Masonic Notes And Queries.

ceremonial Rite vowed unto Aristotle in my youth . Mosaical Philosophy , pp . 31 , 1659 . Secondly , what were the Papal privileges alluded to as follows : " 100 years previously by the Monarch of Philosophers , Prince of Spagyrists , Chief of Astronomers , Paradoxical Physician , and Grand Master of Mechanical Secrets , ' in the meantime that sophistic art hath need of Papal and

Imperial privileges to strengthen and uphold its impertinences . ' "—A THE MASONIC LECTURES . Apropos of your late excellent leader , would you permit ' me a word here on several points of interest respecting

our . 1 . Was it the Master or the secrefes , or both , which were lost in the old York rite ? 2 . I should no more look for genuine Masonry under the 1717 Grand Lodge than I should under the London Lodges of Instruction ; but it would appear that with their lodges the Master ' s word was said to be both lost and found .

3 . Are not all the opening ceremonies except the first modern inventions ? 4 The old York rite contained apparently no Master ' s word to lose , which we have not now , and the rediscovery of Enoch ' s hidden secrets took place in the fifth order , and our present secrets are no " substitutes " at all . 5 . " Our Master is lostand cannot be foundand

, , cannot be found , and cannot be found " [ repeated . ] 6 . It appears to me that we must now look for the method of discovery " with the centre " in the old Rosy Cross books , and our present system of Astronomy . 7 . What was the fourth Order ? Nominal Past Master , —but what was this ? 8 . I can find no proof of a secret of

instalceremony lation of W . M . until recent times . 9 . Is it certain that the first or dramatic part of the Arch degree applied to Enoch and Solomon , the rediscovery at the second temple forming the second part , and constituting a separate degree in the Continental Rites ? This is the form in an old ritual I have seen . 10 . As before stated the York degree of Master was

dramatic , and the preseut ceremony has been strung together from what then took place . This prevents a casual observer from noticing the original design of the ceremony . 11 . It does not appear to me that there was so great a separation in the old York rite between the first ( Master ) and second ( Rose Croix ) series of degrees as there is and was in the continental rites . To what are

we to attribute this , —to the foreign origin of the builders , who , Ashmole thinks , possessed our mysteries ? 12 . Could there be any Mason , ivho , as a distinct body of men , practised building before A . D . 1200 ? if not ( and I can ' t see how there could be ) , how could Solomon ' s temple be built by them , except symbolically , as by the

-Cabalists , and both Arch and Rose Croix emblems are found on buildings supposed as old as A . D . 1100 or 1200 in India . 13 . We have the best Masonic authority for saying that 18 ° and 30 ° warrants were granted in 1721 , and we know that even so early as this , theories founded thereon were broached , thus proving their antiquity at that

period . I feel certain there are documents in the hands of ethren which would effectually settle all these points . A VINDICATION 01 ? FREEMASONRY . An old author says—Preemasonry is an Order which requires no vindication . And yet how frequentlare we

y called on by the uninitiated to givean account of the hope that is in us . If it be a praiseworthy institution , say they , in an affectation of triumph , as if the argument was unanswerable , if it be universally beneficial , why not throw it open to the public ? Why it is thrown open to the public . It is open to tbe inspection aud participation of

every worthy and honest man . Its secrets are hidden from none but the reckless and profane . True , it is nob a proselyting system , but it never refuses to display its stores to the serious enquirer after knowledge . Aud where is the society to be found that does more . What good would result to any institution by the indiscriminate amalgamation of the evil and the good ? The latter

may have all the information they want , if they apply in a legitimate manner ; and we avoid all connection with the former , because an inspired apostle assures us that " evil communications corrupt good manners . " * * * * Enquiries into the history of the Order , and the true meaning of its hieroglyphics and ceremonies by learned brethren cannot be considered treason , for the Order itself recommends the study of its history , and that every brother should instruct his fellows as much as possible . — Ex . Ex .

WASHINGTON ' S MASONIC JEWEL A correspondent of the Neio York Tribune , writing from Fredericksburg , Virginia , gives the following account of an act of vandalism , which we can hardly imagine any northern soldier to be guilty of : — "I wish , it had fallen to some other person than myself to report a gross outrage which was recently perpetrated in

Predericksburg , for I blush to think that possibly American soldiers in wantonness or for lust of gain should have committed such an act . Everyone knows that Washington was a Preemason , a consistent friend of the Order , a lifelong champion and exponent of its principles . Rising from the humble condition of entered apprentice , be became Deacon , Warden , and finally Master of a Lodge ; and his attention to the duties of these several offices was as strict as that which he gave to all other trusts which he assumed . He was made a Mason in the old

lodge in Predericksburg , among the archives of which are preserved the papers ivhieh testify to his membership . The lodge is a very ancient one , its charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland dating back to the middle of the last century . Its silver jewels and emblems were made in Scotland , and sent to the lodge at the same time as its chartei " , and they were used at the initiation of

Washington , and afterwards worn by himself . They are therefore as sacred as the insignia of his Masonic rank , as carefully preserved as the property of the nation , or any other personal mementoes of that great and good man . Por a hundred years they and the other property of the Predericksburg Lodge have been untouched ; successive generations of Ereemasons have regarded the

jewels as sacred heir-looms ; and strangers from all parts of the country have visited the place to examine them . But a few weeks ago burglars broke open the lodge room door , opened the Secretary's safe , stole some of the papers , scattered the others about the floor , and cut every jewel from its collar , and carried them away . The act of vandalism was committed only a day or so before the

11 th Connecticut was sent to garrison the city , and must have been done during the Provost-Marshalship of Gen . Patrick . The robbery was not discovered until a few days afterwards , when Mr . Secretary Hart took me to the' lodge to see the precious relics , and to his dismay found the outer door burst open . It is to be hoped that Gen . Patrick , who is , I believe , himseff a Mason , will use

every means to discover and punish the thieves and return the property . Intrinsically the emblems may , perhaps , be worth 400 or 500 dollars , but their historical associations give them a far greater value . Some search should be made throughout the Division , Masonic jewels are not so small as to be hidden in a vest pocket , nor , considering that they all have engraved upon them the name and number of Predericksburg Lodge , is it difficult to identify them , "

A VETERAN MASON . Bro . Turnell , P . Prov . G . M . for North Munster , writes , an old friend and brother has just paid me a visit , and to revive old associations and give a zest to our reminis-