Masonic Celestial Mysteries.

greater light , believed to be the sun , was not created until four periods or years after the beginning . Masons reckon from the beginning , thus , 4000 plus 1820 , was their A . L . 5820 . The Saviour was with the father in the beginning , but

the greater light , the sun , dates four years afterwards , as proved by the heavens . This is the best explanation that may be given publicly . The Budhist cycle is of astronomical origin , and corresponds with the epoch of the

conjunction of the planets . The Mahomedan cycle is unmeaning , though Mahomed's coffin can be seen suspended between heaven and earth . Mahomet was considered as an impostor , and so he is celestially . Zoroaster is also Masonically recorded ,

but enough has been shown , indeed , perhaps , too much has been shown to those who do not intend to become duly initiated into the Masonic celestial mysteries ( Matt , vii ., 6 ) .

The Universality Of Masonry.

THE UNIVERSALITY OF MASONRY .

By DNALXO . The erroneous supposition that Freemasonry is not intended for all nations , creeds , and sects , arises principally from the idea , that brethren of every faith must perforce look upon the types and

symbols of the Order , in the same light as those who profess Christianity , while in reality every sect applies the teachings of Masonry to its own particular belief . Take for example a ceremonial of the Royal

Arch Degree . The Christian will affirm that the voice which addressed Moses from the Burning Bush , is the same that said to the Pharises , " Before Abraham was , I am " but the Jew will contend that it was Jehovah , and not

Christ , who said , "I am , hath sent me unto you . " Numerous instances of this nature could be adduced , to prove that the types and symbols of Ereemasonry , are common to all creeds ,

notwithstanding the difference of their individual interpretations . Masonry neither arrogates perfection to herself , nor does she presume to place herself on a level with revealed religion ; thus she has wisely

determined that it shall not be an indispensable condition of meeting" under her banners , that one sect shall insist on particular interpretation of the signs and symbols , and that the others shall accept them .

The Universality Of Masonry.

The object of Freemasonry is not the propagation of religious truths , while equally revering the Great Sp irit of the Indians , the Allah of the Moslems , the Jehovah of the Jews , and the Christ of the Christians , she connects herself with neither ,

butexercises the utmost toleration , towards all other creeds and sects . It has been asserted that Freemasonry is a Christian Institution , into which other creeds are only admitted on sufferance ; if this be true—and

my opinion is entirely to the contrary—the sooner Masonry is stripped of her boasted pretence to universality , the better . Those who love the Order for its professed cosmopolitan principles , will then be able to band together under a new name , and

with a perfect understanding , as to the universal application of their tenets , while Masonry denuded of her chief attractions , will be left to the sectaries , and may haply succeed as a human institution in imbuing them with the true spirit of Brotherly Love , thing , Christianity despite its divine origin , has hitherto failed to accomplish .

The Knights Templars.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS .

By ANTHONY ONEAL HAYE . ( Continued from page 224 . ) BOOK IV . —CHAPTER XV . We must now for a little , glance at the doings

of the Provincial Councils of Sens and Rheims . The Council of Sens held its sitting sat Paris , and the Council of Rheims at Senlis , in order that their proceedings against the Order might be facilitated by their proximity , and might enable the fathers

of the two Councils to concert together upon the depositions obtained , and the sentence which they should pass . 405 witnesses had been examined , besides the 72 by the Pope at Poictiers in 1308 and the depositions were all before the Councils .

The Papal Commissionei-s had remitted the three manifestoes prepared by the defenders of the Order to the Council of Sens , with the Act o f Appeal to the Pope , which Boulogne had notified . The manifestoes were considered , but the Council

resolved to pay no attention to them . This decision was communicated to the Pope , who approved of it , and it was resolved at once to pass sentence without noticing the appeal to the Pontiff—an appeal carefully concealed from his Holiness . It seemed almost essential that the Council should , before passing sentence , confront the