The Tetragrammaton.

AA'hose spirit can readily reveal itself in its works , just as the solid cube may be recognised in the superficial plan .

With three sides visible to us , and three sides invisible or hidden , each side having * four angles , we arrive

at the Persian division of the year in tAventy-four equal parts , twelve of which are under the rule of the good spirits , and twelve of the evil ones . In the seven visible points of the cube we have once more the battery of the corresponding

degreethe six days of Avork ancl the one of rest , the seven planets , with the sun in the centre . The three visible faces of the cube give us the three different kinds of letters met Avith in the ancient Avorld , and which are known only by Masons of perfection ;

whereas the three invisible faces give us the three different kinds of letters of the new world , hidden to the profane , but knoivn to us . The four angles of each side of the cube and the four extremities of the cross of St . Andrew formed by the lines of that figure give us the four great columns , and the watchwords over them . —Espejo Masonico .

The Pope And Freemasonry.

THE POPE AND FREEMASONRY .

The following is the concluding letter by the Eev . Bro . Milner , in connection with the above subject : — In previous letters I maintained the theory that tlie Society must be very ancient , ancl that it AA as

most probably the original from ivhich the old mysteries borrowed their symbols and esoteric teaching . On this vieiv there is a very difficult problem to be Avorked out , viz ., to shoiv that the true mysteries Avere in existence , and in active

operation at the same time that the spurious ones were spreading their peculiar tenets all over the world . I have already quoted from Josephus to show that the Essenes were neither more nor less than Freemasons , and I have accounted for the

fact of Pythagoras and Plato teaching purer doctrines than those taught in the mysteries of their own country by shoiving that they had been initiated into the Jeivish mysteries , and that Pythagoras had been taught by the Prophet

Ezekiel . I have been enabled recently to trace an intermediate link in the chain of evidence which connects modern Masonry Avith an ancient

Society distinct from the mysteries , but yet working side by side Avith them . Some of the voluminous German writers on Preemasonry haA'e demonstrated beyond a doubt that the Society is directly descended from the Medieval Guilds , and

that the German Steinmetzen ( Stonemasons ) had a precisely similar constitution . Some years ago Krause , and still more recently Schauberg and Heboid , traced back the history of the Guilds and Steinmetzen to the Building Corporations of the Romans .

The Architectural " Collegia " of the Romans enjoyed the privilege of a consfcifcntion of their own , and were recognised by the State as a legal body . They were placed under their own officer , iEdilis , who was skilled in Architecture ; and ,

according to the statement of Yitruvius ( in the time of Augustus ) , the members were required to be well skilled and to have a liberal education . Upon the overthrow of the Republic , when all other Corporations lost their privileges , owing to

the despotism of the Emperors , the thirst of the Rulers for splendouv and renoAvn caused the " Collegia" to be confirmed in nearly all their former rights and privileges . These members Avere at least required to form a College , aud no one Avas alloived to be a member of several

Colleges at the same time . The members , after hearing the reports of their officers and deliberating thereon , carried their resolutions by a majority of yotes ; and in the same manner members Avere enrolled ancl officers elected . The custom which

prevailed among the operatives of the Middle Ages we find likewise hei * e , viz . —That besides the legitimate members of the Corporation , lay or amateur members ( Patrons ) Avere admitted . The Corporations held their meetings in secluded

rooms or buildings exclusively appropriated to that- purpose , and most of them had their ONTO schools for the instruction of apprentices and lower grades of Avorkmen . They had also their oivn peculiar relig ious ceremonies and jjriests ,

also an Exchequer belonging to the Corporation , an Archive , and their own seals . The members took an oath mutually to assist each other ; indigent members received relief , and on their death wore buried at the expense of the Corporation .

They kept registers of the members ( similar to the lists of or directories of the lodges ) some of Avhich are still extant . They had also their records , their masters ( magistri ) , wardens { decurtones ) , fellowcrafts and apprentices , censors ,