student
and may be used to advantage with the later catalogue of Oriental Consistory.
157. Watson, William
Catalogue of Masonic Works. The property of W. Watson,
Leeds. Leeds, 1890. 12mo. 24 pages.
This catalogue is noted in "Catalogue slip" 1053, of
Speth's "A Classified Indent to the Catalogue Slips."
158. Westcott, Dr. Wm. Wynn*
Catalogue of Books from the Library of Dr. Willian Wynn
Westcott, by F. L. Gardner, 14 Marlborough Road Gunnersbury, London, W. 4. 1919.
Dr. Westcott was a Masonic and Rosicrucian student, whose
library reflects the zeal and labor of his quest for Light.
159. West Yorkshire
Provincial Library Report, West Yorkshire.
Provincial Library Report. Leeds, 1890, 19 pages.
Provincial Library Report, Leeds, 1891, 12 pages.
Provincial Library Report, Leeds, 1892, 16 pages.
Provincial Library Report, Leeds, 1894, 28 pages.
West Lancashire
See Liverpool. (No. 88 and 89.)
160. West Yorkshire Provincial Priory
First Annual Report of the Provincial Librarian. 1912 18
pages.
Contains lists of Masonic books donated.
161. Whymper, H. J.
Acts of Parliament, referring to Freemasonry, by H. J
Whymper, 1892. 20 pages.
162. Whymper, H. J.
Catalogue of Works on Freemasonry. Gora Gali, 1888 8vo. 19
pages.
163. Whymper, H. J.
Catalogue of works on Freemasonry. H. J. Whymper, London,
1899. Printed by Ram Saran. First edition. 54 pages.
A second edition was issued in 1891, which was enlarged to
66 pages. Both editions were limited and are now very scarce.
164. Whymper, H. J.
Catalogue of works on Freemasonry, by H. J. Whymper,
London, 1891.(See No. 163.)
165. Whymper, H. J.
A Catalogue of
Bibliographies, Lists, and Catalogues of Works on Freemasonry, by H. J. Whymper,
London, January, 1891. Only 100 copies printed.
We know of only two copies of this catalogue in America,
being the one in the Congressional Library at Washington, D. C, and one owned by
F. H. Marquis of Mansfield, Ohio.
166. Whymper, H. J.
Minutes of the
Proceedings of Lodge "Albert Victor," No.2370, E. C., of a Regular Meeting held
on the 31st January, 1891. Lahore. Printed at the Albert Press, 1891. Appendix
B. Catalogues and Bibliographies, by H. J. Whymper, C. E. I.
This is a choice bibliographical item, and is an address on
Masonic literature by H. J. Whymper, who was among the very few students who
have left records of their knowledge of the literature of Freemasonry. This
pamphlet is included in "'Masonic Miscellany," second series, vol. 1, of
Oriental Consistory Library, Chicago, Ill., catalogued as 366.1 M. 3.
167. Whymper, H. J.
Early Printed
Literature Referring to Freemasonry, by H. J. Whymper, 1892, London.
In this work special reference is made to Academie of
Armorie (1688) by Randle Holme Natural History of Staffordshire (1686) by Dr.
Plot Diary of Elias Ashmole.
168. Wigan Public Library*
Works relating to
Freemasonry catalogued by Henry Tennyson Folkard, Public Librarian, Wigan, and
Secretary Wigan Lodge No. 2326, Wigan. Privately printed for presentation only,
by Strowger & Son, 1892. Third edition. 64 pages. Only 100 copies printed. 1st
edition, 1880, 12mo. 2nd edition, 1882.
The Manchester Association for Masonic Research has
discovered records which warrant their claiming a Grand Lodge being established
at Wigan, in 1823, which makes this catalogue of further interest, as Wigan is
to most American Masons an unknown place
169. Wilson, John
Occult Literature:
catalogue of 1000 works, all curious and interesting and many of great rarity.
London, 1884. 8vo. 32 pages.
170. Woodhead, Thos. M.*
Catalogue of Books on
Freemasonry in the Library of Thomas M. Woodhead. Bradford. 1903. 96 pages.
