MASONIC ARCHÆOLOGICAL INSTITUTE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1941, 24 March 1875, Page 4

MASONIC ARCHÆOLOGICAL INSTITUTE.

A meeting of the members of this In* stitute was held on Jan. 11 at the Hall of the Supreme Grand Council, Golden* square. The Earl of Carnarvon was to hare presided, but owing to the serious illness of .the countess his lordship wss unable to be present. Mr R. G. Haliburton, of St. John's Lodge, Nova Scotia, who is known as the discoverer of the "year of the Pleiades," delivered a most aole and interesting lecture on " Prehistoric Vestiges of Masonic Symbolism," by which, as he stated, he would endeavour to prove that Masonic symbols (especially the symbol of the seven stars) supplied a key to the common origin ©f the religion of nations, and that they hpd at the first not only an emblematical, but also a positive and more important significance in relation to primitive astronomy. A discussion followed the - lecture, but it was then announced that the proceedings must be considered as strictly Masonic, and as clothed with all the secrecy of the lodge-room; For this reason not even an outline of the lecture, which would have been of great service to all archaeologists, and also the means of assisting the objects the institute has in view, can be given. The discussion was adjourned to a future: meeting, the matters referred to in the lecture required much consideration. Mr Haliburton,.who, when he first began his researches some twenty years ago, was not a Freemason, could not then account for many of the wonders he then met with; but by the aid of the science, when he joined the order, he was enabled to solve'mbst of th© mysteries which had

perplexed him. The assistance of all Masone was solicited at the close of the evening, who were invited to join the institute, the subscription to whidhi* only half a-guineai A great many person■ have since joined.