The Freemasons In Limerick.

might question the accuracy of the statement that the project owes its origin exclusively to the Freemasons , but there is no necessity for entering into it . The fact of an entertainment being given within the walls of a Masonic Hall , to which all creeds and classes are invited , is quite

sufficient to call forth ecclesiastical censure . Notwithstand ' ng the cool reception which the announcement of the entertainment has met with at the hands of the Roman Catholic clergy , we bdieve it will prove a splendid success , so far as

numbers and respectability are concerned , several Roman Catholic ladies and gentlemen having expressed their determination to attend , notwithstanding the threat of excommunication . —Limerick Chronicle .

The Origin And History Of Freemasonry.

THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY .

x \\ response to a cordial invitation , a large number of ladies and gentlemen assembled last evening in the Masonic Chambers , Place d'Armes , to listen to a lecture on " The Origin and History of Freemasonry , '' by the Rev . E . M .

Myers , of St . Constant-street Synagogue . Shortly after eight , the chairman . Bro . T . White , D . G . M . of the Grand Lodge of Canada , Dr . Bernard , P . G . M ., and the rev . lecturer , entered from the ante-room , and took seats on the dais . Each was

arrayed in appropriate regalia , and looked gorgeous enough to grace a glass case . After a brief pause , the choir of the St . Lawrence Lodge struck up a Masonic song set to a

wellknown air . The accompaniment was furnished by an harmonium . At the conclusion , the chairman introduced the lecturer , and took the opportunity to tell the audience that the real object of Masonry was to do good .

The Rev . Mr . Myers then began his lecture , or , as he termed it , his address . What he had to say was merely a record of facts which he had gathered from various reliable works . The object of the lecture was to correct any wrong

opinions which might be entertained on the subject . Some were willing to believe that it was a myth , and had only in view outside aims and purposes ; others , that it was simply a club organised for good-fellowship and enjoyment .

Its designs certainly included these latterobjects , but it had also far higher grounds and aims , the chief of which was to make men honourable and virtuous . If some did not improve under the guidance of its principles , that was no reason

why the whole Order should be condemned . As well might they blame the whole world for the badness of some . Freemasonry itself aimed at all that was sublime and beautiful . Of its origin there were different theories Some

considered it coeval with creation ; others , that it had its rise in certain ancient political jinnies . It was , undoubtedly , very ancient , as Dr . Oliver proved by the resemblance of its rites to the old mysteries of Egypt and Greece . He would not

attempt to prove it of antediluvian origin , but he might say that , soon after the deluge , the sons of Noah , the father of mankind , separated for the purpose of colonising the earth , carrying with them the religious truths which their sire had

taught them . Those truths , though corrupted in the instance of Nimrod , were afterwards spread abroad over the earth by colonisation . Here the rev . gentleman gave an account of the theoretical or speculative and operative Masonry ol

the Egyptians , who paid great attention to the building of temples . To keep their knowledge amongst themselves they had instituted symbols The priests soon succeeded in gaining admission to their Order , and added to its lore their own

philosophy and mythology . The ordeal necessary for entrance was a severe one , including all possible horrors of mind and body , and many were unable to pass through it . It was carried to Greece by Cecrops , Cadmus , and Daiuus .

Tri ptolemus , having come to Egypt , wshe I to enter the mysteries of Isis . was unable , and his penalty was never to see the light , but the priests took pity on him , and he was initiated . He returned to Greece , and founded the Eleusiaian Mysteries , which were sacred to Ceres . The

The Origin And History Of Freemasonry.

Dionysian mysteries , which had reference to Bacchus , were practised through a great part of Asia . The initiated in them built superb edifices , wore jewels , and had signs and symbols . They had brought from Persia the style of architecture known as Grecian . He now came to consider

the Freemasonry of the Hebrews . If the heathen nations excelled in operative , . the Hebrews were advanced in speculative , Masonry , and to them modern Masons were greatly indebted . The attempted sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham was the first great offering . God had

levealed to Moses his name , Jehovah , and the model of the Tabernacle . Joshua took from him the command of the Order , and after long years David thought of building a Temple ; but , as he had been a man of war , the sacred duty was reserved for his son , Solomon . The result

of David s repentance for the sin of taking the census was the second grand offering , which the Freemasons of to-day celebrate . In the building of the Temple , Solomon was assisted by Hiram , King of Tyre , who sent him timber and stone and ski'led workmen , members of the Order of which he was Grand Master . The lecturer then

gave an interesting account of the system observed and the persons employed in the great work of raising the Temple to Jehovah , which was begun in 1012 , and finished 1005 , u . c . The next year it was dedicated to the true and living God , and the third grand offering took

place . A certain loss 111 connection with the Temple had an important relation to modern Masonry , which dated from that time . Then came the King ' s death , the revolt of the ten tribes , God's anger , the idolatrous worship of Teamuz , or Adonis , and the carrying away into

captivity ( n c . 666 ) . Among those who sought instruction in the Jewish Masonry were Thalcs , of Milttus , and Pythagoras , the latter of whom , having visited Daniel in Babylon , carried back his gathered knowledge to Simos , and finally settled and taught in Crotona , a city of Magna

Gracia . Under Cyrus , the Jews had permission to return , and the second Temple was begun under Zerubbabel and Joshua . But the work was interrupted , only to be resumed and completed in the days of Haggai and Zachariah , under Kins * Darius . After this , not much was

known of the Order . It was said that Augustine and his forty monks knew the arts of Masonry , and that under them the Cathedral of Canterbury was built in the year 600 , and others subsequently . Alfred the Great was a Freemason , so were St . Benoit and St . Sivithin , and Archbishop Dunston . The lecturer here alluded to

the creation and objects of the Knights Templar , and sketched the progress of Masonry to the present day . He bore testimony to its nobleness of purpose , and quoted several of its fundamental principles , which , if acted upon , certainly must make a Freemason the embodiment of goodness .

