L. V. C. LABOR VIRIS CONVENIT. "Labor is useful to men." A

device in the Templar system of Baron Hunde, which was engraved on the inside of the rings worn by the Knights, and also upon their seals and escutcheons. It is also the device of the "Scottish Lodge of Nine Sisters," in Brunswick.
LYONS, THE SYSTEM OF. The name applied to the reformed ritual and regulations adopted by the " Chevaliers bienfaisants de la Sainle Cite," benevolent Knights cf the Holy City, at the convention of Lyons,- A. D. 1778.
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MACBENAC. A word well known to Masons. It is derived from the Hebrew, and signifies "He lives in the SON."
MAGIANS. The name of the members of the priestly order among the ancient Medes and Persians. The word is of Indian origin, being derived from mag, which, in the Pehlvi language, signifies priest. In the last half of the seventh century before Christ, Zoroaster reformed and reorganized the order, and divided the members into three classes or degrees: 1. Herbeds, or Apprentices; 2. Mobeds, or Teacher and Master; 3. Destur Mobeds, or Perfect Master. The Magians claimed to have the gift of prophecy, a super- natural wisdom, and power to control the secret forces of nature. They were held in the highest reverence among the people, and no transaction of importance took place without or against their advice. Hence their almost unbounded influence in private as well as in public life ; and, quite apart from the education of the young princes being in their hands, they also formed the constant companions of the ruling monarchs. Their mode of life was of the simplest and severest, befitting their station. The food, especially of the lower classes, consisted almost entirely of flour and vege- tables; they wore white garments, slept on the ground, and were altogether subjected to the most rigorous discipline. The initiation consisted of the most imposing and mysterious ceremonies. Purifications of several months duration, and fastings of the severest test, had to precede it; and it was long before the candidate could be led into the realms of the dead, where all is darkness and misery, thence to the higher stages of glory and perpetual life. Gradually, however, their influence, which once had been powerful enough to raise them to the throne itself, began to wane, and in the course of time, its members dwindled down to the number of seven, and finally to extinction. In the seventeenth century an order of Magians was established in Florence, and still later u sub -division of the order of Rosicrucians bore this name. We find, also, the appellation Magus applied to the 8th degree, or the 1st degree of the Grand Mysteries of the Uluminati, to the 9th and last degree of the German, Gold and Rose-Cross, and to the 7th grade of the Clerical system of the Strict Observance. Thory also mentions a Sovereign Magus of the 5th degree of the Clerical-Cabalistic system.
MAGNA CHARTA. The great charter, so called, obtained by the English barons from King John, June 5, 1215, and confirmed by his successor, Henry III. It has been viewed
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by after ages as the basis of English liberties. Its most important articles are those which provide that no freeman shall be taken or imprisoned or proceeded against, " except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land," and that no scutage or aid should be imposed in the kingdom (except certain feudal dues from tenants of the crown), unless by the authority of the common council of the kingdom. The remaining and greater part of it is directed against abuses of the king's power as feudal superior.
MAHER-SHALAL-HASH-BAZ. A mystical name that was to be given to one of the sons of the prophet Isaial. which he had previously written by divine command, on a tablet, the meaning of which is : " He hasteth to the spoil ; speed to the prey." A prophetic intimation of the speedy invasion and victory of the Assyrians over Syria and Israel. As a warrior, devoted to the cause of honor and justice, we should be ever ready to hasten to the relief of the destitute and oppressed.
MAITRESSE AGISSANTE. (M.\ A.-.} In the Egyptian system of Cagliostro, this title, "Acting Mistress," is given to the presiding sister.
MAKE. When a candidate is initiated into the mysteries of the order, he is said to be made a Mason. An expression in use among the operative Masons in the ancient times. It is a term synonymous with the word "initiate."
MALLET. One of the working tools of a Mark Master; an instrument of practical architectural labor. As an emblem of morality it is synonymous with the common gavel of the Entered Apprentice.
MANES. In Roman antiquity, the gods of the lower world; the benevolent deities; generally applied to the souls of the departed. According to Apuleius, the Manes were originally called Lemures, and consisted of two classes — the Lares and the Larvce; the former of whom were the souls of those who had led virtuous lives, and the latter of those who had lived improperly. At a later period the term J/anes came to be a general designation for both.
MARK. The Mark-Master's medal, or the Tyrian Signet, which Hiram is said to have sent to King Solomon. It is in the form of a keystone, and has engraved upon it a circle — the emblem of an eternal compact of friendship — and a mark or device chosen by the possessor. A Mark- Mason who receives this mark from a destitute brother is bound by the most solemn obligations to assist him to the extent of his ability. In this respect it resembles the 20
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" Ring of Hospitality," and the " Tessara " among the an- cients, with whom hospitality was considered a most sacred duty. Individuals often entered into contracts of friendship, binding themselves and descendants to assist and protect
each other in adverse circum- stances; and, as was the case among the Greeks, ratified the alliance by breaking a ring into two parts, each party taking one half. The visitor was kindly re- ceived, clothed, and entertained. After nine days, if the stranger had not previously made himseli known, the question was put to him, " who and whence art thou ?" If, in reply, he could show the half of the broken ring, he was welcomed still more warmly. Among the early Christians, marks were in general use, and in the existing circumstances of the Brotherhood were of the highest importance and utility. In Rev. ii. 17 allusion is made to the Christian mark, as follows: "To him that over- cometh will I give a white stone, and in it a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it." That is, " To him who passes triumphantly through all the trials, discipline, and proofs of discipleship, will I give the mystical stone, which will secure to him protection and assistance, and brotherly love, in this world; and in the world to come, will open to him the eternal mysteries, and admit him to a more perfect fellowship in the grand circle of the just.
MARKMAN. The nam*e of a Masonic degree which is not now in use. The markmen were Wardens at the building of Solomon's Temple.
MARK OF THE CRAFT. According to the traditions of the Mark Master's degree, each Mason employed in building \ie Temple of Solomon was required to place a peculiar ^iark upon his work, to distinguish it from that of others. It is probable that this has always been the practice with the various corporations of builders from the earliest periods down to quite modern times. Most of the edifices con- structed in the middle ages, particularly those of Strasburg, Worms, Rheims, bear these marks, which appear to have been of two classes, viz: monograms, which belonged to overseers; and emblems, as the trowel, mallet, square, etc.,- that belonged to the workmen. A writer, describing the
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walls of the fortress of Allahabad, in the East Indies, erected &. D. 1542. says: "The walls are- composed of large oblong blocks of red granite, and are almost everywhere covered with Masonic emblems, which evince something more than mere ornament. They are not confined to any particular spot, but are scattered over the walls of the fortress, in many places as high as thirty or forty feet from the ground. It is quite certain that thousands of stones on the walls, bearing these Masonic symbols, were carved, marked, and numbered in the quarry before the erection of the building.
MARSHAL. A term, in its origin, meaning a groom or manager of the horse, though eventually the king's marshal became one of the principal officers of state in England. In France, the highest military officer is called a marshal, a dignity which originated early in the thirteenth century. Originally, the Marechal de France was the first companion of the king, and commanded the vanguard in war; in later times, the command became supreme, and the rank of the highest military importance. After the deposition of Louis