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A MONTHLY MASONIC AND FAMILY MAGAZINE. 


Vol. XL 


JUNE, 1897. 


No. 6. 


Memorabilia of the Order of Knights 
of the Red Cross of Rome and 
Constantine. 


A. D. 312. After Emperor Constan- 
tine had seen the second vision of the 
Cross in the heavens (before the battle of 
Saxa Rubra, October 28, 312,) he made a 
solemn vow, if his life was spared and his 
army vanquished the enemy, that he would 
commemorate the victory by instituting 
an Order of Knighthood, the Knights to 
be the special champions of the Christian 
religion. In the City of Rome, December 
25, 312, the Emperor Constantine assem- 
bled his principal officers and instituted 
the new Order of “Knights of the Red 
Cross of Rome and Constantine.” Each 
Knight on receiving Knighthood had 
placed on his right arm a small badge or 
insignia of a Red Cross, which he was 
always required to wear. The insignia of 
the Red Cross thereafter being the highest 
honor of Knighthood. The Order having 
been instituted in Rome and by Emperor 
Constantine, the Knights were designated 
and known throughout Christendom as 
Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and 
Constantine. 

313. The Sovereign Grand Master of 
the Order, Emperor Constantine, insti- 
tuted the Order of Knight of the Grand 
Cross, which he confers on several of his 
generals and ministers, as a special mark 
of merit and distinction. September 11. 

337. After the death of Emperor Con- 
stantine, the first Sovereign Grand Master, 
which occurred in 337, the Popes of Rome 
claimed and exercised Sovereign authority 
over the Order throughout Christendom, 


delegating to the Papal Nuncios and Car- 
dinal Princes at the various Catholic 
courts the right to nominate candidates for 
the Order of Knight of the Red Cross of 
Rome and Constantine. To the King or 
Emperor was granted authority to advance 
a Knight of the Grand Cross, subject to 
the ratification of the Holy Father. 

1093. Philip I, King of France, insti- 
tutes (May 20th) the Order of Knights of 
the Holy Sepulchre, and nominates, as the 
Grand Marshal of the Order, his son, the 
Dauphin of France. Only General Offi- 
cers of the Order of Knights of Rome and 
Constantine serving with the Crusaders in 
the Holy Land, were for many years 
eligible. After the return of the Crusa- 
ders from the Holy Land, the two Orders 
were designated as the first and second 
grade of Knight of the Red Cross of Rome 
and Constantine. 

1094. The King of France, Robert 
Duke of Normandy and Earl of Anjou, as 
Senior Knight of the Grand Cross of the 
Order of Knights of the Red Cross of 
Rome and Constantine, calls the Knights 
of the Red Cross to arms to rescue the 
Holy Sepulchre from the infidels. 

1095. The Pope dominated and exer- 
cised sovereign authority over the Order 
from 337 to 1094. During the war of the 
rival Popes, between Pope Clement and 
Pope Urban, the King of France, in his 
territory, and Robert Duke of Normandy, 
in England, claimed Sovereignty over 
the Order. In the early years of the Cru- 
sade war the authority of Robert, Duke of 
Normandy, was paramount. 

1099. Grand Conclave of the Orders of 
Red Cross and Knights of the Holy Sep- 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


244 


ulchre assembles at Palestine. August 3. 

1 100. The Crusaders of all countries 
carry the banner of the Order of Knights 
of Red Cross of Rome and Constantine. 

1116. Grand Conclave of the Order of 
the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine 
assembled in Rome (May, 1116), Emperor 
Michael Angelos Commenus elected Sov- 
ereign Grand Master of the Order. 

1 1 19. The Sovereign Grand Council 
promulgates an edict that the active mem- 
bership of Knights of the Grand Cross be 
limited to fifty Sir Knights in each Sov- 
ereign Kingdom, or Independent Country, 
and that a Grand Cross Knight shall have 
precedence in all Assemblies of the Sir 
Knights of the Red Cross, immediately 
after the Sovereign Grand Master. It 
was further ordained and proclaimed that 
the Order of Knight of Grand Cross be 
conferred only on eminent and worthv Sir 
Knights for zealous labor in behalf of the 
Order as a special and distinctive mark of 
merit. May, 1119. 

1125. A Grand Conclave of the Order 
of Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and 
Constantine (May, ir25), at Venice. 

1195. Richard Cceur de Lion pro- 
claimed Sovereign Grand Master of the 
Knights of Rome and Constantine, and 
Senior Knight of the Grand Cross, by the 
Duke of Burgundy, for valorous services 
in front of Jerusalem. The German and 
Italians Knights assenting. 

1200. The history of the Order after 
the return of the Crusaders from the Holy 
Land to 1654 is not clear. Conclaves of 
the Order existed throughout Europe, but 
no General Assembly was held. The 
Kings of France, Spain, and Emperor of 
Germany asserting Sovereignty by Divine 
authority, over the Order in their respec- 
tive countries. 

1 68 3. The Orders of Red Cross, Holy 
Sepulchre and St. John revived in En- 
gland. The first Conclave being instituted 
by the German Ambassador to the Court 
of St. James. February, 1688. 

1692. Abbe Giustiniani, a Venetian 
priest of great learning, while vising En- 
gland (May, 1692) conferred the Order of 
Knight of the Red Cross of Rome and 
Constantine, Knight of the Holy SepuF 
chre and Knight of St. John on several of 
the attaches of the English Court. The 
Abbe was the first writer to gather, pre- 
pare and preserve the traditions and rituals 
of the Order as now existing. 

1699. Sir Bernard Burke, in his work, 


* ‘Orders of Knighthood and Decorations 
of Honor,” Vol. I page 341, says: “Duke 
Francis I, of Parma, of the House of Far- 
nese, was installed (September, 1699) 
Grand Master of the Knights of the Red 
Cross of Rome and Constantine with 
much pomp.” 

1750. Baron Hunde, the great Masonic 
Historian of the 16th and 17th century, in 
his history of Templar System of “Strict 
Observance” states “the great and rapid 
progress of Freemasonry on the European 
Continent is largely due to the efforts of 
the Knights of the Red Cross of Rome 
and Constantine.” He also credits the 
Knights of the Red Cross as being true 
Templars, and as the only Order of Chris- 
tian Knighthood that has had a regular 
succession since it was instituted in 312. 

1760. The Grand Masters of the Eng- 
lish and Scottish Knights of the Red Cross 
of Rome and Constantine assemble in 
London, January. 1760, and adopt as a 
requirement for Knighthood in the Order 
that the applicant be a Royal Arch Mason 
and a believer in the Christian religion. 

1783. At Charleston, S. C., Novem- 
ber 1 2th, in St. Andrew’s F. & A. M. 
Lodge, the Order of Knight of the Red 
Cross of Rome aud Constantine was con- 
ferred on a class of eight, dispensation 
having been obtained in England by a 
retired British officer then residing in 
Charleston. This is the first authentic 
account of the conferring of the Order of 
Knight of Red Cross of Rome and Con- 
stantine in America. 

1788. While the history of the Order 
and that of Masonry are both silent as to 
the connection of Masonry and the Knights 
of the Red Cross of Rome and Constan- 
tine, we have the authority of no less a 
person than the Grand Secretary of the 
Grand Lodge of Masons of England (in 
1788) that all of the Grand Officers of the 
Grand Lodge of England and Scotland 
received the Order of Knight of the Red 
Cross of Rome and Constantine on their 
election, and before being installed as a 
Grand Officer. The retiring Grand Mas- 
ter, if he served two or more terms, receiv- 
ing the Order of Knight of the Grand 
Cross on retiring from the Grand East. 
Masonry and Knights of the Red Cross 
evidently became closely allied early in 
the 17th century. 

1796. The Right Honorable Lord 
Radcliffe elected Sovereign Grand Master 
of England and Scotland. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


245 


1804. Walter Rudwell Wright in- 
stalled Provincial Grand Master of the 
Order in England. 

1805. The York (England) Encamp- 
ment of Knights of the Red Cross of 
Rome and Constantine, May 4th, adopts 
an amendment to their by-laws “that only 
Master Masons shall receive Knighthood 
in this Encampment.’ * At this Assembly, 
Sir Frederick Perkins, Aide to His Maj- 
esty the King, received the Order of 
Knight of the Grand Cross. 

1808. The Grand Imperial Council of 
England organized at London, May 4, 
1808. 

1809. The Grand Imperial Council of 
England asserts sovereignty of the Order 
throughout Europe and America. March 
14th. 

1809. At a meeting of London En- 
campment Knights of Red Cross and Con- 
stantine (November 22), at Freemason’s 
Tavern, where all the legitimate Masonic 
Bodies assembled, “eight prominent high 
Freemasons received the Order of Knight 
of the Red Cross of Rome and Constan- 
tine, Knight of the Holy Sepulchre and 
Knight of St. John, and also the Order 
of Knight of the Grand Cross,” so it is 
recorded by Sir William Henry Percy in 
a letter to the Grand Master of Masons of 
Scotland. 

1810. The Grand Imperial Council of 
England endorses the edict of the Sover- 
eign Grand Master that “only Master Ma- 
sons are eligible for the Order of Knight 
of the Red Cross of Rome and Constan- 
tine.” 

18 1 1. The Order of Knights of Red 
Cross of Rome and Constantine introduced 
into British India and Ireland. 

1813. His Royal Highness the Duke 
of Sussex, Grand Master of the United 
Lodges of F. & A. Masons, elected and 
installed Grand Sovereign of the Grand 
Imperial Council. The Duke of Sussex 
was Grand Sovereign until 1843, and the 
Order flourished throughout Europe under 
his benign influence. In England, before 
a candidate was balloted for in any one of 
the many Encampments, the name, age 
and social standing of the candidate was 
first submitted to His Royal Highness. 
Under the Duke’s regime the Order was 
restored to its former high and proud 
standing as the first Order was, and is to- 
day in England considered as great an 
honor as to receive the Order of the 
Garter. 


1832. Baron Witter, of Leipsic, a 
German writer on Masonry, in hi'? work, 
“Masonry in Europe,” issued in Berlin, 
1832, classifies the “Seven Steps of Chiv- 
alry” as follows: — “1st. Knights of the 
Red Cross of Rome and Constantine, and 
Knight of the Grand Cross, which ante- 
dates all other orders of chivalry. 2 td. 
Knight Templars, dating from the Cru- 
sades. 3d. Knights of Malta. 4th. 
Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, appended 
to which is Knights of St. John of Pales- 
tine, or Knights of St. John the Evange- 
list. 5th. Rosa Croix. 6th. Templar 
Priesthood. 7th. Commander Elect Knight 
of Kadosh The most sublime of the 
Seven Steps is the first — and the oldest, 
Knight of the Red Cross of Rome and 
Constantine. To attain the Order of 
Knight of the Grand Cross an Emperor 
might well exchange his Empire. The 
first Seven Steps of Chivalry are conferred 
in many Masonic Bodies under one char- 
ter, and upon Masons who have received 
the Royal Arch Degree. The Order of 
Knight of the Grand Cross is exclusive, 
and is now rarely conferred, except on a 
Prince Royal or a Grand Officer of a 
Grand Masonic Body, if a Knight of the 
Red Cross of Rome and Constantine. Its 
membership, being restricted to fifty in 
each country, tends to make it exclusive.” 
In the United States the authority for con- 
ferring the Seven Steps of Chivalry is 
divided between the A. & A. Scottish 
Rite, the Commanderies of Knight Tem- 
plars, and the Conclaves of Knights of the 
Red Cross of Rome and Constantine. 

1845. Dr. Oliver, an authority on 
Masonry, in his “Landmarks,” Vul. II, 
page 10, states: “It is asserted, and after 
a careful investigation I am unable to re- 
fute the statement, that there are only four 
original Encampments of Knights of the 
Red Cross of Rome and Constantine in 
England at the present date (1843).” 
The four Encampments alluded to being 
located at Bristol, London, Bath and York. 

1865. The Grand Imperial Councils of 
England, Scotland and of Europe assem- 
bles in London and elects and installs as 
Grand Sovereign Sir Knight William 
Henry White. 

1866. The Order of Red Cross revived 
in Germany, France and Italy, through 
the activity of the Imperial Council of 
England. 

1866. Lord Kenlis (now Earl of Bec- 
tive) elected and installed Grand Sover- 


246 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


eign of the Grand Imperial Council of 
England. 

1869. The Order of Knights of Red 
Cross of Rome and Constantine introduced 
into the Dominion of Canada. Conclaves 
instituted in Toronto, Montreal, London, 
Quebec and Ottawa. 

1870. The Order of Knights of the 
Red Cross of Rome and Constantine in- 
troduced into the United States, May 19th. 

1871. Conclaves of the Order instituted 
in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachu- 
setts, Kentucky, Indiana, Vermont, Maine, 
New Jersey, Michigan, Virginia, Delaware 
and Baltimore, in the order named. 

1872. Grand Council of the State of 
Pennsylvania, Knights of the Rtd Cross 
of Rome and Constantine, organized at 
Reading, Pa , June 14th. 

1873. Grand Council of the State of 
New York, Knights of the Red Cross of 
Rome and Constantine, organized at Al- 
bany, N. Y., February 5th. 

1873. Grand Imperial Council of the 
State of Illinois, Knights of the Red Cross 
of Rome and Constantine, organized at 
Chicago, 111 ., August 30th. 

1873. Grand Imperial Councils of the 
States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 
Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and 
Constantine, organized at Worcester, 
Mass., December 2 2d. 

1874. Grand Imperial Council of the 
State of Michigan, Knights of the Red 
Cross of Rome and Constantine, organized 
at Detroit, Michigan, April 10th. 

1875. Grand Imperial Council of the 
State of Kentucky, Knights of the Red 
Cross of Rome and Constantine, organized 
at Louisville, Ky., March 17th. 

1875. Grand Imperial Council of the 
State of Indiana, Knights of the Red 
Cross of Rome and Constantine, organized 
at New Albany, Ind., April 21st. 

1875. Grand Imperial Council of the 
State of Vermont, Knights of the Red 
Cross of Rome and Constantine, organized 
at Burlington, Vt., May 1st. 

1875. Grand Imperial Council of the 
State of Maine, Knights of the Red Cross 
of Rome and Constantine, organized at 
Portland, Me., May 5th. 

1875. Grand Council of the State of 
New Jersey, Knights of the Red Cross of 
Rome and Constantine, organized at Jersey 
City, N. J., # May 29th. 

1875. Sovereign Grand Council of the 
United States of America, Knights of the 
Red Cross of Rome and Constantine, with 


duly accredited representatives present 
from all the State Grand Bodies, organ- 
ized in the Masonic Temple, New York 
City, June 1st. Sir Knight Albert G. 
Goodall elected and installed Sovereign 
Grand Master. 

1877. The Imperial Grand Council of 
England, Knights of Red Cross of Rome 
and Constantine, recognizes as sovereign 
and independent the Sovereign Grand 
Council of the United States and sends 
fraternal greeting. July. 

1877. The Imperial Grand Council of 
England having heretofore claimed sov- 
ereignty over the Order in the United 
States, and requiring a per capita tax for 
each Knight each year be remitted to it, 
and also a stated sum for each applicant 
receiving the Order of Knighthood in the 
United States, graciously waived its right 
of sovereignty immediately after the Grand 
Council of the United States was organ- 
ized, and a treaty of amity was entered 
into by and between Alfred Creigh, L. L. 
D., L. T., 32 0 , Intendant General, repre- 
senting the Imperial Grand Council of 
England, and C. L. Stowell, K. T., 33 0 , 
Sovereign Grand Master of the Unted 
States, whereby the Imperial Grand Coun- 
cil of England relinquished its rights in 
the United States as having Sovereign 
authority in the territory of the United 
States. Treaty dated March 10th. 

1877. Sovereign Grand Chapter of the 
Grand Cross of Constantine, organized at 
Rochester, N. Y., June 21st, by authority 
of the Sovereign Grand Council. Charter 
issued to the Grand Chapter by the Sover- 
eign Grand Council of the United States, 
Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and 
Constantine. 

1888. Lord Saltour elected and in- 
stalled Grand Sovereign of the Grand Im- 
perial Conclave of Scotland, and sends 
fraternal greeting to Sovereign Grand 
Master C. L. Stowell. 

1894. The Sovereign Grand Chapter 
of the Grand Cross of Constantine surren- 
ders its sovereignty and charter to the 
Sovereign Grand Council. The right and 
authority to confer the Order of Knight 
of the Grand Cross vested absolutely in 
the Sovereign Grand Council of the United 
States. September 14th. 

1896. The charters of all Imperial, 
Grand and State Councils revoked by the 
Sovereign Grand Council. The State 
Grand Bodies abolished and all Conclaves 
in the United States placed under the im- 


THE TRESTLE BOARD 


247 


mediate jurisdiction of the Sovereign 
Grand Council of the United States. 
September 22d. 

1896. The Sovereign Grand Council 
at its Annual Assembly (in Rochester, N. 
Y., September 22d.) receives and orders 
printed an amendment to the Constitution 
vesting all of the corporate, governing 
and executive authority of the Order of 
Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and 
Constantine in the Knights of the Grand 
Cross. Only Knights of the Grand Cross 
to be eligible to membership in the Sover- 
eign Grand Council, and creating an Ac- 
tive and Honorary Membership of the 
Grand Cross. The Knights of the Grand 
Cross limited to fifty in the United States. 
Only Honorary Knights of the Grand 
Cross are eligible for the Order of Knight 
of the Grand Cross. The Sovereign Grand 
Council may confer the Order of Honorary 
Knight of the Grand Cross on a worthy 
Knight of the Order as a mark of distinc- 
tion and honor. The amendments to the 
constitution to be considered at the Annual 
Assembly of the Sovereign Grand Council, 
third Tuesday in August, 1897. 

o 

In How Far Are the Semites 
Semites ? 

Science, which has divested so many 
objects of the adoration of its imaginary 
ornament, threatens somewhat to withdraw 
from a part of humanity a highly valued 
object of its hatred, and it will be so much 
the worse for science to do this, as the 
hatred of one’s neighbor has always been 
more popular than the love of one’s neigh- 
bor. 

In a recent article on the fruitful chro- 
nological discoveries of Herr Ernst von 
Bunsen reference was made of the results 
at which he and others have arrived, from 
different points of view, on the origin of 
the name Semite. These investigations 
were occasioned by the peculiar interpreta- 
tion of Genesis X, where Mesopotamia, 
Canaan, and, in a rather less clear manner, 
also Arabia, that is, the essential seats of 
Semitism, are allotted not to Semites but 
to Hamites. The Semites are here con- 
nected, as far as their sites are clearly rec- 
ognizable, partly with the much more 
northerly Aramaic and Armenian locali- 
ties, and though partly also with the 
southern Arabia, yet with the specified 
local descent from Armenia, finally they 
are connected even with Persia. It had to 


be asked, how does this division agree 
with the established fact that the countries 
called Semitic, as long as we know them, 
spoke not Hamitic but Semitic, and that 
contrawise the countries enumerated as 
Semitic have already all either spoken 
Indo-Germanic in historical times, or lie in 
the midst of countries speaking Indo- 
Germanic and Semitic without even touch- 
ing the centers of Semitism ? How is it 
to be explained that, notwithstanding the 
misleading character of those statements 
to the countries called Hamitic, who, in 
truth, are Semitic, some really Hamitic 
are added, whilst to those called Semitic, 
which are essentially removed to Indo- 
Germanic regions, some remain which are 
reckoned as genuinely Semitic, and that 
generally the Indo Germans are treated 
with a sparing hand ? 

These questions having been raised, 
they are partly solved, partly brought near 
to solution by searching considerations. 
In order to grasp the matter by the point 
which is handiest to us an attentive com- 
parison of Biblical and other oriental and 
classical reports showed that the attempt 
to allay the said doubt with reference to 
the Jews at once led the inquiry into new 
paths in which it was forced to be left by 
subsequent research. Though the Jews 
are in the Mosaic ethnological chart desig- 
nated as successors of Shem, the home of 
the Jews is, in the same book, placed in 
Arrapachitis, Armenia, that is, in an Indo- 
Germanic country. Living there, and in 
the immediate Chaldaean neighborhood, 
the eight eldest generations of what was to 
become the Jewish race are enumerated 
from the eponymous Arpachshad, the son 
of Shem unto Tharah, the father of Abra- 
ham, who still dwells in Ur Kasdim, that 
is, Ur of the Chaldaeans. 1 

Tharah is the first to migrate to Canaan, 
consequently, on a change of dynasty in 
the likewise Chaldaean Babylon; he dies 
on the way in Haran, and leaves it to his 
son Abraham to continue alone his way to 
Palestine Arriving there, Abraham finds 
the land speaking Hebrew, which is ex- 
pressly designated as the language of 
Canaan; he finds names of men, cities and 
localities in the same idiom; speaks, there- 
fore, either the same tongue with them, or 
accepts theirs, but certainly does not bring 

1 “Kasdim” is transmitted as “Chaldaeans” in thejewish- 
Greek translation of the Old Testament, wh’ch frequently 
explains the Hebrew text. The recognition of this trans- 
lation follows from the fact that Christ is generally repre- 
sented as citing after the same, not after the Hebrew abor- 
iginal text. 


248 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


a new language to them. That he should 
have brought with himself the same tongue 
is denied by the fact that the Jews did not 
understand the Chaldaean language. For 
we saw that the Jews started from Chaldaea, 
and called themselves descendants from 
the Chaldaeans, up to the time of the Book 
of Judith, until Philo and Josephus. The 
Chaldaean language had been preserved by 
other Chaldaean emigrants in Babylon, 
when these came into very rough touch 
with the Jews at the time of the prophet 
Jeremiah (Jer. v: 15; xxviii: 11; xxxiii: 19; 
Ezech. iii: 5; Dan. 1:4). If, therefore. 
Hebrew was not the home-language of 
Chaldaea, and, consequently, could not 
have been brought by the Jews to Pales- 
tine, we shall have to approach the in- 
quiry after their more ancient idiom, since 
the same has disappeared in their mouth 
during historical times, by researches of 
the Babylonian Chaldaeaic. 

Thus we reach the Babylonian Chal- 
daeans, who, in Isaiah xxiii: 13, are desig- 
nated as immigrants from the north; the 
Jews call them even after their capture of 
Jerusalem by their own tribal name Kasdim, 
and still, B. C. 900, they call themselves 
in their cuneiform inscriptions, Kaldi. In 
order that there should be no doubt about 
their Jewish connections, in Xenophon’s 
Anabasis, a “Chaldaean” people in the 
Armenian mountains of Arrapachitis, 
whence the Jews themselves had gone 
forth, is mentioned by their side. These 
Chaldaeans, up to this day inhabiting this 
place and called Kurds, speak, however, 
an Indo-Germanic tongue closely related 
to the Persian and Sanscrit, just as Eu- 
stathius explains the Chaldaeans to be cog- 
nate to the Persians, just as the names of 
the ancient Chaldaean kings were already 
by Gesenius recognized as Indo-Germanic, 
and the names of the Assyrian potentates 
were by Ktesias and Herodotus likewise 
explained as of the Sanscrit type. As a 
further confirmation of the four Jewish 
youths, who, according to Daniel, are sent 
to Babylonian court- schools in order to 
learn the language and literature of the 
Kasdim, receive Indo-Germanic instead of 
the imported Hebrew names. We must 
restrain ourselves from communicating 
numerous other supporting points which 
lie in the same direction. 

If then the Jews, after having lived 
1,000 years in Canaan, did no longer un- 
derstand the Chaldaean language, yet de- 
scribed themselves then, and still 1,000 


years later, as aboriginal Chaldaeans, are 
we not constrained to recognize their own 
most ancient tongue in that one which the 
Babylonian Chaldaeans, gone forth from 
the same Armenian highland, preserved so 
much longer ? And must not this tongue, 
after all we have stated, have been one 
that the Semites would not understand, 
and probably an Indo Germanic language? 
This conclusion is not shaken by the fact 
in Chaldaean Babylon, as we know from 
cuneiform inscriptions, at the same time 
Semitic was spoken. For, in the first 
place, the Chaldeans came there, accord- 
ing to Isaiah xxiii: 13, as state- forming 
conquerors to another people which was, 
till then, insignificant; secondly, according 
to Herodotus, two distinct people lived 
there by the side of each other; and, third- 
ly, the cuneiform inscriptions themselves 
contain by the side of the Semitic texts 
what belongs to a different language, on 
the origin and nature of which the debate 
has certainly not closed. Seeing that 
what speaks in favor of the Indo Germanic 
origin of the Babylonian Chaldaeans is not 
directly affected by all this, what is more 
probable than to regard the Semitic part 
of their inscriptions as intended for the 
Semitic part of the inhabitants, as destined 
for the Semitic aboriginal inhabitants, and 
to reserve the non-Semitic — Delitzch in his 
new grammar considers it even for like- 
wise Semitic — for the other race ! 

Thus a state of things results which 
would correspond with the Jewish- Pales- 
tinian one. In both cases people in for- 
eign languages, Indo- Germans, as the 
above renders pretty indubitable, have 
migrated from the northern mountain into 
the southern Semitic plains; in both cases, 
although in exceedingly different periods 
of time, they have exchanged their Indo- 
Germanic language for that of the aborigi- 
nes; in both there are traces to be followed 
of the change and of the final unification 
of the conquerors as also of those sub- 
jected by them, though these traces show 
themselves more positive in the one case, 
and more negative in the other. 

As far as the Arabian origins can be 
discerned, a remarkable analogy is found 
in them. Of the sons of Koosh, son of 
Ham, recorded in the tenth chapter of 
Genesis, a goodly number gives us desig- 
nations of Arabian localities and tribes, 
placing, therefore, Hamitic men in a later 
Semitic country. Not enough to claim 
Arabia for Hamitic aborigines, names are 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


249 


given them which, though borne by the 
Semites later dwelling there, are, in truth, 
mostly of Indo Germanic origin. This is 
an apparently disorderly throwing together 
which separates itself in explicable layers 
by the above on the suggested assumption 
of Indo- Germanic conquerors who im- 
posed their dominion, and thereby their 
name on the Hamites they found, and 
who, at a later time, after accepting the 
foreign language, and after the more or 
less accomplished mixture of races, went 
together with the subjected aborigines 
under a new patronymic. Further signs 
point to similar causes and effects. Ac- 
cording to the Bible, according to Greek 
and Arabian traditions, Joktan, a brother 
ofPeleg, from which, latter, the Jews have 
descended — the proper names in those 
times have mostly to be taken as per- 
sonifications of tribes — migrates from the 
north to southern Arabia, and there 
founds the himjaritic empire. According 
to Arabian tradition the Joktanites accept 
the language of the aborigines; according 
to Greek tradition two languages maintain 
themselves there by the side of each other 
— a statement which seems to be con- 
firmed by the latest findings in Yemen 
and Hadramauth. 

Whilst of the Philistines, the fourth 
principal branch of the Semites, we only 
mention that their gods, cities and ports, 
which existed before the Jewish immigra- 
tion, always bore Semitic names, we ar- 
rive at the conclusion formulated by Bun- 
sen, Muller of Basel and others, which, 
from the opposition side, has been more 
ignored than attacked. That conclusion 
is that the ethnological chart of Moses is 
right, when it assigns the lands usually 
called Semitic to aboriginal Hamites; for 
these have been but later conquered by 
Indo- Germans who aboriginally dwelt 
northwards, and, moreover, conquered in 
such a manner that the new masters were 
generally merged with the ancient in- 
habitants, and accepted their language, 
being either in the minority, or, what is 
more certain, in a lower natural culture. 
Accordingly, “Semite” was only a desig- 
nation for an Indo Germanic-Hamitic 
mixed race, while Semitic language is 
nothing beyond the tongue always spoken 
by the Hamitic element of this mixed peo- 
ple, and later adopted, perhaps also modi- 
fied, by the Indo-Germanic element. 

The Palestinian Jew and the Babylonian 
Chaldaean who, up to this day, are known 


to have the same national feature as the 
Aryan Armenian would, accordingly, have 
been originally Indo-Germanic, Armenio- 
Kurds, the direct blood-associates of the 
great Asiatic- European family, inter- 
spersed with an incalculable element of the 
earlier developed culture-race. 

