Masonic Inscriptions Upon Public Buildings.

so employed—that is , seeking to destroy an institution whose objects are commendable—rather than exerting the same financial and moral force to subdue the moral iniquity that is so rampant in every part of our city . We should suppose the suppression of vice in all its forms a much more

legitimate work for a Christian philanthropist . " But his present complaint is , that the cornerstones of buildings laid by Masonic ceremonies should have the supposed age of the world upon them , rather than the year of our 1868 . As he asks the reason wh ? may we not in reply say ,

y why not ? Masonry is not a Christian Church , but dates back of the Christian era in its operative origin , and can only date Masonically such buildings as they are invited to lay the corner-stones of by the authorities having the control of the edifices to be erected .

" But , as Masons , we take higher ground , and say to all cavillers , we do not seek to lay the ¦ corner-stones of buildings , we only do this by request ; and , if you do not wish it done , please save us the trouble and expense . But , if the beautiful ceremony is solicited of the Grand Lodges

of the States , the Masonic body has the undoubted right of common courtesy to put on the stone the date when the ceremony was performed . As to the absurd question about "the Mormons , the Baptists , the Congregationalists , or the Catholics putting their peculiar emblems upon edifices

which are common property , " why not ! If the officers controlling public property ask any of them to lay the corner-stones of public edifices , we see no reason why the Mormons should not put on their emblems , if they have any . But we query whether any of them would be asked to do any work of that kind , and there is little danger -of the result indicated .

" As to the Puritanism of the Pilgrims of Plymouth rock , the less said about it the better . The purity of Christianity is what all well-balanced minds love ; but the fanaticism of the descendants -of the Plymouth Rock people will not bear the light , ancl there is probably more of Avhat is called moral philosophy in the State of Massachusetts than orthodox Christianity in other States of the Union .

"I might lengthen my letter much in reply to Mr . Carpenter , but forbear to trespass on your space . I will , therefore , close my remarks with a hope that Mr . Carpenter will become better informed of the principles of Freemasonry—of its objects , its usefulness , and its universality . If ,

however , he wishes to open up a controversy , he will find that iniquities of professing Christians have been brought to light , and which can be raked up from the ashes of oblivion , if need be , to show that they are far more numerous and abominable than any that have been perpetrated by some Masons , but which can no more damage Masonry than the abominable conduct of some professing

Masonic Inscriptions Upon Public Buildings.

Christians can damage the great body of Christianity . " Kespectfully , " JOHN C . W . BAILEY , "Editor , Voice of Masonry . "Chicago , Jan . 6 , 1870 . "

Masonic Jottings.—No. 12.

MASONIC JOTTINGS . —No . 12 .

BY A PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER . OCCURENCES OF 1717 . Some brothers , who deny that there was Speculative Masonry before 1717 , nevertheless ascribe to the preponderance of Speculative Masonry in the old lodge the occurences of that famous year .

OUR HISTORICAL DISCUSSIONS . In our historical discussions credit must be given to Masonic Traditions , known to have existed at the beginning of the 18 th century , until it shall have been satisfactorily shown that they are untrue .

OUR TRADITIONS . A OoiTespondent who desires ( I use his OAVU Avords ) " to learn in what way our Traditions should be dealt Avith historically , " should look into the Masonic writers of Germany .

ARCHITECT AND PHILOSOPHER . In the ancient lodges the Architect was the host ; the Philosopher was the guest . —Old MS . STRASBURG CONSTITUTIONS , A . D . 1459 . These Constitutions enjoined that no Craftsman

or Master should be received into the Fraternity who did not keep Christian discipline . JOSEPH AND MASONRY . The builders of the Pyramids had their lodges , and Joseph may have been Avhat is noAV called

Grand Master of all the Egyptian Lodges . But the relig ion of the Egyptians was not a Monotheism , and the Masonry of these lodges could not have been a true Freemasonry .

SUBJECT FOR A MASONIC PICTURE . A brother who desires a subject for a Masonic Picture , may take Architects and Philosophers conversing in the lodge of the Masons who built the Parthenon .

NUCLEUS . What is the essential part of Masonry might be made the nucleus of an Institution altogether different from it in organisation and ceremonies , and possibly not less effectivn . —Old MS .