Masonic Notes And Queries.

eilects of progression , and using our sacred institution as merchandise , and whenever we depart from the landmarks our ancient fathers set , and adopt new rituals , new modes of lectures , and depart from the established principles and manner of teaching them , then we , as members of our ancient order , will fail in the objects contemplated , and soon anarchy and confusion Avill take the place of that peace and harmony that should ever characterize the workings of our belo \ 'ed order . ' '

THE MASON'S REAYARD . " Beyond the pleasure of an approving conscience , men who labour for the good of humanity need not ordinarily look for their reAvards in this life . Socrates devoted his life to teaching virtue , and yet his own wife abused him , and his neighbours

condemned him to be poisoned AA'ith hemlock . Moses abandoned the luxury of the Egyptiau court , and the _ prospects of a crown , to labour for the emancipation of his people , and yet they Avere stubborn , disobedient , and ungrateful . Hiram , the companion of kings , and yet the friend and associate of Avorking

men , Avas slain for his love of truth and unyielding integrity . The Great Teacher went aboufc doing good , and yet the multitude crucified Him . We Masons labour to promote virtue , and to alleviate the sufferings of the destitute and the wretched , and yet because we think proper to assemble quietly to

ourselves , instead of parading our Avorks of charity in public meetings , there are fanatical men , claiming to be saints , Avho denounce , and perhaps Avould crucify ns , had they the power . Masonry will flourish after all such men are dead and forgotten . Tou may not be rewarded for your good Avorks in this life , but we teach that there is an immortal life beyond the tomb , where virtue is rewarded . "

CONTRIBUTOR B ' s . SUGGESTION . See the communication " Trinitarianism and the Triangle , " " Freemasons' Magazine , " page 4-17 . A Member of Grand Lodge asks whafc Contributor B . means by a suggestion in the columns of the " Freemasons' Magazine" " That tho Trinitarian System of

, Christianity manufactured in the middle or latter part of the first century , A . D ., Avould , therefore , * be as much the Avork of men ' s hands , or brains , as Avas the Speculative system of Freemasonry manufactured about the beginning of the eighteenth century . " —A PAST PROVINCIAL G-HAKD MASTER .

R . ARCH CEREMONIES OVER FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO . Among many other items of interest to bo found in the History of Apollo Chapter No . 48 E . A . M ., Troy , New York , by Companion Jessie B . Anthony , Ave find the following , relative to the the ceremonies attendant upon the laying of the top-stone of the lock

on the Erie Canal , at Albany , October 6 , 1823 . " The Chapter took part in the ceremonies held at Albany on the occasion of the laying of the top-stone of the lock on the Erie Canal . The Masonic ceremonies were performed by M . E . Ezra Ames , G . II . P . of the Grand Chapter of New York , dressed in official robes and attended by his subordinates , arrayed injthe insignia of their respective offices .

"The procession opened right and left , and the Grand officers passed through the front , and once around the lock to the north side . " The companions formed on each side of the Grand Ofiicers , with tbe Grand Marshal on the left . " Praver by the Eev . Grand Chaplain . " Exhortation by the Grand H . P .

"Celebration ode chaunted Avhile the procession moved three times around the lock under the arches . "The engraved plate Avas then examined and placed under the cap-stone by the Grand Scribe . " The cap-stone was then laid by G . H . P ., assisted by the Grand Architects .

" The cap-stone was then consecrated wifch corn , wine , and oil , hy the presiding ofiicers after which the benediction . " The procession then passeel three times around the lonk under the nrrtlies .

" Final close by the discharge of nine cannons—by three times three—with flourishing of music between each . " UNIFORMITY OF LANGUAGE UNATTAINABLE AND NON-ESSENTIAL .

We are not of those who believe that uniformity in language in the rituals of Masonry is the grand desideratum , even if it Avas possible to attain it , which it is not . There are too many of the brethren of the present day , nothing but parrot-Masons , and Avho pride themselves upon having memorized a few set

phrases , but in Avhich phrases are none of the essentials of Masonry , and are different from those used in sister jurisdictions . The only requisites are the preservation of those secrets , and a knowledge of Avhich makes the man a Mason . We concur in tho following , which Ave find in the Foreign

Correspondence of Minnesota : " We believe in uniformity of ceremonial , but all experience lias proved that Avhere uniformity of language is assiduously sought after , other matters of more importance are lost sight of . Hours , days , and weeks are spent in teaching the young Mason a

precise set of Avords ; he visits another jurisdiction , and is at least puzzled , if not rejected , which he is apt to be , if tho same preciseness has been inculcated as afc home .

" Pennsylvania , which has the oldest work on this continent , and which retains the work as first introduced in this country , has been obliged to appeal to her sister Grand Lodges , to permit her members to visit Avithout exacting of them a knowledge of rituals which are not taught in that State , and yet there is no particular difference in the ceremonial . Again , what does the European Mason know of our rituals ?

" We are nofc opposed to rituals , but where so much stress is laid on precise uniformity of language , the young Masonic mind is apt to be misled , to believe that that which he has learned is the only genuine Masonry , and acts accordingly . We are perfectly a ware that we are not on the popular side on this question , but our opinions are the result of much stud y and some experience , and Ave can not forego them until convinced of error . "—Pomerofs Democrat .