ESOTERIC AND EXOTERIC MASONRY.

I FREQUENTLY hear of Esoteric and Exoteric Masons. What is the difference between them, and which am I who am a Master Mason, and a Com. of the Royal Arch?-B-E. [The ancient philosophers divided their followers into two schools, termed 1800s, exoteric or exterior, and vdótɛgos, esoteric or interior. The exoteric school was held in public places, and its disciples or pupils were taught the elements of physical and moral science, whilst the esoteric disciples were assembled in the master's dwelling, and there received the benefit of a philosophical training, in which the allegorical meaning was defined, such being supposed to be too abstruse for dissemination ad populam. An exoteric Mason is one who is content with such knowledge as he can acquire in his Lodge, or at a Lodge of instruction. When he is initiated he becomes an exterior Mason, because he is a recipient of that which is common to all Masons. After going through his degrees, rising to the highest honors of the Lodge or Chapter, and being an expert Brother, mastering every ceremony, and having every portion of the ritual by heart, he may, and very frequently does, descend to his last resting place an exoteric Mason. But where a Brother has the attainments to unravel the philosophy of Masonry, to grapple with the hidden mysteries, and elucidate the more subtle reasonings that the rituals present, as well as to seek higher light than he can attain to in Lodge or Chapter, then he becomes an esoteric or interior Mason. From our querist's description of himself, we have no hesitation in classing him with the former, who, however lip perfect, are content to remain within the entrance of the Temple, forgetting that in every such place there is an arcana whose mysteries are only open to the dilligent student, content to labor in pursuit of truth, and find that Masonry has two entire and distinct aspects-one ad populam and the other ad clerum, or in other words, one common to all Masons, and Exoteric, and one confined but to few and select, or Esoteric.-London F. M. Mag.

ANECDOTE.

THE New York Courier tells the following anecdote, as having occurred at the late celebration at Portland :

"We have one pretty good anecdote in connection with our celebration. On the morning of the 24th June a large crowd was collected at the P. S. and P. Depot awaiting a train which was to bring a Commandery and other Masons. As usual among the crowd were a lot of Irish boys. They supposed it was a circus that was coming, that being in their view the greatest show. After the train arrive, as the Masons were getting out, the boys made their comments on the different regalias until our friend E. P. B- of Saco, got out dressed in the new regulation costume of the Grand Encampment U. S. with a chapeau almost covering him up, and his spectacles on. As soon as one of the Irish boys saw him he raised up his hands, and shouted, 'Come here, Mike, quick, here's the clown, is'nt he d- d homely?"

We have since learned that Bro. E. P. B. has enlisted ad vitam, which means for three years, or the war!

SILVER CHORD UNBROKEN.-FORFEITURE OF DEPOSIT. 377

THE SILVER CORD UNBROKEN.

In the month of August the M. W. Grand Master granted a dispensation to Mount Lebanon Lodge, of Boston, to confer the degrees in Freemasonry (out of course) on two soldiers, who were to leave for the seat of war in a few days. Two members of the same Lodge had volunteered in the same regiment, (the Massachusetts 14th,) and after the degrees were conferred the W. Master addressed them all, reminding them of the strong tie-the silver cord-by which they were bound together. His words reached good hearts and left their impression there. During the raid on Catlett's Station, the regiment was forced to retreat in haste; during the retreat, and while the Rebel cavalry were in close pursuit, Brother HENRY M. HAWKINS, one of the newly initiated, left the ranks and hastened to a spring to fill his canteen, and there found Bro. Culver, one of the members of Mount Lebanon Lodge, in an exhausted and helpless condition. He at once took charge of him, and removed him to a place of safety, remaining with him. His Captain observing him, ordered him to fall into the ranks; he remonstrated; his Captain persisted. Then pointing to the Masonic button on his shirt, he exclaimed "I will not leave him,”—and he did not-though again admonished by his Captain of the close proximity of the Rebels. He remained until he succeeded in placing his disabled Brother in security and then joined his Company. He has since found his Captain to be one of the Craft. So much for the strong tie-may it never be disregarded, in war or in peace.

FORFEITURE OF DEPOSIT.

THE following decision is in accordance with the general usage of this country, though there is no written law on the subject, of general application :—

The undersigned Committee, appointed at the last Communication of the Grand Lodge (of Maine)" to report to this G. Lodge at its next Annual Communication, some definite rule in accordance with Masonic usages, by which the question may be determined for all time, when a person forfeits his election in a Lodge, and whether a man elected, and entitled to initiation in one Lodge, can be received into another Lodge after the lapse of a reasonable time," beg leave to report that they have examined the "Regulations" of the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland, together with the "By-Laws" and "Regulations" of the several Grand Lodges of this country, and find no rule regulating the subject referred to in the above resolution.

