Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE .

L 02 n ) ON , SATURDAY , DECEMBER S , I 860 .

There is nothing in the proceedings of Grand Lodge on "Wednesday last to provoke any lengthened critic-ism from ns on the present occasion . The M . W . Grand Master brought forward the question in dispute with the Grand Lodge of Maine in a calm and temperate statement , in which he clearly showed that there

was no power existing in the heads of the Masonic Craft to control the choice of the subordinate lodges as to their members , though it is on all hands admitted that it always looks better when a gentleman is initiated in a lodge of a district in which he is resident , than in

another place , though there may be very many good reasons for the practice being often departed from—one of which occurred not long since , when a gentleman resident in Shropshire was initiated in London , in order that a relative might perform the ceremony ; and though

exercising sovereign rights over the lodges within its own district , a Grand Lodge can have no power of interference with lodges in another district . At the conclusion of the Grand Master's address , Bro . Boxburgh , in a well timed and neat speech , showing that the

jurisdiction claimed by the Grand Lodge of Maine was personal , and not territorial , as contended by them , moved the following resolution :

" That this Grand Lodge fully admits the supreme jurisdiction of all regularly established Grand Lodges ivithin their respective territories , more especially in reference to the formation of lodges and the making of Masons therein ; but it fully concurs in the opinion expressed by the AI . AV . G . AI . ; ancl thinking it undesirable to interfere with the privileges possessed by private lodges , declines to depart from its ancient practice , ivhich has hitherto imposed no restrictions in reference to the residence of candidates who seek admission into the order . "

Bro . Stebbing seconded the motion , and clearly pointed out the various fallacies into which the Grand Master and Grand Lodge of Maine had fallen . The motion , upon being put , was unanimously carried . Next came the most interesting business of the evening—the presentation of a jewel to Bro . Jennings

, P . G . D . C , unanimously voted him at Grand Lodge in June last , and which gained additional grace from the kind , ' yet dignified manner in which it was presented by the M . "W . Grand Master . Bro . Jennings acknowledged the compliment in feeling terms , which were

well responded to by the cheers of the brethren . Our opinion relative to long tenure of office is well known ; but certainly no brother ever more efficiently discharged his duties than Bro . Jennings . He has well earned his reward , and , handsome as is the jewel , we are sure Bro .

Jennings but echoed the feelings which his heart dictated , when he said that its lustre was added to by the unanimous manner in which it was voted , and the kindness with which it had been presented , "We trust that Bro . Jennings may long live to wear the jewel as a testimony to his oivn worth , and of the appreciation in which the brethren hold him .

Grand Lodge.

The next business was the nomination of the M . W . Grand Master for re-election—a nomination which -will be unanimously confirmed at the meeting in March . Of the concluding business , relative to the enlargement of the powers of the Lodge of Benevolence ,

we shall now do no more than express our entire disagreement with the arguments of Bro . Savage , assuring the brethren that it is not our intention to let the matter rest in its present position . "We may , however , add that no better practical proof

of the absurdity of Bro . Savage's arguments could be found than the fact that Mrs . Henty cannot obtain the -SoO awarded to her on 'Wednesday evening for three months , because , as £ 30 only was recommended by the Lodge of Benevolence , the vote requires the

confirmation of Grand Lodge . What a difference there appears to be Betwixt Tweedledum and Tweedledee .

Classical Theology.—Xxxviii.

CLASSICAL THEOLOGY . —XXXVIII .

S . —TESTA A 3 TD DECE 1 IBEB . Our table of the planets of the year 1728 , inclusive of the Georgium , Sidus ( now called ITranus ) , specifies their number to be nine ; but the ancients knew of at least three other complete planets . Under the names of those deities which head our chaptersthey comprehended a

, planetary system of twelve whence modern discoverers have appropriated ( but not in their ancient order ) the names of Juno , Pallas , and Vesta , to the three additional motative stars to Avhich we have alluded . In saying this we admit that these luminaries involved anciently an astrological rather than an astronomical system , ivhich more

modern astrologers appear to have entirely overlooked , or lost sight of , without , as we take it , sustaining much loss . As a science , astrology is proscribed a-s idolatrous by the church , and most strictly has it been laid under the ban of theocracy . It is not and cannot be in the power of man to foretell the designs of hia Makerbut without

; implicit trust in Him there would have been no means of upsetting the superstitions of horoscopany or judicial astrology . The systems of Ptolemy and Copernicus did not include more than seven or eight planets , and these

not being telescopnc , may still oe considered as sensible rational , or natural planets , or as evident erratic spheres ; but not as the whole celestial and terrestrial conclave of the transitive and dominant stars of the ancients . Astronomy is one of the noble sciences ; and the philosophic astronomer should receive honour of his fellow-men . "We shouldhowevercarefullguard against

, , y being led away by incorrect conclusions in volumes of imperfect astronomical research , in Avhich the authors , through a deficiency of exact tables of the distances of the planets from the earth , taken from different parts of the two hemispheres , have formed very incorrect and imaginary conclusions .

It is recorded as a- singular fact , that the first lunar tables on the Newtonian principle were constructed for the calculation and solution of nativities . The necessity under Avhich astrologers lay , at any required moment , to fix the positions of the astral orbs , occasioned the careful revisal and production of many useful tables and

instructive observations . The Greek works studied by the Arabians were mainly preserved on account of their mathematical application to astrology . All allusions to the science induce the supposition of its having been in