Masonic Notes And Queries.

TOLERATION BEFORE 1717 , See page 3 SG . Toleration is a great principle of our Freemasonry . "We find it enunciated as the " Great Fundamental " in the series of twenty-four articles which William Penn drew out in 1681 as the constitution of his new colony , Pennsylvania . The idea was noble and humane , and deserved success . — "W " , P . B .

MAN AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF T . G . A . O . T . U . Amongst the race of noble thinkers which have preceeded and followed him , and to which the human race is indebted for its onward march in the path of civilization and progress , Christ shines forth as some bright fired star in the firmament of heaven , which we can clearly distinguish from all the others

hy its own innate and characteristic beauty . All are glorious , and , while each has something peculiar to itself , as a whole they unite in showing forth the infinite wisdom , strength , and beauty of the Great Architect of the Universe , who , although so infinite in His power , is yet so merciful and condescending in

His love that even the tindiest blade of grass , " keps its ain drap o' dew . " Yet , while the Infinite and Eternal Jehovah can thus stretch out the " right hand of fellowship , " or show consideration for the creatures which are the work of His own hand : man- —poorproudsilly manthe creature of a

day—, , , is unable , unless in some exceptional cases , to stretch out the right hand of fellowship to his brother man The infinite God has been , is , and ever will be great . Man , in general , has heen , and is , but is he ever to

remain small ? Surely not . Seeing God could putnoble principles , ideas , and longings into the heart of Christ to teach , we feel that his thoughts , and the thoughts of such as he , are but the earnest of that future action which is yet to glorify God in the highest by carrying out the Avork of peace on earth and good will to men . Then each and all will feel that they

are true sons of God by being in communion AvithHim , and knowing what this sonship is by feeling it Avithin them they find their hearts so strengthened and enlarged that their greatest joy and comfort is in striving to be like Him ; and to do His work in whatever sphere it has pleased Him to place them . Christand

, many other thinkers , noble as he , who have already trod this earth of ours , and Avho Avere never SIOAV to do whatever in them lay , even to the shedding of their blood , if the cause of truth could be advanced , or humanity raised , have been sustained and perfected in their work by this glorious fellowship . What

was open to them is also open to us if , cutting down the baneful weeds which beset our path , aud stay our progress—choking the life out of our better growth , we earnestly , honestly , and faithfully strive after it . —B .

THE BLUE BLANKET , PAGE 382 . If the Editor of the Keystone -will read page 329 of the " Freemasons' Magazine for April 2-lth , 1869 , he will there see the real history of the Blue Blanket recorded . His reproduction of the absurd legend now attached to it may be curious , but the true way tells bestbeing in consonance with common sense

, and historical fact . —W . P . B . THE 1717 THEORY , page 3 S-L Ihe idea of something extraordinary in the Masonic Avay happening in 1717 has long heen felt ; we find it lluded to in an able letter at page 50 of " The

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Magazine " for July 23 rd , 1859 , yet little definite has been given to the point since , so as to settle men ' s minds . The transactions that took place there being called a " Revival " by even our best scholars seems to me to have misled "both themselves and others . In opposition to this I have stood by the idea that what took place there was the Institution of Speculative

Freemasonry , not its " revival . " Consequently , I suppose , that it is perhaps this institution idea of mine , with my reasons for it , Avhich has caused many of your correspondents to speak of the 1717 theory , as now promulgated as " Bro . Buchanan ' s 1717 theory . " In giving out this theory I did not start it all at once

, my researches simply led me up to it , and finding rest nowhere else , I simply enunciated it , and have since stood upon it so firml y that , although many have tried , none have heen able to displace me as yet . — W . P . B .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions cxpressedltj Correspondents ROYAL ORDER OF SCOTLAND-AND ITS ANTIQUITY . TO THE EDITOR OF THE EREE 3 IAS 0 XS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC iTIHEOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —I have read the following ,

at page 387 , by " a Mason who believes in his O . B . " viz : "Asa member of the Royal Order of Scotland , I am quite well aware of the antiquity and dignity of that Order . " Now , as I haA e taken an interest in that Order , I should much like to knoAV if any proof of its existence can be given so early as A . D . 1746 ,

or one hundred and twenty five years ago ? 1 do not desire to hear the imaginary story about Robert the Bruce repeated over again , as I consider it worthless . I desire facts . If such can be given I should be much pleased . I am , Yours fraternally , PICTUS .

Grand Conclave Of Knights Templar.

GRAND CONCLAVE OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

TO THE EDITOK OV TEE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEROE . Dear Sir and Brother , —Allow me to call the attention of your readers to the veracious account of the proceedings of the Grand Conclave of Knights Templar , contained in the last issne of a would-be Masonic paper , Avhich may Avell he called the Masonic cave of Adullamsince its columns are open to the

dis-, contented of all classes of the fraternity , who by its means are enabled to traduce the good name of those in power , and abuse the authority exercised by the regularly constituted bodies , admits an attack upon Sir Patrick Colquhoun , to whom the Order of the Temple ovres so much , and deliberately admits

statements which the editor should hnow to be untrue . Do any brethren abroad , anxious to obtain the purple , erect themselves into a Grand Lodge , such a body being already in existence in the same district , that journal immediately espouses the cause of the seceders . Does any brother at home