In the face of so new and upsetting a 
conception skeptics may ask whether the 
proofs advanced are not too fragmentary to 
bear the weighty theory. It will probably 
be more generally admitted that the train 
of thought is bold and scientific; that, up 
to this time, it is not contrasted with any 
effectual opposiiion, and that the funda- 
mental thesis of Shem’s origin harmonizes 
in a remarkable manner with Bunsen’s 
fundamental date of the Indo-Germanic 
irruption into Mesopotamia. It would 
certainly be an unqualifiable irony of the 
world’s history if, in Armenian dialect, 
Abraham’s name was in reality “Schultze” 
and that of Israel “Muller,” or something 
like it, and if they had brought upon them- 
selves their later names, for which they 
have been so heavily reproved, only by 
their want of foresight in learning He- 
brew. 

The Jews are, however, in little danger, 
by this new classification, to see dimin- 
ished their participation in the glory that 
the first strategist who crossed the P>re- 
nees and the Alps, the victor of the Trasi- 
menian lake and Caunae, commanded in 
Hebrew. That the Philistines, the in- 
habitants of the Canaanite sea coast, were 
Semitised Indo-Germans has been recog- 
nized before the youngest genealogy which 
designate the Jews as such. But the 
Phoenicians, the inhabitants of the adjoin- 
ing northern coast, from whom Hannibal 
descended, bear the testimony of their 
identity with the Philistines, not only in 
their common language, but also in the 
(etymologically) common name, although 
the early development of their nation 
reaches back too far to be quite recog- 
nizable. When the immigration personi- 
fied in Abraham went to Palestine, to the 
“land of the Philistines,” the temple 
palaces of Sidon had already been built 
by that race, which still, 1,800 years later, 
could make, at Rome, their ante portas to 
a proverbial call in need. Moreover, how 
locally different all this, notwithstanding 
the mixture of the Japhetic blood with 
that of the Hamites in the production of 
the Semitic race has to be assumed, re- 
sults from the comparison of the skin 


250 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


colors ! The Jews are white, therefore 
Indo- Germanic in the most intact sense; 
the Assyrians appear on the monuments of 
Egypt yellowish; the Arabs vary in all 
shades from white to nearly black; the 
Christian Abyssinians and the neighboring 
Jewish Fellashahs, both the nearest con- 
nections of the Mohammadan Arabians, 
are throughont colored dark. 

In his newest book Herr von Bunsen 
makes of the dualistic origination of the 
Semites the basis of a dualistic tradition 
on their religious and national conceptions 
a far-reaching theme for special treatment. 

— Professor Abel , of Berlin, 
o 

The Urgent Need of our Pacific 
Coast States. 


Fifty years ago two or three hide- 
droghers sufficed to carry round the Horn 
the whole annual export of California — a 
few hides and a little tallow. Thirty 
years ago two successive seasons of drought 
put an abrupt end to the pastoral period, 
and the reign of the wheat* farmer was 
ushered in. The making of California 
dates from 1866, when towns and hamlets 
sprang up all over the State, and whether 
a man labored as lawyer or doctor, mer- 
chant or mechanic, teacher or preacher, 
his pay came out of the boundless wheat 
field. This era of prosperity : based on 
grain reached its climax in 1882, when 
California’s wheat export footed up $43,- 
000,000. Such tangible success spurred 
our rivals to emulation. Australia learned 
the lesson to such effect that her wheat 
soon outranked in price the product of 
California. As early as 1881, in reply to 
a description of our “ header” which I 
furnished to the London Times , I was 
requested to send detailed information to 
Southern Africa. $0 the Africander ben- 
efited by Californian ingenuity at an early 
date. The following year Argentina en- 
tered the race, with a feeble export of 68,- 
000 bushels. This has grown to an ac- 
credited 40,000,000 bushels exported in 
the half of 1894. Meanwhile, in that 
year, California’s output to Liverpool had 
fallen to a value of $8,424,000, or one- 
fifth the amount shipped in 1882. In 1895 
it rose a little, to $10,026,102. 

What is the meaning of this terrible de- 
cline? Simply that California has been 
worsted with her own weapons. For 
a while inventive ingenuity applied to 
grain-farming kept California ahead of 


the world. The gang-plough, improved 
harrows and cultivators, headers, and, 
lastly, the combined harvester, with its 
thirty-mule team, cutting, threshing and 
sacking the wheat at a stroke, had enabled 
the Californian to compete easily with 
cheap labor countries. For many years 
this faculty of invention acted as a coun- 
terpoise to Argentina’s propinquity to the 
world’s wheat market. Of course this 
could not last. The fame of California’s 
harvesting machinery was noised abroad, 
and, in a single year, Argentina imported 
over $3,000,000 worth of reapers, steam - 
threshers, ploughs, etc. The transactions 
of our State Agricultural Society chron- 
icle the result briefly: “Argentine wheat 
broke the market. ’ ’ The Californian farm- 
er, handicapped by 8,000 miles of perilous 
ocean navigation around Cape Horn, found 
himself unable to compete with the Ar- 
gentine. 

Some would insist that this apparent in- 
jury was a blessing in disguise, in that it 
would compel a recourse to intense culture, 
thus becoming a positive benefit to the 
State. This, no doubt, is a very pretty 
and plausible theory, and eminently de- 
sirable to be put in practice if possible; 
although it is just as well to realize that 
$43,000,000 is a very large fraction of the 
total exports of the United States, and a 
fraction we can ill afford to dispense with, 
for, in 1894, our whole export was but 
$869,204,937. In certain events it might 
be possible for California to replace this 
immense value of wheat by other products, 
the results of this desired intense culture. 
Those products might consist of dried 
fruits, nuts, wines, hops, honey, meats 
and dairy produce; to which could be 
added such by-products as perfumes, es- 
sential oils, citric and tartaric acid, etc. 
I say advisedly, “In certain events it 
might be possible”; because any one who 
knows the present state of things in Cali- 
fornia as intimately as I do (for I have 
farmed here over thirty years), knows that 
already this intense culture is overdone on 
the Pacific Coast; already the supply out- 
runs the present demand. In 1895 almost 
every raw product enumerated above was 
selling at less than the cost of production. 
Raisins were to be had at one cent per 
pound in the sweat-box in Fresno, and al- 
most every other article named was quoted 
at a similarly ridiculously low price. One 
prune-growing district alone — the Santa 
Clara Valley — is prepared to turn out, in a 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


251 


favorable season, 50,000,000 pounds of 
dried prunes, while the whole annual con- 
sumption of prunes in' the United States 
is only some 70,000,000 pounds. Our 
trade in fresh fruits has been so overdone 
that hundreds of carloads shipped have re- 
sulted in a dead loss to the grower. Quite 
recently, in the Senate Chamber of our 
State capitol, at the annual Horticulturists’ 
Convention, a grower summed up his sea- 
son’s experience in shipping East peaches 
and pears. He reckoned that peaches, all 
ready boxed and packed in the cars, cost 
him 30 cents per box and pears 45 cents. 
They brought him when sold, and ex- 
penses all paid, peaches 22^ cents and 
pears 27 ^ cents — a dead loss of 5^ cents 
per box on peaches and 1 8}£ cents on 
pears. Of the gross receipts the freight 
charge consumed 50^ per cent; the ice 
company, for refrigeration in transit, 15^ 
per cent; 3 per cent went to the shipping 
company; 7 per cent to the auction house 
that sold them. This was no isolated case; 
it was the common lot of the bulk of the 
growers at the Convention. 

To cap the climax, and render the case 
for intense culture yet more discouraging, 
our horticulturists are well aware that Aus- 
tralia, South Africa and Argentina are be- 
coming our rivals in horticulture as they 
have been in agriculture. Both Australia 
and South Africa recently sent special en- 
voys to California to spy out the land, and 
learn our methods of cultivation and pack- 
ing ; while Argentina, with a recent im- 
migration of a billion and a quarter of 
born horticulturists from southern Europe, 
offers a bounty on every two year-old fruit 
tree on the lands of new colonies. With 
cheap transportation the Pacific Coast may 
hold its own against these rivals, but it 
never can while handicapped, as at pres- 
ent, by 8,000 miles of extra distance. Our 
case may be described as one of arrested 
development caused by commer cial isola- 
tion; in parts of the State gradual decline 
has already set in. The cure is indicated 
by a fragmentary plank in the platform of 
the Republican party. That fragmentary 
plank is to the Californian as big as a 
house. This is it: “The Nicaragua Canal 
should be built, owned and operated by 
the United States.” 

Let me explain more fully what those 
words, “commercial isolation,” import, to 
the wheat farmer, for example. 

Commercial isolation means, in the first 
place, that his crop must be sold on a 


purely speculative market; for the place 
where the wheat is consumed is five 
months’ sail from San Francisco; and no 
one can forecast prices five months ahead, 
especially now that his rivals in the South- 
ern Hemisphere have made wheat-harvest- 
ing a semi annual affair, their harvest oc- 
curing in our midwinter. 

Then, tonnage to convey his crop must 
be brought from afar, and, when wheat is 
abundant, it usually happens that ships are 
scarce, and in such demand that freights 
rule high. Taking an average of twenty- 
five years, about $12.50 a ton has been the 
ruling rate. Argentina has tonnage al- 
ways within easy call, and ships her prod- 
uce at less than half the above figure. 
This 8,000 mile handicap also implies five 
months’ interest on the cargoes shipped, 
against thirty days’ interest on Argentine 
cargoes. Lastly, it involves navigation 
through the proverbial perils of the Cape 
Horn route, where prevail Antarctic storms 
and cold, and, in winter, eternal night; in- 
surance is charged accordingly, at two per 
cent, against five-eights of one paid by 
Argentine shippers. 

Obviously, in seasons of normal har- 
vests, California is unable to compete un- 
der these adverse conditions. Were the 
Nicaragua Canal constructed every one of 
these would be removed. As Lieutenant 
Maury many years ago pointed out, this 
route is not in the region of equatorial 
calms, and would be accessible to sailing 
vessels almost every day in the year; it is, 
therefore, exempt from the difficulties in 
this and many other respects that attach to 
the Panama route. With this canal the 
area devoted to intense culture might be 
widened indefinitely, for not only our 
wheat would then compete on even terms 
with that produced by our rivals, but, by 
the use of steamships with cold storage ap- 
pliances, almost every one of the products 
of such culture, green fruits included, 
would find a profitable market among the 
teeming millions of Europe. Butter from 
Argentina, Australia and New Zealand al- 
ready figures on London lists of prices 
current; why not from California, where 
butter from first class creameries, fitted 
with every modern appliance, was a drug 
in the market last year at nine cents per 
pound ? 

It is surely to the interest of all this 
great nation that so glorious a Western ad- 
dition as the Pacific Coast States of the 
Union should not languish in this condi- 


252 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


tion of arrested development. In an in- 
terview recently with Speaker Reed, in 
which I urged the immense importance of 
the Canal to this Coast, the chief obstacle 
in his view seemed the financial. This is 
not insuperable. The estimated cost of 
construction in J872 was, roughly, $65,- 
000 000. Since then notable improve- 
ments have been made in excavating ma- 
chinery, and, in the experience of the 
Chicago Drainage Canal, the expense of 
such work has been very materially les- 
sened. Menocal’s schedule in 1872 priced 
various classes of work per cubic yard as 
follows: Dredging, 20 to 30 cents; earth 
excavation, 40 to 50 cents; rock excava- 
tion, $1.25 to $1.50; rock, subaqueous, 
$5. Chicago did the work at the follow- 
ing much reduced rates: Dredging, 5^4 to 
8 cents; earth excavation, 19 cents; rock, 
59 to 74 cents; rock, subaqueous, $1.75. 
There is, therefore, at least no need to as- 
sume that the cost of construction now 
would exceed the careful estimates of 1872. 
This cost could be readily covered by a 
bond issue, to be met by a sinking fund of 
one half of one per cent set aside out of 
canal tolls. This fund, in eighty-three 
years, would pay off the bond issue, and 
leave the nation possessed of such a prop- 
erty as should be not only a national pride 
and glory, but an actual cash profit. Any 
one disposed to sneer at such a result as 
visionary may, with propriety, be referred 
to the dividends, of fifteen to nineteen per 
cent, annually paid by the Suez Canal, 
whose shares it comports with the dignity 
of the British government to hold, and 
whose dividends serve to lighten the bur- 
den of British taxation. Similar results 
from the Nicaragua Canal might be not 
unwelcome to the American tax-paver. 

Finally, though I have written the above 
from a local standpoint, let it not be even 
momentarily supposed that the interests of 
the Pacific Coast alone are involved. The 
advantages accruing to the entire Union 
would be so great as to be absolutely in- 
calculable. The dictum of Macaulay yet 
holds good, that, barring the alphabet and 
the printing press, those inventions which 
abridge distance most influence and further 
the progress of humanity. Construct this 
canal and you eliminate 10,000 miles of 
distance in your routes of commerce; the 
demands of your coastwise trade will re- 
habilitate your commercial marine; your 
unfrequented seas will become gay with 
steam and beautiful with sails; “your ships 


shall cover the ocean as a cloud; they shall 
fly to your harbors as doves . to their win- 
dows .” — Edward Berwick , in the Arena. 

o 

For the Good of Masonry. 


Masonry is, indeed, a progressive 
science, and will continue as such as long 
as the Lodge shall stand. We never be- 
come perfect, with all its good teachings, 
and it is only through study that we get a 
view of its brightest gems. The more we 
study it the more of those hidden beauties 
we discover. 

One of its greatest beauties is charity; 
that charity which extends even beyond 
the grave, through the boundless realms of 
eternity. We are now about to add an- 
other link to that endless chain of charity. 
I refer to a home for the aged. It is, in- 
deed, a grand cause, and I am sure our 
Master above will crown our efforts with 
the success they so richly deserve. 

But why stop here ? Why not continue 
to add links as we discover them ? There 
is another link I would like to suggest we 
add. How many of us have heard the 
question asked, “Are there any sicbor in 
want ?” I think it is familiar to all of us; 
but how many of us stop to study the 
depth of meaning in it, especially the last 
word, “want” ? It is a word of many 
meanings. 

We may want some of our brethren to 
visit us when we are ill, or we may want 
the protecting arm of our brothers when 
we are persecuted, and numerous other 
wants. To any, or all, of these our broth- 
ers cheerfully respond; but there is one 
want that does not receive proper atten- 
tion. The reason for this is, we have not 
got the system for properly making this 
particular want known. Want of employ- 
ment is the one I refer to. 

I think I see a way to give it the de- 
sired expression. I would suggest that, 
in conjunction with the Home for Aged, 
we institute an Employment Bureau. The 
cost of maintaining said bureau would be 
purely nominal; but the benefit derived 
from it would be unbounded. For in- 
stance, a register could be kept of the 
name, address, number of lodge and kind 
of employment desired by ar plicant; the 
Secretaries of the different lodges could, 
after the application had gone through 
their lodge, forward the same to the Home 
Bureau, to be entered on the register there. 
Employers seeking help could secure the 


I 




THE TRESTLE BOARD 


253 


best in the land, men who could be de- 
pended on in any emergency. Where 
could any man have better credentials 
than the square and compasses ? 

At nearly every meeting of our Lodge 
we hear of some member being suspended 
for non-payment of dues. Why is this ? 
There are several reasons. Some mem- 
bers are careless about them, while others, 
for want of employment, are financially 
unable to pay them. This latter is the 
paramount reason for so much non-pay- 
ment. Some Lodges in this latter case 
either carry the brother or remit the dues. 
Now, I conscientiously believe we would 
solve the problem which has been dis- 
cussed at such lengths in the Home Jour- 
nal recently, if the suggestion could be 
carried out. 

There is many a worthy brother who 
has been, and who is yet, suffering for the 
necessaries of life that would actually 
starve to death rather than humiliate him- 
self to such an extent as to ask alms of his 
Lodge, even to protect his family from 
suffering; and a man will do almost any- 
thing to alleviate the sufferings of his 
loved ones. Masons are not beggars, nor 
do we wish them to be such. I am sure 
no Mason wants anything he can not re- 
turn value received for. They want to 
earn all they get; they are not used to beg- 
ging. 

There are a great many employers in 
our ranks, and they employ a great many 
men, not only in this city, but in every 
town and hamlet in the State, who would 
gladly take advantage of the opportunity 
to secure the services of such men as would 
apply through this medium, and I, for 
one, say give a brother the first chance at 
any vacancy you may have in your busi- 
ness. You will be the gainer by it for rea- 
sons best known to yourself. 

Some one may wish to raise the point 
that, should this plan be adopted, it might 
have the effect of influencing future ap- 
plicants for membership by mercenary 
motives. If such a point, or rather ob- 
jection, should be raised, I would like to 
ask, why are we banded together, and for 
what purpose, if not for the elevation and 
benefit of mankind, more especially brother 
Masons ? 

We can best give a needy brother help 
by giving him a chance to help himself. 
He will not hesitate to ask for, and accept, 
that kind of charity, and still retain his 
manhood. Why force, or allow to be 


forced, a strong, healthy man to beg alms, 
even if he could bring himself to do so, 
when it is not necessary ? There are sev- 
eral business men in this city who em- 
ploy none but brother Masons, and, in 
fact, won’t have any other kind of help; 
and it goes without saying that these 
business men are among the most success- 
ful in this city; and I have no doubt there 
are a great many more who would adopt 
the same plan if they could secure the men 
without much inconvenience to themselves. 

If a brother is out of work and gets be- 
hind with his dues we sometimes remit 
them, and think we have done our duty; 
but did you ever consider how a strong, 
able-bodied man must feel when compelled 
to accept such charity? Do you think it 
would be an incentive to him to attend his 
Lodge with the knowledge that he was 
only partaking of the pleasures of the 
social intercourse and other benefits which 
we enjoy at our meetings through char- 
ity? No, my brother, it certainly would 
not be; but give him a chance to pay up 
by giving him work, and with the money 
earned by the sweat of his brow he can 
pay up, and he will walk with a firm, up- 
right step into his Lodge without the blush 
of shame upon his face. 

Brothers, give this the deep and serious 
thought it deserves, and let us in some 
manner devise means by which a plan of 
this kind can be carried out. 

I would like to impress upon the minds 
of employers that in our ranks they can 
find the very best material for any posi- 
tion they may require filled; and, when in 
need of help of any kind, if they will make 
their wants known to the Master of their 
Lodge, I feel confident they will find the 
very man they have been wanting, pos- 
sibly for years. By so doing you will 
not only benefit yourself and the one you 
employ, but the Lodge as well. 

I would also suggest that in going 
through the general order of business in 
our Lodges, when we arrive at the query, 
“Are there any sick or in want ?” that we 
add, “or any brother in need of employ- 
ment?” I do not think it will conflict 
with any of our rules or by laws. If it 
does, amend them. It may prove a bless- 
ing to many a worthy brother. Each 
Lodge might have its own bureau; but it 
could not be as efficient as it would be at 
the Home, for there an applicant would 
have the benefit of every Lodge in the 
State. 


254 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


Now, brothers, let us push this along; 
and if any one can think of a better plan 
let us have it. I would like to hear from 
others on this subject; so push it along, 
and let us not only maintain the high 
standard we have attained, but go still 
higher, if possible, and improve on it if we 
can. Kentucky was the first to found a 
Home for the widows and orphans of our 
departed brothers; let her be the first in 
another good cause — that of aiding some 
of our brothers who have not departed. 

— C. M. Hammond , in Home Journal . 

o 

Her Goodness. 


Nancy Gates was knitting upon her 
trim little side porch. The days were 
steadily shortening and the apples were 
growing rosy upon the heavily laden 
boughs. Nancy sat thinking of the colder 
weather that must soon come, and knit the 
faster on the stocking which she was mak- 
ing for the Widow Hale’s youngest boy. 

She looked up as she heard the click of 
the gate latch. “It’s Ann Slocum out 
distributing news, I suppose,” she said to 
herself. 

“How d’ye do, Ann? Sit down. It’s 
pleasanter outdoors these days, seems to 
me,” and she went into the house for an- 
other chair. 

“Have you heard the news down to 
Turner’s?” Ann asked when Nancy re- 
appeared in the doorway. 

“No,” said Nancy, with a sudden 
tightening of her grasp upon the chair- 
back. 

“Wall, Sallie Turner’s dead,” said Ann 
abruptly. 

“ Dead,”, said Nancy, sinking into the 
chair, and letting drop her ball of yarn, 
which rolled away in the grass. 

“Yes, she died this morning; ’twas sud- 
dint.” 

Nancy got up slowly and went after her 
ball of yarn. When she came back she 
asked a few questions in the usual neigh- 
borly way, and no one could mistrust from 
her face or voice that the news had awak- 
ened more than the usual friendly regrets. 

After a time Ann rose to go and Nancy 
bid her “good aft’ noon,” and went direct- 
ly into the house. 

The latch clicked as the gate swung 
back from Ann’s hand, and then only did 
Nancy allow herself to drop into a chair 
and give her thoughts full rein. 

“Sallie Turner dead l Poor Sallie! Poor 


Hi. It’s been twelve years sense they was 
married, well I remember. Twelve long 
years. She was a pretty girl, an’ good, 
too; for all, she wasn’t a mite thrifty. Hi- 
ram ain’t got ahead much these twelve 
years, but he took a heap o’ comfort with 
Sally.” There was a deep breath and a 
long pause. “She couldn’t help cuttin’ 
me out no more’n a sweet pea can help 
drawin’ more bees than a dandeline. She 
never meant a mite o’ harm to anybody,” 
and a great tear splashed down upon the 
leg of Tommy Plale’s stocking. It was a 
tear of genuine sympathy, for there was no 
selfishness and no bitterness in Nancy 
Gates’ nature, yet some people called her 
odd. 

’Twas a month later and Nancy stood 
washing the few dishes which she had 
gathered up after her solitary meal. 

Tab was eating from her pan beneath 
the kitchen table. 

Sally Turner’s funeral had been attended 
by all the neighbor’s for miles around, 
and Nancy was thinking of it as she rinsed 
and wiped the plates. 

“Hi hasn’t chick or child to comfort 
him, and they say he’s baching it, too. 
Land goodness, I suppose it’s no business 
o’ mine, but he never was handy ’bout 
such things.” 

The dishes were set away and Nancy 
took out her knitting. This time it was a 
pair of mittens for Tommy Hale’s older 
brother. Nancy was always doing some- 
thing for somebody besides Nancy Gates; it 
seemed to be a necessary part of her make- 
up. 

“’Tain’t any use talkin’ any longer,” 
she said, at length, to Tab; “I’ve just got 
to do it, and I’m goin’ to do it to-night. 
Twelve years has took all the romance out 
o’ me, an’ he’ll never know it, I’ll reckon 
on that. Them pies did smell good 
a bakin’,” and, having relieved her mind 
in this apparently disconnected fashion, 
she resumed her knitting, and Tabby 
purred approving from her rug. 

At ten o’clock that night Nancy and 
Tab started out on a strange errand. Nancy 
had her arms full of paper parcels. One 
of them held two fresh mince pies, another 
a batch of doughnuts. 

The lights in the few houses they passed 
had been put out at least an hour before. 
They met no one on the road. When 
they came to a little house which stood 
away from the road, with shrubbery all 
around it, they stopped. It, too, was 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


2 55 


dark. Nancy turned, walked noiselessly 
around to* the shed, and cautiously pushed 
the door. 

It swung back and Nancy hastily de- 
posited her packages, pulled the door shut 
again, and as noiselessly made her way 
back to the road. When they reached 
home Nancy refused to think, and was 
soon quietly sleeping. 

It was a month before she allowed her- 
self to be tempted into planning a second 
trip to the house among the shrubbery, but 
that day the spicy aroma of her apple pies 
was too much for her resolution, and in 
the evening she and Tab ventured out once 
more. 

After that, at irregular intervals o f a 
month or more, Nancy took a batch of 
fresh baking to the little house in the 
shrubbery. 11 ’Pears like he ought to have 
some women’s cooking once in a while, 
and I don’t know how else I could help 
him have any,” she had said to Tab on 
their second trip, and so it came to be 
quite a customary thing. 

Again it was early fall, and Nancy was 
on the side porch knitting, as usual, for 
some one else. She heard wheels passing 
the house, and looking up saw Hiram Tur- 
ner driving along the road. 

“Do, Nancy,” he said briefly, and she 
answered, “ How d’ do, Hiram.” There 
was the fragrance of pumpkin pies issuing 
at that moment from the kitchen, and 
Nancy felt a queer twinge (w*as it of heart 
or conscience?) as she thought of her 
plans for that night. 

It had been two full months since she 
had been on one of her mysterions trips. 
For some reason, which she did not ex- 
plain even to Tabby, she had not dared, 
but this night she was going once more. 

The pumpkin pies were deposited as 
usual, but Nancy hastened back down the 
dim road at so rapid a rate that Tabby had 
to take a brisk trot in order to keep up 
wdth her. When they reached home Nancy 
sank dowm upon the doorstep and hid her 
face in her hands. “It’s our last trip, 
Tabby,” she said, looking up at length, 
“our very last. I thought twelve years 
had taken all the romance out o’ me, but 
it hasn’t, Tab, it hasn’t !” and Nancy 
who, for years, had always been helping 
some one else, and had borne her own 
burdens alone so bravely, gave w r ay at 
last. 

The next morning she w^as up early and 
at w’ork, w’hen she suddenly stopped in 


her preparations for breakfast, and ex- 
claimed: “Where’s my ring ?” 

Tab did not know and did not answer, 
and Nancy commenced a thorough search. 
Every imaginable place was examined, but 
no ring appeared. It had been her moth- 
er’s wedding ring, and was, therefore, es- 
pecially dear to her, but no amount of 
searching brought it to light, and Nancy 
sat down to her late breakfast with little 
appetite. 

Hiram Turner rose early that morning, 
too. He had grain to haul to the station 
several miles away, and he wanted to get 
an early start. He built a hasty fire and 
set the tea-kettle on, then he went to the 
shed for another armful of wood. As he 
opened the door he saw several paper par- 
cels. “More o’ that fine cookin’, I’ll be 
bound,” he exclaimed, and his eyes kin- 
dled and his mouth watered. “I’d give a 
load o’ w r heat to know who does that 
cookin’. I ain’t tasted anything so good 
for” — he w’as going to say “more’n ten 
years,” but a sentiment of respect for his 
lost wife checked him. “Seems queer 
ennyway,” he mused. “Well, here goes. 
It’ll help out my early breakfast amaz- 
ingly.” 

The tea-kettle was boiling w r hen he went 
back. He set the coffee on while he 
brought out a slice of cold ham, took from 
one of the packages some light raised bis- 
cuit done to a turn, and* from another a 
fragrant pumpkin pie. Hiram surveyed 
his table with an air of intense satisfaction. 
“ That’s better’ n a man could have got up 
if he’d tried a week,” he ejaculated, as he 
poured a cup of coffee. 

The last mouthful of biscuit and ham 
had disappeared, and Hiram reached over 
to cut the pie. His knife struck something 
hard. “What’s that?” he exclaimed, as 
he gave the knife a turn. It w’as some- 
thing round, and he brought it up on the 
end of the knife. “A ring, well !” and he 
proceeded to scrape aw'ay the pumpkin 
and examine it. Then he dropped back 
in the chair as though he had been struck. 
“Nancy Gates’ ring, as I’m alive ! Nancy 
Gates’ ! I remember it w f ell, if it has 
been more’n tw r elve years since I’ve seen 
it. An’ so it’s Nancy has been thinkin’ of 
the lonesome time I’m havin’, an’ of how' 
good some woman’s cookin’ would taste 
to a man wdio w r as try in’ to do his own. 
Nancy ! an’ I thought she’d never forgiven 
me for marry in’ Sally. Well, well !” and 
he leaned back in his chair, and — well it 


256 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


was ten o’clock before he thought again of 
his load of wheat which was to have gone 
on the nine o’clock train. 

That night Hiram lifted the latch of the 
gate in front of Nancy’s cottage. 

* ‘Nancy,” he said, when he had greeted 
her at the door, and been invited in, “I 
came to bring back your ring.” 

“My ring?” Nancy exclaimed, with a 
start and a wave of color which made her 
plain face as rosy as a girl’s. 

“ Yes,” said Hiram, in his dry way, “I 
found it in a pumpkin pie I had for break- 
fast. ’ * 

Nancy instantly froze. “I’m sure I’m 
much obliged to you for bringin’ back the 
ring,” she said stiffly, then, with just a 
suspicion of a quiver in her voice, she 
added, “it was my mother’s.” 

But just then Hiram was very susceptible 
to any variation in Nancy’s voice. 

“Nancy,” he said seriously, and his 
tone made Nancy’s heart bound in a way 
that startled her staid and sober self, “it 
ain’t the pies or the cookin’, though I 
never tasted any as good in my life, but 
it’s your kind heart and goodness to every- 
body.” 

