Classical Theology.—Lxxviii.

Thy Thisbe calls , 0 Pyramus 1 reply ; Can Pyramus not hear his Thisbe's cry ? When Thisbe ' s name the dying lover heard , His half-closed eyes for one last look he reared , Which , having reached the blessing of that sight , Eosigned themselves to everlasting night . "

Thisbe , or Thysbe , was almost distracted with grief . She tore her hair loose , rent the covering from her bosom , and Avept , and sobbed , and gasped for breath . There was no one that could comfort her—that could share her woe . The depth and

pain of her sorrow was great , but she never appeared conscious of it until she perceived her veil , blood-stained and crushed , held in the hand of Pyramus , pressed against his heart-She needed . no farther inquiry ; she at once fully

comprehended the motive of his death . "He hath killed himself , " she said , " because he thought mo dead , that he might join me , and we will be joined , dear Pyramus ; we will never be parted until the day we are born agam , that we

may live for each other . " Resting on this fond hope of her religion , she drew from the breast of her lover the fatal sword , and with empassioned strength deeply stabbed herself . Thus , we are told , falling on the body of her lover , and

pressing her lips to his , she breathed her last . Some sprinkling of their blood upon the mulberry tree , relates their ingenious historian , or through some Napasrian sympathy commemorative of the unfortunate end of their constant love , the berries ,

which had hitherto been white , turned into their purple look of mourning at the death of Pyramus and Tlivsbe .

Masonry In Its Relation To Religion.

MASONRY IN ITS RELATION TO RELIGION .

One of the favourite objections which are constantly bekig raised to Masonry is that it is contrary to the spirit of the Christian religion . We wish to show that this is not the case ; but that a man may quite consistently be an earnest and right-minded Christian , and at the same time a

zealous . Mason . , We are . told that the end and object of Masonry is feasting and drinking j and that the brethren only meet together for this purpose . We meet this objection by a simple denial . That there have been lodges , that there still maybe lodges , where

this is made the chief feature , we admit with sorrow and shame . But the veriest neophyte in the Craft must know that the true Mason has far higher objects in view than these , and that a lodge thus conducted is like a church where the disciples , as in Apostolic days , meet together "to . eat and drink . " . It is a state of things which may

exist , but only in spite of the true principles which should be the guide of the Craft . In days now happily past , there could scarcely be an assembly of men of any grade , for any purpose , but their meeting was made the excuse for gross excess . Even divineseminent scholarsand celebrated

, , preachers , were led away by the spirit of the times ; and Masons fell into the prevalent fault ; but now happily that day has passed ; and as men can meet in each other's houses , and go home sober and cool , so in all well-regulated lodges , the excess of olden time is banished .

But it is said that it is inconsistent ivith the spirit of Christianity that men of every creed—Jews , Mahomedans , Parsees , should meet with Christians in lodge , ancl sit together at the table . We reply that ive do not see the objection . Do we wish to see our holy religion supersede false forms of faith ? Do we wish to see

Christianity , with its benign influences , spread amongst those who are now following false religions ? Surely this is , and must be , the sincere desire and prayer of every true Christian , be he Mason , or be he not . And , if so , how do we hope to effect so desir able a change ? Do we hope to influence

men for good by standing aloof from them ? Do ive hope to attract them to our religion by perching ourselves on our own little pedestals , snarling at those around us , and saying , " Come not near us , for we are holy , and you are dogs ? " Or do ive hope to win them by mixing Avith them on

terms of social equality , acknowleding that thoug-h we believe , their creeds to be false , and our own , with the exception of the earlier faith it has superseded , the only one that has ever been sent down from heaven , Ave are yet Avilling to meet them as our fellowmen , as our brethren , made and preserved by the same hand , and accountable to the same

judge . Surely reason and the precepts of Him who went about doing good , ancl Avho , while He dined at the house of a Pharisee , AA as willm o- to receive publicans and sinners , would teach us that if ii e want to bring in the lost sheep of the human race to the true fold , Ave must endeavour to gain

their regard ancl esteem by associating freely and unreservedly Avith them . Even some of those AVIIO urge this objection to Masonry most earnestl y , are themselves Avith great inconsistency associating with men of other creeds . They meet them in business , they sit with them in the justice room ,

they even become fellows with them in the same university , and unite with them for the promotion of one of the highest ends , the education of the rising generation ; and yet , when other men meet them in a Mason ' s lodge for moral improvement , for charitable deeds , for social enjoyment , they tell them that they are forfeiting their religion .

But , say our opponents , in Masons' lodges prayer is offered up , and as men of various creeds are present , the name of the one Mediator between God and man cannot be mentioned , nor our prayers offered through him . We reply , that prayer may