Masonic Notes And Queries.

of the brethren have suffered , 'It is painful to me to think that there exists at this day a Church that can believe that her faith is upheld , and that the cause of religion is advanced , hy placing under the ban of excommunication , and hy subjecting to oppressions so undeserved , those members of her communion who differ from her on no article of her faithrefuse assent

, to no one single dogma , but only claim the right of membership in our ancient , noble , ancl honourable Order . ' Another Mason said : — ' We are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion , and to strive , by the purity of our own conduct , to demonstrate our superior excellencies . No matter what his

object , if any brother is permitted in such terms to rate the professors of another religion—that which is applicable to one is applicable to all . If you rate Eomanism , why not Judaism , Methodism , and the Scotch Kirk ? It is contrary to our laws , both in letter and iritand opposed to the traditions of

sp , our Order , fe knoiv , and we are proud to acknowledge , that Ave interfere with no man ' s religion or politics . ' Again : ' Although , as Masons , they could not discuss religious dogmas , yet they iverenot forbidden to sympathise with brethren in affliction , or to express that

sympathy ivhen occasion offered . If the Church of England were to attempt any such interference in this country , he hoped that there was no doubt but that every brother would give rent to the principles of Freemasonry , and exercise his powers to the utmost to prevent any interposition on the part of Church

any between the privileges of Freemasonry ancl the privileges of religion . Although they could not discuss the forms of any Church , yet when that Church placed itself in direct antagonism to Freemasonry , they had a most undoubted right to let that Church know , and let the whole world know , what the rinci of

grand p ples Freemasonry were . ' " Such is the basis of Freemasonry . It is not antagonistic to any religion , nor does it aim at religious ¦ controversy . It has , however , in its day , met with oao small opposition from the different religious sects of the Avorld . As the Earl of Carnarvon , quoted abovesaid

, , 'I have myself heard the name Freemason , ancient and honourable as it is , calumniated , traduced , misrepresented , and loaded ivith reproaches too monstrous to allude to . ' It is no wonder , then , that the initiation of the first Hindoo into the mystic Craft should rouse the jealousy of our bigoted and prejudiced countrymen .

__ " Those who have arrayed themselves against Baboo Ehetter Mohun Gangooly should , however , remember that as it is not forbidden to a Hindoo to join any social communion for the promotion of brotherly feeling , so it cannot be contrary to our religious teachings to associate in a society like the Freemasons .

A Hindoo does not lose his caste by a membership with the Masons . There is , it is true , a banquet hall in connection with every lodge , but a Mason is not compelled to eat and drink with his brethren in the hall . He has his own choice in eating and drinking . The law of the Masons Avhich requires that a member

of the Craft must not be a polytheist does not militate against Hindooism . The ancient religion of this country inculcates belief in the existence of one uncreated , self-existing God , and no Hindoo has yet been condemned or excommunicated for following this teaching . Brahmos . for instance , believe in the

existence of one true God , and is there a single instance of aBrahmo being excommunicated on account of his faith ? Similarly , we do not see the slightest ground for opposition to a Hindoo for entering the mystic fraternity . We have not space to advert to the advantages , social and political , of the

Masonic brotherhood . It knows not , be it remembered , distinctions of race , colour , country , or creed . Neither does it show any preference to rank or gold . In the present unhappy breach between natives and Europeans in India , the bond of Freemasonry is very valuable in uniting in one common brotherhood the

antagonistic nationalities and classes . The men who must treat each other as brethren of the same Craft at the Masonic board , would not fail to treat each other similarly in the wide , wide world . History describes hoiv the Masonic badge has led to the salvation of men , in different parts of the world , from imminent dangers , through mutual fellow-feeling and fraternal attachment . "

THE THREE LINES AND KEY . In most old medals , drawings , ancl tracing hoards , the three links and key were important symbols of Freemasonry . Discarded by the Craft , the Odd Fellows seem to have adopted them ; but what they symbolise in their new association , it is not material to

inquire here . Some of us would like to know what they ivere intended to convey in Freemasonry—when they were excluded—and for what reasons ?—TEST MEMBERS OE " THE MASONIC DEBATING , MUTUAI IMPROVEMENT , AND INQUIRY SOCIETY . "—[ Where do these brethren with such good intentions—but fearfully long-Avinded a patronymic—meet ?]

OLD ENGLISH PROV . G . LODGES ABROAD . About 1780 , there was an English Prov . G . Lodge of the Upper and Lower Rhine . Where are its documents , or do our archives " contain any transcripts of them ?—LL . D .

IMMORAL MASONS . How are immoral Masons to be brought under the notice of the Craft ? I have some thoughts of setting the right machinery in motion when I knoAV what it is . —AN OUTRAGED PARENT . —[ Don't attempt anything of the kind . If yon have suffered , personally

complain to the properly-constituted authority . The W . M ., or secretary of your lodge , ivill instruct you how to act . Either your letter is a romance of ideal life , or you are Avhat you sign yourself . Don't write such again . Truth is a libel , and your accusations are libellous , true or untrue . We have burned your communication . ]

AGE OE INITIATES . What is the greatest age at which initiates can be received?—A WM . — [ We know of no restriction but that of being twenty-one . Wieland , the German metaphysical writer , Avas initiated in his 76 th year . He took the three degrees on the 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd

of April , 1809 , and pronounced an oration on the " Aim of Masonry" in the Lodge Amalia , of Weimar , on its anniversary , Oct . 24 th , in the same year . When he Avas eighty years of age his mother lodge , before mentioned , gave him a medal on his birthday . He died January 20 th , 1813 , aged 81 . ]