The Rose Croix.

Faith , Hope , and Charity , aud they take the place of the pillars of Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty , which supported the Temple of Solomon . The three great lights of the symbolic degrees necessarily remain , as without them . Masonry

would cease to exist ; but the three lesser lights are replaced by thirty-three others , which allude to the years of our Redeemer's sojourn upon ? 3 arth . In our sketch we have arranged the most

important symbols of the Rose Croix in the form of a tracing board , from a brief explanation of which an idea may be formed of the true design of the degree .

The rose is an emblem of the Messiah who is frequently alluded to in the scriptures under that figurative appellation ; the cross as will be recognised , is a symbol of his death , thus the cross bearing on its centre a full blown rose , is a simple

aud beautiful emblem of the death of him who is the Rose of Sharon . The pelican from a supposed habit of feeding its young with its own blood , has been adopted as a symbol of Christ shedding his blood for the salvation of mankind . The eagle

from the custom attributed to it of bearing aloft its feeble young on its own wings , to assist them in their flight , is chosen as an emblem of our . Saviour teaching the children of his adoption , to

soar from the temptations and corruptions of the world to a hig her and holier sphere , " As an eagle stirreth up her nest Flutteretb . over her young Spreadeth her pinions , taketb . them Beareth them on her wings

So the Lord alone did lead him , And there was no strange God with him . " Deuteronomy XXXII . 11 and 12 . The seven concentric circles allude to the seven periods of the worlds existence , and to an early part of the ceremonial of the degree .

The jewel of the Rose Croix is a compass extended on an arc to 60 ° , and surmounted by a seven pointed antique crown ; enclosed by the compass , is a cross , bearing on its centre a full blown rose , whose stem entwines the lower limb

of the cross , a pelican stands in its nest at the foot of the cross , feeding seven young birds with blood from its own breast ; on the reverse of the jewel is a white eagle , with wings extended as if rising in the air .

In England and Wales the Rose Croix forms the 18 ° of the Ancient and Accepted Rite and is conferred in a Sovereign Chapter Rose Croix of H . R . D . M . the recipient being constituted a perfect Prince Rose Croix of H . R . D . M . or Knight of

the White Eagle or Pelican . The degree Rose Croix is highly esteemed hj continental Masons , and its possession will be found of great service to brethren wishing to visit lodges in France , Germany , Prussia , Portugal , & c .

Enough has been said to demonstrate the eminently christian character of this degree and though forming no part of pure symbolic Masonry , the Rose Croix cannot fail to be admired as a beautiful adoption of the sublime and all tolerant

principles of Craft Masonry to a system of more christian application . Y \ e conclude our remarks on this sublime degree with the anthem sung at the closing of a chapter . Grateful notes and numbers bring ,

While the " name of God " we sing ; Holy , Holy , Holy Lord , Be thy glorious name adored .