Masonic History.

ceeded from any chivalric order , as Ramsay pretends , in favour of political purposes , but that it has taken root amidst the media 3 val corporations of the stonemasons , became more and more accredited . Next to the critical examination of the Masonic documents , the special works relative to some Grand Lodges and their affiliated lodges are worthy of mention .

Among these modern historical researches , those of Bro . Georg Kloss are to be first named . Supported by one of the best libraries and collection of manuscripts , and endowed with a spirit free from all prejudice , he undertook a renewed examination of the existing Masonic documents * which he compared

, together carefully ; and taking advantage of these , he wrote a History of Freemasonry in Fngland , Ireland and Scotland ( 1 vol ., 184 / 7 ) , and a History of Freemasonry in France ( 2 vols ., 1842 ) . Though in the work alluded to Kloss considers the German stonemasons and the English freestone-masons

only as workmen and craftsmen ; his critical examination of their statutes has brought him to the full conviction that modern Masonry has proceeded immediately from the old corporations of the stonemasons , and that it Ai'as only Masonic pride that invented the expressions "operative" and " speculative "

Masonry . The question only remained to determine whether also the ceremonies and symbols of modern Masonry proceeded directly from those mediroval building corporations , or their origin is to be sought

for elseAvhere . This question has been answered by Fr . Alb . Fallon ( Die Mysterien der Frilcrer , so wie ihr einsiy walirer Grand und TTrspruny , Leipzig , 1 S 59 , 2 Auilt . ); and by T . "Winzer ( Die Dcutsclten Brudersclutften des Mittelacierscet , Giessen , 1859 , ) to the effect that the German stonemasons aud English freestone-masons

not only were guilds , but also fraternities , exercising a mysterious system of artistical instruction . Both authors prove further , firstly , that the modern Masons neither invented their liturgy and symbols , nor received them from any other mysterious association , but that they haA'e inherited them from their Masonic

forefathers ; secondl }' , that the English stonemasons have received these rites and ceremonies from Germany ; and finally , that the German stonemasons themselves did not completely invent their ceremonies and constitution , but borroived them partly from other German guildsand partly from

, ecclesiastical institutions , and only their symbols relative to the architecture of religious monuments and the symbolization of their art must be considered as their exclusive property . As to the history of Masonry after its transformation into a universal fraternity into the bond of bonds

( 1717 ) , and that of single countries and periods , the authentical works of the bond , as Anderson's Booh of Constitutions , Preston ' s Illustrations , and Laurie ' s History , the Avorks of Kloss , Mitchell , and Sob Morris , contain rich and most useful materials . "! -

The Furniture Of A Lodge.*

THE FURNITURE OF A LODGE . *

" Bihle , compass , and square As our ensigns we wear , — The bright symbols of wisdom profound ; And , while these are our guide , Every mystery beside As a foil to our heart will be found . " —MASONIC SOJCG .

" May every Brother steer his course through the world by the three great lights of Masonry . "—SECTIOXAI CHAHCIE . When a person builds a house for his own residence , the first consideration after it is finished is , how it may be furnished to the best advantage . For this purpose he takes counsel with himselfand

exer-, cises due deliberation on a matter of such vital importance . It is not the ivork of a moment . Plans are formed and laid aside .. Others succeed and prove equally unsatisfactory . Time passes on and the final decision still looms in the distance . He calls in the assistance of his friends with little profit . Each has

some favourite crotchet of his own , and their opinions do not coalesce . At length he does what any sensible man would have done hi the first instance . He applies to his upholsterer , and p lacing the matter in his hands , with a carte Iflanclte , the difficulty ceases , and the house is speedily fit for the residence of its

owner . HOAV different from all this is the furnishing of a Mason ' s Lodge . It needs no personal anxiety—no consultations ivith friends—no professional aid . All the furniture technically required is the same in every lodge in the universe , and consists of a triad of articles

simple in themselves but containing an abundance of moral references to the faith and practice of a virtuous man during his preparation for another and better world . And on . that account we term this important

triad the Great Emblematical Lights of Masonry which point the Avay to heaven . It will not , therefore , excite any wonder that this triad is highly prized by the fraternity as an unalterable landmark . However opinions may vary respecting some other parts of the system , as men differ in their interpretation of certain passages of Scripturethe furniture of the lodge

, admits of no diversity of exposition . Its object and design are so cleverly defined as to be incapable of mistake or perversion . It may ahvays be seen in the East , the seat of wisdom , placed on an altar as a significant representative of the Shekinah in the temple of Solomon in Jerusalem . Here the candidate seeks

the light and finds it ; and its first bright rays cest on these glorious emblems of mental illumination which he is taught to venerate as the embodiment of all that is great and good . Does he want instruction to guide his path through the devious wilderness of the world , it is abundantly supplied by the furniture

of a Masons ' s lodge ? Does he seek for faith , hope , and charity , —does he lack wisdom , strength , or beauty—does he long after the practice of temperance , fortitude , prudence and justice—they are to be found there if anywhere ? They will enlighten his dark mindsupplhim with rules of practice adapted

, y to all states of existence , and furnish those helps which every step in the progress of life demands . In a word , as was expressed in the Prestonian Lecture , they give real and intrinsic excellency to man , and