The Symbolism Of Numbers.

THE SYMBOLISM OF NUMBERS .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Our learned brother Carpenter called your readers' attention to the 3 rd rule the Cabalists have laid down in discovering the various mysteries which they attributed to the Law ,

called Guimatria or numbering . By the same rule , some Christians have attempted to count the number of the beast in the Revelations xiii . 18 , and made out the Pope to be the Antichrist , of which the two following ( one Hebrew and the other Greek ) are examples : —

• 'Dtaa wBTTpn ^ n « " Our holy father the Pope , " a ^ u also KAK 02 0 AHT 02 , " Bad guide , " both of which amount numerically to the number of the man " whose number is six hundred and three score and six . "

That "bad guide , " with all the pastoral letters denouncing Freemasons , can do no harm to Freemasonry . It appears that the Christian fathers made use of the Cabalists'first rule , also called "Notaricon , " i . e .,

forming a word from each letter of a word . For instance , from the word , 3 Jftt £ ? , sh ' ma ( hear ) , which consists of three letters , the following words are composed , QlWy , DYItt Itttl ? " Lift up your eyes to heaven . "

By the Christian fathers otir Lord was called IX 0 Y 2 ( a fish ) , because these are the initials of those Greek words , "Jesus Christ , the son of God , the Saviour . " The five-pointed star , the iKry % ( fish ) , was an important emblem with the early fathers of

the Christian church ; it was intended to show that the person using it was a follower of Him who was wounded in hands , feet , and side for our transgressions . The outspread hand served the same purpose , in the absence of the five-pointed star , the

fish . I have no doubt that the words of St . Chrysostom ( quoted by W . G . Doric , page 235 ) , " The initiated , " alluded to those who had embraced

Christianity ; and " will know what I mean , " referred to the signs and symbols they used—such as the five-pointed star , the fish . Yours fraternally , D . STOLZ .

THE LEGEND OF JOSHUA . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have no doubt the majority of your readers would be duly impressed with the wonderful Hebrew quotations of Bro . D . Stolz . Of course , as all regular readers of THE

FREEMASON understand Hebrew perfectly , there is nothing out of place in giving a dozen or two of lines in Hebrew , just to show tlie writer understands his subject thoroughly . Some may think that a man who is master of his subject will write as plainly as possible , but what do they know ? However , to

come to the point , I see no reason to suppose that the sun really stood still at the supposed command of Joshua , as alluded to at verses 12 , 13 and 14 , of the x . Chapter of Joshua , for it seems to me that these three verses are simply an interpolation put in , perhaps long after , by some scribe , and copied from that collection of sacred and patriotic songs , called

"The Book of Jasher . " We have an example of a whole song thus copied , viz ., in 2 Samuel i ., 19 to 27 verses , where is recorded David ' s very beautiful and pathetic Song of the Bow . At verse 18 it says , " Also he ( David ) bade them teach the children of Judah the bow , " that is the song of the bow " behold it ( the song ) is written in the Book of Jasher ; " the words in italics " the use of" arc a mistake of the translators and arc not in the original , mislead

tney simply , it is rattier curious bow Bro . Stolz with his wonderful knowledge of Hebrew not does know this , and instead writes a lot of nonsense . There is precious little value to be put upon his dreams , anent our second degree . Possibly some writers may think that anything will pass with

Masons if there be a sufficient quantity of hieroglyphics interspersed , but for my own part I beg to object to that idea , as in such a case , I am only apt to be a little more suspicious of the real ability of the writer . Yours fraternally , Glasgow , May 21 , 1870 . W . P . BUCHAN .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In reply to a request by the Masonic editor of die New York Dispatch , I cheerfully give answer to the following questions . 1 . Question : What is the eighth Masonic landmark of Masonry in England ; and how is it there construed at this time ?

The Symbolism Of Numbers.