Believing that the By-Laws of the subordinate Lodges should regulate such matters, and being desirous of laying down a rule for their future guidance, the following is submitted for adoption by this Grand Lodge:

Resolved, That should an applicant for the Mysteries of Freemasonry be elected, and fail to come forward for initiation within six months from the date of said elec tion, his fee shall be declared forfeited, and the whole proceedings in his case declared null and void :-Provided, that nothing herein contained shall prevent any Lodge having jurisdiction from again receiving his petition.

MASONIC SAYINGS AND DOINGS ABROAD.

A FETE for the benefit of Masonic orphans was held at the lac Saint-Fargeau, Rue de Paris, on the 29th of May (Ascension day.) The programme included military and vocal music aquatic sports, a vaudeville, a grand ball at 9 o'clock concluding with a display of fireworks at midnight.

The Grand Lodge Aux Troix Globes, Berlin, recently solemnized the funeral obsequies of Bro. Schmuckert, member of the Supreme Grand Council, Representative of the Grand Lodge of the Netherlands at the Grand Lodge Aux Trois Globes, and Director-General of the Prussian Post-Office, in the Masonic Tem ple attached to the Grand Lodge. A large number of Brethren from Berlin and the neighbouring cities attended, and His Majesty the King of Prussia, in person, presided, and pronounced an oration on the lives of Bro. Schmuckert and other Brethren deceased during the last year. His Majesty in very eulogistic terms dwelt on the virtues of the deceased, and was ably followed by the Grand Orator whose speech was extremely eloquent.

Bro. Prince Oscar, of Sweden, on his return from England, visited Nice and was there in the Lodge Philanthropie, Ligurienne, admitted to the Ancient and Accepted Rite.

In the last number of the Latomia, a quarterly Masonic review, published in Leipzig, are three articles, which have created quite a sensation amongst our Brethren on the continent, they are on the "Historical age of Masonry," "The Mission of Masonry in actual Society," and "The Principles of Masonry opposed to the Grand Mastership and Patronage of Princes, Kings," &c.

The first anniversary of the Apollo Lodge, at Leipzig, was celebrated in April last, under the Mastership of Bro. Dr. Zille, Editor and Author of many Masonic works.

A centenary anniversary of the Lodge of the Three Compasses, at Stettin, in Prussia, was held on the third and fourth of April. The W. M., in his address on its history, stated that it was originated by certain Brethren who were officers in the Austrain service, and Prisoners at the close of the seven years' war. The ceremonies were very interesting, and the centenary was attended by more than six hundred Prussian Brethren, and two hundred and fiftyfour strangers from sister Grand and subordinate Lodges.

PREROGATIVES OF THE GRAND MASTER. "AMONG these prerogatives are the right to preside over every assembly of the Craft where he may be present; the right to dispense with various laws and usages of Masonry whenever in his judgement, the good of the Order may require it; the right to make Masons at sight, i. e. without any preliminary period of probation; to make visitations at any time to Lodges in his jurisdiction, inspect their work, and correct anything he may find amiss; the right to open a Lodge of emergency, to grant dispensations for forming new Lodges, and finally the power to arrest the charter of a subordinate Lodge; and for the proper exercise of these high powers, he is responsible only to his own conscience and the ballot box of the Grand Lodge."-G. Lodge of D. C.

SUPREME COUNCIL NORTHERN JURISDIC. TION, U. S. A.

[From the New York Saturday Evening Courier.]

THE Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction, A. and A. Rite, was never in a more prosperous condition than at the present time. While it is to be lamented that some of those whom it formerly was pleased to honor, have, from feelings of personal ambition, or other unworthy motive, endeavored to sow the seeds of discord, tending, as a natural result, to the injury of Ineffable Masonry, yet the conservative element, nowhere more strongly planted than in this Rite, after a brief struggle, overthrew the malcontents and plotters, and the Supreme Council and bodies subordinate to it have come out of the internecine warfare, plotted against them by these Goths and Vandals, like gold purified-thrice purified.

It will be gratifying to all Masons of the A. and A. Rite, under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction, to learn that the efforts of those who were honored by it, only to betray, have signally failed, which the recent re-acknowledgments of the following foreign Supreme Councils-England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Venezuela, New Granada, Mexico, and that for the Southern Jurisdiction, U. S. A., and others-positively attest.

