" The Great, Awful, Tremendous, & Incomprehensible Name.''

to Pharaoh , in obedience to God ' s command , but without working any miracle : " Thus saith the LORD GOD ( Jehovah clohi ) of Israel , Let my people go . " Pharaoh , hereupon , peremptorily repelled him and Aaron , with the question : " Who is Jehovah , that I should obey his

voice ? ' I know not , I confess not , I honour not Jehovah ; and I will not let Israel go . The priests and people of Egypt were the most superstitious and idolatrous people on earth , and they were accustomed to give peculiar names to their idols , and to worship them under those

names . They did not worship one Deity , as the G . A . O . T . U . ; but they worshipped many deities , with various names , which were regarded as titles of honour , expressive of some especial power ; and eacli town , city , or individual placed itself under the protection of one

or more of these deities . From them they expected temporal power , greatness , and honour * and the obtaining of such worldly prosperity was the mark or token that their idols heard their prayers and blessed them . The meaning of the answer of Pharaoh to Moses , therefore ,

was— " Who is the peculiar God whom you call J EHOVAH ? What name among us , of honour or distinction , can that God bear who permits bis worshippers to be my despised and afflicted bondslaves ? What power can such a God possess ? I know not—I confess not—I

worship not—I fear not a God whose adorers are my servants * who gives to his people neither greatness , wealth , nor honour , as my gods have given me ; who is unable to protect his people , but who appeals to me as the King of Egypt , instead of exerting his power as God . " Then

followed that augmentation of the Israelites ' coercion and oppression of which we read in Exodus v . But the Lord was about to exhibit His power in the punishment of Pharaoh and his abettors , and in the deliverance of His people . " Now shalt thou see what I will do

to this proud King , who believes the afflictions and sorrows of Israel to be the proof that the gods of Egypt are superior to the God of Abraham . I am J EHOVAH . This is my name . Formerly , the idols of the heathen had no names in opposition to me ; now they bear names of

honour , which encourage Pharaoh to blaspheme . I , too , will be known by the one name which shall be remembered as tlie title of honour superior to those of all their gods . 1 will be known as I was not known to your fathers * . as the overthrower of tlie gods of Egypt—as the

judge of the Egyptian idolatry—as the selfexistent and glorious God , before whom the gods of Egypt of every name , title , attribute , and honour . shall fall , and as the one peculiar guardian God—tlie own , the covenant God—of my people Israel , whom I will bring out of

Egypt , casting down and degrading Cneph , and Ptlia and Chem , and all their crowned and horned rabble of gods ; and I will be more glorious before these , my people , than I was ever known to be , even to tlie most favoured of their fathers . I will keep my promises , and

bring them into Canaan . " Such were the circumstances in which this NAME was made the distinguishing and intran . sferable name of thc Most High . That they were memorable and glorious circumstances all must feel and acknowledge , but there was nothing in ,

accompanying , or following them which intimated that the NAME was more awful , tremendous , or incomprehensible than any other of tlie several names hy which God had been pleased to make Himself known to the patriarchs . Observe , this was not the revelation of a ncro Name . Tlie

Creator was chiefly known as Gon ( clohim ) , or GOD ALMIGHTY ( cl shaddai ) , but He was known also as J EHOVAH , this appellation being sometimes combined with clohi in , as in the detailed account of man ' s creation and fall ( Gen . ii , iii . ); and sometimes standing alone . And this suggests a circumstance that should be especially

attended to—namely , that the name , J EHOVAH , evidentl y had a special relation to redemption and the agent through which it was to be accomp lished . It first occurs in thc exclamation of Eve on the birth of Cain ( Gen . iv . i ) , "I have gotten a man , Jehovah . " Not , as in tlie English Bible , from J EHOVAH , there being nothing in the Hebrew that will bear such a rendering . Eve ,

" The Great, Awful, Tremendous, & Incomprehensible Name.''

no doubt , ever had in her mind the merciful promise ( Gen . iii , 17 ) regarding the woman ' s seed , made by God immediately after the fall ; and believing that she had given birth to the deliverer , exclaimed that she had obtained Jehovah ; that is , he who ? oas to come — the

coming one — for so the word may signify , as it includes the present , the past , and the future of the verb being . Ancl this view of the peculiar aspect of the Name is confirmed by the fact that it is at special epochs in the history of redemption , or in connection with such promises , that it

comes prominently into view ; as in the case of Eve just noticed ; in that of the covenant which God made with Abraham ( Gen . xv ., & c . ); in that he made with Isaac ( ch . xxvi . ) ; and in that with Jacob ( ch . xxviii . ); as also in the case of

Abraham ' s intended sacrifice of Isaac on Mount Moriah ; and , more especially , in the deliverance from Egypt , when the import of this Divine name was fully revealed , and set , so to speak , in a position from which it was never afterwards removed .

