Masonic Notes And Queries.

TEUE EEEEJIASONEY—THE PENTATEUCH . The title of Bishop "Warburton ' s work is the answer to a correspondent's question— " The Divine Legation of Moses , demonstrated on the principles of a Religious Deist , from the omission of the Doctrine of a Future State of Rewards and Punishments in the Jewish Dispensation . " The book was first published in 1737 . It is by no means scarce . My correspondent is a member of Lincoln ' s Inn . He will find a

copy of Warburton s works m the Society s library . — CHAELES PUETON COOPEE . GLASGOW CATHEDEAL . I ask Bro . Buchan for specific authority , easily to be obtained in Glasgow , as to the real age of the date and emblems . Bro . Buchan offers in reply a possible

explanation of a copying artist , and his own sole authority for judging as to the date . But , with all possible respect to Bro . Buchan , his own evidenee is inadmissible , he himself being an interested witness in the controversy , and we ought to have the opinion of a skilled judge . There is really no possible reason , as I said before , why the date and the emblems should not be both genuine and authentic . —A MASONIC STUDENT .

EECOGNITION OE THE HIGH DEGEEES BY GEAND LODGE . The Act of Union declares "that pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees , and no more , viz ... those of the E . A ., the F . C ., and the M . M . ( including the supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch ) . But

this article is not intended to prevent any Lodge or Chapter from holding a meeting in any of the degrees of the orders of chivalry , according to the constitutions of the said orders . " Is not this a recognition of the high grades ? In the first place it declares what we know to be but a form of high grade Masom-y to be part of the Antient system , and then goes on to give permission to its lodges and chapters to practise other high degrees . —HOLZ .

THE LODGE OE GLASGOW ST . JOHN . In perusing Bro . Buchan ' s paper and footnotes anent the history of this lodge , I have been struck , as others must have been , with one remarkable footuote . Bro . Buchan suggests that the cathedral building from 1123 to 1136 was probably " wooden . " Will he

be good enough to give us any authority for such an astounding supposition ? Is Bro . Buchan not aware that long before A . D . 1123 the era of wooden churches had entirely ceased , both in England and Scotland ?—A MASONIC STUDENT .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The . Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondent ! MASONIC REFORM .

10 IHE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND JIASONIC HIBEOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —The numerous and excellent suggestions on this subject , which appear in your columns from time to time , indicate that the longexpected day of reform is at last beginning to dawn upon the fraternity , many of whom now look earnestly and hopefully for the meridian glory of the

Correspondence.

sun of Masonry to diffuse more light amongst tie workmen in their researches after truth . The internal as well as the external arrangements of the mystic temple are now beginning to receive the investigation necessary to clear away the accumulated mass of falsehood and ignorance by which it is dishonoured , as

well as to restore the stately edifice to its primitive beauty and simplicity . Without interfering with the grand design of the original , let all labour unitedly , zealously , and perseveringly to rectify the errors and anachronisms , to remove the anomalies and contradictionsand to impart unity and system to the whole .

, The work is well worthy of the energies of every Mason , but especially of those brethren of talent , erudition , and influence , and calls loudly for their assistance . Such co-operation on their part will ultimately bring its own reward in the wages of gratitude from every friend of moral and intellectual

advancement . Before proceeding , however , in the work of renovation , it is necessary to lay down some plan on the tracing board , accompanied by a specification of its principal characteristics . These , after examination and discussion , should be adopted , and we shall then have a proper basis of operationswhich will secure

, unity of purpose and of action . Will any of your readers , who have given the subject of Masonic Reform long and careful consideration , kindly furnish such a plan ? Pending their communications , however , I venture to offer the following five points , as a brief summary of alterations which an extended experience

has convinced me would he improvements . It is , perhaps , unnecessary to add here that some of these suggestions have been already ably advocated in your pages by brethren whose opinions deserve our respect and careful consideration : —¦

1 . To sever the connection between Capitular and Craft Masonry , by removing the Royal Arch degree from its present anomalous and contradictory position as " the perfection of the third" —a dogma as much at variance with truth as it is with the practice of the Masonic world . As the evidence of the modern origin of the " Holy" Royal Arch degree now amounts to a demonstration—as its constitution and tho names and

duties-of iLs officers are wholly different , as its convocations form a chapter , separate from the communications of a lodge , and , as it does not recoguiae Craft clothing and compels high fees—it may , indeed , bo styled with accuracy the imperfection " of the third . ' Such a dependency , being an attempt to reconcile two Orders in their own nature and in every other respect

distinct , without imparling dignity loses its own , and creates confusion by association . 2 . To prohibit the practice of Past or Installed Master , which , being only a side degree , and having no constitutional authority , ought not to be permitted or tolerated in any regular lodge . It is unquestionable

that the degree of ' Bl . M . entitles its possessors to all the privileges of Craft Masonry j therefore , the usual ¦ prat'ilee of causing them to withdraw during installation is highly uumasonic , and ought to be strictlyforbidden . Many reasons might bo given for this which cannot here be specified ; it may , however , bo

remarked that the custom complained of vitiates the problem that all are " equally distant ' ' from the point of truth , when the body of Past Masters form another and au inner circumference , to say nothiug of my unfortunate R . A . companions , who . although consti »