The Arcana Of Freemasonry.

THE ARCANA OF FREEMASONRY .

BY CIPES . The origin of Freemasonry is involved in the obscurity of great antiquity , an obscurity probably in great part also owing to the gradual growth and development of the system . We may safely hold that Freemasonry was not the invention of any one

who introduced it as a complete system at once ; it evidently appears to derive its present perfection from the growth of ages , and the contributions of many minds , the most intelligent , the noblest , purest , and most refined of their different ages and countries . That Freemasonry dates from the erection of the

Temple of Solomon is a factadmitted and acknowledged amongst Freemasons , and in a certain sense , this is true ; the system probably received a fuller development then , than it ever had before , but it must have existed before that time , or the Temple of Solomon could not have been built . And what shall we say of

the erection of the pyramids , and of the many other great buildings of antiquity ? These buildings could not have been erected without a knowledge ot many things not then commonly known in the world , not published in books , or taught in universities and schools as now ; laws of mathematics and of mechanics

which must have been carefully preserved and studied amongst the initiated , the members of a particular craft . The study of these laws demanded a high culture for the human mind , and is it not wonderful , therefore , that amongst members of the Masonic Craft were always many of the most scientific , the

most accomplished , and the most excellent men of their time ; nor is it wonderful that what is called Speculative Freemasonry , aiming at all that is high , pure , and good , grew up in connection with practical Masonry . For , except in the astronomical studies of the Chaldeans and others , which were often abused to

purposes of superstition , there was nothing in the early ages of the world so noble and elevating as the art of architecture ; nothing which necessarily involved so much of science , and required so much application of the intellectual faculties . That the moral powers should be cultivated along with the intellectual , may almost

be deemed a thing of natural consequence ; and it is the glory of Freemasonry , that they have been always cultivated together where its influence has prevailed . Freemasonry requires the devout acknowledgment of God as the Creator and Ruler of the Universe ; it requires also truth and honesty , with the utmost

benevolence towards men . The Freemason may be a Christian , or may be of another religion . A belief in God and in a judgment to come , is , however , necessary for admission into the Order . If a Freemason professes Christianity , as is usual in Christian countries , he is expected to live as a good

Christian . Anything contrary to his Christian profession is inconsistent with his Masonic obligations , and , indeed , Freemasonry as it exists in Christian countries , may be said to be founded on Christianity . It derives its highest sanction from the truths and principles of the Christian religion .

We may here quote a passage from Ashe ' s Masonic Manual , which is interesting in relation to this subject : " That the society of free and accepted Masons possess a grand secret among themselves is an undoubted fact . What this grand secret is , or of what unknown materials it consists , mankind in

general , not dignified with the Order , have made the most ridiculous suppositions . The ignorant form incohcrcncies , such us conferring with the devil , and many other contemptible surmises , too tedious to mention , and too dull to laugh at ; while the better sort , and more polished part of mankind puzzle

themselves with reflections more refined , though equally absurd . To dispel the opinionative mist from the eye of general error is the author ' s intention , and however rash the step may he thought , that he , a mere atom in the grand system , should attempt so difficult , so nice a task , yet he flatters himself that he shall not only get

clear over it , but meet with the united plaudits both of the public and his brethren . And he must beg leave to whisper to the ignorant as well as to the judicious who thus unwarrantably give their judgment , that the truth of this grand secret is as delicately nice as the elements of air ; though the nhenomenon

continually surrounds us , yet human sensation can never feelingly touch it , till constituted to the impression by the Masonic art . The principal , similar to the art oflight , universally warmsandenlightens t \\ cprinci plcs , the fact of which virtue , like the moon , is heavenly

chaste , attended by ten thousand star-bright qualifications . Tho Masonic system is perfectly the emblem of the astronomic ; it springs from the same God , partakes of the same originality , still flourishes in immortal youth , and but with nature will expire . "

The term freemasons may be explained as signifying the " Catholic community of free minds throughout the world , " the very term Freemason bears this universality of moral and spiritual

comprehension , and implies all that is generous and liberal , Love , benevolence towards men , founded upon piety and love to God , is one of the first principles of Freemasonry . Preston , a standard authority on Freemasonry , thus expresses himself on this subject

The Arcana Of Freemasonry.

" Besides all the pleasing prospects which everywhere surround us , and with which our senses are at every moment gratified ; besides the symmetry , good order and proportion , which appear in all the works of creation , something further attracts the reflecting mind and draws its attention nearer to the Divinity .