In answer to this question I will first quote the eighth landmark in its entirety , and then give the answer : — " The prerogative ofthe Grand Master to make Freemasons at sight , is the eighth landmark , which is closely connected with the seventh . There has

been much misapprehension in relation to this landmark , which misapprehension has sometimes led to a denial of its existence in jurisdictions where the Grand Master was perhaps at the very time substantially exercising the prerogative without the slightest remark or opposition—that is ,

whenever the Grand Master granted his dispensation to an unchartered lodge to dispense with the necessary probation , and was present and presiding at the conferring of the degree , he was virtually making a Mason at sight . It is not to be supposed that the Grand Master can retire with a

profane into a private room , and there , without assistance , confer the degrees of Freemasonry upon him . No such prerogative exists ; and yet many believe this is the so-much-talked-of right of ' making Masons at sight . ' The real mode , and the only mode , of exercising the prerogative is

this : The Grand Master summons to his assistance not less than six other Masons , convenes a lodge , and without any previous probation , but on sight of the candidate , confers the degrees upon him ; after which he dissolves the lodge , and dismisses the brethern . Lodges thus convened for special

purposes are called ' occasional lodges . ' This is the only way in which any Grand Master within the records of the institution has ever been known to ' make a Mason at sight . ' The prerogative is dependent upon that of granting dispensations to open and hold lodges . If the Grand Master has

the power of granting to any other Mason the privilege of presiding over lodges working by his dispensation , he may assume this privilege of presiding to himself ; and has no one can deny his right to revoke his dispensation granted to a number of brethren at a distance , and to dissolve the

lodge at his pleasure , it will scarcely be contended that he may not revoke his ' dispensation for a lodge over which he himself has been presiding within a day , and dissolve the lodge as soon as the business for which he had assembled it is accomplished . The making of Masons at sight is only the

conferring of the degrees by the Grand Master , at once , in an occasional lodge , constituted by his dispensing power for the purpose , and over which he presides in person . These occasional lodges have sometimes been called by the English Grand Masters since 1717 , and frequent records of the fact arc to

be found in Anderson ' s Constitutions . Some of the Princes of the Royal Family , when made Freemasons , were initiated , passed , and raised at sight , and in occasional lodges . " In answer to question first , the eighth landmark is construed in its original form , but has become

almost obsolete , not having been taken advantage of by the Grand Masters in England , Ireland , or Scotland for a long time ; in fact , there is no record of the Grand Master of Scotland ever exercising his power . In answer to question second , Anderson ' s

Constitutions is the only work in which I find any record of a Grand Master exercising his privilege in this respect . But before answering this fully I would like to know if it is the making 01 a Mason " at sight" by the Grand Master . Worshipful Master , or members of a lodge ?

As to the powers of a Grand Master , I cannot give in the meantime a better summary than referring any brother to the article which appeared in Tmc FREEMASON , of date November 27 th , 1 S 6 9 , On getting the explanation to question second , I will again reply . I remain , vours fraternally , CIPES .

Red Cross Of Rome & Constantine.

RED CROSS of ROME & CONSTANTINE .

Rose and Lily Conclave , A \> . 3 . —An assembly of the Knights of this Conclave was held at Uro . ( Josilen ' s , Masons' Hall , Mason ' s-aver . ue , Basingliall-strcet , on the 30 th ult . V . E . Sir Knight C . A . Cottebnine , M . P . S ., preside . ! , supported bv Sir ' Kts . \ Y . II . Hubbard , f . Terrv , R . \ V . Little , j . G . Mar- ; h , J . IVrcy Lc ' nh , G . kenning , M . Edwards , J . MeKicrnan , i \ c . The conclave was opened

in imperial form , ami Sir Kt . Leith received the Viceroy ' s and Sovereign ' s degrees , liro . Mann , P . M . anil P . Z ., was duly installed a Knight of the Order , and a College of Viceroys being open .. 4 under the presidency of V . ' l . Sir Kl . Little , G . R ., Sir Kt . Mann was inducted into lhe chair of V . Ii . in a most impressive manner . After several propositions for installation had been made ami

continned , Sir Kls . Kenning and Edwards ( both of Premier Conclave ) were elected to join this Conclave , which lias been removed from Richmond and now promises to be second lo none on the roll , its new quarters being all that could be wished . A mo-, 1 excellent banquet , with

firstclass wines , was provided by Uro . Gosden , and as this was the first Masonic entertainment held nt that worthy brother ' s new house it may not be out of place to say that everything gave unqualified satisfaction , and the Masons' Hall may certainly be well recommended lo any lodges seeking change .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Northampton And Huntingdon.

