The Craft And Its Criticisers.—Iii.

THE CRAFT AND ITS CRITICISERS . — III .

[ From a Correspondent . ] fa prosecution of the plan proposed , the next question which offers itseli for consideration is—What' is the antiquity of the Masonic Order ?¦—This question will bear several different constructions , and of course may receive as many various solutions . There arc those who will answer that it commenced with the

creation of man , and in one sense this is correct , if wc refer to the introduction of the principles on which Freemasonry is based , and regard the institution , as it probably existed in patriarchal times , in the light of a conservator of a knowledge of the Most High . If the question be limited to the earliest evidences of the existence of a regularly organized society , perhaps Ave can hardly quote anything very definite , more remote than the building of the firstor king Solomon's temple ; but when wc consider that in the

construc-, tion of that great work every arrangement appeared to be fully organised and in complete working condition , in reference to the different orders in the Craft , and the peculiar duties of each , such a conviction leads us to the fair inference , that so great a variety of detail as was requisite , so perfect a classification of the members , so accurate a division according to various degrees of skill , so minute precautions for preventing the intrusion of those not qualified by race or bhandicraft powers to take a share in that great

y and glorious work , could not have arisen all at once , and must evince an existence as a regularly constituted fraternity long prior to that period . There are others again who assign to the Crusaders the origination of Freemasonry ; but if what has been stated lie true , it is clear that to them

can he attributed nothing more than the introduction of the clement of Christianity , and the establishment of advanced grades based as a superstructure on the original system as a foundation . This however must necessarily destroy the universality of the Order , by excluding from it all who did not admit the truth of the Christian reli gion . Hence , these are considered in England as no part of the genuine Freemasonry , and while they are not forbidden , are not formally recognized and incorporated into

the system . Such however is not the case in other countries , where their validity does receive the sanction of the Masonic authorities . If Freemasonry be so good a thing as it is represented to he , why should not the whole world have the benefit of it ? Though , as already stated , there is much in the history of the science which may afford room for pleasant and profitable study , since in the present clay it is rather speculative than operative , still its effects are chiefly felt in a social point of view ; and

most of that which is presented to the attention of ordinary members of the Craft is only with the object of binding them together by strong mutual bonds—to lead them to act on the square with all the world , but particularly with each other—to induce them , to render all those services which justice or mercy may require—to incite them to govern their own conduct b y a prudent and well directed course of discipline . This being the case , it is clear that in an especial manner are kind offices called for to those who

belong to the Order , not certainly to the exclusion of others , but if it were thrown open to all , this particular plan of operation would simply be impracticable . Any one who has had even limited acquaintance amonn-Masons , must know that they are often , indeed constantly , induced to perform deeds of love and charity towards each other , which in a wider