Correspondence

dressed that ho has contracted a fresh obligation in addition to those by which he had been previously bound , and that , as I have before suggested , he is now , for tho first time iu his life , promoted to tako a place with his brethren in that degree . As regards tho second question , " In tho Porchway entrance , " or " at tho Porch or entrance , " tho difference in tho two versions

is apparently of littlo importance—to tho extent at least that tho intended sense of tlio passage will remain , whichever is used . I incline , however , to use tlio former , for the reason that there woro moro entrances to tho Temple than one , aud tho uso of the expression "in the Porchway entrance" makes it clear which of them was indicated . It also agrees with Lightfoot's version , as

quoted by Coppin in his Handbook of Frcemaxonry , that the pillars in question stood ono ou either sido of tho door or entrance , and -within the Porch , not in front of it . On tho other hand , it must be remembered that the terms " porch" and " entrance" are not interchangeable in tho sense in which the latter is commonly used . The " Porch " was a part of tho Temple proper ; it was the same

breadth ns the rest of tho building—that is , twenty cubits or thirty feet , and was ten cubits or fifteen feofc deep—that is , from front to rear . At its entrance it had a gate of brass , on either sido of which stood tho pillars in question—namely , ono to tho right and the other to the left . This gato would ho tho " Porchway entrance , " while the porch itsolf would bo rather a portico , such as tho

philosophers in tho olden days woro in the habit of perambulating when engaged in inculcating to their disciples tho points of their particular philosophy . Those of your readers who aro interested in these discussions will do well to refer to tho fortieth chapter of Ezckicl , whero thoy will find mention niado of tho " porch of the gato , " in vv . 7 , 8 , i ) , 15 , & c , & c ., and in verso 48 tho " porch of tho

house —that is , of tho Temple proper—as I have before described it . AtplSD of Dr . Oliver ' s Signs and Symbols , ho observes that " Solomon set np two Pillars at tho entrance of tho Porch of tho Temple , " which strengthens my belief that " Porchway entrance " is tho moro correct of the two . If another version is needed , I would

suggest " at tho gato or entrance to the Porch of tho Temple . As regards tho third question which is correct— " South , North , and East ? " or " South , West , and East ? " thero is a great divergence of opinion as among Masons in different countries , but in England it seems to m ? , ou the authority of Dr . Oliver , that we must prefer tho former to tho latter . In his Freemason ' s Treasury occurs the

following passage : — " A similar divergence from uniformity will be found iu describing tho places where the above-mentioned instruments "—yonr readers will know what aro referred to— " wero supposed to havo been used with such terrible effect . In tho primitive lectures—i . e ., thoso which were used after the Revision in 1717 , for the subject was never

ventilated before that date—they were called ' Tho three principal entrances lo tho temple ; but subsequently it was thought expedient to particularise these entrances ; and the passage was altered afc first to tho ' east , west , aud south doers ;' and afc the Union in IS 13 the version became ' north , south , and east entrance :-. ' In the United States th .- 'y say that , tlie first attack was made at tlio south doer

the seend at , ihe wrsl . dour , and finally ut the fast . In Scotland the nrraugenicui i * . TIPD , south , aud west , in France , it wns originally south , non ! :, and est , but now west , south , and east . " According to this tho weight of evidence wonld appear to bo against us ; but later on the worthy writer explains why , in his opinion , the change was made at the Union . "It will bo by no means difficult to understand why tho

arrangement was altered at the Union , because it is clear that tho members of tho Lodge of Reconciliation favoured tho idea that the true gates of tho Temple were meant ; for under any other supposition it may not bo easy to account for tho hypothesis that the work of tho three Tyrians commenced at the north doer , because the cast , according to the evidence of Professor Lee in Hebrew ancl English Lexicon , was the most accessible from tho Sanctum Sanctorum . "

As to " A New Subscriber ' s " question which is correct ? namely , ivhether Masons meet first on tho Square , and part ou the Level , or vice versa , , I agree with Bro . Stevens as to meeting ou tho Level and parting on the Square , not only because Bro . Dr . Kobcrt Morris , Past Graud Master of Kentucky , favours this version ; bnt likewise because it appears to mc to bo far more expressive . It seems to

indicate that whatever distinction , in respect of social rank , may exist between brethren outside the Lodge , they meet as Masons on the level of perfect equality . They hopo to part upou the square , that is , with the determination to act fairly and squarely towards each other . There is , it is true , no objection to the simple proposition that brethren meet for the first time as Masons " on tho square , "

that is , with the resolution I have just referred to ; but the statement that they hope to part " on the level , " that is , on a footing of perfect equality , leaves ifc open for the student to infer that tho first meeting of brethren as Masons was not on such a footing . This , of course , is opposed to one of tho fundamental principles of Freemasonry . Hence I give mv voto in favour of tho version iu loss common use

among us . Before closing these remarks , I trust you will permit me to supplement my remarks on " Mosaic" being preferable to " Masonic , " by tho following excerpt from Dr . Ashe ' s Masonic Manaal , with notes by Oliver , and rc-cditcd by Pro . Ilev . J . Edmund Cox , D . D . : —

"Aa tho steps of man aro attended by various and uncertain incidents of life , as our days aro chequered with a strango contrariety of events , and our passage through this existence , though sometimes blessed with prosperous circumstances , yet often besot byamultitudo of perils , hence is the Lodge furnished with Mosaic work , to remind us of tbe urecariousness of onr state on earth .

