Masonic Archæolog Ical Institute.

known already , of a gigantic wall , in one place at least 100 ft . high , standing on scarped rock round the Hall of Ophel ; that the valley of the Kedron has altogether altered its level ; that vaults and substructures exist iu the Haram Area , the area where the Temple stood , which , if they were examined , will probably settle everything ; that the so-called Pool of Dethsaida was really a gigantic reservoir ; aud , finally , that there is material for excavations ou a much wider scale than tho Society which

undertakes them has yet been in a position to attempt . It may be asked , what real purpose these work's serve ? Were Jerusalem only one of the ordinary cities of the world— -were it stripped of all those associations which make it venerablewere it simply a spot , like Paris or London , where men have lived and died for centuries—there would yet be the highest interest in finding these secrets of the unwearying industry of past generations . In a . time when arts were in their infancy

, when mechanical appliances were rude , when tools were clumsy and workmen ignorant , when the mystery of Operative Masonry offered few difficulties to the Apprentice , this people , we learn , carried water round their bids and stored it in cisterns cut out of the rock itself ; they drove galleries through the stone , hewed out chambers , raised arches of perfect beauty and great size , laid foundation of walls which stand to this day , marvels of ancient masonry . To know that all this was done is

something , and the map of ancient Jerusalem , which the labours of Lieut . Warren are enabling us to construct , would be of the highest interest to us , apart from the fact that Solomon was the architect , and the Phoenician Master Mason the builder . There is , of course , interest of a higher order than this . As Masons , we watch the baring of these old walls , the opening of

these old vaults , and we wait for the secrets that they may reveal to us ; as students of the history of the Jews , we watch for what may throw more light on the manners and customs of a people unique among the races of the world , as Christians , we are interested in everything that has to do with places hallowed by the former presence of the founder of our relig ion , finally , as archaeologists , we have to look for the unravelling of the threads of doubt and the settlement of disputed questions .

Taking each of these shafts , and its special results , individually , it may appear by itself of very small importance . But we have to wait for the end , until we can put together the discoveries , and make a complete whole out of the various pieces . Much remains to be sought , even outside the Haram wall . Where was the second wall ? Where were the tombs of the Kings ? Where—but there are too many questions which miht be raised . When all is done—when Lieutenant Warren

g has filled in his last shaft ; when the last report of work is finished , there will yet remain for some master's hand the task of putting together the broken fragments of truth , and of showing , trom tho evidence these alford , where and what- was this good Temple ; where and what the walls that girded the ancient city ; where and what the fountains , the gardens , the palaces , and the tombs of the city of the Great Master , Solomon . And speaking hereas an unworth member of the

, y Eoyal Craft , 1 may be permitted to express a hope that , as the work is being conducted by a Mason , so it may find among the brotherhood a fitting exponent of its lessons—one clearsighted enough to see , and with sufficient ability to show to the world the right conclusion , stated as a whole , which lesser men could only partly guess .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

LODGE OE PHOSPEMTO ( No . 65 )—This well-known and numerous lodge met on Thursday , the 25 th uit ., the W . U ., Bro . R . W . Godihird , in the chair . The following gentlemen were initiated into the Order , viz ., Messrs . Hy-. nan , B . Williams , W . Beales , A . Little , J . Walker , and IV Hyslop . This being ' the night for installation , Bro . J . L . Mather , S . W ., was presented to the lodge , and a board of Installed Masters being Conned , he was installed bBro . GoildurdI . P . M . in a perfect and

impresy , , sive manner . The W . M . then appointed his officers as follows —Bros . Cook , S . W . ; D . Forbes , J . W . ; C . Mather , Treas . ; Bellerby , Hon . Sec . ; Stevens , S . D . ; Wells , J . D . ; Davcy , I . G . ; Ayres , D . C . ; and Speight , Tyler . The brethren , seventy-five in number , then sat down to a sumptuous dinner , a la Basse , provided b y Bro . Crawford . On the removal of the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given . Jiro . Wescombe returned

Metropolitan.