“Nancy !” he went a step nearer, and 
Nancy did not repel him. 

A few days later the neighbors were 
surprised to see a card upon Nancy’s house 
announcing it “For Rent,” for she and 
Tabby had decided to move into the house 
amongst the shrubbery. 

o 

An Unanswered Query. 


It was while driving through the park 
that delightful spring Sunday afternoon 
with my friends, the Van Dams, that I 
got my first glimpse of the lady; that is, 
my first glimpse since we bade each other 
a formal farewell, three years before, in 
the picturesque little Western town where 
she lived and I lingered for three months 
in the hope of realizing a fortune on a 
small real estate investment. We passed 
each other rapidly, and my attention was 
so drawn to the magnificence of her equip- 
age and its accoutrements that I almost 
failed to see who was the occupant of the 
vehicle; and I had such a brief inspection 
of her features that I was by no means sure 
that I was not mistaken as to her identity. 

I in turn was evidently not observed. 
She was reclining in the luxurious cush- 
ions of the carriage, and, with true aristo- 
cratic indifference, saw nothing but the 


impassive backs of her driver and foot- 
man. There was a snowy fur boa about 
her shoulders, and that is all I can remem- 
ber of her dress. 

“What a beautiful woman !” exclaimed 
’Mrs. Van Dam, without noticing my low 
ejaculation of surprise. 

“That is the finest team of horses I ever 
saw in the park,” declared her husband, 
who sat with his back to the front, and had 
not seen the lady’s face. 

“Do you know who she is ?” said Mrs. 
Van Dam to me. 

“I — I had such a short view,” I replied 
with some hesitation, “I cannot be posi- 
tive. But I think her name is Munn — 
Mrs. Beverly Munn. I knew her in the 
West. She was not very rich then. I 
did not know that she was in the city. She 
seems comfortable now.” 

“To say the least !” laughed Mrs. Van 
Dam. “That is, of course, a private car- 
riage. I wonder I have not heard of her 
before. She cannot have been here long. 
A woman like that should be talked about 
a good deal, one way or another, you 
know. Mrs. Munn, you said ? Is her 
husband living ?” 

“I believe not,” I answered, “unless 
she has married within the last three 
years.” 

“Urn,” said Mrs. Van Dam, which 
might have meant several things. “Any- 
way,” she went on, “she seems to get 
along very comfortable alone. Did you 
know her very well, Felix? Is she quite 
— er — respectable ?’ ’ 

“She comes of a very excellent family, 

I was told,” I hastened to say. “I knew 
her pretty well. She is a very good talker 
and very careful of her conduct.” 

Mrs. Van Dam was not exactly satisfied 
with my answers to her question; I was 
conscious that she gave me a sharp glance 
out of the corner of her eyes, as much as 
to say: “You are very vague; you don’t 
tell all you know.” 

Just at this point of the conversation our 
carriage rolled out into Fifth avenue, and 
the subject was changed. But during the 
remainder of the drive I continued to think 
of Mrs. Munn, and to wonder how she 
came to be in New York, and where she 
got the money to make such an appear- 
ance. “Surely she didn’s get her wealth 
from that fifty acres of sand and rocks !” I 
laughed under my breath. “She must 
have married again,” I concluded; “mar- 
ried some millionaire. Certainly she was 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


257 


clever enough. She was the cleverest 
woman I ever saw, and I’ll wager she has 
not lost a good point in these three years.” 

One night, some two weeks after mv 
drive in the park with the Van Dams, I 
was having a bit of supper where they do 
things well, when Bennie Slatterly, fresh 
from the theater, strolled in and joined 
me. Bennie comes from genuine old 
stock, and is worth $2,000,000 if a dollar. 

“Just the man I want to see !” he ex- 
claimed, as he dropped into a seat oppo- 
site. “Do you know a Mrs. Munn — a 
Mrs. Beverly Munn?” 

The question was so abrupt that I am 
sure my eyes answered him before I spoke. 

“I know her slightly,” I confessed. 

“Gad ! I thought so,” he said, with sat- 
isfaction. “Met her somewhere in the 
West, didn’t you ? Let me see — who was 
it told me ? Oh, yes, Lulu Kittredge. 
She said she got it from Mrs. Van Dam, 
and said you knew all about Mrs. Munn. 
Now, Felix, open your heart. Who is 
she ? All the fellows that have seen her 
have tumbled head over heels in love with 
her, and I am one, and not a soul knows 
anything about her or where she came 
from. She’s a mystery, if ever there was 
one, and there’s not a man of us has the 
courage to question her. Hang it, she’s 
the cleverest woman I ever met. She 
makes you think you have known her al- 
ways; but if you ask her a pointed ques- 
tion about herself she evades it so grace- 
fully you forget what it was you asked, 
and you know no more about her than you 
did before you met her. She’s a perfect 
marvel of tact and beauty, and I’ll be 
hanged if I don’t find out all about her if 
it takes me till Christmas.” 

“She must be making a sensation,” I 
observed, when Bennie paused to recover 
his breath. 

“Sensation !” he repeated, “why, she 
makes a sensation wherever she goes. She 
is the best dressed woman in town. Every- 
body is talking about her. She has taken 
a house on the avenue; the Burbank house, 
you know, near Fifty-third street, and the 
De Kanes have taken her up. Not that 
the De Kanes have much of a pull of their 
own, and they do say that old De Kane is 
a bankrupt, and that he was paid $50,000 
to introduce such of us fellows as he could 
induce to dine with him to Mrs. Munn. 
But that’s women’s talk. The family 
have kept their mouths shut like clams 
about the beauty. Perhaps that was in the 


bargain. Somebody said she was a Chi- 
cago divorcee, but she herself said that her 
husband was dead. I got that information 
out of her, and that’s more than Stuyves- 
ant or any of the other fellows got. • Still, 
she might have been a divorcee, and her 
husband might have died since the di- 
vorce. 

“You see, Felix, she’s not one of our 
set at all, and instead of taking her up we 
ought to give the De Kmes a lesson for 
attempting to boost into society a woman 
that won’t stand investigation. But, con- 
found it, we can’t turn our backs on the 
game. I, for one, am tired of the same 
old girls, for they’re stupid and thin, and 
haven’t got a grain of snap or ginger, 
while here’s a woman who is absolutely 
fascinating and who is immensely clever. 
Is a fellow going to miss all the fun in life 
for the sake of form ? I tell you, there 
are a half-dozen fellows, and Stuyvesant 
is one of them — I’m not saying anything 
about myself — who would marry Mrs. 
Munn to morrow and ask no questions. 
What do you think of that ?” 

“She seems to have plenty of money,” 

I rejoined, “and that might cover a mul- 
titude of sins.” 

“Money ! I should say she has !” Ben- 
nie began again; “$5,000,000 of it. That 
is, they say that’s the size of her bank ac- 
count. Of course, I don’t know. But it 
looks as if it was so from the tremendous 
rate at which she is living. She tells me 
she has entirely redecorated the Burbank 
house, and that just as soon as she is per- 
fectly settled she means to give a dinner. 
Think of the nerve ! But I’ll bet $100 all 
the fellows will be there. I don’t know 
about the women, though. They are 
pretty shy. I hear the Trippman girls 
have said some rather hard things about 
Mrs. Munn; but that’s only jealousy. I 
suppose all the girls are piqued because 
the fellows have fallen into the new beau- 
ty’s net. Can’t blame ’em, of course. 
But they really don’t know anything 
against her. I’m sure of that, for I would 
have heard it. I don’t want to hear any- 
thing against her; she looks and acts like 
a proper person, and I think she is. I’d 
like to hear some good of her for change. 
What do you know, Felix? I’ve been 
telling you all about her, when you should 
have been telling me.” 

“Well, I’m sorry I haven’t the desired 
information, Bennie,” I said “I met her 
in some Western city — in Colorado, I 


258 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


think it was — when I was out there on 
business three years ago. I never knew 
much about her. I found her very charm- 
ing and clever, and called on her a few 
times—’ ’ 

“Oh, come, Felix !” Bennie interrupt- 
ed. “What’s the use of that sort of talk ? 
You’re almost as clever at evasion as she 
is herself. Why don’t you tell me the 
truth ? Hang it ! You don’t want to 
tell” 

“My dear boy!” I expostulated, “if I 
knew anything I’d tell you. 

“But you know something !” Bennie in- 
sisted. “Really, you ought to tell it, 
Felix. You’re the only one who can clear 
up the mystery about this woman. This 
universal silence is suspicious. One would 
think you had made a bargain with her to 
keep a close mouth.” 

“But I haven’t spoken to her in three 
years,” I returned “I shouldn’t have 
known she was in the city except for a 
glimpse of her in the park a fortnight ago. 
I knew no better until you told me. Now, 
I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll call on 
Mrs. Munn within the next two weeks and 
have a talk with her. Perhaps I may find 
out something that will interest you. If 
you and Stuyvesant and the other fellows 
will meet me here at n o’clock, two weeks 
from to-night, I’ll give you the benefit of 
my visit.” 

“By Jove it’s a go,” Bennie declared. 
“I see no other way to find out about her. 
She’ll tell you everything for the sake of 
old acquaintance. And there’s a good 
deal to tell, or I’m mightily mistaken.” 

So it was settled and I went home to 
bed, leaving Bennie meditating somewhat 
gloomily over another absinthe. 

I was in good faith in my promise to 
call on Mrs. Munn, and the very next day, 

I think it was, I presented myself at the 
door of the Burbank mansion. 

The library into which I was ushered 
had been almost completely refurnished, 
and was luxury itself. A copy of my lat- 
est novel was lying open on a table. 

“So you have come at last,” said a soft 
voice suddenly, and Mrs. Munn came into 
the room and gave me both her hands for 
an instant. 

She was smiling, as one who is very 
happy. # 

“At last?” I answered. “I didn’t sup- 
pose; that is, I didn’t know you were in 
the city until a few days ago, and I didn’t 
learn where you lived until last night.” 


“Didn’t you, really ?” 

“No; and you see how soon I have 
come.” 

“It is very good of you, and you are as 
gallant of speech as ever, I see.” 

“You might have sent for a fellow,” I 
returned. 

“You know very well why I would 
never have done that. You must have 
been awfully out of the world not to have 
located me sooner,” she laughed. 

“I was; I was busy night and day dur- 
ing the last month. You know my weak- 
ness for leaving work until the last minute 
and then slaving over it.” 

“I know several of your weaknesses,” 
she said, again laughing. “What do you 
think of my success here ?” 

“It would be marvelous for anybody 
but you.” 

“If you only meant half that you utter 
so smoothly !” 

“How do you know how much I mean ? 
I may have changed; wise men do, you 
know; fools never.” 

“First you compliment me and then 
yourself. You will have to write a better 
novel than your last one before I will be- 
lieve that you are wise.” 

“I finished a better one yesterday. Do 
you know that the whole city is talking 
about you ?” 

“You know what some one says, ‘There 
is only one thing worse than being talked 
about, and that is not being talked about.’ ” 

“I supposed you were married before 
this.” 

She looked at me in mischievous sur- 
prise. 

“How could you think that?” she said 
naively. 

I mentally concluded that she was the 
most consummate actress I had ever seen. 

“You don’t mean to say,” I began, 
when she hastily interrupted. 

“I suppose you will tell everybody all 
about me ?” she asked. 

“Why should I? I don’t know any- 
thing to tell,” I returned. 

It was my turn to dissimulate. 

“You are very kind. I have a piece of 
news for you that will surprise you, I 
think; that is, if you can be surprised.” 

“I’ll try to be, if it will please you.” 

“Well, you know the fifty acres of sand 
and rocks you were good enough to pre- 
sent to me ?’’ * 

“I know.” 

She began laughing again. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD, 


259 


“In the last three years that bit of estate 
has yielded $2,000,000 worth of gold 
quartz, and I am told the men are just 
getting well into the vein.” 

There was no concealing my actual as- 
tonishment. 

“What !” I exclaimed. “That beastly 
patch of earth yielded $2,000 000? And 
here I am drudging over my novels !’’ 

Her face grew serious. 

“See what you get for losing your pa- 
tience,” she said, “and for — for other 
things.” 

“When I lost my patience you found 
wealth and happiness,” I responded, look- 
ing her straight in the eyes. 

“Wealth,” she corrected. 

“I can understand now much that was 
not plain to me before,” I continued. 
“This is the place for you now. You can 
have all the luxuries now; even the luxury 
of a blue-blooded or titled husband. Your 
success is already tremendous. If people 
only wouldn’t ask questions !” 

“If you wish to misunderstand me you 
may.” She walked to the window which 
overlooked the avenue, and, drawing aside 
the curtains, gazed down on the passing 
carriages. Presently she turned and gave 
me a meaning look. “The situation is the 
same as it was then,” she said, ‘‘except 
that—” 

“Except what ?” 

“There’s an 18 carat finish to it.” 

“It can’t be bought !” I exclaimed, pac- 
ing the floor. 

“Please don’t insult me, Felix,” she 
answered. I saw that her face was white 
and that her lips quivered. As I went 
nearer to her I saw a tear steal from under 
her lashes. 

I am like other men, and a woman’s 
tears affect me deeply. There was not 
another word said. Moved by an irre- 
sistible influence, I caught her in my 
arms. 

if. % 5«C 

When I strolled into my club at eleven 
o’clock at night two weeks later I found 
Bennie, Slatterly, Stuyvesant and a half- 
dozen other smart fellows gathered there. 
They were expecting me. 

“By Gad, you’ve got to tell us all you 
know, Felix !” declared Bennie, as I found 
a seat. “We’re all at sword’s points, but 
we have one common aim in life, and that 
is to clear up the mystery" concerning Mrs. 
Munn. Now tell us everything, old chap. 
What did you learn by your visit ?” 


I answered very deliberately. “If you 
remember my promise, Bennie,” I said, 
“you know my words were that I would 
give you the benefit of my visit up there, 
and tell you whatever might interest you. 
Well, the result of my visit was that I am 
to marry the lady within a week. In view 
of this event I can’t see that Mrs. Munn’s 
past can possibly interest you in any way 
whatever. Can you ? Waiter,” I contin- 
ued, turning to the attendant functionary, 
“will you take an order?” 

o 

Miss P.’s Deed of Mercy. 


When Miss P. made up her mind to do 
a thing it was done. So when she was sit- 
ting on the front porch of her pretty rose- 
covered cottage one hot summer day and 
looked up the street and saw advancing 
toward her a great flock of shrep a plan 
came into her head which proved impor- 
tant. 

The mass came sweeping past the pretty 
cottage, sending clouds of California dust 
over the cypress hedge upon the beds of 
scarlet verbenas and into Miss P.’s very 
face, but Miss P. never moved. Her soit 
eyes, full of compassion, gazed out upon 
that patient throng of creatures, and a look 
of pain swept across her face as the poor 
things tried eagerly to catch a mouthful of 
the fresh, green grass which formed Miss 
P.’s well-kept border just outside the path. 
The horseback rider urged them on, and 
on they hurried, huddling their fleecy 
dust brown backs together till it seemed as 
though one might walk across that living 
flood. Behind the great flock came the 
usual accompaniment — the wagon in which 
the lame and exhausted sheep were carried 
by the herders — and as Miss P. looked one 
faltered and fell, rose feebly and was picked 
up and placed in the wagon with the 
others. 

When the last cloud of dust had settled, 
Miss P. smiled to herself an odd little 
smile. “It’s a queer thing to do, maybe, 
.but it’s no one’s business but my own, and 
if I choose to do missionary work in front 
of my own house instead of away off in 
heathen lands I’m going to do it.” 

Miss P. took the three o’clock car into 
the city and visited a certain place of busi- 
ness on a bustling street, held a half hour’s 
conference with the proprietor, looked 
over numerous catalognes, talked prices 
and then took her departure. Not for 
home, however. To an up-town office in a 


26 o 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


•great block she next made her way; then, 
as the summer twilight was gathering, 
sought her corner and waited for her car. 

Miss P/s life was lonely. Something 
seemed always lacking to make it quite 
complete. She would not admit it, even 
to herself, for the owner of that resolute 
mouth and chin and that firm, indepen- 
dent way could never confess that aught 
was lacking to make her comfort com- 
plete. She was not rich; only “comfor- 
tably fixed,” as the neighbors said. Her 
father, dying a few years before, had left 
her the neat little cottage and the fruit or- 
chard behind it, which supplied not only 
her, but many of the neighbors with choice 
fruit. For Miss P. was nothing if not 
neighborly, although there was always a 
certain dignity and reserve about her that 
forbade the approach of the too- familiar. 
People wondered why she was at forty still 
unmarried. She must have had a “disap- 
pointment,” they said, though Miss P. 
looked least likely of women to have had 
a romance. 

One morning a great dray, drawn by 
four horses, toiled along the dusty road 
and pulled up at the little white gate under 
Miss P.’s cypress arch. Neighbors began 
to wonder and conjecture and to neglect 
the cooking of their noon-day meals, when 
Miss P.’s blue sunbonnet, having duly 
peered over into the wagon and inspected 
its contents, withdrew into the house, and 
the men who had come with the dray be- 
gan to lift and tug at a queer, long, stone 
something in the wagon. 

Old Mrs. Green peered through the 
blinds of the next house and called out ex- 
citedly, “Maria, come here this minute ! 
I do believe Miss P.’s went an’ had her 
own coffin made, or a sarcophagus or 
somethin’. ” 

Bui, Maria, leaning interestedly over 
the old lady’s shoulder, said, “Pshaw, 
mother, ’tain’t no such thing ! Looks a 
heap more like a watering trough to me.” 

And so in course of time it proved to 
be. “Just like one of her queer notions,”, 
said one. “But it’ll be a blessin’ to poor 
dumb brutes, just the same,” said another, 
and a third neighbor declared that nothing 
on earth could tempt her to have a public 
watering trough put up in front of her 
house. 

The men within a mile around thought 
it was just the thing, and began to wonder 
why they hadn’t taken up a collection and 
got one themselves long ago. 


But when in a few days a handsome iron 
drinking fountain was brought out from 
the city and set up at one end of the long 
stone trough, and a bright tin cup was 
chained thereto, people said, “Well, Miss 
P. does beat all for doing deeds of mercy !” 

And the lady in question, sitting on her 
vine-wreathtd porch, said to herself as she 
watched the thirsty children stopping on 
their way home from school in the hot 
summer afternoons, “I really couldn’t 
spare that hundred and fifty dollars very 
well, but I can do without the new matting 
I was going to get, and I’m going to make 
over my best dress and pinch along awhile 
to make up for it, and one dollar a month 
extra water tax won’t be very much. 
Anyhow, I’m going to enjoy it.” 

And she did enjoy it. What a pleasure 
it was the next time a flock of sheep came 
through to see the thirsty creatures crowd 
and push around the low stone trough, 
full to the brim with clear, cold water, and 
how eagerly the jaded horses drooped 
their heads forward to the welcome 
draught. And no less satisfied was she to 
see the dusty sheep-men lift awkwardly 
their wide sombreros as they dismounted 
and caught a glimpse of her before they 
drank cupful after cupful from the iron 
fountain. 

And this filled Miss P.’s queer soul with 
intense satisfaction. “Whosoever giveth 
a cup of cold water,” she thought to her- 
self, “maybe it’s just as much a deed of 
mercy as to send money to the heathen.”* 

One morning Miss P., as was her cus- 
tom, worked among her flowers, digging 
around the rose-trees with her little hoe, 
turning up the earth with her trowel, and 
tieing up a sagging vine here and there. 
Suddenly she heard down the road the un- 
mistakable herald of an approaching herd 
of cattle, the confused lowing of a hun- 
dred plunging and plodding cows, mingled 
with the whistles and pecular cries and 
calls of the attendant cowboys, who in 
wide felt sombreros and picturesque attire, 
rode at each side of the moving mass of 
tossing horns and rough-coated bodies. 

Miss P. dropped her garden tools and 
went up the steps to the porch. It was the 
way she paid herself for the expense and 
trouble of setting up the drinking place — 
this quiet enjoyment of hers in the eager- 
ness and satisfaction of the poor creatures, 
weary with the travel of many miles over 
dusty roads. 

As she sat thus, looking out across the 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


261 


cypress hedge upon the surging crowd of 
cattle, a panic-stricken child pushed open 
the gate and ran up the walk. “Oh, Miss 
P.,” she cried out shrilly, “let me come 
where you are ! I’m afraid of the cows !” 

Miss P. rose and went down the steps. 
How womanly and tender she looked as 
she reached a hand down to the little girl 
and smiled reassuringly. The cattle were 
crowding around the long, stone trough 
and a dark -eyed, weather-bronzed cowboy 
leaned from his mustang and helped him- 
self to a drink from the fountain. As he 
did so he heard the child’s frightened cry 
and saw the pretty, womanly little picture. 
As he drank he studied the woman’s face 
furtively from the shadow of his wide som- 
brero, and a sudden look of wonder seemed 
to come into his deep eyes. But he as- 
sisted the others in keeping the struggling 
herd under control, and finally, after all 
were satisfied, helped to start them mov- 
ing again in a wide, dark stream of hoofs 
and horns, broad, red backs and switching 
tails, down the dusty road. Then, with a 
word to the cowboy nearest to him he 
turned his horse and rode back to the 
fountain. 

As Miss P., standing at the gate with 
the child, glanced up at him he lifted his 
sombrero and sprang from his saddle. 
“Beg pardon, madam,” he began cour- 
teously, “but I want to thank you for the 
great privilege we have enjoyed. It’s a 
rare thing in California to find a watering- 
place along the road.” 

“You’re entirely welcome, Pm sure,” 
responded Miss P. cordially. This was 
nothing new. Dozens of grateful passers- 
by had paused to thank her for providing 
such refreshment for man and beast, and it 
was only a simple act of courtesy in this 
particular cowboy to do the same. So she 
wondered a little w’hy he did not take his 
departure now’ that his errand was done. 
Perhaps he enjoyed the shade of the 
mighty fig-tree which spread its great 
limbs and dense foliage far out over the 
fountain and into the street. 

Why should he look at her so? Why 
didn’t he go? Oh, whom did he look 
like and who was he ? 

At that moment her startled eyes caught 
sight of a long, red scar across the man’s 
forehead, for his head was bared, and in 
another instant she found herself leaning 
against the cypress hedge quite w’eakly 
and feeling as though it must all be a 
dream. Then she gathered herself to- 


gether and spoke in a quiet voice which 
trembled a little: 

“Horace — Horace, is it you, or am I 
dreaming ?” 

“You are not dreaming, Nellie,” the 
man replied as quietly; “it is Horace and 
you are Nellie, come together at last in 
this strange way.” 

Miss P. suddenly lost her hold upon 
herself and began to cry — a soft, nervous, 
sobbing cry — and murmured something 
brokenly which the stranger accepted as 
an invitation to come in. So he tied the 
mustang to the ring in the fig tree’s trunk 
and followed Miss P. into the house, while 
the open mouthed child went on her way 
school ward, stopping often to w f alk back- 
ward a few steps and w’onder at what she 
had seen. 

But old Mrs. Green behind her window’ - 
blinds called excitedly to Maria and told 
her all about it. “Depend upon it, Maria,” 
she quavered, “that old maid’s got a his- 
tory and I know it, and I hain’t a mite of 
doubt in my mind but w’hat that’s her beau 
come back. But a cowboy — my sakes 
alive !” 

It was the same old story with w’hich 
everybody is so familiar — a lover’s quar- 
rel, a hasty parting, a hot-headed youth 
flinging himself away from the quiet New' 
England home out into the world, to be 
swallowed up in the yawming jaw’s of the 
wide, widew’est; a girl left to eat her heart 
out in proud, unspoken sorrow and refuse 
her various suitors because she had no 
love to give them. The old, old story 
again, but this one at least had a happy 
ending. 

“And he w r a’n’t just a cowboy after all,” 
says old Mrs. Green, as she cackles forth 
the romantic story of her next door neigh- 
bor, “for he owmed all them cattle and 
was just a passin’ through to look after 
’em. And he’s w’orth consid’able they 
say; got a big stock ranch up north, and 
Miss P.’s rented her house for six months 
and w’ent up there wfith him till he gets 
things in shape to leave e’m and come 
dowm here to live. She says she ain’t 
never goin’ to leave that there drinkin’ 
fountain an’ waterin’ trough, and I don’t 
know’s I blame her w r hen it surely was the 
means of bringin’ her a husband. Oh, 
yes, she’s married. He come back in a 
day or two, lookin’ as slick as you please, 
and they w r as married by Elder Stewart 
Wednesday evening a w’eek ago. 

“Well, I hope that man’ll make her 


262 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


happy, for she is a good, kind hearted 
woman, and I call that queer freak of hers 
— settin’ up that waterin' trough in front 
of her house — a regular deed of mercy.” 
— Harriet Francene Crocker , of Ver?io?i- 
dale , Cal. 

o 

Firefly. 

In a recent number of Hie Horse World 
an article appeared on the subject of in- 
sanity in horses, the writer holding the 
opinion that horses do go insane. Per- 
haps they do, and perhaps they are driven 
insane by the abuse of ignorant or cruel 
attendants, as is shown by the following 
instance related in Our Animal Friends: 

Last summer I was staying for some 
weeks on the shores of the beautiful Lake 
George. 

One lovely afternoon I was driving with 

my friend, Mrs. H , and admiring her 

fine horses, who held up their spirited 
heads without the assistance of those de- 
testable check reins, and waved their long 
flowing tails, safe from the brutal knife, 
with which so many flint-hearted owners 
of fine horses hack off the tails of their 
helpless dumb property and call the ugly, 
mutilated stumps 4 stylish.” 

As we were driving along Mrs. H 

asked John, the coachman, to stop for five 
minutes at the house of her carpenter, and 
got out of the carriage to give some or- 
ders, leaving me to do what I always seize 
every opportunity of doing; that is, to talk 
with the coachman about horses. 

He was a bright, young fellow. 

“Your horses do you credit, John,” I 
began. 

“Their coats shine like satin.” 

“Oh, thank you, ma’am,” said he, 
touching his hat. “I have had them go- 
ing on five years, and I have never once 
laid a whip over their backs.” 

“Do you know much about horses?” 

“Well, I have studied them a good 
deal, ma’am, and early in the summer I 
saved the life of a very valuable horse.” 

“Oh, do tell me,” I cried, leaning for- 
ward. 

^He laughed and blushed, and said, “I’ll 
do my best, ma’am. I must begin by tell- 
ing you that all the country round about 

here knew of Mr. L ’s insane horse. 

They whipped him, and shackled him, 
and tried to cure him, but it was of no use, 
and now for two days he had refused all 
food, and was condemned to be shot. 

“I thought a good deal about the poor 


creature, and the day before he was to be 

killed I asked Mrs. H to let me drive 

over and see him. On the way I stopped 
at the Fort William Henry Hotel. A 
famous veterinary doctor, whom I once 
saved from the kick of a horse, was stop- 
ping there. I found him smoking on the 
piazza, and easily persuaded him to take 
his bag of instruments and medicine, with- 
out which he never traveled, and go with 
me. 

“When we got to the stable there were 
a dozen idle fellows standing around and 
chaffing the grooms. Poor Firefly stood 
trembling in his stall, with every little 
while a big shudder going all over him. 
The doctor and I went near, and he turned 
and looked at us. I do declare, ma’am, 
that I never saw such a hopeless, pleading 
look. It made a great choke come in my 
throat, and I dashed off some water from 
my eyes before those vagabonds could see. 
it and make fun of me. 

“‘Oh, come!’ said one big, rough 
loafer, ‘touch him up, Jake.’ Before we 
could stop him Jake went into the next 
stall, and leaning over gave Firefly a sharp 
tap on the side of his face. 

“Instantly the horse threw up his head 
and dashed it from side to side. He 
backed out of the stall as far as the long 
strap would let him and began to kick 
and prance furiously, his eyes ablaze, his 
nostrils extended, while the brutal crowd 
clapped and hallooed. The doctor and I 
watched him carefully, my heart full of 
pity, when all at once it came to me — I 
knew; yes, I knew what ailed him, and I 
suddenly cried out: ‘Stop hollering, you 
loafers, the horse is crazy with a jumping 
toothache !’ 

“A roar of contemptuous laughter 
greeted this discovery, but the doctor had 
already opened his bag and taken out a 
bottle of chloroform. He quickly satu- 
rated the towel, and watching his chance, 
threw it over poor Firefly’s head. 

