Some few of our Brethren, in their zeal and enthusiasm, carry this doctrine, or principle, to an extent so unwarrantable, that they, in my opinion, do incalculable injury both to Religion and Masonry. They should have their "zeal tempered with knowledge."

Now, so far from inculcating the doctrine here objected to, it should be otherwise. I think that every ancient Free and Accepted Mason in Christendom is, or should be taught, not to rely upon any merit in his own works as a title to that rest above which is prepared for the children of God. He is, or should be, pointed to Him who is "the way, the truth, and the life”—the Divine Redeemer, whose name alone is the only name given under Heaven, whereby men can be saved.

I am aware that this might be objected to as sectarian. If so, why let it drop from the words "children of God." I would then say, point him to the Holy Scriptures, which we receive as the infallible rule of our faith and practice, and impress upon his mind that therein is contained the whole duty of man. This is tantamount to the other, and can be tolerated in our Lodges without the charge of sectarianism.

I am free to admit, that the purely abstract principles of ancient Freemasonry teach the belief of the existence of God, and a correct and pure system of morality and benevolence-as pure as religion itself. In fact, many of our distinguishing tenets are inseparably connected with, and are essentially the same as those of Christianity. They, however, do not pretend to teach the pure and essential doctrines of salvation.

Your friend and Brother,

N. OLDHAM.

[We noticed the sentence to which our correspondent has taken exception, and had intended to append a dissenting note, on publishing it; but it escaped our recollection. It, however, being a mere declaration of the belief of the writer, we did not attach so much importance to it. Had it been advanced as a Masonic principle, it would not, probably, have escaped us; but then it would not have elicited the very excellent communication with which our correspondent has favored us. So that, on the whole, we do not regret its appearance, unaccompanied by any comments of our own.-ED.]

Antigua, (West Indies,) March 10th, 1846.

R. W. C. W MOORE :-Dear Sir and Brother:-Presuming any information tending toward the advancement of our ancient and honorable Order, would be acceptably received, I have ventured to forward you the enclosed address,* delivered by me, on my retirement from the Master's chair, to the Lodge over which I had the honor to preside.

It may not be amiss to mention that, through the assistance of a few zealous Masons, I have succeeded in establishing Masonry in this island, after a repose of twentyfive years. The number of the Brethren was so small, who in the first instance petitioned the Grand Lodge of England for a charter, (its Constitution requiring seven,) that it had nearly been refused-but, owing to the petition being presented by our worthy Brother and Diocesan, Bishop Davis, this informality was overlooked, and a charter was granted, nominating me as first Master. In consequence, however, of the awful calamity of the earthquake in 1843, which

*The Address is given in a preceding page.

reduced our city to ruins, a suitable Lodge room could not be procured, and we were compelled to hold our charter in abeyance till the month of June, 1844, when I opened our first Lodge. Since then, I am happy in stating it has steadily increased in number and respectability, and by the accumulation of our fund, has enabled us to extend to the distressed widows of our deceased Brethren, the cup of solace and comfort.

I remain, dear sir, yours sincerely and fraternally,

NATH'L W. JONES.

Rockville, Ia., 14th July, 1846. R. W. BRO. MOORE :-Freemasonry is progressively flourishing in Rockville, and I believe throughout the jurisdiction of the G. Lodge of Indiana. Fifteen persons have been initiated in our Lodge, (Parke Lodge, No. 8,) the past year, and there is a prospect of quite an increase the ensuing year; and so far, I think, the materials we have collected are of the best kind. Our officers for the ensuing six months, were installed on the 4th of July inst., by R. W. Rev. Draper Chipman, P. G. Chaplain of the G. Lodge of Indiana, as follows, viz :-Peter Q. Stryker, W. M.; Joseph B. Cornelius, S. W.; Harry H. Hess, J. W.; Chas. Grant, Treas.; Robt. M. Gilkeson, Sec.; J. C. Smith, S. D.; E. Brown, J. D.; J. Jones, S. and Tyler. Yours, fraternally, P. Q. S.

MASONIC INTELLIGENCE.

MISSISSIPPI.

The Grand Lodge of Mississippi held its annual Communication at Natchez, in January last. The Grand Master, M. W. John A. Quitman, Esq., opened the session with the following interesting and business-like address:

Brethren of the Grand Lodge of the State of Mississippi:-Since the last Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, our ancient and time-honored Institution has been eminently prosperous in this State. Pursuing its even and unobtrusive way, dispensing its charitable blessings to the afflicted, diffusing the principles of benevolence and good will to man, and inculcating every moral and social virtue, Freemasonry must prosper among a free, an intelligent and a virtuous people.

During the past year, Dispensations have been granted to nine new Lodges, and I doubt not that the returns will show an unusual increase of members.

