as it is unworthy the approval of heaven. The charity which is the bond of love with Masons, lies deeper in the heart; it is the principle of the act, rather than the act itself; it is the motive sanctifying the movement, and giving merit to the deed. True Masonic charity finds its expression often in alms deeds; it is evinced in the small pittance which the Brother can spare to the widow and the fatherless; it is evident in the princely liberality with which a Girard endowed our Grand Lodge. But it has also other modes of expressing itself; it finds out the object for its exercise; it pours a light on the pathway of the wanderer; it guides him onward in his course, and silently blesses him. True Masonic charity exhibits itself in solicitude for the welfare of all interested in the benefits of the Order; it rejoices in the elevation and prosperity of a Brother; and it sympathizes in the humiliation and adversity of the unfortunate. It startles the erring from the precipice over which he is bending; it gently lures back to virtue the Brother that was beginning to fall, and comes, not with noisy purpose or ostentatious liberality, which, like the potent storm, tears up the earth which it should enrich, but falls gently and equally, like the blessed dew of heaven, that nourishes and invigorates where it rests, and sparkles in the sunlight as if in token of its gratitude.

These are some of the branches of the virtues of our Craft,-only some. Who shall count them all? They are the life of social existence-they are of the blessed things of earth, that take hold on heaven.

THE THREE PILLARS, WISDOM, STRENGTH AND BEAUTY.

In the British and other mysteries, these three Pillars represented the great emblematical Triad of Deity, as with us they refer to three principal officers of the Lodge. We shall find however that the symbolical meaning was the same in both. It is a fact, that in Britain, the Adytum or Lodge was actually supported by three stones or pillars after having endured the ceremony of initiation in all its accustomed formalities. The delivery from between them was termed a new birth. (Hanes Taliein, c. iii. Dav. Druids, p. 230.) The corresponding pillars of the Hindu mythology were also known by the names of wisdom, strength, and beauty, and placed in the east, west, and south, crowned with three human heads. They jointly referred to the Creator, who was said to have planned the great work by his infinite wisdom; executed it by his strength; and to have adorned it with all its beauty and usefulness for the benefit of man. These united powers were not overlooked in the mysteries, for we find them represented in the solemn ceremony of initiation, by the three presiding Brahmins or Hierophants. The chief Brahmin sat in the east, high exalted on a brilliant throne, clad in a flowing robe of azure, thickly spangled with golden stars, and bearing in his hand a magical rod; thus symbolizing Brahma, the creator of the world. His two compeers, clad in robes of equal magnificence, occupied corresponding situations of distinction. The representative of Vishnu, the setting sun, was placed on an exalted throne in the west; and he who personated Siva, the meridian sun, occupied a splendid throne in the south. The Masonic Lodge, bounded only by the extreme point of the compass, the highest heavens and the lowest depths of the central abyss, is said to be supported by three pillars, wisdom, strength, and beauty. In like manner the Persians, who formed their emblematical Mithratic cave or Lodge, the Empyrean, feigned it to be supported by three

*The late Stephen Girard bequeathed to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania the sum $20,000, which, by his direction, has been allowed to increase to $30,000, the incr which is distributed to poor, worthy Masons.

intelligences, and who were usually denominated, from certain characteristics which they were supposed individually to possess, eternity, fecundity, and authority. (Vide Ramsay's travels of Cyrus and dissertation thereto annexed.) Similar to this were the forms of the Egyptian Deity, designated by the attributes of wisdom, power, and goodness (Plut. de laid, and Osir, 373.) And the sovereign good, intellect, and energy of the Platonists, which were so regarded as the respective properties of the Divide Triad. (Plat. in Times.)

