Masonic Notes And Queries.

in his clay , that , 'far from meriting the censures , they commanded the admiration of the community . . . . " 3 . The ¦ evidence elicited , instead of ' proving beyond a doubt that he was murdered b y Masons , ' failed to prove that he was murdered at all , but rather the contrary .

" 4 . ' The result of the principles of Freemasonry ' is peace , obedience to the laws of God , and subjection to civil government . The reverend traducer could have discovered this in any place where there is a Masonic lodge established . " 5 . No Mason in any place has ever justified the

murder of Morgan ( if he was murdered ) by Masons , ( if Masons murdered him ) ; hut , on the contrary , all , from Gov . Clinton down , who have had occasion to consider the question , Avhether a renouncing or denouncing Mason should be punished , have replied , with entire unanimity , ' only by Masonic expulsion . ' That is the highest punishment known to the Fraternity . " —Ex . Ex .

MASONIC SONG BOOKS , POEMS , & C . The literature of the Craft in America abounds in works of this character . The following is a list of the Masonic Song Books in Morris' Collection . It is given in the order of dates : — 1788 . —Collection of Masonic Songsby Gavin

Wil-, son . Edinburgh , Scotland . 1802 . —Vocal Companion and Masonic Register . Boston . Mas . 1807 . —Freemason ' s Vocal Assistant . Charleston , South Carolina . 1816 . —Masonic Minstrel . Dedham , Mas .

1816 . —Masonic Museum . New York . 1818 . —Masonic Melodies . Boston , Mas . 1825 . — Ditto Ditto . 1844 . — Ditto Ditto . 1851 . —Masonic Lyre . New York . 1852 , —Melodies for the Craft . Cincinnati , Ohio .

1854 . —Masonic Vocal Manual . New York . 1855 . —Masonic Musical Manual . New York . 1856 . —Masonic Minstrel . New York . 1857 . —Masonic Hymns . Portland , Maine . 1858 . —Masonic Harp . Boston , Mas . 1859 . —Gems of Masonry . Cincinnati , Ohio .

Besides these there are many Ode Books in French , German , and Spanish , and most of the Monitors present appendices of Masonic Songs . Not a few authors , male and female , have composed and published occasional efforts iu this line .

THE ORDER OE STEICT OBSERVANCE . It is Avell known that the celebrated Preston accomplished much of his almost miraculous success in the establishment of Uniformity of V / ork , by means of an order styled " The Order of Harodim . " Whether that order in its oriinal form is still extantwe are

g , not clearly informed . But there is a system yet maintained , which may he styled its lineal successor , known as that of " The Strict Observance . " Of this our accomplished Bro . Hyde Clarke ia Master . The followin g is the diploma or certificate of membership : —

" N . M . A . U . " Nos Magni Magistri Ordinis Strictte Observantise Legatus , Universis Fratribus has litteras inspecturis Q . P . S . D . Anno Vera Lucis , Nos ex aucto-

Masonic Notes And Queries.

ritate Magni Magistri Singularis Proesis Ordinis ad Confraternitatem et ad Gradum Commendafcoris proveximus Illustrissimum Fratum , qui Latomo accepto , S . R . Arco adepto , ad R . C . gradum promoto , per singulares Fratres status Kentucky electo M . M . ad exeelsum honorem . S . P . R . S . admoto ,

supremam dignitatem M . Commendatoris M . Oonsistorii Kentuckias accepto , semper Zelo inter architectos templi notus est , sed presertim per culturam literaturaa latomieas , per tofcam orbem celeber . In qua fide his nomen nostrum nostra , manu subscripsimus , & c . " The above having been communicated to me , I should

like to know who are eli g ible for this order , and where it can be taken ?—^ Ayy WHAT WE SHOULD TAKE TO THE BODGE . Bring Avith thee Virtue ! brightest maid ; Bring Love , bring Truth , bring Friendship here ; . While social mirth shall lend her aid To soothe the wrinkled broAv of care . —R . M .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondent ? ,. MASONIC CHARITIES .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FEEESTASOKS' STAGAZIJfE A 2 TS 3 MASONrC M 2 KEOE . DEAR SIB AND BROTHER , —After more careful thought , and after taking the opinion of various brethren on the subject , I am led to press the matter preA'iously introduced in the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE : on behalf of the Masonic Charities . I look upon the provision made for those in distressancl the

sup-, port of the orphans of some who held , in their day , our warmest regards , along with all Avho were linked with us in the brotherhood , and thereby having the strongest claims on our sympathy , as one of the fundamental princip les of Freemasonry . When I think of the familiar faces and joyous hearts that have

passed into brighter spheres , or become obscured , my Masonic obligations remind me of my duty , and the ties by which Avere bound cling the closer . Surely the beautiful and impressive ceremonies of the ritual we are so strongly advised to preserve intact , were not framed so much for the sublime language they

contain , as for the noble principles they inculcate ; our professions of benevolence and charity were never intended to pass away with the breath that gave utterance to them , hut to remain and g leam conspicuously , with an assurance that Avhatever misfortune or calamity may befal us , the Craft will befriend us in the hour of trial or of need . How often have we

seen brethren who , having attained the zenith of popularity and usefulness in our Order , and who also in the outer world have been the " observed of all observers , " suddenly shipAvrecked of all their hopes or smitten hy the unerring dart of death , and rendered poAverless of themselves for their own necessitiesor those who were dependent on them ? In such

, a case it is not in the charity of Ereemasonry to cavil at the judgment or be blind to their misfortune ; rather let us make such provision as shall prove fealty to our professions , and adherence to our bonds , remembering that individually we know not how soon