virtue. Their hearts were so many Lodges, in which virtue presided, and the dictates of that grand mistress of the female bosom, their only incentive to action. In conclusion, Freemasonry, rightly understood, would be found to be the improvement of youth, the delight of old age, the ornament of prosperity, the refuge and solace of adversity; it pleased at home, it was no incumbrance abroad; it lodged within us, it travelled out with us; and added pleasure and amusement in the quiet of rural retirement! The genuine Mason sought universal truth; he desired the happiness of all men; and he looked with the mental eye over the whole globe. One part is peopled with fair men, another with black and swarthy faces; their languages are various, their modes of thinking different—but all are our Brothers! The children of one father in heaven, and one family on earth!

FREEMASONRY versus THE SLAVE TRADE.

To the Editor of the Freemasons' Quarterly Review.

SIR AND BROTHER,-It is unnecessary to remind Freemasons that our private signals, although of great importance, are not the most valuable, nor the most interesting, parts of the science we endeavor to cultivate. Masonry embraces a wider range, and has a nobler object in view; namely, the cultivation and improvement of the understanding, and affections. But that the methods by which Masons recognize each other have, frequently, the most important consequences, will be illustrated by the following anecdote, which is the cause of my addressing you-and which, with others of a similar character, will show that Freemasonry exerts the highest influence on even the most uncultivated and ignorant who adopt its principles. In the case I am about to relate, we find a man, whose trade it was to kidnap his fellow-creatures, flesh and blood like himself, for the purpose of selling them, and dooming them to the most miserable destiny for life, if they were so unfortunate as to survive the voyage across the wide ocean, in a slave-ship, whose very occupation must have made him brutal, if not ferocious, we find him, I say, practically acknowledging the force of his obligations as a Freemason, and rendering due homage to the great moral lessons he had learnt in that character. The two principal actors in the following scene, were not only total strangers to each other, but each spoke a language of which the other knew nothing-and the Englishman was of a nation which the Spaniard, in common with all who employ themselves in the same inhuman and diabolical traffic, detested with a perfect hatred, as the most successful and determined opponent of those who send the poor African to wretched and hopeless slavery for life. If the Spaniard in this instance professed Christianity, he certainly, by his deeds, gave the lie to his profession, by outraging its most valuable precepts. But-he virtually acknowledged, by acting upon them, the important lessons he had received in a Freemasons' Lodge.

The facts belonging to this interesting adventure, speak for themselves: I leave them, therefore, to make their own impression, and proceed to give the particulars, almost verbatim, as related to me by the principal actor in it.

Capt. D., master of the brig E., belonging to some eminent English merchants, who have long been engaged in the African trade, was, in June, 1844, at Camma, on the western coast of Africa, lying about 1 1-2 S. lat. and about 10 E. long., for the purpose of trading with the natives. Having disposed of his cargo, he was about breaking up the factory which he had established at that place; and with that view, had taken the greater part of his purchases on board his vessel. Before the removal of the whole was completed, the son of the king of a neighboring tribe, came up, and wantonly destroyed two jars. One of the lads attached to Capt. D.'s factory (a Gaboon boy,) immediately asked the king's son the reason of his having broken the jars. The latter not only refused to give any reason, but struck the boy-who, with great spirit, returned the compliment, with

out loss of time. Thus simply was a disturbance caused-for the Camma people, having seen the king's son struck by the boy, immediately came up in great numbers, with fire-arms and other weapons; being instigated to outrage on the Englishman, by some Spaniards, (slave-dealers,) who were stationed there. Capt. D. had none but natives with him at the time, and even of those, not more than half a dozen, his own crew having gone off to his vessel with goods. Two of his men (Africans, but from the neighborhood of Sierre Leone,) having been severely wounded, a hand of one of them being nearly severed and remaining attached to his arm by merely a little skin and membrane, Capt. D. being the only white man present, except the Spaniards, was about endeavoring to force a passage through the mob; when he observed in the neckhandkerchief of one of the Spaniards who was urging on the attacking party, a Masonic emblem. In a case of such difficulty, requiring prompt decision and action, and where his life was not worth a minute's purchase, Capt. D., on noticing this, gave the Spaniard a Masonic signal. It was promptly acknowledged; the Spaniard instantly came up-proved himself-put his cutlass into Capt. D.'s hand-fetched another from his factory for his own use-and arrayed his men on Capt. D.'s side. The fortune of war was thus changed: the tribe were quickly dispersed, king's son and all, and Capt. D. enabled to reach his vessel without farther loss or damage.

ALICE, OR THE FREEMASON'S CHILD. MANY have been the poets who have sung of the transient, but all-inspiring glories of the summer-many have been the romantic writers, too, who have eulogised the refreshing sweetness of a July evening, beneath the rich twilight of which the heroes of their tale have breathed the undying attachment of some young and unsuspecting passion! And, in very truth, it is a theme worthy of any genuine worshipper of "the Nine," or of the many keepers with whom rests, as though it were part of their very existence, the richness of legendary lore.

