Opening Of Lodge S. George, Dargaville, Kaipara, N.Z., 19th June 1878.

ble , and if so wo havo here a true Masonic body—Operative and Speculative . It would appear probable that a similar bodv wonld be formed at the building of the Temple , and other largo edificps , by Solomon , for this monarch was remarkable for carrving ont his groat designs with method and order ; and , moreover , as from tho ago of Solomon

magnificent structures were being continually raised — e . g ., in Greece , Asia Minor , and subsequently in Rome—the Masonic guilds would become permanent bodies . On the general introduction of Christianity a great impetus was given to the bnirling and adornment of largo Cathedrals throughout Europe . The continuance of Masonic Guilds would follow as a natural

consequence . Connected with these thero would bo Lodges of Instruction , in which tho sciences , such as Geometry and Architecture , would be taught , while the instruction in morality would naturally be illustrated by the tools which were in uso among the workmen . Masons need not be reminded of tho lessons that wonld have been taught and illustrated by the rnle , square , level , compass , chisel , gavel , & o . So

important are these lessons of morality , and so apt the illustrations , that though tho Gnilds havo ceased as regards operative Mnsonvv , yot the higher purposes have been secured by Masonio Guilds to tho pro . sent day . How much then is to bo learned by Masonry ! and how important that we shonld , by regular attendance , secure for ourselves tho continual repetition of these valuable lessons . Tho trim way to recommend Masonry is to regard its ritual not as n dead letter , but ,

ns involving great principles of action . An Israelite with his ceremonial might lose sight of the meaning , and so lose all the benefit intended by it . So may it not be with Masons . In conclusion then . I would urge on the brethren who aro members of this new Lodge of S . George to recommend Masonry , by nndea . vouring to act up to the noble principles that are by it taught . Yon are at present few in number : those outside will narrowly watch your conduct . Remember , then , that a good Mason must be a good man .

Newton, Auckland.

NEWTON , AUCKLAND .

THE Consecration of the Eden Lodge , No . 1530 ( E . G . ) , took place on 17 th July at the Rising Sun Hotel , Newton , Auckland . Thero was a large attendance , and amongst thoso present were Bros . G . S . Graham D . G . M ., E . T . Wildman D . D . G . M ., and the following Grand Lodge Officers-. —Rev . 0 . M . Nelson D . G . Chaplain , C . F . Goldsbro ' D . G . Treasurer , H . G . Wade D . G . Secretary , E . Willcocks D . G . D . C .,

Dawson D . G . A . D . 0 ., Hesketh Organist , Rattray Pursuivant . The Masters and Officers of most of tho other Lodges in the district were also present , as well as many Visitors . The District Grand Master presided , and the Lodge was consecrated in accordance with nnrient custom . The followin g officers were installed : —Bros . J . Warren W . M ., D . Chapman S . W ., J . Carlaw J . W ., W . J . Suiter Treasurer ,

W . Johnson Secretary , E . W . Morrison and J . Moore Deacons , T . Walker I . G ., C . Westmoreland Tyler , and Thos . Barnett Steward . At tho conclusion of the ceremonial , which was carried ont with the usual solemnities , the Lodge was called off " . A banquet was subsequently held , at which the customary toasts were proposed . Groat praise was attributed to Captain Mann , of tho Rising Sun Hotel , for

the excellent arrangements made and the superb spread provided . The Quarterly Communication of the Masonic Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand , North Island , Scottish Constitution , was held on the 18 th of July at tho Masonic Hotel , Princes-street . There were present Bros . F . Whitaker P . G . M . who presided , W . Anderson P . G . S . M ., W . McCullough P . D . P . G . M ., A . Brodie P . G . S . W ., A . Dewar

P . G . J . W ., W . Errington P . G . Architect , E . K . Tyler P . G . Secretary , T . L . Murray P . G . Treasurer , Captain Frnser P . G . Director of Ceremonies , Captain Goldsmith P . G . Sword-bearer , Ellison P . G . J . D ., Walker W . M . St . Andrew's , and a nnmber of other visitors and representatives of the various Lodges and Constitutions . The principal business of the meeting was to receive the report of the committee

appointed to draft and prepare by-laws for the Provincial Grand Lodge . These , after the minntes wore read , were adopted , after some emendations . Bro . the Rev . J . Hill having resigned his position of P . G . Chaplain , on account of his removal to the South Island , the P . Grand Master announced that he had appointed Bro . the Rev . Mr . Gould , of Otahuhn , to that office . A number of routine matters were

discussed , and the meeting was brought to a close in the usual form . The Masonic banquet at the Thames , given by tho brethren of the Sir Walter Scott Lodge ou 1 st July to the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Whitaker , was a very successful affair . The W . M . of the Lodge , Bro . T . L . Murray , presided . In responding to the toast of his health , Bro . Whitaker said : Being there , reminded him of the time when he

was first affiliated to Scotch Masonry , and he looked upon the Sir Walter Scott Lodge as the very foundation of their Provincial Grand Lodge . He had first started on his Masonic career in England , then he joined an Irish . Lodge , and at last found himself landed in Scotland , and was so well satisfied that he had no disposition to leave it , least of all for the Colonial Lodge of which he had spoken in New

South Wales . This occasion , he believed , was the first in which they had bad an official inspection from a P . G . M . The Scotch Constitution provided for an annnal visit , and he was determined , if possible , to visit every Lodge in the district . He was much obliged to Bro . Murray for the way in which he had proposed his health , and to the brethren for the hearty response given .

