The Age Of Ancient Masonic Manuscripts.

I shall accept the date from internal evidence , as the beginning of the 16 th century . With regard to Sloane 3329 , 1 myself believe that though transcribed about 1715 , it is a copy from a much earlier

MS . of date the early part of the 17 th century . Mr . Sims states distinctly that the language is earlier that thelftb century , and I still adhere to the opinion expressed by Mr . Wallbran on this MS .

I have simply confined myself to an archaeological consideration of the MSS ., and have excluded all extraneous matter , and have looked at the question simply from an " expert" view of the case . We need not go out of our way to introduce into the case any fancies

or sensational topics , as Freemasonry lias suffered too much from an unscientific treatment of her evidences , her documents , her history , and her archaeology . I have merely considered the MSS .

as a student of MSS . would regard them , with no "arriere pensee" or favour of this view or the other ; and , as far as I have been able to come to a conclusion , after some years of very careful study and thought , I have no

hesitation in saying to-day , that , any attempt to question or reduce the antiquity of our Masonic MSS . is alike idle and hopeless , useless in aim , and unscientific in treatment , and entirely opposed both to the conclusions of the " expert , " and the safe canons of a true criticism .

A chemist in Albany , a few days ago , expatiating on the fate discoveries in chemical science , observed that snow had been found to possess a considerable degree of heat . An Irishman present , at this remarkobserved " that trulchemistry

, y was a valuable science , " and , anxious that the discovery might be made profitable , inquired of the orator what number of snowballs would bo sufficient to boil a teakettle 1

The New Morality.

THE NEW MORALITY .

( Continued from page 70 . ) Come then , Religion , from thy peaceful shade , Draw near in loving accents to upbraid ; Approach , in all th' engaging power of fove ,

And shed on earth thy radiance from above j Unfold , in tender voice and mystic lore , Those truths we once so happily learnt before , Ami as thy healing words prevail around , And kindly echoes swell the gentle sound , May all thy sacred , saving inlluence own , And in their hearts thy precepts sage enthrone , As now they see the error of their way , And Iin . il in transport thy all brighter day . And in thy train let Innocence appear .

A guest long wanted , often sought for here In vain . At last may holy truth prevail , Nor base chicanery the right assail ; May loving trust , may honesty profound . Light up the ruins on this earthly ground Of many a moral building sadly low , Where vice and cunning in profusion flow ; Where knavish artifice , like rankest weeds ,

Here but too often in this life succeeds , . And spoils the crop , and most luxuriant grows On this great field of life , in flowery rows , So much so , that to the unskilful eye , The tares seem wheat to many a passer by ! Alas ! for us in this old land of fame , Of glorious memories , of unspotted name , Wiiy should ire witness with a grovelling day , Old truths , old right , old honour pass away ? Why sliould we in this maddening rage for gold ,

Admire the Haunting new , despise the old ? Why should we barter of truth and trust the power , For the lip- service of a faithless hour ? So then , fair Innocence , once more draw near , Visit these scenes of wrong , these sights of fear , And round thy march may calm Religion throw The happiest impulse of her purest glow ! Then we shall see , as fraud and craft depart ,

How true is still the teaching of the heart ; How mercifully to man by God are given , Amid life ' s toiling cares some hopes of heaven , Some visions of a peaceful hour , thoughts all pure , The anxious conscience , the conviction sure . Until to us there comes , in startling fear , The awful sense of God ' s dread presence near . 0 blessedness for us , if Innocence at last

Shalt o'er our minds its balmy influence cast ! At her approach , in all its dark disguise , Cunning departs ; deceit and heartless lies Leave lis for aye , and will and conscience free

From guile at last , 0 gladdening sight to see , Our mortal race , in confidence and trust , So longer vanquished by corrupting dust , Casts all its shackles hence for evermore , For it hath reached at last a sinless shore , Where incorruption dwells , where trial ' s done , Man and Uw Maker are eiice i \\ ove ever one . 0 far-off scene of a dear happy time

, 0 pleasant prospect in an age of crime ! Thou still canst soften and transport to-day Our grieving minds to bliss yet far away ; Thou still canst offer to faith ' s ecstatic oye , An hour of love , of rest , of peace of victory ;