The Mystic Tie.

Neither was Freemasonry , which accepts as its guide the same law . A celebrated Metropolitan Nonconformist minister ( Rev . Thomas Binney ) wrote a book , the subject of which was to teach his readers " How to make the besfc of both

worlds . " Freemasons don ' t deny that they try to make the best of this ; they also inculcate the principles and practices which prepare for the world beyond ; tbe best that can be made of it they hope to be qualified fco enjoy when they get

there . Often when Freemasons meet , they , like all other assemblages of Englishmen , not strictly and exclusively devotional , have good cheer , and seldom do they join afc the banquet table without " the feast of reason and the flow of soul" ; and

the flow of charity too , for ifc is a rare thing for Freemasons to dine together without making * contributions for some of the charities connected with their own body , and conducing to the benefit of the general public .

If , however , any suppose that there is feasting in a Freemasons' lodge they are under a deception . The ceremonial of a Freemasons' lodge is as Free from carousal or banqueting or luxurious enjoyment , or levity of any kind as the services

of the Manchester Cathedral . But as the clergy often dine together when they meet for professional objects , so do Freemasons , thereby promoting better acquaintance with one another , interchanging thought , and it may be good offices .

It is pleasing to perceive that the recent great public Masonic demonstrations attract attention in these counties ; and ifc is obvious that the day is not far distant when men will regard Masonry , not merely as something ] too mysterious for the veil to

be raised , but as deserving their homage ; and that many good men , now ignorant of it , shall be entitled to know how one Freemason can recognise another in all places and under all circumstances , and why each is bound to each , although strangers , as a friend and a brother .

Freemasonry.

FREEMASONRY .

We extract an article under this head from our contemporary the Building News , of the 10 th inst .: — " The formation of a society for investigating the antiquities and history of Freemasonry was noticed in the Building Neivs of June 12 . The

Freemasonry.

field of inquiry proposed to be entered upon has an undoubted interest for archa 3 ologists in general and architects in particular . There is reason to believe the confraternity enjoyed great favour under the Church of Borne , and that the best

designers and constructors were among its members . The ancient lodges were probably in communication throughout the Christian countries of Europe , and thus arose the noticeable similarity between English and foreign works , but , as the

legal existence and assembling of lodges terminated before the invention of printing , contemporary accounts of their proceedings , if nofc extinct , are exceedingly rare . Freemasonry was intimately connected with Gothic architecture , bub

there was a ruling mystery not favourable to personal fame , and fche merit of individuals was carried to the common stock of the Order . Mystery may have invested , the Craffc at first wifch wonder , bufc early admiration gave place to suspicion that

was only to be allayed by removal of the object . During the war with France the meeting of men whose proceedings were marked by the very ostentation of secrecy musfc have been particularly obnoxious to the rulers of the State , though understood and approved by the rulers of the

Church-It must have been quite consistent with the position and policy of Henry V . ( son-in-law of the French king , heir presumptive to his throne , and meanwhile regent to his kingdom ) to foster artistic intercourse between the two countries , and ifc is

by no means improbable that French Masons were frequently accepted and enrolled as members of the English lodges . But after Henry ' s death the opposed bearings of the two kingdoms may havercaused Parliament ( the really absolufce power ofthe

time ) to regard wifch distrust secret organisations within the realm , especially such as united advanced intelligence with the favour of the Church . The meetings of Masonic chapters were declared illegal in 1424 , and thus when Gothic

architecture was in the highest state of excellence anel vigour the springs of its existence were abruptly stopped , a few splendid evidences of the glory to which it had attained serving to mark its sudden , and convulsive end . The subject has extensive

ramifications ; religion and learning , home and foreign polity , social and personal considerations influenced ifc . The effect of each must be traced , and the task , we doubt not , will usefully occupy and abundantly repay the combined effort of a special society .