It is remarkable that every mysterious system practised on the habitable globe, contained this Triad of Deity. The oracle in Damascius asserts that 'throughout the world a Triad shines forth, which resolves itself into a Monad;' and the uniform symbol of this three-fold Deity, was, an equilateral triangle; the precise form occupied by our pillars of wisdom, strength, and beauty. In the mysteries of India, Brahma-Tishnu-Siva, were considered as a triune god, distinguished by the significant appellation of Tri-murti.* Brahma was said to be the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Siva, the judge or destroyer. In the east, as the pillar of wisdom, this deity was called Brahma; in the west, as the pillar of strength, Vishnu; and in the south as the pillar of beauty, Siva: and hence, in the Indian initiations, as we have just observed, the representative of Brahma was seated in the east; that of Vishnu in the west; and that of Siva south. A very remarkable coincidence in the practice of ancient Masonry.

ROYAL ARCH MASONRY IN VERMONT. THE following communication was read by Comp. Nathan B. Haswell, at the re-opening of Burlington Chapter, at Burlington, Vt., on the 12th January last. It is an interesting paper, and we give it a place in our pages as a part of the current history of our Institution :

My Worthy Companions:-At the late session of the General Grand Chapter for the United States, held in the city of Columbus, Ohio, permission was granted for Burlington Chapter to renew its labors under its old Charter, by making proper returns of their doings to that body. For this purpose, due notice has been given to the members thereof, and we are now assembled to give new life to it. With humble acknowledgments for the protecting power of the Great I Am, let us enter upon its duties.

The history of our Order, from its carliest date to the present period, is one of deep interest to the Masonic Christian philanthropist. Our Companions and Brethren have in different ages and countries, been by the strong arm of power, or excited public opinion, disfranchised; they have been placed in captivity, immured in dungeons, and the rack and the flame employed to awe them into submission. Patiently have they withstood these assaults. In their bondage they have rejoiced; in the dungeon their prayer for deliverance has been heard, and its bars and bolts unlocked; its engines of torture have loosened their thumbscrews; the fire and faggot have ceased to burn, and enlightened public opinion comes at last, to break the chains and set them free.

Vermont Masonry, in woodman's phrase, has been a chain whose links have been straightened, but not broken; and though our Companions, like our ancient Brethren, have for a season been placed in captivity, a "Proclamation" is now sent to Burlington Chapter, restoring them to freedom and permitting its members to come up and resume the glorious work of assisting to rebuild the Masonic

*The word murti or form, is exactly synonymous with eidolon; and in a secondary sense means an inage; but in its primary acceptation, it denotes any shape or appearance assumed by a celestial being." Wilford in Asiat. Res. vol. iii, p. 359.

Temple in Vermont. I shall now proceed to give you such information as will enable you to embark with me in this great and important undertaking.

Owing to the destruction, by fire, of our Records, the only evidence of the last meetings of this Chapter is found among the archives of the Grand Chapter. In 1832, among the officers returned to the Grand Chapter, who had for a series of years been re-elected, were David Russell, King, Henry Thomas, Scribe, and George Robinson, Secretary, who have, since that period, been called from time to eternity, and gone to that far distant country from whose bourne no traveller has ever yet returned. In the relation we stood to each other, their absence makes a void, reminding me that my place like theirs, shall also become vacant. Left alone to fill the offices occasioned by their death, and to perform the duty here assigned me, may we offer up a just tribute to their memories, and render thanks to that Eternal Being, for all the blessings extended to us, trusting that he will raise up those who will hereafter watch over the best interests of this Chapter.

Our Masonic Hall, and with it our records, jewels, furniture, &c., was destroyed by fire in 1829. This was about the commencement of the antimasonic excitement in Vermont. I have had recourse to the archives of the Grand Chapter of our State, where I find all the returns made by this Chapter to that body, a copy of which is here at hand, and I transcribe the three last returns for your information. The return of 1830, says:

"Owing to the loss of our furniture, jewels, records and hall, we have been unable to do any other business than that of the election of officers, and the passing of such votes and making such arrangements as have proved necessary to unite and keep the Companions in the bonds of Masonic and Brotherly duty, and prepare a hall for our future labors, which, we are happy to say, is in great forwardness. The principal officers chosen, agreeably to our former by-laws, for the current year, are-M. E. Nathan B. Haswell, High Priest; E. David Russell, K.; E. Henry Thomas, Scribe,—and there are no dues to the Grand Chapter but a perfect cordiality of feeling.

