Royal Arch Masonry.

crucifixion . Had not this notion of it prevailed before the establishment of Christianity , it is probable that the cross , so far from being venerated as a sacred symbol , would have been

held in detestation as the instrument of a most cruel and sanguinary punishment , and more particularly as it was unjustly inflicted ontheSaviour of the World .

Having already proved that this emblem was known to the Egyp tians and the A ncient Jews , we shall further demonstrate that traces of it are discoverable among the Brahmins of India for there was a mark used by the Brahmins nearly

resembling the Tail , called the Tiluk , which was impressed on the foreheads of the Hindoo devotees before they entered their pagodas , or temples of relig ious worship . In regard to the Tiluk , Maurice in his learned work on Indian antiquities

observes that , " it was the custom of very ancient date in Asia to mark their servants in the forehead . It is alluded to in Ezekiel , chap . 9 ., ver . 4 , where the Almighty commands his Angel to ago through the City , and set a mark on the

foreheads of the men ( his servants , the faithful ) , who sighed for the abominations committed in the midst thereof . ' The same idea again occurs in the Revelations , chap . 7 , ver . 31 , ' hurt not the earth , neither the sea , nor the trees , till we have sealed the servants of our God' in . their

foreheads . We have no doubt that originall y this was the mark of the Hermetic Cross , that celebrated symbol in all the Gentile world . Bishop Lowth in his commentary on the passage before cited in Ezekiel , observes that it orig inall y stood

in the Septuagint version , not TO o- ^ ojctou , a mark , but rav crrjutwv , the mark Tau , or great " [" . " Now , from the similarit y of the Tiluk ( in form and use ) to the Tau , may we not conclude that they orig inally bore the same signification ,

which if granted , sufficientl y proves the existence of this celebrated symbol in India . This subject may be further illustrated by a reference to a discovery of certain very ancient Cinerary vases , made by two gentlemen

of Albana ( near Rome ) , viz ,, Signors iomasetti , and Carnevali , on the 2 Sth of January , 1817 , which lias brought to li g ht a society possessed , apparently , of all the arts of ancient civilization , and existing before the arrival ofyEneas in Italy ;

a society which was buried in the convulsion that changed the volcano of Albano into a lake . By the discovery of these vases we arc enabled to prove the existence of this hieroglyphic not only among the Aborigines of Italy , but from

the similarity of the figures depicted on them to certain Runic characters , we are also able to trace its existence , even among the northern nations . To he continued .

Annual Pic-Nic Of Tub Dunearn Lodge, No. 400. Burntisland.

ANNUAL PIC-NIC OF TUB DUNEARN LODGE , No . 400 . BURNTISLAND .

This happy gathering came oil' with great eclat on Wednesday , the Kith iust ., when a large number of Masons , Masons ' wives , and Masons' bairns proceeded to the beautiful grounds of Otterstono estate , the

seat of Captain Mowbray , every one with the determination of enjoying themselves , and for the time being to throw oil' the cares and trammels of business . On reaching the entrance to the grounds the brethren were arranged in order of procession , the ladies and children bringing up the rear , and , headed

by the fine band of the 1 ) tli F . V . Artillery , were conducted through the gardens and grounds ; after which they proceeded to the place pre-arranged for the pic-nic ; a beautiful sp . it on the top of a hill , and through the trees with which it was surrounded could be seen glimpses of tin ; swans , majestically skimming the . smooth surface of the lake below .

with Ottcrstonc House in the back-ground . After all had refreshed thc-. iscUvs to their hearts ' content , dancing was commenced on the green , and was kept up with unabated vigour until the shades of evening warned the managing committee that it was time to give the word , "lbmie . " Before leaving , the brethren marched to Otterstoiiu House , when Bro . Hutchison , R . W . M ., moved a cordial

Annual Pic-Nic Of Tub Dunearn Lodge, No. 400. Burntisland.

vote of thanks to Captain Mowbray for his kindness and liberality in allowing them the use of the grounds for the day . J . C . Mowbray , jun ., Esq ., of Otterstone , in reply , stated that in the absence of his father , nothing had given him more pleasure than receiving so happy a company , and he should be

glad to see them buck ou a future occasion . After three hearty cheers had been given for Mr . Mowbray and the Misses Mowbray , the cortege wended their way homewards , one and all delighted with their day ' s excursion . We would recommend

all lodges to iollow the example of theLodgeDunearn , as such excursions not only tend to cement true friendship among the brethren , but it is some recompense to the ladies for the absence of their liege lords while engaged with the workings of the Craft .

