A Roman Catholic's Notion Of Freemasonry.

that Ereemasonry , as it now exists amongst us , was one and the same thing . Such we do not believe it to have been , for it has ever changed according to country , laws , and religion , the only portion in common with all antiquity , being a society of men , handed hy a common union for defence and support , having words and signs by which they could make

themselves known all over the world , and that those tokens proved them to belong to a common brotherhood existing for the same objects , in ei ery part of the globe . The catacombs of Rome bear witness upon Avitness to the Ereemasonry of the early Christians . Those very happy letters of the Rev . Mr . Burgonof Oriel

, College , Oxford , which appeared in The Guardian last year , are full of Ereemasonrj * . They , Avithout the writer ' s cognizance , read in a way not to be misunderstood by any high-grade Mason and Cardinal Wiseman ' s ivork on the same , betrays the like class of meaning throughout .

The signs of mutual recognition , which Mr . Robertson would have us believe originated at Strasbourgh , were known to the early Christians in the persecutions under Diocletian . The symbols of the

level , square , ancl plumb-rule , came to them as members of secret societies , and in their meetings , in the caves of the earth to perforin then' ceremonies of religion , the cross was built of a level , a square , and a plumb-rule , so that upon being betrayed and visited by their persecutors , a touch caused it to fall to pieces , aud they claimed to be Architectonic ! buildersor

Ma-, , sons studying their art . So also the cubic stone , which Mr . Robertson refers to in another place , and does not understand , was " that stone ivhich the builders rejected , and became the head stone of the corner . " The traditional secrets , and not secret , which were handed down hy all lodges as well as the Strasbourgh

lodge were of two kinds . Eirst , the speculative , secondly , the operative . The speculative ivere those which concerned Ereemasonry as a secret society ; the operative had reference to certain constructive secrets , and as each lodge had its own peculiar secrets of this latter kind , ive are enabled to trace to

what lodges the builders of those great mediasval erections , the foreign and British cathedrals , belonged . The constructive secrets were Avhat we now recognise as the different styles ot architectural art . Will Mr . Robertson tell us where Ramsay ' s History of Freemasonry , is to be found ? We never heard of such a work .

It is also new to us to learn that the Chevalier Ramsay was ever Grand Master of the Order . He was a bright particular star amongst the Erench Masons , and reduced to separate degrees many of the traditions of Ereemasonry , giving them order , and assigning a distinctive ceremony to each , which series were adopted by the chapter of Clermontbut beyond

, this , ancl his proposal of his series to the Grand Lodge of England , little is known of him , which could not have been the case if he had ever filled the exalted position Mr . Robertson confers upon him . That Ereemasonry has been proscribed in many countries where it now flourishesis" no proof of its

, being bad in itself , for Christianity has suffered in a similar manner , and yet both have prospered afterwards . Nor is our Order to be condemned because bad men have been members of it , any more than the . Roman Catholic Church shoidd he branded because

A Roman Catholic's Notion Of Freemasonry.

of the infamous deeds of those monsters , the Borgia family . We need not follow Mr . Robertson over the ground in which he tells us Popes Clement XII . and Benedict XIV ., excommunicated the Ereemasons , as the facts are well knoAvn , and are of no importance . ( To be continued . )

Masonic Honour.

MASONIC HONOUR .

Br A SCOTTISH MASOHIO CHAPLAIX . It is with the greatest pleasure that we observe the Masonic merits and mystic labours on behalf of the Craft in this country , are not without being duly rewarded and appreciated on the other side of the Atlantic . At ajmeeting of the Eaculty of the Masonic University of KentuckyUnited ¦ Statesheld on the

, , 24 th of June , 1 S 62 , Bro . D . Murray Lyon , Provincial Grand Junior Warden of Ayrshire , was proposed for the honorary degree of A . M . The University Board unanimously endorsed the recommendation of the Eaculty , and cordially approved of the mark of appreciation and merit conferred upon Bro . Lyon . Having

been favoured with a perusal of the communication from Dr . Morris , Professor in the University , announcing the conferring of this distinction , we took the liberty of making the following extract , which we think Avorthy of publication : — "Masonic University , La Grange , Aug . 5 , 1862 .

" . . . . The foundation of this institute since its adoption by Grand Lodge in 1844 , has been laid in Masonic principles . Masonic science , especially the study of rituals ancl evidences , embraces a distinguishing feature in its course of instruction . The recognition of Masonic merit is a prominent duty at the hands of its regent and faculty . Masonry , as a practical thing , "has no

bounds ; its covenants draw together in every part of the world those whom its eye has recognised as worthy , and its speculative tools shaped . " As the only university in the world established upon Masonic principles , it is felt to be peculiarly proper that we should reject the idea of boundary , annul the obstacles of seas and mountains , disregard tho technicalities of language , aud proffer our honours to those afar , equally with those who are near .

" Tour labours m the cause of Masonry , both as a science and a fraternity , are well known ancl appreciated here ; and it is thought that a public recognition of them by the voice of an American University—the board and the faculty—would not be ungrateful to the feelings of yourself and friends The faculty beg to extend to you the right hand of fellowship in token of welcome to our Alumni .

" EOB . MOEBIS , L . L . D ., Preses . " Eew Ereemasons , indeed , have such claims for appreciation of merit as Bro . Lyon . In the abstruse points and principles of Masonry and the mystic science he has long been skilled ; and his varied abilities , ineluding an intimate and correct acquaintance with the

usages and jurisprudence of the Order have been of the most valuable service to the brethren in the West of Scotland . ' Eor two years he was a most intelligent and industrious correspondent to the "Voice of Masonry , " and hy his warm advocacy of the cause has done much to extend the and influence of

power the Craft . The writer of this can hear testimony to the unwearied labours of Bro . Lyon to promote the grand princip les of Truth and Justice , Lig ht and Knoioledge ; and by his being semper paratxts has done