More Hints To Masonic Johannite Eulogists.

or , the Garden of Eden ; and for the word hell , they found a word which I am sure that neither Moses , Joshua , or even King Solomon ever heard of . They called it Gehenom , after a hill on which , in former days , they used to sacrifice children to idols . According to Dr . Graetz ' s narrative , tho

Persians believed in the existence of two rival gods , of equal power , viz ., a God of Light and a God of Darkness . Angels fought for the former , and devils for . the latter . Tbe Jews , however , could not swallow the notion of the existence of two equally powerful gods ; but nevertheless ,

as sin and evil existed in the world , they adopted the notion of the existence of a Satan , who , however , was under strict subordination to the Almighty . For a time they believed in the existence of only one devil , viz ., Satan , and I think it is highly probable that during the prevalence of

that belief the Book of Job was written , in which book Satan figures as a kind of celestial detective and informer , whose business was " to wander to and fro " on the earth , to ferret out all sinners , and even to tempt them to curse God , & c , & o . He was , indeed , described as a spiteful- and

mischievous imp ; nevertheless , his power was curbed and limited . But later on the Jews began to believe that Satan was surrounded by a . host of devils ; he was also dubbed

with the title of " Angel of Death , " lying in ambush , ready to seize upon men ' s lives , and was endowed with a thousand eyes . These creatures of imagination ( siys Dr . Graetz ) , took a firm hold of the Jewish soul . And our author

continues : — " However , theso views about angels and Satan , with hia attendant spirits , about Paradise and hell , uever obtaiued

tl . o dignity of lixtid dogmas , which it would bo mortal sin to doubt . But , on the contrary , during that time and in all future time , their adoption or repudiation was left to the discretion of the individual . " *

Or , in other words , Jews never believed that , for disbelieving in the existence of the devil , the disbeliever would hereafter have to go to trie devil . But , ou the other hand , the dogma of tho Resurrection the Jews accepted , and at ouce iuserted that belief into their prayer hook .

Now if the Jews knew nothing about augols before the Bab ylonian captivity , then it is evident that the parts in Genesis in which angels are mentioned , such as the angel that spake to Hagar , the angels that appeared at tho destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah , and the angels which

Jacob in his dream saw ascending and descending from the ladder , which figures on the Masonic Tracing Board , and indoed every part of the Old Testament in which angels aro mentioned , must have been written after the Babylonian captivitv .

Again , suppose the Jews had not imbibed from the Persians a belief in the existence or supposed existence of angels and devils , then I may rationally presume that the Gospels would have been minus of the angels' visits to

Zacharias , to the Virgin Mary , to Joseph , & c , and we should never have heard about the miracles of expelling devils from infected persons by Jesus and his disciples ; nor about the devil carrying Jesus up to the pinnacle of the temple , or about a herd of swine jumping into the sea , & c .

I do not mean to discuss the question whether the modern school of thinkers ' , be they Christians or Jews , are right or wrong , but suffice it to say that such schools exist , and thenideas are spreading far and wide , and such being the case , any eulogy on a Christian Saint , such as the ones delivered

by the writers criticised , fair specimens of all other Masonic Saints eulogies , might be suitable for children in a Sunday school , or for a Salvation Army prayer meeting , but are very unsuitable for an assembly where intelligent Jews , or intelligent Christians either , may be

present . Be it remembered that Jewish Masons know very well that the Masonic St . Johns' legends are pious frauds . The retention of those legends in the ritual , together with the annual eulogies delivered about the Saints John

crammed full of exaggerations , flummery , and nonsense , is not very likely to enhance in the Jewish estimation the much boasted importance and superiority of Christian intelligence , Christian justice , or Christian love of truth . BOSTON , U . S ., I 8 th September 1891 .

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Devon Annual Provincial Priory.

DEVON ANNUAL PROVINCIAL PRIORY .

THE annn & l convocation of the Knights Templar Provincial Priory of Devon was held on the 29 th nit ., at Torquay , under the banner of the Royal Sussex Preceptory . Five guiueas was voted to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons . Tbe Treasurer , Frater W . Taylor , added another live guiueas to that donation , and the ten guineas was directed to be carried to the list of the Provincial Prior aa a Steward

for the Institution for the yenr . The Priory was opened by the P . P ., win was ably supported . The Prov . Chancellor reported that the members registered had not increased during the past year . Tho Prov . Treasurer reported that all the liabilities hud been met and there remained a satisfactory available balance in hand . Frater F . C . Frost was etected Treasurer . Tho Prov . Prior invaated aa his Officer *

Fraters Johu Brewer Trinhy in Unity Preoeptory * Prov . Sub . Prior , Rev . G . Townaend Warner , M . A ., Royal Sassex Prov . Pre ! ., H . Stacker Rougemont P . G . Chancellor , Johu Chapman Royal Sussex P . G . Const ., Josiah Austin Boyal Veterans P . G . Marshal , F . C . Frost . Royal Suasax P . G . Treas ., J . Jeriuau Rougemont P . G . Regis ., W . Trevena Royal Veterans Provincial V . Chancellor , John Taylor Royal Sussex Prov .

