Multum In Parvo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Egypt ; the science of Abrax , " and the characters of those emanations of the deity which we have adopted are derived from Basilides . The word Mason is derived from the Greek , and literally means a member of a religious sect , or one who is professedly devoted to the worship of the

Deity . The reason of the term "free " being prefixed is probably derived from the Crusades , in which every man engaged in the expedition must have been born free , and under no vassalage or subjection . The term Accepted is derived from the indigencies granted by the Pope to all those who would

confess their sins and join in the enterprise for the recovery of the Holy Land . It is well known that immense numbers of Freemasons were engaged in the Holy Wars , and that their gallant and enterprising conduct gained them the esteem of the leaders of the army , who solicited initiations into

the mysteries of their Order . That Freemasons were considered as a set of architects most probably took its rise from this circumstance : When Moses ordained the erection of the Sanctuary , and afterwards when Solomon was about to build a Temple at Jerusalem for the

worship of the only true and living God , they chose from the people those whose wisdom and zeal for the true faith attached them to the worship of the Most High , and committed to them the erection of those works of piety . It was on these great occasions that our predecessors appeared to the

world as architects . To cultivate peace and goodwill towards men , to improve the general condition of mankind , and to worship the only true and living God in fervency and truth are among the indispensible obligations of Freemasons . A firm belief and

acknowledgment of the Supreme Being , tlie Grand Architect and ruler of nature , form tlie essential of a Mason , who ought cheerfully to submit to His divine commands , and to rely on His Almighty protection whose wisdom cannot mistake his happiness ; whose goodness cannot contradict it . As humanity springs from true religion , every religious

sect which acknowledges the Supreme Being is equally respected by the Order . Religions disputes are banished from our societies , tending to sap the foundations of friendship , and to undermine the basis of the best institutions . The great book of Nature io levealed to our eyes , and the universal religion of her God is what we profess as Freemasons .

The sweetest consolation and pleasure we receive from society is the enjoyment of friendship—it smooths the rugged paths of life , and dissipates corroding care from our brow . When our bodies are writhing with pain and our minds tortured with anguish , friendship—sacred friendship—pours into

the wounds the sweet balm of sympathy , alleviates pain , and makes sorrow smile . Friendship extends through every branch of the great family of mankind ; its influence is as unbounded as the horizon ; it unites men of different religions and countries , and of opposite political sentiments , in the firm

bond of fraternal affection . The wandering Arab , the civilised Chinese , and the native American , the rigid observer of the Mosaic law , the follower of Mahomet , and the professor of Christianity are all cemented by this mystic union . How valuable is an institution founded on sentiments

like these . How infinitely pleasing must it be to Him who is seated on a throne of everlasting memory—to that G . od who is no respecter of persons ! In a symbolic lodge of Blue Masons the first object which deserves attention is the Mosaic floor

on which we tread . It is intended to convey to our minds the vicissitudes of human affairs , chequered with a strange contrariety of events . To-day elated with the smiles of prosperity , to-morrow depressed by the frown of misfortune . The precariousness of our situation in this world should leach us humilitv ,

to walk uprightly and firmly upon the broad basis of virtue and religion , and to give assistance to our unfortunate fellow-creatures who are in distress ; lest on some capricious turn of Fortune's wheel we may become dependants on those who before looked up to us as their benefactors .

The two emblematical pillars erected in front of the porch of the temple , independent of the beauty which they added to the building , conveyed to the minds of those who entered a knowledge of the attributes of that Being to Whom it was dedicated . The literal translation of the name of the left pillar

is , " In Thee is Strength , " and that of the right , "It Shall be Established , " which , as a learned author observes , may very naturally be transposed in this manner , " O Lord , Thou art mighty , ancl Thy power is established from everlasting to everlasting . " The name of one of the pillars , as relatincr

to a person , may give a different translation , which I shall point out to you on some other occasion . The next object which demands attention is the Holy Bible , the square , ancl the compasses thereon . As these instruments remind us to keep our actions within the bounds of propriety , and to square them with all mankind . The Sacred Volume

