lief of suffering brethren in Chicago. The Grand Chapter gave two hundred dollars to Chicago, two hundred to the destitute in Manistee, Mich., and two hundred to those in Wisconsin.

The condition of the Craft in Indiana may by inferred from the following pleasing report of the Committee on Grievances in the Council.

"The Committee on Grievances take pleasure in reporting that no case of grievance or complaint has been presented for their action. Peace reigns throughout our borders, harmony dwells in our Councils. 'Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.' So may it ever be-Amen!"

Both Bodies determined to meet hereafter permanently in Indianapolis, their itinerating experience being neither pleasant nor profitable to any body.

GOSHEN, Oct. 25, 1871.

E.

REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE.

AT the Grand Communication of 1870, Grand Lodge appointed a committee consisting of R. W. Wm. M. Fenton, R. G. M., (now dead) and M. W. Henry Chamberlin (now D. G. M.) to report a plan by which title to real estate could be held by the Fraternity in a manner that would not endanger Masonic interests. This committee reported, at last Grand communication, a bill, with the recommendation that a committee consisting of the G. M.; G. V. and L.; G. S. and G. T. be instructed to lay the bill before the Legislature and secure the necessary legislation. This report was unanimously adopted by Grand Lodge; the committee was appointed, as recommended, and instructed to proceed to carry out the plan proposed.

For some reason the legislation has not been procured, at least in looking carefully over both volumes of the Session Arts. of '71 we can not find any evidence that the required legislation was obtained.

We very much regret the delay which has occurred in this business, because we can not see how the Craft can hold secure title to its property, (except as provided in this bill,) without being in constant danger of having its Lodge records called into courts of justice as evidence of certain transactions.

We commend to our readers for careful perusal, the discussion of this question by P. G. M. Metcalf in his annual address of '70; and also the report of committee, page 80, transactions of '71.

THE BEGGAR GIRL.

BY S. C. COFFINBERRY.

THE winter winds shrieked and the storm whistled by,
As a beggar girl stood at the gate;
With a shiv'ring form and a tear in her eye-
With cold blue lips and a piteous cry,

She begg'd for a morsel to eat.

The lord of the mansion came hurrying home,
All muffled in wool and fur,

Plunging through snow drifts towards his dome,
His steed all covered with frost and foam,

Urged on by the whip and the spur.

"Oh hear, my kind sir!" the beggar girl cried,
"Pray, give me a crust of bread,

In exchange for this gem, 'twas my dear father's pride,
On his bosom he wore it, to the day that he died;

For, Alas! my poor father is dead."

"Great God!" said the lord of that princely dome,
And clasped the poor child to his breast;

"No more shall a brother's poor orphan child roam,
She shall share of my bounty and dwell in my home,
In my mansion the weary find rest."

What magical charm that jewel possessing,

Could have melted that proud man there,
To breathe on the orphan beggar girl a blessing,
And to carry her in with fond caressing,

Out of the freezing air?

Full well did that proud man recognize
That jewel so precious and rare;
Full well did its import bring to his eyes
The bright tears 'midst the tender sighs--
'Twas the mystic compass and square.

MASONS SHOULD READ.

We fully endorse the following remark of Brother Leon Hyneman, editor and publisher of the Mason's Home Book, Philadelphia. He says:

"Every Freemason, if he would be true to his obligations and to the Masonic Institution, ought to avail himself of every opportunity to acquire a knowledge of its history, its principles, its laws and its symbolic teachings. That knowledge he can only acquire by reading

the publications in the interest of Freemasonry. Freemasonry as a science has a literature peculiar to its mystic teaching; men of the highest culture among its membership are exercising their pens and brains in every range of thought, to inform and instruct those who will avail themselves of the opportunity. There is and can be no excuse for any Freemason remaining in ignorance on any subject of Freemasonry. The Masonic periodicals published in this country and elsewhere are of a high standard, and are generally as ably conducted as in any field of literature; and the Freemason who will not give his support to at least one publication, evinces an unwillingness to acquire Masonic information, and a most reprehensible degreee of selfishness.

EDITOR'S TABLE.

THE HEALTH OF THE EDITOR.-The Editor of this Journal, though greatly improved, is not yet so far restored that he can fully resume his labors. His health is fast improving, and it is confidently hoped that the injury sustained will not prove permanent.

He has no language by which he can fully express his gratitude to those kind friends who have come forward so cheerfully to aid him in getting out the November and December numbers of the FREEMASON. This kindness will never be forgotten, and will be cherished among the dearest memories of our life's experience.

