Masonic Notes And Queries.

to Templars . The ancient Templars used a most beautiful burial service brimful of Masonry , derived from a custom , of the ancient Egyptians , and containing an allusion to the grip of a Master Mason as used by the " ancients " before the union . —/\ .

AMERICAN CHARGE AT EXALTATION . Iii American Royal Arch Chapters the High Priest delivers a charge to the newly-exabed companion , of Avhich the following is a copy . There is nothing in it that would cause its publication to be regretted , and it is as frequently bound up in their books as our " Charge at Initiation " is in our pocket-books . —Ex . Ex .

" You have now , my companions , received all the instruction that pertains to our noble Craft . You have ascended , by regular gradation , to the summit of Ancient M asonry . You have been conducted round the courts of the temple , and have viewed its beautiful proportions , its massive pillars , its starry-decked canopy , its Mosaic pavementits lightsjewelsand furniture . You have

, , , been introduced into the middle chamber , and have learned by the example of our ancient brethren to reverence the Sabbath day and keep it holy . You have entered the sanctum sanctorum , and there , in the integrity and inflexible fidelity of the illustrious Tyrian , have witnessed an example of firmness and fortitude never Surpassed in the history of man .

" You have wrought in the quarries , and exhibited a suitable specimen of skill that stood the test of the overseer's square . You have been seated in the oriental chair of King Soloman , and have learned the important duties—a knowledge of which can alone qualify you to preside over the ' Sons of Light . ' " You have been admitted with a faithful feAV into the

secret vault , and there learned the means by which the sacred volume of God's Law was deposited safe from the destructive rage of the enemies of the truth . " You have , even now , entered the most holy place and learned in what manner the omnific word was preserved through centuries of moral darkness by the wise suggestion of the widow ' s son .

" You have assisted at the completion and dedication of our Mystic Temple , and , for your skill and fidelity to the Craft , have received the congratulatory title of ¦ , and you have now witnessed the mournful desolation of Zion , the sack and destruction of the city and temple of our God , and the utter loss , as the world supposed , of all those articles contained in the holy of holies .

" You have seen the chosen people of God forced , by a foreign despot , from the pleasant groves and peaceful vineyards of their native Israel , and dragged into captivity on the banks of the far off Euphrates . BUG you have seen these afflicted sons of Zion visited' in the darkest night of adversity by a precious light from heaven , which guided them from the land of bondage ,

through rough and rugged paths , to the scene of their former glory . You have been , then , enabled by the signet of eternal truth to pass the veil that interposed between them and their fondest hopes . You have seen them engaged successfully iu the great and glorious work of l-ebuilding the house of the Lord ; and , finally , you have . seen the sacred treasures of the former temple

brought to light , and the blessed book restored to the longing eyes of the devout Israelites , to be the rule and gnide , the comfort and support of the people of God through all future time . And now , my companions , if in all these things you have seen only a series of unmeaning rites , if the spirit of truth has not applied to hearts the morals of these ceremoniesthenindeed

your , , , we have laboured in vain , and you have spent your strength for nought . But I am persuaded better things of you . I hope that you have entered into the spirit of these solemn rites , and understand the fall import of these interesting symbols , that all the forms and ceremonies through which you have passed , from the moment you first trod tho outer courts till your final reception

within the veils , have impressed deeply on your mind the great and fundamental principles of our time-honoured institution . For then , and only then , can you justly claim the noble name of Mason ; then and only then can you feel that friendship , that union , that fervency and zeal , that purity of heart , which should actuate every one who would appropriate to himself the proud title of a workman that needeth not to be ashamed . "

AN OLD rnr . I should very much like to know if you can say to what order or degree the following description of pin alludes . It is a very old breast-pin , of fine gold . The body of the pin is a sprig of aoacia , containing a bird's nest with five eggs in it—the eggs being represented by small pearls . On the top is a dove flying to the nest :

On the right is suspended , by a fine chain , a square and compasses ; on the left is suspended a trowel , all of fine gold . The whole is beautifully chased and ornamented with filagree work , and so arranged on the pin as to set off from the bosom to allow the bird ' s nest , with its eggs , to be plainly visible . It is a specimen of ingenious work in gold , and is an old and valued relic . Its early history is not known to the present possessor . —I . M . Secwndus .

SIMILARITY or DECLARATION . Every admission must be voluntary on the part of the candidate , for he is obliged to make a declaration when proposed by a friend for initiation , that " unbiassed by the improper solicitation of friends , and uninfluenced by mercenary or other unworthy motives , he freely and voluntarily offers himself a candidate for the mysteries

of Masonry ? and that he is prompted thereto by a favourable opinion conceived of the institution , and a desire of knowledge . " In like manner , candidates in the Grecian games were obliged to be introduced by some person of established reputation , who should vouch for each being a free agent and an honourable man . —T . - S .

"UTILITY 01 ? CERTIFICATES . In 1801-2 , H . B . M . revenue cutter , stationed in a bay , on the western coast of Ireland , was captured by a French man-of-war , the crew made prisoners , and the cutter sunk . They were landed in a French port and marched to a depot far in the interior . When entering the prisontheir persons were strictly searchedwhen lo !

, , in the pockets of Bros . A . Stuart and T . M'Guire were found scraps of parchment in form of Grand Lodge certificates . They were instantly conveyed to an hotel , received their liberty on parole , taken to the theatres and all places of public amusement , until a letter came from Napoleon , then first Consul of the Republic , which restored them to home and friends without exchange . They

were escorted from toAvn to town by the brethren , who made every provision fer their comfort , giving them an abundance of clothes and more gold than they had possesed for a length of time . They came home in good spirits and had only to deplore the fate of their messmates who remained for years in a loathsome prison . — T . S .

PEACEABLE SUBJECTS . The Freemason has the greatest respect for the laws of the land in which he lives , aud he obeys them with the zeal of a faithful subject . If he is intrusted Avith the putting of those laws in force , his Masonic duties remind him to be faithful and diligent in applying them . Should the State command the lodge to be closed of which he

is a member , he immediately obeys , and visits no assembly which is not allowed , or at least tolerated by the State . In the event of a brother wilfully violating the laws of his country , the Order itself directs the attention of the magistrates unto him , aud he who is punished as a criminal by the laws , is excluded from the Order without exception . —T . S .