HOLLOWAY PILLS . —Cure for Indigestion—Indigestion , with torpidity of the liver , is the curse of thousands , who sp 'nd euch duy with nccumtildted sufferings , all of whioh may be avoided by taking H lllmvay ' s Pills according to their accompanying directions They strengthen and invigorate every organ subservient to digestion . Their action is purifying , healing and strengthening They may be safely taken without interfering with ordinary pursuits , or requiring much restriction in diet . They quickly remove noise and giddiness in thft ke ' iiu , nnd dispel low spirts and nervous fears . Tiie < e balsamic Pills work the cure without debilitating or exhausting the system ; on the contrary , they conserve and support the vital principle by substituting pure for impure blood .

The Primitive Freemasonry Of The Ancients

THE PRIMITIVE FREEMASONRY OF THE ANCIENTS

From the CORNER STONE .

THE general diffusion of Masonic literature throughout the world , but especially in tho United States , has now made almost every Mason acquainted with tho theory that has been insisted npon—thafc the principles of Freemasonry—that is to say , the doctrine of Speculative Masonry—existed in tho earliest ages of the world , and were believed and practised by a primitive people , or priesthood , under the name of tho Pure or Primitive , Freemasonry of the antediluvians ; thafc

this Freemasonry was , afc length , after the Flood , corrupted as to the truths it taught , and then went under the name of Spurious Free . masonry , but that a choice few preserved the primitive doctrines , and handed them down to the present day , where thoy exist under the form of Speculative Masonry . Theso doctrines are not now denied by any one who has carefully

studied the Masonic system , although many differ in relation to some of tho details of the theory advanced . This theory does not belong exclusively to any Masonic writer . It was promulgated at the middle of the last century by the celebrated Chevalier Ramsay , the author of the" Travels of Cyrus , " and the founder of a very philosophical system of Masonry . In a work published bv him in 1751 , entitled

" The Philosophical Principles of Natural and Revealed Religion , unfolded in a Geometrical Order , " he has briefly but distinctly advanced this theory , and it is given here to the readers of the Corner Stone — first , because the work is very scarce in this country , but principally because it contains a most succinct and satisfactory evidence , as well as history of the origin and progress of the science of Freemasonry .

The Chevalier , writing a work for general pomsil , has said nothing in it of Masonry by name ; but , as the course of his studies and tha labors of his life identified him with the institution , it is apparent that , under the name of ancient religion , he was thinking of his favorite science . The reader has only to substitute in the paragraphs about to be quoted the word " Masonry " for " religion , " and in a few

lines he will be pnt in possession of the whole theory on the subject , as it has been more elaborately worked out by Hutchinson in his " Spirit of Masonry , " and other Masonic writers . Ramsay propounds his theory as follows : 1 . Adam , Noah , and all tho other antediluvian and post-diluvian patriarchs knew tho great principles of natural and revealed religion ,

and , therefore , could and should have taken all possible means to transmit this saving knowledge to their posterity . 2 . It would have been unbecoming the prudence and sanctity of these holy patriarchs not to have chosen some surer method for transmitting these sacred truths thau by tradition , which is much moro subject to falsification than written tradition .

3 . The most ancient , the most expressive , and tho most palpable way of writing was not by arbitrary names and alphabetical letters , but by symbolical gravings , which represented intellectual ideas by corporeal images ; and this way of writing was particularly conse . crated to the use and transmission of Divine things to posterity , as the word hieroglyphic ( sacred writing ) indicates .

4 . According as the world increased , and was peopled after the deluge , the sons and grandchildren of Noah copied and carried theso sacred symbols of religion ( or Primitive Freemasonry ) to tbe different places of the earth which they went to inhabit with their families ; thus these symbolical characters were transported from country to country , over all the face of the terrestrial globe ; and for this reason

it is that tho symbols , images , idols , statues , representations , traditions , fables and mythologies about tho gods , goddesses , and religion are much the same in all nations . 5 . By succession of time , the true original sense of the sacred symbols and hieroglyphics was forgotten . Men attached themselves to the letter and tho signs without understanding the spirit and thing

signified , and this fell by degrees into the grossest idolatry and wildest superstition . Thoy explained the sacred symbols according to their fancy , and so turned all tbe ancient traditions into fables , fictions , and mythologies , where , though the circumstances were different yet tho fnnd was the same . fi . Notwithstanding these degradations , adulterations , and misresentations of tho original symbols and traditions , there still remain

some hints , rays and vestiges of Divine truths in the mythologies and religions of all nations , from East to West , from North to South , in Asia , Europe , Africa and America . ( And these vestiges constituted the Spurious Freemasonry of Antiquity ) . After reading these succinct remarks , the Masonio student desiring to attain a full knowledge of so important a subject will doubtless seek other works to complete his knowledge of the antiquities of Freemasonry , or Theocratic Philosophy .

Ad01303

THE FREEMASON'S CHRONICLE . A Weekly Record of Masonic Intelligence . Sanctioned by the Grand Lodg 3 of England . THE FREEMASON'S CHRONICLE will be supplied direct from the Office , on receipt of Post Office Order for 13 s Gd , this will include postage for 12 months . Intending Subscribers should forward their full Addresses to prevent mistakes . NOTICE . —BACK NUMBERS . Brethren who desire to complete their sets of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE , should make early application r ' or Back Numbers . AD present all are in print , but of some we have onl y a tew copies left . Cases for binding the several volumes can be had at the Office , 67 Barbican .