We hope our patrons will remember us as well. In our time of need, we trust that those who owe for the magazine will not wait for an agent to call, but remit at once. And let all aid in extending our circulation. Cannot each of our subscribers procure a new one, as a New Year's gift?

OUR losses occasioned by the recent fires prove to be considerable. Our Chicago list was nearly all in the burnt district, but was small compared with our lists in the villages and cities along the eastern and western shores of the State. In many of these places we had long lists of subscribers, of whom we had not collected during the past year, and who were therefore due us for the current volume. But by personal exertion and the aid of our brethren, we hope to regain our losses.

THE BEST BOOK IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. What is It? Aside from the Great Light of Masonry, the best book in our language is Webster's Unabridged Pictorial Dictionary. It costs $12 at the Publisher's in Springfield, Mass., but we will present it to the Brother who will procare us twenty subscribers, and remit the funds ($2 each) with the We hope to give away 100 of these truly valuable books.

names.

1

We take pride in commending the present number to the Craft. Its articles are all important, and worthy the consideration of the Brethren everywhere, especially in. Michigan. We make our Journal the special organ of this jurisdiction, and it has the commendation of the Grand Lodge. If the Brethren will stand by us, and support us as they should, we shall soon be able to give them a Journal second to none devoted to Masonry. Now is the time to raise clubs. Send for

terms.

THE annual election of W. Masters, Wardens, &c., is near at hand. We can only say, Brothers, be careful of your choice of officers. Choose only such as are competent and worthy. The prosperity of the Lodge depends almost entirely on the competency and moral worth of the officers. Remember the importance of these annual elections, and let each do his duty.

THE best Masonic book, for a Michigan Mason, is MASONIC TRIALS AND MICHIGAN DIGEST, by our R. W. Grand Visitor, H. M. Look. Its price is $1.50, but we will give it to the Brother who will procure us three new subscribers, and send us the funds with the names.

THE Michigan Exchange is a first-class hotel in all respects, and Brothers who stop there will be made to feel at home. Though giving our preference to the Exchange, we can also commend the Biddle and Russel as first-class Hotels.

THE MICHIGAN FREEMASON is the only Masonic Journal published in Michigan. It alone is recognized by our Grand Lodge. It is reliable, and should be in every Masonic family that would be up with the times, subscribe, and ask your neighbor to do the same.

OUR subscribers who have not remitted their subscriptions before, can send them direct to us at the Grand Lodge by their W. Masters. We shall be ready to give receipts to all who thus remit.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.—The recent accident which befel the Editor disqualified him for several weeks from all mental labor. This will account for any failure on his part to answer letters, &c.

THE Editor has engaged rooms at the Michigan Exchange where he will make his head-quarters during the approaching session of Grand Lodge.

SPECIAL TO OUR PATRONS.-All knowing themselves to be in arrears with this office, are most earnestly requested to forward their dues without delay. It is a time of special need with the publishers, and we trust our patrons will remember us. We are doing all we can to give you a good Masonic Journal; please give us fraternal aid, and we will remember your kindness.

CHAPLIN & IHLING BROTHERS,

THE MICHIGAN FREEMASON.

VOL. III.-JANUARY, A. L. 5872.-NO. VII.

ORIGIN OF FREEMASONRY.

BY BRO. ALBERT G. MACKEY.

A GREAT many theories have been advanced by Masonic writers as to the real origin of the Institution, as to the time when, and the place where it first took its birth. It has been traced to the Mysteries of the ancient pagan world, to the Temple of King Solomon, to the Roman colleges of artificers, to the Crusades for the recovery of the Holy Land, to the guilds of the middle ages, to the Stone Masons of Strasburg and Cologne, and even to the revolutionary struggle of England in the time of the commonwealth, and to the secret efforts of the adherents of the House of Stuart to recover the throne. But whatever the theory may be selected, and wheresoever and whensoever it may be supposed to have received its birth, one thing is certain, namely, that for generations past, and yet within the records of history, it has, unlike other mundane things, presented to the world an unchanged organization. Take, for instance, the theory which traces it back to one of the most recent periods that, namely, which places the organization of the Order of Freemasons at the building of the Cathedral of Strasburg, in the year 1275. During all the time that has since elapsed, full six hundred years, how has Freemasonry presented itself? Why, as a brotherhood organized and controlled by a secret discipline, engaged in important architectural labor and combining with its operative tasks, speculations of great religious import. If we seek any change it is simply this, that when the necessity no longer existed, the operative element was laid aside, and the speculative only was retained, but with a scrupulous pres

VOL. III.-NO. VII.-19.