The Footsteps Of Masonry;

in the sixth century after Christ , the era of the S . T . xon Heptarchy . Here then is an instance of an institution performing mystic , social , and festive duties , in

white aprons , for a period of 1300 years , and after that time , the custom of the apron doubtless lingered long , traditionally handed down by the " Old Mortalitys" of the period , as a badge of festivity and brotherhood .

It is in memory of these ancient and mystic festivals we still continue its use , and although we do not as in banquets of old . " Braid our locks with Ivy twine

Breathing perfumes , dropping wine . " yet wearing that time-honoured ensign , we still drain a bumper to the memory of Auld Lang Syne ; and some , unwisely lingering after the

Tyler ' s toast may , even drink like Monks of old to " one saint more . " Truly then may we designate the Apron as more auciert than the Roman Eagle , more

honourable than the Garter or any other order in existance , being ( in memory of that Silver Age whence it originated ) the Badge of Innocence nd the Bond of Friendship , and such may it

ever remain . In our next we hope to continue the " Fragments . "

Freemasonry And Israelitism.

FREEMASONRY AND ISRAELITISM .

AN EPITOME OPBRO . CARTENTERS ARTICLES ON THIS SUBJECT . BY W . K N ., No . 7 66 . I am glad to find that the suggestion of an epitome or resume of the articles lately

published on tne above subject m the rreeniason meets with the approval ol" Bro . Carpenter , and I greatly regret to learn that he feels unable to acomplish this task himself , and am heartily sorry for the cause he assigns for his inability .

As I have offered to prepare this resume ior publication , in the event of Bro . Carpenter being unable to do so , I will endeavour , to the best of

my ability , to redeem my promise . I must , however , claim your readers' indulgence , especially that of Bro . Carpenter , for any shortcomings .

People usuallv do not peruse scientific , literary , or historical works , as ihev do works of fiction or amusement . The student of the former ,

frequently finds it necessary to refer back 10 previous pages for more certain information , or to correct , modify , or confirm impressions on some particular point

I ' nless an ample index or resume of 'die contents of the book be pro \ ided . the- search for a particular part , contained perhaps , in a few lines , will be very tedious . Hence good indices are very useful , in fact are almost indispensable

for scientific worKs and books ol reference . Now Bro . Carpenter , in the 25 articles that have appeared in the Freemasin / , under the above heading , has collected avast array of evidence , and has supported his eonelusims bv a number

of very ingenious arguments ; but as this v \ : t \ e : ) tv . and these arguments , and the facts deduced therefrom , are spread owr twenty-five numbers of the Freemason , and extend over some six or seven months ol' time , the difficulty of mastering . •til the details will be self-eviilenv . ' It is satis

factory to find that Bro . Carpenter ' s articles on this most intere ting Mibject are to to lie collected and published in the form of a book or pamphlet , to which , no doubt , an ample index will be appended ; but as all the readers of the Freemason

may not purchase Bro . Carpenter ' s book , it will be convenient for those , who do not do so , to cave such an epitome of the articles that have appeared in the Freemason as will enable them to refer back for more ample detail if desired .

Freemasonry And Israelitism.

To this end it is proposed to take the articles seriatim , refer to their date of publication , and give an epitome of the i ' acts and statements set forth ; but omitting , as a general rule , the arguments upon which the conclusions are founded .

In Art No . i , published May , 27 th , 1871 , the writer commences by pointing out as a remarkable fact , that numbers of professing Christians in the United Kingdom , America , the British Colonies , France , Germany , and elsewhere , have adopted a system ( Freemasonry )

which is obviousl y founded on Judaism or Israelitism . No person is now prepared to carry the origin of the Craft to a period anterior to the Christian Era , and yet the ritual of Freemasonry is based on Judaism . Much labour has been thrown away in attempts to identify ancient peoples with Freemasonry , but its origin

can be p lainly fixed in Christian times , and among Christian people . How is it then that Freemasonry , its traditions , ceremonies , and ritual , a . re rooted in Judaism ? The Saxon branch of the Teutonic race fun e great tenacity of will in holding to opinions , convictions , and principles , and no revolution has ever been effected amivusr them until after loner conflicts and

much sufienng . How comes it then that a Christian people do not scruple to accept obligations based upon a Jewish foundation ? The solution ol the problems full of interest , and points to a conclusion of high import .

No . 11 . June , 3 rd . —The consideration 01 this problem furnishes one link in a chain of circumstances which leads to the conclusion , that we ( the English and some other European Nations ) bear a close affinity to the Hebrew race . The whole history of Israel , and the prophecies pointing to the future of this people , are amomrst the most wonderful works of God .

In treating of the subject , two things are taken for granted . 1 . That the conquest of the kingdom of Israel by Assyria is an authentic history . 2 . That the prophecies of the Old Testament , relating to this people have been , or will be

fulfilled . Here follows a short review of the history of Israel ; Abraham . Isaac , and Jacob were powerful Princes or Emirs . They were Chiefs , Priests , and Judges over their families , which ( with their dependants ) formed large bodies of persons .

