and variegated with a depth of coloring peculiar to our Northern climate-the sky spreading its blue arch over land and water-the place, a spot consecrated to the manes of heroic men, eternized in the memory of millions—and an individual to address us, on whose mighty intellect, and commanding eloquence, both as a statesman and an orator, a nation looked with confidence and pride—all, all, united to give a deep interest and a kind of dramatic sublimity to the celebration. We stood on the ground, where, fifty years before, was first heard the key-note of that Declaration of Independence, whose murmuring echoes stole along the Atlantic shores, from mountain and glen, from city and village, until, reaching the day and the hour of July 4th, 1776, it sounded like the thunder of Heaven, when the Ruler of the world takes to himself his great power, and "the horse and his rider is cast into the sea!" No, my Brethren, that day, that Olympian festival, cannot be forgotten. Beneath and along the sides of Bunker Hill lay a widely extended town, which had risen like a Phoenix, from the ashes of a conflagration fifty years before,—in front of us were anchored war ships, the pride and bulwark of the countryacross the winding waters of Charles river, our enterprising metropolis spread out its riches, as the spires of its churches pointed to Heaven-a wide bay, fleets of merchantmen, verdant islands, and the distant blue of the ocean, appeared in the east, as from "thence we looked toward England"—the land of our pilgrim fathers, and an amphitheatre of hills, hanging over fields and villages, lined the western horizon-all these points of vision contributed to fill up the ideal painting of the mind, as the eye, revelling in the picturesque, was ravished as it wandered into distance over the heads of the immense crowd. It was a time of peace, of health, of prosperity. Every circumstance seemed to give a brilliant hue to the imagery, which even now, in all its gorgeous display, rises like the reality, before me. There, sat a venerable band, the lion hearted men of other days, the survivors of the battle, and near them a host of revolutionary patriarchs-here, were glittering rows of fashion and elegance, gathered from the roses and lilies of New England, beautiful as Venus when she rose into life from her native sea-not far off were citizens of rank, and soldiers in their military costume, densely filling the space-and near and around them, on semi-circular seats, sat the various Orders of Masonry, in their superb regalia-the Blue Lodges, the Crimson Chapters, the Red Cross Knights, and the sable Templars. In the rear hung thousands of spectators; and in front, was an elevated stage, where, in the midst of the dignitaries and choice spirits of the land, and with the venerable form of our illustrious visitor Lafayette, at his side, stood Daniel Webster, visible to all, and distinctly heard by the vast assembly which was before him, and even by a large part of that forest of human forms which shadowed the outskirts of the great gathering. With a voice which filled so much of this wide space with its clear and deep toned utterance, he held the breath of thousands, as of one man, while he portrayed the past struggles, the present glory, and the future prospects, of our Republic. How ravishing were those bursts of eloquence as he spoke under the open sky. His mind embraced a world in its patriotism, and his imagination, touching the central fires of the globe, as it kindled, seemed to shake the firmament. To see him, to hear him, to feel the grasp of such an intellect, is to remember him forever! He had drank deep of the spirit of "76, and he gave us to drink. Indeed, the whole was a splendid vision-a day of this world's glory-a white mark in the calendar of life. It was a dazzling contrast to that dismal scene, when, June 17, 1775, the sun went down on that hill in blood, and the daughters of Masonry wept over the remains of the immortal Warren! "Manibus date lilia plenis Give me the earliest lilies of the spring, And while this Stone, by Masons laid, will tell Th' eternal LANDMARK of the brave and free! THE FREEMASON'S LEXICON. [Translated from the German, for the Freemasons' Quarterly Review.] Continued from p. 272. Censor. This is really not an officer of the Lodge, but introduced here and there. They are commonly found where the Lodge has its own private house, in which on certain days mixed assemblies are held of Freemasons and their families or friends. Of those assemblies the Censor has the superintendence; but as he must act with the greatest caution and circumspection, so as to avoid giving the least offence, while at the same time he takes due care that every thing is carried on with order and decorum, so this office requires to be filled by one of the most accomplished members of the Lodge, and one whose situation in the world entitles him to the respect of the visiters. To judge upon the morality of the Brethren, and when it is necessary to censure their conduct, is the duty of the W. M., W.'s and M. of the ceremonies. Centraliston-Centralists.