Masonic Notes And Queries.

THE BIBLE . "In further proof of the Scriptural character of Masonry it was added that the Bible is ever found iu our Lodges during the working ; aud that our candidates are obligated upon it , aud are enjoined to study it as the standard of faith and the rule of life ; and

to regard it as the tracing board of the Great Architect of the Universe , in which he has laid down plans and moral rules to enable every Mason to do well his allotted work . "— From a bundle of Masonic Excerpts . — CHARLES -PUETOS COOPEK .

SCIENCE OF SYMBOLISM . "The science of Symbolism once so universally diffused as to pervade most ancient religions , and even still extensively controlling , almost without our recognition , the every-day business of life , has , as a science , been only preserved iu the Masonic Institution •and henceto this fact are we indebted for

, much of the facility with which we are beginning to interpret the exoteric philosophy of the ancients * * * It was amongst the ancient priesthood of the East and of Egypt that this beautiful science of symbolism was first invented by which sensible objects being presented to the eye , conveyed through its

principles lessons of profound , yet hidden learniug to the neophyte . Divine truth was thus communicated by the priests in the most impressive forms , by means of poetic images , which with their just interpretation , constitute subjects of discussion and inquiry for the Masonic Student . " — From a bundle of Masonic Excerpts . —CHARLES PUKTOX COOPER .

SPECULATIVE MASONRY AND ITS DOCTRINES . Bro . Buchan does not deny the existence of the doctrines which our system of Freemasonry teaches before 1717 . He only denies that our Masonic Society , as such promulgated them before that time . These doctrines existed before 1717 , and what the founders of Speculative Freemasonry then did was to take hold upon them and use them for their own purposes . —W . P . B .

MASONIC LECTURES BEFORE 1717 , PAGE 365 Seeing " our Lectures " did not exist until after 1717 . I am unable to understand how they could be given even "extempore" before then . —WP . B . THE EARL OF DALHOUSIE AND THE MARK DEGREE .

In your report of the Meeting of the Graud Lodge of Scotland , a small omission occurs , viz -. —That tbe Earl of Dalhousie had declined being a member of the Mark Conference seeing the Grand Lodge of England bad not acknowledged it . —MAKE MASTER .

CIVILIZATION AND RELIGION " . Tbe following , at page 36 S , is worth studying : — " The lecturer drew attention to the great importance of the studies of comparative philology and comparative religion , which seemed to give a clear idea of that gradual and progressive development which had embraced artlanguagereliionand

civi-, , g , zation in general . " From this we perceive that the Jew was possessed of special qualities foe the development of religion , just as was the Greek for the development of art , both being equally "inspired "

by God for the purpose to he served . This " inspiration " is not a thing of the past , for God is just as much " inspiring , " or making use of men now as in ages long gone by . —W . P . B . PM . AND P . H . R . LORD TENTERDEN .

The following telegraphical items concerning our distinguished brother , Lord Tenterden , Secretary of she British High Commission , now in session at Washington , will interest our readers : — " Lord Tenterden , the Secretary of the British part of the . Joint High Commission now in session in

Washington , is a great-grandson of Charles Abbott , who was the son of a hairdresser , and born at Can terbury in 1682 . In 1781 he was elected to a scholarship at Oxford , where he was distinguished for attainments and good conduct . At thirty-three he was called to the barand soon secured a large practice .

, At forty he published his work on the law of merchant shipping , which is now a standard authority . At forty-six he refused a judgeship , but accepted at fiftyfour . Two years later , at fifty-six , he was made Lord Chief Justice of the King ' s Bench , and in 1827 , during the premiership of Mr . Canning , was raised to the

peerage , but did not long enjoy the title , having died in 1832 . Such is the history of tbe founder of the house , the dignity of which is worthily maintained by the present lord . "—Keystone .

THE LANDMARKS . No man can have a right to , or subtract from , Masonry . Our ancient landmarks , our traditionary laws , our teachings from memory , and our ancient forms of expression , are all inviolable and perpetual . The only possible way that the true principle of the

Craft , handed down from the times of King Solomon , and safely kept by the great lights of Masonry , can be kept free and true , is to firmly hold the same modes and forms of speech intact from innovation through all ages . —Keystone

THE SILENT CLUB . There was at Amadan a celebrated academy . Its first rule was framed in these words : "The members of this academy shall think much , write little , and be as mute as they can . " A candidate offered himself ; lie was too late ; the

vacancy was filled up ; they knew his merit , and lamented their disappointment in lamenting his . The president was to announce the event ; he desired the candidate should be introduced . He appeared with a modest air , the sure testimony of merit . The president roseand presented a cup of water to himso

, , full that a single drop would have made it overflow . To this emblematic hint he added not a word , but his countenance expressed deep affliction . The candidate understood that he could not be received , because the number was complete ; yet he maintained his courage , and began to think by what expedientin the same

, kind of language , he could explain that a supernumerary academician would displace nothing , and make uo essential difference in the rule they had prescribed . Observing at his feet a rose , he picked it up , and laid it gently on the surface of the water , — £ C gently ,