Random Notes On Freemasonry.

know that you will admit that Orange Lodges were founded by Freemasons , and bear a certain Masonic character . Indeed I am told that there are traces of the second degree in both , but I

think it is a pity that these societies should imitate our titles , and usurp our dignities . The Orangemen particularly , haze formed Lodges of Black Knights , and the Temperance people , an

Order of Good Templars , which are only stupid imitations of our Knight Templar degree . They say that imitation is the sincerest flattery , and so we must not quarrel with our neig hbours , for

testifying to our worth . One word more and I have done , I want to remind you , brethren , of your privileges and obligations . Whilst I would strongly insist upon the

declaration that the candidate for initiation into our mysteries , is unbiassed by any mercenary or other unworthy motive , and whilst one cannot help regretting that many have sought for admission

within our portals simply for what they could get out of Masonry . Still I will say that we ought all of us to serve our brother first , and the world outside afterwards . I am a great

advocate for the " clannishness " of Masonry . If I am in a town where there are are half-a-dozen tradesmen or professional men , whose assistance I required , and one was a Mason , and another

was not , I would go to the Mason , as to a friend , in preference to him who was not one of us , for all I wanted . And this , I think we ought to do , serve our brother first , and then

our neighbour or friend afterwards . I think we are often too careless as to those whom we admit to our Order . A whole article mi ght be written on the right use of the ballot in

excluding unworthy persons from thc benefit of the Order . The importance of this has bcen recognised recently in the Grand Conclave of Knights Templar , which has passed a wise and salutary

law , requiring the names of all candidates for admission to that distinguished Order , to be first submitted to the Provincial Grand Commander or his Deputy , without whose sanction no one

can be installed as a member of that chivalric body . The ballot is used too sparingly in our lodges , and men are admitted in this country ancl Scotland who would not be admitted elsewhere .

I strongl y recommend to the attention of the young Masonic Student , " The Kingston Masonic Annual , " from which I have alread y quoted , the first number of which came out in 1871 , with

Bro . Longstaff " as Editor , and * our learned Bro . Hughan as principal contributor . There is a very interesting article in it on the visit of a brother to a Prussian Lodge . He states that the

Prussian Lodges do not advance the brethren as quickly ns the lodges in England , a brother has to be an apprentice ( Lehrling ) for one year before he can be passed to the second degree , anel

must remain a Fellow Craft ( Geselle ) for two years before he can be raised to the sublime degreeof a MasterMason ; and all that time , three full years , the brother has no voice in the loelge , but

is simply there to learn . Bro . Stromer , the author of the article , adds , " this system may seem rather hard , and I think myself , should at least be somewhat modified , at the same time ,

we cannot but acknowledge that the German lodges teach their members something , and improve , or at least endeavour to improve , the minds ofthe brethren by lectures , & c . "

Random Notes On Freemasonry.

The Editor in an article , " Freemasonry and its Rites , " says , " In Great Britain and America men are admitted into the Order far too

indiscriminately , without due inquiry into their character . The fact of being a Mason should be a passport anywhere , as a just ancl upright man . Would it were so ! With less

attention paid to mere ritual , and more instruction in the objects of the Society , we may hope for better things . The formation of the Archaeolog ical Institute is a step in the right direction .

Every lodge should be , not as is now too often the case , only a manufactory of Masons , but an assembly of brethren met together to expatiate on the mysteries of the Craft , and mutually to

improve their minds . " Another matter is the election of W . M . Masters of lodges should be men of some position and character . I cannot too strongly insist upon this . The disgust

which many intellectual men have felt towards the Craft has often arisen from the impotence and low position of its rulers . A man who would be scouted if he offered himself for any

public office on the ground of incapacity is thought good good enough for the government of a lodge . The remedy is in the hands of Masons themselves , and with them rests the

blame when improper persons intrude themselves into office . We should be careful also , not to be too ready to exhibit ourselves to strangers as

Freemasons . Many people now-a-day ' s go about with Alasonic rings and pin * , who are not of us , and lead the unwary to speak of matters which should onlv be mentioned within

a tiled lodge . Remember that the simplicity of Masonry and Masonic signs , whilst it constitutes one of the greatest charms , also renders the young Mason liable to be imposed upon .

Remember that a very small portion of Masonry is learnt in the lodge . One must diligently read the Masonic publications , particularly such ably conducted papers as the Freemason , to know

anything of the progress ot Masonry—and one must not forget that we sought initiation from a desire for knowledge—and to render ourselves m ' ore extensivel y serviceable to our fellow

creatures . Finally , brethren , remember that what we first asked for , and what were Goethe ' s last words , " Light ! more Light ! " I beg to thank you for your kind attention to my poor attempt

at a lecture . It is given with a view to make you more curious about , and more interested in our great institution , and if I have succeeded in suggesting one thought , which may bear fruit anel benefit our noble Oreler , I am amply repaid .

