the flames of fire; the voice of Jehovah shaketh the wilderness; yea, the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Cades."

All our scientific disquisitions are invested with the same tendency. They serve to make us wiser and better men; and if they fail to do so, the fault is not in the institution, but in the indifference of the recipient to the real object and design of masonic teaching.

It will be readily admitted that the details of Freemasonry are somewhat faulty, and their amendment would tend to increase not only the benefits but the popularity of the Order. In the United States these details are carried out with much better effect than in some of our country Lodges; the consequence of which is, that the Order is so universally and widely diffused throughout every class of the community in that Republic, as to constitute almost a national establishment. This is owing, however, in some measure to the amicable antagonism and social intercourse of its numerous independent Grand Lodges, which being placed amidst the private Lodges under their individual jurisdiction, they are enabled to superintend the working, to restrain disorders, and to apply an instant and effectual remedy for any irregularity which may spring up amongst them.

It is a question, which the fraternity may answer, whether, if every province in England had its independent Grand Lodge, masonry would not be more prosperous, more regarded, and more abundantly useful. As this, however, is a consummation which can scarcely be reduced to practice, we must consider whether certain improvements may not lawfully be accomplished without it. And for this purpose we will again refer to the usage of the United States of America. One great cause of the overwhelming influence of transatlantic masonry, is the extensive encouragement given by its Grand Lodges to publications on masonic subjects. Their language is unanimous on this point. The Grand Lodge of New York, in its printed transactions, thus expresses its opinion. "In reference to the several masonic periodicals named by our D. G. Master, if judiciously conducted, as your committee entertain no

1 Psalm xxix., 2-7.

doubt they will be, they are calculated to accomplish a vast amount of good, by diffusing more extensively those sound, moral, and benevolent principles, which so eminently characterize this venerable institution; we there fore recommend those publications to the liberal patronage of the fraternity."

And again in the same document, we find the following clause, "In relation to the recommendation of the D. G. Master, desiring some action of the Grand Lodge with reference to Lectures to be delivered in the several Lodge-rooms, not only on the principles of masonry, but on the Arts and Sciences, embracing any or all such subjects as shall improve the moral and intellectual powers, and qualify the brethren for greater usefulness in the several spheres in which they move, rendering them, in an eminent sense, the lights of masonry; we are of opinion that the adoption of such a practice would be attended with the happiest results, and add much to the interest of fraternal communications. The masonic institution is appropriately a school of the Arts and Sciences, as well as the moral virtues; and therefore the Grand Lodge recommend in the strongest language, the adoption of the above specified course of instruction by Lectures on the practical, as well as the moral and mental sciences, in each of the subordinate Lodges. This whole matter appears to be one of deep interest, and if judiciously conducted by brethren competent to the undertaking, will not only be productive of great good to individual members, but to those communities where such lodges are established."

The Grand Lodge of New Hampshire is equally explicit. Its Grand Master in 1843 thus promulgated his sentiments from the throne: "You will permit me, brethren, to bring before you, for your countenance and support, the Freemason's Monthly Magazine, published in Boston, Massachusetts, under the editorial charge of our valued brother, R. W. Charles W. Moore, Secretary of the G. L. of Massachusetts, and former publisher and editor of the Masonic Mirror, which was suspended during the dark years when the anti-masonic party of that State followed up persecution on the rights of our ancient and honourable institution, with a zeal that could hardly be commendable, if used for a better purpose. This work is

conducted with ability and interest. It is the fruit of reflection and study; animated by a spirit that breathes love to man, and expresses in clear tones the faith of an institution that will outride all persecution; implanting in the heart of the initiated that charity which suffereth long and is kind. To such a work, conducted on the true principles of Freemasonry, which cannot fail to further the progress of the Craft,-I trust, and doubt not, you will give your support." This avowal and recommendation was warmly and eloquently advocated by several members of the Grand Lodge, who bore ample testimony to the high and exalted character of that publication; and it was unanimously recommended to "the Members of the Fraternity every where, as worthy and highly deserving their patronage and support."

