The Canadian Difficulty

as heresy in the Grand Lodge of Quebecto the moderation and forbearance of other supreme Masonic jurisdictions . We confess that we have now little hope

of a peaceable or Masonic solution to this difficulty , for when the grave counsels of an Ahithophel are rejected in favour of the immature advice of a Hushai , the potency

of reason or logic in connection with the question appears somewhat problematical . One point , however , is now cleared up , and American Grand Lodges will not be slow

to appreciate its force . It is evident that the spirit of fraternity and true Masonry has departed from the Grand Lodge of

Canada . A great opportunity for good has been lost , and " Ichabod" may now be written upon her temples .

To our brethren in Quebec who simply assert their rights , and claim only that Masonic independence which is their due , we say : "Be of good cheer , the Fifteenth Annual

Communication of the Grand Lodge of Canada by no means represents the world of Masonry ; true men and Masons in both hemispheres are ready to extend to you

the right hand of fellowship , which the men of Ontario have so churlishly withheld . Continue to practise those Masonic virtues which will eventually secure you , not only

the respect and recognition of the Craft Universal , but will , we trust , enable all of us to attain to that temple of light where

the vain bickerings of man shall find no place , and where the ephemeral wrath of the foolish shall be heard no more . "

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

—?—SCOTCH MASONRY . If the writer of the interesting article signed "A Member of Lodge No . 251 " would forward me copies of the bye-laws of his lodge and chapter I shall be happy to reciprocate on being favoured with the address .

It is the first instance I have met with where fees in lodges under the Scottish Constitution are so high , and having some hundreds of byelaws under various Grand Bodies , I am

somewhat in the position to speak from knowledge of the subject , when stating that on the whole the fees under the Grand Lodge of Scotland are the lowest I know of .

Whilst agreeing with many of the remarks of the writer , it does seem to me , on the whole , proved from the experience of lodges generally , that a low cluirge for admission is most undesirable everywhere , and particularly so in Great Britain and Ireland , where Freemasonry is so

highly esteemed . In many lodges in Scotland I am told no annual dues are payable , and I know some where such actually is the case . In making these observations , I do so with the best of intentions , being both an English and a Scotch Freemason . W . J . HUGHAN .

THE BIBLE IN THE LODGE . Out of evil good may come ; thus if my remarks on this subject have been the cause of the fine lines at page 394 , headed "The First Great Light , " I shall have one consolation at least , even although I should have to withdraw

the latter portion of my former remarks at page 369 . As a Christian I gladly adhibit my signa"Uture to the resolve on page 394 . " Christian Freemasonry , " however , may be one thing , '' Universal Freemasonry " is another and as f take it , it is the latter that is shadowed forth " a the opening clause of the 1723 Constitutions .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

It was bad generalship of Bro . Paton at page 391 to say " among Mahommedan Masons the Koran might be substituted " that , at least , does not tell against me . And as to all knowing " that these landmarks can never be changed , "

I believe I know that they have been changed . However , I cannot go into this at present , and take up the space of THE FREEMASON , until my other matter is cleared off ; more especially as

Bro . Jesse Owen introduces certain remarks into his letter which will be best ' answered by what I have sent up contra Bro . Paton . W . P . BUCHAN .

JEWS IN THE MIDDLE AGES . The Aristotelian or Arabian philosophy continued to be communicated from Spain and Arabia to the rest of Europe chiefly by means of the Jews , particularly to France and Italy , which

were overrun with Jews about the 10 th and nth centuries . About these periods , not only the courts of the Mahommedan princes , but even that of the Pope himself , were filled with Jews . Here they principally gained an establishment

by the profession of physic , an art then but imperfectly known and practised in most parts of Europe . Being well versed in the Arabian tongue , from their communion with Africa and Egypt , they had studied the Arabian translations

of Galen and Hippocrates , which had become still more familiar to the great number of their brethren who resided in Spain . From this source also the Jews learned philosophy ; and Hebrew versions made about this period from

the Arabic of Aristotle , and the Greek physicians and mathematicians , are extant in some libraries . Here was a beneficial effect of the dispersion and vagabond condition ofthe Jews . I mean the diffusion of knowledge . One of the

most eminent of these learned Jews was Maimonides , a physician , philosopher , astrologer , and theologist , educated at Cordova under Averroes . He died about the year 1208 . Averroes , being accused of heretical opinions

was sentenced to live with the jfeios , m the street of the Jews at Cordova . Some of these learned Jews began to flourish in the Arabian schools in Spain as early as the beginning of the 9 th century . Many of the treatises of Averroes were

translated by the Spanish Jews into Hebrew , and the Latin pieces of that author now extant were so translated by the Spanish Jews into Hebrew verses . The school or University of Cordova has been already mentioned . Leo

Afncanus speaks of " Platea Biblithecarorum Cordonae . " This , from what follows , appears to be a street of books . It was in the time of Averroes , and about the year 1220 , that one of

our Jewish philosophers , having fallen in love , turned poet , and his verses were sold publicly in the street . My author says , that " renouncing the dignity of the Jewish doctor , he took to writing verses " :

Amore capitur et dignitate Doctorum Posthabitu coepit cdere carmina . — Warton Hist . English Poetry .

