A Review Of The True Lines Of Rosicrucianism.

fprtlv created thing , representing a Divine principle . & triangle represents Divine fire , or the life-causing , lino- and sustaining principle . Thus if you place the £ - lie ' upon the double cube it represents a perfectly '" ted symbol of the earth illuminated and made C ative by the Creature Principle of the universe . " ' vVhat greater or more wonderful system of symbolism u * rnnceived than this ? and it was worked out in the

utest details by the Aryan students of nature . The " vTve described symbols are depicted upon the oldest numents and temples in India , on the monuments and Imoles of Egypt and China , and strange to say in some f the ancient temples in Central America , and they are V he found in minute details in the Kabbalistic books of J ? Hebrews , only in a somewhat altered form . The Kabbaiists attribute to the letters oi the Hebrew

lohabet a separate and distinct meaning , and a number ; fnev _ , ave also an intimate relationship with the Emanations of the Sephiroth ( or Tree of Life ) , as it is termed . The Kabbalist uses the letters of the alphabet in the same manner as the Aryan uses the mathematical symbols , and often unites them . It is a common thing to See these svmbols with the Hebrew letters or names within them . le with the divine Yod written within itin

The triang name , Hebrew , is one of the oldest Masonic Emblems of the Most High . The circle with the triangle within it is also another emblem of a similar kind . These symbols can be seen so united all over the world , and their origin is lost in One of the names of this peculiar system or language of correspondences is the Rota , and many MSS . or fragments of this secret system are in existence to-day . But

I never heard of a complete one . There is the MSS . Key to the whole system in secret cypher in the possession of an English Rosicrucian , which I have seen , in the original ancient cypher . The Rota vvas held in high estimation by the guardians of the mysteries in all ages , and it goes a long way to prove Rosenkreutz was initiated into the most advanced degrees of ancient mysticism . The Fama refers to the Rota two or three times , and

always in large letters . I his is a sure sign that the writer had some special object in so introducing it into the Fama , as the references are not specially connected with the narrative . The object may have been to call the Order together again under some distinct system of symbolic references . We have no proof that the Order in its original form does not exist . Rosicrucian MSS . have been found all over Europe , and in all the Western languages , yet no real information respecting the Order has ever come to

light . The writer of "The Real History of the Rosicrucians , " Mr . Waite , has done his best to prove that the Order originated in the minds of a few mystics , and that the speculative philosophy so generated is not worth the consideration of intelligent men , and some of the fratres of our Order agree with him in this opinion .

But , take the mystics as a body , who are said to have been connected with the Rosicrucian Order . See the names of 14 or 20 of the greatest philosophers of the last 300 or 400 years , in Kenneth Mackenzie's Masonic Encyclopaedia , under the heading of Rosicrucians—and he possessed many rare and valuable MSS . of the Order , and had good grounds for his assertions . You may call these men

mystics , yet they wrote some of the finest literature of their day . Heckethorne , in his "Secret Societies of all Ages , " referring to the mystics , says , " The mystics are the men of thought , and they continue theschool of ancient initiations , which to many nations were their only philosophy , science , and liberty . However remote their thoughts may seem

from application to everyday life , yet they have a positive influence on human will and belief . " The Prince of Mystics was , in his opinion , Jacob Behmen . He says : " I confess I am at a perfect loss to account for such extraordinary knowledge in an untutored shoemaker , such as Behmen was . " Whence thendid Behmen derive his knowledge ?

, Even Sir Isaac Newton was largely indebted to him . Among Newton ' s papers were found large extracts from oehmen ' s works , written in his own hand , and he thence learnt that attraction is the first and fundamental law of Nature . Of course the scientific elaboration of the axiom

[ s all Newton ' s own , and it detracts nothing from his glory that he learnt the law from Behmen . Newton even went further . He and his relative , Dr . Iveivton , set up furnaces , and were for several months b Rh W ° '" quest of the tincture so largely spoken of

