Masonic Notes And Queries.

probably originating in Templar warrants or under Templar auspices , but not legitimate , as they invade the universality of the Ancient and Accepted Rite . Templarism being revived , and the Ancient and Accepted Rite being got over , a systematic attempt is now being made to turn the stronghold of Masonry into a Christian institution . It is time that this spirit should be resisted . —A MASON .

KNIGHTS OF THE ROMAN EAGLE . Will Bro . Oneal Haye tell us where there is classical authority for supposing the Knights , or Equestrian Order of Rome were ever styled Knights of the Roman Eagle ?—A RUSTY M . M .

SHAKESPEARE A FREEMASON . Can a Masonic Antiquary have mistaken the trademark of Shakespeare ' s father for a Masonic emblem , or does the seal belong to a Shakespeare lodge ? Did Shakespeare use a seal having Masonic emblems ou one side and his own bust on the other?—A SHAKESPEARIAN .

CHARLES MARTEL ( p . 489 ) . What authority can there be for any English tradition that Charles Martel was a Mason ? An elucidation will much oblige . —IGNORANS . CHRISTIAN MASONRY . I wish to ask whether we are justified iu the teaching of Dr . Oliver , or any one else , in turning Masonry from a universal Deistic institution into a sectarian body ?—J . B .

A AND MYSTERIES . The letter of A j s a most astounding piece of learning , hut it is not sufficientl y developed to enable us to build up from its various materials . It is a strange thing that the Arabs should have the chance of cultivating Runic inscriptions in Spaineven among

, descendants of the Goths . Perhaps it may be meant the Runic marks were derived in France from the Normans . This view of architecture , passing from the Arabs to Charles Martel , leaves out of question the obligation of his architecture to the Romanesque architecture of south-eastern France and its connexion

with Italy . Upon the question of Dervish mysteries it has been mentioned in the Freemasons' Magazine that copious information is to be found in the History of the Dervishes b y J . P . Brown ( Trubner and Co ., 1863 ) . —NOTA .

CHRISTMAS DAY . Will the two lodges mentioned by you at p . 500 meet on the 25 th of December , Christmas Day , or , rather , did they ? and , if so , was plum pudding obligatory ?—NOTA .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

Tie Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . DERIVATION OE " FREEMASON . "

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EBEEMASON 9 ' MAGAZINE AKD MASOIOC MIRSOIt . Dear Sir and Brother , —I am glad to see that " A Masonic Student" has given up the idea that the latter part of the word is derived from " maison , ' ' a

Correspondence.

house , as in my opinion it was quite incorrect . As regards Bro . Buchan , it would be more satisfactory if he would make an attempt at a derivation himself , than criticize others in his oracular style . Will Bro . Buchan point out " the other difficulties " in my solution . There are many examples of the letter " c ' *

being softened in its progress : notably "Frank " to " fran oaise , " " French ; " and " castrum , " a camp , to Chester , aud its compounds , particularly to Cirencester . I thought , perhaps , the derivation of the name of the city of Magon , in France , might throw some light on the subject , ; but I see the Latin name is

"Matisco . " Hoping "A Masonic Student" will pursue his researches , but in a different direction , I remain—Tours fraternally , RICHARD DAWSON .

Freemasonry And Christianity.

FREEMASONRY AND CHRISTIANITY .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EliEEM . lSO . Vs' iti . Gi . ZIXE A ! fD MASONIC JIIRE 01 T . Dear Sir and Brother , —I very deeply regret tc * have given Bro . II . B . White offence in my last communication on this subject , aud beg to tender him my apology . I did not consider that there was anything iu Bro . White ' s communication of April last for me

to answer , and it was only when the matter was brought under my notice by a brother some time ago that I deemed it necessary to reply . No one has a higher opinion of Dr . Oliver ' s labours , but I do not pin my faith to his views . Pilate asked , " What is truth ? " and the question is still open so far as

thewhole world is concerned . Now , supposing I had been a Hindoo , and answering Bro . White , would I not be justified , according to my creed , in saying , —• "How can Christianity , which is in itself untrue , become an unerring standard ot truth to any man ?'' and , consequently , Christianity is untrue according to a

Hindoo , Parsee , Mahometan , and Jew . They have each iu their several beliefs unerring standards of truth , just as we Christians have an unerring standard according to our belief . It is not a question of what is positive truth , but what is truth to the different religionists . Hence I say that Christianity has

nothing to do with Freemasonry , unless you exclude nine-tenths of the human race . Yours fraternally , ANTHONY ONEAL HAYE .

THE CROSS AS AN ORNAMENT . —On this point , the Rev . 0 . R- Tollemache , in a volume of sermons just publishedj makes the following remarks , which deserve attention -. — " I doubt not religious fashion is pleasing to the Devil . For instance , it is considered the right thing for Christian women to make a demonstration of the Cross as a mere ornament . God forbid that I should speak against its

use as a symbol , worn religiously to remind us of our dear Lord . But is that blessed symbol a fit thing to dangle from a woman ' s ear , or take its place among seals and lockets and charms and tokens at the end of a chain ? The enemy of the faith is glad thus to drag down the Cross and make it common , especially if he can make those who so use it forget to have the Crucified in their

hearts . I know this is done thoughtlessly , and I entreat those who feel that their use of the Cross has not been reverent , not to take amiss what I have said , but to think over the matter well , and then act as their own hearts tell them they ought . "