The Masonic Edifice.

Edifice , as viewed by tbe present generation , is very different in arrangement from that of 1717 . Indeed , the formation of the society varies in many particulars in

different parts of the world . Tho philosophy is unchanged , and must always remain the same , but the forms and lectures , the organisation into different departments , is made to accommodate the ideas of different nations and

people . To the human mind there is a certain veneration for things of antiquity . We look with wonder at the form of an Egyptian mummy , preserved in the museum , and wonder what sort of people they were . We look on the

great obelisk and revert back to the days when the people of God were led across the Red Sea , into the land made memorable by their residence in it , and made sacred by the footsteps of the Prince of Peace . It is not wonderful ,

therefore , that to every Masonio body should be attached as much of the ancient as possible . The calender of the different departments of the Order proves this . The various dates attached to all official documents illustrate

the great desire to attach antiquity to every branch . The Lodge is A . L . 5889 ; the Chapter , A . L 2419 ; the Council , A . Dept , 2889 ; the Commandery , A . O . 771 , and the A . A . Rite . A . M . 5649 .

In the early history of the ceremonial Freemasonry , there was one department : the Lodge , which claimed to have supervision of all degrees . The summit of Masonic knowledge was attained when one was thought worthy to receive the third degree . This was the sublimity of its

teaching . By some hocus-pocus of degree makers , and degree peddlers , mostly within the last century , the ceremonies were arranged into degrees , these degrees grouped into departments , and in turn these departments altered to the . notions of certain lovers of change .

The Masonio Edifice of to-day is purely modern—very modern . Ifc is like the houses often seen in our large cities , with their lofty roofs reaching far up towards the blue expanse of heaven . When one is introduced into Freemasonry now , he is taken into the basement . This

is the "lower grade , " the " foundation story , " where he is impressed with the strength of the edifice . The lessons are explained , as he passes from one room to another , and he receives all of real Masonry there is when he becomes familiar with the three rooms of the symbolic floor .

From the basement he is taken to the first floor above , where he finds four rooms , arranged to teach lessons collateral witb , or illustrative of , the symbolic floor . In the Chapter he works in the quarries , and digs in the rubbish , and is crowned at last with the reward of faithfulness .

Ascending , by permission , to the next floor , he is ushered into two large spacious rooms , with a small side room . Here reflections upon death , and the importance of vigilance and faithfulness in the performance of every trust , no matter how humble the position he occupies , are

brought to his notice—he is in the apartments of the Council , and when the sound of trowel and hammer is hushed , he finds himself a Royal , a Select and a Super-Excellent Master . Leaving the ante-room , he is guided up another flight to a still higher grade in the building .

Here he finds every avenue guarded by chivalric Knights , clad in armour , with swords drawn and helmets down , prepared to defend the sepulchre from every approaching foe . Here is the scene of " coarse diet , rough habit and severe duty . " Here is a presentation of the great

principles of Truth and Fidelity ; and here , surrounded by most gorgeous paraphernalia , he is shown the Cross and bidden to conquer in its sign . Deeply impressed with

these lessons ,, and the beauty and solemnity displayed in the various compartments of the Commandery , he is ready to exclaim : " This surely is tho summit of Masonic glory !"

There are still greater and more wonderful things in store for the man who started to explore the Masonic Edifice in all its departments . Ascending still another flight of stairs , he finds himself in a perfect labyrinth of rooms and halls , winding in and out with an intricate

maze . He is filled with wonder and imagination . He wonders what tbey are all used for , and imagines all sorts of curious mysteries . Each apartment as its use . The whole system is bufc a device of man to make , if possible ,

more impressive the philosophy of Freemasonry . New glories are revealed at every turn , and the mind is made to realise by the most beautiful dramas and legends the true spirit of Ancient Freemasonry . This is the summit of the Masonic Edifice—ifc is known as the department of the

The Masonic Edifice.

