Freemasonry In France.

" The Grand Orient of France views this event with profound satisfaction , and will be happy to continue with the new power , the fraternal relations which it has held with the Grand Orient Lusitainien since 1863 .

" Accept dear brethren , at the same time , our sincere wishes for the prosperity of Portugese Masonry , and the assurance of our respect , and most devoted fraternal sentiments . "

Light From A Masonic Stand Point.

LIGHT FROM A MASONIC STAND POINT .

Light is an emblem of life ; and as far as we are permitted to know , the light of God's countenance is universal . Nothing can be more impressive and God-like than a symbol referring to that Divine Spirit , which prevades all space , and flashes over the universe . It is an emblem of

intelligence , and man ' s loftiest powers depend upon it . The laws of our being , the natural and moral world , as far as we know , are but symbols , or reflections of this light . If there were no sun , no moon , no stars in the

heavens , no light of God ' s countenance upon the souls of intelligent beings , darkness and untold misery would brood over the whole works of the Great Architect of the Universe , and man be doomed to plunge on for ever without finding his

way out . There would be no joys for the present , no hopes for the future . Neither philosophy , science , nor literature would remove it , or lift the veil that would sit like a pall of death over man's loftiest powers . Without light , existence would

be an unmitigated curse , Masonry a farce , and religion a falsehood . Intellectual light is an embodiment of all the science , morals , and religion known on the sphere we occupy . Let it be remembered that God is

light . He is the sun and centre of the universe , who bespangled the firmanent with the stars , and sheds His beams increasingly glorious upon the labourers in His temple . The Freemason who has a knowledge of the true meaning of light ,

never can be ignorant of its sublime aud and holy teachings . When Masonic attention is directed to it in the ceremonials of the lodge , the reference is invariably to the Deity , and not to His works .

Millions gaze upon the light of heaven every day , without the slightest emotion of interest ,-But to the intelligent Freemason , this kisti c £ listless indifference is impossible . It frequently happens that with all the

powersof reason , revelation and the symbols of the Deity ,, spread out in glowing letters of light , Bow little are we apt to reflect beyond the mere forms and ceremonies of the of the lodge room , or dwell fox a moment upon the great objects the Masonic

fraternity has in view , and the mission our society has to fulfil ! The emblematic language of Masonry , taking the book of nature and the Holy

Bible for its guide , is better calculated to elevateman in the scale of being , renovate his moral powers , lift his soul to his Grand Master on High .. and fix his hopes firmly on heaven , than any other of human origin . It teaches us that

intellectural light is as ancient as the Deity , for if it did not exist before the world was , when did it come into being ? Revelation did not make it ; men or angels did not produce it , any more thaa . they created the Great Father of all . Thi 3

element of our being , the Alpha and Omega of Masonry , is absolutely eternal ; and our forefathers were taught by its immediate inspiration what useto make of it in the Masonic

Lodge-The initials A . L ., to be found in all our-Manuals , mean the year of light . Symbolism or Masonry was ever present with the Deity , ic all His works . She heard Him issue His commands to Chaos , and the whole mass , by an Almighty

and mysterious agency unknown to us , was agitated with a vivifying motion , which caused the elementary principle to unite , and presented to theeye of the Supreme Aichitect a separate form r . then fire gave its light amid the darkness , air , and .

earth , and water were sepai'ated from each other ,, and these elements entered into the composition of all other bodies ; then the universe was foil of light and life ; then the Logos or the soul of theworld received a spherical form , and was brought

into order by the fiat of the Eternal . This subject is much enlarged in Plato ' s " History of the Creation . " and Dr . Oliver said Plate was initiated into the secrets of Freemasonry bv :

Jeremiah , the prophet . This mysterious and wonderful process in making the world coincides exactly with the history oS ' the creation , given by Moses , so far as he cosld understand , or enter into the details of tbess ;