known to her. And then, after mutual explanations, the proselyte repeated the formula of the oath; 'I swear and promise to keep faithfully in my heart all the secrets of Freemasonry, and engage to do so under the penalty of being cut in pieces by the sword of the exterminating angel.' The Grand Master then showed her the sign by which the Brothers and Sisters recognize each other, and the pass word of the Order. Then taking the Sister by the hand, he respectfully gave her five kisses of peace, and handed her an apron and a pair of gloves,"

THE SYMBOLIC DEGREES..

TAE appellation Symbolic, is confined to the first three degrees of Masonry. When we speak of "Symbolic Masonry," we always mean that part of our doctrine which is confined to the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. We never apply the term to any of the degrees conferred in the Chapters, Councils or Commanderies. Of these, the first are called Chapitral degrees, the second, Council degrees, and the last, degrees of Chivalry. It may be interesting to trace the cause of this distinction of titles.

The germ and nucleus of all Freemasonry is to be found in the three primitive degrees. They were, at one time, the only degrees known to, or practised by, the Craft, and hence they are called "Ancient Craft Masonry," to distinguish them from the comparatively modern additions. In these degrees, the instruc tions are all symbolic. The lessons communicated to the candidates are conveyed through the medium of emblems and symbols, while there is (at least in the working of the degrees,) but little historical or traditionary knowledge, with the exception of the great legend of Masonry, which is to be found in the Master's Degree. Hence it is, in allusion to these degrees, which constitute the great body of Masonry, that the English lectures; which are so far superior to our own, in their extent and in their philosophical character, describe Freemasonry to be "a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." And it is because all the science of ancient craft Masonry is thus concealed in symbols, all its morality taught by symbols, and all its language, its implements, and its ceremonies symbolic, that the degrees which comprise it are said to be symbolic.

Now nothing of this kind is to be found in the higher degrees of any of the rites. Taking our own, the York rite, for example, as soon as we have proceeded to the Chapter, and entered upon the Mark Master's Degree we find the symbolic character ceasing to predominate. It is true that the use of symbols, in these degrees, is not altogether abandoned. That could not be, for the symbol constitutes the very essence of Freemasonry. But they here hold a subordinate position. They do not, as in the primitive degrees, strike the eye and instruct the head, and touch the heart, in every part of the Lodge, and in every portion of its ceremonies. On the contrary, the Chapitral degrees are founded on events in Masonic history. Each of them has attached to it some tradition or some legend, which it is intended to illustrate, and the remembrance of whose events is preserved in the ceremonies and instructions of the degree. To accomplish these

objects, to retain these traditions in the memory of Masons, these degrees have been founded, and as the information communicated in them is of an historical character, there was, of course, no great need for symbols, the profuse use of which would rather tend to an injury than a benefit, by confusing the mind of the aspirant. Hence it is, that no symbolic character is attributed to the Keystone, the ark of the covenant, or even to the working tools of the Royal Arch degree, omissions that would not be tolerated in the Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, or the Master Mason's Degree.

Ragon, in his admirable work on Ancient and Modern Initiations, objects to this exclusive appellation of the term "Symbolic," to the first three degrees, as a sort of criticism on the higher degrees, and as if implying that the higher degrees are entirely without symbols. But, from what we have already said, it will be at once perceived that he has misunderstood the true import of the appellation. It is not because the higher degrees are totally devoid of symbols, that the term "Symbolic" is withheld from them, but because symbolic instruction is not their predominating character, as it is of the first three.

Were we to propose distinctive titles for these two branches of the institution, while we continued to confine the term "Symbolic" to Ancient Craft Masonry, looking to the traditions or legends upon which the higher degrees are founded, and of which they are the depositaries, we should be inclined to give them the title of "Legendary Masonry."-Mackey.

THE SPIRIT OF MASONRY.

