Mithraic Worship.

cated the Sun ; the proper left the Moon . On a jewel of one of the Principals of the Royal Arch Chapter is a left eye—the same also on Grand Maik Overseer ' s collar jewel , also on that of Primus Stratford Lodge . But on Grand Lodge the P . G . Mark Officer ' s jewel is an irradiated right eye . The Keys again are a well recognised symbol of ancient Sun

worshipas we have seen above , it was used in Mithraic worship , and is also the well known emblem of Janus , the Sun-god of Italy . They have an important place in Masonic symbolism . Wilh the ancients the left hand indicated Equity and Justice , the right was a token of Fidelity and Friendship . ( See Gal . II ., 6 th verse ) .

In Greece and Rome , and in still more ancient times , it was a common practice for the portrait of the owner to be engraved on his teal . In the case of a ruler , its impress gave validity to his deeds or edicts . In the writers possession is a curious triple seal presumably Persian , since the portrait engraved on one face bears the strongest resemblance to an illustration ( figured in Sir W . Ouseley's work on his travels in Persia

and elsewhere ) of a fragment of ancient sculpture , representing a head styled Persepolitan . On another seal is a hand—the left one , the palm showing—the thumb and first finger are touching each other , and on the third seal is engraved a plant ( with its roots ?) which has three large ovate leaves . All these impressions are in intaglio , and surrounded with inscriptions in the old Petevi character . The head-dress of the portrait is a round cap , fitting

closely to the head , the brim turned up and forming a roll , this form is now worn by the so-called Tnlni Parsis of Bombay . The head on the firstnamed seal we may assume to have been the portrait of some monarch or ruler , * the second impression—the hand—may have been used by him to sign judicial documents ; and the plant , on the third seal , for matters concerning land , and the agricultural population of his dominions .

The level represented on the aprons and other articles of Masonic clothing , we take to be a form of the Tau or the Egyptian Cross ; we also see the so-called Triple Tau , or cross of St . Anthony as it has been styled ; in some respects this may be held to be the emblem of all emblems—to represent the Trinity , the H being Jehovah , and the T or cross the Son .

The moon , as a crescent , is only once represented ( on a jewel of the Allied Degrees of the Royal Ark ) ; she was , apparently , not so popular as the Sun , while her identity seems also to hai e been veiled , but priests were set apart for her worship , as appears from a Persian seal in my collection .

Doubtless , those who have been admitted into the higher Degrees of Freemasonry will be able to find more symbolic analogies between it and Mithraic Sun worship , than has bien possible for one who but stands on the threshold and has no acquaintance with Oriental languages : such research might probably well repay the student . H . M . A . May , 1898 .

Secret Monitor.

Secret Monitor .

GRAND COUNCIL . A meeting of Grand Conclave was held at Freemasons' Tavern , Great Oueen-street , on the 29 th ult . The M . W . Bro . the Earl of Warwick , Grand Supreme Ruler , presided , and was supported by Bros . I . Zacharie , P . G . S . R . ; W . J . Spratling , G . Recorder ; W . Cockcroft , P . G . V . ; H . W . Kiallmark , P . G . S . B . ; Col . H . M . Gordon , P . G . C ; Dr . H . W . Roberts , P . G . B . B . ; H . Pearce , M . D ., P . G . S . B . ; W . J . Songhurst , F . E . Lemon ,

M . A ., T . Ralling , W . Tyler , John Read , J . Lustie , R . T . Redman , J . W . Goodinge , J . Fielden , S . R . 25 ; John Kay , P . G . Stwd . ; J . R . Reep , J . Lewis Thomas , P . G . S . R . ; J . Tickle , P . G . T . ; J . M . Bastone , P . G . G . ; J . J . Pakes , P . G . V . ; Newton Crane , and many others . The Grand Conclave was opened , the G . S . R . saluted , and the roll of conclaves called .

The minutes were confirmed and the GRAND RECORDER reported the loss , by death , of several brethren during the past year , including Bros , Hewett , of Madras , Lamette , Col . Molyneux , J . B . Cummings , and others . The reports of the Executive Committee and Grand Visitors were read , Your Grand Visitors beg to

report—I . Thatthesummonses from the variousconclaves havebeen regularly forwarded to us , that we or one of us , have attended as often as circumstances permitted and that we have been invariably well received . In every case the conclaves were working loyally on regular lines and in some cases the work was carried on with great ability and enthusiasm . We would point out that in a few cases we have been compelled to call attention to the absence of any report on the part of the

Visiting Deacons . As we read the Constitutions this is not right ; the Visiting Deacons must make a report , and the conclave must thereby bc kept in touch with the condition of every brother . Wc hold that it is this which differentiates our Order from other Degrees in Freemasonry , and we would suggest that a circular embodying these facts be addressed to every Supreme Ruler of every conclave in the Order .

