Masonic Notes And Queries

WHAT WOUId ) BE AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY . Show that Theism , as diutinguished from Christianity , was , before the revival of 1717 , receivable into our four old loclges . This , " Q . C , " is what , on the occasion meutioned in your letter , some one present said would be an important discovery in the history of

¦ modern English Freemasonry . —C P . COOPER . FREEMASONS * MAGAZINE , VOL XVI . TNHEX . "O . G-., " your letter affords me much pleasure , as it abundantly shows that you have of late made not a little progress in your Masonic studies . The

following are the communications made by me to the Ereemasons' Magazine , vol . xvi ., for which you will search the index in vain : —1 . A Suggestion . 2 . The Chevalier Ramsay ' s Grades . 3 . Christian , Jewish , Parsee , and Mahommedan Freemasonry . 4 . The Friendship of Ethical Writers and the Fraternity of

Ereemasonry . 5 . Au Ancient Initiation . The four first are all in i \ o . 413 . The fifth is iu No . 417 , being the last number of the volume . —C . P . COOPEE . PRIMORDIAL GERMS . "P . Z . " the will of the Great Architect of the

, "Universe that the complex shall be evolved out of the simple , is best shown in the animal kingdom . The primordial germs of a man , a dog , a bird , a fish , a beetle , a snail , and a polypus , Professor Huxley tells us , are in no essential structural respects distinguishable . —C . P . OC . OPEB .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor ts not responsible for ihe opinions expressed , by Correspondents . MASONIC PILGRIMAGE TO THE ORIENT . io THE EDITOH oi ? HIE uirEmiAsoxs' 3 IACUZI > -E A STD jusoiric JIIHEOE . ¦ Dear Sir and Brother , —It is certainly true , that Bro . Morris will receive little encouragement from

English or Continental nations in a mission for archaeological explorations in the Holy Land any more than he would for geological explorations . Having no special knowledge , and no acquaintance with the country or its language , neither Bro . Morris nor any one stopping a short time in the country

could do any good . Masons or non-Masons would prefer for such a mission some one having suitable opportunities , such a one , for instance , as the distinguished Biblical archaeologist , Mr . Morris ' s countryman , the Eev . Dr . Robinson . Thenas Bro . Findel saysthere are Masons

, , already at Beirout . Besides those of the neAvlyproposed German Lodge , the Palestine , there are the members of the Scotch Lodge , for some years established under the name of the Rock of Lebanon , and which includes several English and Scotch Masons , competent to make inquiries , and who have found

nothing . Its list includes Bro . Eldridge , II . B . M . Consul General , Bro . Rogers , Acting Consul General , and others . Bro . Eldridge in the summer lives in Lebanon , and takes great interest in it . Many distinguished Masons , English , American , ancl French have of late years visited the Holy Land . The proper channel for Masonic exertions in investigations in the Holy Land is the Palestine Exploration Fund , a labour exciting the deepest interest

Correspondence.

among English and Americans , and among the latter none the less from confirming and completing Dr . Robinson's discoveries . The Palestine Exploration Fund deserves the sympathy of all Masons , and their contributions , I expect , will receive a vote from the Grand Lodges of these islands , of the States , and

that Bro . Morris will apply to this purpose the funds he has already raised . They will be thankfully received and properly applied , for I may tell Bro . Morris and your readers that the Palestine Exploration has , with other competent assistancethat of a zealous Mason .

, I say nothing to deter Ero . Morris from a visit to the East for his own satisfaction , with the assurance of a cordial reception . While on this subject I would recommend to the admirers of Bro . Morris in this country to take care that his reception shall not have the appearance of

that of a clique , for the result might be that Bro . Morris would miss a reception in those very quarters where he is most desirous of being known . This would be the more to be regretted , for American Masons have always received honour and welcome from their brethren by the ties of blood and Masonry on this side of the wide sea . Tours fraternally , AN EASTERN MASON .

"Box Brown."

"BOX BROWN . "

' TO THE EDITOH OP IU 2 FBEESIASOITS MAGAZIHE AKD MASONIC MIRE 0 B . ' Dear Sir and Brother , —At last , after five applications made by letter to three brethren in Jersey , on behalf of your correspondent "Z ., " who inquired about " Box Brown , " I learn , by reply received this day , that he was initiated into Masonry four or five years ago in the Royal Sussex LodgeNo . 244 . As

, the W . M . does not allow any access to the minute book of that lodge , ' ! have not been able to ascertain the names of the proposer and seconder , nor the exact date . " Z . " will now be in possession of the main point , and will be enabled to take such action in the case as he may think proper .

I hope , after the explanations given now and in my last letter , that " Z . " will withdraw the charges he made against me , in which he implied officiousnesa on my part , aud breach of a promise , which examination of my letters will show that I had not made . I assure" Z . " that from the date of his first

communication I have not at any time lost sight of the matter , ancl that I have done all I could to obtain the information he wanted , which open inquiry in your pages has failed to elicit from the Jersey brethren . Yours faithfully and fraternally , H . H . Totnes , Jan . 11 , 1 SGS .

The Palestine Exploration Fund.

THE PALESTINE EXPLORATION FUND .

IO IHE SunOS or inn ErtEEHA 50 : fs' MAGAZINE AKD JIASOHIC HIEBOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —Might I suggest that the example set by Lodge 31 , of subscribing to the above fund , might with propriety be followed hy other lodges , the object being one in which all Masons must be dee ])! } ' interested . Yours fraternally , EitEDEitrcic MtraroRD , W . M ., Lodge 31 , Canterbury , Jan . 9 , 1868 .