Masonic Mysteries.

MASONIC MYSTERIES .

The following letter , which on the principle of audi alteram partem we print , appeared in the Morning Advertiser a few days ago * . — { To the Editor . ) "Sir , —It will be in the recollection of those who take an interest in Freemasonry that , on the

occasion of the installation of the Grand Master of Nottingham , he said , ' It is my determination to go deeper into the mysteries of the Craft ; ' and iu another part of the speech he said , ' There are many people now-a-days , I regret to state , who taunt us about being a secret society , and that being

the case , that we may have evil secrets . It is , therefore , our bounden duty to show them by our outward actions that there never was a baser libel iijjon us . . Our secrets are founded upon the purest principles of reli gion . ' "Now , sir , without meaning the slightest offence

to the Craft , I beg leave to remark that it seems very strange that men professing to act ou thc true principles of religion , brotherly love , and universal benevolence , should think a system of secrecy necessary for the accomplishment of their laudable designs , because it is positively antagonistic to the

spirit of benevolence to keep a secret from mankind the publication of which would diffuse any sort of good among our fellow-creatures . " -A true philanthropist making a discovery of anything for the good of the people , would not think of turning it to account by imparting the secret only

to those who paid him a fee for permission to make a vow that they would not disclose it , but he would generously give . it to the world for the world ' s benefit ; and if the Masons' secret is good for anything they ought to do the same ; if it is not , they should not take oaths on trivial matters , as religion

strictly prohibits swearing execjit when oaths are required by legal authority ; so that , in reality , in this respect , itis opposed to the priucij ) les of religion . " If the Masons were to keep the whole of their proceedings secret , and not allow them to be published in the daily newsjiapers , they would perhaps

be entitled to jiass without observation ; but when we see--day alter day , their banquets and their speeches set forth in the public Press , they become popular topics , aud challenge criticism like other subjects iuthe newsjiapers ; at least I suppose that Freemasonry is not screened from national

controversy ; if it is , it argues that there is but little reason to be advanced in supjiort of it , for it cannot be denied that the day is gone by for mystic symbols and silly incantations , which , like the Cock-lane ghostandspirit-rapping , are only worth remembering for their glaring absurdity .

" But the Masons , judging from what we read , not only revel in ' mysteries , ' but claim a sort of confederate monopoly in universal benevolence , although at the same time we know that in all cases they give a decided preference to a brother Mason , which is certviuly a very one-sided sort of universal

benevolence , because any one not a Mason , with a shilling to sjiare , meeting two poor hungry creatures , would give them sixpeuce a jiiece . A free and aceejited Mason meeting twojiersons under similar circumstances , one of whom being of the craft , and able to givo the sign , would receive ninepenee , and tho

other equally distressed , and may be the more deserving of the two , would only get threepence ; and he would be bound to act thus , as a brother must have a preference . " As I said before , if they kept their rules and regulations to themselves , the non-masonic jx-rtion

of mankind would have no manner of right to animadvert on the proceeding ; but as they are jiresented to the jrablic in print , they can have no just cause to complain if those who object to secret associations as being at variance with the enlightened spirit of tlie age , deprecate a system of

' mysteries ; ' ancl when we road of the Almi ghty described as 'The Great Architect of the Universe , ' we , as rational men , denounce the application of a mechanical title to the Deity , as if his works wero produced by the line and rule of human labour . It is presumptuous . "As long as men please to unite in societies for

mutual benefit or amusement , which in no way interferes with the jirogress of reason and common sense of the nation , so long may they claim exemjition from all interference ; for example , ' The Foresters , ' 'The Odd Fellows , ' and many others , not forgetting a very numerous body known as ' The

Society of Antediluvian Buffaloes ; ' and the members consider themselves buffaloes , and are addressed as such from the hour of their installation . The princijial of the herd is styled ' Prime . ' This is merely mentioned in order to show , as far as we know , no society , excepting the Masons , swear their

members to secrecy , which , as before remarked , is contrary to religion , law , and right " These few observations aro made solel y with the view of eliciting facts which may remove all unfavourable impressions concerning the Craft ; and I respectfully ask you , sir , as the editor of an impartial journal , to lace them within view of the public ,

Masonic Mysteries.

in order that , if right , their claims to consideration may be rationally discussed ; if wrong , their fallacies dispassionately exposed . " I am , Sir , vours , & c ., " June 9 , 1869 . " GEORGE ELLIS . "

Meeting Of The Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

MEETING OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT .

