Masonic Notes And Queries.

"beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings , ' but we are fearful that very few fathom the depth or comprehend the grandeur of the sublime teaching . Our first most excellent Grand Master very fully elucidates this subject , and we recommend our brethren to carefully study tbe the book of Proverbs , for tbey will find therein a vast amount of Masonic teaching . As an

example we quote : — "The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth . " " "Wisdom is the principal thing , therefore get wisdom . " " Exalt her and she will promote thee . " " She shall give to thy head an ornament of grace ; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee . " "Understanding is a well-spring of life to him that hath it . "

Wisdom cannot be attained without severe labor ; but we owe a life of industry to our Grand Master for the innumerable benefits which , we receive from . " his hands . " Outside of this sacred duty , there is a pleasure in the attainment of knowledge only known to those who have sacrificed a love for frivolous pleasures and tenaciously studied and stored their minds with that which could give them lasting pleasures .

He cannot be truly useful in our generation by leading a life of mental inactivity ; therefore an ignorant Mason must be a selfish man . Wisdom giveth strength , it enlarges the brain , and commands respect even from the ignorant . Masonry enjoins upon its votaries never to neglect any opportunity to store the mind with useful knowledge . The brain of

man is so God-like in its formation , that it is capable by proper cultivation of retaining any amount of knowledge ; in fact it can never be filled . By wisdom men gain strength to withstand trials and afflictions , and they become a pillar on which the weak may lean and be sustained in their trials . A proper application of knowledge will make the man

a pillar of beauty , gaining the admiration of the world , in fact will compel the most acrimonious to acknowledge . his worth and power . Masonry presents to its votaries an open book , simple , plain , and comprehensive . Let us then take advantage of the great privileges we have thrust upon us : then will we give the honour which is so justly due to the institution , and be laying up a crown of glory for ourselves .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondsno , HINDOOISM AND FREEMASONEY . TO THE EDITOE OF THE FKEEStASOlfs' MAGAZINE AND 1 TASOHIC 3 IIBEOK . Dear Sir and Brother , —I wish to ask your correspondentBro . Cooper ( November 26 , 1870 p . 427 )

, , , whether , before making his remarks on Hindooism , he had studied the ancient theological works of the Hindoos , in the original , or by the medium of translations . If so , perhaps he would have the goodness to explain , in replythe meaning of om or awnithe

, , difference between Brahm and Brahma , tbe signification of Narayanha , the order and import of the autwras of Vishnu , and the mystery of the resurrection of Jiigyernath , likewise the signs and emblems of tbe power of Siva . These will all be readily explained if he has seriously

considered the subject , and I have no doubt your readers would welcome such a communication . I had been under the impression that the ancient Hindus , or co-religionists of Menu , were pure Uni-

Correspondence.

tarians or Deists ; and that modern Fanllieism arose from confounding symbols with facts , impersonations with personalities , errors encouraged by the cupidity of priests , " and the ignorance of the people . A disciple of Menu is not , I think , incapacitated from becoming a Freemason . Some are , even now , I believe , Freemasons . L . A .

"The Rectangular Review," And The Masonic Charities.

"THE RECTANGULAR REVIEW , " AND THE MASONIC CHARITIES .

TO THE EDITOR 03 ? THE EKEE 3 IAS 0 NS 3 EAGAZIXE AND MASOIflC 3 IIRi : 0 K Although it is unusual for authors to reply to observations made in newspapers upon their articles , yet on the present occasion , the subject having been noticed in the "Freemasons' Magazine " of Saturday , November 26 , and elsewhere , the matter being-Masonicand tbe subject Charitythe writer of the

, , article on Freemasonry in the " Rectangular Review " feels disposed to relax the rule . First , he must remark that it is , upon the present occasion , hardly fair for Bro . Binckes to have brought the names pf Bros . Hervey , Farnfield , and Patten into the discussionas hehas done elsewhere ; they were

, in no way referred to . The chief object of tbe article was to complain of the active members of the Committee of the Boys' and GHrls' Schools , and to point out serious matters for comment , if for nothing more . The money subscribed fo those noble institutions is intended for specific purposes . Now the writer

asks , "What right had these gentlemen to vole £ 240 for a purpose not contemplated in the prospectus of those institutions , by their public advertisements soliciting subscriptions , intended hy the donors , for the use or benefit of the children sent to thoso institutions to be educated , clothed , and fed ? Aud finally , be it asked , with whom originated the

proposition for this grant ? Bro . Binckes , in his remarks elsewhere , states that theanuual office expenses of the BoyalMasonic Institution for Boys amounts to £ 910 . Now , if we look at the printed statement of accounts for the year ending 1869 , we find that there was collected during th . nl , year £ 12847 9 s . 10 d . and the total expenses of the

, , establishment at Wood Green , and the office expenses , as above , are put down at £ 4 , 671 19 a . Sd ., or £ 44 Is . 6 d . per boy . It would thus seem , that there is actually expended upon the boys not much more than one-third ol the amount collected . The question may fairly be

asked , what became of the remaining £ 8 , 175 10 s . 2 d . ? So far as appears in the statement of accounts reli- 'i--red to , the amount received from Steward ' s fees , amounting probably to another £ 1000 , is entirely excluded . Now , without desiring to scrutinize fluaccounts in a niggardly way , there seems to be room

for retrenchment here , and would it not be better for Bro . Binckes , as he seems desirous to court an inquiry , to have faced the position boldly , instead of conveying an impression tothe superficial reader , that the total expenses of the Chanty , apart from what the boja received , amounts only to £ 910 per annum ? The article m the " Eectangular Review " would not have been written but for the special instance oi