Symbolic Masonry.

SYMBOLIC MASONRY .

( From the Masonic Monthly , Boston , U . S . ) Every Masonic symbol , however unimportant in the eyes of the uninitiated , is full of instruction to him Avho stands within the courts of the Temple . Our working tools , —the material implements with which the operative Mason constructs his material

building ,: — " open their dumb mouths , " and speak to him with all the force ancl authority of preachers of righteousness ; a position to Avhich speculative Masonry has elevated them . In speaking , in a ; former number , of the twenty-four inch gauge , or common measuring rule , we endeavoured to give

a faint outline of its teaching ancl language to the . Mason . We now present the " Gavel , " an instrument familiar to every operative Mason ; ancl though it may lie idly upon the stone , and present neither significance nor meaning to him Avhose hand employs it , to the Freemason who is but a looker on , it speaks a language familiar to his ear , and which meets a response in every true Masonic heart .

Whilst the material workman uses his gavel to ¦ break off the corners , ancl other superfluous parts ¦ of the rough stones , the better to fit them for the use of the builder , the Mason sees in this rude operation , a lesson of instruction to improve ancl elevate his heart . In its symbolic application to the

^ himself , he j ^ ersonates rough stone , whilst he beholds in God , the Great Master builder , for whose use he is being prepared . The rough stone , with its sharp or uneven corners , is a fit emblem ¦ of rude and imperfect man . The Builder would use TIS to beautify and adorn the temple ; but before

we can be applied to so noble and glorious a purpose , we are to be suitably prepared . There is much of whicli we must be divested , and of whicli the gavel—emblematic of trials ancl afflictionscan alone deprive us , and make us fit for the purpose designed . Naturalty , Ave are like the dead

and lifeless stone , on which the unthinking- workman operates . It possesses neither animation nor beauty ; but the effect of the " gavel" will after a time become apparent , and the stone , which , before so unfit , will now be prepared to take its place among its fellows who have been qualified

, ancl gone before him , to take their allotted place in the vast spiritual fabric , composed only of livingstones . Such a living stone is every true Mason , and to such a glorious purpose will each be allottee who seek for that preparation which will qualify him to adorn it .

The building , erected by the operative workman , may stand for years ag-ainst the ravages of time , or the assaults of brute force , but yet it is material , and must eventually decay , and fall together , a mass of unsightly ruins ; but the building which is being erected by the Great Artificer , of

which Ave may become component parts , and in which we may become living ornamental stones , is a spiritual building—not destined to decay , not

Symbolic Masonry.

of earth—but "a house not made Avith hands , eternal in the heavens . " Such is the lesson which the " gavel" teaches us , and it will be wisdom in us to hear aud improve it . While the careless and unthinking pass by the , to them , voiceless emblems of our

professions , " the very stones cry out" to us , and teach us lessons of truth ancl wisdom , which , as Masons , we are bound , by every hig-h and holy consideration , to listen to , adopt , ancl practice ; that by divesting our hearts ancl consciences of all the vices and superfluities of lifewe may become true and

, living stones , qualified in every particular , to beautify ancl adorn that spiritual edifice , whose builder and maker is God . H . G . B .

Masonic Hall At Moulmain.

MASONIC HALL AT MOULMAIN .

The following- extract from the Motdmain Advertiser has been forwarded to us ( the Indian , Freemasons' Friend ) by our Moulmain correspondent : — " We have seen the plan of a very handsome edifice which the brethren ofthe LodgePhilanthropy have just commenced on the site of their old

lodge , in Tavoyzoo . It is to be a wooden building supported on brick pillars , ancl the design is Avorthy of those who use the insignia of the Compass and Square . The foundation has already been laid , but owing to the incompleteness of certain arragements , the public ceremony usual on such

occasions was not observed . The site of this building , onr rearders are aware , is near the New Court House and when finished will enhance very much the beauty of that locality . We hope the Worshipful Master , who is the very soul of this lodge , and the brethren , who are certainly a most active and public spirited body , Avill exert themselves to the utmost , now that they have made a

commencement , and get the building pushed for-Atard to completion . We hope also that our good townsmen will come forward liberally in aid of the undertaking , should that be necessary . The brethren of Lodge Philanthropy have done much in Moulmain to render themselves popular ,

and although there is a sjoecific purpose in view in erecting this building , which the initiated invest with a secrecy that has kept female curiosity on the qui vive even since the institution was heard of , it must still not be forgotten that the brethren of this lodge have , on several occasions , given the

best of all proofs of their desire , not only to accommodate the public , but also to entertain them , even when doing so involved a very considerable amount of expense , as Avell as trouble . They intend , ivhen the neAV lodge is finished and consecrated , to give a Masonic ball in honour of the occasion ; and it is hoped they will be able to accomplish this by next St . John ' s Day .

' The central situation of the building , and its spacious accommodation , will render it a most desirable place for public entertainments generally