The Three Grand Principles.

action—the lessons we hear on those occasions press us to works of active charity—why , then , should not every lodge have some good work on hand to prove otu- combined as well as our individual acceptance of those sublime lessons ? The evils above alluded to are of such a nature that

the eradication of one would disturb a host of others in its train , and more good would be accomplished by one hearty trial than could at first sight be expected . Again we submit that the best modes of attack would not need any disbursement of money , so that the proper Masonic

charities would not be at all interfered with . Time and space forbid any detail , being in the present article attempted , of what we conceive might be done , but we have desired to throw out a few hints , in the earnest hope that all true Masons will lay them to heart and reflect thereon , holding themselves ready to act at the

first opportunity . Could the great works of relief to which Ave have directed attention be really set on foot and heartily carried on , the benefit to Masonry would be

incalculable . Many lodges that IIOAV have Avell nigh nothing to do and are sinking into mere convivial societies might start into vigorous Masonic life . We should no longer meet with men ( Masons Ave cannot call them ) who have been dragged through the three degrees and neA er again entered a lodge because , forsooth , they

found ix " all humbug . " We should have the strongest possible safeguard against the initiation of improper persons , for were it known that , as a matter of course , a lodge of Freemasons Avas occupied in prosecuting some good Avork , the indolent and the sensual Avould not seek

for admission . Then , in truth , need we no longer fear our glorious Craft sneered at as " unprofitable" or "exclusive" b y the most cavilling coAvan ; for while Ave Avould still observe the duty of humility and avoidance of ostentation ,

Ave should be fulfilling the command of our Great Grand Master , even the G . A . O . T . IT ., Avho said " Let your LIGHT so shine before men that they ma } ' see your good AVorks ¦ and glorify your Father which is in IieaA-en . " —C . I . E . S .

LITERATURE OF AIASO'IIV . —There is much that is well worth rememhering in the following remarks hy Bro . Richard 11 . P . ees , P . Grand Alaster of Kansas , on the extensive sources of Alasonic study . " Nor should I pass in silence the vast importance of the study of our noble art ; too common is the error that when once we pass the ceremonial of our Order our toils are at an end . You have then but placed your foot upon the step which leads to the entrance

of the outer porch . Believe me , brethren , that when you shall have toiled for years in di gging knowledge from the depth of science , you have but learned , in Masonry , your lessons of orthography . If you suppose that all the science of the Craft consists in your ability to recite the ritual , be undeceived at once ; for every path you tread , amid the mazes of literature , adds something to your stock of knowledge in symbolic art . The author

Avho conversed with God on Sinai ' s mountain , with all the patriarchal writers , details a fund of true Masonic science ; the journalists of every year , from then till now , can teach you something of the craftsman ' s history ; tho deep researches of neology amongthe hidden mysteries of the mineral world , devclope facts of vast importance to the brotherhood ; the demonstrative science of geometry is never learned by one short journey through the middle chamber . Then , let the Alason , who would know his lesson well , search deeply the musty store-house of the learned , and glean from thence important truths in trae "Masonic lore . "

Classical Theology.—Xxxiv.

CLASSICAL THEOLOGY . —XXXIV .

IX . —DIAXA AND HOTEMBEB . At the Smiepm , a festival Avas held by the citizens of Alea in Arcadia , in honour of the twice-born" god of wine , named Bimator , because he had two mothers . The poets tell us that when Jupiter was enamoured of Semele , his intrigue raised the jealous indignation of Juno hig her

than it had ever been knoAA'n before ; trembling with innate rage , she contrived that the destruction of her rival should be self-caused through her mortal vanity . Artfully disguising herself as a fortune-teller she thus induced Semele . to bind Jupiter by his inviolable oath to come to her as he did to Juno , " in all his glory , majesty , and

honour . " This idea of outvying the queen of the gods greatly pleased Semele ; and so it was that Jupiter put on the array of his terrible glory , and in the midst of Hashing lightning and pealing thunder entered Semele ' s bouse , or to quote the well-known verses" She asked of Jove a gift unnamed

, When thus the kind consenting god reply'd : Speak but your choice , it shall not bo denied ; Nay , to confirm thy trust , let Stygian gods , And all the tenants of hell ' s dark abodes , Witness my promise ; those are oaths that bind And keep the gods , ev'n JoA'e himself , confm'd . "

" Corpus morialo tumultns Non tulit aitheroos , clonisque jugalibus arsit , " Her mortal nature could not bear " The glaring- beams and strong celestial light , " that in the embrace " diffusive glories shed ; " blighted

and burnt , reduced to darkened ashes , she perished : — " ¦ Gcnetricis ab alvo Ei'ipitur , patrioque tener ( si credere dignum est ) In suitttr i ' emori , mafcernaqiic tempora complet . " The imperfect babe that was lying in the womb Avas taken

by Jupiter , and , as Ave read , seAved into his thigh , from Avhence , in the fulness of time , it Avas born and consigned to the care of Mercury , to be conveyed to Maoris , the daughter of Aristfeus , in Enba . Maoris immediately anointed the lips of the infant Avith honey ,, and brought him up , says Apollonius Bhodius ( Argon iv . ) , with the greatest

tenderness and attention , in a crypt or vault which had tAvo entrances , each having a gate or double doors . Bacchus Avas called Bromius , a-o TOO ( pi ^ cr , from the crackling of fire and the noise of thunder , which Avas heard when his

mother Avas consumed in the embraces of Jupiter ; and as it Avas said , from the womb of Semele and the thigh of Jupiter , he had two mothers , lie was also called Bimator or Bimetor . To manifest his distaste for Avater , they set his image at Alea , under an umbrella s-n-S T < -owaSi , whence it is supposed arose the name of the festival , at which

Avomen were beaten Avith scourges in obedience to a decree of the ' Delphian oracle ( Pausanias Arcadia ' s Hallux viii . 23 ) , much in the like manner at the solemnity . AiapasTiyao-is , derived from a-no ™ luumyw , signif ying Avhipping . Spartan boys Avere Hogged upon the altar of Liana . These boys Avero originally only the free-born sons of

Sparta , but afterwards the privilege Avas extended to those of less hardy rearing , of meaner birth , and not unfrequently even the offspring of slaves . They were named in consequence of the examination , and from the discipline they underwent at tho altar , Ba / mvencat , This drill exercise Avas always , without exception , excessively severe , and very cruel . Lest the exercising officer should , out of compassion , remit any of the rigour of this test of a boy ' s power of unflinching endurance , the priestess of