" hig her degrees . " To this floor fche investigator may ascend by means ( as ifc were ) of the elevator , which takes him quickly from the basement to the top floor , without fche delay of stopping at any intermediate points . From thia labyrinthian magnificence he is led up one

more flight of stairs and is brought out into the fresh pure air of heaven . Above , him are the myriads of stars that hang like lamps in the vaulted canopy . Here is the Masonry of God . " The heavens declare the glory of God , and the firmament showeth His handiwork . Day

unto day uUeretb . speech , aud night unto mghfc showeth knowledge . " Of all fche mysteries of the Edifice through which he has passed , none compare with the mysteries of the created heavens . Who can tell the stars scattered in such wild profusion upon the brow of night ? Who can

measure the impenetrable space in which they shme ? Who can know the power that forms the atmosphere ? Who can understand the mighty arm that hangs the world upon nothing , and sustains the great system o £ celestial bodies ? Who can know God ? This is of all scenes the

grandest , the mosfc sublime , the mosfc mysterious . It is God ' s Edifice , reared by him , and presented to fche eye of man with every passing day . This Edifice , through which we have led the seeker after Masonic light , is modern Masonry . Its many

departments , its additions made from time to time , fche alterations demanded by fche progress of mankind to a more enlightened age , are harmonious in this , that they all aim to teach the principles of Ancient or Philosophical Freemasonry —the unity of God and the immortality of Man . Modern

Freemasonry is very different from thafc of the long past . Its growth has been a necessity . As the world goes on , men change , and Masonry in its ceremonies must change too . We very much doubt if the Lodges over which Sir Christopher Wren , if he was really a member of our

Craft , presided , had more than one degree , and that of the simplest kind . Indeed , nntil after 1717 , fche beginning of Grand Lodge Freemasonry , we are inclined to believe thafc the Institution was of little importance as far as ceremony was concerned . The philosophy of Masonry is the same ,

and always must be . A change in that destroys the whole Edifice , as in the Grand Orient of France , where Polytheism , or Deism , or any ism , is admitted , destroying the first great fundamental principle of the unity of God . There is no true Freemasonry in France now , nor in any country where there is no God recognised and revered .

The Masonic Edifice is nofc completed in this world . From the earth to the skies is an imaginary ladder , the rungs of which are of celestial light , upon which shine , in unmistakable characters , the pure tenets of our profession : — ' Faith in God , Hope in Immortality , and Charity to all

Mankind . " Upon this ladder , wifch our eye fixed upon the brighter light in the East , we may ascend without fear of falling , and when we reach the temple above , and

knock for admission , we will find the door quickly opened , receive a hearty welcome , and be bidden to eternal refreshment by the Great Architect of the Universe himself . — Voice of Masonry .

A grand Vocal and Instrumental Concert and Entertainment , in aid of the Endowment Fund of tho Albert Institute , Christ Church , Southwark , will take place at fche Westminster Town Hall , Caxton Street , Victoria Street , Westminster , on Thursday , 30 th January , under the patronage of tbe Duke and Duchess of Westminster , the Duke and Duchess of Wellington , the Earl and Countess of Derby ,

Lady Wolverton , & c , & c . The following ladies and gentlemen have kindly volunteered their services , by permission of their respective managers : Miss Mary Collette , Mi-s Vena Galbraith , Miss MoGowan , Miss Maud Millett , Miss Norreys , Miss Kate Phillips ( Mrs . H . B . Conway ) , Miss Helen Vicary , Messrs . Charles Allan , Charles Collefcte ,

Adrian Pollock , W . Graham Eobwbson , Ben Webster , & o . * Stage Manager , Mr . Henry Zimmerman , Accompanist , Mr . Francois Cramer . Doors open afc 2 * 30 ; the Coccerb will commence at 3 o'clock . Seats , numbered and reserved , five shillings , can be obtained from Mr . A . Craven Greenwood , 19 St . John ' s Wood Park , N . W . ; and afc the doors ou the afternoon of fche concert .

A special morning performance will be given at Terry ' s on Tuesday , the 21 sfc insfc ., when a new play , entitled " Across her Path , " by Miss Annie Irish , will be produced . The following artists will appear : —Messrs . Oscar Adye , George Belmore , Henry Pagden , G . Arliss ; Mrs . E . H . Brooke , the Misses Josephine St . Ange , Le Thiere , T . Roma , and Annie Irish . The play will be produced under the stage direction of Mr . W . H . Vernon .

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