818 books are catalogued with the full title pages of most
of them. The compiler says, “If it is successful in arousing some interest in
Masonic Literature in the minds of the brethren it will have fulfilled the
purpose for which it has been issued."
171. Worcester, England
Masonic Soiree and
Exhibition, held at Guild hall, Worcester. Catalogue of exhibits edited by
George Taylor, with archaeological notes by Wm. J. Hughan. Kidderminster, 1884.
73 pages.
172. Worcestershire Masonic Library and Museum*
Catalogue of Books,
Manuscripts, Articles, Engravings, Aprons and other curios relating to
Freemasonry, and now forming the Worcestershire Masonic Library and Museum.
Edited by George Taylor, with bibliographical notes by Wm. J. Hughan. London.
Published by George Kenning, 1891.
The 75 pages of this catalogue which are devoted to Masonic
books are of the greatest value to the student. The library contains some very
rare works, and all the works of importance are given attention in the notes by
Brother Hughan.
173. Yarker, John*
A Catalogue of Books
on Freemasonry. By John Yarker. Belfast, 1909.
This catalogue is included in “The Guild Charges," by
Yarker. (1909.) Only 600 copies printed.
174. York, England
Masonic Conversazione
and Exhibition held at York, 20th July, 1884, under the auspices of York College
(Society Rosecrucia in Anglia). Catalogue of exhibits. York, 1884. 24 pages.
175. York, England
Catalogue of Masonic
Exhibits at reception to the British Association at York on Sept. 6, 1881. York.
19 pages.
176. Zacharias (Bro. Ernest)
Catalogue of the Masonic Library of. Dresden, 1847.
SUPPLEMENTAL REFERENCES
References to
bibliographical notes in other than strictly bibliographical works or
catalogues.
NOTE - Supplemental to the list of Catalogues and
Bibliographies, a few references to articles of interest to bibliophiles, and
portions of standard Masonic works dealing with its literature are here given.
This reference portion might be made much longer with the information in the
hands of the compiler, but the present list will point the way to the best
sources, without becoming burdensome with details.
1. Begemann, William
An Attempt to Classify the Old Charges, by William Begemann.
Contained in "Are Quatuor Coronatorum," volume 1, page 162.
2. Calvert, A. F.
The Grand Lodge of England, 1717-1917, by A. F. Calvert,
London, 1917.
This work contains a facsimile reproduction of the first 33
pages of the 1738 edition of the "Book of Constitutions": eighteen frontispieces
of the "Engraved list of Lodges": a frontispiece of "The Freemason's Calendar"
for 1775, a frontispiece of Dermott's "Ahiman Rezon" (1764): and three
frontispieces of different editions of the "Book of Constitutions."
3. Clarke, Clyde
Notes on Masonic Bibliography, by Hyde Clarke.
Contained in “The Freemasons Magazine" of Feb. 16th and
23rd 1859 pages 307 and 348. Referenee to it in Ars Q.C. vol. 18 (1905).
4. Crowe, Fred J. W.
Inaugural address. Q. C. Lodge.
Ars Q. C. volume 22 (1909).
5. Gould, R. F.
An Inventory of Ancient Craft Documents, by R. F. Gould.
An article in The Northern Freemason of 1906 reviewing a
catalogue of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia entitled "Ancient Masonic
Documents." The Nova Scotia catalogue has 74 pages.
6. Gould, R. F.*
Collected Essays and Papers Relating to Freemasonry, by R.
F. Gould, Belfast, 1913.
Chapter XV. “Notes on Historical Freemasonry " and XVI "On
the Masonic Press" contain much of bibliographical interest.
7. Hughan, W. J.
Bibliography of the Old Charges, by W. J. Hughan.
Contained in Ars Q. C. volume 9 pages 85 to 87.
8. Hughan, W. J.
George Oliver's Unpublished Masonic Works, by W. J Hughan.
An article in the Masonic Review No 48 page 8 (1876)
describing 18 of Oliver's then unpublished works. Three have since been
published viz.:
Discrepanices of Freemasonry.
A Dissertation on the Grand Hermesian Anaglyph.
The Pythagorian Triangle.
9. Hughan, W. J.
Notable Rosicrucian Works, by W. J. Hughan.