Ihus we arrive at the conclusion , that the name Jehovah is not only or chiefly expressive of the self-existence of God , but that , on the contrary , it is especially expressive of some relation in which He , in a peculiar manner , draws near to His people , and through which He manifests

Himself more fully than by any displays of power , as the Creator , the Strong or Mighty God , the Lord , or ruler and governor , & c , however glorious and irresistible those displays may be . It is a name indicative of a covenant relation between the Most High and His people , a

covenant into which He enters with them , ancl by which He engages to be their God , and to take them for His people . God , in His character of Jehovah , will thus fulfil those promises on which faith rested from tlie beginning ; and , as such , He will be more fully recognised for the future .

Not only , then , is there no intimation in Scripture of the peculiar greatness , awfulness , or tremendousness of this name , as compared with the other Divine names , but there is , on the other hand , unmistakeahle intimations that it is

one of peculiar mercy and goodness , calculated to inspire feelings of gratitude and trust , rather than of fear , awe , or dread , over and above what can be excited by any other character under which God has revealed Himself . Under

whatever name or appellation He is recognised , He is to be held in that reverential awe , and to be contemplated with that humility ancl selfabasement that become a dependent and sinful creature in the presence of his Creator ancl Judge . All the names of God are sacred ,

indicative of some or other of Hischvine perfections , or of their manifestation to mankind ; and unduly to exalt one over all the rest , as not to be uttered lightly or profanely , is calculated to induce the idea that such an obligation does not extend to all . Thc truth is , that we have in Arch Masonry

some of the rabbinical traditions by which this name was invested with extraordinary sanctity and power . They allege that he who pronounces it shakes heaven and earth , and inspires the very angels with astonishment and terror . It is , according to them , the ineffable and unutterable

name , every letter in it possessing peculiar and tremendous properties ; and that both Moses and Christ wrought their respective miracles by the possession of THE NAME . Neither Jew nor Christian is obliged to believe these or the many other things attributed to or said of the word

J EHOVAH by Jewish rabbins , any more than he is obliged to believe what is in opposition to many parts ofthe Bible , i . e ., that the Name was never lawfully uttered by any one but the High Priest , and that only once a year when he entered the Holy of Holies , on the great day of atonement , to make reconciliation for sin .

RociiDALi : COUNCIL RKD CROSS KNIGHTS or IIAIIV - LON . —A meeting of this Council was held at Rochdale , on Saturday , ihe 25 th ultimo , under ihe presidency of Sir Kt . Cousin William Roberts , P . G . S ., in thc absence uf

ihe K . S . and B . C . Sir Kt . Richard Hankinson . Sir Kls . J . S . Ross , John Ashworth ( jun . ) , and Thomas Burgess were installed . Banquet followed thc business of the Council , and thc Sir Knights enjoyed a very pleasant evening .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Reports of Masonic Meetings .

—*—2 If E CRAFT . METROPOLITAN . Lodge of Peace and Harmony , No . 60 . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the London Tavern on Thursday evening , March 23 rd , when there was a good attendance of members and visitors , amongst the latter being Bros . Samuel Tomkins , G . T . ; Major Creaton , P . G . D . ; S . Leith Tomkins , P . G . D . ; Young , Robertson ,

Watson , Read , and others . After the routine business had been transacted , Bro . Dr . Thomas Goodwin was installed W . M , at the hands of Bro . Binckes , P . G . Steward , one of the Past Masters of the lodge , who kindly performed the ceremony with an earnestness and fluency that made a deep impression on all who heard him , and especially on the new W . M ., who for the first time undertook

the responsiblities ofthe chair . The W . M . then appointed Bros Munton and Maxwell to be the Senior and Junior Wardens , invested Bro . William Young . P . G . S . B ., as Treasurer , and appointed Bro . Binckes , P . M ., as Hon . Secretary . The remaining officers having been duly appointed by the W . M ., the lodge adjourned ta the banquet , where the hospitality always exercised by this lodge

was fully appreciated . In the course ofthe evening , Bro . Binckes stated that at thc request ofthe W . M ., he had a very pleasing duty to perform , which was to present a testimonial from the lodge collectively and from the members individually to Bro . John Newton Tomkins , P . G . D ., their late Treasurer . That brother had heen initiated in the lodge in 18 4 6 twenty-five years ago ; he had been

