while we can even pardon the inistaker views of the Committee of Enquiry-of many otherwise kind-hearted Masons who voted with them—we can also commiserate those faithless few who, having commenced a crusade against the peace of a gentlewoman so seriously afflicted, have had to writhe under the withering denunciation of their unmasonic apostacy. May their conversion to propriety be as sincere as is our regret in making these remarks.

CAUTION TO THE MEMBERS OF GRAND LODGE.-Application has been made to the Most Worshipful Grand Master, the Earl of Zetland, requesting that the necessary arrangements may be made for an interchange of representatives between the Grand Lodges of the Freemasons of England, and many other Grand Lodges; and amongst them the Grand Lodge of Darmstadt. Delighted as we shall be to see the system of Masonic representation of the various Grand Lodges fully carried out, it becomes highly important for the Grand Lodge of England to make itself well and thoroughly acquainted with the views, dispositions, and mode of work adopted by the Lodges wishing to be represented at its meetings; and our object in thus cautioning the members of Grand Lodge is to prevent a recurrence of the withdrawal of a representative when once appointed, as such a course, when necessary, must be not only disadvantageous to Freemasonry, but subversive of its best objects, for it proves that the doctrine of unanimity, the principal boast of the Craft, is not carried out by those who have become recognized members of it. We have been informed that the working of the Masons of Darmstadt, as also their Book of Constitutions and practice of their laws is similar to our own, but that they have been induced to admit into their ranks, as a warranted Lodge under their constitution, the Lodge at Frankfort-on-the-Maine formerly belonging to the "Eclectic Union." As this Lodge was declared illegal, and deprived of its warrant in consequence of adopting a ritual at variance with Masonry, and even the Prussians thought it too much for a religious institution to have any connection with it, and excommunicated it; we think a satisfactory explanation should be given before permission be granted to the Grand Lodge of Darmstadt to send a representative to our meetings. We caution the members of Grand Lodge to investigate particularly before they vote on this subject, and that they especially compare the public constitutions with the by-laws of the said Grand Lodge.

TIME SAVED versus TIME LOST.-That such portion of the Board as are really anxious to perform their "suit and service" meant well, is clear by their anxiety to abridge the reading of minutes and documents, so as considerably to save the time of Grand Lodge; but they reckoned without their host if they thought that the "old leaven" would not rise and defeat their well-intended purpose; and so it turned out; for so many would have their "say," that it was long after eleven before the routine business was ended; and this loss against the saving of time was entirely owing to the last report of the Board, which was, truly, most injudicious, of which we shall speak presently at greater length. But, while on the subject, we must enter a strong protest against the impertinent and disrespectful officiousness which is so disgusting as to induce us to call on the honour of Grand Lodge to protect the Masonic throne from the frequency of insulting intrusion. "You cannot, Most Worshipful Sir, do so and so,”—“The mode to be adopted is so and so,”. are the often repeated public exclamations of the party alluded to, who is continually foisting his person almost on the throne itself; assuming the "Ego et rex meus," totally forgetting the fourth article of the regulations for the Grand Lodge. He has no excuse, for there are some gentlemen in Grand Lodge from whom he might take example; and he may be assured that in the forgetfulness of the gentleman, he gains no proselytes to his rudeness. We may write harshly, but to such a one we must write plainly-let him beware of the Horatian words, “populus me sibilat."

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REPRINTING THE BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS.-At the Grand Lodge in September it was ordered that a revised edition of the Book of Constitutions be prepared forthwith, under the direction of the Board of General Purposes, whose powers were limited to the simple addition of what has passed the Grand Lodge, and to the omission of what has been annulled.

