Masonic Notes And Queries.

instrument , which , like the olive branch of peace , Ave commit into his hands , praying that tho choicest blessings of the Eternal Three in One may attend all those Avho may in any Avise be serviceable to him . Given under our hands and Seal of the Bandheld

, Glory , under sanction of THOMASHIGGINSOX , 1 P . the Conclave No . Power , 9 of St . John of DANIEL FINCH , 2 P . Jerusalem [ Jeru- ¦ Light , _ salemj , in our JOHN BENT , 3 P . " % Council Chamber Truth , P at Manchester SIMON JONES , 4 P .

jg this 29 th day of Beauty , w Julv , Anno Lu- JOHN SHAW , 5 P . cis , 5834 ; An . Wisdom , HIE A M , 3317 ; JESSE LEE , 6 P . Anno Almi Sal-Stz'ength . vatorisHominum JOHN SCHOPIELD , 7 P . 1830 ; Anno Ordinis , 712 ; Anno Caedis , 576 .

BRO . A . r . PEISTER . Can any brother furnish me with an account of one Bro . A . P . Pfister ? —Q . —[ Bro . Pfister Avas Grand Secretary to the Grand Lodge of Alabama for tAventy years , from 1837 to 1857 . The exact date of his initiation cannot be ascertained , on account of the loss of the records of Mobile Lodge ; but it seems to be reliable ,

that he was made a Mason in that lodge some time prior to the 15 th of October , 1824 ; for an old record shows that he Avas a contributing member thereof , from that date until the 29 th of June , 1829 ; hence it is inferred that about that time he Avas made a Master Mason . Ho Avas exalted and made a royal and select master in Tuscaloosa , and received the degrees of knighthood about

1848 or 1849 , in the encampment in Mobile , and had conferred on him the ineffable degrees as far as the thirtysecond , by a deputy of the Southern Grand Consistory , but at Avhat precise time we have been unable to ascertain . Thus it Avill be seen that he sought and obtained all the light Avithin his reach . He Avas not content with the faint rays that beam upon the mind of the entered

apprentice , but , incited by the neAV and developing mysteries , he Avas not satisfied until he had attained the summit of Masonic knowledge . He was appointed Grand Secretary pro tern ., in 1837 , to fill a \* acancy occasioned by the AvithdraAval of Bro . Doric S . Ball , Avho was Grand Secretary elect . At the next succeeding Annual Communicationhe was elected Grand Secretaryand Avas

, , re-elected at each succeeding meeting , until his death . By his devotion , and by his ability and fidelity as an officer , he maintained for nearly twenty years his official relation to the Grand Lodge , and tho undiminished confidence and esteem of the fraternity throughout its jurisdiction . ]

ONE BRICK AVHONG . Workmen Avere recently building a large brick tower , Avhich Avas to be carried up very high . The architect and foreman charged the men to lay each brick with the greatest exactness , especially the first course Avhich Avere to sustain all the rest . However , in laying a corner , by accident or carelessness , one brick Avas set a very little

out of line . The Avork vrent on Avithout its being noticed , but as each course of bricks Avas kept in line vfith those already laid , the tower was not put up straight , and the higher the } ' built , the more insecure it became . One day , Avhen the tower had been carried up about fifty feet , there was a tremendous crash . The building had fallen , burying the men in the ruins . All the work Avas lost

, materials Avasted , valuable lives sacrificed , all from one brick laid Avrong at the start . The Avorkman at fault in this matter little thought hoAV much mischief he Avas making for the future . Worshipful Masters of large

Masonic Notes And Queries.

lodges , does the above story strike you ? If it does , remember you may , in your anxiety to get fees and make many Masons , lay one brick wrong . —P . M . THE TEMPLARS AT TARIS . Is there not a misprint in the word " initiation " of Christpage 280 line 33 ? Ought it not to be the "

imita-, , tion " of Christ , that well-known word of mediasval piety , though not written by Thomas-a-Keinpis ? Was there ever such a book as the "Initiation of Christ : "EBOK . —[ It was a misprint : the Avork referred to is "De . Imitatione Ohristi . " ]

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . LODGE No . 600 . TO TIE EDITOB OP THE EKEEMASONS' ItAGAZIJfE AKD MASOSIO HIMtOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Tour correspondent , " Bro . Investigator , " pi-o voiced apparently by the publication in

your MAGAZINE , of the 17 th September lastj of the tables showing the mode in Avhich Lodge No . 600 disposes of its surplus funds , has thought proper , in a series of letters , to make a violent attack upon the character of that lodge , under cover of seeking explanations respecting its members , its tables , and its system . "Bro . Ward , " the Treasurer of the lodge , has promised that the required

explanations shall be forthcoming , on condition that he Avill abandon his incognito , and give his real name and address , and the name of the lodge of Avhich he is a member . In reply , " Investigator " asserts that it " signifies not whether these queries are put by au incognito or not . They must be explained , or they resolve themselves into charges from which conclusions may be draAvn . "

It will be evident , I think , to your candid and impartial readers , that it is hopeless to expect that any explanations which may be given by Lodge No . 600 Avill be satisfactory to a brother Avho brings to the discussion of his subject such a strong rancorous feeling as is betrayed in these letters . It Avould seem , indeed , as if " Bro . Investigator " did not , after all , really require any

further information respecting Lodge No . 600 , but that , on the contrary , he knows sufficient to enable him to prefer his charges , draAv his conclusions , and prejudge the whole ease . With him it is manifestly a foregone conclusion , that Lodge No . 600 has no claim to . rank as a Freemasons' Lodge , but ought to be registered under the FriendlSocieties' Actthat instead of Masonic

y ; charity being found in the lodge , there is only " sounding brass , or a tinkling cymbal ; " that its sj'stem , is subversive of Masonic obligations , its tables are myths , " a mockery , delusion , and snare ; " and the members

themselves , Avith their institutions , " in nubibus . Such is the judgment pronounced by "Bro . Investigator , " and Avhich he Avould have your readers to ratify and confirm . There can be no objection to a writer screening him-Sblf under an assumed name , so long as his criticism is conducted in a fair and honest spirit ; and had " Bro . Investigator" confined himself Avithin legitimate bounds ,

he might have pursued his investigations Avithout any troublesome questions respecting himself . But I think your readers will not allow that he is entitled to such a privilege , in order that he may Avith impunity indulge in offensive and slanderous imputations . He has questioned the veracity , and impugned the motives of Lodge No . 600 in a most supercilious tone and manner . Tour

, readers will not be surprised that "Bro . Ward" should decline to contend Avith a secret foe , Avho gloats Avith such self satisfaction over the stabs that he gives in the dark . Until it shall appear that he comes into court Avith clean hands , and that his motives are not more questionable