—A society which has broken up, but which, in the year 1770 to 1780, made use of the Alchmical Terminology and figures to conceal their secrets. It is believed that the object of this society was under this veil to propagate Jesuitism. Ceremonion Meister. Master of Ceremonies -He must be the first at every assembly of the Brethren, that all preparations are made that are necessary for holding a Lodge, and then invite the Brethren to enter. He introduces the visiting Brethren, and shews them their places. He must enter into conversation with every stranger who comes into the ante-chamber, to discover if he is a Brother. In the Lodge he must pay attention, and see that every thing necessary for due solemnity is prepared before the Lodge is opened, and that nothing may disturb that solemnity while it is open. His seat is so placed that the W. Master has him in full view, and he can leave it as often as he thinks necessary without asking leave of the W. Master. He has the same charge at the banquet, and the serving Brethren are generally under his direction. Visitors generally apply to him first; and it is necessary to fill this office with an experienced Mason, and, if it be practical, with one who speaks different foreign languages. Certificat. Certificate-Every Brother who travels, and who wishes to visit the Lodges in the cities he comes to, must not only provide himself with Masonic clothing, but with a certificate. These certificates are granted by the Grand Lodge of England to every one who has been regularly initiated, and contain an account of when and where the bearer was made, and a recommendation to all Lodges to admit him to their labors. They are sealed with the seal of the Grand Lodge, and are signed by the Grand Secretary, aud the Brother to whom they belong. This description of certificate was introduced by the Grand Lodge of England, 24th July, 1755. Chaldaische Mysterien. Chaldaic Mysteries.-The Chaldeans were inhabitants of Asia, and descendants of Shem. This widely-extended people are considered to have been the first workers in metals, and also the first discoverers of the science of astronomy. Their priests were pre-eminently distinguished by their knowledge, which they concealed from the people in their sacred writings. As far as we know, magic and conjuring were included in those secrets. Chiffer Schreibart. Writing in Ciphers.-It is not customary in Freemasonry to write in cipher, neither is there any law commanding it to be done, although there is a very ancient cipher extant taken from the Square and Triangle. This is also called the Ammonian writing of the ancient Egyptian priests. In the year 1808, Bro. J. G. Bruman, Director of the Academy of Commerce and Professor of the Mathematics at Mannheim, published a programme of a Pangraphia or universal writing, and at the same time an Arithmetical Krypto-graphic, which was to be extremely useful in Freemasonry; but so far as we know, this work has never appeared. Circulare. Circular.-The Brethren must be invited by circular from the secretary on every Lodge night; which circular must contain the place where and the time when the Lodge is to be held, as well as what degrees will be wrought (German custom.) This circular must be subscribed by every Brother to whom it is presented by the Tyler, but they are prohibited to write anything upon it but their name. Those who have any objection to the work described, must state their objections either personally or by writing to the W. Master. Subscribing the circular binds the subscriber to appear at the work or send an apology. Clemens, Duke of Bavaria and Elector of Cologne, was born on the 16th Au gust, 1700, and died 6th February, 1766. The suppression of the Order of Free. masonry by Pope Clement XII., in the year 1738, with which every Roman Catholic prince was obliged to comply, disgusted the Elector Clemens August, who was a Freemason, and was the reason why he founded the Mops Order in the year 1740. Clerikat oder Cleriker-called also Clericorum Ordines Templar.-A system which arose in 1767, about the same time as the Strict Observance began to spread, but which has since been broken up. The discoverer of this system was the late Chief Court Chaplin Stark, in Darmstadt. He maintained that he had received those secrets from the fathers in Auvergne, and would probably have exercised the functions of the ancient High Priests-namely, of those who professed to be entrusted by the Almighty with the greatest secrets, and grand seal of nature; of which, also, Aaron and his successors in the Mosaic dispensation, were chosen Chief Preservers, in the Holy of Holies of the chosen people of God. It was given out that there was a secret Chapter of the Clerikers, who possessed the highest degrees of Freemasonry-which had penetrated into the most secret recesses-which knew the supremacy of the Order, and which did the secret work of the Orders: and not only of the Orders which Freemasonry had created, but the Order which had brought forth Freemasonry itself, and which made use of Freemasonry as of an hierogliphically wrought veil-those Clerikers now wished to be the priests of the new Order of Knights Templars. The degrees of this system were the three degrees Corrupted; 4, The Young Scot; 5, The Scottish Ancient Master and Knight of the Order of St. Andrew; 6, The Provincial Chief of the Chapter of the Red Cross; 7, The degree of Magus, which consisted of five divisions. Clermontsches System, or High Chapter.-This was formerly wrought in the Clermontish College at Paris, and at the time of the system of the Knights Tem plars. The priests of this Order were said to be in possession of the secret of the higher degrees of Freemasonry, and that the source of all the higher degrees were to be found in its High Chapter. This Order became known in the years 1735 to 1746, but had existed previously. Conferenz Loge. Conference Lodge.