Laying The Foundation-Stone Of A New Masonic Hall At West Bromwich.

Inside the cavity of the stone were placed two bottles , the one containing copies of The Times and a local paper , and in the other coins of the realm . The cavity is covered with a copper p late bearing an inscription similar to that on the stone . Messrs . Wood and Kendrick are the architects , and Mr . R . Heelis has been entrusted with the building contract . It is expected that the Hall will be complete by the autumn of this year .

Mark Maasonry.

Mark MAasonry .

EARL OF CARNARVON LODGE ( No . 211 ) . —This lodge met at the Ladbroke Hall , Notting Hill , on the 30 th ult . Among those present were Bros . J . N . Frye , W . M . ; French , acting S . W . ; S . H . Parkhouse , J . W . ; Smout , M . O . ; . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., & c , Sec ; Monson , S . D . ; and Wadham , I . G . Bro . Day

was a visitor . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The W . M . announced that as he was representing the lodge as Steward to the Mark Benevolent Fund he trusted that those brethren who had not already subscribed to his list would kindly do so at once . The Secretary having reported the severe indisposition of Bro . John Mason , P . M . and Treas ., a resolution of sympathy

was unanimously passed . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . F . C Frye , L . C . C , S . W . ; Goodall , P . M . ; Lawson , P . M . ; Harris , P . M . ; Rickwood , P . M . ; C . Stevens , Org . ; and others . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment . A few toasts were given . The W . M . ' s remarks were pertinent but brief . He also , with the assistance of Bros . Day and Smout , musically entertained the brethren .

WHITEHAVEN . —Fletcher Lodge ( No . 213 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Friday , the 31 st ult ., when Bro . Rev . James Anderson , W . M ., P . G . Chap ., occupied the chair , supported by the following Bros . W . D . P . Field , S . W . ; W . J . Tyson , J . W . ; H . Burn , M . O . ; D . Atkinson , S . O . ; J . Casson , J . O . ; G . Dalrymple , P . G . Sec , Treas . ; Dr . J . F . Muir , R . of M .:

W . H . Bewlay , Sec ; T . Brakenridge , P . M ., P . J . G . D ., S . D . ; G . W . Roll , J . D . ; T . Mitchell , I . G . ; and Thos . Richardson , Tyler . The following were also present Bros . Col . F . R . Sewell , P . M . 129 , D . P . G . M . ; P . de E . Collin , P . M . 151 , P . G . D . of Eng . ; J . Nicholson , P . M . 151 , P . G . D . of Eng . ; J . Gardiner , P . M . 151 , G . Steward of Eng . ; R . Leach , 151 ; L . Taylor , A . D . Metcalf , J . W .

Clarke , D . H . Cook , P . P . G . Org . ; E . Pattinson , Robt . Shepherd , T . Blinkinsop , and others . The lodge was opened , and the minules confirmed . Two candidates were upon the agenda for advancement , and Bro . Spencer Broadbent , being in attendance , vvas advanced to the Honourable Degree of M . M . M . by the W . Master , and Bro . J . Casson gave the lecture in an able manner . A vote of thanks vvas passed to him for his

services . The other business being routine , the lodge vvas closed and the brethren subsequently spent a pleasant hour in the banquet hall .

A Review Of The True Lines Of Rosicrucianism.

A REVIEW OF THE TRUE LINES OF ROSICRUCIANISM .

BY R . W . Frater T . H . PATTINSON , Hon . VHP Soc Ros . in Ang . A Lecture read at Ilkley , before Ihe York College , May 32 nd , 1 S 89 . Right W . Chief Adept , W . Celebrant , and fratres : The paper I shall read to you is an attempt to prove that the Rosicrucians had a positive existence centuries agoand