A series of articles in The Freemason of London in 1869.
The first of the series commences on page 227.
10. Hughan, W. J.
Sketches of notable Masonic works, by W. J. Hughan.
A series of reviews in the Freemasons' Magazine and Masonic
Mirror of 1868 and 1869.
11. Hughan, W. J.
Masonic Bibliography, by W. J. Hughan.
A series of articles in The Voice of Masonry commencing
October, 1876. Among the splendid reviews which Hughan wrote in this series the
22 page description of Godfrey Higgins' "Anacalypsis" is of particular interest.
Richard Carlile asserts that Godfrey Higgins once observed to him that there
were but two Masons in England himself (Godfrey Higgins) and the Duke of Sussex.
12. Hughan, W. J.
Masonic Bibliography, by W. J. Hughan.
"A general artiele making reference to the leading
catalogues" in The Freemason of 1898. No. 29 page 52.
13. International Bureau for Masonic Affairs
Year Book of the International Bureau for Masonic Affairs,
1917.
This contains a list of books which the compilers deemed
the most important. It is particularly valuable in giving the English reader an
acquaintance with the standard foreign works.
14. Iowa
Quarterly Bulletin of the Iowa Masonic Library. Volume 1,
No. 1, January, 1898.
Published quarterly until Nov. 1906 when it became an
"occasional" bulletin. Resumed as a quarterly January 1, 1911. This publication
is largely devoted to bibliographical items, and no attempt will be made to more
than mention that W. J. Hughan was a contributor from the first issue and the
first volume contains some of his best articles among which is "The Spencer
Masonic Sale 1875.”
15. Mackey, A. G.
Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, by A. G. Mackey and Chas T.
McClenachan. Revised edition, by Edw. L. Hawkins and W.J. Hughan
Concluding pages of this work are given to bibliography and
while the list is comparatively short it
is the most available one to the average reader.
16. Mackey, A. G.
Thoughts on the Selection of a Masonic Library, by A. G.
Mackey.
An article In The Masonic Trowel No. 6 (1867).
17. Marquis, F. H.
The Early Editions of Webb's Freemason's Monitor, by F. H.
Marquis.
This is the best
description of the Webb Monitors available. It is contained in Vol. 1, No. 9, of
"The Masonic Bibliophile." (Dec. 1912.)
18. Marquis, F. H.
The Pocket Companions, 1735-1831, by F. H. Marquis.
This is a description
of the many editions of Pocket Companions and will be appreciated by all who
desire to become familiar with this important textbook of our brethren when the
Pocket Companion served as a history, monitor, music manual, and in fact every
function that was utilized by a book on a large percentage of the brethren. The
article is contained in The Masonic Bibliophile. vol. 2, No. 8 (Nov., 1913).
19. Masonic Magazine
A Catalogue of Masonic
Books in the British Museum.
April, 1879, to
March, 1880. Believed to have been compiled by A.F.A. Woodford.
20. Morris, Robert
The Universal Masonic Library Advocate, a bimonthly
publication devoted to the single interest of establishing a library of Masonic
literature in every lodge. Vol. 1, No. 3 Robt. Morris, Fulton, Ky. 1855.
In addition to the
notices of The Universal Masonic Library, the publication contains catalogues of
the E. T. Carson, John W. Leonard, Iowa, and Georgia Masonic libraries. The
History of Freemasonry in Kentucky, by Robt. Morris (1859), contains many
bibliographieal notes.
21. Oliver, George
Masonic Institutes, by George Oliver.
The introduction of
21 pages is entitled, "Remarks on the Masonic Literature of the Eighteenth
Century," and contains many interesting features, among which the list of
spurious works is one. Oliver's Revelations of a Square has many notes of
bibliographical interest.
22. Oliver, George
Works on Freemasonry, by George Oliver, pub. by R. Spencer.
Contained in Oliver's
"A Dictionary of Symbolic Masonry.' (1853.)
23. Rebold, Emmanuel
A General History of Freemasonry in Europe. By Emmanuel
Rebold. Amer. Ed. Cin. O. 1869. J. F. Brennan.
Chapter on
"Documentary Evidence" contains a list of 24 works which Rebold
considered authoritative.
