The Antiquity And Teachings Of Masonry.

mutual recognition , and were bound together by secret obligations . At an early period , these societies were endowed with special privileges as a corporation of builders , and became exempt from all local and civil jurisdiction . At length , and by degrees , many persons of eminence , not of the Craft , chiefly ecclesiastics , became associated with

them from a desire to obtain the secret knowledge they possessed and participate in their privileges . This admixture of a superior class , as " Accepted" Masons , soon became potential ; and as the knowledge of the art of building spread beyond the limits of the society , the speculative element gradually predominated . In England , however , it appears that the Freemasons , under

their ancient organisation , which dates from the time of Athelstane , continued as a body to erect public buildings until the rebuilding of London and the completion of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , under the mastership of Sir Christopher Wren . It was as late as 1717 that the ancient lodges remaining in London united to form a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons . In 1733 the

, Grand Lodge , in whose presence we now stand , was organised under English authority as the first Grand Lodge in America , and constitutes the link of our connection with the illustrious past of our Order . We are proud of our descent as Masons from an ancestry so renowned . and venerable . Our fathers wrought to embellish the earth with exquisite forms of

material beauty , and reared with patient toil those stately edifices which overspread the old world with elegance and grace . The memorials of their genius and skill compel the homage of admiring generations , and their fame will endure for ever . But the claims of Masonry to our respect are not founded chiefly on the service it has rendered to the useful and ornamental arts of life . The forms of architectural beauty and desigu may vanish , but the spirit which informed them still survives with the Craft , and dignifies

and hallows our work . Our Order no longer hews and squares the rough ashlar for tho builder ' s use , but essays the nobler work of fashioning living stones for the use of the Great Architect himself . We cease to employ the coarse implements which were once the instruments of manual toil , wielded by brawny arms and with sweating brow . The forms of these wo preserve ; but with us

they are spiritualised as emblematical teachers of a pure morality . The plumb , the level , and the square repose upon our altars still , but in jewelled majesty , to be used only by the gloved hand to symbolise the highest truths as instruments of human improvement . It is natural to respect Masonry for its antiquity ; but it claims our reverence also because it is the onlone of

y the old societies which history records , which has survived the wreck of time . Masonry is the only purely human institution which has withstood the never-ceasing tide of change in the world's affairs . In imperishable strength and silent dignity it has endured like the rook while the current has passed by , sweeping into oblivion systems , dynasties , and institutions , some of them as

ancient as herself , and once the objects of pride and admiration . It is natural to inquire what there is in Masonry which will account for its permanency thus far , and promises to secure its perpetuity . " Why is it that its light that glimmered in early darkness should shine iu increasing lustre through the ages , and in the nineteenth century ,

glow in full effulgence ? How is it that with no sign of decrepitude or decay , Masonry with unpalsied hand yet holds the sceptre of our Royal Art in increasing empire ? The answer must be sought in some peculiarity of constitution , for no miracle has been wrought in her behalf . She has been subjected to the same series of circumstances as other institutions now numbered with , things that were , with no external shield against the attack of time . In her own symbolical language , she is said to be supported by pillars of Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty .

The Antiquity And Teachings Of Masonry.

On this hint we propose to dwell , and a brief interpretation of this language , in an enlarged sense , may reveal the secret of her stability and power . ( To be continued . )

Masonic Notes And Coteries.

MASONIC NOTES AND COTERIES .

AKIROPE . Who was Akirope , and what did he have to do with Masonry ?—H . WE WON ' T GIVE UP THE BIBLE . There is a very popular song which I think many Masons ought to know , as it is upon our chief great

light : — We won't give up the Bible , God ' s holy book of truth ; The blessed staff of hoary age , The guide of early youth : The suu that slieds a glorious light , O ' er every dreary road ; The voice that speaks a Saviour ' s love And calls us home to God .

We won't give up the Bible , For pleasure or for pain ; We'll buy the truth and sell it not For all that we might gain : Though man should try to take our prize By guile or cruel might , We'll suffer all that man can do , And God defend the right 1

AVe won't give up the Bible , But spread it far and wide , Until its saving voice be heard Beyond the rolling tide—Till all shall know its saving power , And with one voice and heart , Resolve that from God ' s sacred word ,

We'll never , never part ! Any information as to its author will he acceptable to—OHEGA . —[ The author is not known to us . Bro . Henry John Gauntlett , Mus . Doc . Cantuar ., one of the greatest living musicians , set the words to a Christmas carol some five or six years ago . The music is published by Masters , of rlew Bond-street . ]

A HINT TO EOTD THE KET . Men are always inclined to disregard what is plain and easily acquired , and to admire that which is secret aud mysterious . The poets , discovering this , invented the fable for a remedy , when treating of holy matters ; . which , being more obscure than conversation , and more

clear than the riddle , formed a mean between knowledge and ignorance , and was partly believed for being agreeable , and partly for being wonderful . Thus , as poets by name , and philosophers in effect , they drew mankind gradually to a search after truth , when the name of philosophy would have been harsh and displeasing .

TRUE MASONIC CHARITX . Always speak as well of a brother in his absence as in his presence , and even better , because , when present , he is able to defend himself ; do not defame him , or suffer him to be defamed , if it is in our power to prevent it ; and if , unfortunately , a brother ' s conduct should be so bad as that we are unable truly to speak well of him , it is then our duty to adopt the distinguishing virtue of our science—and say nothing . And this will not only elevate our own character in the esti-