Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

THE ATHEISTS A 3 D FHEESEASOKllY , rARIS , 179 / . " A sociefcv of Atheists AA as formed in Paris , in 1797 . Freemasons were then numerous in the metropolis of France . A principal object of the society of Atheists Avas proselyiism . Could Atheists be received into Freemasonry , proselyfcisra , it was thought , would be much facilitated . App lications Avere

accordingly made to certain lodges , that , for the future , disbelief in the existence of a God might not be an impediment to initiation . The applications were not successful . " The foregoing is the copy of a passage in the manuscript book called " My Denton Court Jottings , " and is sent to the FUEEMASOXS MAGAZINE

in compliance with the unusually urgent request of an esteemed brother , contained in a letter just come to hand . It may be useful to draw attention to a communication entitled "Atheism and Freemasonry , " made hy me to the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE two years ago . It will be found vol . 9 , p . 238 . The copy of the Baron d'Holbach ' s " Systeme de la Nature " there mentioned is now in Lincoln ' s-inn Library . — CHARLES Pumos COOIEB .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . THE ORIGIN OF FREEMASONRY . 10 THE EDITOH OF THE 1 > KEE 3 IAS 0 XS' MAGAZINE AlfO MASONIC 3 IIKK 0 J ! . DEAR Sin . ANU BROTHER . —Degree of E . A . P . illustrated from the New Testament . —Passing the sentriesAvhose challenge is ansAvered by the guide

, whoisin thepossession of the watchword , the candidate , in a state of darkness , poor and penniless , Avho has already been elected , and the tongue of good report heard in his favour , is introduced into the lodge room and asked if lie is free by birth , and of the age of twenty-one years . Even so we , Avhen Ave Avere

children , Avere in bondage under the elements of the world . But Avhen the fulness of the time AA'as come , God sent forth his Son , made of aAVoman , made under the law , to redeem them that Avere under the laAv , for it is written that " Abraham had two sons , the one by a bondmaid , tho other by a freewoinan : but he who Avas of the bondwoman AA'as born after the flesh , but he of the freeAVomau AA'as by promise , " Avhich things are our allegory ; for these are the two

covenants , the one from the Mount Siuai , Avhich gendereth to bondage , which is Agar ; foe this Agar is Mount Sinai in Arabia , and auswereth to Jerusalem , Avhich noAV is and is in bondage Avith her children . But Jerusalem which is above is free , which is the mother of us all . Nevertheless , Avhat saith the Scriptures , " Cast out the bondwoman and her sonfor the son

, of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the sou of the freewoman . So , then , brethren , Ave are not children of the bondwoman , but of the free" ( Galatians iv . 3 , 4 , 5 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 30 , 31 . ) Having answered in the affirmative , the candidate is conducted round the lodgeand pledges himself

, that he is uninfluenced by any mercenary and unworthy motive , but freely and voluntary , offers himself as a candidate for the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry , ami will steadily persevere through the ceremony of initiation . He is then advanced to the East by three irregular steps .

These steps were formerly depicted on the Master ' s carpet , and have a threefold allusion—Firstly , to the three fundamental principles of the Order—Faith , Hope , and Charity . " Faith is the substance of things hoped for , the evidence of things not seen . " ( Hebrews ii . 1 . ) " Hope maketh not ashamed . " ( Romans v . 5 . ) " Charity

suffereth long , and is kind , envieth not , vaunteth not itself , is not puffed up , doth not behave itself unseemly , seeketh not its own , is not easily provoked , thinkethno evil , rejoiceth not in iniquity , but rejoiceth in the truth , beareth all things , believeth all things , endureth all things . ISTOAV abideth faith , hope , and

charity , these three , but the greatest of these is charity . " ( Corinthians xiii . 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 13 . ) Secondly , Temperance , Fortitude , and Prudence . — "Temperance shall chasten you , fortitude supportyon , and prudence direct you" ( Masonic Lectures ) ; and , thirdly , to the threefold vows originally taken by the poor fellow-soldier of Jesus Christ ( Knights of the Order of the Temple ) .

Poverty , Chastity , and , Obedience . Poverty . — " The foxes have holes , and the birds of the air have nests , but the Son of Man hath not Avhereto lay His head . " ( Matt , viii ., 20 ) . Chastity . — "This , I say then , walk in the Spirit ,, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh . Nowthe

, Avorks of the flesh are manifest , Avhich are theseadultery , fornication , uucleanness , lasciviousness . " ' ( Ephes . v . 16 , 19 . ) Obedience . — "Let every soul be subject unto the higher pOAvers , for there is no power but of God ; the poAvers that be are ordinances of God . For rulers

are not a terror to good works , but to the evil . Wilt thou then be afraid of the power ? do that Avhich is good . " ( Rom . xiii ., 1—3 . ) Having taken the obligation of secrecy , the nevr brother is restored to the blessings of material light , and tho Master then points out to him the emblematical lights of Masonry

—the three great lig hts , viz . —tho volume of the Sacred Law , the square and compasses . These used , and ought still be placed on a pedestal in the centre of the lodge rooms , and illuminated by three tall

candlesticks placed in the form of a triangle , and surrounded by a circle bounded by two parallel lines , extending north and south , and representing , St . John the Baptist and St . John the Evangelist ,. Avho finished by his learning what the former commenced by his zeal . The candles are symbolical of

the three persons of the " Blessed Trinity , of Avhom the Godhead of the Father , of the Sou , aud of the Holy Ghost is all one , the glory equal , the majesty co-eternal , so that in all things the unity in Trinity aud the Trinity in unity is to be Avorshipped . " ' ( Athanasiau Creed . ) "In the beginning Avas

the-Word , and the Word Avas with God , aud the Word . AAMS God . " ( John i . 1 . ) The three lesser lights areplaced iu the east , south , aud Avest , representing the suu , the moon , and the spiritual master of the lodges . The brother is entrusted with the secret signs and wordsand is conducted by the Deacons three times

, round the lodge , giving the passwords to the Junior and Senior Wardens , and is then presented to the W . M .. and invested with a white apron . Yours fraternally , EOSA CRUCIS .