A Masonic Dinner.

voured chiefly with extract of Knights of the Pelienn . This ended , there appeared a variet y of sweets , with g .-uuo and other delicacies ; after which the board was cleared , and tho business of toast-drinking came into full operation . Amongst the principal wines we uoticcd port of the Prince

of Libanus vintage , a very fine Amontillado named the Grand Pontiff , two or three excellent clarets , hocks , and Burgundies , among them an old claret of the Sovereign Grand Commander ' s , and a good Burgundy , the " Rose

Croix . We did not break up till a somewhat advanced hour , when the sun -was not at its meridian , except for purposes of Freemasonry . We have seen since then several of our fellow guests , and one and all unite in speaking most rapturously of this novel entertainment .

Francis Lambert And His Paradoxes.

FRANCIS LAMBERT AND HIS PARADOXES .

From " The History of Protestantism , " by Bev . Dr . Wylie . Francis Lambert had read the writings of Luther in his coll at Avignon . His eyes opened to the light , and he fled . Mounted on an ass , his feet almost touching the ground , for he was tall as well as

thin , wearing the grey gown of the Franciscans gathered round his waist with the cord of the order , he traversed in this fashion the countries of Switzerland and Germany , preaching by the way , till at last he reached "Wittemberg , and presented himself before Luther . Charmed with the decision of his character and the clearness of his

knowledge , tho Reformer brought the Franciscan nnder the notice of Philip of Hesse . Between the thoroughgoing ex-monk and the chivalrous and resolute landgrave , thero were nob a few points of similarity fitted to cement them in a common action for tho good of tho Church . Francis was invited by the landgrave to frame a constitution for the Churches of Hesse . Nothing loth . Lambert set to

work , and in one hundred and fifty . eight "Paradoxes" produced a basis broad enough to permit of every member exercising his influence in the government of the Church . We are amazed to find these propositions coming out of a French cell . The monk veril y must have studied other books than his breviary . What a sudden illumination was it that dispelled the darkness around the disciples

of tho sixteenth century ! Passing , in respect of their spiritual knowledge , from night to noon-day , without an intervening twilight , what a contrast do they present to nearly all those who in after-days left the Romish Communion to enroll themselves in the Protestant ranks ! Were the intellects of the men of that age more penetrating or was the Spirit more largely given ? But to pass on to the propositions

of the ex-monk . Conforming to a custom which has been an established one since the days of the Emperor Justinian , who published his Pandects in the Churches , Francis Lambert , of Avignon , nailed up his " Paradoxes " on the Church doors of Hesse . Scarce were they exposed to the public gaze , when eager hands were stretched out to tear thorn clown . Not so , however , for others and

friendly ones are uplifted to defend them from desecration . " Let them be read , " say soveraj voices . A young priest fetches a stoolmounts it ; the crowd keep silence , and the priest reads aloud . "All that is deformed ought to bo reformed . " So ran the first Paradox . It needed , thinks Boniface Dornemann , the priest who acted as reader , no runagate monk , no " spirit from the vasty depth" of Lutheranism to tell

us this . " The word of God is the rule of all true Reformation , " says Paradox second . That may be granted as part of the truth , thinks priest Dornemann , but it looks askance on tradition and on the infallibility of the Church . Still , with a Council to interpret the Bible , it may pass . The crowd listens and he reads Paradox the third . " It belongs to the Church to judge on matters of faith . "

Now the ex-monk has found the right road , doubtless thinks Dornemann , and bids fair to follow it . The Church is the judge . "The Church is the congregation of those who are united by the same Bpirit , the same faith , the same God , the same Mediator , the same Word , by which alone they are governed . " So runs Paradox the fourth . A dangerous leap ! thinks the priest j the ex-monk clears tradition

and the Fathers at a bound . He will have some difficulty in finding his way back to the orthodox path . The prie 3 t proceeds to Paradox fifth . " The Word is the true key . The kingdom of heaven is open to him who believes the Word , and shut against him who believes it not . Whoever , therefore , truly possesses the power of the Word of God , has the power of the keys . " The er-monk , thinks Dornemann ,

upsets the Pope ' s throne in the little clause that gives right to the Word alone to govern . " Since the priesthood of the law has been abolished , " says the sixth proposition , " Christ is tho only immortal and eternal Priest ; and he does not , like men , need a successor . " There goes the whole hierarchy of priests . Not an altar , not a mass in all Christendom that this proposition does not sweep away .