Multum In Parvo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

on which they lie contains the unerring guide fo our conduct through life , as it relates to our worship of the Supreme Master of the world and our conduct to each other . For these reasons , this Book of the Divine Law is never closed in our lodge ; it is open to every eye and comprehensible to every

mind . The letter " G , " which ornaments the Master ' s Lodge , is not only expressive of the name of the Grand Architect of the Universe , but also denotes the science of geometry , so necessary to artists . But the adoption of it by Masons implies no more than

their respect for those inventions which demonstrate to the world the power , the wisdom , and beneficence of the Almighty Builder in the works of the creation . The Morning Star is the emblem of prudence , which is one of the emanations of the Deity agreeable to the system of Baslides . ( This

system lie called " Abrax , " which is a mystical term given by him to the Supreme Being from Whom emanated 365 powers and intelligences constituting virtue , prudence , perseverance , fortitude , justice , truth , charity , honesty , meekness , & c . ) It points out to Masons the path which leads to

happiness , and is the sure source of self-approbation . It enlightens us through the dark and rugged paths of life , and enables us to shun the . many obstacles which would impede our progress and embitter our journey with pain . The three great luminaries allude to the three

Mosaic degrees in the symbolic lodge , and at the same time arc emblematical of that effulgence which should illumine the mind of a Mason , and which he can alone receive from a perfect understanding of the principles of the Order . The white apron and gloves are also emblematical

The } 1 ' are worn , not merely as insignia of the Order , but as badges of that innate innocence and purity of soul which Masons should always possess ; and in this point of view , they are more honourable distinctions than any order of knighthood which can be conferred . On being invested with these badges

of innocence and humility , a Mason should firmly resolve to support that purity and integrity of heart of which he outwardly wears the emblems . The rule , the line , the plumb line , the square , compasses , & c , are all emblematical of the conduct we should pursue in society : To observe punctuality in all

our engagements , faithfully and religiously to discharge the important obligations which we owe to God and our neighbour , to be upright in all our dealings , to hold the scale of justice in equal poise , to square our actions by the unerring rule of God ' s Sacred Word , to keep within compass and bounds

with all mankind ( particularly with a brother ) , to govern our expenses by our incomes , to curb our sensual appetites , to keep within bounds those unruly passions which oftentimes interfere with the enjoyments of society and degrade both the man and the Mason : to recall to our minds that , in the

great scale of existence , the whole family of mankind are upon a level with each other , and that the only question of preference among Masons should be , Who is most wise , who is most good ? for the time will come , and none of us know how soon , when Death , the great leveller of all human

greatness , will rob us of our distinctions and bring us to a level with tlie dust . Agreeable to the tenets of our Order , the fair sex arc excluded from associating with us in our mystic professions , not because they are deemed unworthy of the secrets--not because tlie mechanical tools of

lhe Craft are too ponderous for them to wield—but from a consciousness of our own weakness . . Should they be permitted to enter the lodge , love would oftentimes enter with them , jealousy would probably rankle in the hearts of the brethren , ancl fraternal affection be perverted into riva . lsh . ip . Although the

most amiable and lovely part of Nature's works are excluded from our meetings , yet our Order protects them from the attacks of vicious and unprinci pled men . It forbids us to sacrifice the ease ancl peace of families for a momentary gratification , ancl it forbids us to undermine and take away the

transcendant happiness from thosewhosc hearts arc united by the bond of sincere affection . The feelings of women are more exquisitely fine , and their generous sympathy is more easily awakened by the misfortunes of their fellow-creatures , than the stronger sex . The soft tear of pity bedews

their cheeks at the taJe of woe , and their gentle bosoms heave with tender emotions at the sight of human wretchedness . They require not the adventitious aid of mystic institutions to urge them to acts of charity and benevolence , nor the use of symbols to lead them to virtue . Their own hearts

are the lodges in which Virtue presides , ancl the dictates of her will is their only incentive to action An Institution which recommends submission to lhe laws of our country , adoration to the Supreme God of Nature , universal benevolence , and every

virtue which can endear us to each other , which conveys instruction to the mind and expels rancour , hatred , envy , and every unruly passion and word , and binds all its followers in the bond of goodwill , is certainly worthy of praise ancl encouragement .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . TEMPLAR COMMANDERIES— ERRORS IN PRECEDENCE . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I will reply as briefly as possible to the letter of Bro . Tinkler , and take his remarks in the order in which I find them . 1 . As I addressed a copy of the " History of the Jerusalem Encampment" myself to the Grand

