Masonic Oration,

become fitted to appreciate , and wisely to use the discoveries of the masters . An appeal to history , even the history of the last century , as well as to the customs of many countries in the present day , will prove this ; and Ave find the secrets of every

craft carefully treasured by its members , and defended by laAV ; none being permitted to engage in the practice of any art or profession until the term of apprentiseship or study had been faithfully served . ( To be continued . )

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

AXCIE 2 TT 3 IXSTEEIES . A foreign brother requests English Freemasons will assist him " in his great undertaking iu relation to the doctrines taught in the ancient mysteries . " In what way , however , English Freemasons can so assist , my brother has omitted to mention . —C . P . COOPEE .

SANS EOI . "Une societe sans foi est une societe qui se meurt . "—From a bundle of Masonic memoranda in Brother Purton Cooper's manuscript collections . Vi ) parr ^( tt . aei TloWa SiSaa'xo ^ iei'os . The annual festival of the Provincial Grand Lod

ge of Kent was , iu 1807 , held at Canterbury . According to a usage , which , I trust , will never be discontinued , we in the morning attended divine service in the cathedral . On coming out a clergyman addressed me , and with some difficulty I recognised in him au Oxford contemporary . We had not met for more

than a quarter of a century . In the evening we had a long conversation together . The conversation , very naturally under the circumstances , was Freemasonry as a universal institution . He was wholly unacquainted with it . I explained its nature aud its object at considerable length . At parting my Oxford

contemporary exclaimed " r-npa > a ( i rioWa SiSao- ^ o / ieyos , " adding that our conversation furnished an additional proof how true in his case the saying was . " I have now , " he continued , "learnt for ' the first time that , in a half-civilised country , the English Freemason may be a useful auxiliary of the Christian missionary . "—C . P . COOPEE .

SECRET SOCIETIES . —FEEEMASONET . My dear young friend , once more it is fancy , and not reason , that guides you . It seems now you assert that , iu secret societies of various countries and various ages , you have discovered Freemasonry , because you have discovered that , in such societies , certaiwords and

n signs were used . Be assured , however , that freemasonry consists in something very different from any such words and signs . It consists in doctrines . Take away those doctrines , and leave only the words and tlie signs , and Freemasonry disajipears at once . —C . P . Cooi'EE . THE JEWS . —THE GREEKS . Freemasonry was possible amongst the Jews before

it was possible amongst the Greeks . —From a bundle of Masonic memoranda in Bro . Purton Cooper ' s manuscript collections . THE PIOUS FREEMASON . Dear Brother you are mistakenfor I

will-, , readily answer your question . The pious Freemason . Avho possesses no positive religion I regard as a priest of the Great Architect of the Universe . — 0 . P . COOPEE .

j THE METEMPSYCHOSIS . The doctrine of the Metempsychosis is incompatible with true Freemasonry . —From a manuscript in Bro .. Purton Cooper ' s Masonic collections entitled " Freemasons' Table Talk . " SIR ISAAC NEWTON . —THE GEEAT AECHITECT OE

THE TOUVEESE . Brother , Voltaire ' s words are that Sir Isaac Newton never pronounced the name of the Great Architect of the Universe " qu ' nvec un air de recueillement et de respect tres remarquable . " Yoltaireadds " cette coutume doit 6 tre celle de tous

les-, hommes . "—C . P . COOPEE . A QUESTION . Before Jesus Christ came , in what nation of tbe world could Freemasonry have existed ? This is the question that was asked by me last spring at a

certain Masonic meeting , Hue , Paris . As & correspondent states , two brothers promised a joint answer . As yet , the answer has not yet reached me . —C . P . COOPEE .

BLOCK OP MARBLE AK " D JTASOJTRr . I say yes , Brother , you may compare your barbarous tribe to a block of marble , but then you must compare the Freemason dwelling with it , whois without religion , to the statuary possessed of tha block of marblebut who is without a chisel . —0 P

, . . COOPEE . When and where was St . Alban initiated into Freemasonry ? Is the name of the lodge known ?—F . WCan any brother give a correct explanation of what is meant by the following extract , which has evidently been cut from American

an paper . Does it relate toa Temperance Society clothed in the garb somewhat similar of a Masonic , Foresters , Odd Fellows , or Druids lodge ? Who knows anything of this Independent Order of Good Templars?—A [ TNUEPENDEXT OEDEE OE GOOD FELLOAVS . —

The fourth annual session of the Grand Lodge of Prince Edward Island , was held at Lot 4-8 , on Thursday , 27 th June . The representation was larger than usual- Officers and members evinced their usual desire for the promotion and extension of the cause of Temperance and the elevation of our race . Every

other consideration was laid aside , and the business of tbe session transacted with despatch . Temperance ,, under whatsoever form advocated , was hailed with delight ; but whatever hindered its advancement was looked upon Avith sorrow . The progress made by the Order during the past year is very satisfactory . Both , numerically and financially it is in a stronger and firmer condition than at any previous period of its existence on this island . It now bids fair to make