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In tranquillity it ever seems to remain . I know not whose son it has been , ' and profoundly pathetic , ' it seems to have been before God . " The cosmogony of Lau-tsze is quite in conformity with the general principles of Oriental belief , an undying and unhesitating acceptation of the immortality of all created things—not alone man , but animals , even to insects . The process is ( according to him ) by the power of the Spiritwhich never

, dies , which ( in his own terms ) ceaselessly endures , is the root of heaven and earth , and is emplotjecl without effort . This must surely remind my brethren of the idea formed by the Masonic fraternity of the Grand Master in heaven . "The sage , " again says Lau-tsze , " puts himself last , and yet is first ; abandons himself , and yet is preserved . " What is the position of a Mason up to the time of his becoming a Master in Israel—but this ? Are there not

moral perils , and deep psychological abysses to pass ere the quiet soul is settled in the assurance of the doctrinal truths and symbols of Masonry ? Let us suppose this desirable condition attained , and then refer to our Chinese teacher once again . " When a work of merit is done and reputation is coming , to get out of the way is the Tau of heaven . " In other words , to claim preeminence over others for executed works is vain and deterioates from its moral value . ( To be continued . )

Mason's Marks From Carlisle Abbey.

MASON'S MARKS FROM CARLISLE ABBEY .

BT BKO . WILLIAM THOMAS CREED , CLERK OF THE WORKS AT CARLISLE CATHEDRAL . Communicated in a letter to the Editor of the Cumberland ancl Westmorland Antiquarian and Archceological Society ' s Transactions , WITH AN APPENDIX BY THE EDITOR .

THE following article , with its illustrations , is taken by the kind permission of R . S . Ferguson , Esq ., the able secretary , and Mr . Creed , the writer , from the last interesting volume of the Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Archsaological Society . It has deep value for all Masonic students . Carlisle CathedralAugust 14 th 1880 .

, , Sir , —I beg to enclose copies of my sketches from the Mason ' s marks taken from the Cathedral ancl the Abbey buildings . I have not had time to write clown my thoughts about them , but I have no doubt that at some time the matter will be taken up , ancl more will be known about them than any of us know at present . Most people have a theory of their own about Masons ' marks , but all who know anything about the matter must agree that the

builders of the very earliest times have made use of marks much like those found on the walls of Carlisle Cathedral ; and no doubt it would be a most interesting thing to find out why these marks are so general in all parts of the world , and in most parts so very similar in form and size . The very slight information I have upon the matter suggests to me the propriety of not reading a at the time noted . With thanks for the hlets so kindl

paper many pamp you y sent me , I am , Sir , Yours respectfully , WILLIAM THOMAS CREED . R . S . Ferguson , Esq .