Masons' First Care And Duty.

there can be no material incompatibility between the Christian and Masonic devotions . Though , my Brethren , when we contemplate the period of our existence as an association of men , and contrast it with any other association , we find ample sources of pride and gratulation in the recollection that we are now what we were in the

beginning , and ever will be—faithful servants ofthe Almighty Omnipresent and Omnipotent God who reigns on high . When we look to the changes wrought in the Christian era , a period of less than nineteen hundred years , we cannot fail to be struck with the uniformity , consistency , harmony and order by which our course has been marked . While tha Christian churches , who

are worshippers of our God , have been confounded , distracted and divided on doctrinal points , forming themselves into factious multitudes and waging an impious and exterminating war of tenets , not principles , upon each other , meek and humble Masonry has continued to glide on in the even tenor of her course , unmoved by the fury of theological disquisitions , untouched by

the virulence of party spirit , unscathed by the destroying violence of political revolutions . It is a fact , no less notorious than creditable , that religious and political discussions are not tolerated within our walls ; there we worship the God of our fathers after the ancient forms , in purity and truth . Our temples are open to all who believe in Deity , and whose moral character will bear

the test of scrutiny . The dogmas of sectarianism prevail not there , none are excluded for opinion's sake . Associated together may be seen around the same altar Christian , Jew and Gentile , all united in the worship and adoration of the Lord God Almighty , He who has proclaimed himself to be the Alpha and Omega—the First and the Last—the Great , the Eternal I AM .

It is thus that we are now able to present to the world the example of a human association observing the same forms and practicing the same immutable principles of piety , Brotherly love and charity which governed it in years long sinoe passed away ; principles so - pure in themselves , and a worship so chaste , that

the most discordant human materials are united under them . And a Masonry thus fostered and protected has flourished in all ages and in all climes , restraining the passions of the impetuous , sympathising with the afflicted , comforting and assisting the distressed , and inculcating lessons " of religious morality .

Pure as Masonry is in principle , unoffending as we are in practice , humble and obedient in character as Masons , as we have ever been to the laws and the civil authorites of countries in

which we have lived , without regard to their forms of government , these recommendations have not always secured us from attack . No , the envious , the malevolent , the vicious have exhausted their malice upon us . We have been assailed by the envenomed shaft of calumny , neither has the poisoned breath of detraction been wanting , but through the protection of Divine Providence we

occupy an eminence too elevated for the shafts of calumny to reach us , too pure for the poisoned breath of detraction to affect us . Our vestibule has not been carried , our portals have not been entered , our temples remain unpolluted and inviolate . We stand erect , firm and unshaken upon our original foundation , defying the machinations of man and reposing our trust in Him who

alone is able to build up and destroy the great , the mighty Jehovah . With this view presented to us of the Institution of Masonry , it may be asked with seeming propriety , Why are your Lodges not thrown open to the world and these principles extended over the surface of the earth as the waters over the great deep ? To this question tbe direct answer cannot , in this assembly , be given ;

though , if indulged in parable , a satisfactory one may be found . A fountain whose source is pure , its supply amply , its current extending through time and space , should be preserved uncontaminated from the admixture of noxious , turbid and doubtful streams . Again , it may be asked , why the fair , the innocent

and the lovely , the pride and the boast of Masons—sweet woman —is not permitted to partake of the waters of this living fountain . Be assured that she does partake thereof and drinks deeply of the limpid stream , for , by ordinance divine , they are made part of us—" flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone . " Like the

innocent and lively vine , whose tendrils are extended for support to the sturdy oak , so has it likewise been decreed that woman shall rest on man . She participates in his enjoyments and sufferings , and , like the tender vine , she clings to him for protection . It is his duty to sustain her , to breast the tempestuous storms of life for her sake , not permitting her to divide his toils . When storms lower or danger threatens , he should be to her what the oak is to the vine—a support and a protector .

That these safeguards are necessary to the purity of our Order is most true ; yet , although every human effort is made to preserve our temple from pollution , it is a melancholy fact that the unworthy sometimes gain admission ; but unless they repent of the evil of their ways it avails them nothing ; their own corrupt

hearts , resisting the influence of this divine light , condemn them to the fathomless depth of perdition , unpitied by their fellow men , unmourned by their Brethren , and spurned by God . —Branch T . Archer , in " Voice of Masonry . "

Faith In God.

FAITH IN GOD .

FEEEMASONEY makes a distinction between universal faith , which is purely human , and saving faith , which is not only an act of the mind , but of the heart . The Mason ' s natural faith and that of the wickedest man , who is not a Mason , in the community are exactly the same . It is simply a persuasion of the mind resting on testimony . Freemasonry teaches that a

correct faith is not an opinion , but an outgoing of the soul of the whole man in surrender and reliance God-ward ; that it is not simply wishing , but an energetic act with will power in it ; that it is not blind credulity , but the highest reason resting on substantial truths ; that it is not knowledge , as knowledge is the perception of facts ; but that a living faith is an apprehension

of present or future invisible realities , remote from perception , through the senses , intention or demonstration . Take , away saving faith , and your ethics , your worship , your enjoyment of Freemasonry will not even be retained—to say" nothing of improving it . The society that has lost its wilful , resolute , ethical

faith , which lays hold of its object and clings to it in spite of every opposition , is dead' . The object of faith in Masonry is God —what he is and what He has done , and what He has promised to do in the future . Faith appropriates and turns ideas into being , into character and conduct .

Why this condition of faith is insisted on by Freemasonry , the skilful Craftsman well understands . God has chosen faith as

the foundation of man ' s salvation , and Freemasonry recognises this truth when she refuses to deal with any man until she knows that his faith is well founded . Triumphant faith never wavers , obstacles stand in the way , mountains of difficulty arise , and the final test at the East gate ends in death . But great faith has wrought wonders in all ages . — " American Tyler . "

Alexandra Palace . —It has been decided to open the Palace and Grounds each Sunday during the summer to holders of season tickets and a limited number of their friends . Sacred music will be provided in the afternoons and evenings , and the programmes will include orchestral , military , vocal , and occasionally choral selections .

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