It was on such a night-all nature appeared redolent with its multiplied blessings and attractions, that a gentleman, known to the writer of this simple narrative-a sketch of life in one of those scenes of reality which are occasionally enacted in sublunary spheres-met with one on whom the fulness of female charms seemed to have shed their loveliness in a degree far beyond the commonality of her sex. She was young-scarcely had seen the eighteenth return of her advent to this world of mingled joy and sorrow; yet was there something in her bearing-the beaming in her intellectual countenance, which at once told the lofty towering of her thoughts, and her capability to feel to cherish the intensity of human passion.

The spot on which they met was calculated to draw forth a rich estimate of this world's brightest possessions. The charm of antiquity attached itself to a country mansion-the simplest of its many adornments had stood the test of centuries; there was scarcely a stone upon that old domain that was not rich in some memento of the past. Modern taste, too, was not wanting to afford an interesting contrast to bye-gone recollections, and historic glories recurred at every step, to minds full of thought, of interest, and imaginative skill. It was the spot-the season-the girl-when love forced itself, with irresistible power, upon the sensibilities of one, to whom " station" had denied every thing but the will to love!

Our hero met the guileless daughter of partrician birth-they spoke, and loved!

A few short years have passed away, and the "mansion" is forsaken for the "cottage." He, who once was lord of many broad acres, is but an humble pensioner upon another's bounty. Yet still his child-the nursling of his heart's best affections--the motherless offspring of a proud and haughty alliance-tends the

author of her being with the devotedness of a daughter's love! What matters it to her, that her father's too sanguine hopes have wrecked on the ocean of commercial enterprise, the wealth that might have purchased for them both the homage of a multitude? Money! thou art the curse of thousands! Money! thou art still the treasure which millions covet.

The poor man still was proud. He, who once had his gaudy equipages and liveried lackies, bore, in the decline of his fortunes, the front of "heralded” honor; and he knew it.

Another pause, and the cottage in the country was succeeded by the "garret" of the Metropolis. 'Twas a fearful change to one so proud-to another, lovely beyond compeer, even in her solitude and poverty. There was now no "tiring maid," the humblest garment, self-made, self-adjusted, spoke of sad reverses-of the blank of misery. And the proud poor man became afflicted with sickness. His last guinea was in his purse. To die was nothing, were he alone-the parish might ungraciously consign him to the pauper's sepulchre, and he grieve not, when the "cold corpse" was far beyond the reach of mortal contumely and disregard. But for his daughter! Let no pen attempt to trace the anguish of that thought at such a moment.

arro

"Oh! Alice, water, or I die!" The female hand that had waved its magic influence in gilded saloons, now administered to the parched lips of a dying Christian, the broken pitcher. This was the daughter of the self-same man, who, years ago, had forbidden the love of a "plebian," medical practitioner, the one who is the hero of our page. Fever raged high within the apartment of that sinking soul. To purchase aid, no human means were now available; and then, to sue for charity, were to combat with a thousand denials, to which former " gance" presented difficulties that brought rejection in their train. Full of agony, a desperate step was taken. A neighboring surgery was sought and found. She, who was previously the heiress of the mansion, met the rejected one—help was afforded-sickness was relieved-health was restored-the progress of time developed such signs and symbols, that a " Mason's bairn" found beneath the portals of a rich and valued practitioner of the "healing art," the shelter of a "Mason's wife."

Lodge of Reclitude, Rugby, Eng.-Review.

J. S.

JEWISH FREEMASONS IN PRUSSIA. (Extract from a letter to the editor of the Review, dated 8th June, Berlin.) "Br desire of the members of the Lodge No. 444, under the warrant of your Grand Lodge of England, we visited the Lodge called "Searching for Truth," at Berlin, but were stopped at the portal, and, in spite of our respective certificates being signed in due form by the Lodges of England, France, and America, we were refused admission. We claimed to know the reason, and were answered, because we were Jews: this was on 19th May, 1845, although the representative of the Royal York of Prussia Grand Lodge, declared on 4th September, 1844, that the law which had been in existence to prevent members of our faith entering Prussian Lodges had been abolished. We were taught at our initiation, that Freemasonry knew nothing of Judaism, Christianity, Mahomedanism, or Hindooism. We presented ourselves as Freemasons and were refused as Jewshow is this? We shall not allow it to rest here, nor can we imagine the Grand Lodge of England so fallen as to permit this insult to pass, as we distinctly stated we had been instructed to apply in order to try the question. I do not consider that the course to be pursued should be the same as might have been adopted if this official refusal had not taken place. My idea was, a remonstrance and withdrawal of the English representatives from the Grand Lodge of Prussia, and re

