On Symbols As Applied To Masonic Instruction.*

sirable consummation of subduing the passions , learning the weakness of human nature , and the necessity of leaning on the Almig hty alone for support , which support must be sought by prayer . Surely , if ive think on these tilings , we shall fall down and pour out our hearts before Him , the creator and preserver of all

things . We shall esteem ifc our highest honour as well as our boundeu duty to do so ; and it will become our greatest deli g ht to sing the praises of our good and glorious God . An old heathen emperor , Marcus Antotoninus , says , "'lis thoughts , not things , which take hold ofthe soul . " Outivard objects can't force their passage into the mind , nor set any of its wheels agoing . The impression comes from herself , and 'tis her notions ¦ which affect her . The mind is invincible when she

exerts herself and relies upon her own courage ; in this case there is no forcing her will , though she has nothing but obstinacy for her defence . What , then , must her strength be when she is fortified with reason , and engages upon thought and deliberation ? A soul unembarrassed with passion is the most impregnable security ;

hither Ave may retire , and defy our enemies . He that sees not this advantage must be ignorant , and he that forgets to use it , unhappy . What is prayer ? It is the conversing ivith God , tlie appointed modo of communication between creatures and their Creatorwhereby corporeal beings express their

, wants to a spiritual and invisible Being , upon whom they confess their dependence for all things necessary ' as well for the body as tlie soul . Thus prayer is strength to the weak , comfort to the afflicted , guidance to the doubting , life to ihe dead . In a word , prayer assists us in resisting every evil to which we arc liable . It gains for us

tlie aid of tlie Hol y Spirit , to build up the ruins of our fallen nature , and raises the soul to its original structure , as a temple of the living God . It is the link that unites earth fco Heaven , and man to God . It is at once our duty and our joy ; or , as the poet Montgomer says : —¦

Prayer is the soul ' s . sincere desire , Uttered or unexpressed , The motion oi' a bidder , lire Thafc trembles in the breast . Praver is the burden of a sigh , The falling o ! a tear , Tbe upii'ai-d glancing of an eye

, When none bnt God is near . Prayer is the simplest form of speech That infant lips can try , Prayer the sublimesfc strains that reach The Majesty on high . Prayer is tlie contrite sinner ' s voice

Ectnrning from his ways , While angola in thoir songs rejoice , And cry , behold he prays . _ Prayer is the Christian ' s vital breath , Tho Christian ' s native air , His watchword at the gates of death , He outers heaven by prayer . { To be eonlinned . )

Tbe Ailtenamm of lust Saturday remarks : — "Jlr . Cowper stated , on h ' riihiy last , in tho House of Commons , that the frescoes in the corridors of the tivo Houses ivere in perfect condition , but those in the upper hall showed symptoms of discolouration . Havinc recently examined the ivholc of these works , we are sorry not to be able to indorse this statement , having found that , excepting those ivhich have been executed within three or four all of them

years , are more or less seriously deteriorated . Even those thus excepted shoiv , with , perhaps , tivo exceptions , signs of decay . V , ' e sincerely trust , before any more are executed , some inipiiry ' may be made into the causes of this early , rapid , ami increasing destruction of ivories , wliich , if they have involved but small comparative cost to the nation , aro productions of several of our most celebrated artists . "

Memoirs Of The Freemasons Of Naples.

MEMOIRS OF THE FREEMASONS OF NAPLES .

( Continued from p . M 2 . ) We have felt it necessary to follow up the history of tlie Carbonari and their connection with the revolutions of the country , because it has been so often asserted that a fellowship existed between that society and the Ereemasons ; but it can be positively proved that no

Ereemason ' s lodge has been held in Naples from A . D . 1812 till 1 S 30 ; and that , long before this period , the Grand Lodges , both of England and Germany , had discountenanced the Neapolitan lodges , because political discussions were occasionally introduced ; and it is also proved that a hatred existed in the minds of the Carbonari

against tlie Ereemasons and their doctrines . We before observed that upon one occasion an effort was made to organise the society in Naples after the restoration of Eerdinand , hut the more experienced members of that order , wisely judging that they would be weighed in the same scale as other secret societies , determined not to

hold a lodge until the country was in a more tranquil state . It was believed at this period that Perdinand had great respect for the Ereemasons , and several of them held high offices of state , and ho placed the greatest confidence in their integrity . It is true thatwithin the " period mentionedmany of

, , the brethren would assemble at the house of Michele Seiaronne , and , at his death , at another convenient place , for religious purposes ; but these meetings were not exclusively for Masons—any one could attend who pleased .

The doctrine they chiefly taught was to worshi p God in the heart ; not to depend upon their priests for absolution , but to practise those virtues that would be accepted in their Maker ' s sight ; to act uprightly in all things , and making conscience their rule of life . Tliey did not oppose the doctrines of the Church of Home ; indeed , they

believed in all her sacraments , but objected to the doctrines of some of her priests , who were of the lowest order , and were constantly introducing new saints and ceremonies , and publicly hawking indulgencies that could be purchased sometimes for the smallest coin . This sect ( if we may call it such ) simply called

themselves " Christians , " and whatever were their doctrines , the members ivere at least sincere ; their works of charity were great , and , without ostentation , persons in need and distress were relieved , and they knew not from what source ; and instruction was freely offered to any who wished to avail themselves of it . When Michele

Seiaronne , who was the founder , died , he desired to be buried prii-ately , according to the rites of the Church of Eome . He wished only a few friends to follow him to the grave , and , therefore , the time of his burial was kept secret ; but tlie la / . zaroni surrounded his house till the funeral took place . It was only then that tlie extent of his charity

was known ; all had some kind and generous action to relate , and many a tear was shed on his grave , and many a heartfelt prayer raised to Heaven for the benefit of his soul .

During the month of July , further insurrections took place throughout the kingdom . The inhabitants in the southern provinces ivere all connected with the Carbonari ; numbers of them collected together and marched towards Naples , shouting as they went , "Eor God , the King , and the Constitution . " The meaning of this

particular watchword was neither wholly understood by the hearers , or by those who uttered it . Each person appeared to put his OAA ' construction upon the meaning ; those who paid taxes believed it meant a diminution of the rates ; the liberals supposed it meant liberty ; the ambitious saw an opportunity of getting into power ; and all con-