THE NEW DOCTRINE.

In a letter recently received from a highly intelligent and learned Mason, who lives in one of the New England States, is the following:

I was very much pleased with your article against the doctrine of making a belief in the authenticity of the Bible a qualification for Masonry. Indiana, I see, makes liquor making or selling a Masonic crime. How would Bro. Morris like to have Maine and the New England States, (said to be the hot-bed of Abolitionism,) require her candidates to assent to that doctrine as a necessary qualification? The Bible stands well enough, temperance stands well enough. Don't let us give our enemies cause to doubt our sincerity, by continually hammering away at things which, as men, we admit. When I was admitted into the Fraternity, I was told and so instructed, that the only religious belief that was required of me was, a belief in a God, a great ruling cause, to whom I was accountable for my conduct, the Infinite Creator of all things, the Supreme Architect of the Universe.

The suggestion of our Brother is very pertinent. The "Abolitionists" of the North, or the "fire-eaters" of the South, have as good a right to make their particular views a test of admission to Masonry, as Bro. Morris has to make a belief in the divine authenticity of the Scriptures a test, or the Grand Lodge of Indiana has to prohibit its members trading in alcoholic drinks. Let those Masons who are seeking to make our Institution uphold their peculiar sectional views, look calmly at this departure from the landmarks and see where it is lead ing them. If one person may make a new test, another may do so. If Indiana may expel those members who sell alcoholic liquors, South Carolinia may expel those who do not believe that slavery is sanctioned by the Scriptures. We see but one safe course, and that is, to guard against all innovation.

Our peculiar views respecting the Scriptures, politics, slavery, the temperance movement, capital punishment, have never been intimated in these pages, for the simple reason that we have no right to intimate them here. They have nothing to do with Masonry, and when we enter a Lodge we lay them aside, and meet our Brethren on the level. We know of no other course which any Mason can safely pursue.

HARMONY RESTORED IN MICHIGAN-GREAT REJOICING.

WITH a sensation of happiness we have not experienced for a long period, we announce to the world that difficulties which have existed among the Companions and Knight Templars of Michigan for the past three years have been amicably settled to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. This we are informed on reliable authority, although we have not received the official reports of the meetings of the Grand Bodies which were recently held.

The Grand Chapter of Michigan met on the second Monday of last month. There was a general feeling among the members that some decisive measures ought to be taken to remove the discord which existed. The subject was freely talked over, and a disposition to restore harmony was manifested to such an extent that there appeared to be no opposition. But how could this be done? The object all agreed upon; but how could it be effected? After much consultation, and the canvassing of various propositions, an informal meeting of the members of Peninsular Chapter was held. All present (some sixteen) signed a document addressed to Monroe Chapter, stating, in substance, as follows: That, whereas, Peninsular Chapter had received a Charter without the consent of Monroe Chapter, and the latter body thought itself thereby aggreived, the memorialists, for the purpose of promoting harmony, asked said Chapter to request the Grand Chapter to permit it to place on the records (accompanied by the memorial,) its assent to the legality of Peninsular Chapter.

Monroe Chapter unanimously acceeded to the request. Companion Jacobs, as the authorized representative, in some appropriate remarks, announced to the Grand Body the action of Monroe Chapter. The announcement was received with cheers and applause which made the building ring. The enthusiasm knew no bounds. Companion Noble, High Priest of Monroe Chapter, and Companion Roberts, High Priest of Peninsular Chapter, met at the altar and there shook hands, over the buried hatchet. Few eyes looked upon that scene, which were not suffused with tears, and some Companions sobbed aloud, so great was the joy of their hearts. The scene, as described by an eye-witness, was deeply affecting. We extremely regret that it was not our good fortune to participate in it.

In the Grand Commandery the difficulties respecting Peninsular Commandery, at Kalamazoo, was amicably adjusted. Detroit Com

mandery was enjoined to restore Sir Knights Roberts, Ensworth and Weston. We can emphatically say that peace and harmony prevail among the Fraternity of Michigan!

Companion W. P. Innis, of Grand Rapids, was elected G. H. Priest-a very excellent selection. Comp. Innis is an ardent and intelligent Mason, well qualified for the office. Comp. J. Eastman Johnson, of White Pigeon, was elected Grand Secretary. A better man for the place could not have been found. A vote of thanks was returned to Comp. S. C. Coffinberry, and an appropriation made to purchase for him a Past Grand High Priest's Jewel.

Ex-Gov. Wm. L. Greenly, of Adrian, was elected Grand Master, and Bro. S. B. Brown, of St. Clair, Dep. Grand Master. We shall give an extended account of the proceedings in our next number.

THE EDITOR OF THE ASHLAR cannot refrain from giving the following well-merited remarks of Bro. Parvin, published in the Western Freemason of October :

Brother E. W. Jones, of Chicago, Illinois, is joint proprietor with Brother Weston in the publication of THE ASHLAR, at Chicago, one of our most excellent monthlies, and for a young man, as he is, has done much in collecting one of the largest and most valuable Masonic libraries in the country, especially the West.

Brother J., who is possessed of only moderate means, is a "wholesouled "Brother, giving much of his time and money to promote the public good. While visiting his study, he remarked, "here are my duplicates, take such as you want." We did take a few, and as they were valuable and cost him money, tendered him the price, and were surprised at his reply, "I cheerfully give away all I have to sparebut never sell Masonic books." We could not but contrast his conduct most favorably with that of two or three others, who have begged of us, and afterwards proposed to sell us our own gifts. Shame on such!

