America.

cessors of those poor fellow-soldiers of Christ , who recognising neither a first nor a second Temple as appropriate subjects of their study , seek to find the symbolism by which they are to be enlig htened with the light of truth in the sepulchre of their

Lord , to protect which from the pollution of unholy hands was the labour of their ancestors , who imbued the land of Palestine with their martyr blood . And these brethren are all here to do honour

and to give welceme to that other and distinct class of the Fraternity , forgetful of any differences of opinion , unmindful of their diversity of labour , remembering only that although their altars are different , and their theories in many respects

opposed , yet they are all of one heart and one accord in obedience to that great lesson of their common fraternity , that they shall learn to know Him whom they recognise , whatever be the temple , or the altar , or the sacrifice , as the Great Master Builder ,

from whom we have received all li g ht , and who has taught us how to act ; that mankind , when Testing for a moment from their contests for power and for place , may look upon these fraternal gatherings of our Order and say with envy and surprise : ' ¦' 'Behold how these Masons love one another . "

Masonic Notes And Queries,

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES ,

CIMMS-. TION OE THE WOULD . There are two instruments for this work , a greatei and a lesser . The greater instrument is pure Christianity . The lesser instrument is true Freemasonry . —From a bundle of Masonic Memoranda in Bro , Purton Cooper ' s manuscript collection . A PKOVIHC'IAL LODGE AXD CHARITY .

See my communication "A Suggestion , " Freemasons' Magazine , No . 413 , page 426 ' ' . This suggestion has brought me several letters of great interest and of great importance . My advanced age and increasing infirmities will , I fear , render it impossible for me to make the use of the in that I desire .

One of the letters , however , contains a statement , the immediate publication of which will , I trust , prove beneficial . The charitable fund of a certain provincial lodge , comprising eighty-five members , was , on the 30 th of June , 18 ( 56 , £ -152 7 s . Od . The amount voted to Masonic institutions and local and other charities

for the current year ( 1 S 67 ) is £ -13 17 s . 4 d . —C . P . COOPER . AX AXCILXT IXITLITIOX . _ An ancient initiation . —1 . The candidate is precipitated into a place of utter darkness . 2 . There he hears , first the noise of boisterous winds , next the howling and roaring of wild beasts , thirdl y tho hissing of huge , monstrous reptiles , fourthly claps of thunder . 3 . Hie candidate is plunged seven times in a deep

river . 4 . He is surrounded hy serpents , which he touehes without being hurt . 5 . ITe is thrown down from tho top of a very high building . G . He is made to ride in the air , seated in a chariot of fire . —From a bundle of Masonic memoranda in my manuscript collection—C . P . COOPEE .

DEO . A . O . IIA 1 E AXD KKTOHTS TEJIPLAES , ETC . I cannot let the observations of some of the writers in the Freemasons' Magazine respecting my friend Bro . Haye ' s Masonic and Templar information and position pass over in silence . It will be well in the future to forget the writers ' names , and pay attention to the facts in question .

I notice that Bro Haye has given his opinion of the Hautes Grades in no uncertain manner , and has , moreover , stated the grounds upon which he founds his objections to so many degrees being worked in such a costly manner , as is customary in such rites . Many of his statements are factssome are to my

, mind historically doubtful , but all are presented in a straightforward and Masonic manner . If time permitted me so to do , my intention would be to offer some explanations , facts , and arguments in favour of the Pose Croix and Poyal Order degrees , in order to show they are entitled to a much larger

share of our attention and esteem than the voluminous and talented Masonic author Bro . Haye states . M y remarks would be given in confidence , well knowing such a plan would commend their worth to one whose aim has been to discover pure and ancient Masonry wherever ifc may be found . Surely all the brethren who read these lines , and feel the ties of brotherl y love , will accord with such a method of expounding sentiments , & c , expressing views contrary to those

propounded by Bro . Haye . But what has been the plan pursued in the Magazine by the correspondents who do not agree with the articles on "Freemasonry considered ? " Instead of giving them that consideration which the thoughts of so worthy aud accomplished an author deserved , they have almost

uniformly been treated exactly in the reverse manner , and vituperation has taken the place of facts , which , although no doubt easier to do , has not one redeeming feature to recommend it . Now , what will be the inference in relation to this inquiry by members who have not taken the Rose Croix degree ?

Likely enough that the members of that rite , having no authority Masonically , or being unable to present any facts in support of their position , have in consequence lowered themselves to tho covert and disguised mode of attack . Hence the supporters of so beautiful and grand a degree , preserving in an imposing and

in-_ structive manner the essence of Freemasonry before the Union , will have cause to regret the ill-advised opposition of their would-be friends . To my mind , the only legitimate way for the Hautes Grades to be defended , is to produce the facts in support of their antiquity and Masonic importance

, in order to overthrow the statements made by Bro . Have tending to show they are neither ancient nor worthy , and neither Masonic nor reliable . Ees non Verba .

{ feel sure that if some brother well versed in the interesting and important history of the Ancient and Accepted Itite will but favour us with his account of the matter , we shall soon be able lo witness the advantages derivable from a thorough examination of