Freemasonry And Free Masonic Thought.

content , fight Infidelity , Agnosticism , Universalisra , Catholicism , or any other "ism , " and we individuals with our own private beliefs , if so disposed , can aid the fight ( though we think the Gospel of Him of

Nnzareth" peace and good-will to men "—fur preferable ) , but as an institution , as a body , we say , hands off , attend to our own business , respect the right of every Mason to worship and

adore the great Creator in his own way and according to the dictates of his conscience . We are convinced that the Institution will be introducing a fatal innovation when attempting to discuss any question outside of a belief in Deity , which is the only thing required to be believed in . —Freemason , Michigan .

Four Ancient Symbols.

FOUR ANCIENT SYMBOLS .

IN Masonic teaching the Lion , the Eagle , the Ox and the Man , are the significant representation of certain

noble qualities . Courage , swiftness , strength , intelligence , are thus symbolized , and there is a well understood reference to that exalted condition of huraau life which ought

ever to stand forth as the ideal of endeavour . According to the thoughts of some Masonic writers , the four ancient symbols have likewise an astronomical allusion . In Brown ' s Stellar Theology , the following explanation is

given : " They refer to the four great angles of the heavens , where the equinoctial and solstitial points are situated , and the signs at these points are , according to ancient astrology ,

called " fixed signs . Each sign was , moreover , ruled by three gods , called Decerns , the first of which in each sign was called " the powerful leader of three . " The most important and powerful of these thirty-six celestial gods were

the four Decerns , who ruled the four angles of the heavens , and the stability and perpetuity of the universe were supposed to be insured by them . They were also called JElohim , and the two who had their seat on the equator

were believed to compel the sun to shine twelve hours over all the earth , as well as to repel him , so that he moved on to the next sign of the zodiac in progressive order . The

no less powerful Elohim , or Decans , who ruled the solstitial points , caused the sun to turn back at the tropics , and preserved the order of nature and of the seasons . "

" In all ancient astrological projections of the heavens , the four great angles of the zodiac , where these celestial gods were seated , were marked by the figures of the lion , the eagle , the ox , and the man—the constellation Leo being

anciently at the summer solstice ; Aquarius , depicted as a man pouring water from a jar , at the winter solstice ; and Taxtrus , the Ox or Bull , at tbe verual equinox ; while the other angle , or autumnal equinox , was marked by a flying

eagle . The quadrants of the celestial sphere were also anciently occupied by the four bright stars , Alelebaran , Begtdits , Antares , and Fomalhaut . These were called " royal stars , " and in them the four great Elohim were

believed to dwell . To them divine honours were paid and sacred images erected , in which the lion , the eagle , the ox and the man were variously combined . These emblems were worshipped by all the ancient nations . The priests and the initiated knew them to be nothing more than

astronomical allegories , emblematic representations of the zodiac , but the superstitious people adored them as real gods . The Jews obtained these four emblems from Egypt . Moses , however , forbade their worship , and

taught the Israelites to use them to denote the points of the compass and the divisions of their camp , by means of banners on which they were pictured ( Numb , ii . ) The 3 e

celebrated emblems are therefore of a purely astronomical and zodiacal origin , and , when properly understood ( as they were by the initiated ) , teach many of the most important facts of astronomical science . " — Freemasons '

Repository . The following Festivals were held at the Freemasons ' Tavern for the week ending Saturday , 12 th December 1885 : -

Monday—Kobert Bnrns Lodge , Lodge of Union ? , Joppa Lod 'p Regularity Chapter , Caxton Lodge . Tuesday—Waldeek Lodge ' St . James's Union Lodge , Jerusalem Chapter , Prudent Brethren Lodge . Wednesday— Buoch Lodge , Lodge of Fidelity , Club of

Nobody ' s Friends . Thursday—Caledonian Society , Polish National Lodge , Pilgrim Lodge . Fridi- —Britannic Lodge , Bedford Lod < 'e . Saturday—Holborn Circus Cricket Club , Phcenix Lodge , Duke " of Cornwall Lodge .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

— : o : — CONSECRATION OF THE ISRAEL CHAPTER , No . 205 . AN event of more than ordinary interest in the Royal Arch Degree in Freemasonry took place on Tuesday evening last , at Cannon Streot Hotel , when a new and important Chapter in connection with tho well-known Israel Lodge , No . 205 , now approaching its centenaiy , was consecrated and established . The Charter for the new Chapter had been granted by the First Grand Principal H . R . H .

the Princo of Wales , to Ex . Comp . Charles F . Hogard P . Z . and J . 10 , P . Z . 141 , 142 , Alfred J . Henochsberg P . Z . 188 , Joseph Da Silva H . 188 , and Companions I . C . Cohen , J . A . Gartley , E . J . Ehrenberg , < S . J . Phillips , J . Lichfenfeld , Rev . M . Haines , and Marcus Bromet ; and the Consecrating Officers appointed were the M . E . Comp . Col .