1 could find many references similar to the above , showng that mystical knowledge is not to be despised ; and the literary testimony is of such a character that it could not easily be refuted . Therefore to speak slightingly of mystics M y ur 1 Cal knowlcdge is only a display of ignorance . Hi p ¦ alte has undoubtedly been the strongest enemy th ° ? ' " ucian s have had in this day . After proving to en . - s _^ ctl 0 n ° f many superficial readers that the Rosi-J- r )' Order , vvas founded upon a mystical shadow , he winds up hIS concluding chapter as follows : Rosi •C lte svstems connected with the illustrious in . Clans afe , of course , enveloped in darkness , and , inr-li ° T . with other students of esoteric lore , I am Dos '" .,to consider this darkness does cover a real , and of s K' f ccoveraoll ; ^ nov / ^ dge - The tremendous secrets pintual alchemy are about to surrender at discretion

imn , r s 5 archl ng investigations of the sympathetic and '" Patient student at work in the cause of truth , are m aPPea t' therefore , to those students of occultism who as vveH c ™ eth ° d as well as of imagination , of reason dust an ! f , , ntuit ' o ? j to assist me in clearing away the of oHiv ° tsh which has accumulated during centuries silent c , ? ' . misrepresentation , and calumny , in the

- """ " ¦ uanes ot transcendental sciences . " "Rea ? u- last d ying speech of the book called the Within if it L the Rosicrucians . " And it contains s Pec's th confession thatthe author reveres and re-So manu Se j retsof the Rosicrucians . And I am surprised unnoticed 6 rS ° this book has P assed this paragraph

his op ' inir . n appearance of this book , Mr . Waite has changed knowled ge " & ° - many P ° ints in Rosicrucian history and 'he purnn- t 13 noiv endeavouring to form a socie ' ty for ^ Ration ? £ , yftlcal study and experiment . In a con-« % &» . ?• , , " him , he admitted he had discovered nng wh . gh he ho ' ped would enable him to demon-

A Review Of The True Lines Of Rosicrucianism.

strate the truth of many of the obscure alchemical allegories . He started as a sceptical critic , and spent much time in mystical research , became convinced of his error , and may now be classed as a Rosicrucian Student of no mean ability , although not connected with any society . To those who really wish to know the truth respecting

the actual existence of the ancient order , I may say its existence has been positively established by certain letters which appeared in a German paper about 1885 . The writer , Karl Kisewetter , claims to possess certain MSS . and papers originally belonging to his great grandfather . He says : " My great grandfather was made a member

of the Order at Amsterdam by a certain Tobias Schulze , the then Imperator , and my great grandfather signed as Imperator from 1769 . " Some of the MSS . date back to 1374 , and many of them are signed and stamped with the seal of the Order . They consist of MSS . upon alchemy , philosophy , and Kabbalism , and I am in a position to give an exact

description ol the seal . The seal itself ' was made of brass , but was unfortunately destroyed during a fire at my father ' s house . "It appears from the papers of my greatgrandfather that the last of the Rosicrucians passed their lives in contemplative quiet . It is , however , possible that down to the present century , even the middle of it , there were still

living some genuine Rosicrucians . But I do not think it probable that there is any collection of writings of the Order , similar to that of my great grandfather's now in existence . Although , on account of the strict statutes of the Order , it contains but little of historical value , it is most rich in information on practical matters , and one is struck with astonishment on reading of the innumerable

secret arts , with which the . Rosicrucians were acquainted . " In conclusion , Fratres , I would ask you who have not made up your minds on this important question to at least give the above remarks your earnest consideration , and to remember it is our duty as men ot honour to stand by the Society we have pledged ourselves to support .

1 have brought three or four books with me for your inspection , which will give those who care to look them through some idea of the labour and study required even to reproduce them , and they may even give you some idea of the high intellectual calibre of their authors " although they are but mystics . "

Proposed Presentation To Bro. Madell.

Proposed Presentation to Bro . Madell .

It will be a matter of sincere regret to the numerous visitors at Freemasons' Tavern during the last few years that Bro . Madell , the able and respected manager , is about to be translated to another sphere . During his management it is not too much to say that , while strictly studying the

interests of the firm he represented , he no less strictly consulted the wishes and desires of the visitors , and by his genial manner and friendly bearing has endeared himself to all with whom he has come in contact . We are very pleased to learn that he is not to be allowed

to leave without an expression of goodwill on the part of his old friends , and that steps have been taken to present him with a token of their esteem and regard . Brethren desiring to join in this movement should communicate with Bro . James Terry , at Freemasons' Hall .