“The creature lurched, trembled and 
then began to sprawl like a drunken man, 
and we had hardly time to run to him be- 
fore he fell heavily forward and rolled over 
on his side. With the help of two of the 
more decent men we caught him in time 
to lay him gently down, and then, by the 
doctor’s direction, I sat lightly upon his 
shoulder to prevent any possible move- 
ment, while the others held his feet. 

“Then the doctor, holding the cloth 
over the nose of the horse, forced open his 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


263 


mouth. Oh ! Oh ! What a sight it was ! 
I hope, ma’am, never to see it again ! An 
enormous abscess filled all one side, while 
the rest was purple with inflammation. 
Two back teeth covered by the ulcer were 
laid bare by the forceps of the doctor. 
They were decayed to the very roots. 

“ ‘These have made all the trouble !’ he 
exclaimed, and in another minute he had 
yanked them out. He put more chloro- 
form on the cloth, and taking a lancet 
from his bag he cut deep into the abscess. 
Calling for an old towel he softly pressed 
out all the stuff it held; then asking fora 
basin of warm water poured some lauda- 
num in it, and with a sponge he gently 
sponged and washed the suffering mouth 
and quivering, swollen gums; and then, 
removing the chloroformed cloth, he laid 
down the poor animal’s head. 

“ ‘Now, Jake,’ he said, ‘go quickly and 
prepare a soft, warm mash, and see if Mr. 

L is in the house. I should like to 

speak to him.’ 

“Upon hearing this all the tramps and 
loafers lounged off. 

“Presently poor Firefly moved feebly 
and opened his eyes. I got off his shoul- 
der. He raised his head slowly while I 
patted and smoothed his flank and spoke 
kindly to him. ‘It’s all over, poor old fel- 
low,’ I said, ‘you won’t suffer much longer.’ 

“I am sure he understood me, for a soft 
gleam came into his eyes; then he seemed 
to pull himself together, and with a su- 
preme effort got upon his legs, trembling 
all over, while T just kept talking to him 
and cheering him up, the same as if he 
were a human being. 

“By this time the groom had brought 

the warm mash, and Mr. L came with 

him. The doctor put a strong sleeping 
potion in it, and I held it and coaxed him 
to eat. He began to eat slowly, with a 
wondering look in his eyes, as if he wished 
to know from where this blessed relief 
from torture had come. His mouth was 
still horribly sore, but the exciting cause 
was gone. 

“We made him up a thick bed of soft 
hay, and the sleeping potion soofl taking 
effect the poor, exhausted creature sank 
down and fell into a deep sleep. Then 
the doctor told Mr. L of my ‘inspira- 
tion,’ as he called it, and Mr. L 

begged me to take a $20 bill, with his 
thanks, but I wouldn’t. I told him it was 
enough reward to have saved such a fine 
horse from being shot. 


“ ‘Very well,’ he answered, ‘I will get 
even with you in some other way, and as 
to the doctor,' shaking hands with him, 
‘you may be sure that your bill will be 
paid most cheerfully.* ’’ 

“And how did Firefly get on?” I asked, 
for I was very deeply interested. 

“Oh, he picked up wonderfully ! What 
with tonics and warm mashes and petting, 
he is one of the handsomest horses in this 
part of the country. Why !” exclaimed 
John, starting up in his seat. “I do believe 

that is Mr. L and Firefly coming this 

way now.” 

I looked up the road and saw a dog-cart 
with a groom behind, and a gentleman 
driving a splendid, bright bay horse, with 
no blinders nor check-rein, and flourishing 
a long, beautiful tail. The horse knew 
John instantly, and stopping of his own 
accord tried to put his head into the front 
of the open carriage. 

Just then Mrs. H came out of the 

carpenter’s shop, and this was the tableau 
she saw: I was holding the reins of her 
horses, Mr. L sat motionless and smil- 

ing in his dog-cart, while John, who had 
vainly tried to push back Firefly, had 
handed me the reins and jumped out, and 
he and the grateful creature were hugging 
each other; that is, Firefly had pushed 
John’s hat off, and was rubbing his head 
all over his shoulder, while John was pet- 
ting the animal and calling him loving 
names. 

Then Mr. L jumped out of his dog- 
cart and gallantly handed Mrs. H into 

her carriage. John resumed his reins, and 
with cordial smiles and bows we went our 
different ways. 

Don’t let any one dare to say, after this, 
that horses have no reason, sense and 
memory as well as affection. Firefly knew 
well enough what John had done for him, 
and he never meant to forget it. 

And now, my dear readers, you can 
easily see the moral of my story — my true 
story — and I entreat you to circulate this 
piece of advice: 

When a horse is fretful and seems de- 
termined to be ugly, don’t tie him up 
with a strong strap to a strong hook in the 
stable and whip him, bnt send for a veteri- 
nary surgeon and have him examined. 

o 

A tippling Templar and a hypocritical 
church member are two of the most con- 
temptible objects on earth. 

— Sir E. G. De Lapp , of Miss . 


264 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


Making Masons at Sight. 


It is not true now, and never was, that 
Lodges are created by virtue of any pre- 
rogative of the Grand Master. Originally 
the privilege of meeting and conferring 
degrees, says Brother Mackey, was inher- 
ent in all Masons as individuals, and, ac- 
cording to Preston, page 150, Illustra- 
tions, American edition, “a sufficient num- 
ber of Masons met together, within a cer- 
tain district, with the consent of the sheriff 
or chief magistrate of the place, were em- 
powered at this time to make Masons, and 
practice the rites of Masonry without the 
warrant of constitution. The privilege 
was inherent in themselves as individuals; 
and this privilege is still enjoyed by the 
two old Lodges, now extant, which act by 
immemorial constitution.’ , 

It would seem that no intelligent exami- 
nation of the history of the very enact- 
ments upon which it is sought to support 
the prerogative, could result in any other 
conclusion than that the time never was 
when Lodges were the creation of a Grand 
Master: they have always been, since 1663, 
subject to the regulation of the General 
Assembly, which ordained that Masons 
should thereafter be made in “ regular 
Lodges,” and the Craft governed by a 
Grand Master and Wardens of its appoint- 
ing, and the only question regarding them 
which was within the discretion of the 
Grand Master was whether a dispensation 
should issue pursuant to constitutional au- 
thority and regulation. 

If the office of Grand Master is older 
than written constitution, a theory once 
prevalent, but which has been refuted time 
and again, and in support of which not a 
shadow of authority, says Brother Parvin, 
has ever been adduced, then it is certain 
that whatever prerogative he may have 
previously had to create Lodges of his 
own will and pleasure terminated, for 
thereafter dispensations could only be 
granted “with the consent and approba- 
tion of the Grand Lodges.” The power 
of consenting carries with it the power of 
denying, and thus the entire matter was 
vested in the Grand Lodge, where it has 
remained ever since. The privilege of 
meeting and conferring the degrees, as has 
been said, was originally inherent in all 
Masons as individuals; this being so it 
would seem that when that privilege was 
surrendered that it carried with it the 
“prerogative.” 


So far we have confined ourselves to a 
traverse of the old and time-worn argu- 
ments which have amused our brethren in 
the past, when Masonic history was of that 
mythical character which prevails in all 
the earlier Masonic writings, but which 
has been dispelled before the noonday sun 
which, in recent years, has penetrated its 
veil of mystery, and, today, the writer 
who treats Masonic history as he would a 
work on mythology, would simply become 
laughing stock for all intelligent Masons. 
In the light which such works as that of 
Robert Frecke Gould and the labors of 
William James Hughan and others who 
have investigated and written Masonic his- 
tory as philosophical truth have thrown 
upon, which the arguments we have en- 
deavored to meet, they vanish as vapor be- 
fore the noonday sun, and must be rele- 
gated to the domain of fairy tales; for the 
most part they were purely the efforts of 
the imagination of those who wrote, and 
the more is the pity, for most of us who 
belong to the generation of Masons, who 
read as gospel truth the teachings of the 
venerable array of frauds who catered to 
the Masonic thirst for knowledge, thirty 
years ago, have had to painfully unlearn 
much that we learned with painstaking 
care. It would, doubtless, have startled 
the brethren who composed the Grand 
Lodge of 1853, to hear us now say, that 
we fully agree with such Masons as Albert 
Pike and Theodore S. Parvin in the state- 
ment that “there is absolutely no evidence 
that there ever was a Grand Master in 
England, or a general assembly of Masons 
held there, before Sayer was elected in 
1717.” 

But, granting for the sake of the argu- 
ment, that he formerly possessed such a 
prerogative, we are confronted by the fact 
that every Grand Master in modern times 
is obligated at least thrice to support and 
maintain the constitution and regulations 
of the Grand Lodge, and we think, there- 
fore, that if they do not confer upon him 
the power of setting aside their provisions 
regarding the initiation of candidates that 
he must be deemed to have waived what- 
ever prerogatives he may have anciently 
possessed, by assuming the obligation of 
office. He is not above the law, but, if 
possible, more than any other Mason, 
bound to support and maintain it in all its 
integrity. Without entering into argu- 
ment to demonstrate that the Grand Mas- 
ter is a constitutional officer, it seems very 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


265 


clear to us that he is at least bound by the 
maxim in Masonry that “those things 
which are not permitted to a Mason are 
clearly prohibited.” Drummond, page 552, 
History of Masonry. It is not permttted 
now, nor has it been since 1717, to make 
a Mason “except in a regular Lodge,” 
nor since 1753, until due inquiry has been 
made as to his character, nor without the 
unanimous consent of the members of a 
Lodge, which qualification is not the sub- 
ject of a dispensation. Vlth Reg. 

Our conclusion, therefore, is that the 
prerogative of making a Mason at sight 
does not exist and has not since 1717, or, 
if those who contend for exploded Masonic 
history prefer it, since 1663. 

— Bro Fred' k Speed of Miss. 

o 

Masonry Among Savage Tribes. 


Is Freemasonry known among the sav- 
age tribes of the earth, such as the Arabs 
of the desert, the red men of North Amer- 
ica? The question has often been debated 
and apparently strong evidence produced 
on both sides. 

I once had a conversation with Robert 
Morris, in the course of which he told me 
that when traveling in the East he had met 
many Arab Sheiks, and that every one of 
them was acquainted with some of the 
modes of recognition in use among Free- 
masons. 

On his inquiring of them how they ob- 
tained this knowledge they informed him 
that it was hereditary in the Sheik fami- 
lies, and that it had been handed down by 
one generation to another from the earliest 
ages of the world. 

Many circumstances have from time to 
time been related which would lead us to 
infer that some knowledge of Masonic signs 
and symbols also exists among our native 
Indian tribes. 

One incident which appears to favor 
such a belief has recently been related to 
me by Brother W. S. Moote, who is at 
present a resident of our town of Dunville 
and a member of Amity Lodge, No. 32, 
G. R. C., but who formerly belonged to a 
Lodge at Hastings, Nebraska. 

Here is the narrative as told by himself. 
He says: “I was one of the early settlers of 
the Territory of Nebraska. In the fall or 
winter of 1874 I went on a buffalo hunt in 
companv with several friends and neigh- 
bors. While hunting near the Prairie 
Dog, a tributary of the Republican River, 


we were attacked and surrounded by a 
band of hostile Indians belonging to the 
Sioux tribe. Our ammunition was nearly 
exhausted, and our chances of escape ap- 
peared very slim; but I remembered hav- 
ing heard that the savage tribes knew 
something of Masonry, so I gave the sign 
of the E. A. and then of the F. C. These 
signs, to all appearance, were recognized 
by the Indian chief, for hostilities imme- 
diately ceased, and we were allowed to de- 
part without being further molested. 

“I met some of the Sioux chiefs after- 
ward, and conversed with them on the 
matter. They told me that the great chiefs 
were in possession of certain secret signs 
and tokens by which they were able to 
recognize one another, that these secrets 
had been handed down from generation to 
generation, and that they were known to 
the chiefs long before the trees grew.” 

Now, the general opinion of reliable 
Masonic historians is that purely specula- 
tive Freemasonry was first established in 
1717, and that all the Masonic Lodges in 
the world owe their origin directly or in- 
directly to the Grand Lodge of England, 
which was formed at London in that year, 
although some of them may have existed 
as operative lodges long before that time, 
and may probably have done some specu- 
lative work. 

But both the Arab Sheiks and the In- 
dian chiefs claim that the secrets they pos- 
sess were known to their forefathers ages 
before we have any record of a Masonic 
Lodge, either operative or speculative, 
having been established upon earth. 

Notwithstanding this, it is quite pos- 
sible that they may have an acquaintance 
with signs and tokens similar to those in 
use among Masons. 

It is pretty generally admitted that the 
gypsies, as well as some Eastern sects, have 
secret modes of recognition whereby they 
are known to each other. These signs are 
of a symbolic character, and, like those of 
the Arabs and the red men, are supposed 
to be of East Indian or Egyptian origin, 
and very ancient. 

It is most probable that much of the 
mystic portion of Freemasonry was derived 
from the same source, for some of those 
who took an active part in the revival of 
1717 were Oriental scholars and lovers of 
that occult learning of which the Eastern 
sages were the great masters and teachers. 
The close resemblance which is said to ex- 
ist between tribes and those made use of 


266 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


by Masons could thus be accounted for 
without discrediting in the least any of the 
facts which the researches of Masonic his- 
torians have brought to light. 

— T. L. M. T. f in N K Dispatch . 

o 

Masonic Story-Tellers. 


If the walls of the ante-room were pho- 
nographic and preserved for future genera- 
tions, the many stories that are thrown 
against their listening sides, the aforesaid 
future generations would blush at the reve- 
lation. Voices familiar to the craft, whose 
stentorian tones resounded through the 
halls, would repeat stories better left un- 
told. Many a story is told that would 
melt the wax on the cylinder of a phono- 
graph — it smacks so much of heated 
Hades. A few brethren slip out during 
the work, just to have “a quiet smoke/ * 
They soon begin the interchange of remin- 
iscences, and the past is exceeding pro- 
lific in them, and the “quiet smoke” be- 
comes so noisy that the faithful J. D. 
opens the door, puts his head out and 
says, “hush,” with a long whisper on the 
“sh.” Oh, the life road over which we 
have passed, how full of interesting inci- 
dent ! It is surprising how much more 
the mind retains of the “off color” of the 
past than the pure and good. I have sel- 
dom heard a man in the ante-room tell a 
story of his Sunday-school days, unless to 
speak lightly of the preacher or Sunday- 
school superintendent. The trip to an ad- 
jacent apple orchard or a night lark to a 
neighboring watermelon patch possesses 
more interest than the lessons of Deacon 
Brown. Every story, jusc a little “broad,” 
or admitting of a double interpretation — 
and the bad is sure to be given to it — at- 
tracts very general attention, and every 
listener says “that reminds me,” and one 
just as good or a little better is told, and 
so one after another the tales are unfolded. 
The laugh goes round, and the enjoyment 
of the “quiet smoke” is enhanced by the 
stories which the fruitful womb of mem- 
ory evolves. 

I have noticed that there is more mucil- 
age on a story that is decidedly broad 
than one that is pure and simple, and it 
sticks more firmly to the mind. The 
chambers of memory have more “object- 
tionable” pictures hanging in them than 
those Mr. Comstock would approve. I 
suppose that this is on the same principle 
that appears in physical matters — lamp- 


black stains a white surface more than 
chalk. The black sticks; the white is eas- 
ily rubbed off, or covered up with the nat- 
ural wear and tear of dirt. If a man tells 
a story, even a very funny one, that does 
not smack of the immoral, his audience 
will not be much interested, but if it has 
in it the spice of the vicious, the most list- 
less auditor will remember it. A good 
story, well told, is delightful, and that 
fortunate speaker who has a store of them 
from which he can draw at will is sure to 
rivet the attention of his hearers. “That 
reminds me” will arouse a hundred sleepy 
members of a congregation, while “sec- 
ondly” or “thirdly” will soothe them to a 
deeper slumber. 

It may be that some of the story-tellers 
of the ante-room are like an old and valued 
friend of mine, whose fame “as a wise and 
accomplished Freemason” is widespread, 
who “got rid” of a bad story as speedily 
as possible. He would say, “I heard a 
story the other day, and it is so bad I 
don’t want to keep it, so I’ll give it to you 
and then I’ll be rid of it.” Then came 
the story. To how many the same story 
was entrusted in the same way, just to be 
“rid of it,” it is hardly worth while to say. 
He never kept a bad story; he always 
parted with it. Stories are the pictures of 
speech. They illuminate dark parts of an 
address. They ought to be elevating and 
ennobling, never debasing. The mind 
comes in contact with enough evil in its 
friction in the every-day affairs of life 
without meeting with it in the ante-room 
of a Masonic Lodge or the vestibule of a 
church. But there is a strange stimula- 
tion in cigar smoke, and the circles that 
wheel off into the air seem to set the brain 
in a whirl of earthy speculation, and fig- 
ures fantastic take on a questionable shape 
and give added fascination to the highly 
colored romance. It sounds a little in- 
consistent, however, for a man to teach 
morality on one side of a door and im- 
morality on the other; to be an angel of 
light in the lodge room and a demon of 
darkness in the ante-room; to carry a 
goblet of clear water to ihose within the 
tiled door and a whole bucket full of poison 
to those in the ante room. We change 
with the location. 

Old Doctor Faust was a pretty good old 
fellow until Mephisto got hold of him. 
Old Brother Adam is a pretty good fellow 
under the light of the letter “G,” but a 
very bad fellow when beyond its effulgent 


THE TRESTLE BOARD , . 


267 


rays and under cover of a convenient 
screen. This story-telling propensity is 
all right and ought to be cultivated. It is 
not the story-telling, but the story that 
sticks and does good or ill. If you ever 
hear a group of three or four men burst 
out in a loud guffaw of laughter you may 
rest assured some one has told a very 
“good’’ — or very bad — story. Let us all 
tell stories, but let us select them, and not 
from Zola, or Daudet, or Tolstoi. 

— Lounger , in N. Y. Dispatch. 

— o 

Tendency of Masonic Relief. 


Brother Drummond of Maine discusses 
thesubject of “Masonic Relief’ with great 
force, strongly portraying the alarming 
tendency which is strengthened by every 
departure from the original plan of Ma- 
sonic charity circumscribed by our primary 
arrangements, a menace which with less 
cogency than our brother can command, 
we have been trying to make plain to our 
brethren. Even if our report be thereby 
swelled beyond orthodox proportions we 
shall make no apology for quoting him at 
some length on this vital question: While 
Masonry, more than any other institution 
of human origin, requires the exercise of 
charity in the largest and most sacred 
sense of the word, it differs from all other 
similar organizations in its requirements 
of relief of distress and want. Every Ma- 
son is bound to relieve the wants of a dis- 
tressed worthy brother according to his 
ability. This duty is taught so impressive- 
ly that every one of us remembers the very 
words. It was originally, and is still, 
primarily imposed upon the individual 
brother. It is one from which he cannot 
escape, and from which no Grand Lodge 
enactment can relieve him. The occasion 
and the amount of relief are left to his own 
decision under his obligations as a Mason. 
If a Mason fails to relieve, when relief is 
needed, according to the necessities of a 
brother and his own ability, it is a viola - 
lion of his Masonic obligations — as much 
so as the violation of any law of the insti- 
tution. But one evil has resulted from 
the creation of these charity funds. The 
sense of individual obligation to relieve 
distress has been weakened. There has 
grown up in these later years a tendency 
to depend upon these Lodge funds for re- 
lief and a corresponding disposition to 
shirk individual responsibility. This is 
natural, but not Masonic. To turn an ap- 


plicant over to the Lodge or the relief 
committee, as a matter of course, is no 
compliance with our Masonic obligations. 

He calls attention, as we have often 
done, to the more dangerous evil of the 
reflected influence of the environment of 
Masonry, surrounded as it is by modern 
societies patterned in part after Masonry, 
but substituting for our system of charity 
a system of “benefits and dues,’’ by which 
every paying member (and if he ceases to 
pay he ceases to be a member) is entitled, 
when sick or disabled, to a certain amount 
of relief, whether he needs it or not, and 
to certain other assistance, whether he is 
able to provide it for himself or not, and 
continuing says: But the principle, upon 
which they are founded, has become very 
popular; mutual insurance, in almost ev- 
ery conceivable form, has become the rage; 
the influence from these other societies has 
reached Masonry, and very many worthy 
brethren are unable to perceive why this 
feature should not be introduced into our 
system. The creation of charity funds, 
and this pressure from without having 
perceptibly weakened our sense of indi- 
vidual obligation to relieve distressed 
brethren, and have caused us to approach 
dangerously near the “benefits and dues” 
system. It is already the law of several 
Grand Lodges that only the Mason who 
pays dues is entitled to relief from Lodge 
funds or from individual Masons. A few 
Grand Lodges have gone to the astonish- 
ing extent of prohibiting Lodges and their 
members from contributing to the relief of 
Masons, who do not themselves pay dues. 
Whence a Grand Lodge obtains authority 
to absolve men from their solemn obliga- 
tions, voluntarily entered into, does not 
appear; it certainly finds no warrant in the 
law of Masonry or the usages of the Craft. 
Still less has a Grand Lodge the power to 
compel men to violate such obligations. 
But I will not enlarge upon this: I mention 
it, not so much for the purpose of repre- 
hension as to call attention to the extent 
of the departure already made from the 
old fashioned doctrine of Masonic charity. 
If carried out, it simply means that a Ma- 
son, by the payment of dues, and by that 
means only, becomes entitled to relief to 
the full extent of his wants, without regard 
to the inability of those by whom the re- 
lief is granted. Indeed, one Grand Lodge 
has gravely proposed to the others to 
adopt a regulation that “it is the duty of 
each Lodge of Masons to take care of its 


268 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


own members as well as of their widows 
and orphans in distress, wherever they 
may be, and that in case of its inability to 
do so, this duty devolves upon the Grand 
Lodge from which it holds its charter; pro- 
vided that the Lodge furnishing relief 
shall, in no case, go beyond actual neces- 
sities without express authority from the 
Lodge to be charged.” Whether it is a 
part of the plan to change our ritual so 
that the regulation will not conflict with it, 
is not stated. There is no serious danger 
of the general adoption of the proposed 
regulation. The author of it says that he 
presented the resolution to the Masonic 
Congress, but “it was emphatically sat 
down on, with a mass of sentimental gush 
about the duty of Masonic charity, which 
had no definite or practical meaning.” To 
Masonry that act alone was worth holding 
the Congress. 

o 

The Early Rituals. 


It is surprising to us that any person 
well qualified to preside over so distin- 
guished a body as the Grand Lodge of 
Pennsylvania would show so much ignor- 
ance of ritualism as to say that any Ma- 
sonic ritual “was practiced when Masonry 
was young, and has come down to us from 
the mists of antiquity.” 

This must make our Masonic savons 
laugh — such as Hughan, Gould, and oth- 
ers. If Grand Master Henderson had kept 
up with the investigations of those two 
brethren he would certainly know that ev- 
ery word of Masonic ritualism has been 
invented since 1720, and that the very 
work of Pennsylvania can only be traced 
back to the formation of the bogus Grand 
Lodge of 1740. when Laurence Dermott 
was the Grand Secretary of that faction. 
And does not he know, or should know, 
that in 1813, when that same Grand Lodge 
formed the union with the older body, 
they surrendered their peculiar ritual, as 
did also the other Grand Lodge surrender 
their ritual, and the two were combined 
into the present ritual of the United Grand 
Lodge of England ? 

We have in our possession copies of the 
very earliest rituals of the first three de- 
grees as they were practiced after the or- 
ganization of the first Grand Lodge. The 
first one contains a mixture of the three 
degrees, which was evidently the only 
ritual of the work as practiced where the 
Fellow Craft and Master’s part were given 


in the Grand Lodge only to those who 
were Wardens and elected Masters. The 
second work is divided into the Entered 
Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master. The 
third is a copy of the Dodd Manual. From 
1734 to the days of Preston there was a 
gradual improvement in the rituals, pass- 
ing through the hands of Entick, Hutchin- 
son and Dunkerly and Preston. In 1813, 
when the union was accomplished, Hem- 
mingway, the Grand Senior Warden, was 
charged with the duty of combining the 
two rituals into one, and the combinatiou 
is the present ritual of the United Grand 
Lodge of England. 

— Bro. W R. Singleton , of D. C. 


Affiliation. 

We admit that every Mason should be- 
long to some Lodge, and, as a necessary 
consequence, should contribute to the 
Lodge expenses, which is exacted in the 
form of annual (or quarterly, or monthly) 
dues to the Lodge, in default of payment 
should be excluded from the Lodge priv- 
ileges and benefits. If able and unwilling 
to pay he should not be allowed to take 
part in the affairs of the Lodge, and, if 
unable, the Lodge should remit these dues, 
or suffer him to dimit, and this without 
any other penalty than that of being de- 
prived of these privileges. 

Provisions should also be made that 
when that unwillingness should cease, or 
the financial affairs of the brother should 
warrant, the door of admission should be 
left open for his taking an active part 
again in the affairs of the Lodge. But he 
should not be deprived of any of his rights 
and privileges as a Mason for such cause 
any more than he can be absolved from 
the performance of his duties and obliga- 
tions as a Mason, taken upon him at the 
time of his initiation. In fact, he cannot 
legally thus be deprived. The Lodge (or, 
for that matter, the Grand Lodge by its 
regulations) has not the right to thus, and 
for this reason — that of non membership 
or non-payment of dues — so deprive him, 
though we find that the power to do so 
has been often exercised. 

The whole difficulty has arisen, and 
gradually so, from the departure from the 
original plan of Masonry, by making the 
Lodge the dispenser of charity and ignor- 
ing the principle, as taught in every step 
of the ceremonies, that charity, or rather 
relief, is an individual duty, which no Ma- 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


269 


son can of right shift from his own shoul- 
ders to the Lodge by the payment of in- 
creased sums into its treasury in the shape 
of dues. This has led the Mason to ac- 
quire the habit of neglecting his duties 
in this regard, for it is only by constant 
practice in the discharge of any duty that 
the discharge of that duty becomes a habit. 
Let us return to the old way, the practice, 
individually, of the tenets of our profes- 
sion, of brotherly love, relief and truth, 
and limit the amount of dues to the actual 
needs of the Lodge for current expenses, 
and not require the Lodge to be the ad- 
ministrator of charity, or relief, or to pro- 
cure the means by a poll tax, in which 
the poor Mason is compelled to contribute 
as much as the rich — the millionaire. This 
heavy poll tax, equal to the rich and the 
poor, is what drives Masons from the 
Lodge either by taking a dimit, or being 
suspended for non-payment of dues. It 
will not do 10 impute to such brethren, this 
neglect of duty on their part as a Masonic 
offense, while the Lodge itself is guilty of 
a greater offense of exacting from the poor 
brother an amount equal to that exacted 
from the brother of ample means. A con- 
sciousness of individual duty in the matter 
of charity, or rather relief, frequently leads 
the brother, it may be unconsciously at 
times, to consider the methods of relief as 
doled out by the officers of the Lodge, not 
such as they in their inner consciousness 
could approve, that leads them to the neg- 
lect of paying dues, thus expended or dis- 
tributed. — f. 1 Q. A. Fellows , of La. 

o 

Returning Reason. 


There are increasing and gratifying 
signs of returning reason in the considera- 
tion of the rights and wrongs of non- 
affiliates apparent not only in the discus- 
sions of the year, but in the legislation of 
some Grand Lodges. The rage for legis- 
lation against them has gone on until in 
several jurisdictions it could go no further 
unless some means can be devised to 
insure punishment after death, having 
stripped them of the last vestige of their 
rights, not leaving them even the right to 
seek re-affiliation without buying it for so 
much cold cash. All this without charges 
or trial, not by the judgment of his fel- 
lows, but by undiscriminating legislative 
fiat, in violation of the commonest prin- 
ciples of civil and Masonic jurisprudence, 
and in derogation of that free choice which, 


as a Freemason, he has a right to exercise, 
of contenting himself with enjoying the 
general rights of the fraternity for which 
he paid when entering it, or of participat- 
ing — on such financial terms as the Lodge 
shall prescribe — in the additional privi- 
leges incident to Lodge membership. In 
view of the purely commercial root of all 
the legislation of recent years respecting 
non-affiliation it would be the simplest 
prudence on the part of the candidate to 
insist that there shall be two parties to the 
contract to which he is required to assent 
on the threshold of initiation, and that with 
some authorized representative of the fra- 
ternity there should be a joint repudiation 
of all mercenary motives. It would be by 
no means surprising, considering their 
common root, if the crusade against non- 
affiliates and the tendency to convert Ma- 
sonry into a mutual benefit or assurance 
society should wane as they have waxed 
together. — Bro. Joseph Robbins , of III. 

o 

Physical Perfection. 