No directions could be more clear; had there been a doubt on the point, a protest would have been entered against the selection of such body as legislative agents, although no question was entertained as to their competency to act ministerially. Yet, in the face of such direction, the report of the Board modestly stated that they considered themselves justified, not merely in adding and omitting, but-forsooth-in altering phrases and words, transposing matter, and even in adding new matter! Monstrous audacity! Grand Lodge was warned in September to be on the look out, and to remember the wholesale robbery of its franchises in 1841, when the Committee of revision-several of whom are still on the Board-gave to tyranny additional powers, by taking from the Craft nearly all the remaining skeleton of a constitution Since then the same party have attempted to seize on the Lodge of Benevolence, and convey its wholesome and blessed fruit to the tender mercies of their almonry!

"GIVE, GIVE!" is the constant cry of those ever anxious to GRASP, GRASP, at the miserable remnant of our privileges.

After a serious debate it has been resolved that the suggestions of the Board, together with such others as arose out of the debate, should be printed and circulated, previous to their consideration by the ensuing Grand Lodge. "To your tents, O Israel!"

ANNUITIES TO WIDOWS.-The time consumed in the previous question prevented this motion being entertained,—it therefore stands over.

THE HIGH DEGREES.-The Supreme Council of the thirty-third Degree for the British Empire is now firmly established in its puissance, and has entered into Masonic alliance with other legitimate and duly authorized Councils, and we trust with none other will it associate. We remark, with especial gratification, the success of Dr. Leeson's visit to the Supreme Council of France, and we congratulate the Order at large on this auspicious and important movement, which sets at rest many subjects hitherto of contradictory character. The reports of the Council, its character, and inaugural festival, will be found under their respective heads.

IRELAND. We direct the attention of our readers to an article on "the state of Freemasonry in Ireland," which, we believe, is not overcharged in its spirit; certain it is, that in no part of the Masonic jurisdiction is improvement more necessary, nor where improvement will be hailed with more gratitude.

THE MASONIC CHARITIES are, we are happy to say, in a very satisfactory state, and the finances both of Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter eminently so. We hope ere long to announce the same of the Grand Conclave and of the Supreme Council.

FINALLY.-Although our general remarks on the present quarter may probably appear more severe than admonitory, it should be borne in mind that the necessity for them is pregnant, clear, and obvious; we are not of those who sacrifice consistency to expediency, and therefore in expressing our regret at the cause, most sincerely hope our object will not be misunderstood. We are for Freemasonry itself, not for such as, misconstruing its dictates, sin against them. We have such a reliance on the honour and integrity of the Masters, Past Masters, and Wardens of the Grand Lodge, as to hope they will yet rescue our executive from the fearful precipice on which they have ventured, and thus entitle themselves to the lasting gratitude of the Craft.

"A merry Christmas and happy new year to all."

ON CORN, WINE, AND OIL.

BY BRO. GEORGE AARONS

THE wise King Solomon, ever anxious to give his people some moral lesson, whereby they might improve their condition in society; when he distributed certain aliments to his people from his royal table, he selected such as would be useful both to the body and the mind. Thus we find, in the 5th verse of the 31st chapter 2nd Book of Chronicles, that King Solomon distributed to his workmen, at the consecration of the temple, corn, wine, and oil; we may therefore consider those three aliments as emblems of plenty.

As CORN, so often threatened with exposure to the rude tempest, is still preserved in safety for the benefit of mankind, so the human mind, although depressed by affliction and adversity, still bears up with faith and humility, convinced of the compassionating hand of the Deity, who has provided corn for our sustenance and nourishment; therefore, whatever be our situation in this state of existence, whether cheered by prosperity or darkened by impending evil, may all our actions tend to the glory of Gon, and to the promotion of piety and virtue !

WINE is a gift of Divine Providence, for which we cannot be too grateful. God has not only given us bread, and other aliments for our comfort and support, but He has also graciously provided for our pleasure and enjoyment, and, in order to render our life more cheerful and happy, He has created the vine. The juice of the grape enlivens the spirit and gladdens the heart, and thus inspires the grateful creature to adore his God in the fulness of his heart. But how much His goodness is manifested, even in the abundance and variety of wines, which differ in colour, smell, taste, and quality, suited to all inhabitants of every clime. Wine, therefore, restores the vigour of constitution, and imparts energy to the system.