Nor do we find throughout the United States an adverse opinion on this subject. Indeed, the several Grand Lodges attach so much importance to printed disquisitions which may be accessible to the brethren, and conduce to promote that degree of uniformity which is so desirable amongst the Craft, that at a general Convention of all the Grand Lodges in the States, holden at Baltimore in Maryland, May, 1843, a Committee was appointed to prepare and publish at an early day a text book, to be called the Masonic Trestle Board, embracing three distinct, full, and complete Masonic Carpets, illustrative of the three degrees of ancient craft masonry; together with the ceremonies of consecrations, dedications, and installations; the laying of corner stones of public edifices; the funeral service, and order of processions; to which shall be added the charges, prayers, and exhortations, and the selections from Scripture, appropriate and proper for Lodge service. The Committee further reported, that they deem it expedient that a work be published to contain archeological researches into the history of the Fraternity in the various nations of the world. In compliance with a formal order to that effect, the Lecture on the Trestle Board has been printed, and is now before the public.

In England there is an influential party whose study it is to discourage all scientific disquisitions connected with Freemasonry. Such a course, if persisted in, would throw us back upon the dark ages, and furnish our adversaries with a weapon which they would not fail to

wield with fearful effect. But happily we have a sufficiency of liberal minded brethren who are anxious to place the beauties of masonic benevolence, and the excellencies of masonic science fairly before the public, that its light may shine before men, to the glory of T G A OTU who is in heaven.

These two sections entertain very different opinions on the best means of promoting and cementing the general interests of the Craft. The former think it inexpedient to allow any alterations to be made in the system; lest, under the idea of improvement, innovations should creep in, which might, in process of time, change the very essence of the institution, and gradually deprive it of those characteristics which are considered to be its greatest ornaments. The other party, who are also numerous and influential, are of opinion that masonry ought to keep pace with all other scientific improvements; and that in the rapid progress of mental enlightenment, which distinguishes the present era, if this Order alone should remain stationary, and take no part in forwarding the march of intellect in its own peculiar sphere, it will forfeit its claim to public notice or approbation.

In the present state of intellectual improvement, men do not meet together for the insane purpose of hearing repetitions of truisms with which they are already acquainted. Their minds reach forward to something new. They will not consent to retrograde, nor are they satisfied with remaining stationary. Time is considered too valuable to be wasted without actual improvement; and it is by the exercise of the intellect that it is strengthened and rendered capable of renewed exertion. To Freemasonry, as in all other human pursuits, the onward principle must be applied, if we would make it applicable to the poetry and philosophy of life; or the paralyzing question, cui bono? will be surrounded with difficulties that, in the end, will be found inextricable. The time is drawing near when the investigations of masonry must be carried on in common. Every member will demand his share of the work. The W. M. will be the Moderator to preserve the unanimity of the proceedings; and his task of instructing and improving the brethren in masonwill admit of a participation with other talented breth

ry,

ren, who have had as much experience as himself. By such a course the Order will be ennobled, and will claim and receive the respect to which it is fairly entitled.

The former section of the Craft entertain a great aversion to publications on the subject of masonry, and discountenance them by every means in their power, under an impression that such writings, although exclusively confined to the philosophy and poetry of the Order, are calculated to do a great deal of mischief by enlightening the profane on subjects of which they ought to remain for ever in ignorance, except their knowledge be acquired through the legitimate medium of initiation.

But if nothing were lawful but what is absolutely necessary, ours would be but a miserable world to live in. Literary talent would be circumscribed within a very narrow compass; science would be consigned to oblivion; the fine arts be suffered to decay; and we should return to the state, almost savage, of the primitive inhabitants of this island, who dwelt in dens, and caves, and wretched hovels, and according to Dio Nicæus, would bury themselves in bogs up to their neck, and continue in that state for many days together without sustenance; and retiring from thence they would take shelter in the woods, and feed upon the bark and roots of trees. Instead of clothing, their bodies were tattooed with divers figures of animals and plants; living continually at war with their neighbours, and offering their prisoners in sacrifice to the gods. The above objection, therefore, is not of sufficient weight to counterbalance the benefits which are derivable from masonic investigations.

For these reasons, the latter class of our brethren entertain a reasonable opinion that Freemasonry ought not to linger behind any other scientific institution; but in its onward progress ought to run parallel, at the least, with the very foremost, towards the goal of perfection. For this purpose they give their full sanction and encouragement to printed disquisitions on the general principles of the Order, because they consider such productions to be eminently calculated to carry out the scientific and benevolent designs of masonry, and to cause those who have been most bitter and active in their hostility, to entertain more modified views of the institution, and even to solicit the honour of initiation, that