Magie und Magiker, Geisterscher Theosophie Theosophen und Theurgie. Magic and Magicians, Ghost-seers; Theosophy, Theosophists and Theurgy-The origin of magic is unquestionably to be sought in the earliest and most barbarous ages, when mankind knew neither the arts nor the sciences, and when reason had not taught them to seek the cause of events within the limits of nature. But in modern times magic hath also had its admirers and worshippers, and has become a rich source of profit to jugglers and impostors, who have used it under the name of Theurgy and Theosophy, either to obtain money from the simple and superstitious, or for some secret and illegal object. That in Freemasonry there is neither magic, theurgie, nor theosophy is well known to every Brother; but, alas, there is too much reason to believe that in former ages these vagaries of the mind were thought to be found amongst us. Under the hieroglyphics of our Royal Art many have sought for that secret which, like the possession of Solomon's seal, would enable them to govern the world of spirits. Magic or necromancy is, among reasonable beings, considered to be the ridiculous art of pretending to perform things which are beyond the powers of nature, to have at command the spirits of the air; nay, even to be in immediate communion with the Godhead itself, and to be able thereby to create and enjoy supernatural pleasure. In order to obtain this object, the magician boasts that he is in possession of more secret and higher power than others which he has obtained by the castigation of his body and performing torturing ceremonies, or by the assistance of spirits. The appearance of spirits at his command are base deceptions, performed by his abandoned accomplices, and assisted by the heated imaginations of his credulous and superstitious dupes. Natural magic is quite another thing, and by it shadows are made to appear and to take all kinds of shapes; but the artists do not pretend that they are spirits, but artistical exhibitions.

Magier nicht Magiker. Magi not Magicians.-A class of priests among the ancient Medes and Persians. They were in possession of a great degree of scientific knowledge and performed the sacred rites of religion. Zoroaster reformed them, and divided them into Apprentices, Masters, and Perfect Masters. As it was only those who could offer prayers and sacrifices unto Ormuzd, who could reveal his will, or could look into futurity, so they were held to be a kind of a middle being between the Godhead and mankind, and were held in the greatest

veneration.

Von Marshall, Henry William, Field-marshal of Theringen, died at Naumburg, about the year 1760. He was initiated into Freemasonry in his youth in London, and was not only English Provincial Grand Master for the circle of Upper Saxony, but he was also the founder and W.M. of the Lodge at the Three Hammers in Naunburg. His Masonic zeal and activity were extraordinary great. He knew and wrought the Knight Templars degree in 1740, before the Baron von Hund, who first joined him in 1751. In the year 1752 continued sickness compelled him to give up his labours.

Martinisten or Knight of Benevolence, called also, the Order of Benevolent Knights of the Holy City.-These fanatics derive their origin from Louis Claude, Marquis de Saint Martin, who was born at Amboise 18th January, 1743, and died at Chatillon 14th October, 1803. He is the author of many mystical books, written in the style of Jacob Boemens, and of one especially, in attempting to understand or explain which many have cracked their skulls ::-"Des erreurs et de la verité;" Lyon,

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1765. Translated into German by Claudius under the title, Irrthumen und Wahrheit. (Error and Truth.) Hamburg, 1782. His doctrine, called also his system, is mystical, theosophical, and crept into the French Lodges of the Philalethen, where it was also called Ordre divin. The merits of this Order were discussed at the Williambader Convention in connexion with the Chevaliers Bienfaisant.

Maucrkrone. Wall-Crown.-With the Romans this was a crown of gold, the ribs of which were like the ribs of a wall, and which was given to the soldier who, at a siege, was the first upon the enemy's wall. The gods under whose especial protection a city was placed wore a similar crown. The wall-crown has nothing to do with Freemasonry, and is only introduced on account of the similarity of its name.

Mecklenburgh.-In Mecklenburgh Schwerin as well as in M cklenburg Strelitz, Freemasonry enjoys the protection of the government, and there are large and respectable Lodges in Rostock, Schwerin, Gestrow, and New Brandenburgh. Charles, Grand Duke of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, who died in 1816, was a member of the Order and English Provincial G. M. In which character he founded the Lodge, Bond of Peace, in New Brandenburg one year before his death.

