Correspondence.

the consideration of the subject to another paper , in which I shall endeavour to prove the universal acceptance of the emblem in that portion of the globe ; together with the extreme antiquity of its adoption into Masonry , its different natures , their separate properties , and respective applications to the several degrees of our fraternityfrom the Entered

, Apprentice , to that of the Knights Templar , proving it to be our alpha and omega , present in all degrees , urging us from the following consideration to the practice of benevolence and charity , that charity which vaunteth not itself , which sayeth not to his nei ghbour , " Stand thou afar off , for I am holier than thou , " but which admits that if for some wise purpose the

pillar of cloud still presents itself to the heathen nations , and for a season , prevents them seeing the error of their ways , so strong is the affinity between the . elementary principles of their false creeds and the truths of revealed religion , that they must have originally emanated from the same divine sourceand that although the light shineth in darknessand

, , the darkness for the present comprehendeth it not , one single gleam from above , in God ' s appointed time , can dissipate the mist , and place our heathen , brethren on " the level of ourselves . "

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

PEOVIIICIAL , ., t y BERKSHIRE . CONSECRATION 01 ? ST . JOHN ' S LODGE , NO . 1097 , AT MAIDENHEAD . A AVARKANT having been obtained , the consecration and opening of this Lodge Ai-as fixed for Monday , October 2 oth , and the rooms of the Orkney ArmsHotel , where it is to beheld , not beingsnfficiently spacious for

the ceremony , the R . W . Prov . Grand Master granted a dispensation to celebrate the consecration at the TOAATI Hall , the use of which was conceded by the mayor . At high twelve , near forty brethren being present , a Lodge Avas opened by the W . Bro . Jeremiah HOAV , P . M ., and Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . Hertfordshire , who AA-as authorised by the M . W . Grand Master to perform the ceremony of consecration ; Bro . Astley , Prov . G . Supt . of Works , Berks , filling tho Senior Warden ' s chair ; and Bro . Bursey , of iN o . 339 being tho J . W . ; the Rev . Bro . W . A . HalesIs o .

, , 201 , being the Chaplain on the occasion ; Bro . Geo . States , P . M ., No . ICG , acting as Dir . of Cers . The petitioners for a Charter of Constitution being arranged , Ai'ere presented by Bro . Dr . Harcourt , Prov . D . G . M , ol Surrey , and their petition and the Avarrant having- been read by the ProA' . Gf . Sec , Bro . How addressed the brethren to the foltowing effect -. — " It is customary on such important occasions as that of planting a shoot from the Masonic stockfor the brother upon whom the mantle of

, authority may for the time be placed , to offer a feiv remarks that may seem pertinent to tbe occurrence . Without attempting to enter into a history of our institution , it is undoubted that Ereemasonry has , in some form or other , existed from the earliest ages of the world : it was practised among the Latomi or sacred builders of Egypt , and the skilled

artificers of Phoenicia , who AA-ere the architects of the glorious house of God , raised by Solomon , some of whom it has been recently discovered planted a colony in Europe and Avere the parent race of the Etruscansby the prophet Daniel , who is known to profane history by the name of Zcrdusht or Zoroaster— -it was adopted by tho Magi in Persia—and by Pythagoras it Avas founded in Greece . With all these people ifc u-as connected with the priesthood , to which , class in fact , until modern days , all learning and knowledge AA-as confined . In the mists of ages it is difficult

to trace IIOAV it came into Britain , but it must have been very early . It has exhibited many phases by the changes society has undergone , and our business is noiv the condition of Masonry in this country . I may notice that since 1 S 13 , AA'heu the United Grand Lodge ivas solemnly constituted and its ritual and practice rendered uniform , its Lodges and members haA-e greatly increased—nearly seven hundred Lodges having been added to its roll ; and since the period that Lord Zetland AA-as elevated to the distinguished position of its chiefthroe hundred and eighty-six noiv

, Lodges iiaA'e been created . This increased spread of Masonry is the best proof that can be offered of the good government of the executive . Ereemasonry has prospered more in some localities than others , and in this province a movement has been made which promises to advance Freemasons y . With this Lodge there are but five Lodges , and one Royal Arch Chapter . I think a Chapter ought to bo attached to every Lodge . In Bucks AA'e have but one Lodge—it is going on well , Ave had three initiations there last Monday . There has been some neglect in calling

the brethren together , but this is to be remedied , as animal will be held in future . Next year I have been told the Prov Master AA-I' 11 hold his Grand Lodge at Aylesbury , and although we expect so goodly au assemblage as attended at Reading , yet it

hoped that every Mason of the province that can , will not fail to attend his lordship ' s bidding , and thus give encouragement for future meetings . As a member aud officer of the Buckiugham Lodge , I trust the first visit of our Provincial Grand Master Avill be honoured AA-ith the presence of the brethren of the other Lodges . The D . Prov . Grand Master and the Piw . Grand Sec . on all occasions evince their zeal in favour of the institution ; their efforts require aid on your parts by regular attendance and efficiency in the work . It may not be out of

place to mention that besides the system of Masonry as established by the United Grand Lodge of England , there has for a long period existed , and Ave have noiv in practice , other rites—the Knights Templar , and the various degrees under tho denomination of the Antient and Accepted Rite—these form AA'hat is generally termed Christian Masonry , and have met with much encouragement in the higher walks of society ; and as the recipients of these grades must have been duly admitted to the three symbolic degreesthe more advanced or historical degrees satisfy

