Masonic Notes And Queries.

This is , then , we must all acknowledge an eminently Christian degree , since even its documents always commence in the name of the " Holy and undivided Trinity , " aud it contains within itself the elements of everything that is good . The discovery made in the Eoyal Arch degree , here replaced bthose of the Christian dispensationceases

y , to be of any great value ; the Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty , which supported the ancient Temple , are replaced by the Christian | pillars of Faith , Hope , and Charity ; the great lights of our Order remain because they are its very essence , but the three lesser assume an entirely Christian character , and have reference to the years of our Lord ' s sojourning on earth .

A fervent desire to see these Orders fully carried out , and perhaps an overweening anxiety that may still further exert influence in effecting that due restraint upon our affections and passions which renders tho body tame and governable , and free tho mind from the allurements of vice and temptation , has induced me thus to address you ; and , although I have already occupied too much of

your valuable space , I UOAV close with a hope that this may elicit the opinions of older and brighter Masons than myself relative to these important , though much neglected , degrees , which Ave all trust Avill aid us in reaching that lodge aboA e , not made with hands eternal iu the Heavens . T C , Montreal . E . \ +. ' .

MASONIC DEGREES . . I am truly sorry that my last " note " has so much disturbed-the equanimity of" Delta . " I see that ho talks of " scurrility , " in your last number , on my part . NOAV , whatever other fault might be found Avith Avhat I wrote , I do not think that such a charge can , in any sense , be made good . True it is , that I have spoken strongly

against the line of argument " Delta " has continuously folloAved , but I have said nothing personal against " Delta " himself . I hope that my Masonry teaches me this one thing at any rate never to be intolerant of the feelings and opinions of others . "Delta" has a perfect right to hold his own peculiar vieAvs ; " Delta " may fairly claim , the privilege of setting those views fully and

temperately before his brother Masons . But " Delta " -will not concede to me and to others , Avhat he claims for himself . If AVO uphold ancient Craft traditions , if Ave stand by the old constitutions , if we profess to believe in Craft history and claims , we aro either ignorant , or gullible , or bigotedly Avedded to absurd theories . Every remark I have ever made has been drawn from me ,

un-Avillingly and purely defensively , in consequence of some previous attack , direct or implied , of " Delta , " on Avhat in ray humble opinioncoustitutcs tho true foundation of Freemasonry . If I have spoken Avarmly , it is because thought and study have led me deeply to value and zealously to guard the ancient landmarks—because , in short , I do really believe , ex , coiiiiio , in the authenticity , reality , value , and antiquity of Craft Masonry ; as the source , moreover , of all other degrees , high or low . — EBOR .

BALLOTIXG 1 'OR EACH DEGREE . It would be something of a novelty to us if a , ballot was taken for every degree given . Such is not uncommon in America , as the subjoined extract will show . — LEX MASOJJICA . " Your committee still deem it proper that the ballot on the advancement of an Entered Apprentice to the degree of Fellow Craftand of the latter to

, that of Master Mason , should be unanimous . Else why ballot at all after his petition has been once acted on ? Why not confer superior degrees upon a simple motion to that effect ? AVe know of at least one lodge in this State , if we have been correctly informed , in which petitions for initiation are received and balloted for in the Master ' s degree , and if accepted the candidate is entitled to all the tierces , without further balloting . We think this , however , improper . Besides , it is a well known fact that occasionally men creep iuto

lodges , who ought never to have been initiated . There is nothing tangible upon Avhich to predicate charges against them —but there is a general unfitness . Grant that the lodge was wrong in initiating them , does it cure that wrong by continuing in it—by committing a second and a third wrong act ? The block of stone that has been brought from the quarry into the precincts of the Temple , when the rough corners come to be hewn

off by the tools of the Craft , proves to be defective through some latent flaw then made apparent , and is deemed unfit to be built into the higher parts of the building ; shall the builders say , ' we must use this block , unfit as Ave judge it to be , since Ave have brought it here ? ' No , let it lie Avhere it is . Let the secret ballot , then , be used at every state of advancement , and let every brother , in using the ballot , act as his

conscience-dictates to be right in the matter . " TEMRLAR CERTIFICATE , 1830 . Patriarchal cross , gu . Octagonal cross , ar . Skull and cross bones i " Jerusalem cross , or . Cross JTlovy , gu-., inscribed HAXOS . This is to certifthat well-beloved' brother and

y , our trusty companion J . L ., having passed through the different degrees of Craft and Holy Eoyal Arch Masonry , and haA'ing proved himself ivorfcky by his great zeal and perseverance , through the amazing trials made of his faith and valour , Avhich he justly sustained and honourably maintained , did duly obtain , and was by us admitted , and dubbed a Sir Kniht Companion of the Most

Eeg ligious and Military Order of Knights Templars , in our Encampment at Manchester , upon the 20 th day of April , in the " year of our Blessed Eedeemer 1830 , and subsequently admitted a Knight of the Eed Cross , and of the Order of Malta . "

Given under our hand and Seal of the Conclave Ho . 9 of " St . John of Jerusalem " [ Jerusalem ] , by virtue and authority of warrant granted hy the late Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master , Sir Thos . Dimckerley , bearing date May 20 th , AL 5799 AD 1795 A . O . 677 A . C . 481 .

.. , .. , , DANIEL LYNCH , E . Com . JOHN BENT , Sr . Cap . JAS . L . TIIRELEALL , Jun . Cap . JESSE LEE . Ch . and Eeg .

( The seal is impressed on paper , suspended from a plain black ribbon , forming the seven symbolical steps , and containing : —1 . Cross and Serpent . 2 . Octagonal Cross of Malta . 3 . The Symbolic Lights of the Poorfellow Soldiers . 4 . The Cock . 5 . Pascal Lamb . 6 . Scull and Orossbones . 7 . Eye . Seven stars surrounding the AYhole ) .

CERTIFICATE OE THE PRIESTLY ORDER , 1830 . Since writing the foregoing , the following has been received through the kindness of a brother : — Triangle , Avith I " Wisdom hath built her house ; she the letter E . hath hewn out her seven pillars . The A lamb upon light that cometh from Wisdom shall

an altar . | never go out . " In tho name of the great and blessed Eedeemer , who suffered on the Cross for the salvation of our souls , "To all Avhom this may concern , AVO send greeting : "We , the United Pillars of the Sacred Band of the Holy Eoyal Arch Knights Templar Priests , after the most Ancient and Christian Order of Melchisedec , do faithful and well

hereby certify and declare that our beloved brother , cemented friend , and trusty companion , Sir T . L , having regularly obtained and honourably maintained , with equal skill and valour , the dignity of Knighthood , Avas by us initiated , consecrated , and confirmed in all the Divine Mysteries of the most Sacred Order of Priesthood , aud as such admitted for ever a Priest in our Tabernacle , a Pillar iu our Temple , and he shall no more go out . In testimony whereof AVO have delivered unto him this