Meister. Master.-He who has attained the third degree in Freemasonry, is a Master, and where they do not work in the so-called high degrees, has obtained the summit of his profession. None but F. C. who have been proved and found worthy can obtain this degree. The clothing of a M. M. is blue, as a reward of his fidelity and truth. As a M. M. he has a voice in all the consultations of the officers of the Lodge, and he may, if possessed of sufficient Masonic skill, be appointed to any office in the Lodge, even that of W. M. Meister von Stuhl, (Master of the Chair) in English, P. M. or W, M. This is the highest preferment a Mason can obtain in St. John's Masonry, through the three degrees of which every candidate for the P. M. degree must have passed. If there are members in the Lodge who have the higher degree they are generally elected W. M.; but although it is by no means necessary to possess those degrees to enable a Brother to be elected to the chair, it is absolutely necessary that he should be a man of good, nay, unblemished moral character and extensive Masonic information, he is then elected by his Bro. M. M.'s for one year or for life (in Germany and Holland). The greatest care and caution ought to be used by the Brethren at this election to prevent the Lodge being injured by the election of an improper person; for, in small cities especially, the public is speedily aware who stands at the head of the Lodge, and if he is not a highly respectable man the Brethren who elected him have much to answer for. He must also be well acquainted with the Order, its doctrines, its secrets, its history and constitution, and must possess the power of communicating his own reflections upon all these subjects in a clear and comprehensive form unto the Brethren. He should also be able, upon occasion, to deliver a logical discourse upon the Craft extemporaneously. The duty frequently devolves upon him alone to fix the labour of the Lodge, and to form every Brother into such a Freemason as the statutes of the Order requires. It is quite easy to be a W. M. as too many are, but most difficult to be such an one as the Order requires. W. M's. in general think they have done their duty by reading distinctly the Ritual. But he who wishes to do his duty faithfully must remember he sits in a chair which was formerly called in England the seat of King Solomon.

Mensch, der Reine. The Pure Man, or the Prepared Man.- A

man who has been properly prepared to be initiated into Freemasonry is a true symbol of a pure and uncorrupted man, such as the society wishes and requires to have as members. Such an one must be able to appreciate his fellow mortals more by their moral worth and intellectual attainments than by their rank, power, or riches. Happy are those who wish to be so estimated, for they will do honour to the Craft when clothed in purple and gold.

Metal.-Many men dote on the metals silver and gold with their whole souls, and know no other standard whereby to estimate their own worth, or the worth of their fellow beings, but by the quantity of these metals they possess, thereby debasing and degrading those qualities of the mind or spirit by which alone mankind ought to be estimated. He who wishes to be initiated into Freemasonry must be willing to relinquish all descriptions of metal, and all the adventitious circumstances of rank and fortune, for it is the MAN that is received into Freemasonry, and not his rank or riches.

Minerva, or the Goddess of Wisdom.-Freemasons use the statue of Minerva, or open temples with her statue therein, as symbols of wisdom. Mythology teaches us that Jupiter opened his scull to bear Minerva, for this reason-she is the symbol of all thoughts that are formed in the head and the protectoress of the arts and sciences. She is generally represented as a young female in Grecian costume, and has an owl or a cock by her as a symbol of useful study and watchfulness.

Mitgliedes-Zeichen. Member's-Jewel.-This jewel is either worn at the button-hole or suspended by a collar, and generally contains a symbolical representation of the name of the Lodge. They are given to members at their initiation or affiliation to the Lodge. Those Brethren who are members of several Lodges commonly wear all their member's jewels unless the by-laws of the Lodge where they are assembled forbid it.

Mithra Geheimnisse. Mysteries of Mithra.—The ancient Persians had a symbol of fire and the sun called Mithra, and prayed unto it as unto the most high God. Mithra was generally represented as a man with a lion's head and four eagles' wings, or a figure standing upon a globe enlightened by the sun, or standing near an altar upon which fire is burning. The Mysteries of Mithra, among the Persians, are said to have been founded by Zoroaster. Few accounts of these mysteries have descended to us, but the few we have are very remarkable. Before initiation into those mysteries the candidate was obliged to go through certain probations which, for severity, far exceed all we know of probations for other ancient mysteries. It is written in an ancient account of them :"No one can be initiated into the mysteries of Mithra without previously going through a course of probations which were really mastering; there were eighty degrees of probations, some of which were more difficult to go through than others. The candidate, for instance, was compelled to swim through large bodies of water for days, then to pass through fire; afterwards to fast in silence and solitude, and go through various trials until he had passed the eighty degrees; and then, if he passed through all these ordeals with his life, he was initiated into the mysteries of Mithra." Nothing more is known of the doctrines or history of those secrets.

Mittag. Mid-day.-As often as the Freemason commences his work it is noon or mid-day, or that time in which the sun has obtained his greatest altitude; for the earth being round, the sun is always on the

meridian somewhere. The Freemason has the most enlightened and useful works to do, and when high noon is passed, he must be able to give most satisfactory proofs of the utility of his labour.

Mittelpunct der Erde. Centre of the Earth.-The labours of a Freemason must penetrate thus far, and his spirit inquire into all the operations of nature, and either be able satisfactorily to explain, or humbly to admire them.

Mitternacht. Midnight.—It is only when "midnight" draws near that a Freemason thinks of concluding his labour, in fact, his activity and industry should penetrate unto high midnight.

Merlin, Frederick August Christian, was born the 4th January, 1775, and died at Altenburg, where he was professor in the gymnasium, 4th September, 1806. He was Orator to the Lodge Archimedes at the Three Tracing-boards in Altenburg, and the Masonic Journal published by that Lodge contains many proofs of his zeal and industry in the Order. He is also known as the author of other works.