1 he twelve sons ol J acob ruled their families in like manner , but when their desendants increased in numbers , they formed distinct tribes : each having a prince as its ruler . This form ol government exists at the present day among the Arabs , and was maintained bv the Hebrews even

in Egypt . On the departure of the Israelites lrom Egypt , the worship of God was so connected with the political structure of the nation , that Jehovah became their Law ' -giver , Judge , and King . The laws were unalterable , and without the sanction of | ehovah no important measure

could be undertaken . W hen t . ' ie people took possession of the Promised Land , thee settled dow n under their princes or heads ol tribes , with a divinel y appointed judge as clue ! ' magistrate or supreme ruler . ( jelling tired of this form of <_ ro \ eminent , they

ultimately set up a king and electe . l Saul to reign over them . The kingly power did not remain long in Saul ' s family , but was . by God ' s direction , confered upon David , who , after a struggle of some years with family of Saul , was proclaimed king over " all Israel . " David ' s reign

was a gionous one , and Ins victorious arms extended the empire to the Euphrates . He then desired tobuiid a temple to God , but this honour u as reserved lor his son , Solomon , w ho built a magnilicient temple , which was the glorv of the

empire , and dazzled all strangers . Solomon s reign was also a glorious one , until it became tainted with idolatry , whin it degenerated , and at length , under his son Kehoboam , the empire collapsed , and was broken up into two kingdoms , known afterwards as ludah and

Ephraim or Israel . The two kingdoms were perpetually striving for the mastery under their respective kings , Ephraim representing the revolted ten tribes , and J udah the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin , who remained faithful to the house of David . No . III . June ijstij j 137 j ,- —The , riiasfftY . 'tion

Freemasonry And Israelitism.

of Ephraim and the northern tribes having grown in Solomon ' s prosperous but burthensome reign , culminated under his successor , and under the guidance of Jeroboam , Ephraim took the lead and split the empire in two . A jealousy between the two nations ensued , and continued for many

years , and although both were God ' s chosen people , they frequently were guilty of idolatry , more especially the revolted ten tribes , who ursued the downward course of impiety and sin , until the Israelitish kingdom was finally destroyed by the Assyrians , and the principal ininhabitants were transported to the river Kur ,

which runs into the Araxes , and empties itself into the Caspian Sea . After the lapse of a few years Shalmanezar carried away the rest of the people to Iialah , Habor , and Gozan , in Media and Assyria . Thus Ephraim or "the Kingdom of Israel , " was utterly destroyed 2 , Syears after the revolt and , 722 B . C .

The kingdom of Judah was not so utterly depraved , and although it frequently replapsed into idolatry , many of the kings punished and . endeavoured to extirpate this sin . Wickedness and rebellion against God , ultimately , however , obtained the upper hand , and the nation was

punished b y being invaded b y Nebuchadnezzar , who destroyed the Temple at Jerusalem , carried away all that was valuable , together with many of the Hebrew nobility , including Daniel and his three friends . A remnant of the people were left under Zedekiah , who plotted with E gypt

and rebelled against the King of Babylon , and they were in the end utterl y destroyed , . 387 years after the revolt of the ten tribes , and 134 years after the destruction of the kingdom of Israel , 588 B . C . In the kingdoms of both Judah and Israel a succession of bold honest prophets

reproved and warned both kings and people , but with no useful result . The captivity of Judah was unlike that of Israel ; that of the former was only to last for 70 years , and under Cyrus , King of Pesira , the people were allowed to return to their own land . The temple was re-built and

the Jewish nation re-established , but although the nation never relapsed into idolatry they fell into other sins , for which they were again punished by being utterly uprooted under Vespasian , A . D . 70 . They have not been destroyed , but are now dispersed throughout the whole

civilized world , waiting lor their restoration , while Egypt , Assyria , Babylon , and Rome no longer exist as nations , they having mightily oppressed God ' s people ; while the Persians who showed them kindness , still remain an established kingdom .

Presentation Of The Robert Henthorth Little Testimomal.

PRESENTATION OF THE ROBERT HENTHORTH LITTLE TESTIMOMAL .

On Saturday evening iast , a company of forty brethren assembled at a banquet at the Cannonstreet Hotel , to present the testimonial ( which we announced a fortnight since , consisted of a splendid dock and a purse of 300 sovereigns ) to Bro . Robert Wcntworth Little for the services he has rendered

the caurse of Freemasonry . About two years ago it was suggested that such a testimonial should be subscribed for , and the movement received the support of ourselves , and our old Masonic contemporary The Era . The matter was taken in hand by some energetic brethren , and a

committee was formed , of which Bro . John Hervey , G . S ., became Treasurer , and Bro . John Thomas Moss , the Secretary . The difficulties which beset any new undertaking are well known , but the perseverance of the brethren who took this matter in hand , and the magnificent amount of

¦ £ ' . 300 , with a surplus to purchase an enduring memento of the respect of the subscribers was raised . As no testimonial is supposed to be properly presented without some accompanying conviviality , the necessary " go " was given to the Little testimonial , as we have said , by a banquet , and it would be unfair to pass over the event

without our presenting a verbal testimonial to Bro . Spencer , the proprietor of the Cannon-street , Hotel , and his manager , Bro . Davies , by savin " that a belter supplied or better served banquet we have never partaken of . The company who assisted at the ceremonies of banquet and presentation comprised Bro , Colone l Francis Burden ,