The Principles And Privileges Of Our Order.

THE PRINCIPLES AND PRIVILEGES OF OUR ORDER .

The following is the substance of the speech oy Bro . ToAvnsenci , LL . D ., Q . C ., Dep . G . M . of Ireland ( and referred to in another page ) , on the occasion of the annual distribution of prizes to the children of the Masonic Orphan School , Dublin : —

" The principles of the Order were such ihat no man , whatever might be his rank , need be ashamed ¦ of professing . They were such that no man , whatever might be his purity of life , need be ashamed of advocating . Their principles were but little

knoAvn . They were but little known , not merely to the world at large , but even in the Order itself . A man might enter the society , and might liA ^ e and die in it , ancl yet knoAV nothing of its principles . It was not a mere club . Those Avho joined

it as such would find that it did not confer any greater advantages , perhaps , than any other club . Those who joined it out of mere curiosity AVOUICI be disappointed . They Avere not to suppose that the Freemasons were in possession of any great

secret , any method of becoming wise , or learned , or good Avithout any exertion on their part . No such thing . He could tell them that they found it a most difficult thing- to free themselves from the bonds of ignorance , of sensuality , ancl of

superstition . The object of their society was to make men good , wise , industrious , virtuous , and happy , always beginning Avith self-reformation . The principles of the society inculcated upon its members , as a primary duty , the virtues of silence ,

of reticence , and of forbearance . They considered that man could commit no greater offence ag-ainst the Almighty than to persecute his fellowman for a difference in speculative opinions . They freely granted to others the same freedom of thought

that they asked for themselves . lie lid not think they had been guilty of any persecution . They had been accused of astounding crimes—crimes at Avhich Europe should stand aghast—but he Avas not aware that they had ever carried terror to the

peasant's hut , Avrapped his house in flames , or left his bleeding body on the threshold of his dAvelling . No man Avas permitted to preside over a lodge who had not pledged his loyalty to the State . They Avere not conspiritors against it . So far

from being anti-Christian or irreligious associations , no man could be a member of the society who did not acknowledge the Great Architect of the Universe—God the Father , the Governor of the world , These were not irreligious principles .

The Principles And Privileges Of Our Order.

These were the principles that they Avere asked to support , aud that formed the basis of their society . As for their privileges , they were not those merely of harmless enjoyments , ancl of pleasant friendships . These Avere . some of their

privileges , no doubt ; but they had also another great privilege , that of extending their liberality to the destitute members of the families of those connected Avith the Order . "

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

MONKS AND FEEEHASONET . IK EEANCE IN THE LAST CENTUBY . An esteemed brother , Avriting on this subject , will find the communication to which he alludes in vol . viii ., p . 268 , of the FEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE . See also the errataibid . p . 360 . The communication

, , is entitled "Monks Members of the old French Lodges . " Should our brother desire any confirmation of what is there related , he should consult the same valuable publication , vol . iii ., p . 102 . On the authority of a statement in the Monde Maconnique it is said that " previous to the revolution of 17 S 9

monks used to be rather numerous in the French lodges , and that the Lodge La Triple Unite , of Fecamp , and various other lodges , were founded by Benedictines . "—CHAELES PUETON COOPEE .

METAPHYSICAL PllOOES OE THE EXISTENCE OE GOI 5 . The letter signed "An Oxford Freemason" has been duly handed to me . My correspondent is right in supposing that the " other proofs" of the existence of God referred to in my communication to the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE , vol . xiii ., p . iii ., are the metaphysical proofs . He cites some Latin liues sent

to him by a German student , with whom he has a controversy respecting certain difficult points of natural theology . He is apparently ignorant that such lines are a literal translation of a passage in the "Pensees" of Pascal—" Les preuves de Dieu metaphysiques sont si eloignees du raisonnement des

homines , et si impliquees , qu ' elles frappent pen ; et quand cela servirait a , quelques uns , ce ne serait que pendant l'instont qu'ils voient cette demonstration ; mais une heure apres ils craignent de s'etre trompes . " The way in which the metaphysical proofs are dealt Avith bKant in his " Kritik der reinen Yernunft "

y , and by Mr . Mausel in his famous " Bampton Lectures , " is not unknown to me . The information on this matter , which our brother has diligently put together , Avill notwithstanding have its use , and 1 beg him to accept this expression of my Avarm thanks . —CHAELES PTJETON COOPEK .

I . IIAEPEE . I have lately seen an old and curious E . A . jeirel , apparently made before the "Union . It bears the name of Thomas Harper , jeweller and goldsmith , 207 , Fleet-street , Loudon . It is evident Harper was a Masonic jeweller , and , as we have no notes on this department , I should like to know Avho Harper Avas , and Avhen he lived in Fleet-street . This can easily be found in an old P . ' 0 . Directory in the British Museum . —A PROVINCIAL MASIEE .