Practical Masonic Charity.

We are sorry to see you so far forgetting yourself , but go now , and praying the Great Architect of the Universe to sustain and direct your steps , do it not again . " Tours fraternally , ¦ PICTUS .

Bro. Dnalxo's Article "Freemasonry And Christianity."

BRO . DNALXO'S ARTICLE "FREEMASONRY AND CHRISTIANITY . "

TO THE EDITOB OE THE EREE 1 IASOSS HAGAZISE AND ItASOHIC MIEEOE . Dear Sir and Brother , — In your impression , No . 509 , I was exceedingly well pleased with the general tenor of an article on " Freemasonry and Christianity , " by Dnalxo . But the following part of it I cannot reconcile , either with fact or principle , —

" Masonry avoids and strictly prohibits all approach to religious matters , save in the one question of the first degree , and this is introduced solely with the object of preventing admission into the order of men destitute of natural religion , whose voice cannot be relied onsince they do not believe in the existence of

, a Supreme Being or the immortality of the soul . " This must necessarily give great pain to many thoughtful , zealous Eree masons , and serious freethinkers who have honestly endeavoured to free their mind from preconceived opinions and early prejudices , in order to thoroughly investigate the fundamental

facts of religion , true or false , natural or unnatural ; and who have as yet failed to perceive a logical evidence for the immortality of the soul . It gives me great pain to find it necessary to ask your permission to insert an idea in favour of any particular class of individuals . But , a better reason might be brought

forward , true and more satisfactory , —viz ., that we reject those individuals because we think they would not appreciate our ritual and adoration of the Most High , whom they appear not to know . Would not this be sufficient , and if so , in the interest of all that is good , I cannot permit a false imputation to pass unnoticedbeing anxious to know if the above

quota-, tion is to be permitted to pass as orthodox Ereemasonry . Experience has taught me that men may be just as honourable whether they believe in the existence of a Deity , immortality of the soul , or not . It is a general prejudice , or a studious mode of misrepresentationfor religious classes to impress each

, other ' s mind with the idea that Atheists are not men of honour , truth , and integrity . I always look upon this with an acute feeling of pain , as a puerile display of superiority , and trying to save the moral standard of oneself in the detestable manner of detracting from those we don't care for or wish to know anything

about , whose diabolical sin is that of honestly telling us our faults or failings as they perceive them . But , admitting this to be pardonable in the sphere of priestcraft , I cannot perceive any necessity or utility of branding those we have already shut out of the pale of Ereemasonry .

Hoping that Bro . Dnalxo will not consider me to exceed my duty in upholding the honour of the innocent behind their back , even if they are beyond the pale of Masonry , Touro fraternally , A LOTEE oi PUKE THEISM .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

* * * All communications to he addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , W . C .

MASONIC MEMS . UNIVEESAI , MASONIC CAEENDAB FOB 1869 . —A few remaining ' copies of Hie second edition are for sale at a reduction of 20 per cent . GRAND LODGE or MAKE MASTERS OB ENG-LA - SD AKD "WAXES , AMD THE CoiONIES AND DEPENDENCIES OE THE BEITISH

CEOWN . —The half-yearly communication of this Grand Lodge will be held at Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street , Lincoln ' s-inn-fields , on Tuesday , June 1 st . POBTBAITS of the Et . Hon . the Earl of Dalhousie , K . T . G . C . S ., M . W . G . M . Mason of Scotland , can now be obtained at this office , price 3 s . 6 d . each . A few copies , with ornamental

border and Masonic emblems printed in gold , on large size paper , can be had , price 10 s . 6 d . BEBTHREN are reminded that the Lodge Music published a few weeks ago , in several issues of the MAGAZINE , has been republished in a convenient form for Lodge use , price 2 s . 6 d . WE beg to call the attention of our readers to the AJIEEIOAN

FEEEJIASON , a monthly , published in Cincinnatti , and edited by Bro . Fletcher Brennan . The articles are well written , and as a reflex of proceedings of our brethren in America is well worth reading . Subscription 5 s ., payable to our office .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

. ROTAD ATHEISTAN LODGE ( NO . 19 ) . —The last meeting for the season of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 13 th of May , at the Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , City . Bro . T . H . Potter , W . M ., presided , supported by Bros . J . Pollard , S . W . ; W . Williams , J . W . ; Starling , Treas . ; Bywater , P . M . and Sec . ; Stevens , S . D . ; Gale , P . M ., and father of the lodge , Dir . of Cers . ; Daly , Tyler ; and the following other members of tho lodje : —Bros .

Campion , P . M . ; Nicholson , I'P . M . ; John Savage , P . G . D . ; Geo . Bice Loveday , P . M . ; Fox , P . M . ; Palmer , P . M . ; Pound Cox , P . M . ; Stone , P . M . ; Dix , P . M . ; Harker , Henry Block , Watkins , Medley , J . Harker ; Levinson , P . M . ; Horner , Maughan , Phillips , Dr . Whitmore , and Simpson , and a number of visitors ; amongst whom were Bros . Murray , P . D . G . M . for China ; Clabon , G . S . D . ; Caulcher , P . M . ; Whittey , D . P . G . M . for Wilts ; Williams 753 ; WardApollo . 305 ; H . ThompsonP . M . 177 and

, , , , 1158 ; C . E . Thompson , S . D ., 1158 , & c . The lodge having been opened in due form and with solemn prayer , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . A brother was brought forward for raising , and , having answered the usual questions , the lodge was opened in the third degree , Bro . Savage , P . G . D ., taking the chair , and the brother was in a most impressive manner raised to the degree of M . M . ; and , in the course of a long experiencewe never saw that important

, ceremony performed in a more eoi-rect , impressive , or careful manner ; and it truly afforded to aspiring masons , candidates for the master ' s chair , a pattern how that ceremony ought to be performed . The whole of the ritual was given without abridgment ; and several veteran Masons expressed the high gratifieathey had experienced in seeing Freemasonry carried out in all its original purity by so worthy a member of the Eoyal Athelstan

Lodge . After some other business the lodge was closed in due form , and with solemn prayer . An excellent dinner followed , and at its termination on the withdrawal of the cloth , the W . M . proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . In reference to the Most Worshipful Grand Master the Earl of Zetland , he said he hoped the success which had attended his reign over the Craft would be continued for many years to come . The W . M . proposed "The health of the Eight Hon . Earl de Grey and

Kipon , Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers . " He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Clabon , P . G . D . Bro . Clabon , P . G . D ., returned thanks on behalf of the Dep . G , M ., and said he deserved all that was said of him . Ho thanked the