Sub-Marshal , Rav . T . RUSSPII Trinity in Unity Provmoial Almoner and Chaplain , 11 . J . Edwards , Musical Doctor , Trinity in Unity P . Herald , F . Crouoh Loyal Brnnswick P . St . Bearer ( Beaugeant ) , F . It . Thomas Loyal Brunswick P . St . Bearer ( Vexillinm Belli ) , J . Ktntou Buud , B . Sc , Royal Veterans Piov . Piiors B . B ., J . B . Gover Royal Veterans P . U . C ., T . U . Wills Royal Sussex P . S . B .,

II . B . Stark Rougemont P . O ., Jas . Gidley L » yal Brunswick P . Guard . Frater W . J . Iluahan , who was coidially received us a distinguished visitor , said it W « B tbe first tiuio such a meetiut ; had beou held at Toiqnay , and curiously ou tuo ou < „ -a * iou of its being the Centenary ot tbe Provincial Priory . Many PrLries of Kuiahw Templar had been hold long uefui-e , but 1791 WFJH the first oura-tiim

when a Provincial Priory had beou held in Devon , and that was held nuder chut distinguished Frater Thomas Duuoau . Sinuo thou King Templary hail made considerable pi-ogress in Kn < laii < l . It was Masonry worked iu connection with a Christian Order , aud it was rather strange that it had not nmde even wider progress throughout Great Britaiu . In the United States of America and in

Canada it had been taken up with greater enthusiasm . In the Stales there wore not less than 80 , 000 swords , tbe designation of members , and there they were tvaiued , and evau drilled , after the maimer of soldiers , and formed a discipline . ] and very important body of considerable influence in promotiugtheobjects of the Order . In Canada they wero HISO similarly organizo r l , and weie very creditable to

Masonry . With the progress of Masouic information iu Eogluud he believed they might look forwurd also to a much wider extension of their numbers . Frater Chapman thanked the Prior fur soleotiug Torquay to hold his meeting at . That town had very interesting Knight Templar reminiscences . Near where ) they were then met many valiant Knights embarked to proceed to the Holy Land .

The annual festival of tho Hampshire and Isle of Wight Masonic Benevolent and Educational Association will be held at Portsmouth , on tho 7 th December .

The Theatres, &C

THE THEATRES , & c

Covent Garden . —A new masioal composer has recently been introduced to tho artistic world of London , through the enterprise of Sir Angustus Harris , aud though M . Alfred Bruneau is not likely to make us forget our old favourites , his opera "L * R 6 » e" is so decidedly unconventional as to create a more than passing iuterest

in his future work . The story is founded npon M . Zola ' s romanoo of the same name , und narrates the love of Angolique , tbe adopted daughter of a poor couple , for Folioien , the son of Bishop Hauteoour . The father , who destines Folioien for tbe Church , refuses his consent , but fiually gives way upon hearing that Angelique is dying of a

broken heart . It is , however , too late , for the poor girl expires at the altar on her wedding day . That M . Bruneau in a composer of ability was sufficiently demonstrated by the cordial reception given . to the opera , but his methods are altogether exceptional , and there appears to be a want of smoothness , which however may in future be

obviated . Tbe opera certainly bad the advantage of being perfectly rendered , Mdlle . Simonnet and M . Engel representing the lovers , and Messrs . Lorrain and Bruvet , with Madame Desohamps , fill tbe remaining oharaoters , all of whom , being in modern costume , look somewhat peculiar . The orchestra , under the dirootion of Mons . Jehin , assisted materially in bringing about the success achieved .

Mr . Murray Carson will re-open the Globe Theatre on Tuesday next , with a new three-act modern light comedy by Mr . James Mortimer , entitled " Gloriana , " for the representation of which a strong company has been engaged .

AB a memento of the M . W . the Grand Master s fiftieth birthday tho theatrical managers aud actors of the metropolis have subscribed for a cigar-box , in massive gold , ornamented with the Prince of Wales ' s plnmes and monogram iu diamonds . The box , which has

cost upwards of a thousand pounds , has been manufactured by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company , of Regent Street , and is reported to be a gem of art . It it intended to prasenfc the box to His Royal 'Highness on Monday next .

In consequence of raising the prices of admission , Mr . J . L . Toole aud hie company had rather a rough reception at the Coatbridge Theatre this week , when one of the " gods , " emulating the power of Jove himself , hurled a missile on the stage , which narrowly missed the head of the popular comedian . Mr . Toole tb . erefi . ra cancelled hia engagement , and left the town , last Wednesday ,