' To-day our feet tread iu prosperity , to-morrow wo totter on the uneven paths of weakness , temptation , and ad' -ersity . Whilst this emblem ia before us , we aro instructed to boast of nothing , to havo compassion , and give aid to those who aro in adversity , to walkuprightly and with humility ; for such is our existence that there is no station iu life in which pride cau bo stably founded : all men aro

Correspondence

similar by nature ; yet somo are born to moro elevated positions than others ; but when in tho grave all aro upon a level—death destroying all distinctions . " Whilst we tread on tho Mosaic work , let our ideas return to the original which it copies ; and let every Mason act as tho dictates of

reason prompt him , to live in brotherly , lovo , faith , hope , aud charity . " A very similar explanation of tho meaning of tho Mosaic pavement will bo found at pp 123-1 of Oliver ' s Edition of Hutchinson ' s Spirit of Freemasonry . I remain , Dear Sir aud Brother , Faithfully and fraternally yours , Q-

OFFICERS' COLUMNS

To the Editor of Tun FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The brethren here are very anxious to bo enlightened by yon , or some other equally competent authority , as to what is the particular column by which each of tho principal Officers of a Lodge is represented . In Grand Lodge reports of Masonic processions , I observe that tho Grand Master is always accompanied by

the Ionic Pillar . Bro . Woodford , in Kenning s Cyclopaedia , also says that the Ionic Pillar represents the W . M ., while Mackay gives him tho Corinthian . Two of the Lodges hero have lately received Wardens' Columns from oue of tho oldest and best ; Masonic furnishing houses in London . In ono set the Junior Warden ' s emblem is on the Corinthian , and in the other on tho Doric column , while in an illustrated catalogue , just

received from another house , I seo that in Lodge Covent Garden , No . 1 C 14 , tho W . M . ' s pedestal is supported by Corinthian pillars , so that there seems to be as littlo attention paid to uniformity in the furnishing of Lodges at head quarters as at the Antipodes . I think yon will agree with mo that this is a matter deserving of moro atteu . tion than it seems to receive . Yours fraternally , M . Auckland , New Zealand , 28 th April 1879 .

Sydney Exhibition.

SYDNEY EXHIBITION .

AS the timo for this Exhibition to bo held approaches , tho greatest interest is being expressed in whatever is connected even with its minutest arrangements , and thero is a genuine hope , in this country at all events , that it will prove a groat success . Thafc ifc will redound to the credit of our great Australian colony of New South Wales there is no manner of doubt whatever , and all is being done by our English manufacturers to secure this result . Among thoso

wiio havo taken a deep interest in its success may be mentioned tho well-known firm of distillers , Messrs . Groenleos Brothers , of Campbeltown , Argyloshirc , and 1 Gresham Buildings , E . G ., who will send a case of their whiskies , tho contents of which will be of the finest quality , while tho case itself will be a marvel of excellence . This latter will bo in tho " Scotch Baronial " style , massive and well

proportioned , and distinguished by that severity of detail which characterizes tho Gothic of the period . Ifc is thirteen feet high aud measures ten feet by ten , and if we add that it has been designed and manufactured by Messrs . Walker ancl Sons , of 119 Bunhill-row , E . G ., we foel thafc we shall have done all thafc is necessary to impress our readers as favourably with the caso as in the few words of well .

merited praise in respect of Messrs . Greenlees Brothers we have done for the contents . While on the subject of the Exhibition , we may state that Messrs . Walker and Sons will also figure among the exhibitors , and that the specimens of the furniture they will send will include—( 1 . ) A suite of drawing-room furniture , in rosewood—style , old English , and very effective , as well as quite in keeping with the

character of tho design ; ( 2 . ) A dining-room suite , in walnut , of Qticeu Anne's time , designed by Mr . It . Davy , ono of tho artists employed by tho firm , ancl very massive in its treatment ; ( 3 . ) Suite of morning rcom , in walnut , of " Adam ' s" style , designed by Mr . F . Turner , another artist of the firm , and giving evidence how easily a style conspicuous by its luxnriousness may bo adapted to the

requirements of persons ot moderate means . We will content ourselves with adding that , having noted particularly somo of this firm ' s mediaival furniture , we should be glad to see some of their chairs in our Lodges . They would greatly enhance tho appearance of tho Lodgo room .

Among the contents of tho Messrs . Greenlees' caso should bo mentioned a working model of a "Pot Still , " in silver , indicating tho process of distillation , and also some handsome casks , fitted with Uro ' s patent recording taps , which register the amount of spirits or wino drawn from the cask .

The consecration of the Marquis of Dalhousie Chapter , No . 1159 , will take place at the Masonic Hall , 83 Golden Square , London , on Thursday next , at 4 . 30 p . m . The Principals designate arc Comps . H . Trueman Wood Z ., Charles Cheston H ., Peter Lund Siramonds J . The

consecration ceremony will be performed by Comp . Lieut .-Col . Shadwroll H . Gierke P . G . P . S ., assisted by Comp . H . D . Sandeman , P . G . Snpt . Bengal , as H ., Rey . John S .

Brownrigg P . G . A . S . as J ., ancl R . W . H . Giddy P . Z . as Dir . of Cer . After the business of the day has been concluded , the Comps . will adjourn to the Cafe Royal , Regent-Street , for banquet .