Masonic Notes And Queries.

ever , perhaps the brethren Avho made the above asser tions will favour us with the reasons for their faith . — Plexus . " ITASOSTC PEESEOUnba ( p . 1 S 2 ) It need not bo Avonclered at that the Church of Rome and Freemasonry do not agree . The mere fact

of Freemasonry being free is sufficient , in the eyes of Rome , to show cause Avhy it should be condemned . And the secret lies here , viz ..- the spirit of Freemasonry and the spirit of Home are diametrically opposed . Freemasonry treats men as brethren ; Rome as slaves . No freedom of opinion with Rome ;

believe as Rome belieA es , and obey Avhatever she commands ; or , it' you assert a right to j udge for yourself , you are damned . Freemasonry is opposed to bigotry . Bigotry is the dear child of Rome . Freemasonry is the spirit of love , liberty , progress , and kind fraternal intercourse . Rome has its spirit displayed in her

inquisition and her dear maternal auto ch fe , where the liberty of her subjects was so lovingly crowned Avith glory on the Quemadero . * The Freemason cries for light , more light . Rome feels , acta , aud says—no , no ; no light , or Ave are lost ; the fabric which we have by every means been building at for

centuries past would burst asunder if the light , shining through its Avideiy-gaping , or slovenlyplastered chinks , be seen by those within . Rome has attacked Freemasonry again and again and been baffled . As Julian Hernandez ( who with 13 others and three effigies were burnt in Spain A . D . 1560 ) used to sing ( when the monks who tried to pervert him found all their attempts in vain ) : —

Vencidos van los Frailes , vencidos van ,-Corridos van los lobos , corridos van . ' ¦ ' Thei-ego the Friars , there they run ! There go the wolves , tiie wolves are clone 1 " -FREEMASON .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents , MASONIC AROHiEOLOGY .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREESIASOXS' SIAGAZIXE A > 'D 1 IASONTC MIRROR . Dear Sir and Brother , —Bro . Melville has , I presume , presented you with a copy of his paper on the "Astrolabe , " showing the grave error into which Bro . Layard had fallen in supposing , or misleading the public to suppose , that the Assyrian marble in the British Museum represented " the interior of a castle

and pavilion or tent ;' ' whereas Bro . Melville ' s Archtcological researches enable him to prove that the marble is an astronomical memorial of great scientific ? alue .. The same paper contains a letter or certificate from the Grand Registraracknowleding in effect

, g that the author had shown him that the Masonic ceremonies are symbolized on the plane projection of the heavens . This is , indeed , a most Avonderful discovery , for , hitherto , tbe figures on the place have been considered meaningless , or serving merely to facilitate tbe study of practical astronomy . The very

ingenuity ^ however , with which the ceremonies have been so curiously recorded by our Masonic forefathers , attests the priceless value they attached to them ao the ritualism of their sacred mysteries ; aud , as those ceremonies have been so secretly preserved from profane or uninitiated eyes , Ave may Avell ask

where and how are the mysteries recorded ? Do the questions referred to in the Deputy Grand Master ' s letter , transcribed iu Bro . Melville ' s paper , relate to those mysteries , aud can that be the reason why the Deputy Grand Master states that , however interestin g those questions may be in themselvesthey

, lie beyond the scope of ordinary Masonry to Avhich alone he has leisure to attend . It was as easy for the Deputy Grand Master to refer those interesting questions to some brother possessed of more leisure than himself , as for him in the first instance to refer Bro . Melville to the Grand Registrar .

It is sincerely to be hoped that Bro . Melville may find some brother or archaeologist who has both leisure and inclination to examine into those questions , fraught as they appear to be Avith such profound interest to mankind . Yours fraternally , "YV . N . CRAL - POED .

MASONIC LIFEBOAT . TO THK EDITOR OP THE FREEMASONS' 3 IAGAZI > 'E AXD 3 IAS 0 > 'IC 3 IIEROK . Dear Sir and Brother , —On reading the Grand Lodge Report , many Avould be disappointed at the result of the motion anent the Masonic Lifeboat . I

am one of those Avho imagine that nothing could be more apropos for au English Masonic lodge to subscribe to , for England is particularly a maritime country . The Grand Registrar says . — " They ought to look at home ; " but , I would ask—is providing the means

of life for many of her own members not "looking at home ? " I should think so . The Grand Registrar may thank his stars if he is never cast on a lee shore where there is no lifeboat . If such should ( although Ave hope not ) ever happen , perhaps the words might be remembered— " they ought to look at home . " . Yours fraternally , NEl'TUSE .

MASONIC LIFEBOAT FEND . TO THE EDITOR OE TIIE FREEIIASO-Va' MAGAZI . YE AXD . TIASOIflC JHIKBOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —As one of those who neither voted for nor against Bro . AY . Smith ' s motion at the last Grand Lodge , I am very desirous to Avrite

a few lines . With the principle of Bro . Smith ' s motion the majority of Grand Lodge concurred , and I congratulate Bro . Smith on the impression he made , aud strongly urge him to persevere and go through the usual course to success . It does not often happen that a motion unconsidered should for the first time

pass through Grand Lodge at the fag end of the evening . It has to be properly discussed . That Avas not the case the other night . The majority of opinions—that of the M . W , G . M . included—was in favour of the National Lifeboat Fund , but divided as to tbe mode of action , and the opposition of the

Grand Registrar was on untenable grounds . According to his doctrine , no contribution would be given to any charity having claims upon the Craft .