We are happy to communicate to the Grand Chapter, that although the dark clouds and angry threatenings of the demon antimasonry, has long been hovering around our borders, the little spot we stand on, seems thus far to have escaped its influence and its fangs. It is to be hoped we shall steer clear of the rock on which others have split, and we have no doubt of the cordial co-operation and parental support of the Grand Chapter, to whom this return is submitted. GEO. ROBINSON, Secretary.

Signed,

Burlington, June 14, 1830.

The return of 1831 says:

"By reason of the great excitement in this State against Masonry, the officers of this Chapter have not been solicitous of doing much business. No advancements in the degrees of Masonry, have taken place in this Chapter the past year. Its members continue steadfast and firmly attached to the principles they have espoused, and feel unwilling to surrender any privileges they may hold in common with Companions throughout the globe. They therefore renew their fidelity, and send with this communication, their kind salutations to the Officers and Companions composing the Grand Chapter of Vermont.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, (the Seal of said Chapter having been destroyed by fire,) this 13th day of June, 1831.

Signed,

GEO. ROBINSON, Secretary."

Previous to the session of the Grand Chapter, (1831,) an official communication was received from the Grand Secretary, saying he was requested by the M. E. High Priest, and a number of Companions, to inform Burlington Chapter, that a resolution to surrender the Charters of the subordinate Chapters and dissolve the Grand Chapter, would probably be acted upon at the approaching session of the Grand Chapter. Being obliged at this time to repair to Ogdensburg, N. Y., to attend at the dying bed of a son-in-law, it was impossible for me to be present at

the meeting of the Grand Chapter, we were, however, ably represented by David Russell, Esq., the second officer of this Chapter; by him I transmitted to the Grand Secretary, the following communication, which I deem proper here to insert, as connected with the Masonic history of Vermont:

To Joel Green, Secretary of the Grand R. A. Chapter of Vermont :

An official communication under your hand, has been laid before me, stating that you were "requested by the M. E. High Priest and a number of the Companions in your place, to inform our Chapter that a resolution to surrender the Charters of the subordinate Chapters, and dissolve the Grand Chapter, would probably be acted upon at the approaching session of the Grand Chapter."

Your communication was not received in season to permit me to consult all our Companions in this section, on this important measure, and owing to domestic affliction, being obliged to attend the dying bed of a son-in-law, at a considerable distance from this place, it will be inconvenient for me to attend the Grand Chapter. I have given my proxy to our worthy Companion, David Russell, Esq., who will be present and act for me, under positive instructions to vote against any resolutions of the nature you allude to.

0

Should a resolution to dissolve the Grand Chapter, and receive the surrender of the Charters of secular Chapters under its jurisdiction, or either of them, be introduced, I must beg of you to lay this communication before the Grand Chapter. I am opposed to dissolving the Grand Chapter of the State of Vermont; believing we have not, constitutionally, the power so to do. As the Grand Chapter of a State, we have voluntarily entered into a general confederacy, and placed ourselves as a Grand Chapter, (together with the Chapters under our jurisdiction,) under the protection and direction of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States, and I am firmly of the opinion that we cannot dissolve this allegiance, without first obtaining the consent of that body.

I believe that consenting to dissolve the Grand Chapter of this State, would be an infringement of the obligation I took when elevated to the first office of a Chapter under its jurisdiction, which was, that I would support and maintain the General Grand Royal Arch Constitution of the United States.

I believe that a surrender of the rights above named, would be an infringement of one other important declaration I have assented to, which is, "that it is not in the power of any man or body of men, to make innovation in the body of Masonry.” I believe a surrender of our Charters, which is asked for, (no doubt by some conscientious persons,) would be highly detrimental to the civil and religious liberties of these United States. As a Masonic body, we now stand a connecting link in that chain which binds together these great and important interests; we acknowledge the supremacy of fo religious sect, nor bow the knee to any political body or set of men on earth.

