Sketches Of Notable Masonic Works.

us quite out of place for Masons to meet in "taverns" and "houses of public resort . " In support of this opiuiou we cannot do better than refer our readers to a series of remarkable letters in Tin- ; FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE by my friend , Bro .

Dr . Henry Hopkins , aud especially the one contained in tho number for August 29 th , 1868 . These letters are well written , and the result of many years' close observation of Masonry by one skilled in fcho Craft .

Bur , to return to Dr . D'Assigny .- " In the first yaaco , as our privileges and instructions when rightly made use of , are nofi only productive of our welfare on this side of the grave , but even caw eternal happiness hereafter , they ought only to be communicated to those alone who might

improve and enhance thoir value ; whereas , on the contrary , in several lodges , too many have been fond of a trifling treat , and have sold their birthri ghts at a mean price , even for a mess of pottage ; and , instead of taking a due and especial

care to inquire into the reputation or character of the candidate , they have imprudently hurried him into the Graft , contrary to the known constitutions . . . . From the imprudence of ( introducing such members , various divisions aud

disputes have arose in lodges , where the brethren ( msread of preserving the harmonious and friendly concord that ought to subsist amongst them ) have unluckily fell into factious parties ; so that unanimity , which ever will be the lasting cement

oi' the Brotherhood , hath been dissolved . As an house divided against itself cannot stand , so likewise is it absolutely essential that every community should preserve peace and harmony us the surest foundation of it-, welfare ; and 1 cannot he ! u

expressing my concern to hear of so many idle aud 1 ruling deputes as lately havo happened amongst some ol tne iraiernuty , occasioned , as I must ii ;> :-, g ! 'u r , by t ' . ie unfortunate aud inconsiderate ei ' .-c : :-. ; . 'i of ilieif members , th ^ example of whom ought high !) ' to engage us in a strict examination of ihe {' .. 'inner , disposition , and conduct of each

ca-uiaia ;; - ; ior one contentions man may subvert uud spoil the peace ami quies of our harmless hours , and , as l . be old proverb alleges : — I ' ' i-o yirav . i po .-ns \ VAA-: n : nni i pens . "U' . ii : M-. iiiiiy slu ^ i uv . iy ii- 'A'V . -s . n iv . iuSe \\<> rj ; . "

' . ; he concurrent observation will , wo trust , be well considered by the advocates of the Christian character of Universal Freemasonry , and who would thereby virtually exclude Jews aud other

religionists as full participators in the benefits of our cosmopolitan institution : — "But how ridiculous do partizans concerning religion appear amongst us ? Whereas the Craft , though founded upon that solid basis , will admit

of no such controversies , and , provided , we are not all of the same opinion in matters of faith , yet ought we ever to be of one mind in matters of Masonry ; that is to labour justly , not to eat any man ' s bread for nought , but to tho utmost of our

capacity to love and serve each other , as brethren of the same household ought to do ; nor can I help judging it as great an absurdity iu . oue num . to quarrel with another because he will not believe as he does , as it would be in him to be angry

because he was not exactly of the same size and countenance , & c . ; but the true brotherhood are resolved never to suffer any strife to enter into the door of the lodge upon that or auy other point whatever . " ( Page 29 . )

We come now to the quotation given by Laurence Dermott , in the " Ahimau Rezon . " The part included in a parenthesis is all that is known .

to have appeared in any work , and it will be seen , that the character of the quotation is considerably altered by an examination of the context . No doubt , Bro . Dermott ( who was not over scrupulous what he did to advance the position of the

" seceders , " or " ancients , " as they were called ) gave as much of Dr . D'Assiguy ' s remarks as suited his purpose ; but , as we are now iu possession of the book itself , it appears to us evident that the author was only acquainted with three

degrees of Craft Masonry , and no more . It also appears that he was not aware of the nature of the Royal Arch , and , although he wished its promoters to be treated with deference , because " they

were an organized body of men who had passed the chair , " we must not forget he expressly warned the brethren against " ridiculous innovations , " "foreign schemes , " and any more than " three material steps " iu Masonry . " I can see

nothing but a fair answer to objectors , who considered they should know what the Royal Arch was , without making " proper application , " in Dr . D'Assigny , saying that they should seek to be admitted if they wished to know what the

degree was like , and then be accepted with due formality . No oue , however , would take that opinion as equivalent to supporting the degree from one so anxious to act constitutionally , as at that time English Royal Arch Masonry was not