Correspondence.

and instructive replies . I quite agree , however , with the suggestion that some pertinency and discipline should be observed . It seems to me , sir , that as it is our bounden duty , so a proper allegiance to our constituted authorities is as necessary as it is wise and profitable . The framers of our received rites and

rituals were in my opinion wiser than we their descendants are , and it would be indeed a great happiness for us to be able to return fully to the rites and rituals which they laid down for our guidance , which we seem unfortunately to have lost . If we all did so , we should better understand aud appreciate their

consummate wisdom in having made the R . A . Degree 'the complement of theM . M . ' s , aud having designated it as the essence and completion of the august system . Doubtless , like the progressing light of the sun , and that of religion , of which the sun is employed as a figureour holy serviceso beautiful and

, , helpful , a handmaid to religion , has been progressive . 'Some countries have enjoyed it only with dark and obscuring additions ; aud only ours is that grand and , perfect system which , though having affinities with . others throughout the world , comes to us through Hebrew and pure channels . As such we ought to

prize it . That R . A . Masonry has most ancient proofs existence may be seen and read , for the monuments in the old and new world everywhere contain its emblems . But unfortunately this supreme and important degree is , through the corruption of its ritual , most imperfectly understood . The newly-enrolled companion is , in consequeuce , led almost to feel that he is thereby put in a retrograde position ; that Masonry is not , indeed , a progressive science , but that ,

after all , Egypt is its mother , and terms which are intended to be only illustrative are invested with importance in themselves , not as having a Hebrew alliance . So Pantheism mi ght , but for accessary lessons , be deemed a truthful belief . Revision , Bro . Editor , revision is what we want , aud what our

¦ supreme rulers should supply . Urge them to it . That can remove objections which I have heard made , and have felt myself , and would be indeed most invaluable for Masonic knowledge and progress . I - have _ examined four or five rituals , which all differ , and in all which sacred symbols are only three parts

explained . But I would ask how , without a perfect explanation , the M . M . can full y find that which he seeks ? These , the pledge and aid of W . S . B ., T . P ., and C , are found to be a source of honour , mercy , and help to him in the knowledge and practice of his holy science , and he looks to see perfected under the

II . R . A . of ineffable splendour , endless glory , of which the bad ge he wears is at the same time Heaven ' s broad arrow and signet , and while it works R . A . C . ' s as the privileged and consecrated sons of light , reminds them of their duties , and of the sure fulfilment of the promises of the Great Creator , Great Ruler ,

and King of the Immortal Universe , sealed as they are with the seal of His omnipotence . Apologising for occupying so much of your pages , and observing in extenuation that I have the subject of revision of the It . A . Ritual very much at heart , I remain , yours fraternall y

, ROBERT BOWUEN , M . E . Z . of Pleiades Chapter , Totnes ; W . M . St . John ' s Lodge , Torquay ; P . M ., P . Z ., P . P . G . C , and P . P . G . P . of Devon .

Hebrew Ceremonies.

HEBREW CEREMONIES .

' .. T TO THE EDITOR ON THE t'KHEMASONS' MAOA / I . NE A * D MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sir and Brother , —I observe at page 230 of the magazine a letter from Bro . Thomas M . Campbell , with an accompanying paragraph copied from the Jewish Chronicle , on which I would not likely have made any comment were it not for the words in his letterviz . " as every article relative to Freemasonry

, , must be interesting , " & c . Now , what the Jewish ceremony of circumcising three infants has to do with Freemasonry I am at a loss to know . I consider that the " paragraph " and Bro . C . ' s letter , taken together , are highly calculated to mislead people , especially non-Masons . It isapparentl iving some

founda-, y , g tion for the " hot poker and branding" ideas that some non-Masons have about part of the initiatory ceremonies of our Order . We find in the paragraph that " the appointed surgeons performed the ceremony of circumcision , ' doubtless to the great edification of the onlookers ,

especially of the "large number of ladies who occupied the galleries ; " * while ( unless they got chloroform ) I would consider that the three youngsters must have protested , at the lull extent of their lungs , against the ceremony and show altogether .

But I may be wrong , although I have given the three degrees , and even the Mark ( as I got them myself ) , without ever requiring to draw blood , or seeing it done either . Perhaps I have not had the benefit of the same experience as Bro . Campbell , so I would desire an explanation from him . To non-Masons who may read the Freemasons '

Magazine I would desire to say that in none of our ceremonies connected with " making a Mason " do we require " surgical" aid , it being a pure ancient sacred ceremony in which the candidate—so far as his body is concerned—goes as he came . We work upon his mind , we take from him his ignorance , and give him

knowledge ; so , therefore , as " knowledge is power , " the "cowan" who gets himself transformed into a brother goes away better than when he came . In the foregoing remarks I have no intention of saying anything whatever about circumcision as a doctrine or religious ceremony ; such would be

altogether out of place here . I merely deprecate the coupling together of Freemasonry and circumcision in the way that Bro . Campbell has done . Yours fraternally , A MASTER MASON .

Red Cross Knights Of Constantine.

RED CROSS KNIGHTS OF CONSTANTINE .

TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE rilEEHASOXs' 3 IAGAZIXE AXD ilASO ^ IC MIREOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —I have been much interested , though not much instructed , by the account which appeared in your paper of the 14 th inst . relative to the abovenamed distinguished Order . In the Triennial Assembly of the General Grand Conclave I

see a good imitation of the Grand Conclave of Knight Templars , with the M . 111 . Grand Sovereign , the Right Hon . the Lord Kenlis , received under the arch of steel , and all that sort of thing . I note that the