The preparatory meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent was held on Saturday afternoon , at the Albion Hotel , Ramsgate , on which occasion there was a large attendance of Freemasons from all parts of Kent , every district in the province being well represented . Lord Holmesdale , M . P .,

Provincial Grand Masterof Kent , presided , and ainongthose present were Bros . Dobson , Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Kent ; Thorpe , Provincial Grand Treasurer ; Wates , Provincial Grand Secretary ; Warne , Provincial Grand Assistant Secretary ; Patten , P . G . S . B ., Secretary to the Freemasons '

Girls' School ; Snowden , P . P . J . G . W . ; Twynian , P . G . S . B . ; Snow , P . P . G . S . W . ; Turtle ( W . M . 184 ) , Wvles ( W . M . 1050 ) , Bolts , P . P . A . D . C . ; Boys , P . D . G . P . M . ; Cramp ( W . M . 429 ) , Burfield ( W . M . 20 ) , Palmer ( W . M . 913 ) , Mackney ( W . M . 299 ) , Sheer ( W . M . 77 ) , Fleming ( AV . M . 15 S ) , Boys ( W . M .

127 ) , Kite ( W . M . 503 ) ,. Newsom ( W . M . 1223 ) , Paget , P . M ., P . G . O ., Watson ( 1050 ) , aud numerous other brethren . The Grand Secretary announced that the returns had been received fi-om the whole of the lodges in Kent , the aggregate number of subscribing members

in the province being 1350 ., The Grand Treasurer ' s accounts showed the available fund on the general account to be £ 377 13 s . 6 d ., and on the charity account £ 280 . On the motion of Bro . DOBSON * it was resolved unanimously to jiresent a donation oftweuty guineas

from each of the following lodges to the Freemasons ' Boys' School —namely , Faversham , Gravesend , Erith , and Canterbury . The two lodges having the highest number of subscribing members—Ramsgate and Gravesend—received each twenty guineas to be presented in their names to tho Freemasons' School

for Girls . The sum of £ 50 was also voted to the Old Men ' s Asylum for decayed Freemasons , and £ 20 from the Grand Lodge Funds to the Zetland Commemoration Fund . On the initiation of the Worshipful Master and Brethren of Lodge 184 , it was unanimously decided

to hold the Provincial Grand Meeting at Brompton , Chatham , on Wednesday , July 14 th , the London , Chatham , and Dover Railway Company promising to convey Freemasons attending the nieetingatsingle fares from anv station on their line .

At the close of the formal business of the day the brethren present partook of a sumptuous banquet , under the presidency of thc P . G . M ., who was supported by most of the Present aud Past Provincial Grand Officers , and the various Masters and Wardens of lodges .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the Week ending June 2 G , 18 G 9 . Monday , June 21 . Lodge No . 720 , " Vamvmre , " Halham Hotel , Ualham . „ 001 , "City of London , " Guildhall ColRc-housc . „ !) 07 , "Itoyal Albert , " Freemasons'Hall . „ 1201 , "Eclectic , " Freemasons' Hall .

Tuesday , June 22 . Lodge No . 180 , "Industrv , " Freemasons' Hall . „ 25 SI , " Prince of Wales , " Willis's Uooms , Kingstreet , St . James's . „ 115 S , "Southern Star , " MontpelicrTav ., W . ilworth . Metropolitan Chapter of Instruction , George Hotel , Aldermanbury at 7 ; Comp . Brett , Preceptor . Domatic Lodge of Instruction , l'almerstoii Tavern , Grosvcnorpark , Camberwell , at 7 . 30 .

Wednesday , June 23 . Lodge of Uencvolencc , Freemasons' Hall , 7 . Lodge No . 2 , "Antiquity , " Freemasons' Hall . „ 31 , "Mount Moriah , " Fieemnsons ' Hall . „ 507 , "St . Marks , Horns Tavern , Kennington .

„ 75-1 , "High Cross , " Kailway Hotel , Tottenham . R . A . Chap . 13 , " Union Waterloo , " Freemasons' Hall , William street , Woolwich . „ 820 , " Lily , " Greyhound ILL , liichnioiid , Surrey . Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction , No . 7 !> , Prince of Orange Tavern , Greenwich-road , at 8 .

Thursday , June 24 . General Committee , Girls' School , Freemasons' Hall , at 4 . Lodge No . GO , " Peace ami Harmony" London Tavern , Ilishopsgato-street . „ 05 , "Prosperity , " Guildhall Codec House . Gresham street . „ 700 , " William Preston , " Clarendon Htl ., Auerlev . „ 858 , "South Middlesex , " lleaufort House , North End , Fulham .

Friday , June 25 . [ Nil . ] Saturday , June 26 . Red + Conclave , No 0 , " Itoinan Eagle , " Anderton . Hotel , Fleet-street . Domatic Chapter of Instruction . Horns Tavern , Kennington , at 8 : Comp . Little , ! ' . _ ., Precentor ,

Masonry And Politics.