I believe that a steadfast and undeviating adherence to the principles of Masonry will, in the end, convince our enemies of their error and the rectitude of our intention. When our Institution shall have become purged of its dross, it will come forth redeemed, regenerated, and disenthralled from its nominal friends, as also from those ambitious, interested and selfish demagogues, who seek to elevate themselves upon her ruin. Against such I believe the hand writing upon the wall will appear legibly written, and interpreted by the present and future generations, as it was in the time and against the guilty Belschazzar:-" Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin."

Believing in the justness of an overruling Providence in bringing about events which may tend to correct errors that may have crept into our Institution, I will in conclusion say, that as a humble individual, I sincerely hope the Grand Chapter will deliberately weigh a measure which I deem to be of vital importance to her interest and dignity; but should its voice be against me, and the decision made to dissolve its connection with the General Grand Chapter, and other State Grand Chapters, I then beg leave and claim the Masonic right, to enter this, my solemn protest against the measure, and have further to request that this protest

be entered at large upon the journals or records of the Grand Chapter of the
State of Vermont.
NATHAN B. HASWELL,
H. P. of Burlington Chapter.

At the communication above alluded to, the resolutions for dissolving the Chapter were introduced and partially discussed: they were, however, postponed to a special communication to be holden in August following. At that communication, I was present; the resolutions were referred to a committee, a majority of whom reported in favor of a dissolution, but that report is not to be found among the archives of the Grand Chapter. Comp. P. C. Tucker, the present Grand Master of Vermont, was a member of that committee, and viewing the subject in its proper light, he dissented, and on the spur of the moment, during the interval of an adjournment, he drew up a minority report, which was honorable to him and encouraging to the Spartan band of Stephen Haight and others, who defended the Institution, and was the means of causing a further delay of the passage of the resolutions until an adjourned session of the Grand Lodge, where similar resolutions were pending, in October following, when all was dismissed.

I here present you with the minority report, as connected with the Masonic incidents of that exciting period:

To the Grand Chapter of the State of Vermont, now in session :

The minority of your committee, appointed under a resolutiou this day, for that purpose, taking into consideration "the expediency of dissolving this Grand Chapter, and surrendering its Charter," beg leave to report:

That the dissolution proposed, upon a fair and unprejudiced view of the subject, appears to be uncalled for by existing circumstances, and is entirely unnecessary. That an excitement of great malignity and power now exists in this State, against Freemasonry in all its branches, is readily admitted; that members of this Institution have individually been subject to bear a bitter and most unrelenting persecution, both in their public relations and private interests, is a fact familiar to us all; that our enemies have in many instances driven us from the jury-box and the ballot-box; that they have proclaimed us men unworthy of confidence, by their public declarations, and have attacked our reputation as men and Masons, through the press, is no less true. We know these truths and deeply feel their severity. Ought we to yield to their power, if we cannot acknowledge them to be founded in justice? and can we do so? Is there a Companion among us who believes our persecutions to be merited? Is there one who believes our principles to be corrupt and worthless? Is there one who knows them to be subservient to political prostitution or private vice? If there is, that member ought to retire and proclaim it to the world,-to sound it in the streets and emblazon it upon the housetops; but knowing as we all do, that the contrary is true, to what are we asked to submit? It is said that public opinion demands our surrender, and the evidence of it is, that a political party has arisen among us, hostile to our existence, and to their hostility, for peace and quietness, we are called to submit, to give up our meetings, and to discontinue our connection,-to forego our wishes and conform to theirs. Great Britain demanded of our forefathers a similar acquiescence in her opinion, a similar conformity to her principles. A handful of patriots resisted the demand, with ruin staring them in the face, and that resistance emancipated a continent from bondage. To such claims no freemau can subunit; they involve a dictation of opinion and an attempt to control the judgment of men, at which in this free government every man ought to revolt. Let them be recognized and sanctioned here; let a political party see that it can control the judgments and principles of enlightened men by fear of its persecutions, and no human wisdom can foresee the consequences to the institutions of this country. Literature and religion may yet wither under its blighting touch, and the scenes of Revolutionary France be no fiction in America. If this remark seems visionary now, six years since it would have appeared more so, had prophecy itself foretold the scenes of this day. The minority of your committee therefore recommend that the resolutions be dismissed. P. C. TUCKER.