24. Steinbrenner, G. W.
The Origin and Early History of Masonry, by G. W.
Steinbrenner, New York, 1864.
Chapter 2, "The
Historical Literature of Masonry." Chapter 3, "The Legend of the Guilds."
Reference is made to the "Old Charges" and the early "Constitutions."
25. Thorp, John T.
List of 29 early
editions of Prichard's "Masonry Dissected.” ed." 1907 Masonic Reprints of
Leicester Lodge of Research.
26. Thorp, John T.
History of 23 editions
of "Pocket Companions." Trans. Leicester Lodge of Research, 1918.
27. Waite, A. E.
An Alphabetical
Catalogue of works on Hermetic Philosophy and Alchemy.
Contained in “Lives
of Alchemystical Philosophers," by A. E Waite, London, 1888. Pages 276 to
306.
----o----
DR. WM. STUKELEY, F. R S.
BY BRO. DUDLEY WRIGHT, ENGLAND
Among the lesser figures that live in our memories because
of their association with early English Masonry there are few more lovable, or
more picturesque, than the erudite Dr. Stukeley, of whom Brother Wright gives us
a speaking likeness in this brief sketch. It is urged upon the careful Masonic
student that he pay especial heed to the extracts from Dr. Stukeley's diary, for
therein he will find items of much importance, inasmuch as they furnish us with
certain undeniable facts about early eighteenth century Freemasonry, facts that
are often disputed.
DR. WILLIAM STUKELEY may well be described as "a man of
many parts," although it cannot be said that he mastered thoroughly any of the
subjects on which he posed as an authority. From his earliest days he was
imbued with an earnest desire for knowledge of all kinds of subjects, but he was
not successful in becoming as he wished, and, indeed, claimed to be, an
authority on any one in particular, least of all, a number of them. He was born
at Holbeach, Lincolnshire, on 7th November, 1687, the son of John Stukeley, an
attorney, and his wife, Frances, the daughter of Robert Bullen, of Weston,
Lincolnshire, who was descended from the same ancestors as Annie Bullen, or
Boleyn, the ill-fated queen of Henry VIII. His father was also the descendant
of an ancient family, his ancestors having been lords of Great Stukeley, near
Huntingdon.
In 1692, William Stukeley was sent to the Free School at
Holbeach, where he received a good preliminary education. It is recorded that
as a boy he was fond of retiring into the woods to read and also to collect
plants. A pen picture has been drawn of his listening occasionally behind a
screen in his father's study to his learned conversation with a Mr. Belgrave,
whom the son describes as "an ingenious gent." and in refutation of whose
arguments he says he wrote a small manuscript book. Young Stukely says that he
also collected coins, bought microscopes and burning glasses, and learned
something of wood-carving, dialling, "and some astrology withal."
On 7th November, 1703, William Stukeley was admitted as a
pensioner to Bennet (now Corpus Christi) College, Cambridge, of which he became
a scholar in the following April. He was intended by his father for the legal
profession, but the study of law and its attendant subjects was distasteful to
him and he turned early to scientific subjects, and particularly anatomy. He
says that in his undergraduate days he "went frequently a simpling and began to
steal dogs and dissect." When at home he "made a handsome sceleton of a cat."
Stephen Hales of the Royal Society and Dr. John Gray of Canterbury were among
his botanical associates and he made large additions to Ray's Catalogus
Plantarum circa Cantabrigiam. On 21st January, 1709, we find his name among the
graduates as a Bachelor of Medicine. On leaving Cambridge in that year he
studied medicine under Dr. Mead at St. Thomas's Hospital and Anatomy Under Rolfe,
a surgeon in Chancery Lane.
In 1710, he set up in practice at Boston, in Lincolnshire,
where he, remained until 1717, when he removed to Great Ormond Street, London,
next to Powis House. On the 20th March of the same year he became a Fellow of
the Royal Society on the nomination of Dr. Mead. In 1718 we find him taking a
part in the establishment of the Society of Antiquaries, of which body he acted
as Secretary for nine years. On the 7th July, 1719, he graduated at Cambridge
as a Doctor of Medicine and on the 30th September of the same year he was
admitted as a candidate of the College of Physicians, becoming a fully-fledged
Fellow exactly twelve months afterwards, i.e., on 30th September, 1720, the same
year in which he published in account of Arthur's Oon and Graham's Dyke.
