210 LAYING CORNER-STONES OF MASONIC AND PUBLIC EDIFICES.

decided. In the sense in which the word is here used, we think it should include: 1. All buildings erected by the government, State or municipal authorities, with the money of the people, and for the use of the people; such as capitols, State houses, and court houses. buildings erected by the State, by corporations, or individuals, as eleemosynary institutions, such as hospitals, asylums for the insane, the blind, the deaf and dumb, the idiotic, and the inebriate.

2. All

3. All buildings devoted to purposes of education, such as colleges, universities, and other public schools. 4. All buildings erected for the public worship of the G. A. O. T. U., such as churches, temples, and synagogues. 5. All monuments erected by the people to perpetuate the memory of great events, or of great and good men.

In short, this definition embraces all buildings erected for the purpose of carrying into practical effect the great tenets and principles of Masonry, as explained in the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Crafts degrees. This does not include buildings erected for the purpose of speculation or profit, however public they may be. It would not be proper to lay Masonically the corner-stone of a dwelling, hotel, store, depot, warehouse, or manufacturing establishment.

The origin of the custom of laying corner-stones with certain ceremonies, is lost in the twilight of remote antiquity. In that most ancient and beautiful poem of Job, the sweet singer says speaking of the foundation of the earth: "Who laid the corner-stone thereof." Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, says to his followers: "You are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone."

From the history of the ancient Masonic builders, we learn the class of buildings erected by the Fraternity. A knowledge of the structures erected by operative Masons in the past, may help us to judge what kind of buildings speculative Masons should be interested in, so far as to lay the corner-stones.

Every well informed Mason is familiar with the story of the erection of the first temple at Jerusalem, under the supervision of the Master Builder of Tyre, and the subsequent dispersion of the builders to various countries; while the Royal Arch Mason has a vivid recollection of the destruction of this temple by the army of Nebuchadnezzar, -the carrying away of the Giblimites to Babylon,-the labors of their descendants in building the palaces of that great city,-their liberation by the proclamation of Cyrus,-their return to Jerusalem, and the rebuilding of the temple under Zerubbabel in the sixth century B. C.

From this period the fraternity of traveling Masons were scattered over the countries of southern Europe.

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The College of Constructors had already been founded by Numa Pompilius at Rome. This was a secret organization, governed by Masters and Wardens, and using the symbolry of the utensils of their profession. It endured for more than a thousand years. Most of the great buildings erected in Europe during this period, were built by this Fraternity. The following are among the most celebrated of these buildings, and give us an idea of their general character: Under Numa the temples to Faith and Fidelity, to Romulus and James were built at Rome; under the elder Tarquin, temples were erected to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. In the following centuries temples were erected to Vesta, Hercules, Pallas, and other Pagan gods; also, to Health, Concord, Honor, and Virtue. These builders traveled with the Roman

legions, carrying with them civilization, art, and literature, founding cities and building temples. Under Julius Cæsar temples were erected

to Liberty, Concord, Happiness, and Mercy.

The Parthenon was completed a little before theChristian era, and the palace of the Cæsars, the Coliseum, and the famous Circus at Rome, capable of holding 260,000 persons, were built in the first century, much of the labor being performed by the Jewish captives. Architecture had now reached its culminating point, and with the spread of Christianity, it, with Grecian art and literature, began to decay in the second century. Many of the members of the Colleges at Rome embraced Christianity, were persecuted by the emperor Aurelius, and forced to seek refuge in Gaul and Britain. During the next six centuries, a few great churches were erected that have withstood the ravages of time; among these were the cathedrals at Canterbury and Rochester, and St. Paul's at London. In the eleventh century Europe began to arise from her superstition and lethargy, and modern civilization began.

In the thirteenth century those grand monuments of architecture and Christianity, the cathedrals of Cologne, Strasbourg, Paris, Rheims Rouen, and Amiens were projected, and Westminster Abbey was completed.

From this time Masonry and architecture steadily progressed, till almost every city in Europe contained magnificent cathedrals, churches, capitols, and other public buildings, erected by the Fraternity.

In the early part of the seventeenth century, Masonry began to assume more of a speculative character, and received into its Lodges many who were not builders.

From this hasty sketch of the great buildings erected by Masonry in ancient times, we see that they were of a character similar to those of which we now, as speculative Masons, lay the foundation or cornerstones, and it is not improbable that the custom might be traced to this fact.-Indianapolis Masonic Advocate.

As he the winding stairs ascends,
Each step new light displays;

And fellowship of dearer friends

With each bright scene that round him blends
More than his toil repays.

III.

A third time at the inner door
Admission still he seeks,

To learn that pure Masonic lore,
And in his mind those precepts store,
Which WISDOM only speaks.

Remember thy Creater, God,
(To him we gently said)

Ere thou life's path hast farther trod,
Or thou be called from hence abroad,
And numbered with the dead.

Again we knelt, and humbly prayed-
O, God, thou knowest all

Our sittings down, and all we've said,
Our risings up, the lives we've led,
Since on this earthly ball.

Shield us from all our earthly foes,
Defend us from their rage;

Be thou our strength till life shall close,
Then may we in thy Love repose,
Thou hope of every age."

He rose as rising from a grave,

To live his life anew;

Was taught, though earth's night-storm should rave,

That Judah's Lion strong to save.

Would safe conduct him through.

IN 1813, Pope Pius VII issued an edict against Freemasons, pronouncing against them death, and confiscation. In 1822, the King of Portugal ditto. In 1826, the Pope repeated the edict. In 1828, the King of Spain proclaimed in the same strain.

QUEEN ELIZABETH, in 1561, sent a detachment of troops to break up the assembly of Freemasons at York. The officers reported so favorably, that the Queen revoked her order, and, after investigation, became the patroness of the Fraternity.

TRUE WEALTH.

BY S. C. COFFINBERRY.

CHAPTER XXI.

A MONTH had elapsed since Eda Wilson's return from the country. Her cow, Old Brindle, had been fairly installed in her new home and had habituated herself to life in the city.

Mr. Wilson was proud of his daughter, when she presented him with her first churning of butter after her return. During her absence in the country he was depressed and melancholy, but after her return he became more cheerful, and more deeply interested in the domestic household and its management by his daughter.

On the morning after her return, she presented a parcel to the millionaire with the following explanation:

Papa, you would not believe that I could go to the country and content myself to learn the various household duties, a knowledge of which is so necessary to a judicious management of domestic concerns. I told you I would do it. I have kept my word. As soon as Old Brindle is sufficiently rested I will show you a specimen of butter that I will not be ashamed to present before you, and that you need not be afraid to eat. That is not all. Open this package. It contains a pair of sheets and pillow slips. I spun all the yarn, wove the web, bleached the linen, and made up, with my own fingers, the sheets and pillow slips. I present them to you."

The millioniare opened the package, and unrolled the snow white linen. He kissed his daughter, laid the linen articles upon the table, and, seating himself by the window, looked out upon the lawn thoughtfully, and in silence. At last he turned to his daughter and said:

"My child, I can not consent to accept this earnest of your affection. It is the result of your own toil and labor. These articles are above price, and are too sacred, in such a view, for any thing but one purpose."

"And what purpose is this, papa?

"Your nuptial sheets," replied the father.

"Say, rather my winding sheets," replied the daughter

"Why speak thus, my child?"

"Because I will never marry."

"Eda, my daughter, what do you mean? You have arrived at an