Masonic Notes And Queries.

Grand Masters , and Ezra and Nehemiah for our Scribes—not believers in Revealed Religion ! The idea is preposterous . " The venerable Dr . Oliver , not long before his death , quoted these words as part of an editorial remark from the " Freemasons' Magazine , " which , he observed , is the legitimate organ of the Craft . See " Preston ' s Illustrations , " page 451 , Seventeenth Edition . A contributor curtly calls these Avords " Rodomontade *

It may be useful here to see how the words had previousl y been dealt with by another contributor . There will be found , vol , 22 , page 2 S 9 , of our periodical , the following communication from the pen oi the Past Provincial Grand Master for Kent-An editorial remark , "Freemasons' Magazine , ' ' 1853 , page 580 , to Avhich a Metropolitan Brother calls

my attention , has been known to me ever since it was published . Dr . Oliver someAvhere cites it at length , and with approbation . There is a great deal in it to Avhich I cannot assent . f It is possible that Kings David and Solomon were what are now called Grand Masters , - but for reasons often stated by me in communications to the " Freemasons' Magazine , " the Masonry of their lodge could not have been true

Freemasonry , It is possible , too , that Zerubbabel was Avhat Ave designate Grand Master , and , in this case , the Masonry of his lodge Avould , as the communication referred to shows , he true Freemasonry , It is possible , too , that Ezra and Nehemiah were Grand Officers in the present signification of the term , although , as my brother remarks , they could not ha \ e been Scribes . "—A PAST PROVINCIAL GEASI MASTER .

ST . JOHN THE EVANGELIST . J It is related by ancient and eminent Masonic authority that-when John Avas in his ninetieth year , Freemasonry , which had been a vigorous Institution , had fallen very much into decay , many lodges having been entirely broken up , and add only afew meeting in sufficient numbers to constitute their legality ; and

that at a general meeting of the Craft , held in Jerusalem , it Avas observed that the principal reason for the inaction of Freemasonry Avas the want of a Grand Master to patronise it . The lodge , therefore , deputed seven of their most eminent members to vrait

upon St . John , requesting him to take the office of Grand Master . He returned for answer that though well stricken in years , yet having been early in life initiated into Masonry , he Avould take upon himself the office ; and lie thereby completed by his learning Avhat the other St . John had initiated by his zeal , and thus drew what Freemasons term a line parallel ; ever since which , time Freemason ' s Lodges in all Christian Countries have been dedicated both to St .

John the Baptist , and St . John the Evangelist . — From a bundle of Masonic Excerpts . —CHARLES PTJRTON COOPER . RRO . GEORGE WASHINGTON . " Among the books in the library of Bro . George Washington , at the time of his death , was the

' Poetical Works of William Preston , Esq ., ' a Avork published in Dublin , in 17 S 9 . The book Avas a presentation copy , and Avas inscribed to Bro . Washington , in the following lines , Avhich , for terse and comprehensive thought , cannot be excelled . We have copied the inscription in lines , as it AA as Avritten by the author : —¦

'To His Excellency , 'BRO GEORGE WASHINGTON , ' The Deliverer of his Country , ' Undismayed iu Danger , ' Unshaken in Adversity , ' Uncorrupted in Prosperity , ' IN WHOII

' Military Talents , ' Consummate Wisdom , ' and ' Unexampled Moderation , ' Most happily Unite , * and render him

' The Boast of Human Nature ! 'From the Author . ' " What more truthful and comprehensive tribute to the memory of the immortal Washington has been rendered by any writer , than this inscription from the pen of an almost unknoAvn author , and one who had no national affinities with whom he thus eulogised . " ' —Parvin .

ARE YOU A MASON ? Having a short time since , heard the above interrogatory ansAvered affirmatively by one , who I considered had but small claim to so distinguished a title . ,. I presently fell into a meditative mood , as is my Avont , aud began to contemplate the masonic character , and to consider who had a valid claim to be called a

Mason ; and these are the conclusions at which I arrived : — A Mason worthy of his vocation AA-ill take the great light of Masonry as his trestle-board , and Avill endeavour to shape all his moral work according , to its designs . He will never be found habitually and wantonly using God ' s holy namenor wilfully

, violating any precept of the moral law , its due obseiwance being the tenure of his masonic standing . His word , once pledged , will be to him as the Jaw of the Medes and Persians , —that cannot be altered . This he Avill observe , though not enforced thereto by the law of the land , and though it be to his OAVU

pecuniary loss and damage . He will never misrepresent facts to the injury of another , nor , knowingly , slander or defame his neighbour . He Avill cheerfully obey the laws and constituted authority of his country , although he has the inherent right , openly , candidlyand justlyto scan and discuss their merits

, , and their faults . He will despise and abhor all trickery , low cunning , and fraud , and be true aud just in all his dealings . He will not accuse innocence , nor shelter guilt , be the parties AVIIO they may . He will be kind and obliginsr to his neighbours ,.