Most of our brethren have learned that 
more importance is placed on fingers and 
toes than heart and brains; they are learn- 
ing that a whole-hearted man, with the 
first joint of his little toe of the left foot 
wanting, cannot be made a Mason, while 
a half-hearted man with five toes can be 
welcomed into our ranks, even though he 
have an unpolished brain also. I have 
had numerous applications for dispensa- 
tions and to construe Article III as to 
physical qualifications. It is my duty to 
enforce the law as I find it, and our Grand 
Lodge has gone so far on this question of 
physical qualification that I think it is 
time we should amend our constitution. 
I have had to rule out men with one eye, 
the loss of the first joint of the little finger 
of the left hand and a little toe of the left 
foot, the first joint of two or three toes of 
the left foot. Brethren, “we learn to sub- 
due the passions, act upon the square, keep 
a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy 
and practice charity.” Can we not do all 
these things with one .eye ? What has fin- 
gers and toes of the left hand and feet to 
do with “subduing our passions, acting 
upon the square, keeping a tongue of good 
report and practicing charity.” 

Article III says the candidate “must be 
upright in body, not deformed or dismem- 
bered at the time of making, but of hale 
and entire limbs, organs and members, as 


27 P 


THE TRESTLE BOARD 


a man ought to be.” Up to the time I 
assumed the obligation of Grand Master, 
I felt a kind of pride in our rigid rule, 
but after the experience of one year, and 
having received the many inquiries as to 
the chances of men who were slightly 
maimed, who, in every case, were men of 
good moral standing, above the average in 
intelligence, and endowed with a compe- 
tency, I have changed my mind. We are 
wrong. We have carried the construction 
of this landmark too far. 

What are “ members” and “ organs” ? 
If we carry this to its logical conclusion, 
men with cross-eyes, near sighted men, 
bow legged men, men with decayed teeth, 
with dyspepsia — why, brethren, even corns 
on their toes — would all be disqualified. 
The simple test is, ‘ ‘oug ht a man to be so ?’ ’ 
If not, then we must reject him. 

Ought he to have corns ? Ought he to 
have cross eyes ? Ought he to be near- 
sighted ? Ought his shoulders to stoop ? 
Is one leg longer than the other ? These 
are members and organs. The eye is the 
organ of sight, and should not be crossed. 
No man should have miopia. The stom- 
ach is an organ. Who has a perfect one ? 
— Bro . Claude E. Sawyer , G. M. of S. C. 
o 

Liberal Legislation in Washington. 

The able Digest Commission, of which 
the gitfed and erudite William H. Upton 
is Chairman and Past Grand Masters 
Thomas M. Reid and Joseph M. Taylor 
members, reported the result of its labors 
in proposed amendments in the law touch- 
ing non payment of dues. Upon this sub- 
ject the views of your commissioners are, 
in a nut shell, that Lodge dues are the 
price paid for the privilege of belonging 
to a particular Lodge; that, when that 
price is not paid, that privilege should 
cease; and that the loss of membership 
should be the only result of failure to pay 
the price of membership. Not only is 
this the view anciently held everywhere 
and adhered to by many Grand Lodges to 
this day, but it is the one which was domi- 
nant in this Grand Lodge through much 
the greater part of its existence. It is now 
held by nearly all, if not quite all, Ma- 
sonic writers who have given the subject 
attention, that a Mason becomes endowed 
with certain privileges by reason of his 
initiation into the universal fraternity, and 
with other and entirely different privileges 
because of his good fortune in being a 


member of some particular Lodge; that he 
may justly forfeit the privileges which the 
Lodge bestows, if he fails to comply with 
the contract to pay dues which he has 
made with the Lodge; but that there is no 
warrant in reason or in the genius of the 
Masonic institution for holding that his 
breach of one contract — that with theLodge 
— shall forfeit rights which he acquired 
under an entirely different contract — that 
into which he entered with the institution 
itself at the time of his initiation, the 
financial part of which he complied with 
before he was first taken by the hand as a 
brother. In other words that suspension 
or expulsion “from all the rights and 
privileges of Masonry” is an unwarranted 
penalty for the non-payment of dues. 
Other objections may also be urged against 
this penalty. It seems to us that any man 
who has an adequate conception of the dis- 
grace of being branded, even for an hour, 
as a suspended Mason must regard this as 
too severe a penalty for the infraction of a 
Lodge regulation. When a grave offense 
involving moral turpitude may, under our 
law, be visited in certain cases, with no 
other penalty than a reprimand, and when 
breaches of other Lodge duties, possibly 
quite as important as the duty to pay dues, 
are habitually and everywhere overlooked 
entirely, suspension from all the rights and 
privileges of Masonry — with all its at- 
tendant humiliation and disgrace — seems a 
penalty altogether out of proportion to the 
offense. It is also — however much we 
may shut our eyes to the fact — using Ma- 
sonry as an engine to collect debts. 

o 

Congress of Grand Lodges. 


A resolution was proposed at a previous 
communication looking to the holding of a 
Masonic Congress “to correct the various 
existing differences within the great Ma- 
sonic family.” This was referred to the 
Committee on Correspondence, who re- 
ported: “They do not believe any Masonic 
Congress could adjust these differences, 
and that their discussion would most like- 
ly engender other differences of a more se- 
rious character.” While we think it quite 
likely that the committee are correct in 
their opinion as to the probable results 
of such a Congress, yet we believe it 
is , possible to obtain substantial uni- 
formity between the several Grand 
Lodges upon the more important questions 
referring to the government of the Craft, 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


271 


and somewhat in this way : Select oyie 
earnest, zealous brother from each Grand 
Lodge jurisdiction to assemble in conven- 
tion, not for three or four days during the 
excitement of a “World’s Fair,” but in 
some qniet retired place, and to deliberate 
for a month or more if necessary. Let 
them discard all Grand Lodge constitu- 
tions, and take the ancient charges and 
regulations which, all admit, are the fund- 
amental law of the Craft, as a basis, and 
ascertaining what has been the general 
usages and customs of the Craft among the 
older Grand Lodges, and formulate there- 
upon General Regulations for the govern- 
ment of the Fraternity of Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons. We repeat, we believe 
that brethren could be selected, the result 
of whose labors in such a direction would, 
in time, be generally adopted by every 
Grand Lodge in the world.” 

— E. T. Schultze of Md. 

The United States Flag. 


To the mind of this writer, the time has 
come when the 

“ Flag of the free heart’s only home, 

By angels’ hands to valor given,” 

should float not only over State institu- 
tions, but wave above our benevolent 
structures, such as Masonic Homes, and 
over our Grand Lodge halls and con- 
stituent Lodge buildings, and over every 
public school, from the rising of the sun 
to the going down thereof. The enemies 
of the flag are not alone those who dwell 
in foreign lands, but are among us. They 
constitute an element of our population, 
an element that has flowed in upon us 
from every point of the compass. They 
are with us, but not of us. In their hearts 
they hold allegiance to a foreign power 
that is inimical to our institutions, which 
they hate with intense bitterness, and would 
trample the flag and all it represents be- 
neath the tyrannizing heel of ecclesiastical 
despotism and socialistic malignity. Such 
elements are here in this “land of the free 
and home of the brave,” but they are not 
in sympathy with our institutions, and 
have never been assimilated, and never 
will be. They hate our free schools be- 
cause these schools stand as a barrier to 
every form and phase of hostility to true 
republican institutions. They hate Free- 
masonry because it proclaims freedom of 
conscience, freedom of speech, a free press, 
an open Bible and the personal worship of 


God, without the intervention or dictum of 
priestly interference. Freemasonry is an 
educating agency, teaching all who come 
within its pale to be true to self, to coun- 
try and to God. As such it is condemned 
by “bell, book and candle,” and the ad- 
herents of this hostile power would tear 
down our Lodge rooms, emasculate our 
liberties and burn our free schools, because 
they stand as so many symbols of freedom 
of thought and independence of purpose. 
Our Masonry is a system of symbols teach- 
ing great moral lessons through objects 
visible to the eye, constituting object les- 
sons. Then why not, in connection with 
our Masonic Homes, our Grand Lodge 
halls, our Masonic Lodges and our Ma- 
sonic processions, display the symbol dear 
to every true American, thus not only 
Americanizing Americans, but proclaim- 
ing a great, broad national principle — 
“America for Americans forever?” 

— Bro. J. D. Vincil , of Missouri. 

o 

Life Membership. 


Many difficulties during the past year 
have grown out of provisions for life mem- 
berships. While young the Lodge suffers 
little, but as it grows older confusion and 
embarrassment multiply. There are two 
methods in vogue; one is by paying a 
lump sum in advance. This plan is least 
objectionable, but it has its serious compli- 
cations. The Lodge uses the money thus 
paid, thereby mortgaging the future. Later 
financial complications arise, and these 
life members are exempt from all dues. 
Grand Lodge dues must be paid by the 
Lodge. The life member, as he pays 
nothing, is a positive load to carry, for 
Grand Lodge dues must be paid on him. 
Faith must be kept with these life mem- 
bers. The contract was made and cannot 
be broken without their consent. The law 
can be repealed and further complications 
avoided, but the existing status must be 
maintained. The by laws cannot be so 
changed as to make them subject to dues. 
The other way is still worse. It provides 
that the Lodge by vote may make life 
members of all who have each year paid 
their dues for a fixed term of years. When 
one member is placed on the roll and ex- 
empted from dues all others are equally 
entitled to the same consideration when 
they finish the specified period. Practical- 
ly all must be made life members. Grad- 
ually there grows up a favored class. Such 


272 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


a system has proven not only useless, but 
positively harmful. There is little justice 
in it. Often those most able to pay are 
thus exempted from all expenses of the 
Lodge. The poorer brethren are paying 
for lights, fuel, rent and other necessities 
enjoyed by the wealthier. What credit is 
a member entitled to who pays his annual 
dues ? He simply has borne his equal 
share of maintaining the Lodge, the priv 
ileges of which he has enjoyed. He paid 
for what he got. If he pays annually for 
twenty or fifty years he simply does his 
duty each year. Who can object to pay- 
ing on an average less than a cent a day 
to maintain Masonry in the community in 
which he lives? No one who is a Mason 
at heart. Our provisions for honorary 
membership apply only to members of 
other Lodges. No one can be made an 
honorary member of his own Lodge. Life 
membership and exemption from dues, 
based on the payment annually of no great- 
er sum than that required of every other 
member, is practically doing by indirec- 
tion what by our law cannot be done di- 
rectly. It creates a privileged class and 
makes resentment among those who are 
paying the expenses. The class of life 
members who have done nothing more 
than pay their regular Lodge dues have 
no contract rights. The by-law can be re- 
pealed, and the members put on the pay- 
ing list from the date of the change. Of 
course, back dues could not be collected. 
On the whole, it seems, from present ex- 
perience, far wiser to abolish all provis- 
ions for life membership involving ex- 
emption from paying an equal share in the 
burdens of Lodge and Grand Lodge. 
Brethren able to pay cannot complain. If 
there are those too poor they should have 
their dues promptly and cheerfully re- 
mitted. — Bro. Owen Scott , G. M of III. 
o 

Masonry among the Indians. 


At the centennial of Middlesex Lodge, 
Massachusetts, Bro. Sereno D. Nickerson, 
in his interesting oration, tells the story of 
the rescue of Captain Jonathan Maynard, 
its first master, a native of Framingham, 
and a graduate of Harvard, who was saved 
from burning at the stake by Joseph Brant, 
the Mohawk chief, whose sister Molly be- 
came the second wife of Sir William John- 
son. The incident is given from the his- 
tory of Framingham by Brother Rev. 
Josiah H. Temple: 


“While his regiment was stationed at, or 
near, West Point, on the 30th of May, 
1778, Lieutenant Maynard, with a small 
party, went on a foraging excursion to a 
considerable distance from the camp, when 
they were set upon by a scouting band of 
Indians, and, after a sharp skirmish, taken 
prisoners. They were conducted for a dis- 
tance of several miles away from the 
American lines, when a halt was made and 
all but the Lieutenant, were tomahawked 
and scalped. As he wore a sword he was 
considered a greater prize, and was car- 
ried to the camp of Brant, their chieftain. 
After a brief consultation, it was decided 
to burn the captive. The fagots were col- 
lected, he was tied to a tree, and the fire 
was about to be kindled. Although a 
stranger to all in the group, and ignorant 
of the fact that the Indian chief was a 
Freemason, as his last hope, Lieutenant 
Maynard gave a Masonic sign. It was 
recognized by Brant, who was standing by, 
and he ordered the execution to be post- 
poned. Maynard was put under guard, 
and, in due time, with other prisoners, was 
sent to Quebec, where he was held in cap- 
tivity until December 26, 1780, when he 
was exchanged.” 

We do not know on what authority 
Brother Nickerson tells the story of a simi- 
lar rescue of Brant, two years before, which 
occuired at a fortified post held by the pa- 
triots on the St. Lawrence, about forty 
miles above Montreal, and known as “The 
Cedars.” Towards the close of the Cana- 
dian campaign it was ingloriously surren- 
dered to a combined force of British regu- 
lars and Indians: 

“On the following day, May 20, 1776, a 
small relieving force, not knowing of the 
surrender, approached the post, were at- 
tacked by the Indians, and, after a sharp 
conflict, compelled to surrender. Brant is 
said to have been very efficient in con- 
trolling the Indians, and preventing a 
massacre of the prisoners. Among the 
latter, and severely wounded, was Captain 
John, afterwards Colonel, McKinstry of 
Livingston's Manor, New York. He was 
selected as a special victim, and prepara- 
tions were made for putting him to death 
by fire. He was rescued by the personal 
exertions of Brant, treated with kindness 
while a prisoner, and formed a friendship 
with Brant which continued until the death 
of the chieftain The latter never visited 
the neighborhood without spending a few 
days with Colonel McKinstry. At the 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


273 


time of his last visit, about the year 1805, 
they together attended the Lodge in the 
city of Hudson, where he attracted great 
attention.” 

o 

But One Eye. 


The Grand Master of California decided 
that a petitioner with but one eye could 
not be made a Mason. M. W. Bro. John 
D. Vincil, of Missouri, in his report on 
correspondence, replies aptly as follows: 

“For one, I am tired of the application 
to our speculative system of Freemasonry, 
the old and obsolete doctrine of physical 
perfection required when the institution 
was purely operative. Then a candidate 
had to ‘be a perfect youth, having no 
maim or defect in his body that might ren- 
der him incapable of learning the art.* 
In the case passed upon the candidate had 
one good eye, and was as capable of learn- 
ing the art of speculative Masonry as if 
his two eyes were perfect. Will the physi- 
cal perfectionists please tell me wherein a 
man with one eye is ‘rendered incapable 
of learning the art’ who has a ‘desire of 
knowledge and a sincere wish of being 
serviceable to his fellow creatures ?’ Can 
not such see well enough to ‘help, aid and 
assist’ Brother Master Masons, their wid- 
ows and orphans ? Can not such see well 
enough to detect the sign of distress and 
go to the relief of those giving it ? Can 
not such see the tear of a widow, or the 
outstretched hand of an orphan? Are 
men with a defect in one eye disqualified 
for performing ‘acts of charity and deeds 
of pure beneficence?' I undertake to say 
that the advocates of physical perfection 
will not pass by the citizen with one eye 
when they want a donation for any benev- 
olent purpose. He can see well enough 
then to read their subscription paper, and 
such advocates will not ask the privilege 
of writing his name to their paper, but 
very willingly admit that he can write his 
own name sufficiently intelligible, pro- 
vided it represents a good round sum of 
money. Why, then, disqualify him as to 
deeds of charity through Masonic chan- 
nels? Pshaw ! It is not necessary to 
argue against an indefensible question. 
The California law, as quoted by my good 
Brother Belcher, condems this obsolete 
view of physical perfection. It says the 
candidate must be ‘able to conform liter- 
ally to what the several degrees require of 
him.’ Wherein is the man with only one 


eye disqualified from conforming ‘liter- 
ally’ to ‘what the several degrees respect- 
fully require of him ?’ I fail to see it with 
both of my eyes w ide open.” 

o 

An Ancient Manuscript. 


I can’t help smiling sometimes at the 
tenacity with which many writers on Ma- 
sonic matters stick to the “ancient” land- 
marks and “ancient” ritual and ceremony. 
They want the same old language, the 
same old ceremony, and the same old long 
exploded legends. And if the language 
of the quaint old MSS. W'ere presented to 
them they would need a glossary or ex- 
plaining dictionary before they could make 
head or tail out of it. If the ceremonies 
of the days of primeval ignorance, the real 
ancient ceremonies, were presented to 
them, they w r ould be the very first to ridi- 
cule them. Take, for instance, the follow'- 
ing from the “Drumfries Kilwinning MS. 
No. 4,” printed in the Ars Quaiuor Cor- 
onatorum: 

THE APPRENTICE CHARGE. 

“Imprimis that he shall be true to God 
and the holy catholic church & ye king 
& his master whom he shall serve, yt he 
shall not pick or steell his mrs goods nor 
absent himself from yt service nor gae from 
ym about his own pleasure by day or by 
night without licience.” * * 

Then follows a series of questions “pro- 
pounded and answered.” Here are a few': 

“Q. What are you ? A. I ame a man. 
Q. How shall I know yt? A. By all true 
signs ye first part of my entry I’ll heal, and 
I’ll heall and conceall. Q. WhaPare you 
no move to us ? A. Yes but a man and 
have severall potentate kings & mighty 
princes to my brothers. Q. What lodge 
were you entered in ? A. In ye true lodge 
of St. John. Q. Where ought a lodge to 
be kept? A. On the top of a mountain 
or in ye middle of a boge without the 
hearing of ye crowdng of a cock or ye bark 
of a doge. Q. How' high is your lodge? 
A. Inches and spans inumerable. Q. How' 
inumerable ? A. The material heavens and 
starry firmament. Q. How many pillars 
in your lodge? A. Three. Q. What are 
these? A. Ye .square, ye compass & ye 
bible. Q. Where lies ye key of your 
lodge ? A. In a bone box covered wt a 
rough mop. Q. Give ye distinction of 
your box ? A. My head is ye box, my 
teeth is the bones, my hair is the mopp, 
my tongue is ye key. Q. How' were you 


274 


THE TRESTLE BOARD 


brought in? A. Shamefully, wt a rope 
around my neck.” * * 

How is that for “ancient?” How would 
it please the brethren of this enlightened 
nineteenth century ? How many would 
stay to the ‘Second section?” And the 
peculiarly ancient manuscript only dates 
back to about 1740, close to the dawn of 
the present day of Masonry. It might be 
a drawing card for some ambitious Mas- 
ter, desiring to “fill the house,” to take 
up some of these manuscripts containing 
the quaint essence of ancient Masonry, 
and give an exhibition of how the third 
degree was conferred by our “three ancient 
Grand Masters.” What jargon to us of 
the day it would be; what a multitude of 
words with little or no meaning ! What a 
parody upon the advancement of educa- 
tion such a return to the “origin” of the 
Institution would be ! 

— Lounger , in N K Dispatch . 

o 

Make Lodge Meetings Interesting. 

“Hello, Tom, howde do; going to lodge 
to-night?” “No, I think not.” “Why?” 
“Oh what is the use, nothing interesting; 
same old story; open, read the minutes, 
appoint committees, draw warrants, close 
and go home. I am not asked to fill a 
station pro tem or appointed upon a com- 
mittee. The Master has his favorites. 
They are recognized. The others are ig- 
nored. I do not see as I am benefitted by 
going night after night, sitting there like 
a bump on a log. I have always paid my 
dues and attended regularly. I do not 
know one-half of the members. They are 
cold and unsocial, do not try to make it 
pleasant and interesting for visitors or the 
younger members. Life is too short to be 
wasted in this manner. I think I shall 
call for my dimit.” 

We went to lodge. Tom’s chair was 
vacant. We found by observation he told 
the truth. 

The two great questions, non-payment 
of dues and non-affiliation, were pictured 
out in brilliant colors. One of the great 
reasons was spread out so plain that we 
have to acknowledge that our cold, unso- 
cial, selfish, uninteresting manner of con- 
ducting our lodge affairs is one of the 
great causes for non-attendance. 

Masonry teaches us to love one another, 
to do unto others as we would be done by. 
The cold, selfish, unforgiving spirit should 
never be allowed to enter the lodge-room. 


It is the obligated duty of every Mason to 
do all in his power to induce harmony and 
brotherly love to prevail at our meetings. 
We should strive to make our meetings 
overflow with love and good will; make it 
the home of the brethren. We believe it 
the duty of the W. M., as soon as he is in- 
stalled, to appoint a committee of regular 
attendants, whose duty it should be during 
the year to entertain and introduce visit- 
ing brethren, and see that all who attend 
lodge, whether visitors or members, be- 
come acquainted with each other. Let 
the spirit of brotherly love prevail. Let 
us vie with each other in trying to make 
our meetings interesting, so they will want 
to come again, and not go away dissatis- 
fied. We are reminded of a story told by 
one of our good ministerial brothers when 
he was displeased with the unsocial man- 
ner of conducting lodge affairs. He said 
that a very wicked man became converted, 
and in the course of time it came his turn 
to pray in class -meeting. Not being used 
to speaking in public, of course he was 
considerably embarrassed. This is the 
substance of his prayer: “Oh, Lord, thou 
giver of all good things, look down with 
pity on us poor people. You are rich, and 
can spare them plenty to eat while on 
earth. Send every one of them a barrel of 
flour, plenty of lard, and a slice of bacon, 
a ham or so, and a pound or two of butter. 
Send each one of your starving hungry 
creatures a barrel of sugar, a barrel of salt, 
a barrel of pepper — Oh, that’s too much 
pepper! Amen.” 

As the convert became disgusted with 
himself in asking for the barrel of pepper, 
so many members become wearied with the 
dry, cold, unsocial manner of conducting 
our lodge meetings. We are neglecting 
the social features of our meetings. Man 
is naturally a social being. Our intellec- 
tual pleasures are enlarged by social con- 
tact with each other. God has given us 
faculties for enjoyment to be employed 
when mingling with each other. Friend- 
ships should be formed at our meetings 
which will last through life. 

Several years ago we were in Texas; a 
stranger in a strange land. While wan- 
dering through the streets viewing the city 
we found a Masonic lodge room. We had 
never met any of our Texas brethren and 
decided to visit them. We called for a 
committee; our request was at once grant- 
ed. The committee welcomed us in such 
a pleasant manner that we felt at home. 


THjz trestle board. 


275 


When we entered the lodge room the Mas- 
ter called up the lodge and we were cor- 
dially welcomed. The lodge was called 
from labor and by the Master we were 
presented to, and received from every 
brother a hearty handshake and words of 
good cheer. Should we ever visit Texas 
again, from the manner in wffiich we were 
welcomed, our great desire would be to call 
again. They opened wide the door of 
friendship and brotherly love. Our love 
for our Texas brethren glows both day and 
night. 

'* Love * glows and with a sullen heat, 

Like fire in logs, it warms us long.” 

Let us follow the example of our Texas 
brethren. Make our visitors and members 
feel that it is good to be there. It is our 
duty to cultivate the social features of our 
Order. It will result in the cure of the 
prevailing disease of non-attendance. 

— Chas. S. Glaspell, in Orient . 
o 

Testimony of Sir Wm. Follett. 


The following extract from “ Stray 
Leaves from a Freemason’s Note Book” 
furnishes a valuable tribute to our institu- 
tion from Sir William Follett, late Attor- 
ney-General of England, and one of the 
profoundest lawyers of the age. In the 
course of conversation with him, I in- 
ferred, from a passing remark, that he had 
become a Mason. I asked if my conclu- 
sion was correct. 

“I was initiated at Cambridge.” 

Light had not beamed upon myself, and 
I expressed in scoffing terms my astonish- 
ment. 

“In your early struggles at the bar,” 
remarked he, with quiet earnestness, “you 
require something to reconcile you to your 
kind. You see so much bitterness, and 
rivalry and jealousy, and hatred, that you 
are thankful to call into active agency a 
system which creates, in all its varieties, 
kindly, cordial and wide-spread benevo- 
lence and brotherly love.” 

“But, surely,” said I, “you don’t go to 
the length of asserting that Masonry does 
all this?” 

“And, more, a true Mason thinks no 
evil of his brother, and cherishes no de- 
signs against him. The system annihilates 
parties. And as to censoriousness and 
calumny, most salutary and stringent is the 
curb which Masonic principle, duly car- 
ried out, applies to an unbridled tongue.” 

“Well, well, you cannot connect it with 


religion, you cannot say, or affirm of it, 
that Masonry is a religious system ?” 

“By-and-by you will know better,” w r as 
his reply. “I will say that the Bible is 
never closed in a Mason’s Lodge, that 
Mason’s habitually use prayer in the 
Lodges, and, in point of fact, never as- 
semble for any purpose, without perform- 
ing acts of religion.” “I will give you 
credit,” continued he with a smile, “for 
being more thoroughly emancipated from 
nursery trammels and slavish prejudices.” 
“Meanwhile.” said he, “is it not worth 
while to belong to a fraternity whose prin- 
ciples, if universal, would put down, at 
once and forever, the selfish and rancorous 
feelings which now divide and distract so- 
ciety. ’ ’ — The Mystic Tie. 

o 

It Is Not Right. 


Did it ever occur to you that there was 
a great deal of nonsense connected with or 
surrounding the right of objection to ad- 
vancement ? If it is not such primarily it 
is often productive of wrong. Every Ma- 
son who knows anything about the insti- 
tution or its workings knows that in many 
instances a rejection is made through some 
private pique or concealed grudge; that 
when the secrecy of the ballot affords the 
opportunity the matter is allowed to direct 
the hand which deposits the ballot, and 
very often good material is denied the 
Lodge 

Of course this is wrong, but it does not 
affect the one against whom the sting is 
directed as keenly, or in a manner so an- 
noying as an after objection. There 
should be some way in which a candidate 
or brother should have his day in court; 
some way wffiereby he could be informed 
of the reason for the objection and given 
an opportunity for meeting and resisting. 
The result would be the cessation of 
groundless objections, and Lodges as well 
as individuals be spared the annoyance of 
being hung up indefinitely at the caprice 
of some one who should never have been 
made a Mason. 

It is the veriest nonsense to say that any 
law, custom or usage should be allowed to 
prevail or be countenanced in Masonry 
which will give to one man the power to 
say that another shall not be initiated after 
he has, it may be only a few days before 
the objection is entered, passed the inves- 
tigating committee and the scrutiny of the 
ballot, without giving any reason for such 


276 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


objection. If this be true, it is the height 
of absurdity to allow an objection without 
reason to stop the advancement of a brother 
already in possession of one or more de- 
grees. — Kansas Freemason. 

o 

Attacking Freemasonry, 

Says the Catholic Standard , referring to 
the recent anti-Masonic Congress: “The 
attack will not only be upon Masonry in 
Italy, but will be extended to the whole 
of world-wide Masonry. * * * The 

Catholics have come out of their entrenched 
position, and have taken up the attitude of 
determined and professed aggressors. They 
no longer confine themselves to a defense; 
they have organized and descended into 
the field. With this change of tactics 
countless advantages have already come 
— unity, courage, and experience, most of 
all. The effect of a few months’ exercise 
in the new tactical methods have com- 
pleted the transformation. Freemasonry, 
though essentially aggressive, has come to 
appreciate the conditions of a defensive or- 
ganization by experiencing them. It has 
become apologetic. It has also taken 
serious alarm.” 

The Standard is speaking by the card, 
if the Tyler can judge by its late expe- 
riences with some so-called Masons, some 
of them professed leaders, who have stopped 
the Tyler because customers, finding the 
paper in the business office, or knowing of 
its delivery to the private residence, have 
complained, and stopped their patronage. 
Therefore these business and professional 
men become apologetic, and barter the 
immortal principles of Freemasonry for 
the smiles and trade of Roman Catholic- 
ism. — Tyler . 

o 

Masonic (?) Justice. 


The Trestle Board says that: “The Grand 
Lodge of Georgia inflicted the Masonic 
capital punishment of expulsion upon 
thirty-eight delinquents for dues, and no 
higher grade for forty-two brethren con- 
victed of various offenses, including some 
of the gravest known to the criminal cal- 
endar.” 

