Classical Theology.—Lxi.

thenin cruel slander ; the character of a man is bis greatest treasure , squander it not , therefore , for once spent it can never be recovered . It is , indeed , like the breath of life , take it away and it can never be restored . Wound a man ' s body , or impair his health , the surgeon or physician may heal the one or restore the other ; injure his property and thou maystif thou hast it btheerestore

, y , Mm fourfold ; but if you woundst bis good name , ten thousand words will seldom restore what a few syllables have blasted . Keep , then , the door of thy lips . Think the best ancl never speak the worst ; reverence and imitate others good , but to all their defects , whether real or imaginary , unless plain duty should call thee to speak ont , be a Mason in secresyand thus to the curious world

, prove that one of the secrets of Masonry is tho concealment of a brother ' s fault , if discovery can neither amend nor efface it . But , again , there are brethren , of good report for uprightness of life and for purity of intention , who are often , from deficiency of judgment or from infirmity of temper , betrayed into errors of the tongue , causing great detriment to Masonry and to tho cause of good in general .

Such seem to find a perverse pleasure in speaking harsh truths in the harshest manner , and sometimes even go beyond the limits of justice in the severity of their reproofs , thereby estranging the affections of their brethren , and undoing all that would else be effected by their otherwise blameless conduct and unimpeachable zeal . To such I would say , " Te know not what manner of spirit ye are

of / ' nor what injury ye are working to the cause that , in spite of errors of judgment , ye have sincerely at heart . 0 , study to speak gently . Think how you would feel were other eyes as keen to mark , and other tongues as sharp to coment , on whatever there may be of infirmity in you , as you are in the case of others . 0 , study to speak gentlyfor gentleness has never yet done harmancl

, , severity but seldom done good . 0 , study to speak gently ; so shall your good example go in tenfold weight , and your good advice tenfold influence , when men see that both spring from tbe true spirit of brotherly love . If you gain nothing else you will at least have gained this , that none have , in your needless harshness , met with a stumbling block . But as the love which , confined to the heart finds

no expression in the tongue , is barren and unprofitable , even so it is with the love which , free in words , is close and niggardly indeed . To pity the distress ancl to relieve the necessities of the afflicted , this is to imitate the example of an elder brother , who went about doing good , and at last gave his life for the destruction of the greatest misery of all , the misery of sin . To imitate in our human

connections , as far as human frailty permits this glorious pattern , medicine is to be given to the sick , the hungry are to be fed , the naked are to be clothed , the sorrowful heart is to be comforted , the wanderer is to be recalled into the paths of peace , the ignorant are to be taught . These are the offices of the loving heart , and this is ' the character of the true Christian and Mason—to be regardless of

our own pleasures that we may soothe the grief of our afflicted brother . But some without will say , is this ITasonry ? These are no more than the old precepts of the Gospel , which day by day are from this place sounded in our ears . Well , my brethren , it is true . The morality of Masonry ancl the morality of the Gospel are one . The bright sistersMasonry and Christianitywalk lovingl

, , y side by side on their path of duty , nor ever part company , save when Christianity spreads her angel wings ancl soars aloft into those regions of Divine light , where nought merely of the earth can follow her . I say , then , to my fellow Masons , ye who walk in the light love your brethren . Seek tbe cottage of affliction , support the aching head , speak words of hope to the dingcherish the han

y , orp , thus fulfilling the words of him who hath taught us that / pure religion ancl undefiled before God , even the father , is this , to visit tho fatherless and widows in their aieffltion , and to keep himself unspotted -from the Avorld . " And you , my brethren , whose lodge we this day dedicate to the glory of God , suffer , I beseech you , the word

of exhortation . Masonry is here no strange thing ; and on your good conduct or misconduct it mainly depends whether it shall fulfil its intention as a mighty agent for good , or shall become a byeword of reproach amongst your neighbours . Your master and wardens , therefore , I exhort so to preside in the lodge that rebellion may never be excited boverbearing conductnor license spring

y , up from lack of due authority and pusillanimous lenity , ever remembering that authority may be very mild , yet very steadfast . It should be ever lenient , yet never timid . It should always be at once a sceptre of peace and security to the good and the obedient , and a rod of righteous correction to the wanton anrl rebellious . The other brethren

« I exhort to submission to rule and order , to perseverance in the paths of duty , contentment in their station , and reverence to their superiors , fitting themselves to govern by submitting to obey . All alike I remind that they have an example to set to those without ; I bid them , therefore serve and fear God , and strive by his grace to do their duty ; avoiding all things which may disgrace themselves

aud bring scandal on the Craft : never letting our wholesome enjoyment when work is done degenerate into riot and excess ; but in all things striving to approve themselves good husbands , fathers , brothers , citizens , to the glory of God most high . Above all things , my brethren , have fervent charity among yourselves , that it may be said of youas it was said of the Christians of old" see

, , how these Masons love one another . " ' We may talk of religion , its doctrines , its precepts , its privileges ; we may talk of philosophy , with all its train of human perfections and acquirements ; we may talk of Masonry , boast of ite secresy , its science , and its morals ; but if our religion is void of love to God ancl man , if our philosophy is not

pbilanthrophy , or if our Masonry is not activity in doing good , —then , away with religion , it is an empty nameaway with philosophy , it is bub sounding brass—away with Masenry , it is a tinkling cymbal . But , beloved , let it not be so with you . Here , says religion , soothe this troubled breast , teach resignation to that sorrowing heart . Here , bring medicine to heal this sick father and

restore him to his weeping wife ; feed this famishing infant , dry yon weeping widow ' s tears , and let not her cry of sorrow be a cause against thee before God . Tes , daily , my brethren , daily let the secresy of your Masonic benevolence be known to him who seeth in secret , telling of tears wiped away , sighs lost in thankfulness , groans turned to praises of Godi of him to liht Avhich

, gnorance g leadeth unto life ; so in that awful day , when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed , then shall they who have curiously enquired of our secret , ancl perhaps thought hard things of our mysteries , learn with Avonder that the greatest deep of Masonic secresy was the unpubfishecl act of doing good .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

AJ - TIQUITY OP MASOKIC DEGEEES . Permit me a few words in reply to Bro . Findel ' s Queries . It is generally conceded that tho Operative Freemasons , held a general assembly under a Master , Judge , or President . The first Gi-and Lodge of speculative Master Masons , however , was established in 1717 , that body being formed by a few rusty speculative Masons ,

who had passed the degree of a craft , and the Wardens of the Operative Lodge at St . Paul ' s , under Wren , who was made a Free ancl Accepted Mason in 1691 , and elected Master a few years later , and they were consequently ignorant and careless of anything beyond the degree of a Master . "Very few Masons , we are informed , went beyond , the degree of an E . A ., the other degrees , for several years , being given imperfectly- —it is asserted in Grand Lodge only . The signs , constitutions , & c ., of tbe operative lodges have been preserved , and I challenge