I IOI . I . OWAY ' Pn . i . s . —The business of life of late years has become so intricate and contentious that without good health , success is impossible . Epidemic diseases , both infectious * and contagious , through negligence , cause woful devastation . The alarming increase of deaths fiom ( ever and diarrhti ' a should be al warning to every one to subdue at once any irregularity tending towards disease .

HoIIoway ' s Pills should now be in every household , to rectify all impure states of the blood , to remedy weakness , and tc overcome impaired general health . Nothing can be simpler than the instructions for taking tliis conectUc medicine , nothing more efficient than its cleansing powers , nothing more harmless than its vegetable ingredients . HoIIoway ' s is the best physic duiing the summer season . — AOVT .

"I was suffering greatly a few weeks ago from severe pains about the kidneys and excessive weakness in the back , accompanied with a nauseous sickness , and liad been confined to my bed some weeks , when a friend who had long known and experienced great benefit from the use of your Vegetable Pain Miller biought me a bottle of it , which I used wilh the most favourable results . —ASuiu-RF . rrs , Wmiihiilr , Aierdccn , Oct ., 1867 . — 'Fo P . Davis & : Son , London , W . C . "

Footsteps Of Freemasonry;

FOOTSTEPS OF FREEMASONRY ;

OR , FREEMASONRY IN RELATION TO AUTHENTIC HISTORY . By W . VISER BEDOLFE , M . D ., J . D . 1322 . Hon . Sec , Sphynx Lodge of Instruction .

( Continued from page 306 . J In the last chapter we arrived at , ancl treated of the third degree , which we may readily perceive divides itself into three parts . ist . The ancient part already treated of . 2 nd . The philosophic portion .

3 rd . The traditional portion . Whatever division of opinion may exist as to the epoch of 1723 , none exists that those respected restorers of our ancient Craft , did act upon certain traditions , ft has been our business to trace these traditions to their source .

As has been already observed , the three degrees resembled eich other up to a certain point . In the second portion of the third degree however , a new idea commences , a spiritual element is developed , and it becomes not purely pagan , not simply philosophical , not Christian , and yet

each faith may with curious eye see its own reflected therein . The peculiar sign of the third degree being in common use among the Romans ( as shown by their writings , ) certainly from the time of Horace to that of Aulus Gellius , or from

Augustus to Adrian , the period to which we might with propriety refer this change , would be about that epoch when Christianity arose . It was at this wonderful period , and in the midst of the fri ghtful calamities that the ambition and rapacity of the Romans let loose upon the earth , both in their foreign and civil wars , that

the movement inaugurated by the recent conquest of Greece shone strongly forth , and the fire of Grecian genius filled the world , as it has often done since with its glory . This was the age to which Augustus gave his name , and wdien a galaxy , never excelled , of men of genius arose , the idols of all time .

It was however also then that many , sickened by tlie misery ofthe times , retired and cultivated philosophy in peace . Others strove to revive , in the institutions which remained , the doctrines anel practices of their fathers , and in researches , like our own , nothing is more important than to apprehend clearly the characteristics of thought and feeling , which mark successive epochs .

I believe , therefore , we shall not be far out in supposing , that at this time the third degree received its peculiar philosophic character , that under the influence of Grecian ideas it raised its eyes from earth to heaven , and that the doctrine of death , and the rising again to earthly life , the

object of our third degree became formulated . So far , also , as I can learn , see , or critically know , we have no reason to suppose it to be a recent innovation , but on the contrary , there is intrinsic evidence , that it took its rise in that wonderful period to which we have just alluded .

We may now ask , what are the leading points to decide us ? They are , tlie glimmering light , and the rising star , as narrated in onr mysteries , ancl the only source to which we can attribute them tire the the Mysteries of Eleusis , which

about that time became revealed to philosophic research , and the Persian mysteries of Mithias . ( that is of the magic or wise men of the East , ) which hacl recently arrived at Alexandria , anel then spread their teachings through thc western world .

Of the mysteries of Eleusis , we may remark , that they were celebrated at a town of that name near Athens . The origin is lost in that remote antiquity , when nature was regarded as tiie almost transparent veil of the spiritual world . The story is this , Pluto , God of the inferior

regions , desiring a spouse , earned of Proserpine , daughter of Ceres , by force to Hades . His kindness soothed her fears , and as Claudian sings , she entered tlie Adamantine gates , and assumed her milder reign , with such weird pomp as Tartarus

alone could show . Ceveberus hushed , Radamanthus like Bovill rested from his labours , Tantalus assuaged his thirst , Ixion reposed by his weary wheel , and , Oh joy to Hell , the Cynic philosopher ( Conscience ) ceased f or the hour from his trade .