, not , asi s generally supposed , entirely a mythical one . At the present time , when the age is in a sense dissatisfied with the religious influence of the day , mainly because dogma and creed do not satisfy the aspirations of the higher self , the general tendency is to turn to philosophy , hoping there to find the Key to the Great Mystery . History shows that in all such crises , when doubt and

dissatisfaction have produced a state of anarchy in religious thought , mysticism and philosophy have generally come to the front ; and under that influence the writings of ancient authors are severely criticised . To the thoughtful and observant it is obvious that such a crisis is at the present time influencing the minds of men . As an example of the interest taken in the matter , books of ancient philosophy are being reproduced , old ones are being readily bought up , especially those writings of the mystic and occult philosophers ; it is almo ; t impossible to buy old books treating of alchemy or occultism , and if found big prices are usually demanded ( 30 or 40 shillings each is a common price to ask for a book that could be

bought five or six years ago for two or three shillings ) , and even at such prices they are all disappearing , and are to be found only in the libraries of students of philosoph y , and are notably _ absent from those of ordinary literary men , whose training does not fit them for the reviewing of such books .

This [ is the main reason why the public have not heard much of this class of literature , and when they have , it has generally been of an adverse character . To revile that which they do not understand is the usual method adopted by literary critics of this day , and in this they have been ably aided by the public at large .

Yet even in the tace ot this adverse influence , the study of the ancient wisdom still goes on and a few bold authors venture to publish from time to time the cream of the ancient writers . Such men as Fratres MacGregor Mathers and Dr . Wynn Westcott , of our Metropolitan College , Hartman , Waite , and others have provided some of the best books .

_ But Waite published the " Real History of the Rosicrucians " and adversely criticised the Society , doubting its actual existence , and putting the so-called Rosicrucian writings down as myths . The two oldest manifestoes of the Ancient Rosicrucians are called the "Fama et Confessio Fraternitas R . C , " and the " Chemical Marriage of Christian Rosenkreutz , " the former was published to the world in five languages .

A Review Of The True Lines Of Rosicrucianism.

For the benefit of those fratres who have not seen or heard of it , 1 will give a brief outline , as it is a very important link in our real history , whatever those not connected with the Order may say . About the year 13 S 7 Christian Rosenkreutz , a knight of noble family , having a sincere longing for mystical knowledge , became acquainted with some Arabian philosophers ,

and ultimately went to Arabia itself and was there initiated into their mysteries . After studying for the space of one year with them , he translated the Book M . ( ptobably a book of magic ) into Latin . He afterwards travelled in Chaldea , there gathering more knowledge , and was further initiated into the mysteries . After completing his studies he sailed to Spain , went amongst the learned men there ,

and desired to instruct them , pointing out the mistakes of their Church and morals . They repelled him , saying it would look ill ot them to admit they had been so long in a state of ignorance , and feared tfuir names and reputation would suffer if they now began to learn . He then left Spain , visited other countries , and was received in thesame manner . He became disheartened , and returned to his

native place , probably in South Germany , and for some years lived a retired life . After a time he there initiated four worthy men into the mysteries of the East . Thus began this trace of what is known as the Rosicrucian Society , first by four , and afterwards four others were

initiated , making the Society eight in number . These men lived with Rosenkreutz in his house called "Collegium Sancti Spiritus . " He there communicated to them the knowledge he had acquired under a pledge of secrecy , authorising them to write down his information so that none should be afterwards deceived by word or letter .

These MSS . constituted the Books of the Order , and from hints given in the " Fama , " were evidently written in magical writing ; they consisted of the Book M , the Rota , the Baok T ., and others . Some of these have come to light since , and have the date beginning with 1400 .

The rules were as follows : The members were to heal the sick without charge . No distinct uniform was to be worn , each member vvas to dress and conform to the rules of the country he resided in as circumstances directed . At a certain time or day in every year all the brethren were to meet in the building "Sancti Spiritus" or give good reason for their absence , also each one vvas to choose a

suitable person to be his successor , and the Brotherhood vvas to remain a secret for 120 years . Rosenkreutz is said to have died at the age of 106 . The members heard of his death , but did not know the place of his burial ; it being understood amongst them that for the space of 120 years it was to remain a secret from the members . ( For 120 years , therefore , no new members

were made beyond the eight named , except the successors as deaths occurred ) . After the expiration of the 120 years , one of the new successors being an architect , undertook to alter the building " Sancli Spiritus , " and make it more suitable for their requirements . During the alteration they discovered a secret door in the vault , and upon examination they found

it vvas the entrance to a vault or burial-place . This vault had seven sides , each side five feet broad and eight feet high , It vvas lighted in the centre of the ceiling by an artificial sun ; the roof and floor were formed in triangles towards the seven sides , and each side was divided into ten squares ; each side contained a door opening into a recess or chest , containing the books and MSS . of the Order .

