sality of our Institution, in order to secure even a prospective realization of this wish. Besides, if innovation be permitted in one particular, who is there among us bold enough to say that it shall not be allowed in another, or to assume to define its limits? Our only safety lies in checking it in its incipiency. Inquiries in relation to this last point, and some others of equal delicacy, have been proposed from different sections of the country, for our opinion. They involve considerations, the public discussion of which we desire to avoid. The prerequisite qualifications of candidates, and the preliminary questions to be proposed to them, are clearly and particularly laid down in the ancient Constitutions and text-books, which have been sanctioned and approved by the wisdom and usages of ages; and we are not aware of the existence of any regulation which authorizes or permits a Grand Lodge, and certainly not a subordinate Lodge, to change or multiply them. Masonry is based on the universal principle of "peace on earth and good will to all men," and the only religious test which it requires, is a conscientious belief in the existence and providence of the only true and living God. 66 re ILLUMINEES AND SUBLIME FREEMASONRY. BR. MOORE:-In 1802, the Supreme Council at Charleston, S. C. issued a "circular letter," explanatory of the origin and nature of the sublime degrees of Masonry. These were forwarded to the different symbolic and sublime grand bodies throughout the two hemispheres. One of these was received the same year by the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Alexander Lawrie in his history of that Grand Lodge, takes occasion to state, that this circular breathed a spirit of illumination, as it authorized degrees not contained in blue Masonry. He says it was ceived from the Grand Lodge of America." There was not then, there is not now, and there never has been any "Grand Lodge of America." (In passing, I would observe that the learned Dr. Oliver falls into a similar error.) Lawrie of course meant by the "Grand Lodge of America," the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General at Charleston, S. C., who issued the circular in question, and who cultivated an independent Branch or department of Free masonry, different from that comprehended in and by the three degrees of the York rite. This is not the only nor most recent instance in which the charge of illuminism has been brought against us. Although this charge is preposterous in itself, has been a hundred times refuted, and is perhaps not worthy of notice, yet it may be well enough to show how one single fact "can put it down." All the sublime degrees in "the ancient and accepted rite," (except one) were in being long before the society of Illuminees claim to have been formed, viz. in 1776. Y. JEW-MASONS, CLAVEL, FIRST PUBLICA. TIONS, &c. THERE is a trait in the character of the Jews at the present day, which exhibited as it is in many instances in its ultra form, is deemed a blot on their national escutcheon, and is the cause of much prejudice against them. I allude to their devotion to the pursuit of pecuniary gain. But this trait has not always been theirs. It has been induced by force of circumstances. They have, in the language of inspiration, been "scattered and peeled, trodden down," and degraded outcasts, and the victims of the most unrelenting persecution. To them we are indebted for some of the mysteries of our Order, and there have ever been found as zealous and worthy Brethren among them as among our Christian Brethren. While, on the other hand, it must be confessed, that they have furnished from their nation too many of those whom you, Mr. Editor, so justly denominate "Marchands du Maconnerie." When, therefore, we are told that we have Jew Brethren as our compeers and associates, I see no reason why we should take umbrage, or consider it per se a reproach. Clavel, whom you have often lately alluded to in your Magazine, speaks, with the evident design to disparage us, of the establishment of our Supreme Council at Charleston, South in Carolina, 1802, by four Jews. When he so says, he says that which is not true. The writer last named also erroneously represents, that the ineffable and sublime degrees were not definitely classed and settled till these "four Jews" took the matter in hand. This misrepresentation is refuted by the history of the Order in this country, to the material of which I have contributed in former articles for your Magazine. There were no authorized printed publications of the blue degrees until the revival of Blue Masonry in 1717, yet the assertion that blue Masonry then first took its rise, would be preposterous and founded in ignorance. It would be equally preposterous to assert that Sublime Freemasonry took its rise in 1762, because then, for the first time, there were authorized printed publications of the Grand Masonic Constitutions for the government of Lodges, Councils, Chapters, Colleges and Consistories, of the Royal and Military Order of Freemasonry, having jurisdiction over the superior degree. G. F. YATES. ACACIA, OR CASSIA. BR. MOORE:-In one of the late