thanks for the visitors , and congratulated the brethren for the judicious selection of the W . M ., who by the able manner he had presided over them , argued well for his future Masonic career . The visitors were as follows : —Bros . J . Graydon , P . Prov . S . G . D . Kent ; T . M . Paget , P . G . O . ; Wescombe , P . M ., 1 , 107 ; Terry , P . M ., 228 ; Mason , 22 S ; Harriss , P . M ., 73 ; Spratt , 813 ; AYingficld , P . M ., 169 ; H . M . Levy , P . M ., 18 S , and several others . Bro . Goddard proposed the health of the W . M . in a very

eloquent and appropriate manner . The W . M . then rose for the inn-pose of presenting the I . P . M ., Bro . Goddard , with a very valuable gold keyless watch , with an appropriate inscription and monogram , fir his able working during his year of office , part being given from the funds of the lodge , and the remainder by private subscription . Bro . Goddard responded to it in suitable terms . Bro . Bellerby returned thanks for the P . M . ' s in his usual happy manner . In returning thanks for the toast

of the Masonic Charities , Bro . Terry said he hoped that as the members of the Craft had so uobly supported the cause of the Boys' School , that they would not forget the aged Freemasons and their widows to cheer their declining years . At its conclusion he was loudly applauded . There was some very excellent si iging by Bros . Wingfield , Sandham , and Gibbs ,. and Bro . McDowell gave a very excellent recitation . The brethren then separated , after having spent a delightful and agreeable evening .

LoDaE Ol' INDUSTRY ( SO . 1 S 6 ) . —A very numerous gather ing of the members of this lodge was held at Freemason's Hi'll , Great Queen-street , Lincoln ' s-Inn Fields , on Tuesday , March 23 rd . Owing to the large amount of work to be performed , the brethren were summoned for the early hour of halfpast tour p . m ., and shortly alter the time named the W . M ' ., Bro . Thomas Samuel Mortlock . took his chair , well supported by his officers . The visitors present were : —Bros . Lacey , W . M ., 174 ;

Chard , W . M ., 907 ; Walters , P . M ., 73 , and W . M ., 871 ; Berry , P . M ., 144 ; Sleemati , P . M ., 15 ; Brown , P . M ., 145 ; Farnfield , P . M ., 907 ; Jeffery , 55 ; Jones , 145 ; Thomas , 174 ; and Lewis , Sec , g 07 . The actual work of the evening consisted of the raising of Bros . J . Elliott , J . E . Wylie , E . D . Joynt , and H . Holt ; the passing of Bro . G . R . Samson ; and the initiation of Mr . A . Cuthbertson , three other gentlemen , whose names were upon the notice paper , having failed to put in an appearance .

Although this was only the second time of the W . M . 's presiding since bis installation , the several ceremonies were performed in a manner which elicited the encomiums of all the brethren present , and it convinced them that Bro . Mortlock must have spared no pains to so thoroughly quality himself for the distinguished position he has attained to . The banquet , which was worthy the establishment at which it was served , was partaken of by about fiftyand the usual after toasts wero proposed and

, responded to with a felicity of expression rarely to be equalled , aud the excellent singing of Bro . Dawson was greatly admired . The Tyler ' s toast was given shortly after eleven , when the brethren separated with a thorough appreciation of the evening's enjoyment .

LODGE OF ISRAEL ( No . 205 ) . —This excellent working lodge met at Radley ' s Hotel , ou the 23 rd ult . The W . M . Bro . J . Chamberlain in the chair , who passed Bros . Waylett , Ayden , Etching , and Asber Isaacs , and raised Bro . Boileau . Messrs . Southgate and Davis were balloted for and accepted , andjwere duly initiated into the Order , the W . M . and every officer of the lodge being perfect ; in their working . Bro . J . Han-is , P . M . . proposed that a sum of two guineas should be given towards the

support of two orphan children of the late Bro . Captain Charles Randall , who was , with his wife , droivned in the ship John Duncan , it being a case well deserving of support , which was carried unanimously . The report of the sub-committee was read by the secretary , recommending thaf the amount of subscription should be augmented , which wt . s carried unanimously . The visitors « CK-. Bros . H . II . Levy , P . M ., 1 SS ; J . Weaver , 8 G 2 ; P . Isaacs , 23 , New York . Tlieh-dge being closed , the brethren separated at an early hour .

NEW" COXCOIID LODGE ( NO . 813 ) . —The installation meeting of tills lodge was held on tiie 19 th ult ., at the Rosemary Branch Tavern , Hoxton . The year of the retiring W . M ., Bro . John Josiah Wilson , has been one of great prosperity . Bro . Wilson having initiated three gentlemen and raised one brother , Bro . J . Emmens , P . G . Purst ., ascended to the chair , and the W . M . elect , Bro . Hart , having been presented , was installed W . M . in a faultless manner b y the Installing Master . The new W . M appointed hisoftlcers as follows : —Bartlett , S . W . ; Atkins , J . W . ;