, 1875-09-26

| Hf.oo'N4A"
| DE-z. ADAMS ALLEN ON TIE RITE OF MEMPHIS.
| 70 the Editor ef The Chicago Tribune:
| CHICAGO Sept. 23.-In the last Sunday issue
| of rHE TRIBUNE find communication signed
@'Oliris, dated Sept, II, with comments by the
| editor. and Ey name involved in connection
| with the so-cal1ed Eite Of Memphis
| 4 few words will dispose Of the whole matter,
| 50 far as I know anything OF it.
While sitting in my office several years ago
was surprised by the advent OF several dis
| tinguished Masonic gentlemen, who requested
| me to visit the Ihen) "Tomple " and receive
certain Masonic degrees orders, or distinctions.
Thoroughly confding in these gentlemen, ac-
! cepted the invitation. Hinc iuG lactrymG.
Having been assiduocsly and devoted1y en-
gagged in Masonic work for msny years, had
steadfastly declined, since ms arrival in tho city
in 1859, ell Official Masonic position. The high
character and Masonic standing Of the gentle
man found At the Temple for the moment
s1ayed my previously formed determination.
was victim Of confidence The inner history
Of that movement afterwards learned.
Suffice it to say that when I ascertained its
real objects, the high honor Of the Deputy
Grand Mastership or whatever it WAS called,
slipped Of my shoulders as fnat as my pen could
indite resignation.
The whole thing WIS an iaterlude-a diecord-
ant symphony-betwc the acts OF contention,
farce. or tragedy. OF the Northern and Southern
jurisdictions Of wha& is called the Scotch Rite.
Seymour ana Burt and their * work" were the
accidents Of the Bituntion. There is great deal
OF human nature among mon, Masons not OK
cepred Burt received some monoy,-more or
i:ss ;5 sfter~azds ,1 came Seymour. ~ho also got
Leonard. gained few dollars and probably
lost hundreds more from printing The Crosby
interest lost something in the way OF rent and
gashght. Our friend caberry, the regalia man,
made something, and probably lost more on
g millinery" and the Rite Of Memphis =" then
evanshed-obilt 1d ptures-
BurEs relation to the Grand Lodge of New
jersey had nothing. or but little more, to do With
the extinction of the Rite Of Mempbis- His 30
called expulsion from Masonry by that Grand
Lodge vas utterly Illegal and void by all Ma
sonic law and usage.
The union of the opposing branches Of the
'*Scotch Rite" 80 that thereafter it was not
necessary to pass the Commandery order to gain
the 92d deg, marked the passing away Of the
Egyptian luminarv, although its twilight beams |
stlu am informed irradiate some portions Of |
Michigan aud, vaguely. certain Occidental dis |
tricts. |
as in the vegetable world, ''suckersr and par- |
asites tend to rob the original tree of it's Tigor
and beauty. The piling on and up of side de- |
grees, new orders, and strange inEgnia, simply |
Eide and detorm the grand simplicity OF the old
Masonic temple.
1'ha victim Of one confidence game in Masonry
has no further explanations to make on the SUBJ
ject J. ADAMS ALLEN.
NOVEL MASONIC GATHERING,
The Virginia (Sev.) Chronicle OF the 18th
inst brings long and Interesting account OF
notable Masonic event which took place in that
vicinity on tie day previous. Virginia Lodge
No. OF Free and Accepted Masons, having lost
tber regular place of meeting BY fire, determined
that fra}h xvt.1
% hold their meetings on the tops OF high hills
3r in low valleys, and to this end selected the
on of Mount Davidson when soon after the fire
meeting became necessary. OF Mount David
ION the Chronicle says:
It is BY actual measurement s feet shove the level
4 the sea- Tie summit is $500 feet west OF the city,
70 that in straight line from street. corner Of Thy
to tho foot Of the aagsa is not fay tro1n three
epce is long and tedious.
When the multitude had assembled upon the sur2-
re. Upon the brow ot the mountain. and a little
outh Of the flagstaff, altar Of rough ashla1s had
I,aonry Beside tham stood the representatives Of
be three esser lights. Rude chairs had also been
uat Of rough gzane for the Wosshipful MASTER Sen
y and Junior Wa1dens, while the Deacons found
Zcple accommodations among tbs bowlders around. 7
large &C" had been cut from eheet-me.a1 and
sed the sesa TIE tSs ndee LIT n
accordance with modern uasse7 But, under the
irectfon ot the Torshipfu Master, row Of pckets
eaiEuAted By white n2QGe3 Oh tneI 4e4k allnes were
stioned I'll around the summit They were near
lch other that none could pass or repass without
.rmission In that WY the approach If Governs and
was eaectnall1 guarded against On
aching The summit, the brethren busied themselves
ith dispensing and pzrtaking of corn, wine,
ID oil A bounteoua collation. had been
;epared b. the lodge, and members
ere mostly well provided with the | 4
esns Of refreshme1t, nour1shment and joy. +
aese we're dispensed with Hberal hand AL were t
elcoJne and partook with appeHte sharpened by =
. labor Of tic ascent and the fresh air which swept
o summit with freedom known Only .tc Waahoe q