GRAND Master MCFARLAND of Missouri, says, speaking of the spirit indulging the letter of our institution, the first thing you see in a Lodge is that great revealed light. The first thing you desire in a Lodge is more light. The first thing that you profess in a Lodge is a trust in God, whom you learn to know in the bible. Among the first lessons taught you in the Lodge are, that without revelation you are in darkness, that by nature you are unfit even for the earthly tabernacle, and therefore, the original material must be straightened and squared and smoothed into a new and better being. These things are fundamental principles of God's revealed religion-the whole rests upon an altar for sacrifice-and they being your first lessons, teach you that to become truly and fully Masons, that religion must be cultivated in your hearts. It has been said by them of old, that men become Masons first in the heart, but many do not reflect how it is that they become so first in that quarter. He fears that many never do become Masons otherwise than in outward form and revelation. He asks his Brethren not to suppose that he has said too much on this subject, rather supposing he had not done his duty as Grand Master, if he had not invited their attention to this wonderful element of Masonic life; he asks them as Masons to ever remember this fact when in our Lodges we offer devotions at our altar, looking to Him whom the altar represents. He takes that occasion to observe, that no man who doubts the existence of God, or his providence over the world-and no man who disbelieves or doubts that our bible is his revelation-and no man who does not intend therefore to polish the Ashlar according to the teachings of the bible, can never become what Masonry contemplates; he adds, that our well being is not in the numbers admitted, it is rather in the quality of the material.

Ar a regular communication of "Henry Price Lodge," held at Mishawum Hall, on the 26th ult., the following resolutions relating to the decease of Wor. Master WILLIAM N. LANE, were unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That the members of Henry Price Lodge are sadly afflicted by the intelligence of the decease of their Brother and fellow-citizen, Past Master William N. Lane, who died at New York, on the 22d ult. on his way home from the Gulf Squadron, where he had been employed in the service of his country.

Resolved, That while we remember the ability and firmness, tempered with moderation, and the spirit of charity, with which he ruled and governed this Lodge during the preceding year; while we contemplate the fidelity with which he discharged his duties, in every relation of life; while we call to mind the kind servi ces which he assiduously performed, as a neighbor, a Masonic Brother, a citizen and a good physician, we feel assured and comforted in the belief that although cut down in early life, in the bud of professional promise and usefulness, his many virtues will be cherished and emulated by those who have known and esteemed him, and that the manly and honorable character which he had formed, will exert a salutary influence upon the Fraternity and this community.

Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon the records of the Lodge, and that the Worshipful Master be requested to forward a copy of them to the family of the deceased; and that in further respect to his memory, the Lodge and Regalia be clothed in mourning for three months.

Voted, That a copy of the above Resolutions be published in the Bunker Hill Aurora, of Charlestown, and the Masonic Magazine, of Boston.

MASONIC CHIT CHAT.

AN IMPOSTOR. We have received several communications from different sections of the country, exposing the course of an impostor calling himself J. M. Martin, and claiming to be the Senior Warden of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 12, Stanstead, Canada East. He is about 5 ft. 10 inches high, of sandy complexion, a little bald, and has the appearance of being a farmer. One of his stories is, that he had been to Iowa, and had bought a through ticket and lost it, and could proceed no further without assistance. On this state. ment he has borrowed sundry sums of money from Lodges and Brethren. He probably has different stories for different localities, all of which are equally false. There is no such person a member of the Lodge at Stanstead, nor is he known as a resident in that vicinity. He is thought to have been in this city, where he represented himself as a Warden of a Lodge in Pennsylvania, and having lost his money solicited assistance to enable him to reach home. He is probably still pursuing this villany about the country, and the Lodges and Brethren are cautioned to be on their guard against him.

CORRECTION. A correspondent in Brother Reynold's new paper, "The Masonic Trowel," noticed in a preceding page, gives what he calls "Webb's Master Mason's Ode;" but what is, in fact, a very badly mutilated version of a very beautiful Masonic Hymn, written many years ago by our R. W. Brother JOHN H. SHEPPARD, Esq., of this city, but at the time Master of Lincoln Lodge, Wiscas sett, Maine, beginning

"Ah! when sha!! we three meet like them
Who last were at Jerusalem ?"

