enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the LORD of peace himself give you peace always.

The passage of Scripture here cited is an exhortation against idleness; and is very appropriately selected to be read at the opening of a chapter, to teach us that as Royal Arch Masons we are still called on to labor, freely and without weariness. Though the old temple be destroyed, we must labor in building the new; though the word be lost, we must labor for its recovery. Masonic labor is the search for the word-the search after Divine truth. This and this only is the mason's work, and the word is his reward.

Labor, said the old monks, is worship-"laborare est orare"-and thus in our sacred retreats do we worship--working for the truth--working for the word-ever looking forward— casting no glance behind—well knowing that, "if any will not work, neither shall he eat:" but cheerily hoping for the consummation and the reward of our labor in the sublime knowledge which is promised to him who plays no laggart's part; and which, when this earthly temple is dissolved, we shall find in that second temple, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

LECTURE AND RECEPTION.

The lecture in the Royal Arch degree is divided into two sections; and as Webb has very properly said, "It should be well understood by every Royal Arch Mason, as upon an accurate acquaintance with it will depend his usefulness at our assemblies, and without it he will be unqualified to perform the duties of the various stations in which his services may be required by the chapter." But beyond this assistance, which it gives in the practical working of the ceremonial of the degree, the lecture is of no utility. When the student desires light upon the history, the traditions and the symbol

ism of the Royal Arch, he must apply to other sources, and must make himself acquainted with the profane as well as sacred history of the times and events to which the degree refers, if he would thoroughly appreciate its esoteric teachings.

The following works, among others, are especially recommended to the perusal of the student in Royal Arch Masonry. They are all easily accessible:

"The Antiquities of the Jews," by Flavius Josephus; the 9th, 10th and 11th books.

"The Old and New Testament connected in the History of the Jews and Neighboring Nations," by Humphrey Prideaux, D.D. Part I. Books 1, 2 and 3 are of essential use. "A System of Speculative Masonry," by Rev. Salem Town, A.M.; especially the 13th and 19th chapters.

"Some Account of the Schisms which took place during the last century amongst the Free and Accepted Masons in England, showing the Presumed Origin of the Royal Arch Degree; by Rev. Geo. Oliver, D.D.

"The Insignia of the Royal Arch, as it was used at the first establishment of the degree, illustrated and explained;" by the same author. These two works are always printed together; the one being supplementary to the other. Morris has republished them in the 13th volume of his Universa Masonic Library. They are highly interesting; but no Royal Arch Mason can expect to be a thorough master of his science unless he attentively reads the following:

"The Historical Landmarks of Freemasonry," by Dr. Olver; from the 33d to the 48th chapter. The 44th chapter on the tetragrammaton must be closely studied.

5*

FIRST SECTION OF THE LECTURE.

The first section explains the organization of a chapter, and the stations and duties of its officers. With this section every officer of a chapter should be intimately ac quainted. A knowledge of it is essentially neccessary to all who are engaged in the ceremony of the opening of a chapter.

A Royal Arch Chapter represents the tabernacle erected by our ancient brethren near the ruins of King Solomon's Temple.

SYMBOLISM OF THE VEILS.

Blue, is emblematic of universal friendship and benevolence, and teaches us that those virtues should be as expansive in the breast of every mason as the blue vault of heaven itself.

Purple, being formed by a due admixture of blue and scarlet, is intended to remind us of the intimate connection that exists between symbolic masonry and the Royal Arch degree.

Scarlet, is emblematic of that fervency and zeal which shouta actuate all Royal Arch Masons, and is peculiarly characteristic of this degree.

White, is emblematic of that purity of life and rectitude ar conduct by which alone we can expect to gain admission into & holy of holies above.

SECOND SECTION.

The Second Section of the Royal Arch Lecture furnishes valuable information in reference to the events that are com memorated in this degree, and correctly details the ceremon of exaltation. It may, for convenience, be appropriately divided into two clauses, each referring to a different histor period.

FIRST CLAUSE.

Our attention is here invited by appropriate symbolic e emonies to the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, and the temple of the Lord by the Chaldean monarch Nebuchau nezzar, who carried the Jews as captives into Babylon.

The following passages of Scripture are to be recited during this clause of the ceremony of exaltation :

18AАП xlii. 16.

not

I will bring the blind by a way that they knew

I will food mem ir paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight: these things will I do unto them and not forsake them.

As the return of cne captives from Babylon forms a prominent reference in noval Arch degree, it was exceedingly appropriate to commence the ritual by a selection of these words from Isaian, wnich form a part of that series of sublime chapters in which, as Bishop Lowth remarks, “the return of the Jews from the captivity of Babylon is the first, though not the principal thing in the prophet's view." These verses, in particular, contain a promise of guidance and protection to the captives through the uncultivated deserts and barbarous people that were interposed between Babylon and Jerusalem. Of course it has a sublimer pro phetic sense, which the pious and intelligent candidate will readily apply. Masonically it is analogous to a similar encouragement given in the commencement of the Entered Apprentice's degree to him who puts his trust in God. It is well, on all such occasions, in the incipiency of his masonic journey to remind the candidate that he is in the hands of a true and trusty friend in whom he may well confide, which frien 1 is none other than Sue G A O TU.