Masonic Notes And Queries.

matter , so is here form predominant . As the religion of the Greeks , in its popular aspect , was wholly anthropomorphism ; as the weightiest truths which occupy and satisfy the mind were thrown back into a mysterious obscurity ; and as custom , excluding the multitude from the inside of the temple at the sacrificial festivalsallotted them their lace in the

fore-, p courts and groves—thus were the Grecian temples small , narrow , confined , and dark in the interior . So much the greater was the labour expended on outward splendour ; and architecture , striving after forms at once noble and pure , was aided by Scripture , in order , through statuary of every kindin clay , marbleand

, , brass , to construct a dwelling , which , to those entering , might appear worthy to serve as an abode to the gods under those human characteristics with which they were associated in the minds of the Greeks . Greek architecture , at its highest perfection , was the most

beautiful Formalism . When , finally , the form of the basilicas , erected for heathen purposes , was abandoned , the Christian principle of sacred building was perfected in the dome or minster ; and this Christianism of architecture announced itself as an entirely new and grander striving of the human mind—as au utterly different longing

of the soul when stirred by new emotions . It ascended with the soaring pillars and lofty-pointed arches heavenwards ; and the whole christian community , in the clearness aud bri ghtness of newly won kuowledge and conviction assembled in the wide spaces of the templewhichin its whole architecturewithin and

, , , without , in sculpture , in pillars , iu windows , and in altars , vividly represented to tbe eye the great work of Providence in the entire history of man , from the Creation aud the Fall to the Last Judgment . — AMANUENSIS .

THE TEEEMASONS MAGAZINE . The few disjointed and fragmentary lines annexed are copied from the memorandum of sundry remarks made by me to a brother , in a conversation at Paris , 8 th February , 1 S 63 . The memorandum was put into writing shortly after the conversation , aud the lines copied from are , at the request of a correspondent , forwarded to the editor of the FREEMASONS MAGA

ZINE , to be dealt with as he may deem expedient . * * * * "The usefulness of the FEEEMASONS MAGAZINE is certainly considerable at present , but this usefulness may well be looked upon as actually nought , iu comparison with what it might become , were the lodges not so indifferent regarding its success as they appear to be . " * * * " Write to

Brother J . M ., that , in the judgment of a Past Provincial Grand Master for Kent , the lodge that does not subscribe to the FEEEMASONS MAGAZINE omits to do an important act which , for numerous reasons , would , most undoubtedly , be for the good of Freemasonry in generaland of itself in particular . "

, * * * " There is no institution which the press when , under skilful and discreet management , may not be brought to benefit , and to an extent that few can imagine , except those whose attention has been directed to the subject , " * * * " Of all the establishmentssocial and charitablewith which I am

, , acquainted , English Freemasonry is that whose influence and prosperity might , in my opinion , be most strengthened and increased by judicious recourse to the conveniences and powers furnished by the art of

printing . " * * * To the memorandum , from which the foregoing lines are extracted , there has very recently been added this note : " Consider my communication of July last to the FEEEMASONS MAGAZINE , vol . 11 , p . 5 , entitled , ' Panegyrical Record of Deceased Meritorious Masons . ' " —CHAEEES PCETON COOPEE .

QUOTATIONS WANTING IDENTIFICATION . The first lines alluded to by " P . W . P . " are to be found among a very good collection of Masouic songs , in an old edition of Ahiman Mezon , published in Belfast in the year A . D . 1782 , the context being as follows : —

When earth ' s foundation first was laid By the Almighty Artist's hand , 'Twas then our perfect , our perfect laws were made—Established by His strict command . Uliorus

: Hail ! mysterious—hail ! glorious—Masonry , That makes us ever great and free . As man throughout for shelter sought , In vain , from place to place , did roam , Until from henven , from heaven he was taught , To plan , to build , and find his home . Hail ! mysterious , & c .

Hence , illustrious , rose our art , And now in beauteous piles appear , Which shall to endless , to endless time impart , How worthy and how great we . are . Hail ! mysterious , & c . Nor we less fum'd for ev ' ry tie , By which the human thought is bound ; Love , truth , and friendship , and friendship socially , Unto our hearts and hands around . Hail ! mysterious , & c .

Our actions still by virtue blest , And to our precepts ever true ; The world admiring , admiring shall request , To learn , and our bright paths pursue . Hail ! mysterious , & c . The above song is set to the well-known and popular tune , " Rule Britannia . " I am sorry I cannot give "P . W . P . " the information he requests respecting its authorship . —R . KEB .

CHICKAEOONS OE TEMl'LAES . In America sectarianism is attaining a most awful pre-eminence , and it is a serious question to what results it may soon lead . The Old Know-Nothing party hasproducedan offshoot called the C'hickaroons or Templars , and they already number some 10 , 000 voters in New York alone . The members are required to

take an oath of strict obedience to the majority , at all hazards , and in all circumstances , under the penalty of death for disobedience . They are to abjure Catholicism , not to marry papists , nor hold any intercourse or trade with them , nor in any way recognise them as fellow-citizens . Will the Templar

Freemasons quietly put up with such a parody on their Order , and allow their really venerable title of Templars to be so basely prostituted contrary to the spirit of the age ?—Ex . Ex .

BED . CEUCEEIX . In the MAGAZINE of last week the question was asked whether there is a portrait of the late Bro . Crucefix extant , and if so where it was to be seen ? Iu repl y to the query , I beg to state there is an excellent oil painting of the said brother , in full Masonic costume as a Grand Officer ( size , 4 ft . 2 in . by 3 ft . 4 in . ) in the committee room of the Freemasons' Asylum at Croydon . — JOHN COMMINS .