2 , We are pleased to report that the conclave of instruction has been vigorously worked during the year much to the advantage of the working of the Officers . We desire to impress upon thebrethren the great advantage accruing to those who perfect themselves with the ritual . Our ever popular Bro . Tickle has taken this matter under his special charge , and the comfort of the members has been greatly enhanced by an arrangement he has made for the use of a convenient

room at Kennans Hotel , near his office , 68 , Cheapside . Bros . Pakes , Brokenshire , and Songhurst , are indefatigable in their efforts to mike the attendants proficient in their work , and in our opinion deserve ( with Bro . Tickle ) thc heirty thanks of Grand Council and Grand Conclave for the interest they have shown in the matter . We learn that at Brighton similar efforts have been mads by Bro . Dr . Upton , S . R . of No . 10 , and with similar success .

3 . Our term of office has been a pleasant 011 = and we are grateful to the brethren for many kindnesses received . Dated this 20 th day of June , 1808 .

The G . S . R . was declared duly installed and proclaimed accordingly , Bro . the Earl of WARWICK , addressing the brethren , said he felt most deeply the great honour done him b y his re-election . At thc meeting of Grand Council he had said how much he had at heart the welfare of their Order . As its head he must bear the heat and burden of the day , and use

Secret Monitor.

his best efforts to place the Order on a satisfactory footing—not only satisfactory to themselves , but also to maintain it in the eyes of Masonry in the important position it ought to occupy . It was unnecessary for him to repeat the whole of their history , but he might say that he and others joined some years ago , under the most pleasant auspices . He was introduced by the late Grand Secretary , Col . Clerke -whose connection with it gave the

Order a mark that it was worthy of support . He then felt it a great honour , and nothing he had heard since made him abate one jot or tittle ' from that feeling . From some reason or other—he would not ascribe motives , as every true Mason must be prompted by the best motives , although mistaken—a hard set had been made against the Order , and use had been made of the fact that they gave a warrant to the Rocklands Conclave , contrary to the wishes

of the Supreme Order in Virginia , which had been in communication with the Allied Degrees , of which the Earl of Euston was the head , and Bro . Matier the . Grand Secretary . The brethren were willing to return the warrant , and if lhat was sent back there could be nothing at issue between them and the Supreme Order in Virginia . He ought to add that a circular was issued from the Allied Degrees forbidding ali members from being concerned

with the body of which he was the head . It was a matter which he should be justified in bringing before Mark Grand Lodge in their behalf , for some explanation . He hoped to bs able to report shortly that they were in a better position , and would do his best to p ' ut the Order in as honourable a position as when it was entrusted to his charge . The following Grand Officers were appointed , those present being invested :

M . W . Bro . Issachar Zacharie , M . D . ... ... I . P . G . S . R . R . W . „ His Honour Judge F . A . Philbrick , Q . C . D . R . O . „ „ The Right Hon . the Earl of Halsbury ( Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain ) ... ... ... G . Chancellor .

„ W . Cockcroft , J . P ., P . G . V ., P . S . R . 26 ... G . Treasurer . „ C E . Keyser , J . P ., P . G . V ., 5 ... G . Chamberlain . „ H . W . Kiallmark , P . G . Std . Br ., P . S . R . 9 ... ... ... G . Guide . „ „ Colonel H . M . Gordon , P . G . Gdr ., P . S . R . S ... ... ... P . G . Guide .

