Short Address

that this superstructure may be well cared forblemishes effaced , breaches repaired , and injuries healed , so that the second and last great volume of our Order may boldly lay open also before a scrutinising and scoffing world , and convince and confound all cowans . Such is the nature of our present special work .

Ton know , B ., with what noble feelings and sentiments our ancient brethren received their well-earned wages , and again , when aud from whom they received them ; so labour in the Craft that you also may obtain the sweet reward of the approbation of the Great Architect of the Universeand be able to point to

, your work with some little satisfaction to yourselves —as labourers that need not to be ashamed , although unworthy such sweet acknowledgment of their poor and imperfect , but withal hearty and willing services . I would therefore urge every brother of the Invicta to perfect himself in his respective duties . Teaon

, the present occasion I may without presuming , and with all due respect to the honourable , responsible , and exalted position of the W . M ., exhort him , as I exhort myself , to diligence in our several duties , so that the Invicta Lodge may be worked at all times with credit to the members and profit to the

brotherhood , and to the edification of our casual but always welcome visitors . To accomplish which I would recommend meetings for instruction between brethren of the lower with those of the exalted degree ; and then , next in order , lodges of instruction , or rather rehearsals , for the perfecting of what has been learned among and with the united brethren in open lodge . Thus shall our meetings be

both pleasurable and profitable , social , and withal instructive—useful for the present and for eternity . W . Sir , to you it belongs to guard with holy zeal the sanctity of our lodge—to you we look for counsel , instruction , and encouragement in the pursuit of our mystic art . May the W . M . of the Invicta ever watch with holy jealousy over his lodge ; may he be blessed

with health and strength and the right mind for his arduous duties , and rule , govern , and instruct the brethren after the ancient fashion of Ereemasons , taking for his motto the significant words , "Palmam qui meruit ferat . " Let him who has won it bear the palm .

To you , as to me , brethren , it behoves to obey readily and cheerfully , which duty I have endeavoured to practise this evening , as well as to recommend to you . Love the brotherhood , fear God , honour the King . Obey gladly all the lawful demands of those in authority ; particularly give ear to the solemn

monitions of the inner voice ; love , serve , and obey the Great Architect of the Universe . Contemplate for a moment the consequences of unskilful workmanship- —loss of time , destruction of valuable property , and injury to the employer . Brethren , our time is measured out to us- —it is but a span long . Our ma

terial in which we labour is precious and needs clean hands—a single eye , and a heart in search of the truth—the Masonic virtues . Our reward great —• eternal in the heavens ¦ our loss irretrievable—shame and confusion . Preemasonry , then , is not simply a convivial brotherhood , as the outer world has been wont to affirm , but made reluctantly to disbelieve . The noble works of our ancient and loved Order , to be seen to be admired , proclaim the falsehood of that

Short Address

foul charge , and nothing shall ever induce us to hamsh the spirit of joy ancl mirth from our midst in sight of the stately fruits which Freemasonry has produced for mankind and generations yet unborn . Therefore , " Bum viviinus vivamus . " As Solomon's Temple was " raised without the jarring and discordant noise of mattock , mallet , or chisel , so do unspeeulative Masons '

raise our spiritual house amid the pleasing and wellattuned sounds of joy , mirth , and gratitude , lifting up our voices , not amid trumpets , cymbals , and instruments of music , yet praising the Lord like our ancient brethren , " For He is good ; for his mercy endureth for ever . " ( 2 Chron . v . 13 ) . I conclude with a motto for you , my brethren , to cheer , animate , and sustain you at your post of honour , " Sic itur ad astra , " i . e ., Such is the way to immortality .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES '

AN OID CEKTIEICATE . The following is a copy of an old certificate of Lodge of Antiquity , then No . 10 ( now No . 2 ) , which may prove interesting : —

EC Lux ista in Sed teuelra non

ieaebris lucet . coniprehend sennit

We the Master , P . Master , Wardens , and Secretary of Lodge of Antiquity , Jfo . 10 , held at Chatham , in the County of Kent , legally warranted from the Grand Lodge of England , and assembled in due form , do hereby certify that Brother ¦ is a regular made Preemasonand has during his stay amongst

, us behaved himself as an honest and worthy brother , and as such we recommend hiin to all brethren round the globe . And to prevent any ill use being made of this Certificate by falling ' into the hands of another person , underneath ia the age , size , and profession of

out- brother above mentioned , with his assignment thereunto annexed . Given under our hands and seal of the lodge , at Chatham , this ¦ day of A . D . A . L . Master , P . Master , S . Warden , ¦ J . Warden Secretary .

, Des regis Fratribus . Honor , JidelUus , benevolcntia . On the right hand pillar are the words— BlaUlo Fgo Volum , - aud on the left—In illo Fortis . Copied vervatim et literatim . —C . W . G .

1 IAEK JEWELS IN CKAET LODGES ( PAGE 450 ) . In Scotland the Mark is given upon the blue , as forming part of the P . O . degree , or as supplementary thereto , every P . O . being entitled to use his Mark , which is as it should be ; consequently there , and in that case , the Royal Arch has nothing to do with it , so far as lodges are concerned . —W . P . B .