The Hidden Mysteries Of Nature And Science.—Part V.

By means of trees , says the Rev . S . G . Mornson ( Ethics of Masonry ) , " law was first impressed on the human mind . The cherubim at the east of Eden's garden Avere the glorious hieroglyph by Avhich Deity exhibited a HBAV way to immortality .

The complex character of a world Redeemer was proclaimed in the bush that burned in unscathed greenness . " God was there as a " consuming fire ; " man was there as a lowly bramble ; but yet the bush burned not , for that humanity was " holy and harmless . " A rid when a new teacher visited

earth to toll of and teach a higher and holier Avorld than this , His lessons of deepest wisdom Avere couched in the attractive story , or v eiled in the suggestive allegory . Those who are outside the Order cannot discern the import of its symbols .

Its badges are not playthings ; they are implements of industry . Labour is suggested by them all . The brown-handed child of physical toil , the son of science or of song , find in them mementos that it is by the sweat of his brow , or the toil of

the brain , that man eats his bread during his sojourn in the land of his pilgrimage . Within the outer world , depicted above us , Ave behold the starry firmament ; beneath our feet the ground covered , as it were , in Mosaic work with beauteous

meads and fioAvers . If Ave should look upon the earth Avith its produce , the ocean with its tides , the returns of day ancl night , the seasons and their changes , the starry arch of heaven , and the life and death of man , as being merely accidents in the hand of Nature , we must shut up all the powers

of judgment and yield ourselves to the darkest folly and ignorance . To the cultivated mind what a lesson we read from the heavens . 'Tis night ; not a cloud is on the vault of heaven . One by one the bright stars come peeping out , and the

SAveet moon threads the twinkling maze of orbs , ¦ gentl y asserting her right of queen . The night deepens over the earth ; but brighter still the stars look down from their blue arched dome , the constellations < gem the sky with beauty . Slowly

the mighty vault seems majestically to revolve , the bright orbs rising ascend the deep ethereal bine , and gradually sink downwards . Such a mind can read their SAveet configuration with the eye of learning , and to him they seem more

wonderful than eA r en to the untutored savage . Mio-ht , majesty , and wisdom , there is clearly read in that starry volume ; but the eye of science there can" Also trace , Ancl read amidst their characters of gold , The tales of love : God ' s love , his sweetest grace . "

The Hidden Mysteries Of Nature And Science.—Part V.

A survey of nature and the observation of the beautiful proportions ( says Pope ) , first determined man to imitate the Divine plan , and study symmetry ancl order . This gave rise to societies , ancl birth to every useful art . The architect

began to design , and the plans ho laid CIOAVU improved hy experience ancl time produced works Avhich have been the admiration of every age . Freemasonry has been styled the science which includes all other sciences . Looking , therefore , at

Nature by its light , we learn the lesson of mutual dependence and natural equality , and to view in every son of Adam a brother of the dust . Above all , it teaches us to bend with humility and resignation to the Great Architect of the Universe—to

dedicate our hearts thus purified from every malig--nant passion and prepared for the reception of truth and wisdom—to His glory and the good of our felloAV creatures ; Ave learn the necessity of

cultivating those faculties Avhich God has given us to the utmost of our ability , that we may be enabled to SIIOAV forth His glory and render ourselves useful to mankind . Let every Freemason , then , endeavour to let his conduct be such as may

stand the test of the Grand Overseer ' s square ; that he may not , like the unfinished and imperfect work of the negligent and unfaithful of former times , be rejected and thrown aside , as unfit for that spiritual building , that house not made with

hands , eternal in the heavens . Let him . be careful to perform his allotted task while it is yet day , and continue to listen to the voice of Nature , which bears witness that even in this perishable frame resides a vital and immortal principle , which

inspires a holy confidence that the Lord of Life will enable him to trample the King of Terrors beneath his feet ; and let him lift his eyes to the bright morning star , whose rising brings peace and salvation to the faithful and obedient of the

human race . While such is his conduct , should misfortunes assail him , should friends forsake him , should envy traduce his good name , and malice persecute him , he may yet have confidence that among Masons he will find friends AVIIO -will

adminster relief to his distresses and comfort to his afflictions , and have a sure hope by patient continuance in well doing of ascending to those ethereal mansions from whence all goodness emanates . R . B . W .

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THE longer we live and the more we think , the higher value we learn to put on the friendship aud tenderness of parents and friends .