Shad well H . Clerke G . S . E . as M . E . Z ., E . Comp . Edgar Bowyer P . G . Standard Bearer as H ., E . Comp . Rev . R . J . Simpson , M . A ., aa J , and RJ . Comp . Frank RMvirdwn P . A . G . S . as Dir . of Cers . Er . Comp . Thomas Fenn officiated aa S . N ., and Ex . Comp . E . M . Lotfc directed the musical arrangements . Amongst thoso present ah the

appointed hour , and in addition to the foregoing , were Ex . Comp . J . L . Mather P . Z . 1471 . J . Lew ?* Thonrv P . G . S ., M . J . Emanoel P . Z . 188 , James Stevons P . Z . 720 771 , T . Hastings Miller P . Z . 907 , H . Msssev P . Z . 1928 , FrH Binolos ( So- \ R . M . I . B . ) , F . R . W . Hedges ( Sec . R . Vf . I . G . ) , C . H . W » hb 1519 , A . Bassington 733 , A . V .

Haines 142 , S . B-irnetfc 112 , C . ChatT-tiner 1201 . W . J . Benjamin , James Hayes 142 , A . M . C . hnn . J . Risanll 173 , T . Tremsre L 929 , G . Rosonthall , S . Sehmere 188 , F . Gmtar 59 , W . Mnndy , H . Sadler , M . H . Myers , and others who failed to sitrn the register of attendance . A Chapter haying boon opened by th <> C mseo-uting Principals , the

Companions were addressed by tho M . E . Z ., and the beautiful ceremony of oonsecrifcion was at once proc 'eded with . Always a sublime and consequently interesting cjrsimny , its pawerful appeal to the exercise of most reverential sympathy was on this ocoision enhanoed by the impressive manner in which the respective officers discharged

their several duties . The addressee of the acting M . E . Z . Comp . Clerke , the grand oration on the natura and principles of the institution by the acting J . Comp . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , and tho delivery of t ' . e Scripture readings by tha acting S . N . Comp . Fenn , wore alike calculated to find solemn response in the hearts of all present ; whilst

the quiet and unobtrusive manner in which tho ceremonial was con . ducted by Comp . Richardson , and the religious music directed by Comp . Lott , added greatly to the effectiveness of the entire proceedings . A more perfect rendering of the consecration ceremony conld not have been secured , and the new Chapter will ever have

the gratification of knowing that its birth was aoompmiod by such observances as became its introduction into the Masonio world , and should ever stimulate its members to uphold , as Royal Arch Masons , the high position and character of its parent Lodge . Oa the con . elusion of the ceremony of consecration the principals designate of

the new Chapter , viz ., C' ^ mps . Hosrard , Henoch < ib ? rL ' , and Da Silva , were installed by the acting M . E . Z . into the respective chairs of Z ., H . and J . This portion of the evening ' s proceedings , consequent on the positions in Royal Arch Masonry hitherto held by these Companions , was of very brief dnration , and the Companions below the

ohairs were soon re-admitted , when the following Officers were appointed and invested , viz ., Comp . IT . J . Phillips S . E ., J . A . Gutley S . N ., L . H . Norden P . S ., I . C . Cohen Treasurer , Rev . M . Haines 1 st A . S ., E . J . Ehrenberg 2 nd A . S ., J . Lichtenfeld D . C ., and Walkley Janitor . The M . E . Z . ( Comp . Hogard ) then proposed a cordial rote

of thanks to the several Consecrating Officers , with a request that they would accept Honorary Membership of the Chapter . This being seconded by Comp . H ., was put and carried by acclimation , and acknowledgment was made by Grand Scribe E .. on b ihalf of hia colleagues and himself . A large number of candidates for exaltation

and of Companions for joining were duly proposed ; iud seconded for ballot at the first meeting of the Chapter , appointe \ f . » r the 15 th instant , and the Chapter wa 8 closed in due form and with prayer . A very excellent banqneh was served in the Pillar Room , and was presided over by the M . E . Z ., with his customary rn-binitv and ability .

There was a long array of toasts , and the prigmmm . " . was liberally interspersed with a selection of songs , part-song * , and choruses , affording much enjoyment to the guests . The customary compliments to the Rulers and High Officers of the Royal Arch Degree were paid , and acknowledged in the usnal manner , diversified only on this

occasion by special reference to those who had consecrated the Chapter , and who were again especially thanked for the services they had rendered . In response Comp . Col . Clerke expres 3 u 1 the pleasure his colleagues and himself had experienced in r , he di .-chnrgo of their duty on that eveningj and their certainty that ihe Chapter would be

an honour to the Order . Not many years ago it was difficult to got Chapters attached to Lodges in sufficient num ' . ers , and Mast . or Misons had to seek elsewhere than under the name of their Lodges for R . A . Masonry . Now large Lodges such as the Israel were disposed to have Chapters attached to them , and consequently a » r <; ater benefit

accrued to those who preferred not to lo'e sight if their Mother Lodge in any Craft degree . For himself , Civnp . Clovke siid that despite his recent illness , which had kept him prison r at homo for some days past , he could not reconcile to himself the set'ing aside of his undertaking to assist at this consecration , nud he had therefore

ventured to be present . He was glad that he was HO , and again wished the Chapter and its members every success . The health of the M . E . Z . was proposed by Comp . Clei'ke , who extolled tho many services of Comp . Hogard to the Craft , both as regards Lodges and

Chapters , as well as in other capacities . He considered that the Companions had made a very wise selection , and congratulated them thereon . Under snob , rule as that which Comp . Hogard would be certain to maintain he conld safely prophesy success . Tho M . E . Z . in a few forcible sentences responded , and , referring to the present