Monatliche Beitrege. Monthly Subscriptions.—Supporting a Lodge, paying the serving Brethren, and other expenses which are unavoidable, cause an expenditure which the uncertain fees upon initiation will not meet, and thus renders it necessary for the Brethren to contribute a small sum monthly for this purpose; these sums vary in amount in different Lodges according to their own by-laws made for the purpose. The balance in the hands of the Treasurer, after paying all necessary expenses, is spent for the benefit of the Lodge, or devoted to charitable purposes. No subscribing Brother ought to neglect these payments; and he who lives in a place where there is no Lodge, and is not a subscriber, acts most unmasonically by neglecting to support the Charities. Poor Brethren, and those who are initiated as musical or serving Brethren are exempt from all contributions; but those who are able to subscribe and do not do so, deserve most justly to be struck off the list of members.

Mond. Moon.-The moon is the second lesser light in Freemasonry, moveable, not fixed and receiving her light from the sun. Changing Wardens lead and assist us, and the moon lights the wanderer on his way by night, but clouds may intercept the light of the moon; for this reason we must not depend upon her, but choose our road by a great and fixed light.

Mopsorden. Mops Order.-A thing for sport founded by Clemens August, Duke of Bavaria, and Churfurst of Cologne, about the year 1740. This prince was a Freemason, but when Pope Clement XII. put the Order under the bann in 1738, he withdrew from it. But as he wished to have a secret society and was a great admirer of the fair sex, he formed this society in union with them. Thus arose the laughable Mops Order, that extended itself into France and Germany. Fidelity was its professed object, and this derived from the well-known fidelity of the dog. It is probable that mops were the fashionable dogs, or that the name of this race was adopted because they would not found a dog's order, or order of dogs.*

Moritz Karl Phillip, Privy Councillor, professor and member of the Academy of Sciences at Berlin, was born at Hameln 15th September,

This might easily have been done by calling themselves Funny Dogs. Foolish Dogs, or Cowardly Dogs for giving way to the Pope. It is not known when this order became

extinct.-Translator.

1757, and died 26th June, 1793, one of the most celebrated authors of his age, and distinguished by his works upon the German language. His travels through England and Italy made him well known, and his work, "Anton Reiser," contains his own life; he was also the author of many Masonic Songs. The work, "The Grand Lodge, or the Freemason with the Rule and the Plumb Level, Berlin, 1793," is also attributed to him. The work, "The Symbolical Wisdom of the Egyptians, Berlin, 1793," was only published by him, its author was J. G. Bremer. Moritz was a member of the Berlin Grand Lodge.

Mosaisches Flaster. Mosaic Pavement.-The Mosaic pavement was found before the porch of King Solomon's Temple. Fortunate are those who can draw near unto it, and also unto the porch.

Mossdorf Frederich, Konigh Sechs Hof und Justizkanzlei, Sekretair at Dresden was born March 2nd, 1757, at Eckartsberge; was initiated into Freemasonry, by his own account, in the Lodge Minerva, at the Three Palms, Leipzig, 15th October, 1777; joined the Lodge at the Three Swords, at Dresden, on the 28th November, 1789; and in the year 1807, was made an honorary member of Lodge Archimedes, at the Three Tracing-boards, in Altenburg, as well as of the Lodge at the Golden Apple, in Dresden. In the united Lodge of the Three Friends and Three Swords, he filled the office of Protoculling and corresponding Secretary, from March, 1798, unto the end of the year 1803, and then uninterruptedly from March, 1805, unto the end of 1810. In this office he composed, amongst other things, the circular for the month of July, 1805, which was published in the "Masonic Pocket-Book for the years 5805 and 5806, by X. Y. Z.," (Berlin, 1806 in 12mo.) pages 169-174, and re-published in the "New Freemasons' Pocket-Book for 1806 and 1807," (Freyberg by Gerlach in 12mo.) page 172-181. In this circular he published the result of his incessant enquiries into the history of Freemasonry, and the condition and constitution of this society, as well as of the abolition of the so-called high degrees in that Lodge, which was principally owing to his exertions. At the convention which was held at Dresden, from the 28th October to the 20th December, 1805, for the purpose of forming a P. G. Lodge for the province of Chur-Saxony, and the countries incorporated with it, but which, owing to the war that broke out shortly afterwards, produced no result, he was a deputy, not only from his own Lodge, but also from the Lodge the Three Flames in Planon. On the appearance of the "Collected Works of the Brothers Fessler, upon Freemasonry,' (Berlin, 1801,) he commenced a correspondence with the author, which, in the end, became more and more important. As Mossdorf could not do otherwise than approve of Fessler's important reformations in the Grand Lodge, Royal York Friendship in Berlin, so it was with painful feelings that he heard the tidings that Fessler had declined off from that Lodge, and determined to publish "Fessler's reflections upon the last six years of his Masonic labours," (Dresden, 1804 in 8vo.) in two parts, or the second volume of the works upon Freemasonry, also the second improved edition of the first volume, (Freyberg bei Gerlach, 1805); and also superintended the publishing of " Fessler's legal decisions upon the society of the Evergeten, (Freyberg by Gerlach, 1804). He had published before this, in the Freyberg Pocket-book already mentioned, 1802 pages 153-176, a Review of the critical history of Freemasonry and the Masonic brotherhood, from the earliest period to the year 1801, by Bro. Fessler;" and in the same Pocket-book for the year 1803,

"