Religious Aspects Of Freemasonry.

m many respects in their new garb they are quite the opposite to the originals . These charges by the Rev . Dr . Anderson have never been surpassed for simplicity , beauty , and universality by any

ritualmakers since , and deserve to be held in high esteem by the Craft now , as in the past . But we are certain that the same liberal spirit did not actuate the members of the lodges , nor did the brethren who

added to our ceremonies after the Revival dispense with the Christian references in the ceremonies of the Craft . Much of the old rituals were quite unsuitable to be worked before or by any but Christians , and the

earliest rituals are palpably Christian . The ancient Sloane MS . 3329 , f . 142 , declares " He yt was caryed to ye highest pinnicall of the temple of Jerusalem " to be greater than

a Freemason . " The Holy Chapell of St . John " is mentioned , and the asseveration " So help you God , and by the contents of this book " concludes the MS .

But we need not particularize on this head , as all conversant with the rituals of Freemasonry during the last century will be aware of their Christian tendency . Since the "Union of A . D . 1 S 13 " a more

general arrangement of the rituals has taken place , and the members of the Fraternity of the present day are alive to the claims of the Institution as respects its universality . Indeed , unless as an

unsectarian Society , it could not possibly succeed in its exalted mission , and hence we strongly believe in the friends of the Order who endeavoured to so alter the ceremonial parts of the reception of candidates as to permit

of " Jews , Turks , and Christians" being admitted on an equitable equality , and in the most fraternal spirit . Even now , however , the observant Mason can detect references which certainly may be traced to

Christianity ; and we hope no religionist will complain if such suits not his views , as it is wholly impossible to utterly obliterate Christian and Jewish explanations in the rituals , without creating an entirely new

, . institution . As Christians , wc now hold out the right hand of fellowship to men of all religions and creeds who believe in God , the Creator of the Universe , and in future rewards and punishments , and are glad to

see them joining the Masonic Order , if otherwise worthy . On this broad basis wc think we shall be excused in maintaining that Freemasonry had a Christian origin , and still perpetuates the evidences of such

a birth , although to promote " Peace on earth and goodwill towards men , " its votaries are now content by simply acknowledging tlvjse facts , and recognise beyond all sectarian differences and

bickerings that , in the liberal and universal sense in which our ceremonies must be understood , all religionists are eligible for admission into our Order if they believe in God and practise thc sacred duties of morality .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The regular monthly meeting of the General Committee of this Inslution was held on Thursday , December 29 th , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . J . A . Rucker , V . P ., in tlie chair , Bros . Major Creaton W . Young , Frederick Walters , Edward Cox , Geo . Cox , J . R . Sheen , W . Farnfield , H . Massey , Samuel Noble , and E . II . Patten ( Secretary ) , were also present .

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and unanimously confirmed . The cases of eight candidates for election were considered ; one withdrew , one stood over , and , finally , six were added to the list for next April , which closed at twenty-m . - . . candidates . There will be vacancies in the institution for six pupils on that election .

Encyclopedia Metropolitana.

ENCYCLOPEDIA METROPOLITANA .

By BRO . C . G . FORSYTH . ( Continued from page 685 , vol . 3 . ) Col . Todd mentions its existence on large blocks of the walls at Mundore , and on some ancient medals in his possession , dug up at Oogein , containing tlie symbols of the

twentyfour zain . apostles . ( They occur also in many of our own Gothic buildings , as , for instance , in the Abbey Gate at Bury St .. Edmunds , erected about 1377 . ) In a representation of Diana of Ephesus joined with Isis and Seraphis , it appears over the right shoulder of Seranhis ; it is

afterwards found with many other Masonic emblems among the Templars . Many of the ancient statues of the heathen divinities discovered in Egypt , Greece , Persia , and Hindustan , also in America , are decorated with superb aprons and the Levitical priesthood , we are informed ,

wore girdles or aprons composed of the three colours , blue , crimson , and purple ; but the Freemason may find a . more recent -and more probable origin for their decorated vesture in the leathern aprons of their operative brethren . The Egyptian mysteries were among the most

celebrated * the priests , especially at Memphis and Heliopolis , were noted for their ¦ learning . In consequence of their repute , many philosophers and persons of rank from all nations sought to be initiated , and afterwards introduced some of the peculiar rites into their own countries . Thus

Lycurgus , Solon , Pythagoras , and others , intermingled them with their own doctrines . Even Moses is said to have been initiated , and to have applied in the worship of the true God such forms as he thought might be useful for the conduct of the Levites , establishing at the same

tune certain proofs in order to keep them more distinct from the rest of the people , which proofs are supposed to have existed undivulged until the time of King Solomon , and , indeed , until the troubles of tlie Jews commenced , when they became partly known to ihe conquerors . Anion "

tlie Druids , tlie priesthood of the Celtic nation , we find similar rites , secret probations and obligations to secrecy , with hidden doctrines similar to those of the Magi , tlie Gymnosophists , the Brahmins , the Chaldroans . and the priests of

