The five Androgynous degrees, combined under the above title, are supposed to have been introduced into this country by the French officers who assisted our Government during the struggle for liberty. The titles, Jephthah's Daughter, Ruth, Esther, Martha, and Electa, sufficiently denote the histories comprehended in the degrees. We have but little experience, on this continent, upon the general subject of Androgynous Masonry. The few, so called degrees common, especially in the southern portion of the United States, betray their juvenility and their American origin, too palpably to admit a very high estimate of their value. Of these "The Heroine of Jericho" seems to be the most ancient; after that, following, in the order mentioned: "The Ark and Dove;" "The Mason's Daughter;" "The Good Samaritan;" "The Maids of Jerusalem," and others still more modern. But none of these will satisfy an intellectual woman's desire for knowledge, or shed any light upon the past, or convince their recipients of any peculiar claim they may possess upon the good will of Masons. But if we may believe those who have examined "The five rays of the Eastern Star," there is light, there is beauty, there is knowledge in each.

The following extracts from the published Ritual, translated into English, are in point:

"The Sisterhood of the Eastern Star is manifest to the world by its adorning virtues —- five. Honor in bright loneliness is the sanctity and moral guarantee of all the obligations of the Eastern Star. This is read by the enlightened in the cabalistic motto of the order, Upon that foundation (honor) stand the following pillars: — to be true; to be aiding ; to be counseling; to be loving; to he secret; to be the servant of Jesus Christ. Sweet in its fragrance is the memory of the worthy dead. It comes up from the recollection of happy hours past in their companionship; it comes down in faith's joyful anticipations of reunion in the home of the Saviour. The members of the Eastern Star will follow to the grave's brink the forms of those who have preceded them to a world of glory."

The whole Ritual seems to be prepared in wisdom and beauty, and if we may believe what the enthusiastic Masons of Europe say concerning it, the advantage of strength was not wanting in its organization.

The following verses are offered by the writer as an humble testimonial of gratitude to those who kindly instructed him in the mysteries of these beautiful Degrees:

*Air, " Love Not." Masonic Lyrics, No. 7. By the Author.

RUTH.* - Ruth 2. 5.

From Moab's hills, the stranger comes.
By sorrow tried, widowed by death;
She comes to Judah's goodly homes,
Led by the trusting hand of faith:
Ye friends of God, a welcome lend
The fair and virtuous Euth, to-day
A cheerful heart and hand extend,
And wipe the widow's tears away.

She leaves her childhood's home; and all
That brothers, friends and parents gave;
The flowery fields, the lordly hall,
The green sod o'er her husband's grave;
Ye friends of God, a welcome lend, &c.

She leaves the gods her people own;
Soulless and weak they're hers no more;
Jehovah, He is God alone,
And Him her spirit will adore.
Ye friends of His, a welcome lend, &c

At Bethlehem's gates, the stranger stands,
All friendless, poor, and wanting rest;
She waits the cheer of loving hands
And kindred hearts that God has blest.
Ye friends of His, a welcome lend
The fair and virtuous Ruth, to-day,
A cheerful heart and hand extend,
And wipe the widow's tears away.

Air "Bonny Doon" Masonic Lyrics, No. 8 By the Author

ESTHER. - Esther, 5. 3.

Queen of Persia's broad domain,
Why this anguish and despair!
Blinding tears like falling rain;
Sighs and words of hopeless prayer!

Bound thee stands a waiting train,
Wealth and beauty, rank and power-
All to bring relief is vain,
Queen of sadness in this hour.

For a voice has gone abroad,
Stem and fearful, filled with doom.
Israel's exiles to the sword,
Sword and brand to Israels home,

Lo, that high expressive brow—
Grand — but what can woman do"
Hark, those words the purpose show—
"I will save or perish too!"

"To the Sovereign I will haste—-
Robe your queen in purity—
Crown her as in triumphs past-"
Maidens, to the throne with me."

Queen, thy holy aim is won;
God o'er rales the stern decree;
Sends a pardon from the throne;
Israel saves, and honors thee.

*Masonic Lyrics, No. 9. By the Author.

MARTHA,* John, 11. 26.

Down in the dust she knelt,
Down by the Saviour's feet,
With weeping eyes and hands upraised.
Up to the mercy seat,
The friendless girl was sad.—
Complainingly she sighed—
Oh, hadst thou come while yet he lived
Our brother had not died.

The Saviour's gentle smile
New hopes in Martha woke,
Thy brother, he shall rise again,
The gracious Saviour spoke:
The living shall not die,
If in me they believe,
And though they in the dust may lie,
The very dead shall live.
Into the Master's face,
The sad one meekly gazed;
There if; no fear in love, there is
No doubt where faith is placed.
Thou art, thou art the Christ—
In thee the dead shall, live—
Whatever thou shalt ask of God,
I know that God will give.

AIR, The Soldier's Tear. Masonic Lyrics. No. 10. By the Author.