Masonic Notes And Queries.

Tour wife ia a pious Christian . Tour children are all very young . LeaA'e to the mother the reli gious education of the children . Let their mother teach them , as your mother taught you . —CHARLES PURTON COOPER .

Discontinuance Of Attendance At Church.

DISCONTINUANCE OF ATTENDANCE AT CHURCH .

, TO THE EDITOR OE THE TREEMASO . Vs' XABSZZXS AXD H 1 SOX 1 C MIltROIt . ~~ DEAE SIR AND BROTHER , —In your report of the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorsetshire , I observe that among other resolutions then agreed to , is one , "for discontinuing the procession to and attendance at church at the annual meetings of

Provincial Grand Lodge . " _ I must say that I read this resolution with considerable regret , for it seems not to he a step in the right direction , but rather a retrogade moA'ement . Surely , Freemasons should be forward in evidencing to the world that they honour aud adore the Great

Architect of the Universe , and that they are not ashamed to confess that belief . I have had the privilege of attending a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset , and Avas very -much T > ieased with the m-dftl-lv mid imnnsino- urn .

cession to church ; and I IIUOAY , from remarks Avhich I heard from sei'eral of the uninitiated , that a very favourable effect was produced thereby ou the public . The church was croAvded hy a most respectable and attentive audience , aud the greatest interest was evinced in the proceedings hy the inhabitants of the

town in which the Grand Lodge assembled . Hoivever , it will be said , " the Dorset Grand Lodge is the best judge of the matter . " Be it so . I cannot , however , hel p feeling disheartened , and I believe that many will share in the feeling , when I find men , and especially Freemasonsturning their backs Him

, upon from whom all our blessings in this Avorld flow , and . through whose grace aud mercy alone , we hope to inherit the joys of that Avhich is to come . Tours faithfully and fraternally , " ONE WHO THOROUGHLY RELIEVES IN THE VOLUME OE THE SACRED LAW . "

Freemasonry And Virtue.

FREEMASONRY AND VIRTUE .

IO THE EDITOE OF THE rEEEMASOSS' -HACUZISE ASD MASOUIC MIIIEOB . _ DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —If there be aught in virtue beyond the name , the subject to which I am about to request your attention is extremel y momentous . I have said in virtue , because , as our Institution embraces all modes of faith ; and as I consider thatof the numerous branches of religion

, , virtue is the radix-. I haA'e assumed that , as the inostcomprehensive Avord whereby we can express all that is good in the Avhole system of nature or providence , if betAveen these terms there be any distinction . My ideas will , perhaps , hear the stamp of singularity : yet I am content it ; whether singularly , just or

erroneous , they be worthy of discussion . In Masonry , as in religion , it must be granted ( and I do not see why the concession should disgrace the pure principles of the one , any more than it diminishes our veneration ofthe other ) , the professors do not give to the perfection of the system all the support that Avere to be wished ; and if it he possible for tongue or pen to

persuade the brethren to reflect on the importance of the subject , I shall feel bold enough to invite the aid of those who , possessed of superior talents , can effect by their abilities what I am about to propose from zeal . ' This proposition , then , is to draw toy / ether by the pure princiles of our Order a select number of

p brethren from the Fraternity at large , who , properly impressed by the tenets of the profession , shall have courage to carry them into practice , and make them the unerring guide of their conduct through life . The moral and theological virtues , I believe , comprehend tho Avhole view aud include the utmost aim of the

Institution . Forearmed against the fear of ridicule , I declare my belief that fiom the lodges of Freemasons iu London and its environs , a very numerous and respectable selection might be made to give effect to so desirable a purpose . To he guided by temperance in our commerce Avith the world ; to have fortitude to

resist temptation , and to cheek improper desires : to let prudence be the ruler of our actions , aud to render to every man his due , Avithout distinction—in short , to rule aud direct our passions , to have faith aud hope in God and chari ty towards man , I consider as the objects of Avhat is termed speculative Masonry ( the

operative branch of the system I leave to the discussion of those who , from their peculiar bias of mind , or connection with the arts , have made it more particularly their study ) . If these , then , really form the ground p lan of the fabric , and they were strictl y enforced by the practice of the Craft , the Masonic

must surely be an inestimable Institution . But theory Avithout practice , though it may attract admiration , will never gain respect . To be honoured —in short to be useful—a system must have the qualities of stability , of practicability , and of effect . Now , it is , perhaps , the strongest and most invincible objection with those who attempt to argue against

Preemasonry ; that to an institution so specious , aud from which so much excellence might be expected to result , the members do not give by their general conduct the necessary support . Fortunate , indeed , Avould it be if the ministers of the Gospel , or the advocates of any system , divine or human , could controvert this as a general proposition ; but I am

sufficiently happy to be able to affirm that instances are very numerous , indeed , wherein Masonry has operated with the happiest influence . Our society can only acquire its proper rank in the scale of human institutions by a general and faithful obedience of its own precepts . Very much may be

expected from the junction of AY ell-disposed individuuals who shall be inclined by the constant tenor of their lives to recommend the profession , and to prove that Freemasonry is only another name for inflexible virtue . It is matter of real regret when AVO see men AA'hose princiles and Avhose practice Avould do honour

p to our Order , deterred from uniting ivith us , hy the improper and indefensible conduct of a 1 ' members of the Fraternity ; and till some mode of selection like that above proposed be attempted , reproach , I fear , must continue to occupy the place of respect , and prejudice counteract the efforts ot au

incomparable scheme of morality . I am , dear Sir and Brother , Tours faithfully ancl fraternally , JAMES FREDERICK SPUEE .