It hardly seems possible that such a 
statement can be true, yet we have no rea- 
son to doubt it, and it brings to attention 
of the Masonic world the crimes that are 
committed in the name and under the 
guise of Masonic Jurisprudence. Yet the 


Grand Lodge of Georgia may be following 
in the footsteps of the mighty intellects 
that have evolved the Code of Statutes 
and Digest of Templar law. The wise 
jurists place the unfortunate impecunious 
Mason on the same level as the Mason 
who has stolen his neighbors’ horses. Here 
is Sec. 13, Title xxiii. 

o 

Retrograding. 

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has 
ordered the discontinuance in that juris- 
diction of the costuming of the fellow 
Crafts because “it destroys that beautiful 
and impressive simplicity which has been 
not only the peculiar characteristic, but 
also the strength of Masonic work.” A 
great roar was also made against the use 
of music during the ceremonial of the de- 
grees. What nonsense that is. They might 
as well decree that frescoed walls, comfort- 
able settees, carpets on the floor and other 
marks of refinement and prosperity destroy 
“that beautiful and impressive simplicity.” 
It is equally as absurd as it would be to 
declare that the brethren must attend Lodge 
clad only in home-spun clothes, flannel 
shirts and cow-hide boots, instead of wear- 
ing decent clothes and clean linen, for fear 
that the air of respectability might destroy 
“that beautiful and impressive simplicity.” 
The next thing we may expect of the 
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is the pro- 
hibition of the use of correct English lan- 
guage and a return to the quaint tongue in 
vogue at the beginning of Masonry. 

— Masonic Record , of Minn. 
o 

Masonic Charity In England. 


The Masons in this country are not be- 
hind those of other countries in exercising 
practical Masonry, especially as regards 
the sums of money expended for the same. 
The three great institutions, for boys, for 
girls and for old people, are receiving 
liberal support. The one for girls was 
founded in 1788, and now contains 270 
orphan daughters of Freemasons. On the 
occasion of the celebration 01 the first cen- 
tury of its existence a collection of £ 52,000 
was obtained. The boys institute was 
founded in 1798, and supports at present 
273 orphans, and it is expected that quite 
an increase of its funded wealth will be 
added at the near centennial anniversary. 
It is especially remarkable that in the last 
six years the receipts have amounted to 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


277 


^£10,000 a year over expenditures. The 
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institute is 
prospering particularly well. Last year 
each of 120 elderly brethren received ,£36, 
and 88 sisters ^28; this year 200 brethren 
will each receive ^£40, and 240 widows 
^32 each. The total expenses in 1874 
were ,£6,784 and this year ,£15,680. This 
institution celebrated its 100th anniversary 
in 1892, and there was collected at that 
time ,£69,000. — Masonic Record . 

o 

Cipher Rituals. 


Let any one who is old enough to 
remember the deep feeling caused by the 
unauthorized and surreptitious circulation 
of a printed cipher a generation ago, recall 
that picture, and then look upon that pre- 
sented now when a Grand Master’s first 
solicitude on being requested to join with 
other Grand Masters in a protest against 
the authorized issue of a cipher ritual, 
finds expression in the statement that in- 
terference might be construed into a denial 
of the sovereignty of the incriminated 
Grand Lodge ! Signs are not wanting, 
however, that the dulled and sleeping con- 
science of the Craft will assert itself, and 
demonstrate that it has not permanently 
succumbed to the influence which, not only 
in this, but in other directions, threaten 
the integrity of genuine Masonry. 

— Bro. Joseph Robbins , P. G. M. of III . 

From information received during the 
last year, I have become deeply impressed 
with the importance of this subject (cipher 
rituals), and am firmly convinced that 
there should be some direct definite legis- 
lation declaring the sale, distribution or 
use of such books a Masonic offense. 

— Bro. G. W. Ball , G. M. of Iowa. 

The merest tyro in Masonry knows that 
to promulgate the esoteric work of Ma- 
sonry, in the manner condemned bv Grand 
Master Evans, is a clear violation of a land- 
mark , and every brother who has presided 
in the Oriental Chair of King Solomon, 
and such compose the larger part of the 
membership of every Grand Lodge, has 
solemnly asseverated, “ that it is not in the 
power of any man or bodies of meyi to make 
changes or innovations in the body of Ma- 
sonry." Now, we understand in the term 
‘‘body of Masonry” is included the an- 
cient charges, the landmarks, the rituals 
and the universal usages and customs of 
the Fraternity, as well, also, those funda- 


m* ntal and unchangeable principles upon 
which it is founded; all of which teach us 
in the most positive manner that there is 
but one way in which the work of Masonry 
may be promulgated Therefore, a Grand 
Lodge has not “the absolute right to con- 
trol the manner of promulgating the eso- 
teric work of the degrees. Indeed, we can 
conceive of no innovation (that made by 
the Grand Orient of France, a few years 
since, not excepted), that is fraught with 
more danger to the perpetuity of our Fra- 
ternity. No less than eight , possibly ten % 
Grand Lodges of our country sanction the 
use of printed or written ciphers. 

— Bro. E T Schultze of Md. 

o 

A Good Movement, But — 


The Trestle Board has a suggestion to 
make to jurisdictions other than California 
that, if they desire to aid that jurisdiction 
in establishing a Masonic Home for their 
membership, when they become stranded 
in California, that they obtain the figures 
of their indebtedness to the Board of Re- 
lief of San Francisco alone, and contribute 
fifty per cent without interest; and, if all 
do so, the completion of the Home will be 
assured and their membership be certain 
of continued relief without any guarantee 
of reimbursement. 

All good and right, Brother Trestle 
Board , but you wait till we hear the ‘ me 
too” that will roll from Tombstone, Ariz., 
to Tampa, Florida, about the Homes and 
Sanitariums for sick and indigent Masons. 
Alas ! the only adequate relief some of us 
will ever get will be when we “fall asleep 
in death.” A mere fragment of the crumbs 
that fall from rich Masons’ tables would do 
it. Drop the University and build the 
“Homes.” — Freemasoyi and Fez of Iowa. 
o 

March Up to the Line, and Give 
Your Answer. 

The Tyler would call up the Grand 
Jurisdictions that have turned down the 
“Wisconsin Plan,” which would compel 
every Lodge and every Jurisdiction to be 
responsible for the money advanced to 
their worthy distressed by any other Lodge 
or Jurisdiction, and after they have placed 
the report of the Board of Relief of San 
Francisco upon the altar, solemnly answer 
the question, if they have done unto others 
that they would others should do unto 
them. Is there one of the Jurisdictions 


278 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


that have said “no” to the Wisconsin 
proposition that would do, and continue to 
do, as the brethren of California have done ? 
We trow not. The Tyler claims it to be 
an outrage on the brethren of the Pacific 
Coast. Think of it, since 1856 they have 
paid out in relief to Masons of other Juris- 
dictions, $129,230 28, and to the widows 
and orphans of other jurisdictions, $101, 
447 - 93 * Read the list, and answer wheth- 
er or no the Grand Lodge that takes a per 
capita fee, and then permits another Juris- 
diction to pay a large per centage of the 
relief demanded by its distressed mem- 
bers is not troubled with a brass standard 
when it brazenly refuses to make the debt 
good on the ground of the fear that it 
would be “an innovation in the body of 
Masonry !” — Tyler. 

Whose Fault Is It ? 

My husband and sons never do one thing 
to help about the house; they never think 
of such a thing as bringing a bucket of 
water or coal, or carrying in an armful of 
wood. A few mornings ago my oldest 
son was cutting wood, and when he laid 
down the axe he rammed his hands down 
in his pockets and came in whistling, and 
said: “Mother, please sew a button on my 
shirt sleeve before I go to the field.” I 
replied, “You must wait until I get an 
armful of stove wood and fix up the fire so 
the dish water will heat while I do it.” 
“Allow me to do it for you, aunt,” said 
my nephew from Elgin, who had come to 
stay with us. “Our mother has taught us 
boys to do all such things for her.” He 
came in with the wood and put it in the 
box, then rattled out the ashes, and soon 
had a good fire. Then he said: “Mother 
has always taught us that our sex was the 
strpnger, and wherever we had a chance we 
were to help to do the heavy lifting, and 
now it comes second nature to us. We 
always get in the coal, water, and kindling 
in the morning, and at noon and in the 
evening find out what she needs. Tom 
always milks the cows.” “Well,” said 
my son, “you boys can’t have as much to 
do as we have, or you couldn’t find time 
for such little things.” “We have just as 
much to do as you have, but you see the 
difference. Mother taught us that we were 
to do a little to lighten her toils, as we are 
the stoutest.” 

Both boys soon passed out and I was left 
alone with a pile of work to do, and as I 


washed dishes I pondered my nephew’s 
words. “Mother taught us.” Here was 
the key to my trouble. I had raised all 
my sons without making them realize that 
they were in any way to lighten my toil, 
and here I had been thinking hard of them 
and my husband because they never did 
anything to assist me in my work, and I 
had always made myself believe that they 
did not have proper love and respect for 
me, when the fault was all my own. I 
wondered if it was yet too late to teach 
them. The next morning when my son 
went to cut my day’s supply of wood, I 
said: “Josiah, when you are through cut- 
ting, will you please fill the box for me? 
You are so stout, and two of your armfuls 
will save me four trips to the woodpile.” 
As he laid it in the box I said, “Thank 
you, my son, that will be a great help to 
me in my work.” “Why, mother,” he 
said, “that was only a few minutes’ work 
for me; how can it be such a great help ?” 
Just then Jemmy, my next son, came 
along, and I said: “Jemmy, will you please 
feed the calves for me this morning and 
empty the swill pails?” He did it in a 
wondering way, and when he came back, 
said: “Mother, are you sick? You are 
used to doing all these things yourself, 
and I could not account for your asking us 
to help you.” I told them of what my 
nephew said, and I had concluded to try, 
at this late hour, to teach them to help me. 
“We will do it,” they both answered. “It 
never seemed to us that you expected us to 
do it, and in that way we never thought of 
asking you if you needed us, but from this 
on you shall never have it to say that we 
did not think of your comfort.” 

Boys and girls are apt to be in every- 
thing just what they are taught to be; if 
they are kind and thoughtful for their pa- 
rents, it is because they taught them to be 
so, and if they are not so, it is for want of 
proper training. So if there are mothers 
that read this who are feeling that their 
children are not thoughtful for their com- 
fort, let them stop and ask themselves how 
they have trained their children, and, in 
all probability, they will have to answer 
the question in this wise: It is my fault 
alone that my children are not more 
thoughtful for my comfort. Let mothers 
not wait for a more convenient season to 
begin; one is apt to be tried and over- 
whelmed with work when she has a family 
of small children to train, and think, “Oh, 
there is time enough to begin to bring. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


279 


them up right; they are so little yet; it is 
too much trouble to teach them anything 
now; it will do when I have more leisure.” 
This is dangerous reasoning. The longer 
a child is neglected, the more it adds to 
the mother’s care. Begin right at first 
and never yield to the child, but guide it 
by your judgment, firmly and kindly, and 
you will take it along, a step at a time, in 
the way you deem right; and when large 
enough to be helpful, it will be no trouble. 
Show me a mother and wife' who com- 
plains that her children and husband are 
not thoughtful for her comfort, and you 
are apt to find one that has just what she 
deserves. — Selected . 

o 

Why Americans Die Young. 

“You have a great country,” said an 
Englishman to an American; “ I admit it. 
A grand country, vast in its territory, and 
of boundless resources, but your climate 
cannot compare with that of England for 
sulubrity.” 

“It can’t?” 

“Certainly not.” 

“Why, now, our climate is one of the 
principal things we pride ourselves upon. 
We have all kinds to suit — frigid, temper- 
ate, torrid — and each possessed of a salu- 
briousness equalled nowhere else in crea- 
tion !” 

“But it is averred that Americans die 
early.” 

“Die early ?” 

“Yes, sir; and especially your business 
men.” 

“And you don’t know the reason ?” 

“It is to be found in the nature of your 
climate, I presume.” 

“In the nature of our climate ! No, sir; 
the reason that Americans die early is be- 
cause they ain’t hogs; because they ain’t 
hogs; because they know when they have 
got enough. Public spirited, patriotic and 
unselfish, they die early, sir, to make room 
for the rising generation.” 

— Boston Courier . 
o 

Why Albert Pike Left the South- 
ern Cause. 


In 1888, writes Bro. Col. H. F. Bowers 
of Iowa, Albert Pike, in response to the 
query from me, “Why it was his military 
record ceased at the battle of Pea Ridge ?” 
he replied, “The question is a pertinent 
one; you have a right to ask it, and I take 


pleasure in answering. When I discovered 
that this was a religious war inaugurated 
and carried on by the Roman Catholic 
church with its Commander-in-Chief en- 
sconced upon the throne in the Vatican, 
upon the Tiber, I surrendered my com- 
mission, and threw down my sword, and 
went to live as an American citizen.” 

August 10, 1889, Albert Pike wrote his 
friend, Bowers, among other things : 
“Prince Cardinal Gibbons, a fine title for 
an American citizen, proclaims the ad- 
miration of the Pope for our demo- 
cratic system of government and his 
friendly interest in the prosperity of the 
republic. Is he deceiver or deceived? 
The Roman church hates republicanism 
and constitutional monarcy as monsters 
that have proceeded from the devil, as it 
proves by its howlings at the setting up of 
a statue of Giordano Bruno at Rome. If 
Cardinal Gibbons is deceived, he will not 
always be so, for the Italian Cardinals will, 
when the proper time comes, repudiate his 
declarations, and make known the true ani- 
mus of the Church.” 

o — - 

News from Hong Kong show that 
the Spaniards have resorted to torture 
of natives and half-casts of the Philippines, 
which surpasses in its cruelty that practiced 
by the Chinese mandarins in cases of the 
most atrocious crimes. They are also 
charged with confiscating the estates of 
wealthy half-casts and deporting the 
wretched victims to Fernando Po, on the 
west coast of Africa, a place which has a 
climate that quickly proves fatal to stran- 
gers. 

James W. Davidson, a well-known cor- 
respondent, was recently commissioned by 
the Hong Kong Press to go to Manilla and 
cautioned to evade the press censorship, 
and in several letters which he smuggled 
through the lines he tells of what he has 
seen and what he has heard on good au- 
thority. According to him the instru- 
ments of torture used in the Spanish in- 
quisition three centuries ago have been 
kept in the monasteries of Manilla, and 
were brought out recently and used to ex- 
tort confessions from natives, and Mestizo 
suspects have been arrested and have been 
kept in jail at Manilla, subjected to hid- 
eous treatment. Mr. Davidson also inti- 
mates that the leading powers of Christen- 
dom will be called upon to interfere and 
put an end to tortures, which revive the 
worst features of the Spanish inquisition. 


28o 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 

A National Masonic and Family Magazine, 
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE 

TRESTLE BOARD ASSOCIATION. 


Terms — $i.ooper year sent in United States, Mexico and 
Canada, and other Countries $1.25 strictly in advance. 
Single copies 10 cents. 

Subscribers not receiving numbers will notify us, and 
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notify us by postal card otherwise we may consider it their 
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How to Remit. — Send Cashier’s Check, Express Or- 
der, Post Office Money Order, Postal Note or Greenback in 
Letter. Receipts will always be sent enclosed in the next 
number issued after the receipt of the remittance. 

C. MOODY PLUMMER, Manager. 

Alvin Plummer, Advertising Manager. 

408 California St., San Francisco, California. 


O 

Sectarianizing Masonry. 


The Tyler claims to be ‘ ‘ devoted to 
Freemasonry/’ and to be the “leading pa- 
per in the Craft.” It asserts that Masonry 
is universal, while it is one of the most 
dogmatical sectarian publications in the 
list of our exchanges. It would require 
every brother to relinquish his individual 
judgment, and subscribe to a paper ex- 
pressing a “firm belief” in a religion which 
would bar out the Jew, the Mohammedan, 
the Parsee, the Confucian, and every one 
who is not a professed Christian. It 
would permit no other “book of the law” 
to be used on the altar of Masonry than 
the Christian’s Bible, and require all to 
subscribe to the conflicting creeds and doc- 
trines as interpreted by the multitudes of 
sects of Christendom. How can Masonry 
or its principles become universal with 
such professing exponents claiming to 
speak from authority. The Trestle 
Board would allow the conscience of ev- 
ery brother to accept any creed which rec- 
ognizes the fundamental principles of Ma- 
sonry which all sects of the world do, and 
would affiliate with each and all of them 
in Lodge or any other Masonic associa- 
tion. It is not the “firm belief’ that is 
required, but it is the cardinal principle 
which is inculcated by all the sects of 
whatever name as well as by Masons, and 
embodied in the Golden Rule, and which, 
with nothing more, is a sufficient Book of 
the Law and worthy to grace the altars 
of Masonry of every degree or appendant 
thereto. The Trestle Board is op- 
posed to sectarianizing Masonry, and be- 
lieves too much has been interpolated in 
the work and lectures already which is 
objectionable to brethren of other creeds. 
It views with regret, as do thousands of 


Knights Templar, that the recent require- 
ment of a “firm belief” has been sub- 
stituted for “a preference” for the Chris- 
tian religion for novitiates in that append- 
ant Order to Masonry. Its effect will be 
to lead to its adoption in the preliminary 
degrees, and end, perhaps, in sectarianiz- 
ing Masonry in Christian countries, thus 
defeating its purpose of universality. The 
Jew is ready to reject much now which his 
conscience does not approve, and the mass 
of Gentiles are becoming more liberal, 
while the active sectarian is at work forg- 
ing the fetters wherever an opening favors. 
o 

Chinese and Negro Masonry. 


The Masonic Trowel , of Arkansas, says 
The Trestle Board “is quite a cham- 
pion of Negro Masons,” and wonders 
what difference we find in Chinese and 
Negro Masons. We advise Bro. Thorn- 
burgh to come and reside in San Fran- 
cisco a short time only, and he will quick- 
ly ascertain that there is as much differ- 
ence as there is between the profane of the 
two races. The 7r<?z^<?/misunderstands us. 
We are not in favor of Chinese, or Negro, 
or any class, or clandestine, or irregular 
Lodges. We are unalterably opposed to 
all these. But we are as decidedly in fa- 
vor of the universality of Masonry without 
distinction of race, class or color, and if 
a man has made a mistake and become a 
member of an irregular body, and desires 
to become a “ regular Mason” with us, 
we will aid and counsel him to that end, 
if not in contravention to the good of the 
Institution and our obligations. We know 
nothing about Chinese or Negro Masonry, 
and never held Masonic or un-Masonic 
communication with either, or any other 
irregular, or clandestine Masons, but know- 
ing something of the history of Negro 
Masonry in this country, we deem them to 
be irregular Masons, made so through no 
fault of theirs, unless by following the law 
of self-preservation, and that they have 
the same origin as ourselves — the Grand 
Lodge of England — and have done noth- 
ing to deserve disinheritance, or to be dis- 
carded as brethren. We are willing to 
greet them as brothers when our Grand 
Lodge permits. 

o 

Expense An Obstacle to Growth. 


One of the greatest obstacles to the 
growth of Masonry in California is the ex- 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


281 


penses attached to the formation of new 
Lodges and the continuation of member- 
ship. There are, in many places, a suffi- 
cient number of Masons to start a Lodge, 
and material enough to build up a strong 
and healthy body. There are also many 
places in which would flourish an addition- 
al Lodge, and, in some places, several 
more Lodges, which now barely sustain one. 
Competition is the life of business, and, as 
we well know, it is sometimes the life of 
other enterprises, including that for the 
amelioration of the condition of the un- 
fortunate and indigent, the sick and the 
disheartened. We commend to the atten- 
tion of Grand Lodges generally their gen- 
eral expenses, items of which seem to us 
as extravagant, and the need of retrench- 
ment in some particulars. In California 
the fee for Dispensations and Charters for 
new Lodges is $125, and seems out of all 
proportion to the need of Grand Lodge, 
which has now assets of nearly $100,000, 
and, we think, is larger than that charged 
by any other Grand Lodge in the United 
States. To this exorbitant charge is an 
obstacle, with some others equally wrong, 
to the growth of the Fraternity in this 
State, and should be corrected, and the 
attention of the Craft needs only to be 
called to these facts, and they will act. 
o 

Commandery Elections in Cali- 
fornia. 


Oroville Coumandery, No. 5— Charles D. Dunn. Com- 
mander; Henry C. Hills, Geno.; William H. Dixon, C. G.; 
Warren Sexton. Prelate; George H. Stout, S. W.; Erasmus 
Tucker, J. W.; John C. Gray, Treasurer; George J. Graham. 
Secretary. 

San Jose Commandery, No. 10 — George T. Gribner, Com- 
mander; Fred W. Moore, Geno.; Albert B. Cash, C. G.; 
W. H. Haydock, S. W.; J. C. Gerichs, J. W.; W. F. Parker, 
Prelate; Clarence Haydock, Recorder; W. D. Tisdale, 
Treasurer. 

Chico Commandery, No. 12— J. D. March, Commander 
John Boucher, Geno.; E. T. Revnolds, C. G.; W. H. Miller, 
Prelate; Park Henshaw, S W.; C. H. Ta* lor, Recorder; 
L. H. McIntosh, St. B.; E. Mevbem, Sw. B.; H. McCar- 
gar, Warder; T. H. Bohlender, Sentinel. 

Ventura Commandery, No. 18— N. Blackstock, Com- 
mander; D. R. Denison, Geno.; M. J. Elv, C. G.; W. P. 
Lincoln, Prelate; H. I. Hoppin, S. W.; F. W. Baker, J. \\\; 
J. S. Collins, Treas.; W. H. A. Thompson, Rec. 

Riverside Commandery, No. 2S— W. E. Keith, Com- 
mander: K. Sanborn, Geno.; B. M. Longfellow, C. G.; 
Gaylor Rouse, Treasurer; M. S. Bowman, Recorder; Rev! 
G. A. Cleveland, Prelate; G. B. Ocheltree, S. W.; W. A. 
Anderson. J. W. 


Watsonville Commandery, No. 22— Thos. Flint, Jr., Com- 
mander; E. L. Clark, Geno'.; E. A. Middleton, C. G.; W. G 
Hudson, Prelate; J. H. McEwen. S. W.; E. Z. Brokaw 
J. W.; J. T. Porter, Treasurer; F. E. Mauk, Recorder. ’ 


Los Angeles Commandery, No. 9 — George Sinsabaugh, 
Commander; William Downie, Geno.; C. W. Pendleton, 
C. G.; Arthur Brookman, Prelate; W. C. Durgin, Treas- 
urer: W. B. Scarborough, Recorder; James A. Foshay, 
S. W.; C. G. Worden, J. W.; C. W. Blake. St. B.; Daniel 
Newhart, Sw. B.; William A. Hammel, Warder; C. H. 
Clark, Sentinel; E. F. Campbell, Organist; C. W. Sexton 
W. P. Jeffries and J. S. Corwin, Guards. 


Church and State. 


The State of California apportions 
money to Catholic institutions as follows: 

Grass Valiev Orphan Asylum, Grass Valley . . . $14,186 xo 
St. Francis Girls’ Directory Orphan Asylum, San 

Francisco 8,171 91 

Pajaro Valley Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, 

Watsonville 21,664 37 

Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, San Francisco 34.893 02 
Santa Cruz Female Orphan Asylum, Santa Cruz 6,331 09 

St. Catherine’s Anaheim 1,516 33 

St. Vincent Orphan Asylum, Santa Barbara . . . 3.063 62 

St. Vincent Orphan Asylum, San Rafael .... 32*389 81 
St. Joseph’s Orphan Asylum, South San Fran- 
cisco 27,627 12 

St.John’s Orphan Asylum, San Juan 6,437 99 

St. Catherine’s Orphan As>lnn, San Bernardino 2,312 58 

Total S U 7*593 94 

O 

Editorial Chips. 


We have received several publications 
and circulars giving attention to the sub- 
j*ect of Mexican Masonry. We have print- 
ed all we deem necessary for a correct un- 
derstanding of the situation, and, at this 
writing, deem further mention unnecessary. 
It seems to us that the Grand Dieta is 
the body which should be recognized by 
American Grand Bodies. 


The Orient, of Kansas City, says that 
“in California it is un-Masonic to serve 
wine, beer or other intoxicants in a Ma- 
sonic Hall.” Will the Orieyit please give 
the name of his informant. 


There are English, German, French and 
Spanish Lodges in New Orleans working 
in the York and Scottish Rites and under 
the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of 
Louisiana. 


The Supreme Court of Ohio has ren- 
dered a decision which gives the Grand 
Lodge the right to enforce its regulations 
and prevents rebellion against the Grand 
Body by those who owe allegiance to the 
Grand Lodge. 

Plans for the new Masonic Temple at 
Washington are rapidly taking shape and 
the enterprise seems now an assured suc- 
cess. There were nearly 300 enthusiastic 
Masons present at a meeting of the general 
committee held at the Arlington Wednes- 
day night, and forty- four out of the forty- 
nine lodges and chapters in the Washing- 
ton jurisdiction were represented, says the 
Post of that city. Although the capital 
stock of the association is placed at Sioo,- 
000, it is proposed to spend at least $500,- 
000 on the Temple, which will be national 


282 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


in its character. It is proposed to hold a 
fair which will eclipse anything of the kind 
ever attempted in the District of Columbia, 
the receipts to be applied to the new build- 
ing. Fifteen thousand square feet will be 
occupied by the new structure, which will 
be located in the business portion of the 
city. 


An Indiana editor was recently success- 
ful in a suit against a delinquent sub- 
scriber who “had never ordered the pa- 
per,’' but who, it was found, had regularly 
called for it at and taken it out of the 
postoffice for two years. The Court or- 
dered that the subscriber pay the subscrip- 
tion account of $3 and $16 costs of suit. 


The Lodge of Perfection, A. A. Scot- 
tish Rite of New York city, has added 
143 members during the past year. There 
were also 23 deaths and dismissions, leav- 
ing the membership 1,469, and the second 
largest Lodge in the Northern Jurisdiction. 
The receipts were over $4,000 and the ex- 
penditures $1,200. 


A year or so ago a person joined, in 
Montana, what he supposed was a Masonic 
Lodge. It was chartered by the Colored 
Grand Lodge of Missouri. He now de- 
sires to petition for membership in this 
State. The Worshipful Master of the 
Lodge, which he sought to join, wrote me 
as follows: “He joined the Lodge in Mon- 
tana, under the supposition that it was all 
right, and did not know that it was char- 
tered by the Colored Grand Lodge of 
Missouri. He is a good citizen, and de- 
sires to renounce the Montana membership, 
and become a regular Mason. Can we re- 
ceive his petition ? Is he required to pay 
full fees? Are we compelled to confer 
the degree in full ?” To these questions I 
answered: “You may receive his petition 
for the degrees the same as you would re- 
ceive one from any profane. He is not a 
Mason to us, and we cannot recognize him 
as such, nor as having any Masonic rights 
whatever. He must be initiated, passed, 
and raised in the usual and regular way.” 
— Bro. C. L . Brow?i , G. M y of Minn. 

The brother could carry his dimit to 
some other country, deposit it in some 
Lodge, and after a while take it out, re- 
turn to the United States, and become a 
member of some Lodge without initiation. 
We know several instances where this has 
been done. 


At the annual assembly of the Grand 
Council R. S. M. of New Hampshire, 
held at Concord, May 17th, the following 
officers were installed: 

Stephen S. Jewett, Laconia, G. Master; Charles. H. 
Webster, Nashua, D. G. M.; Charles B. Spofford, Clare- 
mont, G. P. C. of W.; Joseph W. Hildreth, Manchester, 
G. Treasurer; George P. Cleaves, Concord, G. Recorder; 
Benjamin F. St. Clair, Plymouth, G. C. of G; Joseph B. 
Smith, Manchester, G. C. of C.; Rev. Jesse M. Durrell, 
Nashua, G. Chap.; Harry M. Cheney, Lebanon, G. Mar.; 
Fred E. French, Concord, G. Steward; Frank L. Sanders, 
Concord, G. Sentinel. 


At the annual convocation of the Grand 
R. A. Chapter of New Hampshire, held at 
Concord, May 18th, the following officers 
were installed: 

John H. Steele, Peterborough, G. H. P.; Charles H. 
Webster. Nashua, D. G. H. P.; Franklin A. Rawson. New- 
port, G. King; John A. Lang, Franklin Falls, G. Scribe; 
Joseph W. Hildreth, Manchester, G. Treasurer; George P. 
Cleaves, Concord, G. Secretary; Joshua W. Hunt, Nashua, 
G. C. of H. 