GODEY'S LADY's Book for May puts us in possession of another of those exquisite steel plates which add so much to the value of this popular work,-"illustrative of the merry month of May " The "Fashion Plate" is also a beautiful affair. Indeed the entire number is rich with illustrations, useful and ornamental. The text is always of a high literary character and wholly unexceptionable in its tone and tendency.

GRAND LECTURERS. R. W: Brother B. F. Nourse having resigned, the Grand Lecturers of the Grand Lodge for the current year, are R. W. Brothers E. D. BANCROFT, of So. Groton, and C. C. Dame of this city. Special Lecturers, for special duties, are commissioned by the Grand Master whenever necessity requires.

MASONIC FUNERAL. The funeral of the late Edward S. Weston, formerly publisher of the American Union, took place from the Union Park street church in this city on the 16th ultimo. The following Masonic bodies were in attendance: Boston Encampment Knights Templars, St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, and St. John's Lodge. The Encampment wore their handsome regalia, and were accompanied by Hall's band. After the services at the church, the remains of the deceased were taken to Milton for interment.

GREENLEAF CHAPTER. The "Greenleaf" Chapter of Royal Arch Masons-under Dispensation from the Grand High Priest-has been organized in Portland. It includes among its members some of the oldest and most honored of the Fraternity in that city. The stated meetings of the Chapter will be held on the first Monday in each month.

The officers of the Chapter are as follows: Freeman Bradford, H. P.; J. H. Drummond, K.; J. B. Coyle, S.; M. F. King, C. H.; Rufus Stanley, P. S.; Edwin S. Shaw, R. A. C.; Samuel Kyle, M. 3d V.; Gordon R. Garnder, M. 2d V.; Edward Phinney, Treas.; Moses Dodge Sec'y.; Edwin C. Bolles, Chaplain. ; Charles Sampson, Sentinel.

HAIL OR HELE. Which is correct? The London F. M. Magazine says-"Hele, although it is Anglo Saxon. It means to preserve or conceal. Hail has nothing to do with it. We have the latter in another sense

a hailing sign-something by which attention is called, or as a word implying homage. The two are as distinct in significance as any two words in the language."

THE

FREEMASONS'

MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

VOL. XXI.

JUNE 1, 1862.

No. 8.

"KNIGHTS TEMPLAR"-"SAINTS JOHN," & c. As the inclination to adopt the above forms of expression, in place of what is termed by our new orthographical reformers, the "old-fashioned" mode, appears to be on the increase, it does not seem to be out of place for us to state here our own opinions on the subject. And first, let us premise, that we altogether decline to be classed with those who think everything right and good that is old; although in regard to one matter—our ANCIENT CONSTITUTIONS OF MASONRY-we do sincerely desire never to see any alteration or innovation. If, however, a necessity arise for an innovation, or adoption of a new term of language, by all means let it be innovated or adopted. Probably no sounder rules on this subject can be found than those of Horace :

"Si forte necesse est

Indiciis monstrare recentibus abdita rerum,
Fingere cinctutis non exaudita Cethegis

Continget, dabiturque licentia sumta pudenter."

Which may be freely translated

"If it should happen to be necessary to explain some abstruse subjects by newlyinvented terms, it will be allowed to coin words unheard of by the ancient Cethegi, and the liberty will be granted, so long as it is used with modesty."

The italics are our own, and we ask our readers to accord them the attention they are intended to attract. There must first be a necessity for the alteration or innovation; and, secondly, the "liberty" must be used with modesty. This last is also, we fear, rather an old-fashioned word, but we have enough of the "cinctuti Cethegi," or "old school Americans," about us, to hope that the term may not only survive, but regain all its pris