Chancery , it is the fault of the executive if they are ignorant of its status , and I think the tone of Bro . Tinkler ' s first letter to me justified me in assuming that such was the case . I am , moreover , sorry to trace our No . 5 to any other cause .

2 . The quotation Bro . Tinkler gives from his letter is accurate , and I regret that I have been hasty in assuming therefrom that the matter was to be put right . As Bro . T . does not mean this , I can only hope he will not be allowed to have all his

own way . 3 . Until I sought up the records of the Jerusalem Encampment no one knew anything of its history or the real date of its constitution , so that the returns of 1 S 6 3 were at fault ; but when the true state of the case was ascertained , both dates were

given in some of my returns , and the Grand Vice-Chancellor requested to state this in his official list . This was not done , andforalongtimelneverreceived any of these lists . 4 . As Bro . Tinkler repudiates both ignorance and " favouritism , " he can perhaps explain to

me by what other process the Premier Encampment of Lancashire is denied its correct order of precedency whilst the following are assigned a rank about it , to which they are not entitled on any evidence before us : —Abbey , Mount Calvary ( 1842 ) , Union or Rougement .

What we want is not sharp letters on the subject , but that justice shall be done to this Encampment and those other really " lime immemorial" Encampments I have named ; and I venture to hope that your readers will aid me in requiring this act of justice at the hands of the executive . Fraternally yours ,

JOHN YARKER , P . E . C 43 , Chorlton-road , Manchester .

THE 1717 THEORY . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR , —I cannot think that the present discussion on the 1717 theory can tend to any permanent good . I think if we were to disseminate and

follow up the rules of our Order it would be more to the purpose , instead of squabbling about its ago . However , I give you a curious extract from an old , or as it calls itself , " A New Universal Etymological Dictionary , " by N . Bailey , published by William Cavell , Holborn , 1776 : —

" Free Masons — Accepted Masons . — A very ancient society or body of men so-called , cither from some extraordinary knowledge of masonry , which they are supposed to be Masters of , or because the first foundeis of the society were persons of that profession . These are now in all , or most nations in Europe ; what the end of their societies

is , yet remains in some measure a secret ; unless that they tend to promote friendship , society , mutual assistance , and good fellowship ; or what Samuel 1 'ritchard has lately published in his pamphlet , entitled ' Masonry Dissected ' : — "' . Masons , were incorporated about the year I 4 l 9 , having been called the Free Masons ; a fraternity of great account ,

who have been honoured by several kings , and many nobility and gentry being of this society . They ar » governed by a Master and two Wardens , 25 assistants , and there arc 65 on the livery . The line for which is . £ 5 , and that of Steward , £ 10 . There armorial bearings arc azure on a chevron , between three castles argent , a pair of compasses . somewhat extended of the first crest , a castle of the second . '"

The two extracts I have copied word for word , and you arc epiite at liberty to use them if you think proper , at the same time 1 fancy if the Order had only at that time been founded fifty-three years , the author would hardly have called it a " very ancient

society . " I remain , yours fraternally , CHAS . G . FORSYTH , 1194 Montreal House , Hamilton , Sept . 19 th , 1870 .

HIRAM ABIF . ( To the Editor of lhe Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Dr . Epstein has done me the honour to invite me to a renewal of the discussion on Hiram Abif , and as an inducement

thereto , I may presume he has paid me the compliment of characterising mc as a " scholarly gentleman . " Me has marred lhe compliment , however , if lie intended it to be one , by imputing to me a moral obliquity which renders mc impervious to conviction . As it is clear , from what he proceeds to assume , as