About this time he began to turn his thoughts to
Freemasonry. Masters, in his History of the College of Corpus Christi, says
that "his curiosity led him (Stukeley) to be initiated into the mysterys of
Masonry, suspecting it to be the remains of the mysterys of the antients, when
with difficulty a number sufficient was to be found in all London. After this
it became a public fashion not only spred over Brittain and Ireland, but all
Europe."
Stukkey himself refers to this fact in his Common Place
Book, wherein he says: "I was the first person made a free mason in London for
many years. We had difficulty to find members enough to perform the ceremony.
Immediately after that it took a run and ran it self out of breath thro the
folly of members." Stukeley's initiation took place on the 6th January, 1721 at
the Salutation Tavern, Tavistock Street, with Mr. Collins, Capt. Rowe, who wade
the famous "diving engine."
For a time, at any rate, Stukeley appears to have taken a
great interest in the doings of the Craft. At any rate he seems to have become
sufficiently prominent and active to secure an invitation to the Quarterly
Commiunicatian of Grand Lodge held in the June following his election, judging
from the following entry in his Diary:
"1721. 24th June. The Masons had a dinner in Stationers'
Hall. Present, Duke of Montague, Ld. Herbert, Ld. Stanhope, Sr. And. Fountain,
&c. Dr. Desaguliers pronounc'd an oration. The Gd. Mr. Mr. Pain produc'd an
old MS. of the Constitutions which he got in the West of England 500 years old.
He read over a new sat of articles to be observ'd. The Duke of Montague chose
Gd. Mr. next year. Dr. Beal, Deputy."
The following extracts from his Diary are also of interest:
"27th December, 1721. We met at the Fountain Tavern, Strand, by consent of
Grand Mr. present. Dr. Beal constituted a new Lodge there, where I was chosen
Mr."
Commenting on this entry in The Freemason of 31st July,
1880, Bro. T. B. Whyteheid wrote: "Nothing is named about the qualification for
the chair, and as Bro. Stukeley had not been twelve months a Mason, it is
manifest that any Brother could be chosen to preside, as also that the verbal
consent of the Grand Master, or his Deputy, was sufficient to authorise the
formation of a Lodge."
"25th May, 1722. Met Duke of Quensboro, Lord Dunbarton,
Hinchinbrok, &c. at Fount. Tav. Lodg. to consider Feast on St. John's."
"3rd Nov. 1722. The Duke of Wharton & Ld. Dalkeith visited
our Lodg. at the Fountain."
"7th Nov. 1722. Order of the Book Instituted."
"28th Dec. 1722. I dined with Ld. Hertford introduced by
Ld. Winchelsea. I made them both members of the Order of the Book or Roman
Knighthood."
It would be interesting to know more about this Order, of
which Stukeley gives no further particulars. In 1722, also, he became a member
of the "Gentlemen's Society" at Spalding, a literary association which was
patronised by many members of the Craft, including Dr. Desaguliers, the Earl of
Dalkeith, and Lord Coleraine, Grand Masters in 1719, 1723, and 1727
respectively; Martin Folkes and Dr. Thomas Manningham, Deputy Grand Masters,
1724 and 1752-1756; Francis Drake, Grand Master of All England, 1761-1762;
Joseph Ames, David Casley, Sir Richard Manningham, and Andrew Michael Ramsay.
In 1722 he was Gulstonian Lecturer when he delivered a
discourse on the spleen. About this time he began to suffer from the gout,
which he partly cured by using Dr. Roger's "oleum arthriticum" and partly by
long rides in search of antiquities. The first fruits of his antiquarian
expeditions appeared in 1724, when he published his Itinerarium Curiosum. About
the same time he became one of the Censors of the College of Physicians, a
member of the Council of the Royal Society, as well as of the Committee
appointed to examine into the condition of the astronomical instruments of the
Royal Observatory at Greenwich. He was well known to the Earl of Pembroke, the
Earl of Winchelsea, and to "all virtuosos in London" and had a particular
friendship with Sir Isaac Newton. He went on long expeditionary tours with
Roger Gale, whose brother-in-law he afterwards became, the twain visiting
various parts of England. He traversed the whole length of the Roman wall and
drew out plans and descriptions of numerous old cities, roads, altars, etc. In
1723 he presented an account of a Roman Ampitheatre at Dorchester to a Masonic
lodge which had that year honoured him by appointing him Master.