Votes of thanks to the lecturer , the chairman , and the choir were then proposed and , ot course , unanimously adopted . Between the speeches the choir favoured the audience with songs . A stave of the National Anthem concluded the proceedings . — The Evening Star , Montreal , Canada , Nov . 30 , 1871 .

BRO . W . J . HUGHAX , of Truro , Cornwall , will be very glad to hear from any brethren who possess , or know of , minutes of lodges , or copies of MS . Constitutions , of an older

date than A . D . 1720 . Our well-known and highly-esteemed Brother is now engaged in preparing another work for the press , which we believe will pay especial attention to the

MS . Constitutions of the Freemasons , and has in his possession several copies of these ancient and valuable documents , which he will publish for the first time . He is

particularly anxious to have every information obtainable with respect to these manuscripts in the possession of lodges and brethren , as soon as possible .

Masonic Ball At Warrington.

MASONIC BALL AT WARRINGTON .

On Thursday evening , sSth ult ., a grand Masonic Ball was held in the Assembl y Rooms , Lion Hotel . The room had been vtry tastefully decorated for the occasion by Mr . Benjamin Hutchinson , assisted by Bros . Potter , Curry , and Hannah . On the stairs were

arranged a number of choice plants , which had been lent for the purpose by Bro . Thomas Pierpoint , Bridge-street . At the upper end of the room was a centre-piece composed of the banners and shields of the Royal Arch Chapter , the centre banner being that of the Lodge of Lights .

To the left of the centre-piece were three sceptres of the Royal Arch arranged as a star , and on the opposite side the swords ( crossed ) of the Outer and Inner Guard . Under the centrepiece were placed a number of choice ferns which had been kindly lent for the occasion by

Col . Patten , and on each side of these , several spiral plants lent by Mr . Hutchinson . On the sides of the room were placed double triangles worked in evergreens . The orchestra was suitably adorned with wreaths and festoons , the Prince of Wale :. ' Feathers being in the centre .

Over one fire-place was a painting of Lltei water , in Westmoreland , the work of Bro Charles Pettitt , which had been presented to Lod ge No . 148 , by Bro . Gilbert Greenall . Over the other was a fine copy of a fresco b y Raphael , in the Vatican , which as it had been executed bv a

young artist , who received his education at the Warrington School of Art deserves some further notice . The work was done by Raphael for Pope Julius II ., and represents "The expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple at Jerusalem . " Heliodorus had been sent by kiiv

Seleucus to bring away certain sums of money which he had previously given , but which he had been misinformed by r . n intriguer , were not appropriated to the purpose for which they had been given . Heliodorus was taking the money out of the Temple against the earnest entreaties

of the High Priest and the people , and to the right of the picture he is represented as swooning under the terrible chastisement inflicted by the angels , who scourge him , and the visionary warrior whose horse tramples him fiercely with his forefeet . The golden vase has fallen ' from

his h . md , from which the coin is scattered on the ground . In the centre of the picture are the sacred vessels and the seven-branched candlestick , and kneeling at the altar is Onias , the High Priest , offering up thanks to God for having so wonderfully delivered the Temple

from the hands of the spoiler . The Hol y of Holies is screened by the veil of the Temple . Immediately to the left of the Lligh Priest are a number of Levites engaged in conversation . Some of the people to the left are represented as praying , whilst others who have seen the

overthrow of Heliodorus , are expressing their feelings of thankfulness . On the extreme left Pope Julius is introduced , borne on a chair into the Temple I Two of the men who bare him are portraits of Julio Romano and Francesco Penni , who where Raphael ' s chief pupils at the

the time the original was painted . This copy has been executed in a manner which speaks well for his future fame , by Mr . William Jenkin , a former pupil at the Warrington School of Art , ' who has been for thirteen months studying in Rome , during which time this work was completed .

The following is as complete a list as we could procure of those present at the ball . The brethren appeared in full dress of the Craft , wearing the jewels and insignia of their rank and office : —The Worshi pful the Mayor of Warrington , and Mrs . Da vies ; R . W . Bro .

Gilbert Greeenall , Past Senior Grand Warden of England , and Mrs . Greenall ; W . Pro . John Bowes , Past Provincial Grand Registrar , Cumberland and Westmoreland ; Bro . John Pierpoint , Mrs . Pierpoint , and the Misses

Pierpoint ; Bro . W . Woods , W . M . 1250 , Mrs . Woods , the Misses Woods , and Mr . Harry Woods ; Bro . W . Richardson , P . M . 14 S , Mrs . Richardson , and the Misses Richardson ; Bro . Percival Pearse ; Bro . W . Oakden , Mrs . Oakden , and the Misses Oakden ; Bro . W . Savage ,