numbers of your Magazine I saw an article of yours headed "Acacia," in which you brought forward authorities to show that the true Freemasonic shrub was the Acacia. I thought your conclusion to be correct. But as there are always two sides to every question, and those in search of truth are always anxious to know what arguments can be adduced in favor of every view of the question, I thought I would send you what perhaps you have not noticed, an opinion of an ancient Brother on the subject, which I find recorded in "the Book of Constitutions," published by Br. James Anderson, D. D in 1738. May not both Cassia and Acacia be right? Learned Brethren well know that the terms "Cassia" and "Acacia" are both used in different rites and degrees. "The planting a sprig of cassia at the head of a grave, refers to an old custom in eastern countries of embalming the dead, in which operation Cassia was always used, especially in preparing the head and drying up the brain, as Herodotus more particularly explains. The sweet wood, perfumes and flowers used about the graves of the dead, occur so frequently in the old poets, that it would be tedious to mention them. Ovid thus describes the death of the Phoenix." "Upon a shady tree she takes her rest, And on the highest bough her funeral nest Y. [NOTE.-The fact that Anderson used the term Cassia, only proves that he followed the common error. Ovid correctly employs it as the name of a spice used by the Egyptians in embalming their dead. But this species of Cassia did not grow in the neighborhood of Jerusalem. The Acacia which did grow there, was an evergreen, but not a spice.]-Editor. SUBLIME FREEMASONRY IN N. HAMPSHIRE. R. W. BR. MOORE :-A Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem (the 16th degree of the "Ancient and Accepted Rite,") for the State of New Hampshire, has been recently established in Portsmouth in said State, under a Charter from the East of the Grand and Supreme Council of the M. P. Sovereigns, Grand Inspectors General of the 33d degree, for the Northern Masonic District and Jurisdiction of the United States of America. The following Brethren are the officers for the present year. The installation was had on the 25th March, A. D. 1846. Jolin Christie, M. Equitable Grand Sovereign; John Knowlton, M. Enlightened Grand Warden; Robert Smith, Enlightened Grand Counsellor; Jonathan Barker, Illustrious Grand Chancellor; Thomas Clapham, Illustrious Grand Recorder; Ebenezer C. Blanchard, Illustrious Grand Master of the Finances; Ephraim Otis, Illustrious Grand Master of Ceremonies. The Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem established at Albany, New York, having (in accordance with the request of the Lodge) relinquished its authority and jurisdiction over the Lodge of Perfection in Portsmouth, in favor of the Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem for the State of New Hampshire, this body has accordingly assumed authority and jurisdiction over said Lodge, under the distinctive name and title of "The Ineffable Grand Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, Portsmouth, N. H." The following is a list of the officers of this Lodge for the current year. John Christie, T. P. Sub. Grand Master; John Knowlton, Sub. Grand Senior Warden; Jonathan Barker, Sub. Grand Junior Warden; Samuel Kelley, Sub. Grand Treasurer; Jefferson McIntire, Sub. Grand Secretary; Ephraim Otis, Sub. Grand Master of Ceremonies; Alfred M. Beck, Sub. G. Capt. of the Guards; Isaac Maxwell, G. Tyler. Portsmouth, N. H. April 11, A. D. 1846. C. 66 REVIVAL OF WASHINGTON LODGE-WASHINGTON, PENN. R. W. BR. MOORE :-The Masonic Institution is one I love-and in loving it, I therefore revere its principles-those principles which are calculated to create 'peace on earth, good will to man"-and the dissemination of CHARITY in its fullest extent. Our Institution therefore is one, which must eventually triumph over all the unholy crusade of ignorance and malice which is waged against it. Ignorance and envy may detract-malice may throw its envenomed shafts-ridicule may scoff-and bad, wicked, designing men may endeavor to impede our onward course-all these and every other opposition shall fail. Our cause and our principles must triumph, because the "accepted Brotherhood" not only place their TRUST IN GOD, but we also take the HOLY BIBLE "as the rule and guide of our faith and practice." Hence, we are a PECULIAR PEOPLE, belonging to a PECULIAR INSTITUTION and guided and directed by a SPECIAL PROVIDENCE. Do you ask for the proof? Read and judge-and sceptical though you may be, you shall be convinced. WASHINGTON LODGE, No. 164, of Free and Accepted A. Y. Masons, was instituted in the Borough of Washington, Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1819. It continued in successful operation, doing much good, and dispensing charities to the needy and afflicted, until May, 1832-when the Lodge suspended operations, on account of the persecuting spirit of Antimasonry. This unholy spirit raged to an alarming extent in this county and throughout all this State. The members of the Lodge only obeyed the dictates of PRUDENCE When they suspended