Material For The Temple.

Buj it is -not only necessary that the stones of which our temple is composed should be sound and capable of enduring the assaults of time and storm . There must be beauty to adorn , as well as strength to snpporfc our mystic temple . The

most prominent edifices of antiquity were as singular for their beautiful proportions and for the harmony of their several parts , as for their durability . The Druidical remains of Stonehenge might as well compete in architectural importance

with Luxor or Karnak , as far as to attempt to erect a moral edifice which should challenge the admiration of the world , and leave out of it the moral virtues .

The Scriptures speak of " the beauty of holiness . " Perhaps the technical and theological meaning usually attached to that term will prevent us from understanding clearly the idea intended to be conveyed , and yet it exactly expresses it .

Holiness relates to something that is set apart from profane or common uses . To be holy , then , means to be singular Irom the great mass by being better . This is the beauty that should adorn our Masonic temple .

„ We ought to be better men than those who are not Masons , because we ^ have better instruction given us . No better system of moral teaching than that which Masonry inculcates was ever given to man . Then why should we not be more beautiful in goodness ? in virtue ? in kindness ? These are the beauties which are to adorn our

moral and Masonic edifice , and they are just as material to the building as the most unwavering devotion to the cause ; the most unflinching perseverance under opposition ; the most staunch support that a true | heart can give it .

Under this figure we are taught that to erect one Masonic edifice there are three requisites to make it ^ perfect . It must be extensive , to be grand , sublime , and magnificent ; it must be composed of the best materials , that

it may be strong and durable . It must be adorned by the virtues of goodness , mercy , and truth , that it may be beautiful . Thus builded , our edifice will stand until time shall be no more . If we neglect one duty in any of these

particulars , a frail superstructure will be reared , which will crumble to atoms ,, and be remembered not even as a , splendid ruin of a mighty and magnificent temple , erected by wise builders , but as the debris of a pile , iralli neither strength nor

Material For The Temple.

beauty , erected by those who , claiming to be wise , proved themselves to be fools . The moral of this is , " if that it has a moral , " that in the selection of members we should have reference not only to the sterner virtues of

fortitude , courage , and perseverance ; but also to the milder ones of generosity , kindness , charity . No man can be a good and living stone in our Masonic temple who is not the possessor of a generous heart , as well as a sense of honour . He must feel for other ' s woe , as well as know how to ward off evil . —The Masonic Trowel .

Masonic Jottings, No. 85.

MASONIC JOTTINGS , No . 85 .

BY A PAST P KOVINCIAL GEAND MASTER ; . OUR- FUNDAMENTAL LAWS RESPECTING GOD AND RELIGION . A learned brother , who studies in the library of

the British Museum , thinks that our Fundamental Laws respecting God and Religion will be found to have been altered in the reigns of Henry the Fifth , Henry the Eighth , Edward the Sixth , Queen Mary , and Queen Elizabeth , during

the-Commonwealth , and in the reigns of Charles the-Secoud , James the Second , William and Mary ,. George the First , and George the Second .

BRO . HNDEI / S HISTORY . Bro . Findel's History clearly shows us that at the end of the 17 th century , English Speculative Masonry was , regard being had to the circumstances of the time , sufficiently advanced for us fully to understand the position she soon afterward

assumed ., without the aid of the Desag-uliers and Anderson theory . OUR MYTHS AND LEGENDS OP THE 1717 THEORY . Our Myths and Legends are a mode of Instruction , and according to the 1717 Theory cannot have been used before the beginning of the eighteenth century .

ENGLISH MEDIAEVAL FREEMASONRY . Brother , English Mediosval Freemasonry was not Christianity . But it was a social , moral , and charitable institution in which that Christianity , which from time to time prevailed amongst us , was a necessary ingredient . This Freemasonry

was the Freemasonry of the Four Old London Lodges to which we are mainly indebted for the Revival of A . D . 1717 ,