On The Christianity Of Masonry.

Let us admit , ifyou like , that for several hundred years in this country , a Christian character had entirely been given to our ritual and Christian teaching educed from our symbolism ; yet it does not therefore follow , that when in 1715 , and later in 1813 , formal alterations were made in the then working ceremonies , lectures , and charges , those who were entrusted with the revision should necessarily

accept , as of perpetual obligation , this prevailing tendency . For there can be but little question that , at both those periods , UniversalMasonry had its votaries , as well as Christian Masonry ; and I cannot help feeling that those who did so uphold the broad basis of the Order deserve the gratitude of every thoughtful Mason . Masonryas it appears to meis wide enough for both these

, , systems , and those who sympathise with the one , should seek to tolerate the other , since both systems are in fact synchronous , at any rate since 1715 . Though I do not deny that a great deal has been written , and a great deal may be still said , npon the Christian symbolism of Freemasonry . yet just as much may be said onUniversal

symbolism ; ancl , while there is no thing so tempting and so fascinating to the enthusiast as the supposed coincidences and teachings of symbolism , so there is nothing so unsafe or so dangerous in reality and in fact . It has been said you can raise any argument you like from symbolism , and it is not far from the truth . Hence it requires great caution , lest we allow too hastily the supposed evidence , of so

much and such admirably adjusted symbolism , in a purely Christian sense , to lead us from the sterner and more unpalatable matter of fact of the Universal system . One more point I wish to allude to . I see "Bosa Crucis" mentions the lodge at Canterbury , under the Archbishop , as a proof among others , of the purely Christian character of Masonry .

Some time back , I turned my attention to this statement—most important if true . In some of the earlier , and most of the later books , it was stated that this lodge was held at Canterbury , under the patronage of Archbishop Chicheley ; the names present were given , and the account was said to be taken from the [ Register of Wm . Molart .

Mr . Halliwell , in 1842 , threw doubts on the statement , and it seemed very difficult to trace such a register , or even such a person . A leai'iied friend of mine at last suggested , that the register alluded to was the register of Wm . Molash , Prior of Canterbury , still existing in Christchurch College Library , Oxford . By the kindness of Mr . Hackman , the sub-librarian , that register was

searched , and I give the result in his own words : — " It contains no account of any lodge of Freemasons being held at Canterbury ; but , in the list of the various persons receiving livery of the Priory , in the year 1429 , the names of various Masons are given . " Curiously enough among those who received " livery " in 1429 , is found the ' name oi Archbishop Ohicheley ; and

though we must , I fear , give up the statement as it appears in our common histories , arising as it does from the hot haste of some over zealous transcribers , we have the distinct evidence of the existence of " La Loygge Lathomorum , " in close connection , too , with the monastic body in 1429 . Conceding then , as I do , most unreservedly , tho right

of others to hold , if they think fit , to the Christian symbolism of Masonry , I must beg respectfully to put in my humble caveat to-day , against a somewhat increasing tendency to narrow the standing ground on which Freemasonry rests , and to claim , as of right and of fact , the compression and limitation of our present universal system . Tours fraternally , THIRD DEGREE .

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THEKE never was any party , faction , sect , or cabal , whatsoever , in ivhich the most ignorant were not the most violent ; for a bee is not a busier animal than a blockhead .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASONIC MEM . Bro . John Hetherington Welch Bolls is to be installed as Provincial Grand Master of Monmouthshire at the Town Hall , Monmouth , on Tuesday , the 27 th inst .

EOYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOB BOYS . The usual Quarterly Meeting ofthe Governors of this Institution was held at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Monday last , Bro . John Symonds , V . P ., in the chair . The minutes of the last general and special courts having

been read and confirmed , resolutions were passed authorising the transfer of £ 14 , 000 stock to the account of the Institution , this being necessary in consequence of the death of some of the trustees . Bro . UBAII . read a report upon the remuneration of the collectors , and the uniformity ofthe duties ofthe Secretaries of

the three Masonic Benevolent Institutions , the further consideration of which was adjourned . Bro . UDALL then moved the following resolution : — "That the special privileges accorded to ladies presenting purses , on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the new schoolhouse on the Stli of August last , be extended to ladies presenting purses of similar amounts at any time up to the completion and opening of the building . "

Bro . B . W . STEWAIW . seconded the motion , which was carried . Bro . UDA M- also moved , after rule 31 , to insert the following rule : — " They are to receive and examine the petitions of candidates , and to place on the list for election those who appear eligible for admission , with power to reject any petition if they

consider the petitioner's case does not come within the class of those intended to be aided by this Institution , notwithstanding the correctness of all the certificates required . " He said , at present , no matter in what way a person became a Freemason ,, the Committee were bound to receive his petition . He maintained that Freemasonry was a luxury , and no man ought to

become a Freemason unless he had power to support it . He was decidedly of opinion that they should not educate the children of men who were in the receipt of £ 100 a year and upwards . A motion for altering tho votes allowed to lodges for their subscriptions was negatived . A ballot for nine boys , out of 26 candidates for admission to the school , was then proceeded with , and resulted as follows : —

SUCCESSFUL Hanham , W . II 1034 Mosse , Fred . Edw 804 Banks , Percy 1006 Southall , F . A 710 Wildman , Harvy W . ... 891 Bird , Henry Gwynne ... G 2 S Weeks , W . J 863 Shaddock , G . B . O . H .... 584 Woodcock , Bottomly ... 814 UNSUCCESSFUL .

Parkinson , W . II 449 Berkeley , Alfred 55 Pick , Henry 265 Wilson , E . C 52 Lewis , John 259 Dawson , J . C 41 Eees , Eoland J 177 Crabtree , B . T 40 Floyd , Henry W 125 Jackson , H . J 8 Banton , H . J 125 Collingwood , S 7 DawsonWm 125 MartinJohn Eoss 2

, , Hill , J . Stamforth 105 Bentley , E . T — Eice . Henry 63 The successful candidates having been declared , votes of thanks to the scrutineers and chairman closed the proceedings .