operations, inasmuch as its enemies were not only endeavoring but succeeding in many cases to alienate the respect, esteem and affections of every man from the members of the Fraternity, both in their social and business intercourse-hence the only alternative left, was to suspend the meetings of the Lodge. Many of the members removed from the Borough and settled in other places, and some in other States-and then it was that our enemies believed that their triumph was finally, FULLY, and FOREVER EFFECTIVE-and not only that, but that MASONRY Would never again rear her standard in our midst. Thus believingthus imagining-and thus revelling in their thoughts of victory-time passes by---year after year follows, until the sun had performed its 12th annual revolution. The scattered Brethren of Washington Lodge No. 164, without previous concert, resolved in their own minds, to return to the Ancient Borough of Washington, where the bones of their ancestors lie buried, and let their ashes mingle with theirs. The thought was a pious one, and they, believing it to be the promptings of PROVIDENCE, obeyed and returned. A short time after their return, and after a lapse of 12 years, and governed by the same spirit that actuated the Jews after the order of Cyrus, who set about rebuilding Jerusalem and the house of the Lord-they too resolved to erect the Masonic Temple and to adhere to it and its principles, "through evil as well as through good report." A meeting is called for the month of May, 1845. Men, whose heads were whitened with the frosts of more than three score years and ten, were present to give counsel and advice. Active, energetic business men were there also to carry into execution the advice and counsel of their fathers. The meeting was one of joy-of pleasure and of happiness-and during its reorganization, every Brother was awed into a solemnity never before experienced, inasmuch as during this interval of thirteen years, death had not robbed the Masonic Temple of one of its jewels, but all the OLD regularly installed OFFICERS, from Worshipful Master down to the Tyler, were present and took their respective offices for the remaining period of the Masonic year. On the other hand, many of our ancient and inveterate persecutors had passed off the theatre of action, into an unknown world-others had become bankrupt in character and in fortune, both morally and politically-while the remaining ones, had been scattered, by the blighting indignation of an outraged people, to the four winds of heaven. With such indubitable evidence before us, as Brethren of the Masonic Fraternity-we feel, and hope we may ever feel, that the eye of an all-wise Providence is over us and his hand supporting Washington Lodge, and that it has been revived and reorganized for some great-some wise-and some holy purpose, which in due time will be revealed to us-if we adhere to the Masonic principles as embodied in the Holy Bible, which has been given to man, to aid, assist and encourage him while travelling the rugged path of life-and lead him safe home to heaven. CYRUS. Washington Chapter, No. 150, has also been revived in the Borough of Wash ington, Penn-and will be a powerful auxiliary in the cause of Masonry. Washington Lodge, No. 164, holds regular semi-monthly meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month-its officers are Maj. Gen. Alfred Creigh, W. M.; Col. John Jackman, S. W.; Br. William Smith, J. W.; Br. Alfred Galt, Secretary; John R. Griffith, Treasurer. THE FREEMASON'S LEXICON. [Translated from the German, for the Freemasons' Quarterly Review.] Beamten. Officers. Every Lodge has officers, viz., 1. W. M.; 2. S. W.; 3. J. W.; 4. Secretary; 5. Lecturer; 6. Master of the Ceremonies; 7. Two Stewards; 3. Treasurer. In most Lodges, there are, besides these, a Past Master, a Preparer, an Almonier, a Hospitalier, and a Decorator. Many of the first officers have their deputies or substitutes, and, if they are officers of a Grand Lodge, they are called Grand Masters, &c. &c. The officers of Scottish Lodges are commonly called Worshipful Master, &c. &c. Those officers, particularly the first three, are of great importance to a Lodge, especially if they have another, and a better motive for accepting office, than merely to wear a decoration. It is their duty to propagate Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty, and like the Sun and the Moon, to lighten the paths of the Brethren; but they will not be fit to do this, nor to gain the love and respect of the members of the Lodge, if, as before stated, they are not endowed with a zeal for the real objects of the Society, and well acquainted themselves with the means the society takes to accomplish those objects. And it ought to be something of great importance which detains them from the regular meetings of the Lodge. The W. M., and his W.'s, should diligently strive to obtain a thorough knowledge of the mental capacities of all the Brethren of the Lodge, in order that he may know how, with the greater certainty and security, to instruct and improve them in Freemasonry. They ought not to delegate the performance of their duties to their deputies, and thus ne |