The District Grand Lodge Of Northern China.

Another curious coincidence -is the four-square altar , preserved in our Lodges as the ashlar , still existing in the state religion of the country as the symbol of nature . A third , the use of the square in their religious ceremonies . A fourth , the use of aprons with various badges thereon to denote the rank and office of the various officers of religion . And lastone I stumbled across yesterdayin which the Deify , in fho sense of the end

, , we seek to reach , is spoken of as the S . W . Corner . I could give yon a number of other instances , hut I have not my notes by mo , having lent them to Giles at Amoy , and have not time to refer , ns tho season at which tho District Grand Master makes his periodical charges has come round without my thinking of it , aud if I delayed writing till I could give yon more detailed particulars the opportnnitv would bo lost .

Suffice it , not only do I find coincidences , but I find the explanation of many of our rites giving a more philosophic reason for them than is to bo found in the modern ritual . Should you have an opportunity to do so , I wish I could induce you to take up tho subject of a proper Chinese name for Masonic and Masonic Lodges , suggesting iC -jfsr Ch ' eng-hui as a good name for Masons , and ¦ js ^ - r ^' S' Knei-cb . fi Tang as au equally good one for a Lodge . At present both Masons and their Lodges are frequently given by Chinese the most uncomplimentary names , as in India the Lodges are generally called Jndn Ghue , Halls of Magic—Yours very truly , CHALOXKK ALABASTER .

The R . W . D . G . M . pointed out that for the Masonic Hall in Canton Road they did use- the name of Kwei-chu-t ' ang . ancl he believed the present Hall was also known by that name . On receipt of the letter he had just read , he wrote to Bro . Alabaster , stating that he was exceedingly pleased his researches had been carried so far ancl had resulted in such interesting discoveries , ancl assuring him that he should do all in his j > ower to assist him by laying his letter before the District Grand Lodge and asking the brethren to take up the subject . In answer to his letter , Bro . Alabaster wrote as follows : —

British Consulate , Hankow , 10 th December , 1 S 79 . My Dear Thome , —I am glad to find yon take an interest in the question whether there be not a connecting link between Masonry and the ancient religion of China , for I think the question is worth going into , and if the fact that I have found reason to believe that such is the case be only made public , you will soon have all the Masons in China setting to work to test the accuracy of my theory . One of the strongest points is the undoubted fact that in the most ancient times the first

care of the founder of a new dynasty was to build a lodge or symbolic building to serve as a monument of the philosophy aud religion , of which he was high priest and head . You will find three of these buildings figured in Duhalde , being the lodges of the three first dynasties .

2 . One of the oldest offices we hear of is that of Grand Architect , not as Legge ' s Translation would lead us to imagine a mere Superintendent of Works , but an officer selected for his wisdom to superintend the erection of these symbolic lodges . 3 . The use of Masonic symbols , the square and compasses as the symbol of rio-ht con " duct , tho ashlar , the four square cube as the symbolic altar , which explains the use of th e square as the Master's jewel , it being his duty to see the altar was perfect or rightly constructed . You may see one of these altars at Peking nowwhere it still stands as the symbol of

, nature , being generally known to foreigners as the Altar of Earth . And of the compasses , the symbol of the circle by which they represent the Divinity , by which all is encircled and restrained in place , the endless near beginning origin of all . Still perpetuated in Peking , in the Circular Temple , is an Altar of Heaven , which , with that of earth , forni the two altars of the State Religion brought down from the highest antiquity .

1 4 . The use of other Masonic symbols , the skirret shewn in the character " $ 7 , meaninothe sources and origin of things ; the gavol which I think may be shewn to be the same used by the ancient monarchs in the State Religions Services as a sceptre and mark of authorit y .