It is the universal harmony and affection that prevail among the different species of beings of every rank and denomination . When we extend our ideas we shall find that the innate principle of friendship increases in proportion to the exercise ot our intellectual faculties ; and the only criterion by which a

judgment can be formea respecting the superiority of one part of the animal creation above another , is by observing the degrees of kindness and good nature in which it excels . " " Masonry , " says a distinguished brother , " both in its moral and secular departments , awakens all the noblest faculties of the soul , pointing out its hi gh origin and destination , holding up

universal happiness as the crown of tne race set before us , and giving those faculties their full force and operation in cultivating the means of winning and wearing that crown . It not only points out the way to immortality , but furnishes the mind with the viands of refreshment on the wav that leads us to the

victory . In fine , Masonry tends to restore man to that semblance he in Eden fell from , and his complete dominion over all beneath the sun . Kor need we wonder at its being the glory of ancient and modern times , the only human institution that ever survived the shocks of ignorance and opposition ,

when we reflect that it is founded on the firm basis of reverence and love to the Supreme , loyalty to the powers that He bath set in authority over us , and good will to the whole human race . Freemasonry probably derives its origin from the Alibenium , or sons of God , mentioned in the book of

Genesis . The name Alibenium is derived from the Hebrew name of God , and from the word ken , which signifies both a son and a building . In Greece , the initiated called themselves Theopanphilists , from Theos , God ; Pan , all ; and Phileo , to love ; as those who believed in the universal exhibition of the divinity in characters of love . They also called themselves

Mesouranists , from mesos , middle ; and ouranos , heaven ; as those who considered God ' s throne as the centre of all being , as the sun is the centre and source of all light . Their science was denominated Lux , light or splendour , for they continually meditated on that light which enlightens the whole world . From these Mesouranists , the Freemasons first derived their

name . The Christian Freemason finds his highest model , and exemplar of all that is excellent in humanity , in the Divine Saviour himself . The Freemason who is not a Christian , cannot refuse to recognize the moral excellence of the character presented to his view , and

thus far all Freemasons must agree 'in seeking to imitate it . " Our Eternal Redeemer ' s human character , " says a brother in his writings more than thirty years ago , " which lends to revelation such vital and inspiring efficacy , was admirably well adtipted for such a universal model . It embraced in its might and

indefinable circumference , all those divinestand grandest elements of our nature , in which every heart participates and equally sympathizes ; it was placed in such a diversified variety of trying and hazardous positions , that all men find tiie essence of their own circumstances analogous to His ; and His discourses

have that profound and general , yet searching and individual interest , which so well became the celestial teacher of the human race . " We may well conclude with a quotation from Channing , " How is the character of Christ to be explained on the principles of human nature ? We are immediately struck with this

peculiarity in the author of Christianity , that while all other men are formed in a measure by the spirit of their age , we can discover in Jesus no impression of the period in which He lived . We know with considerable accuracy , the state ofsociety , the modes of thinking , the hopes and expectations of the country in which

Jesus was born and grew up ; and he is as free from them , and as exalted above them , as if he had lived in another world , with every sense shut on the objects around him . His character has in it nothing local or temporary ; it can be explained by no argument of

human experience . His history shows him to us as a solitary being , living for purposes which none but himself comprehends , and enjoying not so much as the sympathy of a single mind . " So is Freemasonry ; it is not local , but universal . ClfES .

HOLLOWAY s PILLS . —Indigestion , Stomach and Liver Complaints . —Persons suffering from any disorder of the liver , stomach or the organs of digestion , should have recourse to Ilolloway ' s Pills , as there is no medicine known that acts on these particular complaints with such certain success . lis peculiar properties strengthen the stomach , increase the appetite , and rouse the sluggish liver . For bowel

complaints it is invaluable , as it removes every primary derangement , thereby restoring the patient to the soundi-st health and strength . These preparations may be used at all times and in all climates by persons affected with bilousness , nausea , or disordered liver , for flatulency , and heartburn , they are specifics . Indeed , no ailment of the digestive organs can long resist their purifying and corrective powers .

Ineligibilty Of Bastards And The Maimed As Freemasons.

INELIGIBILTY OF BASTARDS AND THE MAIMED AS FREEMASONS .