At the annual communication of the 
Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, held at 
Concord, May 19th, the following officers 
were installed: 

Henry A. Marsh, Nashua, Grand Master; John McLane, 
Milford, D. G. M.; George Isaac McAllister, Manchester, 
G. S. W.; Bradford Sumner Kingman, Newmarket, G. J. 
W.; Joseph Kidder, Manchester, G. Treasurer; George P. 
Cleaves, Concord, G. Secretary; Rev. Daniel C. Roberts, 
Concord, and Rev. Henry B. Smith, Nashua, Grand Chap- 
lains; Henry B. Quinby, Lakeport, G. S D.; Joseph ShU- 
tuck, Nashua, G. J. D.; John K. Wilson, Manchester, Wil- 
liam W. Oliver, Lisbon, Frank J. Philbnck, Portsmouth, 
and Frank W. Richardson, Milford, G. Stewards; Charles 
C. Danforth, Concord, G. Marshal; Frederick J. Shepard, 
East Derry, G. Sw. B.; John C. Bickford, Manchester, and 
John T. Clark, Kingston, G. Pursuivants; Frank L. San- 
ders, Concord, G. Tyler. 


At the annual convocation of the Grand 
Chapter, of North Carolina, held in 
Wilmington, May nth and 12th, the 
following officers were installed: 

William A. Withers, Raleigh, G. H. P.; Martin S. Wil- 
lard, Wilmington, D.jG. H. P ; William F. Randolph, Ashe- 
ville, G. King; James D. Bullock, Wilson, G. Scribe; Wil- 
liam Simpson, Raleigh, G Treas.; Horace H. Munson, 
Wilmington, G. Secretary; Rev. Stewart McQueen, Golds- 
boro, G. Chap.; Edward P. Bailey, Wilmington, G C. of 
H.; Joseph H. Hackburn, Newbern, G. P. S.; John C. 
Drewry, Raleigh, G. R. A. C.; Andrew J. Harrell, Golds- 
boro, G. M. 3d V.; James K. Norfleet, Winston, G. M. 2d 
V.; William H. Kitchin, Scotland Neck, G. M. 1st V.; Rob- 
ert H. Bradley, Raleigh, G. Guard. 


At the annual conclave of the Grand 
Commandery K. T. of North Carolina, 
held in Wilmington, May 12th and 13th, 
the following officers were installed: 

Joseph ; H. Hackburn. Newbern, Grand Commander; 
Mumford D. Railey, Winston, D. G. C.; Walter E. Storm, 
Wilmington, Grand Geno.; William F. Randolph, Asheville, 
G. C. G.; Rev. Charles L Hoffman, Charlotte, G. Prelate; 
James D Bullock, Wilson, G. S. W.; DeWitt E. Allen, 
Charlotte, G. J. W.; William Simpson, Raleigh, G. Treas.; 
Horace H. Munson, Wilmington, G. Recorder; John C. 
Drewry, Raleigh, G. St. B.; Edward P. Bailey, Wilmington, 

G. Sw. B.; Joseph B. Clark, Newbern, G. Warder; Robert 

H. Bradley, Raleigh, G. Guard. 


At the 50th annual conclave of the 
Grand Commandery of Kentucky K. T., 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


283 


held at Hopkinsville, on the 19th and 20th 
of May, the following grand officers were 
installed: 

Eugene A. Robinson, Marysville, G. Commander; 
Charles C. Vogt, Louisville, D. G. C.; Janies T. Hedges, 
Cynthiana, G. Geno.; John G. Orndorff, Russellville, G. C. 
G.; Henry T. Jeffeison, Louisville, G. Prelate; Frank H, 
Johnso \, Louisville, G. S. W.; George A. Lewis, Frankfort, 
G. J. W.; David P. Robb, Versailles, G. Treasurer; Loren- 
zo D. Croninger, Covington, G. Recorder; Thomas J. 
Smith, Bowling Green, G. St. B.; Rev. Arthur C. Biddle, 
Sturgis, G. Svv. B.; John S. Smith, Richmond, G. Warder; 
John W. Landrum, Mayfield, G. Sentinel. 

The returns show 2,020 members; cre- 
ated 182; a net increase of 89. 

The Grand Chapter of O. E. S. , of 
Kansas, held its 21st annual session at 
Emporia, May 1 2th to 14th. The following 
officers were elected: 

Mrs. Della Bennttt, Hutchinson, Grand Matron; Bro. 
Edd Hayes, Wellington, Grand Patron; Mrs. Libbie B. 
Towner, Kansas City, A. G. M ; Bro. Albert Sarbach, 
Holton, A. G. P.; Mrs. Jennie M. Pearsall, Fort Scott, G. 
Treasurer; Mrs. Myra Mottram, Ottawa, G. Secretary. 


The Asylum of Los Angeles Command- 
ery, No. g, was dedicated on May 20th by 
the Grand Commandery of California, 
under the direction of the following of- 
ficers : 

Frank W. Sumner, as Grand Commander; Robert M. 
Powers, D* G. C.; Henry S. Orme, as G. Geno.; T. H. 
Ward, as G. C. G.; Arthur Brookman, as G. Prelate; Addi. 
son Morgan, as G. S. W.; M. T. Owen as G. J. W.; J. M. 
Lawrence, as G. St. B.; J. H. Martin, as G. Sw. B.; Freeman 
G. Teed, as G. Warder. 

After the close of the ceremony a fine 
repast was served in the banquet room, 
and concluding with dancing in the audi- 
torium. The fraternity in Los Angeles 
are to be congratulated upon the success 
of their enterprise. 


The returns of the Grand Lodge of Odd 
Fellows of California show 30,273 mem- 
bers, while the Masons show only 18,208. 
We notice in the proceedings of the Grand 
Lodge of Odd Fellows, held in Sm Fran- 
cisco recently, the names of several Ma- 
sons prominent in positions and legisla- 
tion, who have been the recipient of high 
honors in Masonry. Will they not explain 
the reason why this disparity in numbers 
in the two fraternities ? They must be able 
to do so. Is a benefit society more to be 
prized than a charitable society? 

o 

Chips from Other Quarries. 


It is one of the most curious chapters in 
the history of Mohammedanism against 
Christianity, that after the lapse of a thou- 
sand years the blood of Christian inno- 
cents is being shed, and the wails of Chris- 
tian martyrs from the plains and mountains 


of Armenia appeal to the sympathy of all 
true Christian Knights. With undimin- 
ished ferocity the descendants of Moham- 
med, in obedience to his precepts, “the 
sword and Koran in either hand,” pursue 
the same relentless persecution of the fol- 
lowers of Christ, as when the green banner 
of Islam was first unfurled on the plains of 
Arabia. And to the eternal disgrace of 
so-called Christian governments, massacre, 
rapine and desolation go on, and no help- 
ing hands are raised to stay the barbari- 
ties. The solemn vows of the Christian 
Knight, first made at Palestine, pledge him 
to the defense of the Christian religion, 
whenever, wherever, or by whom assailed, 
and it may yet come to pass, even in this 
nineteenth century, that some fearless 
Templar shall raise aloft the emblem of 
Christianity, and, like the inspired monk 
of the Crusades, call upon the chivalry of 
Christ to the rescue of suffering Armenia 
from the scourge of the merciless Turk. 

— Alex . H. Morgan , of Pa. 

Bro. Geo. W. Ball, Grand Master of 
Iowa, in his annual address on the subject 
of “Reimbursement among Lodges,’’ says 
he is “in favor of the broadest Masonic 
charity when voluntarily exercised, but 
am opposed to any law or rule that pro- 
vides for charity under compulsion.’ * In 
carrying this principle out to its logical 
conclusion, the whole present method of 
raising means for dispensing charity would 
be abrogated. Dues would be abolished 
because they are compulsory and force 
contributions oftentimes from those who 
have fallen into penury, and unable to 
spare the money without distressing them- 
selves or depriving those dependent upon 
them of the comforts and perhaps neces- 
saries of life. If the present system of 
equal dues from the membership is the 
correct theory, then the principle should 
be carried out among Lodges, and even 
Grand Lodges. 

Bro. Jas. W. Boyd, Grand Master of 
Florida, says: “I do not agree to the 
principle that one Lodge may have the 
power to create a debt, and compel an- 
other to pay it, without previous assent 
thereto.” Neither does The Trestle 
Board. As all obligations are individual, 
neither do we agree to the principle of 
brethren doing the same in the association 
called Lodges; nor in the principle of ac- 
cumulating a large surplus at the incon- 


284 


THE TRESTLE BOARD, 


venience of the present generation for the 
benefit of future ages, which is equally un- 
just. 


‘‘The standing of a non -affiliate from a 
sister Grand Lodge Jurisdiction moving 
into ours is a peculiar one. He may 
knock at our door for admission as a visi- 
tor, and yet the Worshipful Master is 
obliged to deny his request under our law 
— he has no right of visitation, no right 
of Masonic relief from the Lodge, and in 
case of death no right of Masonic burial. 
He has committed the great crime (Ma- 
sonic) of taking a dimit, possibly to join 
a Lodge in another State, and is accord- 
ingly denied the courtesy of visiting with 
his brethren in the tyled precincts of the 
Lodge. "—Geo. Van Saun , of Iowa, 


According to my faith and belief Ma- 
sonry is religion. For that reason it is 
coeval with the belief in and adoration of 
the Godhead. It is as old as time and 
will remain among men till time and time- 
ly things are ended. It contains the fun- 
damental principles of all religions. 

— M, M. Folsom , of Rome, Ga, 


A man who is not able to speak above a 
whisper and one who is cross eyed are not 
physically disqualified for initiation. The 
one is not dumb, nor is the other blind. 

— G. L , 9 of Pa, 


The drill corps of thirty- two members 
of the Golden Gate Commandery, Knights 
Templar, of San Francisco, with the Grand 
High Priest, will leave the city June 24th 
for Humboldt, and will be in Ferndale a 
day or two later to be present at the insti- 
tution of the recently organized Chapter of 
Royal Arch Masons. — For tuna Advance, 


Doubtless, a Grand Lodge may decree 
that an unaffiliated Mason shall not appear 
in a Masonic procession, or visit a Masonic 
Lodge more than three times, or not at all; 
but, this being true, we are constrained to 
urge that it is not only not good Ma- 
sonry, but is contrary to ancient usage. 
We remember that the time is not very 
greatly in the past, when there were no 
chartered Lodges, and when the neophyte 
was made a Mason, he was made such, not 
for a particular place or time, but for all 
places and all time. One difficulty that 
modern Masonry is laboring under, is that 
there is too much legislation, and much 


of its legislation swings clear of the an- 
cient customs of the Craft, and before a 
great while the Fraternity will be ancient 
only in name, certainly not in practice/ * 
— Bro . W. M, Clarke, 


The Grand Lodge of California has re- 
cently passed a law prohibiting any broth- 
er from visiting a subordinate Lodge in 
that jurisdiction until h? shows a receipt 
for his dues in the Lodge from which he 
hails. Lots of odd fellowship about this. 

— Memphis Appeal, 


The presiding officer of any Masonic 
body who issues invitations to attend a 
special meeting, and withholds same from 
a portion of his members, is narrow- 
minded in his ideas, and wholly unfit for 
the position he usurps. Such an officer 
would not keep faith with his members, 
and would violate their confidence on any 
occasion. He should be impeached. 

— Bro. Bun F. Price, 


The New York World of January nth 
reveals the fact that sixty- five city banks 
of New York (forming the New York 
Clearing House) hold one- third of all the 
money that is supposed to be in circula- 
tion in the United States As there are 
many other banks in New York as well as 
Trust Companies, Insurance Companies, 
etc., that carry considerable money, it is 
safe to say that one- half of the money of the 
United States is in New York at the pres- 
ent time, and although money is offered 
as low as one and one half per cent a year 
nobody seems to want it. 

When the late cataclysm struck Chi- 
cago, Comptroller Eckles made the banks 
show up, and they had over fifty-four mil- 
lions of dollars on hand, which was thirty 
millions more than the law required, which 
goes to show that the money is not in cir- 
culation. The money is all in the banks, 
and everybody is in debt. Now when the 
money sharps “call the game” the debtors 
must give up their property or fight. 

How is it that in England, whence we 
confessedly derive all our Masonry, such a 
thing as physical disqualification — accord- 
ing to Bro. Hughan, one of the highest 
Masonic authorities known, and who cer- 
tainly knows what he is talking about — 
does not exist, and the candidates are re- 
ceived only on their moral and mental 
qualifications ? This is one of Bro. Mack- 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


285 


ey’s landmarks. Is it possible that the 
Grand Lodge of England is disobeying 
one of the landmarks ? Isn’t it more like- 
ly that physical perfection is not a land- 
mark than that English Masons knowingly 
violate it? — Cornelius Hedges. 

By all means let us have it ! What? 
The “National Freight and Passenger 
Post.” To be able to go or send freight 
across the continent at a charge no greater 
than is now paid to the nearest station, be- 
yond the starting point, would work as 
great a revolution in transportation and 
travel as did Rowland Hill’s penny post 
in the mail service. Our postal system is 
based on the same principle and is a suc- 
cess; let us have the other, and there will 
be fewer people who go to Europe without 
having seen Niagara Falls or Yellowstone 
Park. — Eastern Star. 


At the dawn of her history, some five or 
six thousand years ago, Egypt had her 
Masons executing work at the Pyramids in 
a manner not to be surpassed by modern 
Craftsmen; and to gain some idea of their 
skill, we have only to visit these huge 
structures to see at a glance the marvelous 
results they achieve. — Masonic Tidings. 


A Masonic traveler says: In Egypt a 
Mason is never lost sight of; your rooms 
are kept fragrant with flowers, you are the 
guest of those hospitable brethren, excur- 
sions are planned, entertainments of all 
kinds gotten up, a visit to the pasha ar- 
ranged, and a peep into the harem is per- 
mitted. On the Nile they keep you com- 
pany, lunch you amid the ruins of Luxor, 
and help you climb the great pyramid. 

— Idaho Mason . 


How clear is it that the government 
which licenses or tolerates the dram-shop 
grossly and wickedly fails of protecting 
the persons and property of its subjects ! 
The dram-shop — call it hotel, or by any 
other name — is a manufactory of paupers 
and madmen. A heavy burden for the 
sober to bear are these paupers. And 
what vessel, or car, or stage-coach, or 
building, or precious life is safe from the 
destructions which rum-made madmen are 
dealing so constantly and thickly all 
around them ? It is not alone when they 
have drunk enough to stagger that men are 
dangerous. The preternatural excitement 
which the captain, engineer, or driver de- 


rives from but a single glass may be suffi- 
cient to peril all the lives intrusted to his 
care. To say nothing of the duty of gov- 
ernment to shield the industry of the sober 
from this burden of pauperism, how mani- 
fest its duty to suppress this manufacture 
of maniacs ! Were shops to be opened 
for making madmen with exhilarating 
gases, or by means of some other tempta- 
tions, government would promptly shut 
them up. Why, then, does it not shut up 
the dram-shops ? Because it is accustomed 
to protect them, and the people are accus- 
tomed to the protection. Nothing so much 
as custom has the power to sanction and 
to blind. — Gerrit Smith , 1854. 


The oldest Lodge in the world is Moth- 
er Kilwinning Lodge. This Lodge has no 
number and its master is addressed as 
Most Worshipful Grand Master, for the 
reason that he is ex-officio Grand Master 
of a small district in which this Lodge is 
situated. — W. J. Duncan. 

The social features of Masonry should 
not be neglected. It is a good thing to 
have an occasional banquet, reception or 
social function, as it brings out the mem- 
bers, gets them acquainted, and creates 
good fellowship. — W. J. Duncan. 

In 1896 the G. P. of California decided 
that “a member of a Chapter composed of 
colored persons has no standing under our 
laws.” Mrs. Van Patten, in her review 
for the G. C. of Washington, made the 
simple comment: “The time is coming 
when the color line will cease to be drawn. 

A remark we most heartily appland. We 
look with confidence to the equality loving 
sentiment and innate justice of the Ameri- 
can people to finally surmount such sense- 
less prejudice of man against man, and es- 
pecially will we welcome a healthier at- 
titude in an Order founded upon the ties 
of brotherhood. One of the highest com- 
pliments ever given great-hearted Lincoln 
was the well-known remark by Fred 
Douglas: “ He was the first man in whose 
presence I forgot I w’as a Negro.” 

— Pacific Mason. 


A subscriber writes us that he has been 
taking the journal a year and has never 
read it, but does not want it any longer. 
Of course we cannot think he is a Mason. 
A man who pretends to be a Mason and 
will not even look at a Masonic journal is 


286 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


unworthy the name. He is in the wrong 
pew. Such men were influenced by curi- 
osity or mercenary motives, and are drones 
in the hive, and the workers ought to at- 
tend to them. — Tiding s from the Craft 

Wearing a modest bit of Masonic jewelry 
is right and proper. It is very often the 
means of forming pleasant or lasting friend- 
ships. To meet the man who wears all he 
can pile on, and trapped out with as many 
jewels and badges as he has degrees, is 
very wearying, and suggests nothing so 
much as the Sioux medicine man at a dog- 
bake. — Kansas Freemason . 


In Ohio they have a Lodge which has 
reported eight members in good standing 
for a number of years. It paid $2,80 
dues and the Master drew $16.50 per diem 
and mileage. Another had one Master 
for ten years, and he had been installed 
but once, and then under a special dispen- 
sation of the Grand Master. In ten years 
it had paid Grand Lodge $67.45 i n dues 
and drawn $186.80 per diem and mileage 
for its representative. The Charters of 
both Lodges were arrested. And this, too, 
in Ohio. What becomes of Lodge repre- 
sentation by this act ? The idea ! To take 
away the Charter of a Lodge because it 
drew out of the Grand Lodge treasury for 
mileage and per diem representation more 
than it had paid in dues, and, at the same 
time, to take from a sister Lodge ten 
times the cost of mileage and per diem 
representation ! Oh, what a picture of in- 
nocence those P. G. M.’s who operated 
the deal would make for a naive in some 
great cathedral, as they expose the white 
of their eyes to heaven and sing: 

“ We meet upon the level, 

And we part upon the square— 

What words of precious meaning 
Those words Masonic are.” 

— Tyler 


“In either case of suspension or expul- 
sion by his Commandery, the Knight can 
be restored to membership only upon peti- 
tion and unanimous ballot.” In other 
words, if a Sir Knight should be unfor- 
tunate enough to be suspended for non- 
payment of dues, either through negligence 
or being too proud to plead poverty, he is 
placed on the same level with the horse 
thief, so far as it relates to the act of be- 
ing restored to membership. The mur- 
derer, the thief, the libertine, when ex- 
pelled from a Commandery, have the 


privilege of petitioning for restoration on 
unanimous ballot. The poor, unfortunate, 
yet honest, Templar has the same blessed 
privilege. And this is Masonic justice ! 
Our language may seem harsh, but honeyed 
words never uproot evil. We try to paint 
the picture in bold outlines, that he who 
runs may read and see. — Orient, of Kansas . 


There is evidently a postal censorship 
connected with Weyler’s decree against 
Masonic Lodges in Cuba. Since the de- 
cree went into effect, copies of the Kansas 
Freemason mailed to brothers in Cuba 
have been promptly returned undelivered. 
Before the decree, all papers mailed to 
Cuba were duly received. In sending them 
back the captain general has overreached 
himself, for where before there was only 
the uncertainty of rumor there is now the 
certainty of evidence. The Freemason is 
mailed in a wrapper upon which is stamped 
“From the Kansas Freemason, Wichita, 
Kansas.” It is doubtless a gentle re- 
minder that the Spanish postal authorities 
do not care to handle Masonic literature. 

When you are disposed to say some- 
thing bad of a brother, living or dead, if 
you can keep from doing it no other way 
just clap your tongue between your leeth 
and hold on tight. Bite an inch or two 
off the end if necessary, and whatever you 
do, don't let the words slip. To hear one 
Mason say ill of another is very disagree- 
able, and no true Mason will do it. When 
you speak ill of a brother you betray the 
fact that while you may be a member of a 
lodge, or perhaps a non affiliate, you are 
not a Mason, and the combined obliga- 
tions of all the systems cannot make you 
one. — Kansas Freemason . 


The Grand Lodge of Georgia has a 
method peculiarly its own, and in our es- 
timation quite severe as to the treatment 
of members who fall behind in their dues 
to the Lodge. The delinquent is charged, 
tried and sentenced for non payment of 
dues by the Lodge, which reports the case 
to the Grand Lodge, when decisive and 
final action is taken, as follows: “In pur- 
suance to the Masonic laws of this juris- 
diction your committee recommends that 
the judgment and sentence of said Lodge 
be carried into effect, and that said mem- 
ber be by this Grand Lodge expelled.” 
We are inclined to the belief that such a 
law is too stringent, besides it is in conflict 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


287 


with our ideas of local self-government. 
It seems to us that the subordinate Lodges 
should have complete and final jurisdic- 
tion in matters of that kind, subject, of 
course, to the laws of the Grand Lodee. 

— The Orient . 


The famous spies employed by the Doges 
and the Inquisitors of State were incapable 
until 1785 of discovering, and in fact 
never suspected the existence of, a Ma- 
sonic Lodge in Venice. So careful were 
the brethren, and so secret were their 
meetings, that for over half a century 
Freemasonry progressed slowly but surely 
in the very center of bigotry and cruel op- 
position. An unfortunate accident re- 
vealed to the Inquisition that a Lodge ex- 
isted. Returning from a meeting one of 
the brethren dropped some papers in his 
gondola. These consisted of the minutes 
and roll of members. The gondolier, not 
understanding what the documents were, 
seeing that they were in cipher, handed 
them over to his brother, who was a priest, 
and by him was counselled to take them to 
the authorities. This was accordingly 
done, and the following night thirty men, 
led by a trusted messenger of the Inquisi- 
tion, were conducted by the gondolier to 
the locality where he had taken the brother 
on the previous evening. A search was in- 
stituted and the Lodge was discovered. 
Everything was seized and subsequently 
burned by the common hangman in the 
public place. It is recorded in a publica- 
tion urging the extirpation of the Craft, 
which was published at Venice in 1785, 
that the strange collection of regalia, fur- 
niture, etc., heaped in the square, caused 
great excitement among the populace, who 
thought that Freemasonry was nothing 
more than another form of witchcraft. The 
members of the Lodge which had been dis- 
covered were imprisoned, after having been 
tortured, but were later on liberated on con- 
dition that they left the country. 

— Square ajid Compass . 


In the Voice we find this language in 
reference to physical qualification: “He 
really is dedicated to God, and devoted to 
his service, and that is why he must be 
physically sound — not half, nor three- 
fourths, nor four- fifths, nor nine-tenths, 
but wholly a man.” From this we are to 
conclude that to be a man he was to be 
physically whole. An ingrowing toe-nail 
would take from him the man attribute. 


The man who lost an eye is no longer a 
man. Because he is dedicated to God and 
His service, he must be absolutely physi- 
cally perfect. Therefore, a man who has 
lost a finger, or has become bald-headed, 
is not acceptable to God. Because of this 
deficiency of his body he cannot dedicate 
himself, Masonicallv, to His services. VVe 
fear our good brother is carrying the sym- 
bolism of operative Masonry to a ridicu- 
lous position. In speculative Masonry the 
man is not bodily shape or bodily perfec- 
tion, but soul and mental shape. 

— The Otient . 


As Master Masons we are taught never 
to take the name of Deity in any other 
manner than with that reverential awe due 
from the creature to his Creator. As Royal 
Arch Masons the lesson is more strongly 
impressed upon us. But as Knights Temp- 
lar the doctrines of the Christian religion 
are so interwoven in our beautiful Orders, 
that profanity in one of its members is in- 
excusable if not absolutely unpardonable. 

— Tyler. 


Originally, in England, all Lodges were 
independent of each other without any 
warrant from a Grand Lodge. Annually 
the members assembled and elected a 
Grand Master, and these gatherings were 
called assemblies. St. Albans, who was 
martyred in 306 of the Christian era, ob- 
tained a charter from the king to hold 
these assemblies, and every Mason was 
privileged to attend them. Prince Edwin, 
brother of Prince Athelstane, obtained a 
charter from him for Masonic assemblies 
in 926 of the Christian era. The prince 
called all the Masons of the realm to- 
gether at York, and here was formed a 
Grand Lodge, and Prince Edwin w'as 
chosen the Grand Master. 

— Bro. B. IV. Ja?)ies. 


There is a disease which is prevalent in 
many Chapters, and it is most disastrous 
to peace and harmony. When once it gets 
a foothold it requires prompt action and 
very decided measures to uproot it. One 
member afflicted with this disease can set 
a whole Chapter writhing with the spirit 
of discontent, and however much those 
who see the storm brewing try to avert its 
consequences, it is bound to come. It is 
the loathsome disease of tale bearing. It 
is like the serpent in its ways, coming to 
one under the guise of friendship and 


288 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


dropping poison in the ear, having rolled 
it under the tongue like a sweet morsel 
and fashioned it according to its distorted 
ideas, and then when it sees its unwary 
victim responding to its attack, it is most 
happy in being able to bear back a mes- 
sage, for the old adage is true that “the 
dog that brings a bone will carry one.” 
What shall be done to rid ourselves of 
this monster ? Sometimes it seems almost 
pardonable to make this a part of the 
Chapter business, and if it were openly at- 
tacked its chances for a long stay would 
be materially lessened. At least let every 
one turn their face against one who comes 
to them ladened with the hearsays, and re- 
member that they are not only encourag- 
ing a wrong in another, but sacrificing 
their own conscience, for he who listens is 
next to he who tells . — Eastern Star. 


When Roman Catholics talk about god- 
less public schools, they would like to 
have you believe that their church believes 
in and uses the Bible. The fact is that 
there is not a Bible within the four walls 
of any Roman Catholic church on this 
continent. The large book you see on the 
altar is not a Bible, but the Missal (never 
heard of until the eighth century), the 
Romanist mass book. That what you be- 
lieved to be a Bible or Testament in the 
hand of the reading priest, was neither one 
nor the other; it was his breviary. In this 
book the epistles and gospels for the year 
are to be found, and the priest must read 
the one to be read upon this or that Sun- 
day. He cannot select a passage himself, 
no matter how obnoxious the one for that 
day may be to him. The priests have no 
choice in the matter. Think of a Chris- 
tian church without a Bible in it ! If you 
can, then you will not be amazed that such 
a church antagonizes Freemasonry with its 
open Bible. — Tyler. 

At San Diego, at the banquet given by 
Constant Lodge of Perfection last month, 
among those present was F. M. Pierce, a 
member of the Theosophist crusading 
party which has recently made a voyage 
around the world. Mr. Pierce belongs to 
a New York Lodge. He told of meeting 
Scottish Rite Masons in all parts of the 
world. In Armenia, where the persecu- 
tions are now in progress, the Lodges have 
to meet as they did in ancient times, in 
caves and secret places, for fear of their 
lives. In Samoa he found Masons who 


had the traditions handed down for many 
generations, with no writings or books of 
any sort. At the foot of the pyramid of 
Cheops he found an old Bedouin chief who 
knew but one Yankee word, “Hello.” yet 
he was a full-fledged Mason. Mr. Pierce 
also spoke entertainingly of the occult side 
of Masonry as he found it in India. 


Some 30 years ago the percentage of 
Templars to Master Masons was 5 — it is 
now considerably over 14 — per cent. The 
totals are thus calculated, based upon ac- 
tual returns, for 1896: Master Masons, 
781,670; R. A. Comps., 200,000; Knights 
Templar, 111,894. These are most ex- 
traordinary and suggestive totals, for dur- 
ing the period named — less than 30 years 
— the Craft in North America has in- 
creased from 483,535 to 781,670; the 
Royal Arch from 96,275 to some 200,- 
000 (quite double); and Knights Templar 
from 25,84.4 to 111.894 (more than four 
time). This proves the ever-extending 
character of this chivalric society. 


Any society which has no ladies’ lodge 
attached to it is behind the times. Ladies 
have proved themselves good ritualists, 
good memorizers, active workers, and 
have exploded the worn out idea that they 
cannot keep a secret. It has been found 
to be a great educator and a disperser of 
prejudice . — Pacific Mason. 


The Trestle Board of California enters 
its protest against a Masonic Lodge on the 
coast where officers and members smoke 
as they please while transacting business 
and performing its work. And so it ought, 
and further, it ought to be demanded of 
the Grand Master that he compel the 
abatement of such a crime or arrest the 
charter of the Lodge. The Tyler has 
heard of a similar Lodge in Michigan. 
When you turn a place dedicated to Al- 
mighty God into a bar-room, and fill it 
with loafers, it is time to have an execu- 
tion of that particular W. M. — Tyler. 