DIURNAL PROGRESS . The sun rises in the three stages of its diurnal progress , first in the east to open the day , and dispenses life and nourishment to the whole creation . This is well represented by the

Worshipful Master , who is placed in the east to open the lodge , and who imparts light , knowledge , and instruction to all under his direction . When it arrives at its greatest altitude in the south , where its beams are most piercing and the cool

shade most refreshing , it is then also well represented by the Junior Warden , who is placed in the south to observe its approach to meridian , and at the hour of noon to call the brethren from labour to refreshment . Still pursuing its

course to the west , the sun at length closes the day , and lulls all nature to repose ; it is then fitly represented by the Senior Warden , who is placed in the west to close the lodge by

command of the Worshipful Master , after having rendered to every one the just reward of his labour , thus enabling them to enjoy that repose which is the genuine fruit of honest industry . — Hemming .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

The following curious laws of the first Lodge of Perfection , held in the Northern States of America , will , I think , repay perusal . R . W . L .

LAWS AND REGULATIONS . As all well-regulated societies have certain rules and institutions for their better support and government , and as Free and Accepted Masons are bound in a more particular manner to practise the social and enforce the moral virtues , especially in the lodges ,

from Secret Master ( being the 4 th degree ) to the Ultimate Degree of Symbolic Masonry , called the Perfection or 14 th degree , constituted by the Right Worshipful and Thrice Puissant Henry Andrew Francken , Grand Elect Perfect and Sublime Mason , Knight of the East , Prince of Jerusalem , & c , & c ,

& c , Knight Kadosh , Patriarch Noachite , and Sovereign Knight of the Sun , & c , & c , & c , Deputy Grand Inspector-General of all Lodges of the Superior Degrees in North America and the West Indies , granted by patent under his hand and seal , bearing date , under the name of , the

persons hereafter subscribed their names , and members of the said above-named Lodge of Perfection , called , do assent to the following Laws and Regulations for their government , under

the penalties and fines hereafter mentioned , and that those fines shall be always paid into the box for the decoration of the said lodge , the relief of poor and indigent brethren , and other objects of real charity .

1 st . That this Lodge shall be kept every first and third Friday evening in every month , and as often as the Founder shall think proper , or the Master , in his absence , on acquainting the Founder of the necessity of such extraordinary meeting , who has power and authority to congregate the members

upon any emergency , as well as to determine the time of such extraordinary meeting . That the ordinary lodge hours shall be from half-past 5 till halfpast 9 o ' clock from Michaelmas to Lady-day , and from 7 to 10 from Lady-day to Michaelmas . and . That the Master shall be appointed by the

Founder of this lodge , by an instrument in writing under his hand and seal , and the rest of the officers on the first meeting of this lodge ; and that on every St . John the Evangelist ' s Day , or the 27 th December , the Master shall be appointed for the succeeding year , by said Founder , under his hand and seal , if

in the province , and in his absence by a majority of the members of the said lodge , and the other officers by the appointment of the said Master ; and after any of the officers so chosen that have served one year shall not be obliged to serve again , unless they agree to it , and that by thc unanimous request

of the members . 3 rd . At every St . John ' s Day , when the Master is appointed and he has nominated his Wardens and officers as aforesaid and vested with their proper badges of office , he is to give them a suitable charge how to act in their proper stations .

4 th . That if the Master appointed as aforesaid should refuse to serve , he shall immediately pay Forty Shillings , and each of the other Officers Twenty Shillings , into the charity fund ; and after the first election no member shall be deemed capable of acting , otherwise than by regularly serving first as Master of Ceremonies , then Secretary or Treasurer .

then as Warden , and lastly as Master of this lodge , unless it be by appointment of the Founder under his hand and seal . 5 th . The Secretary of this lodge shall enter properly in a book for that purpose all orders and mandates which shall be sent from time to time by the Founder or the Grand Council of Princes of

Jerusalem in this province , if any constituted for that purpose , in which said Founder is always to preside , and in his absence his Deputy or Surrogate by him appointed . 6 th . Whenever the Founder comes into the lodge he is entitled to the chair , which he may chuse or refuse , and in case of death , sickness or absence of

the Master , then the Senior Warden shall officiate pro tempore , and so in other absences , according to the seniority of the officers . 7 th . That thc Wardens shall do all in their power to aid and assist the Master in the execution of his office , as well as to inform him and thc lodge

of anything that may tend to the advantage of th <* Society , together with every matter that may tend to the advantage of the Society , or that may be in violation of their laws , in order to sec thc penalties incurred and received , and likewise to see that tke attending brethren are not mere idle spectators , but

to assist , so as to make themselves , in due time , expert workmen . Sth . That the Treasurer shall give receipts to the Secretary for all thc money he receives from him , and take receipts for all tlie said disbursements

made on account of the lodge , which must be produced to the Master at the time of delivering in the accounts . That the Treasurer at no time take upon him to pay any money but by virtue of a written order from the Master given in open lodge .