Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

PAGE . EOYAL Anon MASONRY ... 1 REVIEWS 1

REPORTS OP MASONIC MEETINGS 2 FREE ( AND EASY ) MASONS 2 MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS 3 PAPERS ON

MASONRYNo . VI . —Masonry and History ... ... ... 3 BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS A MASONIO FESTIVALS 4 THE Hion PLACES OP MASONRY 4 EDITOR ' S PORTFOLIO 4

MASONIC JORISPRUDENCB 4 MASONIC ANTIQUITIES 5 MULTUM IN P . utvo 5 ¦ G RAND L ODOE AT FUEEMASONS' HALL ... 5 to 7 CONSECRATION OF TUB GROSVENOR LODOE , PIMLICO 7 LAYING MEMORIAL STONE OP FREE LIBRAIIY AND

MUSEUM AT PAISLEY ... 8 to 10 LODGE OP PRUDENT BIII ' - TUREN—PRESENTATION TO BRO . STATES 10 GREAT MASONIC ASSEMBLY AT WHITEHAVEN 10 to 12 NOTES BY A NOVICE 12

ORIGINAL C ORRESPONDENCEThc Masonic Charities 13 Masonic Manuscripts 13 Chair Degree 13

GRAND CHAPLAIN ' S ORATION 14 MASONIO MEETINGS FOR NEST AVEEK 1 C LIST OF AGENTS 15 ADVEHTISKMKNTB 15 & 1 C

Royal Arch Masonry.

ROYAL ARCH MASONRY .

BY TIIK SON OP SALATIUKL . [ The rights of translation and reproduction reserved . ' ] The value of a tradition is not to ho estimated solely with reference to its antiquity ; wo must also tako into account the analogy it bears to the

history of the period , and consider its efficacy as a link in the chain which connects us with remote events in thc mythic dramas of tho past . In this spirit wc approach the Solomonianera , and raise upon the majestic pillars of the Jewish

Temple an edifice grander by far ; wherein arc celebrated those sacred ritcc of brotherhood , and those sweetest lniiiislrations of affection , which have crowned with unfading glory tho lofty dome of Freemasonry .

The traditions which cling around thc Temple of Solomon , like ivy round a ruined porch , are not only venerable but p icturesque ; they are not only harmonious in their dramatic unity , but profoundly ethical in their teachings and p hilosophy . But traditionary lore is a dead letter to

Royal Arch Masonry.

the optimist who views onl y tho g littering foam that tops the wave of life ; while the metaphysician plunges beneath the surface , and returns laden with the exuvice of rare and precious thoughts . Hence it is that we can trace through

the revolving cycles of time the same truth appearing in a thousand varying hues , according to the idealistic or realistic garb in which it is clothed . AVe have onl y to take as an example the ori g inal conception of the Unity of God , a

belief common to all ages , and to all nations , and then follow its grotesque distortions in the Oriental mythologits , with their myriad divinities—ia the populous Jialls of Olympus , and the countless theories of reli gion which invest the

attributes of the Divine Being with personality and substance—and we shall cease to wonder that thoughtful men cherish the records of tradition , and find in those obscure and mystic paths rays of wisdom and li ght unnoticed b y the utilitarian historian .

Great truths , as every Master Mason knows , arc enveloped in tlie solemn rites of the third degree ; but the peculiar significance of tho legend attached to Boyal Arch Masonry as a corollary to those rites has never , wc conceive ,

been fully estimated . The symbolism of thc rebuilding of the temple upon the ruins of the former structure is as apposite to the preceding teachings of the third degree , when properly considered , as thc due succession of the corn to

the seed , or the flower to tlie bud . The renovation of man ' s celestial nature is figured in every sentence of the Boyal Arch ritual , and we may add that since our own admission into this sublime branch of Freemasonry , now some years

ago , we have entertained the honest conviction that it is indeed , as its eulogists asserted , the very "root and marrow of Freemasonry , " the culminating point , and tho pinnacle of our speculative and philosophical institution .

Thus impressed , wc have endeavoured to stud y its mysteries , and if the result of our investigations shall in any measure induce Royal Arch Masons to porsevcro in the acquisition of thoso treasures to which they alone possess tho key >

we shall consider ourselves ampl y rewarded for thc time and labour which wc frankly confess have been bestowed upon thc task . It is first

necessary to explain that in the introduction of illustrations connected with this supremo degree , we shall probably travel to somo extent over beaten paths and time-honoured tracks in Ma-

Royal Arch Masonry.

sonic literature . Such a course is inevitable if we would preserve a logical hequence , and in any case we are fortified by the reflection that our

opinions in this respect resemble those of certain great men who have expressed their belief in the efficacy of iteration and repetition . In the attempt to elucidate certain points over which

our sacred vows will compel us to cast the veil of obscurity , let our readers bear in mind that a reference to Holy AVrit will in many instances be found eminently useful . And we may here

remark that it is certainly not one of the least recommendations of our sublime society that the revealed Word of God is to be found , as tho

unerring standard of truth , in every lodge and every chapter . { To be continued . )

Reviews.

Reviews .

—?—" Ten Miles from Town , " b y Bro . AVILLIAM SAWYER , Second Edition . London : AVilliam Freeman , 102 , Fleet-street . In Bro . Sawyer wc recognise a true poet , one ofthe gifted few who possess the faculty of penetrating into

the inner life of man , and revealing its mysteries of cloud and sunshine , of hope and joy , or of doubt and darkness . It is a strange psychological fact , that the inspirations of genius are frequently arrayed in deep and solemn thoughts , and wc remark the traces of thia profound yet pleasing melanchol y in the utterances of

Bro . Sawyers muse , underlying , as it were , the genial current of many bright and happy fancies . AVe also find that Bro . Sawyer realizes the true mission of the poet as a teacher of truth , as when he tells us emphatically that , "Men thrive in conflict : soul refreshes soul ,

And hearts in trial and fullering grow strong , As he who wrestled with the Angel forced No blessing till he strove the whole night long !" or " There is a true philosophy of life I ' or those who win their way with manly stroke . "

The first few lines of "In the Rectory Garden " arc perfect as a p icture of the " drowsy calm " of a "July noon , " and recall to our mind visions of the Castle of Indolence , or tho slumbrous trances of tlie lotus-eaters . As a telling contrast , the verses entitled " A Wedding Iliiiff" will be found brimful of vigour and passion .

" The June Dream" is also a lovely poem , imbued with tender thoughts exquisitly expressed . Another test of Bro . Sawyer ' s poetic gifts will be found in the numerous lines suitable for quotations , as for example , when speaking of the poet he says" With Truth and Beauty he had dwelt apart , And from their heights as from a tower looked down

Calm , dignified , immortal !" Tho stanzas commencing " Sister , not Nun , " wc commend to the attention of ladies who may be yearning after " Starr " celebrity . " At . the Opera—Faust" it . a faultless gem of lyrical sweetness , Tennysonian in its flowing metre . But the best thing we can do is to cordially recommend our readers to get Bro . Sawyer ' s book , and judge for themselves as to thc charming character of its contents .