In 1726 Stukeley went to live at Grantham where he quickly
secured a lucrative medical practice. Here he laid out a garden and a sylvan
"temple of the Druids," with an old apple tree, overgrown with mistletoe in the
centre. It was at Grantham where Sir Isaac Newton received the first part of
his education and where he intended to have ended his days if he could have met
with a suitable house. Stukeley was consulted by the Dukes of Ancaster and
Rutland, the families of Tyrconnel, Cust, etc., indeed, most of the principal
families in the county were glad to seek him for advice. He declined an
invitation from the Earl of Hertford to settle as a physician at Marlborough.
He refers in his Common Place Book to his life at Grantham
in the following words:
"June, 1726, being sadly plagu'd with the gout, I retired
to Grantham, thinking by country exercise to get the better of it, and by means
of that, and a method of life and management which I found out, I was not
disappointed in my expectation. Here I set up a lodg. of freemasons, wh. lasted
all the time I lived there."
Later on in the Diary he also wrote: "In two years time I
lost an incredible number of my most intimate friends there, Sr. lsaac Newton,
Ld. Winchelsea. . . . my friend Mr. Ja. Anderson, a scotsman, a learned &
ingenious Antiquary . . . My Land lord Lambert of the Fountain Tavern, Strand,
where I was Mr. of a new lodg. of Masons: & many others."
On 6th February, 1727, he wrote from Grantham to Samuel
Gale, as follows: "In the town we have settled a monthly assembly for dancing
among the fair sex, and a weekly meeting for conversation among the gentlemen.
We have likewise erected a small but well- disciplined Lodge of Freemasons."
In 1728 he married Frances, daughter of Robert Williamson,
of Allington, Lincolnshire. Whether this had anything or not to do with his
decision is not stated, but a few months afterwards he decided upon a change of
profession, giving as his excuse "being overcome with fatigue in his profession
and repeated attacks of gout." He decided to enter the Church and in this
decision he was encouraged by Archbishop Wake, who ordained him at Croydon on
20th July, 1729. Almost immediately he was offered the living of Holbeach, his
native place, by Dr. Reynolds, Bishop of Lincoln, while the Earl of Winchelsea
also offered him another, but he declined them both, accepting that of All
Saints, Stamford, to which he was presented by Lord Chancellor King, and to
Stamford he removed, but on his removal from Grantham to Stamford he appears to
have ceased all Masonic activity.
In 1736 he publised his Palaeographia Sacra, the object of
which was to demonstrate "how heathen mythology is derived from sacred history,
and that the Bacchus of the poets is no other than Jehovah in Scripture." Four
years later he published his book on Stonehenge, as the outcome of his frequent
visits. Druidism was to him "the aboriginal patriarchal religion" and his
intimate friends called him "Chyndonax" and "the Arch-Druid of this age." In
1739 he was given the living of Somerby by Grantham, which he held in
conjunction with that of Stamford until 1747, when he accepted from the Duke of
Montague the rectory of St. George the Martyr in Queen Square, Bloomsbury. From
1748 onwards he lived in Queen Square and at a house in Kentish Town, over the
door of which he placed the following inscription:
O may this rural solitude receive And contemplation all its
pleasures give The Druid priest.
His wife had passed away in 1737, leaving him with three
daughters, but, in 1739, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Gale,
Dean of York, and sister to Roger and Samuel Gale, the celebrated antiquarians.
Stukeley's interest in his original profession and in the
College of Physicians continued right up to the end of his life. He not
infrequently attended meetings and took part in business of the College, as seen
from several notes made by him in his own copy of the Pharmacopoeia of 1746. As
a clergyman, he was noted for his unconventionality. It is said that on one
occasion, in April 1764, he postponed the service for an hour in order that the
congregation might go outside the church and witness an eclipse of the sun.