The conduct of Bro. Jones referred to in the above extract is characteristic of that Bro., as hosts of Masons can testify. However, we may confidently assert that Bro. Jones has met his match in Bro. Parvin, who is known throughout the Fraternity of the country as one of the most disinterested and ardent Masons, filled with zeal and knowledge. The Western Freemason ought, under his control, to receive a more liberal patronage.

MASONIC ITEMS.

OFFICERS OF THE RESPECTIVE MASONIC BODIES AT SPRINGFIELD, ILL.

Elwood Commandery No. 6.-H. G. Reynolds, Com.; F. K. Nichols, C. G.; C. W. Matheny, Gen.; William Lavely, Pr.; B. C. McQueston, Recorder.

Springfield Council No. 2, R. and S. M.-O. H. Miner, G. M.; H. G. Reynolds, D. G. M.; P. A. Dorwin, P. C. W.; B. C. McQueston, Recorder.

Springfield Chapter No. 1.-C. W. Matheny, H. P.; John Uhler, K.; J. D. Harper, S.; O. H. Miner, Sec.

Springfield Lodge No. 4:-Wm. Lavely, M.; B. C. McQueston, S. W.; J. T. Rhodes, J. W.; E. C. Matheny, Sec.

Central Lodge No. 71.-Charles Fisher, M.; Richard Young, S. W.; F. K. Nichols, J. W.; L. W. Sheppard, Sec.

Tyrian Lodge, U. D.—O. H. Miner, M.; H. G. Reynolds, S. W.; W. L. Dougherty, J. W.; E. L. Gross, Sec.

OFFICERS OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY OF WISCONSIN, FOR 1860. -Henry L. Palmer, G. Com., Milwaukee; Erastus Lewis, Dep. G. C., Janesville; J. P. Houghton, G. Gen., Madison; Michael F. McKey, G. C. G., Janesville; J. Albert Helfenstein, G. Prel., Milwaukee; Alden S. Sanborn, G. S. W., Mazomanie; William Addy, G. J. W., Janesville; Samuel S. Daggett, G. Treas., Milwaukee; William T. Palmer, G. Rec., Milwaukee; John C. Rudd, G. St. Bearer, Madison; Barnabus B. Eldridge, G. Sword Bearer, Janesville; C. R. Gleason, G. W., Madison; Ellis Worthington, G. Capt. Guards, Milwaukee.

IF "At the laying of the foundation stone of the new St. Patrick's bridge, Cork, Ireland, November 10th last, the Lord Lieutenant, Earl of Carlisle, aided by the Masonic Fraternity, performed the services. The D. G. M. of the Province, George Chatterton, Esq., was habited in the splendid clothing belonging to his office, and wore also the jewels of the Philosophical College of K. H., the Rose Croix Degree, the Grand Cross of the Temple, and a beautiful ornament in blue enamel, on which were displayed the various devices connected with the symbolic degrees of Masonry. This antique gem excited much interest

among the Brothers, from the fact that on the occasion of a similar ceremony which took place in the year 1798, when the stone of the former St. Patrick's bridge was laid, it was worn by the celebrated Masonic sister, the Hon. Mrs. Aldworth. On that occasion Mrs. Aldworth rode on horseback beside the Earl of Donoughmore, the Prov. G. M. of Munster, attired in full Masonic paraphernalia."

The annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was held on Thursday afternoon and evening, in Nassau Hall. The afternoon session was devoted to the transaction of the usual business of the Order, and in the evening the election of officers for the ensuing year took place. The officers elected are as follows: Grand Master, Dr. Winslow Lewis, of Boston; Senior Warden, Dr. Joel Spaulding, of Lowell; Junior Warden, Mr. W. D. Coolidge, of Boston; Treasurer, Mr. Thomas Tolman, of Boston; Secretary, Mr. Charles W. Moore, of Boston; Finance Committee, Messrs. Solon Thornton, W. H. L. Smith and John K. Hall; Directors for the Corporation, Messrs. John T. Heard and William Parkman; Col. Isaac H. Wright, of Boston, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Grand Charity Fund. Dr. Lewis has before held the office, and his re-election as successor to Hon. John T. Heard gives great satisfaction.-Boston Paper.

DIED,

At his residence in Hartford, Wisconsin, Bro. THOMAS SKELTON, on the 24th December, 1859, aged 62 years and 9 months.

At a regular communication of Hartford Lodge, U. D., held at their Masonic Hall on the evening of January 3rd, 1860, A. L. 5860, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted: WHEREAS, it has pleased the Divine Architect of the Universe, in his infinite wisdom and mercy, to remove from our midst our worthy Brother, Thomas Skelton, of the age of sixty-two years nine months, whose long life, from young and vigorous manhood, has been one of earnest devotion and ardent attachment to the principles and prosperity of our Order, therefore, be it Resolved, That in the death of Brother Skelton the Fraternity has been deprived of a faithful and worthy member, who loved our Institution, who patronized our assemblies, and who always joined heart and hand in promoting the principles and welfare of our Order; the family a kind and affectionate father; the community an upright and respected citizen, one whose virtues and social qualities will long be remembered; and although we mourn his loss, yet we sincerely hope and trust that he is now in that spiritual Temple above, where God himself presides.