Masonic Notes And Queries.

the Rabbi answered : ' They are of different tribes and kindred , the dwellers of all lands which the Lord hath made , whose names are writben AA'ith Ben Adam ' s pen in the roll of those who love their fellowmen . ' And while they yet spake , came a Avayfaring man in tattered garments , aged , and leaning on a staff And those who were Avibb the Rabbi gave him each a piece of money ,

and the Mufti corn of plenty , and the Rabbi a bottle of wine for refreshment , and the Theologue oil , saying : ' Let this be for thy joy , and IIOAV do I perceive that Charity is no respecter of persons ; ' ancl they entered all into the temple . "And Avhen the Rabbi and his brethren , by certain ancient and significant observances , had ministered unto

the Theologue , did his heart conceive the things of most excellent beauty . And they stood by the altar ; and bhe smoke of bhe incense Avent up , aud behold the wayfaring man stood in the smoke glorified , and he was the angel come again . And he said to the Theologue : ' Did not I tell thee thou shouldst overcome much bigotry and sin ? ' And the Theologue said to the others : 'It is good to be here ; let us build here three tabernaclesone for us , ancl one for the sbranger Avho may como hither to sojourn , and one for the angel that Avaitebh . ' "

PANTHEISM AND MtEEJIASONItY . _ The first question of " Oxoniensis" has been communicated to mo . He asks , Whebher an adherent of Pantheism can properly bo received into our Craft ? My answer is , that the God of Freemasons is essenbially a personal God , and bhab if tbe adherenb of Pantheism rejects a personal Godand—to use the words of an extract

, from some recent publication , the title of Avhich has escaped my recollection— " he substitutes the ideal principle of order that pervades the universe , " he cannot properly be received into our Craft . My " if" shall be explained Avhen the second question which " Oxoniensis " announces comes to hand . —CIUULES PUHTON COOPER .

EZKA THE SCKIBE . Many Royal Arch Companions will be pleased , and surprised , by the folloAving announcement : — " The Jevre in the heart of Asia are bestirring themselves to erect a monument to the memory of Ezra the Scribe , the great restorer of their sacred Avritings , after having' rested in his honoured grave for nearly 2 , 500

years . The spob which the most aucienb tradition has designated as his grave , ancl tlie correctness of AA'hich there is no reason to doubt , lies in tho desert , near the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris , and the monument to be established is the only one befitting the memory of a man as much venerated by Chrisbians as JBAVS—viz ., a college for the sbudy of the writings preserved through his caro for the civilised Avorld . Coabributions for this purpose have been forwarded from Bombay , London , and Paris . "—Jcicish Chronicle .

A MASONIC SIGN-BOARD . In 1762 one Bonnell Thornton conceived tho idea of gathering together a collection of tavern and shop signboards , and exhibiting them to the public . This he did at his own house , in the large room , at the upper end of Bow-street , Covent Garden , nearly opposibe the playhouse passage . From the catalogue ( very rarely to be

met with)— "No . 23 , is A Freemason ' s Lodge ; or , the Impenetrable Secret . By a SAVOI ' Brother . The ceremony and probable consequences of what is called ' making a Mason , ' represents the Master of the lodge with a red-hob salamander in his hand , and the new brother blindfold , and in a comical situation of fear and good luck . "

Out of this arises two queries . First , To what place of entertainment did this sign belong ? Second , Does any one knoAV where it is noAV or Avhat became of it ? MAHL-STICK .

WHAT IS PEEEJIASONEY ? Rob Morris says : — "In the words of Sir Walter Scott , Freemasonry ' is the secret sympathy , The silver link , the silver tie , Which heart to hearb and mind to mind , In body and in soul can bind . '

"All its plans are pacific . Ib co-operates with religion in regulating the temper , restraining the passions , and harmonizing the discordant interesbs of men ; breathes a spirit of universal love and benevolence ; adds one more thread to the silken cord of charity , which binds man to man . Religion is the golden cord which unites man to GodMasonry the silver line which runs from man to

; man . In its bosom AOAVS cherrily the milk of human kindness , and its hearb expands wibh love and charity . Ib wears the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit , at peace Avith God , ibself , and the world . " With one hand she extends the peaceful olive branch ; with this she administers succour to the distressed . The more it is examinedthe more beautiful it appears ; the

, more a Mason searches into the science , the more he loves the Craft . It is like the humble fly , which vieAved with the naked eye of science and understanding , displays beauties far exceeding the utmost expectation . Masonry has met with many persecutions and enemies : but like the silver seven times tried in the fire , it rises each time more brilliant and more worthy our esteem . Prior said

' It is like the ladder in the patriarch's dream , Its foot on earbh , ibs height above the skies , Diffused ibs virtue , boundless in its power ; 'Tis public health and universal cure , Of heavenly manna , 'tis a second feast , A nation ' s food , and all to every taste . ' " Ex . Ex .

THE DEGREES AS EMBLEMS . Bro . Rob Morris , in one of his publications , writes : — "Let us suppose the Blue Lodge to be the emblem of life—fit emblem too , it truly is . The candidate desirous of obtaining its favours , is , before his admission , in darkness , so far as . a correct knowledge of the Institution is concerned . He applies for

admission , is found Avorthy , and duly initiated . He pursues his investigations until ho becomes proficient as an Entered Apprentice . When fully instructed in thab degree , he discovers that he has only received partial light , that if he would be truly proficient , he must still press onward and make further acquisitions . Acbuated by such laudable motiveshe advances to the degree of

, FelloAV Craft . Here he finds much to learn—much of science , ancl much of a prabical nabure . Much that requires tho matured reason of manhood to acquire . By patience and perseverance , he , hoAvever , abtains some degree of knoAvledge , but only to be the more conscious

that there is the greater necessity of his attaining the Master Mason's Degree . He attains to and pursues his labour in the third degree . And as he ultimately surveys all there is of Masonry Avhich lies beyond , the dark mysteries that enshrouded his mind are at last solved ; the doubts he entertained are fled ; and his hopes have become realities . He can IIIIOAV no more of Kasonry ; he

has it all ! " What a true picture of Masonic progress , and hoAv emblematical of Life ancl Eberniby . From the darkness and inexperience of childhood , Ave are initiated into the Degree of partial light , denominated Touth . Youth lingers but for a day , and from which Ave pass on to the Degree of Manhood . In this degree the mind matures .

In it man performs his most chivalric deeds , surmonts the greatest obstacles aud makes the most profound philosophical researches . Still with all his vigour of body and strength of mind , he is but finite . With all his acquirements , much of life is to him a mystery . The more elaborate his examination , the more clearly he sees