A veteran in Masonic work and one of 
the ablest ritualists said: “If I had my Ma- 
sonic career to live over again, I would 
take all the Masonic degrees, both York 
and Scottish Rite, for the intellectual and 
moral power that is in every degree, but I 
would never hold an office, for he who 
would couple with Masonic knowledge the 
bright ambition of official position will 


THE TRESTLE BOARD 


289 


find it the bitter dregs in the end. The 
jealous stabs of envious incompetents will 
take all the pleasure that official position 
might bring. My advice to all young Ma- 
sons who may possess ritualistic ability is 
to fling away ambition.’ ’ 

There is one passage in the Bible which 
justifies the use of tobacco. It reads: “He 
that is filthy let him be filthy still.” 


The Trestle Board justly contends 
for the recognition of a brother in distress, 
his widow and orphans, even if he is not in 
good standing in some Lodge because of 
non -affiliation or suspension for non-pay- 
ment of dues. To refuse aid in such a 
case is a willful violation of obligation. 
What makes you a Mason ? Not dues, 
not membership, not the cut of your hair. 
The obligations of Masonry are individual. 
“Let no motive, therefore, make you 
swerve from your duty, violate your vows, 
or betray your trust.” — Tyler. 


You may search all history, and you 
can never find a place where man or wom- 
an was ever excommunicated from the 
Roman Catholic Church because of their 
morals. Evangelist Rush, in .touching this 
slum spot, says: “You know that your 
morals may be as black as my boot, and 
still you hold your membership in the 
Romish church. Obedience, submission 
and degradation of manly and womanly 
principles are the essentials to good mem- 
bership in the Church of Rome. To these 
qualifications we might add an open pocket- 
book when the priest calls upon you. Was 
it because of his morals that Father Mc- 
Glynn was excommunicated ? Certainly 
not; but because he dared to assert his 
rights as an American citizen by saying a 
kind word in favor of our public schools 
and “Old Glory.” His morals were be- 
yond reproach in the church, and yet, 
strange as it may seem, if he died during 
that time, there was not a Roman Catholic 
church in America that would allow his 
remains inside of its fence, nor a Roman 
Catholic so called “consecrated” burial 
ground that would allow him a Christian 
burial. But behold the contrast ! On the 
14th of July, 1890, the notorious prize- 
fighter, Paddy Duffy, is carried into St. 
Mary’s on Endicott street, North End, 
Boston, and upon his casket might be seen 
a pair of floral boxing gloves, and Father 
Scanlan sprinkled them with holy water. 


My God ! do you call this Christianity !” 
And this is the church that excommuni- 
cates the disciples of that “peculiar system 
of morality” that is the child of Liberty. 

A universal Masonic Congress, to which 
all the Grand Lodges of the world are in- 
vited by circular letter, is to take place 
July 25th to 28:h at The Hague, in the 
Netherlands. International questions, with 
Masonry as the vehicle, will be discussed 
principally. 


“The fact that an accused brother has 
been judged guilty in a court can not be 
used in a Masonic trial,” is the law of 
New Jersey. True, but we take it that the 
evidence used at the trial may be. We 
remember distinctly, some years ago, when 
Junior Warden of our Lodge, that we used 
the evidence before the court that acqitted 
the brother, and secured his expulsion 
from the fraternity. Justice is often de- 
feated by law. 


In reply to the question, “Is it wise for 
a man to deny himself, and get along with 
a few hours sleep a day, to do more work ?” 
Tesla, the great electrician, is said to have 
replied: “That is a great mistake, I am 
convinced. A man has just so many 
hours to be awake, and the fewer of these 
he uses up each day, the more days they 
will last; that is, the longer he will live. I 
believe that a man might live two hundred 
years if he would sleep most of the time. 
That is why Negroes often live to ad- 
vanced old age, because they sleep so 
much. It is said that Gladstone sleeps 
seventeen hours every day; that is why his 
faculties are still unimpaired in spite of his 
great age. The proper way to economize 
life is to sleep every moment that is not 
necessary or desirable that you should be 
awake.” 


The “high up” Mason, says the Texas 
Freemaso?i , is not he who sports a Knight 
Templar’s or Thirty-second Degree charm, 
but he who is a friend indeed to those in 
need; he whose sympathetic ear and help- 
ing hand is at the service of the poor and 
afflicted, whose counsels are ever ready to 
those who need proper advice in their hour 
of trouble, and whose charity is ever ready 
to assist in the reformation of the repent- 
ant. This Mason may be only a Master 
Mason, but he will be “way high up” 
when he finally enters that “Celestial 


290 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


Lodge not made with hands/ ’ compared 
with he who wears richly jeweled charms 
and is a drone in the Masonic hive. 


‘‘It always makes me glad to see a wom- 
an acting silly over a poodle/’ 

“Why?” 

“Because it shows what a bad bringing 
up some lucky baby has escaped.” 

— Chicago Record . 


A little boy in saying his prayers went 
on, “Oh, Lord, bless papa and mamma 
and Susie and everybody but nasty Betsy.” 
“Why, my dear, what has Betsy done?” 
“She stole my candy.” “No, dear, I told 
her to take it away; she is good and kind 
and that is a naughty prayer.” The boy 
was sullen, and mother left him without 
the usual good-night kiss. When she 
reached the foot of the stairs, she heard 
him call “mamma.” “Well, my son, 
what is it ?” “God bless old nasty Betsy, 
I don’t care.” How like human nature. 


Here is a charming little incident which 
illustrates the thoughtfulness of childhood 
— a quality we are apt very much to under- 
value. A little girl seeing the servant 
throw the crumbs into the fire, said: 

“Don’t you know that God takes care 
of the sparrows ?” 

“If God takes care of them,” was the 
careless reply, “we need not trouble our- 
selves about them.” 

“But,” said the little girl, “I had rather 
be like God, and help him take care of the 
little birds than scatter or waste the food 
that he gives us.” 

She carefully collected what was left of 
the crumbs, and threw them out of the 
window. In a short time several little 
birds flew eagerly to the spot, and picked 
up the crumbs she had scattered. After 
this she every day collected the crumbs 
that fell around the table, and threw them 
out of the window for the little birds; and 
during all the winter these little creatures 
came regularly after each meal to partake 
of the food thus provided for their sup- 
port. This was her idea of “ helping 
God.” 


A good story is told in one of our ex- 
changes of a dog that one day discovered 
an organ grinder’s monkey seated on a 
bank in his master’s grounds, and at once 
made a rush for it. The monkey, in 
jacket and hat, awaited the onset so undis- 


turbed that the dog halted within a few 
feet to reconnoitre, when the monkey 
raised his paw and saluted by lifting his 
hat. The effect was magical. The dog’s 
head and tail dropped, and he sneaked off 
to the house, refusing to leave it until his 
polite but mysterious visitor had gone. 

Willie had swallowed a penny, and his 
mother was in a state of much alarm. 

“Helen,” she called to her sister in the 
next room, “send for a doctor; Willie has 
swallowed a penny !” 

The terrified and frightened boy looked 
up imploringly. 

“No, mamma,” he interposed, “send 
for the minister.” 

“The minister?” asked his mother, in- 
credulously. “Did you say the minister ?’ ’ 

“Yes; because papa says our minister 
can get money out of anybody.” 

Doctors who are in the habit of using 
long words when visiting people may take 
a hint from the following little story: “An 
old woman whose husband was not very 
well, sent for the doctor, who came and 
saw the old man. When he was departing, 
he said to the old man’s wife: 

“I will send him some medicine which 
must be taken in a recumbent position. ” 

After he had gone the old lady sat down 
greatly puzzled. 

‘ ‘A recumbent position — a recumbent 
position !” she kept repeating. “I haven’t 
got one.” At last she thought, “I will go 

and see if Nurse Lown has got one to lend 
>> 

me. 

Accordingly she went, and said to the 
nurse: 

“Have you a recumbent position to lend 
me to take some medicine in ?” 

The nurse, who was equally as ignorant 
as the old woman replied: 

“I had one, but to tell you the truth, 

I have lost it.” 

o 

Literary Notes. 

We have received printed copies of the 

proceedings of the following Grand Bodies for which the 
Secretaries have our thanks: Grand Lodges of New Mex- 
ico, Utah, Arkansas (colored), New Mexico: Grand Chap- 
ter R. A. M. of Missouri; Grand Commanderies K. T. of 
Indiana, Wyoming, Kansas and Texas. 

O 

Deaths. 

In Seattle, Wash., April 22d, Col. Granville O. Haller, a 
native of York, Pa., P. G. M. of the Grand Lodge of Wash- 
ington and a 32 0 Scottish Rite Mason, aged 78 years. 

In San Francisco, June 1st, Detlef J. Einfeldt, a native 
of Germany, a member of Mission Lodge, No. 169, aged 40 
years. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


Premiums for 1897. 

We will send The Trestle Board 
one year to any subscriber who will send 
us three ?iew names and $3.00 at one re- 
mittance. 

* • ♦ 

Masonic Bodies in San Francisco. 


LODGES. 

No. Name. Time. Place. 

1 . California ist Thursday Masonic Temple 

17 . Parfaite Union . . . ist Friday . . “ 

22 . Occidental ist Monday . “ 

30 . Golden Gate . . . . ist Tuesday . “ 

44 . Mount Moriah . . .ist Wednesday “ 

120 . Fidelity ist Thursday. “ “ 

127 . Hermann ist Monday 

136 . Pacific ist Tuesday 121 Eddy 

139 . Crockett ist Wednesday 121 Eddy St. 

144 . Oriental ist Tuesday . Masonic Temple 

166 . Excelsior ist Wednesday “ “ 

169 . Mission ist “ Valencia & 16th 

212 . So. San Francisco . ist Thursday.South S. F. 

216 . Doric ist “ 121 Eddy St. 

219 . Speranza Italiana . 2d Friday . . Masonic Temple 
260 . King Solomon’s . . ist Monday . Geary & Steiner 

ROYAL ARCH CHAPTERS. 

i . San Francisco . ist & 3d Monday . Masonic Temple 
5 . California . . . . ist & 3d Tuesday . “ 


COUNCIL ROYAL & SELECT MASTERS. 

2 . California ... ist Wednesday. . . Masonic Temple 
COMMAND ERIES OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. 

i . California . . Friday Masonic Temple 

16 . Golden Gate .. ist & 3d Monday . 625 Sutter St. 

LODGE OF PERFECTION, 14°, SCOTTISH RITE. 

6 . Yerba Buena . . . Friday Masonic Temple 

CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX, l8°. 

4 . Yerba Buena ... At Call Masonic Temple 

COUNCIL OF KNIGHTS OF KADOSH, 30 0 . 

I . Godfrey de St. Omar . . At Call . . Masonic Temple 

GRAND CONSISTORY, S. P. R. S., 32 0 . 

California At Call Masonic Temple 

MYSTIC SHRINE. 

Islam Temple .... 2d Wednesday . . 625 Sutter St. 

CHAPTERS OF THE EASTERN STAR. 

i . Golden Gate . . ist & 3d Thursday . . 629 Sutter St. 
124 Harmony. . . . ist & 3d Friday. . . 32 O’FarrelSt. 

27 . Ivy ist & 3d Tuesday . . 625 Sutter St. 

99 . Beulah, 2d&4th Monday . Corinthian Hall. So. S. F. 
. Mission Chapter, 2d&4th Saturda\ , Valencia &i6th 
. King Solomon Chapter, ist&3d Wednesday, Geary 

& Steiner. 

GROUP OF GOOD SAMARITANS. 

i . San Francisco . . .ist Saturday . . 625 Sutter St. 

MASONIC VETERANS ASSOCIATION. 

Pacific Coast . . 2d Thursday 

Past Master’s Association, Last Saturday each mo. 


Masonic Bodies in Boston. 


LODGES. 

Grand Lodge meets on second Wednesday in March. 
June, Sept.. Dec., and Dec. 27, at Masonic Hall, 18 
Bovlston street, cor. Washington. 

Aberdour, 2d Tuesday, Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston st., 
cor. Washington. 

Adelphi, 3d Tuesday, 372 W. Broadway, South Boston. 

Amicable, ist Thu.. 685 Mass. Ave., Cambridgeport. 

Baalbec. ist Tu., Meridian, cor. Eutaw, East Boston. 

Bethesda, ist Tu., 337 Washington st., Brighton. 

Beth horon, 2d Tu., Brookline. 

Charitv, 1st Mon.. I. O.O. F. Hall, North Cambridge. 

Columbian, ist Th., Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston street, 
cor. Washington. 

Eliot, 3d Wed.. Green st., opp. depot, Jamaica Plain. 

Faith, 2d Fri., Thompson Square, Charlestown. 

Gate of the Temple, 4th Tu., 372 W. Broad ’y, S. Boston. 

Germania. 4th Mon , Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston street, 
cor. Washington. 

Hammatt, 4th Tu., Meridian, cor, Eutaw, E. Boston. 

Henry Price, 4th Wed.. Thompson Sq., Charlestown. 

Tohn Abbot, ist Tu., Gilman Sq., Somerville. 

Joseph Warren. 4th Tu., Masonic Hall, 8 Boylston st*, 
cor. Washington. 

Joseph Webb, 1st Wed., Masonic Hall, iS Boylston st., 
cor. Washington. 

King Solomon, 2d Tu., Thompson Sq., Charlestown. 

La Fayette. 2d Mon., 2307 Washington st., Roxbury. 

Lodge of Eleusis, 3d Th., Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston 
street, cor. Washington. 

Lodge of St. Andrew, 2d Th., Masonic Hall, 18 Boyl- 
ston street, cor. Washington. 


Massachusetts. 3d Monday, Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston 
street, cor. Washington. 

Mizpah, 2d Mon., *85 Mass. Ave., Cambridgeport. 

Mt. Lebanon, 2d Mon., Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston st., 
cor. Washington. 

Mt. Olivet, 3d Th., 6 c s Mass. Ave., Cambridgeport. 

Mt. Tabor, 3d Th., Meridian, cor. Eutaw, E. Boston. 

Prospect, 2d Mon., Roslindale. 

Putnam, 3d Mon.. E. Cambridge, Cambridge and 3d sts. 

Rabboni, 2d Tu., Masonic Hall, Hancock st., Dorchester 

Revere, 1st Tu., Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston street, cor. 
Washington. 

Robert Lash, *th Wed., Masonic Hall, Chelsea. 

St.John’s, 1st Mon., Masonic Hall, iS Boylston street, 
cor. Wishington. 

St. Paul’s, ist Tu., 372 West Broadway, South Boston. 

Soley, 3d Mon., Gilman So., Somerville. 

Star of Bethlehem. 3d Wed., Masonic Hall, Chelsea. 

Temple, ist Th., Meridian, cor. Eutaw, E. Boston. 

Union, 2d Tu., Hancock st., near Upham’s Cor., Dor- 
chester. 

Washington, 2d Th., 2307 Washington st., Roxbury'. 

Winslow Lewis, 2d Fri., Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston st., 
cor. Washington. 

Winthrop, 2d Tu., Masonic Hall, Winthrop. 

Zetland, 2d Wed., Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston street, 
cor. Washington. 

ROYAL ARCH CHAPTERS. 

Grand Chapter, Tu. preceding 2d Wed, of March, 
June, Sept, and Dec., Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston st., 
cor. Washington. 

Cambridge, 2d Fri., 685 Mass. Ave., Cambrideport. 

Dorchester, 4th Mon., Hancock st., near Upham’s 
Corner, Dorchester. 

Mt. Vernon, 3d Th., 2307 Washington st., Roxbury. 

St. Andrew’s, ist Wed., Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston st., 
cor. Washington. 

St.John’s, 4th Mon., Me idian, nr. Eutaw, E. Boston. 

St. Matthew’s, 2d Mon., 372 W. Broadway, S. Boston. 

St. Paul’s, 3d Tu. Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston street, cor. 
Washington. 

Shekinah, »st Wed., Masonic Hall, Chelsea. 

Signet, 2d Th., Thompson Sq., Charlestown. 

Somerville, 3d Th., Gilman Sq., Somerville. 

COUNCILS ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS. 

Grand Council, 2d Wed. in Dec., Masonic Hall, 18 Boyl- 
ston street, cor. Washingtoh. 

Boston, last Th., Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston street, cor. 
Washington. 

East Boston, 2d Tu., Meridian cor. Eutaw, E. Boston. 

Orient, id Wed., Gilman Sq., Somerville. 

Napthali, 4th Fri., Masonic Hall, Chelsea. 

Roxbury. 4th Mon., 2307 Washington st.. Roxbury'. 

COMMANDER 1 ES KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. 

Grand Commandery, May and Oct., Masonic Hall, 18 
Boylston street, cor. Washington. 

Boston, No. 2, ?d Wed., Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston st., 
cor. Washington. 

Cambridge, No. 42, ist Wed., 6S5 Massachusetts Ave., 
Cambridgeport. 

Cceur de Lion, No. 34, 3d Tu.. Thompson Sq., Charles- 
town . 

De Molay', No. 7, 4th Wed., Maso ic Hall, iS Boylston 
street, cor. Washington. 

Joseph Warren, No. 26, 1st Mon., 2307 Washington st., 
Roxbury'. 

Palestine, No. 10, 2d Wed , 685 Masonic Hall, Chelsea. 

St. Bernard, No. 12. 2d Wed., Masomc Hall, iS Boyl- 
ston >treet, cor. Washington. 

St. Omer, No. 21. 3d Mon. 372 W. Broad w’ay.S. Boston. 

Wm. Parkman, No. 2S, 2d l h.. Meridian, cor. Eutaw, 
E. Boston. 

SCOTTISH RITE. 

Boston Lafayette Lodge of Perfection, 14 0 , ist Fri. in 
Feb., ApnI.Oct. and Dec., Masonic Hall, iS Boylston 
street, cor. Washington. 

Giles F. Yates Council, Princes of Jerusalem, 16 0 , 2d 
Fri, in Feb., April, Oct. and Dec., Masonic Hall. 18 
Boylston street, cor. Washington. 

Mt. Olivet Chapter, Rose Croix, 1S 0 . 3d Fri, in Feb. 
April, Oct. and Dec. , Masonic Hall, 18 Boylston st., 
cor. Washington. 

Massachusetts Consistory', 22°, 4th Fri. in Feb , April, 
Oct. and Dec., Masonic Hall, iS Boylston street, cor. 
Washington. 

MYSTIC SHRINE. 

Aleppo (irregularly), Music Hall. 

EASTERN STAR. 

Vesta, No. 10. ist and 3d Fri.,u City Sq., Charlestown. 

Queen Esther, No, 16, ist and 3d Thurs., Dudley, cor. 
Washington. 

Keystone, No. iS, 2d and 4th Tu., 730 Washington. 

Signet, No. 22, ist and 3d Tues., Cambridgeport. 

Mystic, No. 34, ist and 3d Monday, Meridian, cor. Eu- 
taw, E. Boston. 

Ruth, 2d and 4th Mon., 2S0 Broadway. Chelsea. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


California Safe Deposit and Trust Company. 

Corner California and Montgomery Streets. 

Capital fully paid, ----- $1,000,00000 

Transacts a general Banking business and allows interest on deposits payable on demand or after notice. 
Acts as Executor, Administrator and Trustee under wills or in any other trust capacity. Wills drawn by the 
Company’s Attorneys and are taken care of without charge. 

SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES to rent at prices from $5 per annum upward according to size, and valuables of all 
kinds are stored at low rates. 

DIRECTORS— J. D. Fry, Henry WPliams, I.G. Wickersham, Jacob C. Johnson, James Treadwell, F. W. 
Lougee, Henry F. Po tmann, R. B. Wallace, R. D. Fry, A. D. Sharon and J. Dalzell Brown. 

OFFICERS— J. D. Fry, President; Henry Williams, Vice President; R. D. Fry, Second Vice President; 
J. Dalzell Brown, Secretary and Treasurer; E. E. Shotwell, Ass’t Sec’y; Gunnison, Booth & Bartnett, Attorneys. 


The German Savings and Loan Society. 

526 California Street,, San Francisco. 

Guaranteed Capital and Surplus, - 1,840,201 66 

Capital actually paid up in Cash, - $1,000,000.00 

Deposits December 31, 1896, - 27,730,247.45 

OFFICERS — President, B. A. Becker; ist Vice President, Daniel Meyer; 2d Vice President, H. Horstmann 
Cashier, A. H. R. Schmidt; Assistant Cashier, Wi liam Herrmann; Secretary, George Tourny; Assistant Secre- 
tary, A. H. Muller; Attorney, W. S. Goodfellow. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS — B. A. Becker, Daniel Meyer, H. Horstmann, Ign. Steinhart, N. Van Bergen, Emil 
Rohte, H. B. Russ, D. N. Walter and N. Ohlandt. 



FIRST-CLASS 

RESTAURANT. 

28 Montgomery St., S. F. 

Opposite Lick House. 


PRICES REDUCED! 

Service and Quality First-Class 

as heretofore, without Fee or Tip. 



Have You Ever 

Stopped to Think 

Why thousands of thoughtful people 
are using the Improved Welsbach 
Gas Light ? Its well worth your 
consideration. They burn one-half 
the gas an ordinary burner does and 
give three times the light. 



For sale at 134 Ellis Street, 

W. W. GILLESPIE, Agent for San Francisco. 


United States Laundry, 

Office, 1004 Market Street, 

Telephone South 420. SAN FRANCISCO. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


THE IMPROVED 

“DOMESTI C.” 



Preeminently the Sewing Machine 
for Family Use. 

Send for Catalogue. 

J. W. EVANS, Agent, 

1021 Market St., San Francisco. 

CHARLES S. TILTON, 

ENGINEER & SURVEYOR. 

Twenty-five years experience in the City and County 
Surveyor’s office. 

Charges Moderate and all Work Warranted. 

420 Montgomery St., San Francisco. 


AGENTS WANTED. 

TO CANVASS FOR 

Fifty Years 
of riasonry 

In California. 

(A Masonic History.) 
Published in Twenty Parts Monthly. 
Address 

GEO. SPAULDING & CO., 

414 Clay Street, San Francisco. 

GEORGE GOODMAN, 

Patentee and Manufacturer ol 

ARTIFICIAL STONE, 

In all its branches. Schillingers Patent Sidewalk. 

Garden Walk a Specialty. 

Office, 307 Montgomery Street, 
Nevada Block, San Francisco. 

The Original Swain’s Bakery. 

213 Sutter St., San Francisco. 

SWAIN BROTHERS. 

Edward R. Swain, Frank A. Swain. 

43 ~ Country Orders will Receive Prompt Attention. 


MASONIC, 


KNIGHTS TEMPLAR, ETC., CARDS, BADGES, INVITATIONS, 
PROGRAMS AND MENUS. 

The largest manufactory in the United States. 

Having the cuts and dies for all the different bodies of Masonry, 
we can furnish same on any kind of stationery at low rates. 

If you wish a Menu for a special occasion write us WALTER N 
particulars and we will send an appropriate sample. 

Telephone, Main 330 



535 CLAY ST. 
San Francisco 
California 


Pacific Coast Steamship Co. 

♦ • ♦ 

The New, Large Fast and Elegant Steamers of this 
Company sail from Broadway Wharves 
(Piers 9 and 11) 

SAN FRANCISCO 

for Ports in 

California, Oregon, Washington, Brit- 
ish Columbia, Alaska and Mexico. 

4 ®=* Rates of Fare, which include a berth and meals 
on Ocean Steamers, are lower by this than any other 
route. 

Ticket Office, 4 New Montgomery St., 
Palace Hotel. 

GOODALL, PERKINS & CO., 
General Agents, 

io Market Street, San Francisco. 


BLAKE, MOFFITT & TOWNE, 

Importers and Dealers in 

Book, News, Writing, and Wrapping Papers, Card 
Stock, Straw and Binder’s Board, 
Manufacturers of Patent Machine Made Paper, Bags 
512 to 516 Sacramento St., San Francisco. 

MANN & COMPANY, 

Book Binders, 

535 Clay Street, 

SAN FRANCISCO. 


Established 1850. Telephone No. 43. 

N. GRAY & CO., 

TTZN’IDEIRT.A-ICIEIR.S , 

641-645 Sacramento, Corner Webb Street, 

Embalming a Specialty. SAN FRANCISCO. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


\ 



Small Attendance. 


If you are having small attendance at 
your Lodge meetings, a wise proceeding 
may be to make the work a trifle more 
realistic by properly costuming those 
participating in it. 

Shakespeare is not adapted to ordin- 
ary clothing and slouch hat and Ma- 
sonic Ritual is conceded to be even 
more beautiful, but needs to be properly 
“set” to be fully appreciated. 

I can supply the “setting” to perfec- 
tion, and many more Lodges will find 
it a first-class investment. 

All goods guaranteed. 

Address 

ALVIN PLUMMER, 

408 California Street, 

San Francisco, Cal. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 



AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN- 


Tours in the Rocky Mountains. 

The “Scenic Line of the World,” the 
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, offers 
to tourists in Colorado, Utah and New 
Mexico the choicests resorts, and to the 
trans continental traveler the grandest 
scenery. The direct line to Cripple 
Creek, the greatest gold camp on earth. 

Double daily train service with through 
Pullman sleepers and tourists’ cars be- 
tween Denver and San Francisco and 
Los Angeles. 

Write S. K. Hooper, G. P. & T. A., 

Denver, Colorado, or W. J. Shotwell, 

General Agent, 314 California St., San 
Francisco, for descriptive pamphlets. 

The “ GUI L D~ PI A N O ” is 

Equal to any in General Excellence, 

Superior to All in Vital Improvements . 


Do not fail to examine before buying another. 

AT HALF PRICE. 

Regular $500 Jacob Bros. World’s Fair Prize Uprights, $250. 

Regular $500 Benedict Bros. New York, Popular Uprights, .... $250. 
Other Patterns at LOWER PRICES. EASY TERMS. 





GUILD PIANO WAREROOMS, 


Franklin A. Shaw, Manager. 228 Tremont St., Boston, 


Mass. 




HATS 


Styles UNSURPASSED. 

U MBRELLAS 

NEWEST^bJEST./. 


4I2> 

w M ¥ r Washington StA, 

'Jos.A.Jackson^ a^S 




& St. Paul Railway. 

THE SHORT LINE BETWEEN 
OMAHA AND CHICAGO, 

And connecting with all Transcontinen- 
tal Lines at Omaha, St. Paul and 
Kansas City, for Eastern points. 

SOLID TRAINS, 

Vestibuled, Electric Lighted and Steam 
Heated, with the finest Dining, Sleep- 
ing and Reclining Chair Service in the 
world, via the “ Chicago, and Omaha 
Short Line” of the Chicago, Milwaukee 
and St Paul Railway* 

Double daily train service. 

Apply to nearest coupon ticket agent 
for tickets and further information to 
C. L. CANFIELD, 

General Agent, 

5 Montgomery St., San Francisco. 

GEO. H. HEAFFORD, 
General Passenger and Ticket Agent, 

Chicago, 111. 


THE WHITE IS KING. 




SPEED, STRENGTH, 

BEAUTY and QUALITY 


513 make the WHITE 


BICYCLE. 




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Light Running, 

DURABILITY. Simplicity 

of Construction, and M >dern Improvements 
make a WHI TE SEWING MACHINE. 

Write us for catalogue, prices and terms to agents. 

WHITE SEWING MACHINE CO., 
Corner Ellis & Mason Sts., 

San Francisco, Cal. 



A Homeopathic treatment for the 
cure of the tobacco habit. One course 
of treatment, lasting about ten days, is 
guaranteed to remove the craving and 
produce a positive aversion to the use 
of tobacco. 

Coniabaco is perfectly harmless and 
is devoid of all the obnoxious and dis- 
agreeable features common to nearly 
all other methods of treatment for the 
cnre of the tobacco habit. 

One complete course of treatment 
with full directions, nicely packed in a 
vest pocket case, may be obtained from 
your druggist or will be sent to any ad- 
dress, postpaid, on receipt of $ 1 . 00 . 

Manufactured only 
by 

The Contabaco Company, 

San Francisco, Cal. 


HIGH GRADE 


Merrill Pianos. 

Inspection Invited . 



Terms to Suit Purchaser . 

Correspondence Solicited . 


Tim MERRILL PIANO CO., 

118 Boylston St., Boston, Mass.