Freemasonry.

Enemies of the Order ask why celebrated men do not take such a warm interest in Masonry as of old , hut the answer is simple—times and individuals have changed ; where men of talent or leisure have found true recreation in a lodge room among minds of like conception , listening to the sublime teachings of

Masonry , before whose altars only God and Virtue are adored , the world has opened a thousand gates where worldly gain and worldly honour are worshipped , and the badge of a Mason is often soiled , and honours conferred by Prince or Potentate are more appreciated .

Masonic Jottings.—No. 35.

MASONIC JOTTINGS . —No . 35 .

BY A PAST PEOVINCIAL GRAND MASTEE . THE MASONRY WHICH IS UNIVERSAL , AND THE MASONRY WHICH IS UNIVERSAL ABSOLUTELY . The Masonry , the religion of which is one of the four Positive Religions , with fitting

toleration , is a universal Masonry ; and the Masonry which , in its lodge and in all its proceedings as a Craft institution , ignores every religion , Natural Religion excepted , is a universal Masonry absolutely . *

RELIGION , COMMON SENSE , AND GENIUS . In Religion , let Common Sense rather than Genius guide yon . Common Sense is a Monotheist and a true Freemason . Genius is often a Pantheist , and not a true Freemason .

THE MORAL LAW . Were all the races of rational beings now existing , destroyed , and new races substituted , the Moral Law , whicli binds the existing races of rational beings , would in like manner bind those new races .

OUR MYTHS AND LEGENDS . A Brother ' s confession of faith causes pain , but it does not cause surprise . My recommendation is to act in regard to our myths and legends , as certain Greek philosophers acted in regard to the old mythology .

OUR OUTER MASONRY . The columns of the Freemasons' Magazine show that our Outer Masonry was , when Sir Christopher Wren was President or Grand Master , substantially what it was in the reign of King George II .

Masonic Jottings.—No. 35.

STRUCTURE OP BODIES OF MAN AND ANIMALS . The ancient architects were not unobservant of the structures of the bodies of Man and Animals . CUSTOMS OP THE GERMAN STONEMASONS . . A Correspondent will find Bro . Findel ' s History

not less explicit respecting the origin of customs of the German stonemasons , than it is respecting the origin of their Masonry . CIRCUMSTANCES . —INSTITUTIONS . Like circumstances , like institutions .

SPECULATIVE MASONRY IN ANCIENT NATIONS . The Speculative Masonry of ancient nations was , in great part , made up of what was good , what was best , in their religious and ethical systems .

MASONRY—METEMPSYCHOSIS . We have seen these associated ; nevertheless , the Masonry was not true Freemasonry .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

SIR EICHAED STEELE . Bro . W . C . L—We know that Sir Richard Steele was a Freemason ; but he did not die until 1729 . Have you found anything showing that he was a member of the Craft before the Revival ? If my old recollection does not fail me , there was , about seven years ago , something in the Freemasons Magazine that would throw a light upon the point . —CHAELES PUETON COOPEE .

" OEDEE IS HEAVEN ' S EIEST LAW . " Many who are wise in their own conceit are wont to say that the Craft are governed too much . " To such who seem to be restive under wholesome restraints , we commend the subjoined extract . It contains a good lea for the necessity of method . "In

p associations of every kind , as well as in all legislative bodies , order , regularity , and form are indispensable to the attaiment of the greatest benefit with the least expenditure . Every society and assembly should have prescribed landmarks , founded on reason and sanctioned by experience , in order to secure universal

confidence and effectually guard the rights of all . The object of meetings , of every grade , should be to obtain a clear , full , and proper expression of opinion from all present . Hence permanent and proper rules of order and constitutions should always form the bond of union and protection . "

BEO . HUGHAN . A Correspondent can never doubt that the eulogy of Bro . Hughan is well merited , when he calls to mind that zealous Mason ' s words ( Freemasons Magazine , vol . xxi ., page 288 ) , "My writings are before the fraternity , and have been more or less for some seven years , none of which favour the absurd notion , that there was no Speculative Masonry before 1717 . " —CHARLES PTJETON COOPEE .