OIL is another of those favoured gifts of Heaven, without which we could not enjoy many of the blessings of nature. Oil has a tendency to improve our personal appearance, as beautifully expressed by the Psalmist; it spreads a gloss over the countenance of God's creatures, and, like wine, has its various qualities, pourtraying the bounties of

nature.

Beverages were produced for the use and comfort of mankind; olive oil is the juice of the fruit of the olive tree, which is very abundant in many hot countries. Thus we see that nature has distributed her gifts with the wisest economy. It is highly pleasing to reflect on the variety of instruments nature has designed to afford us comfort and support. Every country contributes to our necessities and our wants, and supplies us with all we may require. Then let us, each time we enjoy those benefits, be mindful of their utility, and be grateful to the bounteous Giver of all good for such blessings; but how can we render our gratitude more acceptable than by dividing a portion of that good which we possess in abudance among those who have received a limited quantity. And in doing this each time we partake of the good things, we shall have the pleasing satisfaction of knowing that the mouths of the hungry are filled, and the needy sent away rejoicing for the plenty which the favour of Heaven permits us to enjoy.

THAT RELIGION IN WHICH ALL MEN AGREE.*

The compilers of the first clause in the oldest Book of Constitutions of the oldest Freemasons' Grand Lodge, did not understand the Christian religion only, by the sentence "THAT RELIGION IN WHICH ALL MEN

AGREE.

It frequently happens of late that the reverse of the above assertion is heard to be the meaning of those who attempt to defend the conduct of the Lodges which have expressed themselves favourable to the initiation into Freemasonry of Christian candidates only, or are disposed to admit only members of that creed as visitors, because, according to their ideas, none other than Christians can be made Freemasons, and members of different faiths, if admitted, are grossly cheated, and a Lodge not agreeing with them must cease to be a genuine Freemasons' Lodge.

I have once more read with the greatest attention that which has now become a scarce book-" The Constitutions of the Freemasons, for the use of the Lodges, London, in the year of Masonry 5723; Anno Domini 1723," and found therein what appears to me to be satisfactory proof

That the first clause does not limit to Christians only the capability to become candidates for initiation into Freemasonry.

This I will attempt to demonstrate.

The book commences with a traditionary tale of Masonry. According to it, Masons were coeval with the formation of the world. That is to be inferred indeed from the date (5723) on the title-page. Moses is therein styled Grand Master "who often marshalled them into a regular and general Lodge while in the wilderness, and gave them wise charges, orders, &c. The wise King SOLOMON was GRAND MASTER of the Lodge at JERUSALEM, and the learned King HIRAM was GRAND MASTER of the Lodge at Tyre, and the inspired HIRAM ABIF was Master of Work.” The last named Hiram, or Huram, is named as "the most accomplished Mason upon earth." I judge from this, that these three, and no other Mason, as also their united building, is represented in the genuine ancient ceremony, more particularly at the ritual of raising. "The temple contained most lovely and convenient apartments for kings and princes, priests and Levites, Israelites and Gentiles also; it being an house of prayer FOR ALL NATIONS." When the building of the temple was finished, the masons wandered to different countries. "But none of the nations, not altogether, could rival the Israelites, far less excel them in masonry, and their temple remained the CONSTANT PATTERN." According to this oral history, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, was a Mason, and Zerubabel was a Master Mason of the Jews. Farther on among the Masonic worthies, figure the great THALES, MILESIUS, his scholar the great PYTHAGORAS, proved the author of the forty-seventh proposition of Euclid's first book, which, if duly observed, is the foundation of all Masonry. It is engraven on a tablet with the lines, to show the correctness of the proposition, and suspended within the smaller angle of the square

* Extracted from a letter by Bro. Wm. Neisch, Past Senior Grand Warden, and Representative from the Grand Lodge of Hambro' at the Royal York of Friendship, Grand Lodge of Prussia, to the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Bro. Link, May 26, 1844. 3 G

VOL. IV.