The Landmarks Of Freemasonry.

the lecture of the first degree contained six sections ; that of the second degree , four ; and that of the third , tAvelve . But at the union of the two Grand Lodges of England , in the year 1813 , Bro . Samuel Hemming was appointed by his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex , the Grand Master , to collect the

scattered elements of Freemasonry , and to arrange the ceremonies and lectures in order to carry out the resolution of the Lodge of Reconciliation , viz .: — " That there shall be the most perfect unity of obligation , of discipline , of Avorking the lodges , of making , passing , and raising , instructing , and clothing the

brothers , so that one pure unsullied system , according to the genuine landmarks , laws , and traditions of the Craft , shall be maintained , upheld , and practised throughout the Masonic world , from the day and date of the said union , until time shall be no more ; " but although he commenced the undertaking , he never

finished it , for after a long delay his mind failed . Bro . William Williams , the Prov . Grand Master for Dorsetshire , Avas then appointed . He undertook and completed the task , and organized and established the system disseminated by the late Bro . Peter Gilkes , and which is used in this Emulation Lodge of

Improvement , and now practised by most lodges under the English constitution . The lecture in the first or Entered Apprentices ' degree , according to Bro . Williams' system , describes the proper method of initiation , supplies the means of qualifying us for our privilegesrationallaccounts

, y for the ceremonies peculiar to this degree , and of testing the claims of others , explains the nature and principles of our institution , instructs us in the form and construction of the lodge , and furnishes some

important lessons on the various virtues which should ¦ distinguish a Freemason . The lecture in the second or Fellow Crafts' degree , recapitulates the ceremony of passing a candidate , directs the candidate to an attentive study of the liberal arts and sciences , describes the construction of King Solomon's Templeand ives an account of the

, g ancient division of our institution into operative and speculative Masons . The lecture in the third or Master Masons' degree , illustrates the ancient or proper method of raising a candidate to the sublime degree , the traditional history of the order , exemplifies an important instance of

Masonic virtue , and explains the various emblems of this degree . These constitute the simple text of Freemasonry , whilst the extended illustrations Avhich are given to them by an inteligent master or lecturer , and which he can onlderive from a careful studof scripture

y y , of history , of the liberal arts and sciences , and of the works of learned Masonic writers , constitute the commentary , Avithout which the simple text would be comparatively barren and uninstructive . These commentaries are the philosophy of Freemasonry , and without an adequate knoAvledge of them no brother

can be entitled to claim our technical title of a " bright Freemason . " In relation to to this subject the following remark in the Freemasons' Quarterly Pevieio deserves particular attention , viz .: — " Our Masonic society has to this day many interesting symbols in its instructions , when properly explained by a scientific lecturer , and not garbled by ignorant pretenders , who by dint merely of a good memory and some assurance , intrude themselves on a

The Landmarks Of Freemasonry.

well informed assembly of brethren , by giving a lecture not composed by themselves , but taught them verbatim " A brother of skill and intelligence , entrusted with the task of instructing the lodges in the proper method of work , in the ceremonies , usages , legends ,

history , and science of the order , is called a lecturer . It is a most important office , and he who undertakes it ought to be perfectly acquainted Avith Freemasonry , and not only have received a liberal education , but ought also to possess the true spirit of oratory .. His -orations or lectures ought to produce an impression

on the minds of his hearers . He has something more to do than merely recite the ritual ; he ought to be enabled to teach the brethren Freemasonry , or the bearing of moral truths upon the science , in an agreeable and instructive manner , and not in mere mystical forms ; he will then be willinllistened to by the

gy brethren . Some discourses are appropriate to certain seasons , but even these the lecturer ought to be able to make interesting , in order that they may not appear as mere repititions . The appointment of a lecturer should always emanate either from the Grand Master , the Grand Lodge , or the Board of General

Purposes . I haA'e now concluded this essay , which I have curtailed in order that it might not prove tiresome , but I hope that the little which has been said , will convince you of the importance of maintaining the ancient landmarks of our order , the incompatabilities of innovation , and in a slight degree , instruct you in the history and designs of our lectures .

Architecture Of Palestine From The Earliest Times To The Crusades.

ARCHITECTURE OF PALESTINE FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE CRUSADES .

Continued from page 427 . Period of Constantine . When the aecession of Constantine the Great to tlie hrone had secured the triumph of the Cross , Palestine witnessed a vast architectural movement , and a number of churches were erected in localities rendered celebrated

by the evangelical mission of Our Saviour ( and Avliich had been moistened with His blood ) . From this cause , in the fourth century , Jerusalem attracted the special attention ofthe Christian monarch and his pious mother : and here was erected a basilica which silver , arfc , and precious materials combined to render worthy of their piety and magnificenceI Avill first describe the Basilica of the

. Resurrection , and then proceed to other monuments , the Avork of the first Byzantine emperor . It will , I think , be interresting to my hearers if I " give some description of the Sepulchre of Christ , over which Constantine erected the Temple . I cannot stop to consider all the objections brought against the authenticity of the tomb , but Avill merely observe that the tomb exists , and that I have

seen it . In the neighbourhood of the city , particularly on the north and east , tombs cut in the rocks may still be seen . Many are in a ruinous condition , others are more perfect . They are composed of two divisions : the vestibule and the sepulchral chamber ; the latter closed by means of a stone of elliptic form . The Evangelist SfcMatthew ( xxxvii 60 ) describes an occurrence which

. . may be Avitnessed in the present day in the same locality : "And Joseph laid the body in his OAvn neAV tomb , which he had hewn oufc in the rock ; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre , and departed . Christ ' s sepulchre , as at present existing , is divided