Ancient Masonic Lodges, No. 1.

admitted the persons after named in their several stations under Avritten Freemen of the forsd . Lodge of Brechin to wit , " & c . Forden or Fordoun Avas a Parish in Kincardineshire , and the brethren admitted formed an integral portion of the Lodge of

Brechin , only some distance from the place of meeting , and thus we presume , especially mentioned . At " Brechin 27 Dec , 1743 , Avhich day the jeAvels of the lodge , the square and compass , plumb rule and

level Avere delivered b y the commissar Avith tho several ribbons to John Young , Treasurer , in presence of the Lodge . " It is recorded at the annual assembly hi 1745 that "David Carnagie , John

Ockenliead , Merchts . in Brechin and James Carnagie , Apothecary there , Avere admitted and received the Apprentice word in this Lodge . " In 1754 , and even before matters Avere not running smoothly , and so at the anniversary festival , a complaint Avas made

that certain brethren " Bid by themselves culminster the MEASSON WORD to several persons under written , " for Avhich unhiAvful deed they Avere fined , but the members do not appear to kaA r e been able to stifle tho contention , and for some little time

evidently the brethren Avere anything but harmonious . Strange to say that notwithstanding the earliest minutes preserved indicate that the Masters of the Lodge of Brechin Avere

specidatives , in 1769 the members resolved that only actual Masons should occupy the chair , which laAV has held good until quite recentl y . The lodge Avas called St . Ninians after

the charter of confirmation Avas obtained from the Grand Lodge of Scotland , but hefore then it does not appear to have been described otherwise than in connection with the ToAvn of Brechin .

We hope the members will be successful ] h tracing the missing volume of records , ancl marks before 1723 . as their value

Avould be much greater than the foregoing , ancl Avould prove of much interest to Masonic antiquarians . The numerous excerpts of minutes ( other than the foregoing ) Ave do not think of sufficient importance for transcription , so as

to form part of the present notice , but Ave may ere long refer to some of them in another article .

THE BIBLE — THE GREAT LIGHT OP MASONRY . —Dr . Dwight says , " The Bible is a AvindoAv in this prison of hope , through Avhich AVO look into eternity . " It contains more true sublimity , more exquisite beauty ,

more 2 'ure morality , more important history , ancl finer strains of poetry ancl eloquence than can be . coUected from all other books , in Avhatever age or language they have been Avritten . HOAV thankful Ave ought to be for the Bible , Heaven ' s

purest gift to mortals . It is the star of eternity , ndiose mild rays come tAvinlding to this nether sphere ; erring man ' s guide to Avisdom virtue and heaven . The Bible

is the book of books . In comparison Byron loses his fire , Milton his soarings , Gray his beauties , and Homer his grandeur ancl figures ; no tongue ever reasoned like sainted Job ' s ; no poet ever sung like Israel ' s shepherd king , and God never made a man more wise than Solomon .

The words of the Bible are pictures of immortality ; dews from the tree of KnoAV ledge ; pearls from the river of Life , and gems of celestial thought . As the moaning shell ivhispers of the sea , so the Bible breathes of love hi heaven , the home of

the angels , ancl joys too pure to die . Oh that more of its precepts Avere bound about my heart , and I had Avisdom to make them the mottos of my life . The world may entertain its idea of a magnificent Deitywhose government is generalbut

, , let me believe in the Lord God of Elijah , Avhose providence is entire , ordering the minutest event hi human life , ancl Avith a father ' s caro arranging it for the greatest possible good . —Freemasons' Monthly Magazine .