The reports of the Grand Treasurer and Secretary, will exhibit the condition of the finances of the Grand Lodge. Although they present the Treasury exhausted, yet when we take into consideration the increased expenses for repairs made on the Masonic Hall, by the Grand Secretary, under order of the Grand Lodge, we have reason to be satisfied with the result. The income of the Grand Lodge is steadily increasing. With economical expenditures, we may indulge the hope of being enabled, after the current year, to set apart annually considerable sums for charitable, benevolent or educational purposes.

The correspondence with the Grand Lodges of foreign countries and of our sister States, has presented some matters of interest to the Fraternity, to which I beg leave to call your attention.

The Grand Lodge of Maryland, by resolutions adopted at their session in May last, have again presented the subject of the formation of a General Grand Lodge in the United States. This is a question of great importance to Masonry in this

country, and will, no doubt, receive your serious consideration. It has heretofore been more than once agitated, but always unsuccessfully. Distinguished names have been arrayed on both sides of the question. Without intending to express a decided opinion upon its policy, I am inclined to view the proposal with favor, if a representation analogous to that of the States in the electoral college for President, can be secured.

I submit to you a communication from the Grand Lodge of Texas, recoinmending the appointment of resident delegates near each Grand Lodge, and a letter from the M. W. Grand Master of Louisiana upon the same subject. I have declined to act upon this matter in any wise, without the express authority of this Grand Lodge.

At our last Annual Communication, upon the representation and request of many Master Masons residing in the State of Louisiana, a committee was appointed to visit and confer with the Grand Lodge of Louisiana or its officers, and to obtain as far as practicable, personal information upon the subjects referred to them, and I was requested, should said committee deem it necessary upon conferring with me, to call a special meeting of the Grand Lodge for the purpose of receiving their report and of acting thereon. As required by the resolution, a majority of the committee visited New Orleans, but I am not informed of the result of their mission, as no conference was had with me upon the subject, the committee doubtless deeming it unnecessary to make their report until this regular Cominunication. In the meantime, the subjects which gave rise to their mission, have assumed additional interest from the more formal action of Lodges and bodies of Masons in our sister State, some of which have been transmitted to us. I beg leave to lay before you the memorials, resolutions and letters in relation to this matter which have been received, and to recommend the whole subject to the most deliberate and serious consideration of this Grand Lodge. With the report of the committee which visited New Orleans, and the documents submitted, you will have all the requisite information. I will add, that in my opinion it is due to the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, as well as to the respectable memorialists and petitioners, that we should take deliberate, but final and decisive action upon this delicate subject.

I have thus briefly touched upon the leading matters which have been presented during the recess of the Grand Lodge. For other details, I refer you to the reports of the Grand Treasurer and Secretary.

May that ALL-SEEING EYE which for so many centuries has watched over our ancient and honorable Order, see nothing in the proceedings of this body, which wisdom or virtue would desire to blot out.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The following Brethren were elected to fill the offices of the Grand Lodge for the current year:

John A. Quitman, M. W. G. Master; Benj. S. Tappan, R. W. D. G. M.; S. H. Johnson, G. S. W.; Wm. H. Stevens, G. J. W.; Wm. F. Stearns, G. O.; Dan'] L. Russell, M. R. G. Chap.; C. A. Lacoste, R. W. G. Treas.; Wm. P. Mellen, G. Sec'ry.

NORTH CAROLINA.

We continue below our extracts from the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, had at its last annual communication :

ADMISSION OF SOJOURNERS.

Resolved, That no Lodge, working under authority of this Grand Lodge, be allowed to admit a candidate applying from another jurisdiction, either within this or any other State, and whether he be rejected or not, without first obtaining the consent of such nearer Lodge, or from the Grand Lodge of the State from which he hails.

GRAND LODGE CERTIFICATES.

"The attention of your committee has been called to consider the importance of Grand Lodge certificates, as alluded to in the address of our M. W. Grand Master: They would urge the necessity of a provision being made for the convenience and benefit of the members of all subordinate Lodges within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge. Therefore,

Resolved, That the Grand Secretary, under the direction of the M. W. Grand Master, have printed a suitable number of Grand Lodge certificates, in proper form, to be furnished to the subordinate Lodges in such quantities as may be required, at 50 cents apiece; one-half of which amount shall be as a fee for the Grand Secretary, and the other half as funds of the Grand Lodge."

EDUCATION.

"The committee on Education, to whom was referred so much of the Annual Communication of the M. W. Grand Master as relates to the scheine for establishing a Charity School by this Grand Lodge, and to the duty of subordinate Lodges in regard to the education of poor children within the limits of their jurisdiction, have had the same under consideration, and respectfully report:

1st. In regard to the North Carolina Masonic Charity School, that it is a matter much to be regretted, that nothing has been done during the past year to further this great and noble object. This, however, is no cause of discouragement; it can only retard, not prevent, ultimate success. The benign and benevolent institution proposed to be established is too important, opens too wide a field for the useful operation of the distinguishing principle of Masonry, and promises too rich a harvest of glory and substantial benefits to our venerable Order, to be abandoned for any, much less for light and transient causes. And it is a matter of heartfelt gratulation, that there is no necessity for even the temporary suspension of efforts to provide the means of carrying it into execution, suggested in the first communication of our M. W. Grand Master, that able and vigilant officer, from information received subsequent to its delivery, having been convinced that continued, persevering and judicious efforts must be finally crowned with

success.