In . the centre of the vault was a round a'tar , and on its surface vvas a sheet of brass bearing this inscription in Latin , " While alive I made this my sepulchre , the compendium of the Universe "; also other inscriptions in four circles within the centre one . Upon removing the brass plate the body of Rosenkreutz

was discovered uninjured and undecayed ; in his hand he held a parchment written in golden letters and the letter T upon the cover This is the pith of what is called the Fama of Johann Andreas , and is the most complete account of the origin of the Rosicrucian order ever published .

Yet you will see no secrets are disclosed , not even the name of a single member ( there is no doubt the name Christian Rosenkreutz was the nomde plumeoi the chief ); no reference to the peculiar knowledge they possessed that could be understood by the uninitiated ; and no hints given on the nature of their philosophy . Thus the first Rosicrucian manifesto referring to the origin of the Order is of no

historic value , and it is only by looking into the peculiarity of their symbolism that any light can be obtained . This , however , is certain— Rosenkreutz received his knowledge from the Arabians and Chaldeans . Ha translated the Book M out oi Arabic into Latin , and left along with it the Book T , and the Rota behind him in the vault . Now the question is—What is the Rota ; what is the Book T ; and the Book Ml If these questions could be answered

then the history of the Rosicrucians need be no longer so great a mystery . There is every reason to suppose the name Rosicrucian originated with the person known as Christian Rosenkreutz . But the knowledge and secrets he taught were acquired in the East , and were no doubt very ancient mysteries . _ We . have other legends of the discovery of lost secrets similar to this one in detail .

I will read you another ( having a close parallel to the above ) from an ancient Clavicula of King Solomon , and I may here say that every system of Western occult learning ( as well as some of Ihe Eastern ones ) contains many references to the knowledge of King Solomon ; and in some of the Kabbalistic books in the Hebrew languages , a minutely-detailed system of philosophy is to be found , and

they cover so much ground that not one single branch of the subject is left untouched ; they also embrace the most difficult of the Eastern systems of metaphysical thought and learning ,, and are so full of wonderful and abstruse knowledge that it takes years of study to comprehend them . Most of the books are carefully guarded by their owners ; many have not been translated from the Hebrew , and some of those that have been translated into English

in Mbb . can only be inspected by favour . The secrecy attending this branch of mysticism seems to be as carefully guarded in these days as in the days of yore . We owe much to Fratres MacGregor Mathers , S ° , and Dr . Wynn Westcott , Hon . 9 ° , of the Metropolitan College , for the untiring labour they have bestowed upon this branch or Kabbalistic trace of our Order . And it is from Frater Mathers' book , "The Key of Solomon , " that I take the following curious record ;—

A Review Of The True Lines Of Rosicrucianism.

A short time previous to his death , King Solomon called his son , Roboam , to his side , and said" Treasure up , my son , the wisdom of my words—seeinc . that I , Solomon , have received it from the Lord . Hear my son , and receive my sayings , and learn the wisdom of God . " For on a certain night when I laid me down to sleep I

called upon the Most Holy name of God , JAH , and prayed for the Ineffable Wisdom , and when 1 closed mine eyes the Angel of the Lord appeared unto me , and said " ' Listen , 0 , Solom in , thy prayer before the Most High is not in vain j and since thou hast not asked for long life nor riches , but asked for thyself wisdom to perform justice . Thus saith the Lord , according to thy word have

I given thee a wise and understanding heart . "And when I comprehended the speech that was made unto me , I understood that in me was the knowledge of all creatures , both things which are in the heavens , and things which are beneath . And I saw that the writings and wisdom of this present age were vain and that no man vvas perfect . " And I composed a certain book wherein I rehearsed the

secret of secrets , and in which I have preserved them hidden—I have also concealed therein all secrets whatsoever of those sciences , which are in any way worth being accomplished . Also I have written them in this key so that like as a key opensth a treasure house , so may this key open the knowledge and understanding of these arts and sciences .