When he was nearly seventy-six years of age he preached for the first time in
spectacles, selecting for his text the words: "Now we see through a glass
darkly," while, in his discourse, he dwelt on the evils of too much study.
He was seized with paralysis on 27th February, 1765, and
passed away on 3rd March following at his rectory in Queen Square, in his
seventy-eighth year. He was buried in the churchyard of East Ham, and, according
to his special request, without any monument.
Stukeley was undoubtedly a clever man, but in many
instances he gave expressions to opinions before they were matured and before he
had carefully weighed the pros and cons. As a result he made some curious and
amusing blunders. He published a pamphlet on "Oriuna, the wife of Carausius"
through his misreading of the word Fortuna on a coin of that emperor. It was
he, however, who drew up the plans, prospectus, and rules of the Society of
Antiquaries, so that he is entitled to be claimed as the principal founder of
that body. His Diary contains some interesting notes and reminiscences of famous
people. He tells us, for instance, under date of 22nd August, 1754 that "Sir
Christopher Wren smoaked to his death. I have smoaked a pipe with him when he
was almost 100. (He was 91 when he died)." Later, he vouches the information
that Wren was a great drinker of coffee. Munk, in his Roll of the CoRege of
Physicians, refers to Stukeley as "that learned and indefatigable antiquary,"
and Canon Richard Parkinson, the editor of some of the publications of the
Chetham Society, says that "his learning was extensive and profound, and his
writings prove him to have been a divine, philosopher, and antiquary of a high
order." There is in the possession of the Chetham Society a Manuscript
collection of poems by Dr. Stukeley which have never been published.
Dr. Warburton, the learned author of the Divine Legation of
Moses, writing on 4th March, 1765, to Richard Hurd, afterwards Bishop of
Worcester, said: "Poor Dr. Stukeley, in the midst of a florid age of
eighty-four, was last Saturday struck with an apoplectic fit, which deprived him
of his senses. I suppose he is dead by this time." A few days later he wrote:
"You say true. I have a tenderness in my temper which will make me miss poor
Stukeley; for, not to say that he was one of my oldest acquaintance, there was
in him such a mixture of simplicity, drollery, absurdity, ingenuity,
superstition, and antiquarianism, that he often afforded me that kind of
well-seasoned repast, which the French call an Ambigu, I suppose for a compound
of things never meant to meet together. I have often heard him laughed at by
fools, who have neither his sense, his knowledge, nor his honesty; though it
must be confessed that in him they were all strangely travestied."
Sir John Evans, in his Ancient British Coins, wrote: "Dr.
Stukeley, prior to his death in 1765, had prepared twenty-three plates of the
coins of the ancient British kings, which were published by his executor Richard
Fleming. They are not accompanied by any letter-press description, but on the
first fifteen plates, which appear to have been engraved from Dr. Stukeley's own
sketches, many of the coins have inscriptions beneath them, giving the names of
the princes to whom he attributed them. The coins themselves are most
inaccurately drawn, and in many instances are merely bad copies of the
engravings in Camden and elsewhere."
Weld, in his History of the Royal Society, has another
criticism. He says: "It is to be feared that Stukeley's love for Geology did
little to advance the Science: for it appears that he communicated some
geological papers to the Society, containing so many absurd hypotheses, that
even at that period (1751) when Geology was so little understood, the Council
determined that they should not be printed. He also made several communications
in which he asserted in the most positive manner that corals were vegetables.
These papers were likewise rejected, whch made the sturdy antiquary very angry.
He gives vent to his feelings in forcible language and concludes: 'Whoever has
eyes must see that they are vegetables.
Stukeley's library, which consisted of 1121 items
altogether, occupied in its sale the six evenings of the week commencing Monday,
28th April, 1766. It contained nothing of Masonic interest, unless an excepti
is made in favour of the two "Catalogues of the MSS. of Thomas Rawlinson, Esq."
----o----
MORMONISM AND MASONRY
By BRO. SAM H. GOODWIN, GRAND SECRETARY, UTAH
In THE BUILDER for February and March, 1921, appeared two
articles on the subject of Mormonism and Freemasonry, which attracted much
interest and received many laudatory comments. We consider it a matter of great
good fortune to be able to present herewith a third and concluding article by
the same writer.