, W . M . in 1 S 53 , had been made a Grand Deacon in 1854 , and for the last thirteen years had been their Treasurer . His amiable qualities and genial disposition had endeared him to them all , while his experience in the Craft as W . M . of three other lodges , and for many years a member of the Boards of General Purposes and Benevolence , had gained their respect , and led them to look up to him for

the advice and assistance he was at all times so ready to afford . Bro . Binckes looked with pride on the personal friendship that had existed between them for so long , and said thai he had often been indebted to the counsal of Bro . J . N . Tomkins in cases of difficulty . The state of his health was unfortunately such as to make the duties of Treasurer too onerous , and he was obliged , although

reluctantly , to resign . Bro . Binckes said that one and all felt the greatest sympathy for Bro . J . N . Tomkins' indisposition , and he would ask the brethren present to drink to his speedy recovery and long life . The testimonial ( which was a handsome silver tankard ) he would ask the Grand Treasurer to receive for his brother . He then read the inscription : — " Presented by the Peace and

Harmony Lodge , No . 60 , to Bro . J obn Newton 1 omkins , as a token of regard and friendship on his retirement from thc office of Treasurer to the lodge . 1871 . "—The toast was warmly responded to , and Bro . Samuel Tomkins . G . T ., on behalf of his brother , thanked Bro . Binckes and the lodge for their magnificent present . lie said that the kindly feelings so ably expressed by Bro . Binckes were

fully reciprocated hy his brother , and that the quarter of a century during which his brother had belonged to his mother lodge had raised endearing recollections and founded friendships that would last his lifetime . Some of the happiest hours he had spent had been in tlie bosom of this lodge , and he would always look with pride and satisfaction on the gift , which even in its name of " Loving

Cup " was a token of the affection of the lodge , and would recall associations of vmmiiigled happiness and pleasure . He hoped his brother would soon recover , but he knew it was his fixed intention that , come what might , he would not terminate his connection with thc lodge while he lived . For himself , the Grand Treasurer thanked the lodge for the cordial reception they had

given him . The sentiments of regard and affection entertained for his brother were a tie which he felt brought them closer to himself , and thc pleasant hours he had passed , and the line Masonic feeling he had witnessed , would never fade from his memory . —The proceedings were enlivened wilh some excellent singing , and Ihe brethren separated with regret .

Mount Lehman Lodge , No . 73 . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , thc 20 th ult ., at the Bridge House Hotel , Southwark . The lodge was opened by Bio . M . A . Loewenstark , W . M ., who was assisted by Bros . G . Free , S . W . ; G . J . Grace , J . W . ; E . Harris , P . M ., Treas . and Sec . / ra tem . ; A . L . Dussck , S . D . ; S . Harman , J . D . ; I . Wilkins . I . G . ; J . II . Butten , W . S . ;

V . 11 . Ebsworth , I . P . M . ; D . Rose , P . M . ; H . Keeble , I " . W . Dudley , F . K . Cooper , and many others . Thc W . M ., in an admirable manner , raised Bros . Sutton , Treton , and Bagulcy , and passed Bros . Hurry and A . Lloyd . Thc W . M . announced lhat he would represent llii . s lodge as its Steward at thc Girls' School Festival on the Sth of May , when the Prince of Wales will preside ; and he solicited the support ofthe brethren . Notice was

given of a motion to put ten guineas on his list from the lodge funds . Ten guineas were voted from the lodge funds to the Boys' School , to bc placed on Bro . S . Harman ' s list . In consequence of the severe illness of the respected Secretary , Bro . J . Donkin , the banquet which was to have been held was deferred till ncxt meeting ; but the brethren partook of some slight refreshment before ihcy parted . Visitors : Bros . Dr . T . W . J . Goldsboro ' , P . P . S . G . W . North Wales ; & c .

Industry Lodge , No . 186 . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesdav , the 281 I 1 ult ., at Freemasons' Hall . Present : Bros . T . K . Tallent , W . M . ; G . W . Noehmer , S . W . ; J . Seex , J . W . ; 11 . G . Lake , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Mann , P . M ., Sec . ; D . D . Beck , S . D . ; J . K . Wylie , J . D . ; W . ... Holt , I . G . ; G . Henly , Steward ; T . Mortlock , P . M . ; T . Price , I . P . M . ; A . Mole , T . F . Toovcy , W . II . Davis , J . Death , E . J . Dyne , J . F . Duggett , G .