„ „ W . J . Spratling , B . Sc , P . Prov . G . Treas . Middx ., P . S . R . 2 and 8 ... G . Recorder . „ Dr . H . W . Roberts , P . G . B . B ., S . R . 1 ... ) „ C Moore Jessop , P . G . C , P . G . Stwd ., \ G . Visitors . P . S . R . 9 ... ... .. J

„ „ H . Pearce , M . D ., P . G . Std . Br ., P . S . R . 10 ... ... ... P . G . Visitor . V . W . „ W . J . Songhurst , Pres . Bd . G . Stewards , 1 S 97 ... ... ... G . Std . Br . „ „ D . R . Chickgur , P . G . Std ., P . S . R . 23 ... P . G . Std . Bearer . R . W . „ J . J . Thomas , P . G . V ., P . S . R . 5 and 8 ... G . D . C . V . W . „ Joseph Waldie Peirson , P . G . Std .,

P . S . R . 22 ... ... ... P . G . D . C . „ „ R . T . Redman , P . G . Std ., S . R . 26 ... G . Bow Bearer . „ „ C . D . Furdomjee , P . G . Std ., P . S . R . 23 P . G . Bow Bearer . „ „ J . W . Goodinge , P . G . Std ., S . R . 5 ... G . Gdr . „ „ Elliot Hill , G . Std ., S . R . 28 ... ... P . G . Gdr . „ „ J . Fielden , S . R . 25 ... . A ., „ John Kay , P . G . Std ., I

„ 11 J- Robertson Reep , Sec . Bd . G . Stwds ., > G . Councillors . 1 S 97 ... ... ... I „ „ C M . Rostomjee , S * R . 16 ,.. ... J Bro . T . C . Edmonds , 1 ... ... ... G . Sentinel .

The following are members of the Executive Committee for the year : Nominated by the G . S . R .: R . W . Bros . J . Lewis Thomas , F . S . A ., P . G . S . R ., and Japheth Tickle , CC . Lond ., P . G . T . ; elected by Grand Council : R . W . Bros . J . M . Bastone , P . G . G . ; W . Cockcroft , P . G . V . ; J . J . Pakes , P . G . V . * , J . J . Thomas , P . G . V ., P . G . D . C ; and V . W . Bro . J . A . Thilthorpe , P . G . Std . Br .

The following Grand Stewards were invested : Bros . F . W . Kendall and Charles Lee , 1 ; A . Stanley Bury , 2 ; Edward N . Glaeser and Ruthven Finlayson , 5 ; Frank Adams , 8 ; C J . Gallard and Tom Ryder , 10 ; W . J . Fricker , 11 ; A . J . Cooper Oakley , 14 ; J . H . Crossley , 15 ; E . C .

R \ ce-Oxley , 16 ; Cecil Holiday , 18 and 19 ; W . Clement Tyler , 21 ; W . Crossley , 22 ; Jas . Rogers , 23 ; R . Newton Crane , 24 ; Joseph Lord , 25 ; J . li . Williams , 2 C ; C . L . Nelson , P . G . Gdr ., 27 , * Rev . F . C Clarke , M . A ., 28 ; F . A . White and John Joseph C Turner , 29 ; and J . A . Kirkland , 30 .

Letters of regret were received from ^ Bros . Sir Thomas Wright , F . A . Philbrick , E . Letchworth , Baron de Ferrieres , and others , regretting their inability to attend . Bro . J . TICKLE , P . G . Treas ., expressed the hope that all Secret Monitors who were Mark Master Masons would attend the next Mark Grand Lodge lo support their G . S . R ., and the Grand Conclave was then closed .

A banquet was afterwards held , at which the M . W . Grand Supreme Ruler presided , and the usual toasts followed . "The Queen and the Order of the Secret Monitor , " and " H . R . H . the M . W . Grand Master , " were first heartily honoured . " The M . W . Grand Supreme Ruler " was proposed by Bro . l . ZACHARIE ,

P . G . S . R ., who said that as the Earl of Warwick was so well known it was unnecessary to sing his praises . It was a great satisfaction to see that distinguished brother again installed as G . S . R ., and from the expressions he had used they would find him a giant in their cause . No brother could have done more for the Order , or would do more than the G . S . R . when the

time came . The toast was enthusiastically received with musical honours . The M . W . GRAND SUPREME RULER , in response , said it had given him great pleasure to be present . The song they had just sung was always given with greater cordiality in Masonry than elsewhere , and those were the feelings which should animate them in Masonry , in private life , in their relations one to another , and it was the line they should take in their Order

in connection with other bodies . Whatever discussions they had , let it go forth that they were in amity together , and whatever line he took he should endeavour to remember that he was a Freemason . The ultimate result of all Freemasonry was Charity , and now that the Order was getting firmly established he should like to see a Charity Fund started , and he was sure he need not impress upon them that as their members increased so should their charitable work . They would thus be uniting together and make this Order a lasting success in this country . They had an assurance that their