fusal to admit the representative of Prussia in the Grand Lodge of England, would have been the most astringent course, but now the signature of your authorities has been shown to be disregarded and your certificates treated as so much worthless paper. You cannot and dare not tolerate this; and I suppose you will declare all sympathy at end, and that Prussian Freemasons are not to be admitted to your Lodges; but in this you will not even be the first to act, as what I am about to state might be thought too ridiculous if it were not too serious for a joke. In the instructions issued by the Three Globes, another of our Grand Lodges (you know we possess three,) it is stated, "Christianity is the basis of Freemasonry; tolerance Lodges are known to exist, in which non-Christians are admitted and initiated; such must, however, never be considered as Masonic Lodges, they have the shadow but not the substance of Freemasonry; they are to be looked upon as impostors to Masonry, and our members are strictly cautioned against visiting such." What do you think of this? Considering your Grand Lodge granted a warrant in 1737, to establish the first Lodge in Germany, namely, in Hambro', and that it remained under your protection until 1811, and from this Lodge our Berlin Masonry emanated in 1740: so that your hopeful offspring is pretty courageous, though somewhat ungrateful; nevertheless it strikes me calling you names, or ordering their members to avoid your Lodges, does not look very Masonic, nor show signs of a very strong cause; but I need not tell you the Masons here are somewhat connected with religious and even political movements. Strong measures will become necessary; we are prepared for them, and so are our friends, who are neither "few nor uncertain." As to the representative Hebeler, he has not written one syllable to the Lodge here of his memorable declaration in your Grand Lodge on 4th September last year; he knew well at the time, he was fooling you; I leave him and his statements to you, &c. &c.*

JEWISH AND PRUSSIAN FREEMASONS.

Ir is understood that the Secretary of the Royal York Grand Lodge of Berlin, has protested against the non-admission of Jewish Masons into that Lodge; also that the resolution for such non-admission, with the Secretary's protest, as well as the decision arrived at in consequence, has been printed by such Grand Lodge, and circulated among its subordinate Lodges. It is a curious document; for while they acknowledge the exclusion of Jews to be improper-that they deeply regret it, and would alter the same, but that they fear to offend the PrinceProtector, who had declared his resolution to abide by the exclusion, hopes are entertained that his Royal Highness would become more enlightened, and would yield to justice what he denied to propriety, when without his sanction the Grand Lodge could not act. Some Brethren fear that this schism will endanger the Order. We answer, there is no fear; the Prince-Protector, like other mortals, should be taught a moral lesson; he possesses no immunity to disgrace the Order; rather let him retire than that the true holiness of Freemasonry should be desecrated.

Br. Faudel's motion for considering the subject in the Grand Lodge of England, has been withdrawn for the present, in compliment to the wishes of the Earl of Zetland, who will, we understand, himself take the matter into his own consideration, as regards Jewish Masons with English certificates. We however, as journalists, should take a still higher tone, and endeavor to emancipate Prussian Lodges from a disgraceful serfdom. In our next we hope to give evidence of moral improvement.-[ Review.

*The Lodge of Joppa (London,) consisting of nearly all Jews, intend, as we hear, to apply to the Grand Lodge of England on the subject.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS OF MIDDLESEX

LODGE, AT FRAMINGHAM, MASS.

R. W. BR MOORE,

ON ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

Dear Sir:-Middlesex Lodge having entered on the fiftieth year since its formation, it seemed good to us to mark the event by some appropriate services. Preparation was accordingly made, by inviting a Brother to give a public Masonic Address on the occasion, and securing the large and commodious Town Hall, of Framingham, as the place of meeting. The officers elect of the Lodge were duly Installed in ample form, on the same evening. The exercises were in the following order:

1. Music by the Band.

2. Prayer by Rev. Br. William Barry.

3. Reading the Scriptures by Rev. Br. Baury, of Newton.

4. Singing by the choir, led by Dr. S. Whitney.

5. Ceremonies of Installation by Br. J. O. Skinner, P. M.

6. Singing.

7. Benediction by Rev. Br. Charles Train.

These services were listened to with that strict attention which denoted that the assembly was gratified and profited by what was spoken.

The Address of Br. Wells was an able and successful vindication of the Masonic Institution against the more common objections which are urged in opposition to it. It was rich in matter, and earnestly and eloquently delivered. Not only did it meet the approbation of the Fraternity, but men of high character for intelligence and moral worth, not Masons, expressed their high gratification at hearing so candid and fair an exhibition of the principles and aims of the Order. And I do not doubt that it will do much, to dispel the erroneous views and prejudices which exist in the community. I have heard Br. Wells speak several times on similar occasions, but never with such perfect satisfaction as at the meeting in Framingham.

He first referred to the pleasing fact, that Middlesex Lodge still lives, still retains its pristine vigor, notwithstanding the changes that have taken place in the world since it was established. Within fifty years, WASHINGTON, the Father of his country, and LA FAYETTE, the friend of man, both being ancient friends of the Masonic Institution, have ceased their labors on earth, to enter the celestial Lodge above. During this period many sects and parties have sprung up into being, and after a brief and troubled existence, have vanished away.

The antimasonic crusade was originated within this period, and that even has been relinquished, and neither the efforts of the selfish politician, nor the fears of the timid, nor the falseness of professed friends, have subverted this Lodge. It stands, it lives, it carries on its labors, it still performs its gentle ministry of peace, charity and brotherly affection, throughout the circle of its influence. It is believed that there was not a single person present who was an original member of the Lodge. There was a change of persons; the administration of the Lodge had changed hands, but the Institution itself had not changed This Lodge too, has ever kept up its stated meetings without