, the scruples some entertain with respect to the universality of Antient Masonry . Thus they are entitled to consideration , as they have undoubtedly been a , means , if not of adding many gentlemen of high position to our Order—certainly AA'e may say of rendering their attachment to Masonry more permanent . Some Masons consider the degrees I am speaking of as novelties—but it is not so—they undoubtedly originated in the thirteenth century AA'ith the Knights of the holy wars . The onltivo that are practised to extent are the Templar and the Rose

y any Croix , both very interesting , and deserve the encouragement they have received , and many brethren who occupy high positions in the Craft have connected themselves AA-ith these rites . Our excellent friend Dr . Harcourt is one of the ornaments of tho Rose Croix , and a better man or more zealous Mason than tho D . Piw . Grand Master of Surrey does not exist . You Avill find a full account of these rites in the i'Vecmosons ' Magazine of 185 S . In returning to that part of the institution of Masonry under Avhich Ave meet to-dayand more especially AA'ith reference

, to the brethren who are to be constituted into , we trust , a just , perfect , and regular Lodge , I venture to offer a f eiv Avords of counsel . Among the various duties incumbent upon you , remember there is none more essential to the preservation , none more efficacious to the welfare of our institution , than unanimity ; and while particularly interested in the welfare of the

Lodge to which you individually belong , be regardful of the general -welfare , prove your fidelity to our lairs and constitutions by discountenancing every deviation from its principles , and avoiding every innovation in its established practices . And tho best plan to preserve good working is , that at every meeting the officers and senior brethren should by practice instruct the juniors . Thus by keeping the precepts Freemasonry teaches constantly in your minds , your conduct in the world cannot fail to feci its influence , and by evincing in practice those principles Ave

profess in theory , our institution AA'ill have a good report of all men . Remember , brethren , tho interests of Ereemasonry are in your hands ; be careful therefore uot to blend it with your weaknesses , nor stain it ivith your vices . Consider IIOAV much the world expects of you , and hoiv unwilling to make you any alloivanco . Consider with what fidelity you ought to support the character of tho Order , and thus render tho name of Freemason illustrious , and as designating worth and virtue of superior stamp . It is incumbent on you " to walk in wisdom toAvards

them who are without , " doing nothing to render your - principles suspicious , or disgrace your institution in their eyes , so that nothing should increase former prejudices against it ; for be assured , that if in your conduct you forget that you are men , the woi-ltl with its usual severity will remember you are Masons . May the Lodge AVC are met this day to constitute maintain a hig h credit in the increasing list ; and as a chief , means to attain that object , let its founders ever bear in mind that they ought to he as careful whom they introduce into their Lodge , as they would to their OAVU family , and that one Avhom they would hesitate to

admit to their oivn domestic circle is unfit for admission into their Lodge . Let the Master and Wardens be careful to preserve order and regularity , and to bo mindful that solemnity characterizes their ceremonies , for it must not be forgotten , that Avithout any bias to a particular creed , the connection betAveen Masonry and religion is absolute , and cannot be destroyed . Masonry contributes to promote the social happiness of man in this world by tho practise of virtue—religion promises happiness in a future state ; hence Masonry must be considered the

handmaid of religion , because the practise of moral and social virtue , though it cannot absolutely save , is an essential condition of salvation . To be a good and perfect Mason , a thorough knowledge of the volume of the Sacred Law is essential . It is the great fountain of Masonic laAvs , and draughts from that spring will render the mind more clearly able to understand the symbolic language of our institution . This added to a strict observance of the rulos of our Orderrenders Freemasonry a sure foundation of tranquillity

, amid the disappointments of life . In youth it governs the passions , aud employs usefully our most active faculties , and in age yields an ample fund of comfort and satisfaction . The great boast of our Orderis to be the dissemination of peace and goodwill to all mankind . These humane sentiments have found advocates and apostles through all timo : they are in the book of Job , the oldest work extant , aud in the £ salms of David ; they were propounded to the Greeks and Romans , and

the preaching of John the Baptist , and in the system of oponnded in the Sermon on the Mount by Him "who spake as s P ake "—and hence Ave may affirm , if all men wero Masons , ght be beaten into ploughshares , and there would be war no !

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