-These are commonly assemblies of M. M., in which the financial affairs of the Lodge, poor money,* correspondence, &c. &c. are discussed. It is good for the Lodge when such conference Lodges are held monthly, as they serve to strengthen the interest which the Brethren take in the welfare of the Lodge. Constitution. Warrant. In former times a Lodge formed itself without any ceremony wherever a sufficient number of Brethren dwelt to form a Lodge, and one of the neighboring Lodges formed it for them. But in 1717, the Grand Lodge in London determined that every new Lodge in England should have a patent, and since that time all those Brethren who wish to form a new Lodge, have to obtain a warrant from the Grand Lodge. The new Lodge then joins the Grand Lodge as a daughter Lodge, binds itself to work according to its system, and to keep within the ancient landmarks, and subscribes a small sum annually towards defraying the expenses which every Grand Lodge must incur. Then is such a Lodge called a just, perfect, and regularly constituted Lodge, and is acknowledged as such by every Lodge which works under the same constitution. This regulation was found necessary, because that here and there private Lodges were formed by false and unworthy Brethren, who formed a ritual according to their own ideas, and pretended to make men Freemasons for the sake of their money. Some countries, particularly Denmark and Prussia, have passed laws that no Lodge shall be held or formed, in any part of their dominions, without having first obtained a warrant from one of the Grand Lodges in the country. In Germany there are a few of the ancient Lodges which are independent, and which have not joined any Grand Lodge, but which, on account of their age, are acknowledged as regular Lodges by all the others. The present Grand Lodges are formed from united St. John's Lodges. No St. John's Lodge can form itself into a Grand Lodge of its own power. Copenhagen Grand Lodge of Denmark.-Grand Master for 1792, Prince Charles of Hesse, Landgraff zu Thuringen; Royal Danish Field-marshal and Stadtholder of Schleswig and Holstein; resides in Gottorp. St. John's Lodge, Zorobabel zur Nordstein, founded from London, 1745. Besides these, the Grand Lodge of Denmark has daughter Lodges in Altona, Odensee, Rendsburg, St. Croix in the West Indies, St. Thomas in the West Indies, and Tranquebar. Correspondence.-The Lodges correspond with each other, but more generally with their Grand Lodge, and send it an account of their activity. This correspondence is different from the circle correspondence. This correspondence generally takes place shortly after the festival of St. John, on their anniversary festival, and is frequently very interesting, and generally read in open Lodge; every Lodge should endeavor to have something interesting to communicate, and as soon as it has anything of the sort, should immediately communicate it. Many Lodges have a Secretary for recording the transactions, and another for the correspondence. Those letters are not addressed to the Lodge but to a Brother appointed for that purpose. In the Prussian States, where every Lodge possesses the privileges of a private individual, the letters may be addressed to the Lodge, as the secrets of a private correspondence are as much respected by the officers of the post-office as are those of a Freemason. *Before closing the Lodge there is a collection made for the poor every Lodge night. CORRESPONDENCE. Pepperell, June, 24th 1846. Br. MOORE:-It is with pleasure that I inform you of the Masonic Celebration on Mount Lebanon Hill, on the heights of Pepperell. The day was not so favorable as one might wish, though a cloudy sun sent a few cheering rays of light to gladden the scene. The ceremonies commenced at an early hour, (between 8 and 9 o'clock.) First, I fired a broadside, to help the Grand Lodge and Encampment along to Fitchburg. Did you not hear it? Second, a solemn invocation was offered to Him who sways the Universe with order and regularity, for the blessings which He has bestowed upon the true followers of our Order. Third, the Oration was delivered with power and eloquence, and was to the point. Fourth, the following sentiments were given: 1st. The Memory of St. John the Baptist-It will remain more imperishable. than the splendid inarble monument or the ever-enduring pyramid. 2d. Mount Lebanon Hill and Grove will remain where they are, while time is, or the sun shines, or the waning moon reflects her silver light, and all true Brothers and Knights may worship here in a temple dedicated to Universal Fidelity. 3d. Freemasonry and Knighthood-Twin brothers in the sacred cause of Virtue and Temperance. 4th. Woman--Not taken out of man's head, to rule and triumph over him. Neither was she taken out of his heel, to be ruled and trampled upon. But taken out of his side, to be his equal companion--his better half: the better, and not the worse, for being the wife of a Freemason. Thus closed the third celebration of the 24th of June on this beautiful Hill, "with none to molest or make afraid." I would gladly have given the Grand Lodge and Encampment my hospitality in eatables and drinkables of my own raising, &c., had they been disposed to come and celebrate the day with me. Yours, fraternally, LUTHER S. BANCROFT. [We are happy to learn that our Brother is still true to the old Constitution, which requires all good Masons to "meet in some convenient place on St. John's Day, to celebrate their festival." We suppose he made the beginning and end of his own procession-carried his own banner--marched to his own music--listened to his own oration-sang his own odes, and ate his own dinner! In fine, celebrated the day "on his own hook," as the backwoodsman at New Orleans did his fighting! Well, there is nothing, after all, like being independent!] Richland, Miss., June 26, 1846. Comp. C. W. MOORE:-I have never said a word to you in respect to the prosperity of Masonry in Mississippi. It is onward. Eurika Lodge, No. 61, was organized in October, 1843, at Richland, Holmes Co., Miss., with 17 members. It now numbers about 80 members. It has never had a regular meeting when degrees were not conferred, except one; has a hall of its own, and a good one, and no Brother has, by direct tax or contribution, paid one cent more than his month |