The Mystic Beauties Of Freemasonry.

speak to the whole universe ; for there is neither speech so barbarous but their language is understood , nor nation so distant but their voices are heard among them . Assisted by Astronomy , we ascertain the laws which govern the heavenly

bodies , and by which their motions are directed ; investigate ^ the power by Avhich they circulate in their orbs ; discover their size , determine their distance , explain their various phenomena , and ¦ correct the fallacy of the senses by the light of

truth . Can anything bo more wonderful than these observation ? Yes ; there are truths far more stupendous ; there are scenes far more extensive . As there is no end of the Almighty Maker ' s greatness , so no imagination can set limits

to His all-creating hand . Could you soar beyond the moon , and pass through all the planetary choir ; could you wing your way to the highest apparent star , and take your stand on one of the loftiest pinnacles of heaven , you would there see other

skies expanded ; another sun distributing its inexhausitible beams by day ; other stars that g ild the alternate night ; and other , perhaps nobler ¦ systems established—established in unknoAvn profusion through the boundless dimensions of space . . Nor does the dimension ofthe universal Sovereign there terminate . Even at the end of the vast

tour , you would find yourself advanced no further than the suburbs of creation ; arrived onl y at the frontiers of the great Jehovah's Kingdom . What an august idea of the Creator ' s poAver astronomy affords its votaries ! They figuratively discover thousands of suns at immense distances from each

other , ranged in the most beauteous order , accompanied with ten thousand times ten thousand worlds in rapid motion , yet calm , and smooth , regular and harmonious ; invariably keeping those paths which the great Law-giver first prescribed ;

and these worlds peopled by myriads of intelligent beings , candidates for the dominions of bliss , and like ourselves , capable of an endless progression in perfection and felicity . Then , since so much poAver , wisdom , and magnificence are displayed in

the material parts of the Creation , how great ! how good ! IIOAV Avise ! and Avorthy of admiration must He be , who made and guides the Avhole ! The planets of each system represent kind neighbours ; mutual amit y prevails ; SAveet interchange of rays

received , returned , enli ghtening , and enlightened ! All at once attracting and attracted ! Freemasonlikeij none sins against the welfare of the whole ;

The Mystic Beauties Of Freemasonry.

but their reciprocal , unselfish aid , affords us an emblem of millennial love . Nothing in nature , much less conscious being-, was ever created solely for itself . Thus , man his sovereign duty learns in the material p icture of benevolence . If weighed

ari g ht , it is nature ' s system of divinity , and every student of the right inspires ! 'Tis elder scripture , writ by God's own hand ; scripture authentic , uncorrupt by man . Divine instructor ! thy first volume this , for man ' s perusal ; all in capitals ! In

moon and- stars , Heaven ' s golden alphabet , emblazoned to size and si g ht ; Avho runs may read , who reads can understand ! 'Tis unconfined to Christian land or Jewry ; fairly Avrit in language universal to mankind ! A language lofty to the

learned , yet plain to those who feed the flock or guide the plough , or from the husk strike out the bounding grain ; a language Avorthy the Great Mind , that speaks preface and comment to the sacred page , which oft refers its readers to the skies , as pre-supposing his first lesson there . — Pomeroy ' s Democrat .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

PREAMBLE OP THE GENERAL REGULATIONS OF 1721 . The instructed Mason will find what follows elucidatory of some matters which have lately been a good deal discussed in our periodical . " Preamble to the General E mulations of

1721—General Regulations , first compiled by Mr . George Payne , anno 1720 , when he was Grand Master , and approved by the Grand Lod ge on Saint John Baptist ' s day anno 1721 , at Stationers' Hah , London . Avhen the most noble Prince John , Duke of Montagu , was unanimously chosen our Grand Master for the year

ensuing . And UOAV by command of our said Right Worshipful Grand Master Montagu , the author of the book has compared them with , and reduced them to the ancient records and immemorial usages of the Fraternity , ancl digested them into this new method , Avith several proper explications for the use of

the loclges in and about London and Westminster . " Preston says that at the Grand Lodge held 24 th June , 1721 , the General Regulations which had been compiled by Mr . Payne in that year , and compared with the aucient . records and immemorial usages of the Fraternitywere read and met Avith general

-, appro bation . Preston refers to the Book of Constitutions , printed in 1723 . Findel remarks that in subsequent editions of the Book of Constitutions , the General Regulations of 1721 Avere altered or amended in various points . — ClIAELES PCTETOH' CoOl'EK .