Dedication Of New Masonic Premises At Sunderland.

DEDICATION OF NEW MASONIC PREMISES AT SUNDERLAND .

On the afternoon of the 22 nd ult ., the ceremony of dedicating the new habitation for the Williamson Lodge , No . 949 , at 6 , North Bridge-street , vvas performed by the Prov . Grand Master , Sir Hedvvorth Williamson , with the assistance of the Dep . Prov . Grand Master , Canon Tristram , and the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge

of Durham . The cost of the building , the foundation stone of which was laid on December 20 th last , including the furnishings , is estimated at £ 1700 . Among those present at the dedication were Bros . J . Potts , P . J . G . W . ; G . W . Bain , W . M . 949 ; George Porteous , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., D . of C . ; W . Liddell ,

P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; F . Maddison , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . G . Kirtley , Treas . ; A . T . Munro , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . Shadfortb , P . P . S . G . D . ; A . Gray , P . P . G . S . of W . ; R . W . Half night , P . P . G . P . ; M . Douglass , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; R . Singleton , P . M ., P . J . G . D . j T . Potter , P . G . Tyler ; T . Hardy , P . M ., P . G . P . ; J . D . Todd , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; C . S . Lane , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ;

J . C . Moor , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; H . C . Jepps , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; H . ] . Turnbull , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . R . Pattison , P . M ., P . A . G . Sec ; Thomas Randell , P . G . Chap . ; E . J . Gibbon , P . M . 541 , P . P . G . O . Northumberland ; R . Hudson , P . G . Sec , P . G . S . B . of England ; J . Haworth , P . G . C ; and W . A . Malcolm , P . M . 12 , 1

P . P . G . P . The brethren wearing their regalia assembled at the hall , and having signed the attendance book , took their places in the lodge room . Bro . Sir H . Williamson , as the Prov . G . M ., took the chair . Bro . R . HUDSON , Prov . G . Sec , on behalf of the Williamson Lodge , requested the Prov . Grand Master to

dedicate the lodge room for Masonic purposes . The PROV . GRAND MASTER then , with elaborate ceremony , solemnly dedicated the lodge to Freemasonry , virtue and universal benevolence . Subsequently Bro . G . W . Bain vvas re-installed W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . George Porteous , assisted by Bro . W . Liddell .

PRINCESS ' S THEATRE . —On Monday last , June 3 , Miss Grace Hawthorne produced "True Heart , " by Mr . Henry Byatt . The caste includes Messrs . Leonard Boyne , Yorke Stephens , Julian Cross , H . H . Morell , Bassett Roe , Horace Hodges , VV . Parkes , James Lindsay , W . H . Whitehead , and E . W . Garden , Mrs . Frank

Huntley , Misses Helen Leyton , Edith Ostlere , Lucy Sibley , and Miss Grace Hawthorne . New and elaborate scenery has been painted by Messrs . Bruce Smith and Richard C . Durant , and novel mechanical effects have been invented for the great life-boat scene by Mr . John Uouglass . The music has been specially composed by Mr . Charles J . Hargitt ,

The General Life And Fire Assurance Company.

THE GENERAL LIFE AND FIRE ASSURANCE COMPANY .

The 50 th annual meeting of this old and prosperous Company vvas held at the chief office , 103 , Cannon-street , London , on the 29 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . Sir Andrew Lusk , Bart . The Chairman , in moving the adoption of the Report , congratulated the shareholders and complimented the officers on the amount of new life business which had been procured during the year under

review . The new premiums amounted to £ iS , 157 , assuring £ 486 , 08 s , the number of policies ' issued being 1223 , representing an average of about £ 400 . This indicates that the Society reached not only the class of insurers who take out large policies to cover risks incidental to reversions and life interests , but also the middle and thrifty classes whose policies as a rule are for smaller amounts . The number of

proposals declined were 106 for £ 101 , 303 , shewing that the directors and medical officers are cautious in the selection of lives proposed for assurance , and this circumstance may account for the somewhat light rate of mortality experienced by the Company during the past year . The amountadded to the life fund was £ 62 , 187 , asum exceeding any previous annual record . In the fire department the