Indeed, the body is now a unit, every regular subordinate body having either made its returns, or renewed its allegiance, and were it not for the illegal action of some of those who have been regularly excluded from its councils, after due trial, who pretended for nominal sums, and in violation of the time-honored statutes and Regulations of the Rite and their own convenants, to form a few respectable Brethren (their dupes) into clandestine organizations in this city and Brooklyn, (probably elsewhere in this State of New York), there would not be the least disturbing element.

With the Brethren so deceived, the Supreme Council while it deeply regrets their unfortunate position, deeply sympathizes, and no doubt will, when proper applications be made, do all that they can lawfully do for their relief. In the plenitude of its power it can afford to be magnanimous and generous, and while it can hold no intercourse with the ambitious convenant breakers, may be induced to throw the mantle of charity over the victims to so gross a deception.

The following is a list of the Bodies subordinate to the regular Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction of the U. S. whose Grand East is at Boston, and Sov. G. Commander Ill. Bro. Killian H. Van Rensselaer 33d, the head, as ascer tained from the records-none other are regular :

MAINE.-Dunlap Grand Lodge of Perfection; Dunlap Council; Duulap Chapter, and Maine Consistory, all at Portland.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.-Ineffable G. Lodge of Perfection, and Portsmouth Council of Princes of Jerusalem, at Portsmouth.

MASSACHUSETES.-Lodge of Perfection; Council of P. of Jerusalem; Chapter of Rose+, and Grand Consistory 32d, at Boston. Grand Lodge of Perfection; Council; Lowell Chapter, and Massachusetts Consistory, at Lowell.

RHODE ISLAND.-Van Rensselaer G. L. of Perfection; Rhode Island Council; R. Island Chapter, and R. I. Consistory, at Newport. King Solomon's G. Lodge of Perfection, at Providence,

NEW YORK.-G. Lodge of Perfection, re-organized; Council P. of Jerusalem, do.; Chapter Rose +, do., and Cosmopolitan Consistory, do, in New York city. PENNSYLVANIA.-Philadelphia G. Lodge of Perfection; De Joinville Council; Kilwinning Chapter, and Philadelphia Consistory, at Philadelphia. Gourgas G. L. of Perfection; Pittsburgh Council; Pittsburgh Chapter, and Pittsburgh Consistory, at Pittsburgh.

OHIO.-Giblum G. L. of Perfection; Dalcho Council; Cincinnati Chapter, and Ohio Consistory, at Cincinnati. Eliadad G. L. of Perfection; Bahurim Council, and Ariel Chapter, at Cleveland. Cambridge G. L. of Perfection, and Cambridge Council P. of Jerusalem, at Cambridge. G. L. of Perfection, and Council of Pr. of Jerusalem, at Columbus.

ILLINOIS.-Van Rensselaer G. L. of Perfection; Illinois Council; Gourgas Chapter, and Occidental Consistory, at Chicago.

MICHIGAN.-Carson G. L. of Perfection; Carson Council; Mount Olivet Chapter, and Michigan Consistory, at Detroit.

FORGIVING INJURIES.

THERE has been a coolness in our Lodge amongst some of the members. Can you help us to any good counsel, so that we may show it to those who it pains us to see act unbrotherly?-Two M. M.'s of No. [A writer on this subject Bays:

"One would naturally suppose that among Masons, forgiveness of those who have wronged us, whether in thought, word, or deed, should be one of the first duties of Brethren. And yet how often do we find Brethern harboring within their bosoms unkind, revengeful feelings against others of their own Lodge, perhaps merely for some fancied wrong. True, when those who have wronged us are laid at their final rest, we then forgive them—we speak kindly, tenderly of them, drawing the veil over their faults and foibles, temptations and failures. And why? They have passed from earth for ever-the dust has returned to the dust as it was, and the spirit to God that gave it. This is sufficient, and seems to forbid all but good will and kindly sympathy for the dead. But is this real, truehearted Masonic forgiveness? No! it is not worthy of the name. Forgive the living-those who mingle with you in the daily walks and avocations of lifewho kneel by your side around the same altar, and labor in the same quarries with you; they whose lives you may cheer, beautify, yea, ennoble, if you will. Forgive a light and angry word, let it not rankle in thy bosom till a fire be kindled, which, if nourished, will burn thy immost soul, unfitting thee to go out among thy fellow-men, lest they imbibe of the angry turbulence of thy spirit-unfitting thee for all high, holy, heaven born asperations-unfitting thee for life, for death, for immortality. Forgive-though a wound be made causing all thy future in this world to be covered with a heavy pall. Forgive-then shall be gathered in the crown of thy rejoicing' jewels whose lustre and brilliancy exceed all mortal thought. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.'"]