Masonic Notes And Queries.

ignore , in their several rituals , any allusion to these mythical holy and saintly patrons of ancient Ereemasonry ; therefore Resolved , That it is the duty of this M . W . Grand Lodge , as conservers of the great humanitarian principles submitted to their keeping , to preserve intact and maintain at all times , regardless of " expediency , " the

cosmopolitan character of the Masonic institution , by discarding all sectarian allusions and tendencies ; and Resolved , That this subject be referred to a special committee , who shall report upon the same , in full , at the next annual communication of the M . W . Grand Lodge . The committee reported the following resolution

, which was properl y tabled : — Resolved , That in the opinion of this committee , the words "Holy Saints John , " as used in the standard work and lectures of this M . W . Grand Lodge , should be stricken therefrom , not hereafter to be used as a part thereof , as the same are subject to sectarian criticism .

WAS GEORGE WASHINGTON A CHAPTER MASON ? Some time since ive received a letter from a brother in AYashington city , stating that he had in his possession a scarf worn by Gen . George Washington in Eoyal Arch Chapter , and which he presented to Governor Bradfordof Delawarefrom whom it came

, , into the possession of the family of our correspondent . As an historical relic of interest to the fraternity , and especially to the Companions of the Eoyal Arch , it is of much interest . The owner desires that it should go into the hands of some lodge or chapter , aud with this view proposes to dispose of it .

The roost interesting light in which the matter strikes us is the well-authenticated history which is claimed to accompany the scarf , and which connects George Washington not only with the blue Masonry , but with the Royal Arch . During his day it was worked in connection with and under the charter of

some lodge , being a appendant to it , ancl the degrees it conferred were considered the completion oftlie third degi-3 e . We hope to hear further from this interesting relic , and if so we will give our readers the benefit of our researches . —The " Evergreen . A LITTLE TOO EARLY .

Bro . J . L . Gould , of Connecticut , published , in 1866 , at New York , a manual entitled " Guide to the Chapter , " in which this statement is contained : — " The earliest account of the introduction of Masonry into the United States is the history of a lodge organised in Rhode Island , A . D . 1668 , that is , 59 years before the revival in England , and 75 years before the establishment of the first lodge of Massachusetts . " The author states that the Eev . Edward Peterson , in

his " History of Ehode Island and Newport in the Past , '' gives the account of this early lodge . " In the spring of 1658 , Mordecai Compannel , Moses Peckeckoe , Levi , and others , in all fifteen families , arrived at Newport from Holland . They brought with them the first three degress of Masonry , and worked them in the house of Compannel ; aud

continued to do so , they and their successors , to the year 1742 . " M . W . Grand Master Thos . A . Doyle , of Ehode Island , has been exploring this matter , aud alleges that no original documents in proof can now be pro-

Masonic Notes And Queries.

duced . He expresses his belief that this earl y lodge is altogether mythical . He says : — ' - My own opinion is , that the first lawful lodge of Masons ever convened in this jurisdiction was the one which met iu Newport in 1749 , noiv known as St . John ' s Lodge .

Masonic Sayings And Doings Abroad.

MASONIC SAYINGS AND DOINGS ABROAD .

The "Masonic Mirror" of San Francisco speaks thus upon Freemasonry and Popery : — When Jacques DeMolay , Grand Master of Knights Templar , was burned at the stake , March 11 th , 1314 , by order of Pope Clement W ., as the flames of his funeral pyre were enveloping him in their fiery

mantle , and laying hold of his quivering flesh , he raised his hand toward Heaven , and called upon the one God to forever curse Popery and kingl y despotism , and expecially his barbarous executioner , Clement V . Within forty days the blood-thirsty

despot , who ruled the world from the Vatican at Eome , followed his victim to ansiver at the great tribunal of the Great I Am , for his atrocities . At that time the Popes at Eome ruled Europe with a rod of iron . No Monarch dared disobey the

commands , or fail to perform the behests of his master at Eome . The Pope mode and unmade kings at will . His excommunication tore royalty from the persons of kings and emperors , and absolved their subjects from all allegiance—yea , commanded them to refuse further obedience to such excommunicated

ruler . In that age of ignorance and superstition , the Pope was feared far more than God himself . The Vice-gerent made his power directly felt , by faggot and torture , and well might the people fear to disobey , surrounded by spies of the Church , and ruled body and soul by the most consummate despotism

ever inaugurated upon earth . Euler and subject alike bowed their necks to the Papal yoke in humble submission .

Five centuries and a half have rolled away since our heroic Grand Master of Knights Templar yielded up his life rather than forfeit his integrity—and mark the change ! The dark night is passed , and education , civilisation and enlightenment , with a free Bible has evaporated the superstitions of those dark

ages , as miasmatic fogs vanish before the rising sun . The curse of Jacques DeMolay has been meted out to the P . opish Despotism at Eome , as well as the despotisms of the world . From a universal tyrant whose will was law to kings and emperors , Popery has dwindled down to a mere beggarly permittance to exist at the will of regenerated Italy . Its arguments