loss rate vvas heavier than usual , arising from fires which were phenomenal in their extent . Some 1200 buildings were destroyed in a single night in one town where the Company had a fair business . A heavy loss was the consequence , a loss , however , promptly met without the slightest shock to the funds or dividends . The total assets at the end of the year amounted to £ 1 , 149 , 423 , and the

rate of interest realised on the investments was close upon 4 : c per cent ., which may be considered very satisfactory having regard to the first-class character of the investments . Amongst other speakers at the annual gathering was that veteran reformer , the Right Hon . Charles Pelham Villiers , M . P ., the senior member of the board , and sole survivor of the original directors , who proposed the re *

election of the Chairman and Bros . Doe and Strang , the three retiring directors . The Marquis of Exeter , whose family has been connected with this Company for many years past , replied to a resolution of thanks to the board . We congratulate Bro . Ward and his colleagues on the year ' s work , and it gave 115 great pleasure to hear him say at the meeting that he was having better fortune this year

in the fire department , and that even moie life business was being done than was effected during last year . AH connected with this company deserve success , for the office has an unstained reputation , its finances are sound , and its conditions generous and liberal , and as put by the genial and popular baronet , Bro . Lusk , the intention of the management is "To be just and fear not . " We heartily wish the Society further prosperity .

Willing's Selected Theatrical Programme.

WILLING'S SELECTED THEATRICAL PROGRAMME .

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA . Monday , Tuesday , Thursday , and Saturday Evenings , ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA . HER MAJESTY'S THEATRF . Monday , Tuesday , Thursday , and Saturday Evenings , ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA .

ADELPHI THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 , THE HARBOUR LIGHTS ; at 7 . 15 , Farce . GAIETY THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 . 30 , FRENCH PLAYS .

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 . 50 , THAT DOCTOR CUPID ; at 7 . 50 , THE POET . OPERA COM 1 QUE THEATRE . Every Evening , at 9 , THE REAL LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY ; at 8 . 15 , HER OWN RIVAL .

COURT THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 . 30 , A WHITE LIE ; at 8 , IN THP . CORRIDOR . COMEDY THEATRE . Every Evening , at S , A HIGHLAND LEGACY ; at 9 , TENTERHOOKS .

TOOLE'S THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 , COMEDIETTA ; at 8 . 30 , ARTFUL CARDS ; alter which Ici ON PARLE FRANCAIS . SAVOY THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 . 15 , THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD ; at 7 . 20 , MRS . J ARRAMIE ' GENIE .

PRINCE OF WALES'S THEATRE . Every Evening , at S . 15 , PAUL J ONES ; at 7 . 30 , J SMITH . TERRY'S THEATRE . Every Evening , at S . 30 , SWEET LAVENDER .

LYRIC THEATRE . Every Evening , at 8 . 15 , DORIS ; at 7 . 40 , FUNNIBONES ' FIX . ROYALTY THEATRE . Every Evening , at S , MIGNONETTE .

GRAND THEATRE . Every Evening , at S . 15 , CAPTAIN SWIFT ; at 7 . 30 , THAT DREADFUL DOCTOR .

SURREY THEATRE . Every Evening , at 7 . 30 , J UDGE NOT . ROYAL AQUARIUM . Open 12 ( noon ); close 11 . 30 . p . m . Constant Round of Amusement .

ALHAMBRA . Every Evening , at 7 . 30 , Variety Entertainment . Two Grand Ballets , & c . EMPIRE . Every Evening , at 7 . 30 , Variety Entertainment Grand Ballet , DIANA , & C

LONDON PAVILION . Every Evening , Grand Variety Entertainment . CANTERBURY THEATRE OF VARIETIES . Every Evening , at 7 . 30 , Variety Entertainment , Humorous Sketches , Sic .

MADAME TUSSAUD & SONS' EXHIBITION . Open 10 a . m . till 10 p . m . Portrait Models of Past and Present Celebrities . NIAGARA IN LONDON . Open 10 till 10 . Colossal Picture of the Great Falls ,