PROV . GRAND LODGE of NORTHAMPTON AND HUNTINGDON .

The annual provincial grand meeting of the several lodges in this province was held at Peterborough , on Thursday , the 19 th inst . Special trains were run by the London and North-Western and Great Northern Companies , and the day being a fine one , Peterborough was visited by a large

number of persons . The Board of Benevolence held a preliminary meeting at half-past ten in the morning , and at twelve noon the Grand Lodge was opened at the Great Northern Hotel , by his Grace the Duke of Manchester , Provincial Grand Master , assisted by Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Samuel Inns , Esq . The business of the day , the nomination of

officers for the ensuing year , and the examination of lodge returns having been transacted , the grand officers and brethren attended a special service at the Cathedral , the use of which was kindly allowed by the Dean for the occasion . The procession , which was preceded by the band of the Sixth ( Peterborough ) Volunteer Rifle Corps , was marshalled by G . Directors of Ceremonies in the following order :

Jaantl of Music . * Visiting Brethren , not members of any Lodge , two and two . Two Tylers , with drawn swords . The Wentworth Lodge , Wellingborough . The Chicherly Lodge , Thrapston . The Lodge of Merit , Stamford . The Lodge of Perseverance , Kettering .

The Lodge of Fidelity , 1 owcester . The Socrates Lodge , Huntingdon . The Pomfret Lodge , Northampton . St . Peter ' s Lodge , Peterborough . Arch Masons in costume , two and two . Two Tylers with drawn swords . The Grand Lodge Banner . Grand Pursuivant .

Grand Organist . Grand Director of Ceremonies and Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies . Grand Superintendent of Works . Past Grand Officers . Grand Secretary . Grand Registrar . Grand Treasurer .

The Junior Grand Deacon . Senior Grand Warden , with the level . Junior Grand Warden , with the plumb rule . Steward . The Grand Chaplain . Steward . A Past Master . The Deputy Grand Master , with square . The Standard of the Grand Master , and on each side of

it a Graivt Steward . Grand Sword Bearer . The Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master . The Senior Grand Deacon . Two Grand Stewards . The Grand Tyler . The procession started from the lodge-room of the

Great Northern Hotel , at a quarter before two o ' clock , arriving at the cathedral at two . The brethren were all in full costume , and the streets were lined the whole distance with spectators . The procession was received at the western entrance of the cathedral by the very Reverend the Dean ( Dr . Saunders ) , the Venerable the Archdeacon of

Northampton ( the Rev . Owen Davys J , the canons , honorary canons , the high bailiff ( H . P . Gates , Esq .. ) in his robes , and the full choral staff of the cathedral , by whom , as the procession moved up the nave , the 121 st and 122 nd Psalms were chanted . Prayers were intoned by the Rev . C . B . Whylie and

the Rev . C . Daymond , the first lesson being read by the Rev . Canon Atgles , and the second by the Very Rev . the Dean . The singing was exceedingly effective , the " Magnificat " being rendered in a very striking manner . The anthem was from " The Creation , " including the grand quartett and chorus , "' Tlie Heavens arc Telling . " Before the sermon

the grand old hymn , " The Old Hundreth" was sung very impressively , the cathedral being crowded with 5 , 000 or 6 , 000 persons , many of whom were seated nearly an hour before the service commenced . The sermon was preached by the Right Rev . the Lord Bishop of the Diocese , the temporary pulpit

which is used for services in the nave being placed at the extreme cast end of it . The text was the 17 th verse of the 2 nd chapter ofthe General Epistle of St . Peter , ' Honour all Men , love the Brotherhood , fear God , honour the King . The Bishop took up each separate part of the text , and after alluding lo the antiquity of

Freemasonry , and the civilising and humanising influence of the brotherhood , made a pertinent appeal to his hearers on behalf of the funds of the Royal Masonic Boys'School and the Peterborough Dispensary .

Hymn 13 ( " Ancient and Modern" ) was sung at the conclusion ol the sermon , and , after the Benediction , the procession passed through the long Causeway and Westgate to the Drill Hall Banquet Hall , were they sat clown to a dinner provided by Bro . Moore , Great Northern HoteL