"Therefore , O my son , Roboam , I command thee by the blessing which thou expectest from me , thy father , that thou make an ivory casket , and therein place , keep , and hide this , my key , and when I shall have passed away to my fathers , I entreat thee to place it in my sepulchre beside me , lest it may fall into the hands of the wicked . And as Solomon commanded , so it vvas done .

" And after a long time there came unto the sepulchre certain Babylonish philosophers , and when they had assembled they took council together that a ceitain number of men should renew the sepulchre of King Solomon , to his honour . " When the sepulchre was dug out and repaired , the ivory casket was discovered , and therein was the key ot

secrets , which they took with joyful minds . But when they had opened it , none of them could understand it on account of the obscurity of the words , and their occult arrangement , and the hidden character of the sense and knowledge . " " Then there arose one among them Join , and said , ' Unless we ask the interpretation from the Lord with tears

and entreaties , we shall never arrive at the knowledge of it . ' " And J I , when he retired to his bed , prayed unto the Lord that he might understand the key of King Solomon . And an angel of the Lord appeared unto him and said" ' Remember if the secrets of Solomon appear hidden and obscure unto thee , that the Lord hath wished it so , so that such knowledge may not fall into the hands of wicked

men . Therefore , promise me that thou art not willing that so great wisdom should come into the hands of living ' creatures , and that which thou revealest unto any , let them know they mutt keep it unto themselves . ' "And J answered , 'I promise unto thee that to none will I reveal them , save to the honour of the Lord , and unto penitent , secret , and faithful persons . '

" Then answered the angel . ' Go and read the key , and its words which were obscure throughout shall be manifest unto thee . ' "Then Johi vvas glad and laboured with a clear mind , understood that which the angel had said , and the key of King Solomon appeared quite clear unto him in all its parts . " The above account of the discovery of the Kabbalistic

secrets is very similar in part to the Red Cross one . Neither are they the only ones , as we have a very similar one in our Masonic lore . Our Rosicrucian ritual contains many traces of both Kabbalistic and Eastern formulae . Though they are mutilated , yet there is quite enough left to show the connection , and to prove that Rosicrucianism is an

amalgamation of the Eastern and Western systems of occult philosophy . Of this there is no doubt . All the Rosicrucian MSS . point to the fact that the Order originated in Oriental lands , and it is impossible that a detailed Constitution such as that of the Order ( together with a system of philosophy and occult science that embraces every domain of transcendental knowledge ) could have originated

with Christian Rosenkreutz , they must have been the work of men of very great learning and purity of thought , acting together during a long period of time . Our Ritual contains special references to the Kabbalah-The Hebrew letters and numbers are part of that great scheme , and as we use them they illustrate the 10 Sephiroth . The references to Earth , Air , Fire , and Water

are alchemical as well as kabbalistic . If the symbolisms of both the Rosicrucian and Masonic orders were closely studied , the mystery connected with their origin would soon be cleared up . Their symbols can be traced to the Aryans , and there it is again recorded as being given by one of the Gods to a Brahmin , and its origin is lost in antiquity . .

, _ In some of the commentaries on the " Vedas , " which 1 = one of the _ oldest books in the world , a system or philosophy is disclosed , entirely built upon the fnie symbols , to be seen in our Masonic lodges to-day , the base or principal one being a square ; the next in importance is a triangle , then the circle , and so on . , These symbols , according ta the Aruans . represented

certain creative principles , unmanifested in matter . When they become manifested they change their form according to their affinity or antipathy . Each symbol has a distinct colour , sound , and form , in fact each svmbol has five attributes . Sometimes all operative , sometimes neutralised in part . These primary symbols were arranged bv them by

combination into 25 secondary ones , according to their aflinuie 5 > and into 25 antagonistic ones in opposition to the 25 secondary ones . So perfect is this system of symbolism that it person has been initiated into this system and fully understands it , he can read the inner meaning of any exac

symbolism in the world . J Thus , the Aryans would represent the unmamfesre principle called Earth by a single square , oat they referred to a perfect manifestation of this in »"" £ they would make two squares , a double CUD 1 and to this day this is the form of the altars used wr various systems of religion throughout the world , ano such shape was the ark of the Israelites , a symbol