Random Notes On Freemasonry.

exactly the same criticism as the literary productions of any other people , while the inspiration contained in it is just the same as that found in Shakespeare , Luther , Milton , Scott , Watt , or Gladstone . "

Tho language speaks for itself , and I think that the man who denies the inspiration of the Scriptures is hardly the teacher whose words we should reverence , or whose opinion we should accept as to the history and the aims of our venerable and

venerated Institution . In these days of utilitarianism it is often asked what is the use of Freemasonry ? It is useless for us to answer , " We have our great Masonic charities , " because the reply is , " So have other

orders , with not half the pretensions of the Freemasons . " What nobler work than the fostering aud study of architecture and archasology , the restoration of the churches built by our ancestors ! The Masons of Bristol , under their esteemed

Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Limerickone of the most distinguished members of the A . and A . Rite—have set a noble example . They have recently restored the Lady Chapel of St .

Mary Redcliffe—the grandest porch church , perhaps , in England—at a very great cost , and they took part in laying the foundation-stone of the new nave to their Cathedral . We can all do something in this way to show

the world we are not degenerate sons of the mediceval Masons , for we can always help with our money if not with our hands , at the restoration of those beautiful and historic fanes reared by the wisdom and piety of our ancestors .

Whenever a Masonic lodge is situated near to some grand old church going to decay , its members should be the first to help with loving hands to rebuild the sacred edifice , if they believe in the history of their Order , so that it may be said ,

"By their works ye shall know them . " "They have done a good work !" Did time permit , I could enlarge upon the science of Symbolism pourtrayed as ifc is in our sacred buildings , especially interesting to ns

Masons ; and to the curious Masons' marks found scattered over the cathedrals and temples in Europe and Asia . Many of tliese marks in countries most remote are almost

identicalpointing to a solidarity , a community whose purpose , aims , history , and origin were one . Sonic years ago , when Hartlepool Church ( founded

by one of the Braces , ancestor of King Robert , about 1100 A . D- ) was undergoing restoration , I was one of a number of Freemasons on the committee . We discovered upon some of the stones forming the foundations of the chancel , and

which had been buried for 700 years , marks almost identical with some found in Notre Dame Cathedral . I would refer any brother interested in this subject to Laurie ' s " History of Freemasonry in Scotland , " and to the "Builder" of March 27

and June 26 , 1869 , where he will see a collection of these marks and the places where they are found ; also that valuable work , Mackey ' s " Lexicon of Masonry . " One word as to the constitution of Grand

Lodge and the appointment of Grand Officers . I think it will be generally admitted that the appointments to office are unsatisfactory . Men become members of Grand Lodge of whom the Craft knows nothing , and who , I venture to say , know as little about the Craft . Noblemen are

pitchforked into the W . and S . who have never been Masters of lodges , contrary to the constitution ; and young gentlemen , simply because they are related to those highest in office , are made rulers of the Craft , in the first principles of which

they are lamentably ignorant . Office is almost entirely restricted to London Masons , whilst men like "Lupus" and Bro . Hughan , who are an ornament to the Craft , and whose research and learning have done so much for Masonry , are left

out in the cold . What office had Dr . Oliver , the most learned Mason in his time , in Grand Lodge ? What position does Dr . Beaumont Leeson—I suppose the greatest Mason living—hold at the present time ? I say that Grand Lodge might

very well take a lesson of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , which authorises every lodgo under its sway to nominate a brother for office . By this plan provincial Masons of worth might hope to attain the purple , and Grand Lodge would become —what ifc certainly is not at present—a truly representative body .

One word more . There is an impression abroad ivhieh should be removed . Freemasonry is a benevolent , but not a benefit society . No man has a right to come amongst us and demand assistance , as he would from an Oddfellows' lodge .

Benefit societies , most excellent institutions in their way , are mainly of use to the working classes . I speak in the presence of many valu-