Masonic Notes And Queries.

changing Algol , the solemnly revolving Mizar , and the wonderful Mira . Its darting comets and mystic nebula , called for the highest powers of intellect , raising the thoughts from the small dim shadowy spot upon which was his dwelling up to the foot of the throne of Him who spake and worlds sprang into

existence , revealing that glorious religion , through which the wearied soul , when its labours are ended hez-e , must set forth on . its solemn journey to the God who created it .

"The bright beams of the morning again withdrew the curtain which concealed the landscape and presented , for curious research , the mysterious nature of plants , and trees , aud flowers , properties of minerals and their wonderful forms of crystallisation ; the incomparable mechanism of living bodies ; the secret links by which the zoophte is connected to the moz-e

y perfect plant ou the one hand , and tlie well-defined animal on the other ; the relation that exists between a speck of dust at bis feet , and the innumerable worlds which stretch away to the realms of unbounded space , beyond the reach of human comprehension . This was the vast field of observation in which the

primeval Mason worked out his sublime science , registered his discoveries , transmitted them from age to age , and as results of his labour , meditation , and reasoning , preserved a knowledge of the one only true God , stamped upon his mind and heart . Did time permit , I might illustrate this brief but imperfect

sketch of the earliest age of Masonry by a discussion of the method in which from the fatal disobedience of our first parents in Eden , the fragments of universal knowledge were preserved through ages darkened by the clouds of ignorance and corruption , until the deluge swept the earth of its debased and

God-despising people . I might also adduce evidence to show how this particular branch of Masonic knowledge was preserved in Noah and his descendants , and through them among the increasing family of mankind , radiating to all parts of the globe , from the foot of Mount Ararat . Such a course , howevez-, at present , is deemed altogether unnecessary . The pillars erected by Enoch , one of which survived the otherwise universal wreck caused by the flood ,

preserved for the benefit of man , some of the more valuable secrets of autecliluvian Masonry . Noah and his three sons brought with them many more , and communicated them to their offspring . The cities and tower upon the plain of Shinar are evidences of this . After the dispersion of the people at the Tower of

Babel , though scattered far and wide over the surface of the earth , the principles of operative and symbolic Masonry were retained . The pale faces of the Assyrian Kings , which lay hidden for thousands of years beneath the mounds of Nimroud , Koramles , E _ horsahadand Kouyounjikover which Xenophon inarched

, , in his memorable retreat without knowing it , amply attest what Masonry was when Sardanapalus perished in the ruins of his capital . The pyramids , temples , and palaces of Egypt , rich in hieroglyphieal lore , show to what perfection this noble science had at that day advancedand though the period of their erection

, and the people by whom erected , are alike by the impenetrable , mists of the remote past , yet the works themselves remain , as almost imperishable monuments of the knowledge and skill of our Craft . The wellknown and beautiful apostrophe of Horace Smith ,

Masonic Notes And Queries.

may not receive a reply from the inanimate form of one of Egyptia ' s Craftsmen to whom it is addressed ; yet the glorious works which adorn the banks of the Nile connect the present to the past , showing the universality , the usefulness , ancl beauty of the science of which my brothers here assembled are the humbler disciples . "

It would be a pleasing task to show how the Masonic tree bloomed and flourished among the Israelites after leaving the land of the Pharoahs , wandering in the desert wastes of Arabia , fitting themselves by divine command for the important duties of self-government ; but I must pass on to the time when

the Mason was presented to the world in a new character , and received that appellation by which he has since that period been distinguished . Two thousand eight hundred ^ and sixty years ago , during the reign of the greatest of Israel ' s kings , and when the Jewish monarchwas in the zenith of its power

y , splendour , and glory ; when many of the fine arts had arrived at comparative perfection ; when the pathetic and sublime numbers of David , and the exquisite apothegms of Solomon had been presented to the world as models of taste , of morality , of truth ,

and of religion ; when navigation had received an impetus which has continued to advance even until now ; and the various branches of natural history were taught by Masons , as aids for the mind , leading it up from the great temple of nature , in adoration and love , to its allwise builder ;

when the wonderful and superb structure , erected at Jerusalem for the worship of Almighty God , had been completed , astonishing monarchs by its incomparable beauty , and the magnificence of its adornments . Then was a fitting time for the Craftsmen , who had been associated in the same labour for years ;

men who were bound together by the ties of the closest friendship , arising from association in a common labour , sharing the same sorrows , troubles , ancl difficulties , and participating in the same joys , men who were about to separate and wander in the distant countz'ies of the earth , many of them never to

meetin this life ; then was an appropriate time for their Grand Master to assemble them together , to give them instructions for their future guidance and for the guidance of the Craft in all future time . Thus was Masonry , which had existed from the creation , moulded into the form which it has ever since retained , and which it will no doubt continue to retain until it

shall juease the Grand Master of the Universe to assemble the entire human family to receive the account of their works at the last day . ( To be continued . )

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . PEOV . G . W . OE MADEAS . TO THE EDITOE OE THE EBEEIIASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC UmEOB . DEAB SIE ATO BEOTHEE , —I have to-day seen the MAGAZINE of the 30 th April , with the proceedings of the Grand Lodge in it of the 27 th of April .

I see his lordship is made to state that I was Prov . G . M . of Madras . His lordship stated that I had held the office of Prov . Grand Warden—not Master . Tours very faithfully and fraternally , A . 8 . GEEEHLAW .