Tradition , Councils , Popes , and now priests , all are gone , and . what is left in their room ? Let us read proposition seventh . " All Christians , since the commencement of the Church , have been and are participators in Christ's priesthood . " The monk ' s Paradoxes are opening the flood-gates to drown the Church and world in a torrent of democracy . At that moment the stool was pulled from under the feet of the priest , and , tumbling in the dust , his public reading was

smddenly brought to an end . We have heard enongh , however ; we Eee the ground-plan of the spiritual temple ; the basis is broad enough to sustain a very lofty structure . Not a select few onl y , but all believers , are to be built as living stones into this "holy house . " With the ex-Franciscan of Avignon , as with the ex-Augustinian of Wittemberg , the corner-stone of the Church ' s organisation is the " nniversal priesthood" of believers .

Masonic Teaching—What It Really Is.

MASONIC TEACHING—WHAT IT REALLY IS .

THE following letter , having been found by a worthy brother of onrs , has been sent us for publication . The writer has evidently gone into his subject con amore , and if he should chance to see it in these columns , and would like to have his manuscript back , we shall have great pleasure in returning it , with many thanks for the use of it : —

MY DEAE SON AND BBOTHEK , —Your last affectionate letter gave me more pleasure than I can well express . For I had looked forward , for many years past , to the time when age and circumstances would entitle you to claim Masonio brotherhood with me , and the faot of your having allied yourself with the Fraternity consummates my

wish . The pleasnre is further enhanced by the acknowledgment that your steps were guided by the purest motives , and a firm conviction of the truth of our principles , not by personal solicitation . You must bo aware of my enthusiasm in the cause of Freemasonry , and know full well that it never led me to overstep the

bounds of discretion . Otherwise I might have been induced to express a wish that you should become one of us . When I took leave of yon at Liverpool my , tongue almost betrayed me to express it , but remembering the trials of bygone years , and the lesson

instilled , the strictest silence was observed , and I have always avoided asking any one to join ns . At the same time ifc is well to admit that I have been the means of inducing many highly intelligent and worthy men , by simply enunciating the true principles upon which the Order is founded .

Long years of close application have established my faith , and ifc ia my intention that this letter should be rather of Masonic than of family interest . Ere I proceed with Craftsmen ' s characteristics or their principles , bo assured there is nothing which follows which might be considered an infraction of my oath . If any subject or

particular is omitted , remember it is purposely done , and you must refer for yourself to those shining lights of your Eastern Hemisphere for the deficient parts . In early ohildhood you were taught to love , but it was a limited lovo only . Masons exemplify it more universally . Their

love is brotherly , and teaches them to regard the whole human species as one family . Both high and low , rich and poor were created by the same Almighty being , and sent into the world for the support and protection of one another . By acting up to this principle you may bo united to men of every country , sect and

opinion , and by its dictates excito a true friendship amongst thosa who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance . The seeds of relief ripened early in your mind , and I remember well your earnest pleading on behalf of a poor creature who crossed our path when traversing the downs of Hampshire . Such a virtue

is indeed noble , and it is a duty incumbent upon all men , particularly Masons , who are linked together in one indissoluble bond of fraternal affection , to relieve the distressed . Hence you are to soothe the unhappy , sympathise with their misfortunes , and , if possible , restore peace to their troubled minds . This is a grand aim to keep

in view , and will establish you as a good Mason , while truth , being a divine attribute , will lay the foundation of every virtue . To be good and true is a lesson you were taught early , so that yon might regulate your life and actions . Let hypocrisy be unknown to you , so that sincerity and plain dealing may prove your distinguishing

characteristics , whilst heart and tongue join in promoting the welfaro of others . Doubt not , my dear Son , what I say ; have faith , for it is the foundation of justice , the bond of amity , and the chief snpport of civil society . Always live and walk by faith , as , by it , you will be justified , and finally received . True faith is the

evidence of things not seen , but the substance of those hoped for ; this , well and Masonically observed , will secure you eternal happiness hereafter . Hope is an anchor of the soul , both snre and stedfast . Have firm reliance in the Almighty . Keep your desires within the prescribed limits of His blessed promises ; so will success attend

you . Believe not things impossible , or despondency will render them so , but perseverance will overcome all difficulties . Above all , I pray you practise charity , but without detriment to yourself or connections . It is beautiful in itself , and tho brightest ornament that can adorn a Mason , being the best test , and surest proof of

his sincerity . Benevolence rendered by Heaven-born Charity is an honour to the nature whence it springs . Happy indeed is he in whose breast the seeds of benevolence aro sown , for the fruit will destroy envy , refute slander , induce forgiveness , and blot out wrong from recollection . Be always ready to listen to him who may claim

yonr assistance ; so shall a heart-felt satisfaction follow your labour , and lore and charity be your reward . There is ono thing it is necessary to call your attention to before I proceed further . It is too well known that the climate of India induces great thirst , therefore practise temperance . This means put a due restraint upon your passions and affect ions , so as to render