The several articles by Brother Goodwin have been reprinted
in pamphlet format and will be found listed in the monthly book list on the
inside back cover of the magazine.
UNDER all circumstances great care should be exercised in
the selection of material for membership in Masonic lodges. This holds true
everywhere and at all times and is a duty that in an especial sense devolves
upon those who in a representative capacity first pass upon the qualifications
of applicants for our mysteries. A number of reasons for this might be given
some of which it is the purpose of this article to set forth.
In a general way it may be said that the historic, well
known and consistent position held by the Craft of this jurisdiction,
practically, from the very inception of organized Masonry - back in '65 - to the
present time furnishes one reason for caution on the part of Utah investigating
committees. (1) Further, there is a noticeable tendency on the part of some who
are young in Masonry - and of others who, though older, are inclined to be
lenient toward a relaxation of requirements - to take account only of the
superficial and to base their conclusions upon an imperfect apprehension of
facts which cannot be ignored with safety. In what follows attention is
directed to certain facts no one of which, perhaps, taken alone may seem to be
of any great consequence, but which in the aggregate are worthy of serious
consideration. In seeking to attain the object in view we may pass boundaries
which, somehow, have acquired a pseudo-sanctity and find ourselves in fields too
rarely entered by those who, for the time being, are charged with the duty of
guarding well our outer portals.
That there may be no uncertainty as to what is here
undertaken, it may be stated that we are dealing with the general subject of
"Mormonism and Masonry," and that the particular phase of the subject upon which
we now enter relates itself to any would-be applicant who at the same time is a
member of the Latter Saints organization.
Masonry requires of its initiates, among other things, that
they shall come of their own free will accord. By implication, principle and
teaching it assumes that those who come into its fellowship are, and will
remain, free from any influence or agency that might interfere with the
performance of such duties as may devolve upon them. With this in view the
petitioner is required to declare that he is not a member of any organization
whose rules are incompatible with membership in the fraternity. This is not
done in criticism of any organization that curtails the freed of thought or
action of its adherents. Such criticism does not lie within the province of
Masonry. But Masonry, like other organizations, does claim and exercise the
right to erect such standards as may seem to be necessary; to fix upon and apply
tests; to pass upon the qualifications of would be members, and to decide in any
and every case, whether its requirements can be, or have been satisfactorily
met. In the exercise of these, as of all other functions, Masonry is a law unto
itself.
With the ground thus cleared we may proceed the
consideration of certain facts the bearing and significance of which can hardly
be mistaken.
If we do not mistake the meaning of the words those who are
authorized to speak, the Latter Day Saints organization makes such demands upon
those who accept its principles and leadership as to produce results which do
not accord with the genius of Freemasonry. For example, great stress is laid
upon the authority and power of the priesthood. We are told that a man may not
honestly differ from the "presiding priesthood" without being guilty of apostasy
and subject to excommunication. This principle was declared in no uncertain
phrase by Brigham Young and George Q. Cannon, and in effect it has frequently
been set forth since. Said Cannon, on one occasion when Brigham Young was
present: "It is apostasy to differ honestly with the measures of the President.
A man may be honest even in hell." (2) And President Wells, on the same
occasion, declared in no less unmistakable terms that one "might as well ask the
question whether a man had the right to differ honestly with the Almighty." (3)
Presumably these rather startling assertions rest upon the doctrine frequently
promulgated, that the president of the church is "the very mouthpiece of God"
(4); "His vicegerent on earth, (5), and the sole channel through which He
communicates His will and purpose concerning all that pertains to His Kingdom on
earth." (6)
Illustrations of the practical application of the principle
under consideration are not wanting and these furnish convincing proof of the
vitality of the doctrine. W.S. Godbe and his colleagues were cut off from the
church because they presumed to deny the right of Brigham Young to restrict
freedom of thought and speech or to discipline them for opinion's sake and
because they did not accept his financial policy. (7) Moses Thatcher held
opinions concerning his rights and privileges as an American citizen which did
not accord with those of the First Presidency and the other members of the
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