What Non-Masons Say.Of Us.

paniments to the solemn ceremoMes wMch demonstrate this profession . " In the foregoing remarks it may be seen that the object of Masonic secrecy was the conservation of truths considered most sacred , and these chiefly symbolized by

expressive objects reminding the member of Mstorical events corresponding Avith revelation -written in Nature , in the Word , and in the heart . It -will further be seen , from a consideration of the mysteries of Pythagoras , taken in connection with other ancient rites , what has formed to a large extent the popular ideas of MasoMc imitation .

Artiole Iv.

ARTIOLE IV .

SONG . ( Tune—Rural Felicity . ) Ye dull stupid . mortals , give o'er your conjectures , Since Freemasons' secrets ye ne'er can obtain ; The Bible and compases are our directors , And shall be as long as this world doth remain .

Here friendship inviting , here freedom delighting , Our moments in innocent mirth we employ . CHORUS . Come , see , Masons felicity . AVorking and singing with hearts full of joy . ljo other Society that yon can mention , Which has beenis nowor hereafter shall be

, , , However commendable be its intention , Can ever compare with divine Masonry . No envy , no quarrels , can here blast our laurels , No passion our pleasure can ever annoy . Chorus . To . aid one another we always are ready , Our rites and our secrets we carefully guard ;

The lodge to support , we like pillars are steady . No Babel confusion our work shall retard . Ye mortals , come hither , assemble together , And taste of those pleasures which never can cloy Chorus .

We are to the Master for ever obedient ; AVhenever he calls to the lodge we repair ; Experience has taught us that 'tis most expedient To live within compass , and act on the square . Let mutual agreement be Freemasons' cement . Until the whole universe Time shall destroy . Chorus . THE MYSTERIES OP THE ANCIENTS IN

EELATION TO MASONBY .-- The most secret organisations which is has ever entered into the heart of man to -conceive have , from the very nature of the human nrind , been revealed to the world by a natural reflective processAvMch gradually

, -but surely sheds light upon what is considered by the masonic mind as the " darkness of ignorance . " Forms Avhich were -impressive when aided by the

accompaniments of dumb terror kept a tenacious hold of the memory and heart ; but certain descriptive expressions peculiar to the order slip the tongue , and come into the common current of conversation , there to remain as Avitnesses—unknoAvn , it may be , to a large extent—of certain acts and symbols onl

y partially recognised by the outside world . FolloAving out this idea , many of the best ideas connected with our greatest writers are to be found previously existing in the common proverbial expressions of the age in which they lived . For instancewho

, can doubt that many of the rare instances of Avit and wisdom put into the mouths of Shakespeare ' s characters have been purely original , and not largely reflective 1 Burns excelled in concentrating the poetic spirit of the last century and throwing it out to

the world , so that it formed the song of humanity , by anticipation , for the ages to be . The secrets of Freemasonry have been revealed—and who would not acknowledge it 1—in the lives of its best members ; and tMs is a revelation of a secret which " can be obtained " independent of what the poet sings regarding it . Is Freemasonry atheistical ? All her forms , and they are many

and beautiful , answer to the eye of the uninitiated that it is an order seeking cosmos , not chaos . Is it confined to creed 1 Within its symbolic temple there is " the unity of the spirit m the bonds of peace . " TMs the world sees and admires . There is a popular belief that the

initiation service is one which quails the heart , and makes the "boldest hold his breath for a time . " The idea of a secret imparted , to be retained under dreadful penalties ; the fact that Avithin the order there are obligations tube takenand the want of a

, seen benefit , —are alike inducements and discouragements to becoming a Mason . The popular ideas regarding Masonry have been borrowed partly from what is knoAvn regarding ancient pagan initiation mysteries . Masonry has solved the problem

of the Churches , as its variety constitues beauty ; and its agreement exists amid the most diverse circumstances . It may he said that religion is excluded ; but it is not , as Masonry is amoral order . And yet there have been divisions and splits within the

order at different times and various countries . It is generally believed , in connection Avith Masonry , that there is a kind of Egyp tian darkness Avhich may be felt , and , after this