Classical Theology, Lxxxvii.

. celebrated in honour of him . The Olympia AA ere in honour of Jupiter . But it may be said these games were instituted more to exhibit the developments of man in strength and speed ; greatly , even in that respect , excelling the brute creation . The

Noma , which likewise included the Pentaethlon , were in honour of Jupiter too , as Avell as Hercules . Nevertheless we can hold more especially in revieAV the Isthmia , one of the four most sacred celebrations , termed the Isthmian game , and these

exclusively , it may be said , were in honour of Neptune . However where chariot and horseracing were introduced , it was not the beauty and swiftness of the animals that attracted admiration , but the deportment courage , daring , and

dexterity of the winning competitors . As in their chariots , so on their horses , managing two or three , and sometimes more at a time , they rode standing , first on one and then on another , urging them to an impetuous flight , while , at the same moment ,

they had to guide them in passing obstructions set in the course , imperilling Avith instant destruction their lives by the slightest blunder in their efforts to escape from such a collision . So exceeding was the veneration these periodical

spectacles possessed , as to be termed ieros , ciros , sacred and capable of awarding the most exalted praises and honours to the prize holders , or rather conquerors , whose Avreath Avas the reward of glory .

Ears Of Wheat From A Cornucopia.

EARS OF WHEAT FROM A CORNUCOPIA .

By Bro . D . MURRAY LYOX , A . M ., Masonic University of Kentucky , U . S . ; Corresponding Member of the Union of German Freemasons , Leipsic ; one of the Grand Stewards . in the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; author of the " Jfisiori / of Mother Kilwinning , " § -c . STATUTES OF THE CRAFT IN THE TIME OV MARY

QUEEN OP SCOTS . Having devoted some time to the farther examination of the MS . records of the Ayr oquaremeu Incorporation—a body identified with the Fraternit y whence the Grand Lodge of

Scotland has sprung—we now beg to present a few excerpts , in the hope that they may prove interesting , as throwing light upon some of the usages of the Scottish Craft three centuries ago . These excerpts may be considered to have the greater

value from the fact that no Scottish Masonic statutes of a date prior to 1598 have hitherto been published . By the charter alleged to have been granted by

Malcolm III , in 1057 , to the Lodge of Glasgow St . John ( now No . 3-2 on Grand Lodge roll ) , provision is made for a certain proportion of the entry-monies paid to that Incorporation , as well as fines imposed for breaches of Masonic law ,

being devoted to the support of the altar dedicated to St . Thomas , and erected in the Kh-k of Glasgow . From the " Constitutions of German Masons of

Strasburgh" ( 1459 ) , appended to Bro . Findel ' s invaluable " History of Freemasonry , " we learn that of the " weekly pennies " uplifted from the " fellows , " a portion Avas ordained to be applied to " provide for God ' s worship ; " and on the death of a Master or fellow each Craftsman of

either rank was bound to assist at , and contribute to , the mass said for the repose of the defunct ' s soul . According to the statutes and ordinances ( 159 S ) " sett doun" by the Master of Work to James VI . ( reproduced in Bro . Laurie ' s " History

of Freemasonry and the Grand Lodge of Scotland '') , all the " penalties liftit and tane up frae the offendaris and breakaris " of the ordinances

of the Craft were appointed to be " distribute ad pics usus . " And the code of Masonic statutes of date 1599 , recently discovered in the charter chest at Eglington Castle , and whicli have already appeared in our " Notes on Mother Kilwinning , "

besides making reference to refreshment—a subject upon which the documents just quoted are silentand assigning a prominent place to the " bankatt " to be given to the lodge by newly-admitted " jDrenteissis and allowis of Craft , " provides for

a part of the " unlaws " being devoted to the " godlie usis of the lodge quhair ouy offens sal happiu to be eotmnittifc . " From the extracts which follow itAvill be observed that the Ayr Squaremen Avere , in their corporate

capacity , taken bound not Only themselves to contribute to the uphold of one of the eight altarages that in Queen Mary ' s time existed in the parish church of Ayr , but to aid also in the collection of the said altar ' s general revenue . To the service

of the Kirk were dedicated all the fees exigible from entered apprentices ; between the purchase of " gud aill" for the refreshment of the fraternity , aud " walx " for the uphald of the " halie altar , " the greater part of the " unlavps" AA'as spent ; and

the banquet or " dener , " over and above a money payment , was the never-failing adjunct to the formal reception of " maisters . " The Reformation having overturned the Popish altras , each fresh entry brought good cheer to the