Papers On Masonry.

PAPERS ON MASONRY .

BY A LEWIS . XIII . —MASONRY AND THE SLAVE . "And North awoUe from Ins wine , and knew what his younger son had done unto him . And he said . Cursed bo

Canaan ; a slave of slaves shall he be unto his brethren . — Genesis ix . 21 , 25 . " For perhaps he therefore departed for a season , that thou shouldst receive him for ever ; not now as a slave , but above

a slave , a brother beloved —Paul to Philemon 15 , 1 C . In the sacred volume of the Law , the distinction of colour is nowhere stated as an argument for enforced slavery or servitude . It is a creation of later customs , and subject to modifications of many kinds . That a distinction of colour was early observed , as men pushed

their geograpical researches further into the desert wastes of the globe , is evident from well-known texts , and it was found to be an invariable fact among men . The original effect of Noah's curse was designed , it is cas } ' to be seen , to take eflect on the children of Ham , in so fur as that imperfect division of the human race

can be at this distance of time understood . It was practically applied by early nations to all those having skins , capacities , and understandings more obscured than others . No doubt , the declaration that Canaan should be a slave was the ex-post facto construction placed by the

conquering hem- Israel upon their acts m Canaanitisli countries . The negro , from his universally despised and naturally arrested capacity , was assigned in antiquity to the lowest and meanest of duties . He was not sought to be raised , as has been attempted , with doubtful success , in later times . It was reserved for

the mistaken p hilanthropy of the benevolent Las Casas to entail upon humanity the bane of shivery as understood in modern times . The Ethiopian eunuch met by Philip was of great authority under his Queen , Candace , " having charge of all her treasures , " and upon his baptism and admission into the young Christian

faith . 'ill modern arguments for equality of race practically depend . 'We are not certain of the colour of the skin of Oncsimus , but we arc certain he was , emphatically , a slave . The Greek language , so rich in expression and in the shades of meaning applied to words , makes a . clear

distinction between slaves obtained by conquest , and slaves slaveborn . It employs the very word for a born slave in the passage at the head of this paper , in contradistinction lo the word used tor conquered slaves . It is the word SouXoi ( doidos ) a bom slave , in opposition to ' auSpiiTToSou ( andrapodon . ) a slave made in uar and

sold . A reference to the great standard lexicon of Leddell and Scott shows this at a glance . The word is universal in the New Testament ( Colossians iv . 1 , for instance ) , and although l ' aul calls himself the slave ( ilou / os ) of Christ Jesus , this is in a religious sense of self-abasement , common in that writer , to

express his utter unworthuiess . llenee , instead of adopting the version of the authorised translators , I have , to mark this fact , substituted the word "slave , " for " servant" in my quotatiens . The word "doulos , " then , means a slave not born free , and hence , if in the important question which has

recently forced itself into prominence in relation to the African Lodge , originally formed under Prince Hall , it becomes of paramount importance . I do not propose to consider the question in its political sense ; in other Masonic respects it is of great moment to arrive at some decision as to whether the coloured Freemasons

ot the United States , Siberia , and elsewhere can claim rights other than those of clandestine Masons . 1 ' iaelicully , the matter will settle , itself by lapse of time . Tin ; children of negroes , mnlaUocs , Creoles and others " free-born and of good report , " and possessing the other qualifications required by the declaration , could

by no absolute principle of justice be denied entrance into the Fraternity . In Ma-oary , the . universal principle of brotherhood and relief , as it should do , knows nothing of colour . Were such a distinction known it would mar the beauty of the whole system , and to the five black Freemasonry cannot refuse to open its

portals . Tlie while pos-essing no education , is as much excluded as the slave , or the negro not absolutely free burn . It would be , however , as unwise to remove the necessary prohibition against the admission of slaveborn persons uf any colour , as it , would to do away with the qualification of education . Nor can it be

Papers On Masonry.

