MASONIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 751, 23 July 1886, Page 6

MASONIC.

Having re-opened the Masonic column in the Mail, under the supervision of a Master in the Craft, we shall be glad to • receive from Secretaries of Lodges, and brethren generally, short reports of Lodge meetings and Masonic events of all kinds likely to be of interest to members of the craft . All correspondence for this column to be addressed to the Masonic Editor, New Zealand Mail.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Charity. —* Good Fellowship ’is the prime object of the fraternity, charity being one of its main offshoots ; bub all should be as little in want of the latter when they join, as they are brimful of the former. Ballot. —We dislike black-balling very much, and think it preferable to have objectionable candidates withdrawn. G.M.—The degree of * Installed Master ’ was

unknown to the * ancients.’ F.G.B.—We quite agree with your opinion. It is a matter which should be referred to the District Grand Lodge. Royal Arch. —The expression * Chapter ’ was coined in modern times. As far as we can learn the ‘ Union Chapter ’ will shortly be at work again.

FAVORS RECEIVED. The Freemason, Chaine d’Union (Paris), Kneph, El Simbolismo (Madrid), Aurora Escozzesa (Rio de Janeiro), Victorian Freemasonry, Voice of Masonry, Hebrew Leader, and Luce e Concordia. WELLINGTON LODGE. The regular monthly meeting of the above Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall, Boul-cott-street, on Friday, 16fch inst., Bro. George Drury in the chair. Bro. Tunes was passed to the second degree, the charge and lecture in accordance with the ritual being impressively given by the W.M. The treasurer’s statement for the year ended 30th June last was submitted, and we must congratulate the Wellington Lodge on its increasing prosperity, more especially as to its financial condition, thanks to the energies of Bro. Sir E. O. Gibbes, Bart, (treasurer). A Committee was formed, consisting of the W.M. and Bros. Robertson, Richardson, and Todd, to meet members of the other Wellington Lodges, to arrange as to the opening of the new hall, which will be completed in August next. WATERLOO CHAPTER. As mentioned in last week’s Mail, we now give a complete list of the companions elected as officers at the last meeting on the 9th inst. By a slip of the pen we inadvertently used the word ‘ invested ’ instead of * elected,’ in our last report, and must apologise for the error:— Z., Most Excellent Companion Williams ; H., Excellent Companion Crease ; J., Excellent Companion Harton; Scribe E., Companion Clark; Scribe N., Companion Drury ; Treasurer, Companion Powles; Conductor, Companion Patterson ; First Sojourner, Companion Robertson; Second Sojourner, Companion Grady ; Third Sojourner, Companion Tver. The following officers were also appointed in the Mark Lodge :—Most Worshipful Mark Master, Bro. Lindsay; S.W., Bro. Crease; J.W., Bro. Harton ; M. 0., Bro. Patterson : 5.0., Bro. Fownes ; J. 0., Bro. Drury; S.D., and Conductor, Bro. Robertson; J.D., Bro. Clothier ; 1.G., Bro. Arrowsmith ; Tyler, Bro. Harriss.

The installation of the above will take place sometime in September next.

MASONIC MARKS.

It is stated by Stowe—one of the most celebrated of the early English chroniclers that when the walls of London were rebuilt, in the seventh or eighth century, the Benedictine monks in the neighborhood of Birkenhead, were sent for to perform the masonry ; and it is further stated that these monks kept the * secrets ’ of their art with such strict fidelity that they were said to have * invented ’ stone walls. Their workmanship was so excellent and so rare in those days that it was considered not an erection, but an invention !

The Church of St. Mary de Costro, which was rebuilt by Robert de Bellmont, Earl of Leicester, in 1107, and of which the chancel and other portions of the beautiful architecture of the Norman period, still remain, as do also fine specimens of the succeeding styles, has lately been undergoing extensive repairs and restorations. In removing the

great TVestern window of the nave, which was of the decorated character prevalent in the early part of the fourteenth century, but greatly dilapidated, several ‘ Masons’ Marks ’ were discovered on the stones. Among them are the double and single triangle, and what the discoverer calls an atchor. The * Mark Masters ’of these early times generally selected their ‘ marks ’ with reference to religious events, or as symbolical of some great religious truth.

MASONIC RITUALS. It is to be regretted that the Grand Lodge of England does not take some steps to prevent the Masonic ritual (E.C.), from being sown broadcast in our colony and Australia. In fact, the ritual of the English Constitution is as Common in the book shops as Mark Twain’s ‘ Innocents Abroad.’ Of couse, it is only right that a Mason should f }ve a ritual, but the obtaining of it sho/ d certainly rest with the W.M. of his Lo J e. The book, to our mind, is at present o easily got by those outside the Mason? pale, and the higher authorities should ret? *y the evil if possible. We notice that the 1 ' Scotch and Irish rituals cannot be bought here.

PYTHAGORIC SYMBOLS. The following are continued from our last number : 19. Sit not upon a bushel. 20. Nourish not that which has crooked, nails. 21. Cut not in the way. 22. Receive not a swallow into your house. 23. Wear not a ring. 24. Inscribe not the image of God in a ring. 25. Behold not yourself in a mirror by the light of a candle. 26. Be not addicted to immoderate laughter. 27. Cut not your nails at a sacrifice. 28. Offer not your right hand easily to every one. 29. When rising from the bed-clothes, roll them together, and obliterate the impression of the body. 30. Eat not the heart. 31. Eat not the brains. 32. Despise things that are connascent with you. 33. Receive not Erythinus. 34. Obliterate the mark of the pot from the ashes.

35. Draw not near to that which is gold, in order to produce children. 36. Honor a figure and a step before a figure and a triobolus. 37. Abstain from beans. 38. Transplant mallows indeed in your garden ; but eat them not. 39. Abstain from animals.