Egypt . The same may he traced 111 the rites of Vitzliputzli in Mexico , and Pacha Camai in Peru . From Egypt the religious mysteries would naturally travel to Greece with the earliest colonisers , or would soon follow them . The celebrated

mysteries established at Eleusis in great splendour in the reign of Erichthonius , the year n . c . 1 5 , are better known tons than any other , in consequence of the numerous allusions to them in different old writings . They were afterwards carried to Rome , where they flourished until

suppressed by llieodosius the Great 111 the beginning of the fifth century ; but so popular were they even after that time , that traces of them were to he discovered . In all cases , tlie candidate had to undergo severe and lengthened trials , sometimes even death ensued . At the

commencement of his probation , he was purified by ablution , and admonished to lead a new life , founded on the strictest rules of virtue . He was led in darkness through winding avenues , with gloomy recesses , and startled at every step by terrific noises—the bowlings of wild beasts ,

the hissing of serpents , and other strange cries . His resolution was put to the proof by the infliction of bodily suffering . According to Tertullian , a drawn sword was opposed to him on his entrance into the Mylhriac cavern , from which he occasionally received wounds—his

progress was fearful , through night and darkness . Voices heard , now whispering , now bursting into thunder . Intennitent Hashes of tremulous light exposed to his affrighted view scowling faces and terrible spectres ; sounds of grief and lamentation for thc departed God were heard , and as the time of probation ( which was

sometimes protracted at intervals for many days ) drew lo a close , the severity of his trials increased . The earth quaked beneath his feet , and he was left apparently suspended over an abyss . Sometimes lie underwent a symbolical death in a bed or coffin , and after a certain lime was raised therefrom lo participate in their

Encyclopedia Metropolitana.

mysteries . Arrived at the confines of death , the candidate was hurried rapidly through the trial of the four elements . At length , when just exhausted , he received the reward of his courage and perseverance ; his persecutions ceased , soft sounds with melodious symphonies were

heard , and the gloom of night gradually dispersing , fair groves and flowery plains were disclosed to view . The gates of the inmost sanctuary were opened to him ; he was admitted to the sight of celestial beauty in all the dazzling splendour of its perfection , and beheld

the sun shine with meridian lustre , even in the middle of the night . He was crowned and clothed with a white garment , various symbols were explained to him , and he was finally declared to be born again and made perfect , and dismissed with the formula—Konx

Omphax . These words formerly considered inexplicable are now ascertained to he Sanscrit , and are still used by the Brahmins at the conclusion of their religious ceremonies , they should be expressed Kamska Om Paksha . The first is the most ardent vows , Om is the mysterious name of the Deity , Paksha means

change , turn , vicissitude , & c . Though it appears to have been used in the sense of silence , whence the word Pax ( Latin ); Paix ( French ) , used with the same significance . The entrance of the candidate through intricate passages and through darkness , was emblematical of the wanderings of the soul through the mazes of vice and error before initiation .

I he noises and spectres surrounding him typified the various diseases , calamities and evil passions incident to that mental bondage from which he was about to be emancipated , and exemplified the punishment of the guilty in a future state . His admission into the full splendour of the

rites and the dispersion of the shades of night before the brilliant sun of the mysteries , represented the dispersion of the clouds of mental error before the sun of truth . The foregoing description of initiation has chiefly reference to the Elusianian mysteries of which we have fuller

accounts extant than of any other , but wherever we have records of , or allusions to others , we find the same similarity . The Pyramids with many celebrated caves , as that of Trophonosius have been considered as the scenes of initiation ; and there is said to have been a large cave at Eleusis , but frequently the necessary apparatus

and chambers were attached to and perhaps underneath the Temples , the severest penalties were denounced against a breach of the obligations to secrecy , and Ovid is thought by some to have been banished upon mere suspicion ol having encroached too much upon the Elusinian secret in the fiteenth book of his "

Metamorphosis . In many of the religious ceremonies , the initiated were finally entrusted with a mysterious word having reference to the Supreme Being or Omnipotence . The Egyptian word was On ; that of the Hindoos Om , comnressed from the Arilateral word Aum ,

representing the creating , preserving , and destroying powers of the Deity , and typifying therefore the Indian trinity . Brahma , Vishnu aud Siva . The Chinese , Japanese and Ceylonese , who practised Budhism used thc word O-Mi-To-Fo to signify Omnipotence . The sacred term of the

Thibetians was Om-ha , hum the Druids , the sacred name in a manner known only to themselves , but used the letters 0 . J . W . The mysterious name of some of the North American Indians is curious from its similarity to that of the Jews . They call their supreme god

Ishtolioollo , hut they have also a tetragammaton never used in common speech , compounded of four notes and confined to their most sacred ceremonies . It consists of the syllables Ya , O , He , Wall , thus composing the word Yo-he-wah . The veneration with which the Pagans made use of the name of the Deity should be an instructive

lesson lo those who daily abuse it . Ear from being introduced into general discourse it _ was considered a subject for devout and private meditation . Cicero says they did not dare to mention the names of their gods , and Lucan states that but to name the Name would shake thc earth . The Jews believed that the true pronunciation and import of the sacred tetra-