MASONRY AND POLITICS .

The enemies of the Masonic fraternity have ever tried to arouse popular prejudice against this timehonoured Institution , by raising the clamour of tha political demagogue , that , as a social organization , we are dangerous to government . This charge is Without foundation , as is evident from the past

history and present position of Masons in relation to the respective governments under which they live , the world over . Masons have never been a revolutionary peojile , and Masonry as a social institution , is Conservative in its teachings and ' its practices . It takes no position in jiolitics , and

prohibits the introduction of political questions into its discussions . It lias existed under every form of government known to history , and done its work for society peacefully , but successfully , under the administration of all the great political parties in Europe and America , It teaches obedience to the

laws , submission to authority , aud reverence for the usages of the past It is therefore impossible for an institution that teaches the practice of ' such social and jiolitical virtues to favor political revolutions and social outbreaks , that would disturb the peace of society or sap the foundation of government . It is

surprising how any rational or sane mind could credit for a moment , the base slander circulated by our tammies to awaken popular prejudice against us . Are Sot the husbands , brothers , fathers , sons , friends and nei ghbours of these individuals Masons ? Do they not all testify that there is nolhin _ in

either the teach lug or practice of Masonrvat war with our republican institutions , or that will in any way endanger our civil , politic . - : ! , and religious liberties ? We receive their testimony on all other subjects , nor can we constantly refuse to receive it when they positively affirm that such is the character of the

Masonic Institution . Besides , would it not be a strange phenomenon that Methodists and Bajitists , Presbyteriansand E piscopalians , Quakers and Catholics , Lutherans and Universalists , Democrats and Whigs , though they are opjiosed to each other on nearly all other subjects , should league together as

Masons to undermine our Rejmblican institutions and subvert our government ] No sane mind can believe this possible . It would be a social miracle . But if Masonry be opjiosed to our government , if its influence on society is calculated to endanger our liberties , how did it haj-pen that all the signers of

the Declaration of Independence and the framers of our Republican Constitution were Masons , but six : ? If Masonry be ojiposed to Rejmblican Government , how shall we account for the fact tha all the generals in the American army were Masons ? These facts should for ever silence objections to Masonry .

Really and truly , Masonry as a benevolent institution , has no political character , has no political purpose , and does not aim or try to exert any political influence . Her work is a higher and nobler work than that of the politician and statesman . —The Square and Compass , U . S . A .

THE TALLEST FUEKJIASON IN THE WOULD . — -An emergency meeting of the Lodge Clyde , No . 408 , was held within the Hall , 170 , Buchanan-street , Glasgow , on Thursday , 10 th inst . The lodge was opened by the R . W . M ., John Buchanan , assisted by Bros . William Lindsay , S . W ., Geoige Ferguson ,

acting J . W ., Robert Burns , Thomson Chaplain . Major Ole Andreas Hansen , of the United States army , a native of Norway , having passed the ballot , was initiated , and j-nssed the degree of F . C . ; anil on the lodge being raised , he was raised to the sublime degree of M . M . Tlie ceremony was very

imjiosingly and ably jierformed by Bro . Thomas M . Campbell , P . M ., Proxy Master , 48 !) ; Bro . James Wallace , P . M . 300 , Proxy Master 410 , acting Deacon . We believe Bro . Hansen is the tallest Freemason in the world , being nearly eight feet high , and thirty-three stone weight .

RAILWAYS . —No one can view with greater horror the desecration of the fine rustic scenery of our dear old England , than he whose hand has jieuned these jiages . I pit )' , from my inmost soul , that man or woman who possesses no healthy love for our heather-clad hills , our rural dales , and our pleasant

jilains , studded with comfortable farmsteads aud cosy cottages , with " green fields to the very back door ; " 1 have sickened at the sight of once-jileasant watercourses , where the clear rivulet erst wimpled , and thc troutlet disjiorted , now polluted with the stinking refuse of jirintworks , dvehouses , and

factories , and the waste of towns ; audi have sighed for the time when our great " hives of industry " shall possess a smokeless atmosjihere , and turn their sewerage to profitable account ; but I must confess , I like to see tho steam ascending from a railway train , as the swift locomotive glides onward , past

village and grange ; and I think our great poet , Wordsworth , was never much farther from tho mark than when ho wrote that well known sonnet denouncing tho introduction of a railway into the Lake districts . —The History of the Stockton and Darlington Railway , by Bito . GKOROK MARKHAM TWEDDELL , F . S . A . Scot , and Nowc , & c