By BRO . D . MURRAY LYON , A . M ., Masonic University of Kentucky , U . S . ; Hon . Corresponding Member of the Union of German Fretmasons , and of the Fosicrucian Society of England ; one of the Grand Stewards in the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; F . G . S . W . Ayrshire ; Hon . Fdlow of ihe London Literary Union ; author of the "History of Mother Kilwinning , '

etc ., etc . Of all that has appeared in these pages relative to our article in THE FREEMASON of August 21 , in defence of the illegibility of illegitimates as Masons , not a word has been advanced that can in any degree be said to disprove our statement , that no principle of Freemasonry , as recognised in Scotland , is violated by

uie admission of good men , the offspring of illicit intercourse . In the name of Scotchmen and Scotch Masons , therefore , we reiterate our repudiation of the dogma of the "ineligibility of bastards as Freemasons * as in any respect applicable to Lodges working under the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Bro . A . O . Haye is the only Scotch Masonic writer of any note who

advocates the exclusion of illegitimates , and he has done so in his papers on " Scottish Masonic Jurisprudence , " written in 1865 for the "Scottish Freemasons ' Magazine , " of which periodical he was then editor . Under " Freeborn" he remarks , " Shivery having ceased , the question refers only to purity of birth , as the gates of the Lodge close against the admissions of

bastards . " The author having done us the honour of sending for our perusal the MS . of the papers in question , with a request that we should favour him with our opinion of their soundness as exponents of Scotch Masonic law , we , in returning the copy , took exception to his construction of the phrase " freeborn , " and to his views on the ineligibility of bastards ,

as not being in accordance with the hitherto unchallenged usage of the Scottish Craft . Notwithstanding this , and the remonstrances of other brethren , he adhered to his opinion , insisting that for Masonry to receive a bastard into her ranks would be to ! ' homologate a crime in practice which she condemns in theory "—a remark which might have some point if

advanced in support of the exclusion of the fathers of bastards ; but in the sense in which it is used appears to us to be meaningless . His unsoundness on this point , however , did not affect his correct rendering of other and more important passages in the Constitutions of Masonry , or his courtesy to those of the brethren who chanced to entertain opinions upon

Masonic subjects different from his own . In order to show that the Grand Lodge of Scotland is not singular in its rejection of the law that would exclude illegitimates from Freemasonry , wc shall present a few extracts from the recently-published Cyclopedia of Freemasonry by our esteemed friend and distinguished brother , Robert Macoy , of New

lork—a work , which will take its place as a standard one , and will go down to succeeding generations as a memorial of the author ' s learned research and herculean labours in the dissemination of Masonic knowledge : — " Of the nature of tho landmarks of Masonry , " says Brother Macoy , at page 178 of the Cyclopedia , ' there

has been some diversity of opinion ; yet tho conviction has become settled that the true principles constituting landmarks are those universal customs of the Order which have gradually grown into permanent rules of action , and originally established by competent authority , at a period so remote that no account of their origin is to be found in tho records of Masonic history , and which

were considered essential to the preservation and integrity of the institution , to preserve its purity and prevent innovation . Dr . Albert G . Mackey , who has devoted much study and attention to tho tubject , enu merates the following as the unchangeable Landmarks of Masonry : ' . . . Certain qualifications of candidates for initiation are derived from a landmark of the Order .

These qualifications are that lie shall be a man—shall be untnutilated , free-born , aud of mature age . That is to eay , a woman , a cripple , or a slave , or one born in slavery , is disqualified for initiation into the rites of Masonry . ' . . . John W . Simons , in his excellent and popular work on the ' Principles and Practice of Masonic Jurisprudence , " offers the following to be the Landmarks

of Masonry , in the proper sense of the term : ' . . . That new-made Masons must be free-born , of lawiul age , and hale and sound nt the time of making . ' . . . The Constitution of the Grand Lodge of New York sets forth iu a concise and masterly manner , tho following as the Landmarks of the Order : ' . . . That men made Masons must bo at least 21 years of age , free-born , of

good report , halo and sound , not deformed or dismembered , and no woman , no eunuch . ' . . . Bro . Luke A . Lockwood , in his work entitled ' Masonic Law and Practice , ' gives tho following as the Landmarks : ' . . . That every candidate must be a man , of lawful age , born of free parents , under no restraint of liberty , and halo and souud , as a man ought to be . ' "

At page 2 GC of the same work , Bro . Macoy gives a lucid summary of the moral , physical , intellectual , and political qualifications which are indispensable in a candidate for initiation into the mysteries ot Freemasonry . The being " born in wedlock " is not one of these requisites . Indeed , were this condition in- ' sisted upon , it would , in Scotland , exclude men who ,