said that there is any great hardshi p or injustice on the broadest scale in this . A person seized as prisoner of war and sold into slavery , if free-born , would , on the recovery of his liberty , unquestionabl y have a ri ght to participate in the privileges of Masonry , upon due ballot and

initiation ; but in the case of born slaves , the plea is invalid , both from the direct wording of the declaration , and from the fact that it is but a disqualification of an evanescent character as regards the slave in general . I wish it to be understood that 1 apply this universally , and not especially to the negro—what is sauce for the

goose is sauce for the gander . Should , indeed , the almost incredible historical phenomenon ensue of the reduction of a white race to slavery—not an absolute impossibillity per se—then the argument would run . that the enslaved individuals themselves , having been bornjree , might claim a ri ght to be initiated , but not

so their children ^ born during their slave condition . The latter , even if they recovered their freedom , would not be eligible , although the ri ght would revive in the immediate descendants of these last—or the grandchildren of the white population so enslaved . In this I am not splitting hairs for the mere sake

of drawing fine distinctions , but pointing out technicalities worthy of grave consideration . Nor do I ground any of these remarks upon the arguments , felt by so many to be evidently true , that the negro is of a different race and descent , from the beginning of time , to the white and other varieties of

man . Unless it bo competent for the Masonic body to change the declaration—I am aware of the action of Grand Lodge in this , in 1847—I do not see how this can ever bo obviated . I should hardly imagine that such a document , signed by a candidate before initiation , can bo regarded as a landmark ; however

that is a matter for Masonic jurists to decide . That the persons who have attained to the knowledge of Musonic secrets , by virtue of the warrants said to have been granted to Prince Hall and others , arc practically Masons , no one can doubt , although they must technically be regarded as clandestine Masons .

Whether the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln , can , by any legal ingenuity , be so tortured as to admit of their being " healed , " I know not , but , as in the case of the dying Scotch millionaire , who asked his spiritual adviser whether , if lie left a thousand pounds to one kirk and a thousand pounds to

another kirk it would aid him in his candidature for heaven , I should be tempted to reply , with the cautious Scottish minister , " I dinna ken ; but its an cxparainen' wed worth the tri / in . " While speaking of President , Lincoln I should wish , en / mssaiif , to record an anecdote concerning that

distinguished man , for the truth of which I can vouch , it having been related to me by President ( and I believe , if negro Masonry be right , Bro . ) Roberts , of Liberia , himself . On the visit of the latter to Washington during the war , for the pin pose of obtaining from the United States Government

permission to receive on board ship , at the sole cost of the Republic of Liberia , such "contrabands , " as the fugitive slaves were techically called , as might choo « o to return to Africa , he had several interviews with the American 1 ' iesident on the subject . All his endeavours , his offers to provide lands for the African emigrants in Liberia , were met by a sort of

Republican non possumus . lhe Presidents reply was , in so many words , "Wo can ' t part with a man of themthey are the property of the state . " But whether the arguments of that courteous and noble-spirited gentleman . President Roberts , had any further elfect , I cannot say , the Finaticipation Proclamation , however , made its appearance almost before President Huberts had time to reach Liverpool on his return .

That this somewhat vexed question should be set at rest is highly desirable , for I am sure a controversy in which the negroes , in my opinion and that of many others , have abstract right and justice on their side , should be sought to be terminated in a decorous and dignified manner by the Masonic authorities , and no

doubt this wish animates their bosoms . It is melancholy to see a section of the human race excluded from the benefits of a participation in Masonry by an hereditary wrong , which , however mitigated in its effects b y benevolent treatment in the generality of instances , was a blot upon humanity in

general , ami , unfortunately , in a semi-barbarous age , received the support of Cliuichtucn from motives of mistaken and shortsig hted benevolence . It is impossible lo consider ( hat the transference of a cruelty from one section of the human family to another can be otherwise than a crying injustice , now , happily , terminated .

Therefore , while I consider thnt the limits of Noah's curse may be defined as applying sold ) to tho Can . iauitish tribes , and were , construed into a Divine sanction for lhe conquest of the land afterwards to become the Holy land ( and so it is argued by the

excellent Jewish translator of the Old Testament , M . P . Cahew ) , I trust that Freemasons will now take to themselves the words of Paul to Philemon , and everywhere receive the unjustly enslaved , " for ever ; not . now as a slave , but above , a slave , a brother beloved . " CRYPTON OIL'S .