refreshing yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" (Isa. xxviii. 9-13). "To write the same things to you," says the Apostle Paul to the Philippians, "to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe" (Phil. iii. 2). How many of the parables teach the same great lessons! By how many figures did our Lord represent the kingdom of heaven in one single discourse! (Matt. xiii.) In what variety of terms are the glory and blessedness of the latter days set forth by Isaiah and the other prophets! In all this the great and good God graciously accommodates Himself to the weakness of His creatures. Who does not feel that it is delightful to turn from one parable to another, and from one promise to another, and from one declaration of the most precious doctrines of religion to another, even although much to the same effect? The meaning might be condensed into few words, but these words would not be so impressive; they would not be so pleasing to the mind; they would not have the same power to affect the heart. It may be useful for certain purposes to set down the doctrines of religion in a creed or confession of faith, to condense and formulate them, and to deal in the same way with its laws of morality: but who can read such a summary with the same interest as the Bible itself, or derive from it the same benefit?

How delightful and salutary the reflections to which a proper contemplation of the floor of the Lodge is fitted to lead! It cannot, indeed, be without some feeling of sadness that we think how good and evil, prosperity and adversity, are commingled in human life; but there is great satisfaction in the assurance that God rules over all, making all things to work together for good to them that love Him. This adds to the happiness of times when temporal blessings are enjoyed in greatest measure, and it soothes the heart in seasons of affliction. The prospect of the happy future in which there is no vicissitude, no possibility of sickness or sorrow, of poverty or bereavement, or of

death, is also, above all things calculated to sustain the soul under the pressure of earthly trials, whilst it tends to induce a constant solicitude to use aright all the good gifts which God is pleased to bestow, with moderation and calm thankfulness. Moreover, as we look upon the chequered floor, its central star, and the flowery border that surrounds it, we are constrained to extend our thoughts to our brethren, placed upon it like ourselves, and our sympathies are called forth towards them; we are ready to rejoice with those that rejoice and to weep with those that weep, to manifest brotherly-kindness and charity, especially in helping those who need our help and to whom we are able to give it.

The flowery border of the floor is a very important part of this symbol. It reminds us that vicissitudes belong only to this life and this world, and that for the good and pious man all beyond it is joy. It is a promise addressed to the eye, of all that can cheer the heart and yield consolation amidst our trials here. It surrounds and bounds the floor, and so reminds us that trials and sorrows and fears will ere long be over, thus calling our thoughts to bright prospects, which, if we live as we ought in this world, cannot fail to be realised. Happy are they whose hope is sure. No earthly affliction can altogether rob them of their happiness; and how worthless in comparison with it are the greatest of earthly joys!

CHAPTER LXXIII.

MASONIC SYMBOLS.-THE CHARTER OF THE LODGE.

THE Charter of the Lodge sometimes appears as a symbol, to remind Freemasons of the duties which they owe to the Lodge of which they are members, and also to the Grand Lodge from which the charter has been received; and thus, therefore, of their duties to all their Brethren individually and to the Brotherhood collectively. The charter is represented as a roll, just so far unrolled as to show the word CHARTER at the top of it. The lessons taught by this symbol are of no small importance in fact it is a symbol of far-extending significancy, as a little reflection will show. By it Freemasons are kept in mind of the ties which bind them to their Brethren, not only to those of their own Lodge, but to all others. They are called to consider that the charter not only conveys rights and privileges to the Lodge and to all its members, with many benefits which they could not enjoy if it existed in a state of isolation; but also that in applying for and accepting it, they have brought themselves under obligations to the Grand Lodge and to the whole masonic body. They are, therefore, taught the duty of conducting themselves in such a manner as to promote the general benefit of the Brotherhood, and at the same time to promote the interests and to maintain the character of their own Lodge, carefully complying with the requirements of their charter, so that the Lodge may never lose its place on the roll of the Grand Lodge, nor its members be cut off from the enjoyment of any of the benefits which attend their connection with it. This simple symbol, therefore, if duly regarded, becomes useful in preventing negligence of masonic obligations, and so lead

ing to the practice of all these virtues which are inculcated in the charges, and taught by other symbols. It suggests far more than it directly teaches, and most opportunely calls attention to what might otherwise be apt to be overlooked. It is particularly suggestive of the duty of showing constant respect to established order, to laws, and to those who administer them. It reminds us that, however great may be our rights and privileges, they are yet limited, and that whilst it is proper for us to seek the fullest enjoyment of them, we must take heed that we do not attempt to exceed them and so break the constituted order on which they depend, nor invade the rights and interfere with the privileges of others. It reminds us, however, also that the rights which really belong to us, ought to be prized and maintained. Thus this symbol may be regarded as teaching us not only our duties as Freemasons, towards the whole Masonic Brotherhood, but also our duties as members of society, as members of a municipality, or of a body politic. We are reminded of our duty to obey the laws of our country, to "honour the king," to obey magistrates, and not only to refrain from all sedition or turbulent conduct, but to assist in repressing everything of the kind, as we may be called upon to do, or as it may be in our power. Yet also we are reminded that the liberty which we enjoy under the constitution of our country is to be highly valued, and as circumstances may require, asserted and maintained. As we are to take heed that we never exceed the limits of our rights, so we are to see to it that no one trample on them.

CHAPTER LXXIV.

MASONIC SYMBOLS.-THE LODGE-ROOM.

THE Lodge-Room or Hall in which Freemasons meet, is regarded as symbolical of the universe, and a simple figure of it is often employed amongst other symbols with the same signification, and to remind the Brother of those lessons which he has received in the Lodge, and of those duties which he is called to practise there. The Floor of the Lodge already separately noticed (chap. lxxii.), represents the world, in which human life is full of vicissitudes. The important significance of the star in the centre of the floor, and of its flowery border, in relation to the overruling providence of the Almighty, All-wise, and infinitely gracious God, and the prospect of a future state of perfect and eternal joy, has been already pointed out, and to these things we need not recur. The roof represents the cloudy canopy, that conceals from our view the heaven to which our hopes aspire, and from which the All-seeing Eye always beholds us. The altar in the centre of the Hall, and the open Bible, the square, and the compasses upon it-the three greater lights of Masonry-indicate the importance of religion, and the necessity of uniting with piety towards God, a faithful discharge of duty in all the relations and affairs of life, in the practice of the rules of virtue and morality (see chaps. lxiv. and lxv.). The three candles near the altar, one before it and one on each side, representing the three lesser lights of Masonry, are also, as has already been explained, of important significancy (see chap. lxxi.). The Hall is of an oblong form; its length from east to west, at least one third greater than its breadth from north to south. It is desirable that the hall should