The great object to be accomplished-the education of the poor-meets a hearty response in the bosom of every worthy member of the Fraternity; and the objections raised by some to the proposed plan of aiding in this important and interesting labor of love,' from a misapprehension of the means by which it is to be put in operation, and the principles upon which it is to be conducted, are vanishing away like mist before the rising sun. Many who at first opposed it, from this misapprehension, are now among its warmest advocates; and it is believed, that when the matter shall be well understood by all, every subordinate Lodge in the State will not only approve, but give their cordial co-operation in the work.

There is no reason to the contrary to be found in any of the principles of justice or generosity which govern the actions of individuals or associations. The Grand Lodge proposes to make no application of the funds raised for other purposes to this object to appropriate to it not a cent of the surplus funds (if it had any, but it has none) raised by dues from subordinate Lodges, without their consent to levy no contributions, to exact no dues for its establishment or support from the subordinate Lodges. Whatever may be done by Lodges or individuals, is to be like the participation in the feast of Ahasuerus, without compulsion-a purely voluntary offering-that the luxury of a willing and disinterested benevolence may by all be enjoyed. The simple proposition is, to raise by subscription, a fund sufficient to establish a seminary of learning, under the direction of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, in which may be educated, free from charge, such poor and destitute orphans and children of living brother Masons, who have not the means to confer this benefit upon their offspring, as may be selected for the purpose, from among those who reside within the territorial limits of the respective Lodges throughout the State. The

question, then, need not be asked, who is opposed to such a scheme? for none can oppose it; but who shall win the imperishable reward of giving to it the warmest, most liberal and efficient support?

2d. The next branch of the subject which claims the attention of your committee, is the education of the poor by the subordinate Lodges. This is of no less importance than that which has already been considered; and since it is shown that the duty will not conflict in the least with the design of the Grand Lodge, which proposes to absorb none of their funds, the committee feel the more free to express their entire concurrence with the views of the Most Worshipful Grand Master on the subject, and to recommend that it be earnestly urged upon all the Lodges under your jurisdiction, to carry out promptly and faithfully the measures recommended. All that is necessary to be said on the importance of moral and intellectual culture, is expressed in his expressive and comprehensive remarks; and the plan of aiding in this important work is also sufficiently indicated.

Let the general institution proposed by the Grand Lodge be established ; let the subordinate Lodges apply their funds and energies to the instruction of youth within their respective districts; let each one strive to show, which, according to its ability, can do the most; let the local send scholars to the general institution; and that they send out teachers to them in return; and it must be obvious to all, that so far from conflicting, they may move on harmoniously and benignly in their respective spheres, as the orbs of heaven, reflecting light and imparting strength and beauty to each other, and conferring incalculable benefits upon the world.

It is true, the times' are rather unpropitious for entering upon enlarged fields of benevolent enterprize; but to the enlarged and liberal zeal, governed by the sublime maxims of Masonry, they present no insuperable barriers. The greatest obstacle to be met with is, that prevailing form of selfishness, and covetousness, which our great light, the word of God, teaches us utterly to discard. Let this be rooted out-let even a few small rivulets be diverted from the river which administers so abundantly to our personal wants, and sent off to irrigate the thirsty gardens of charitable enterprize; and soon "the wilderness and solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose."

Masonry in North Carolina can no longer be satisfied with past parsimony and mismanagement of its means, but is awaking to the claims of enlightened charity and liberality. When this principle is abroad, the plan only is wanting to produce the grand and glorious result. A slight change in the language of a distinguished author, expresses the sentiment here attempted. An ancient writer relates, that the forest of the Pyrenean Mountains being set on fire, and the heat penetrating to the soil, a pure stream of silver gushed forth from the bosom of the earth, and revealed, for the first time, the existence of those rich loads afterwards so celebrated. Covetousness yields up its pelf for benevolent uses as unwillingly as if it were appointed to succeed the earth in the office of holding and concealing it; but let the melting influence of moral and religious obligation be felt; let the fire of genuine Masonry be kindled in the Lodges, and their ample stores shall be seen flowing forth from their hidden recesses, and becoming "the fine gold of the temple."

The Committee conclude by recommending the adoption of the following Resolutions:

Resolved, That a Standing Committee of three be annually appointed by the Grand Master, with authority and instructions to carry into effect as rapidly as practicable, the resolutions heretofore adopted by this Grand Lodge, with the view to the ultimate establishment of a seminary of learning; and that they report their proceedings annually to the Grand Lodge.

Resolved further, That while the Subordinate Lodges and individual Masons are appealed to for voluntary contributions in aid of this great enterprise, they are earnestly and affectionately urged to hold sacred all their initiation fees