Very Great Luminaries.

the earth , promulgating her principles in the spirit of meekness and charity . No torrent of blood marks her course , no ensanguined p lain prosonts a scene of woe , but amid persecutions dire , tho fair form of mercy is seen to hover around her path , and dove-like , finding no rest amidst the

angry contentions of men , sho boars in peace tho olivo branch within the templo of mercy , patiently awaiting tho time when the passions of men shall be assuaged . Go view her as sho worships there—go read the oracles of God lying upon her altars . Soo her walking hand in hand with

Christianity , acting as her handmaid , drawing supplies from tho samo fountain , teaching tho famo doctrines , worshipping the same God , and hoping to arrivo with all hor chargo and bo admitted into that Temple " made without hands , eternal in tho heavons . "—Voice of Masonry .

Masonic And Profane Methods.

MASONIC AND PROFANE METHODS .

FREEMASONRY is a law unto itself . This brief sentence—which is a 3 true as it is belief—speaks volumes . Freemasonry is as unlike organizations of tho profane as whito is unlike black : tho two stand at opposite poles .

Profane organizations meet in public places and usually are open to the observation of ail . Curiosity mongers , in common with those who are legitimately interested in them , may bo and aro present . The reported is there , with his phonographic pen . In tho next day ' s morning journal we read an account of . all that was said and done . How

different it is in Freemasonry . Masonic organizations meet in tyled rooms especially provided and set apart for the purpose . Hero the profane

may not enter . Here there is no reporter with his phonographic pen . Here Masonic usages , customs and landmarks prevail , aud profane customs are at a discount of one hundred per cent ; or they should be .

Having indicated the vast difference between the plnco and manner of holding a Masonic meeting and a profane meeting , let us advert to some of the variations of administration . When the profane aro about to go into an election for

Officers , they formally propose nominations , and then politically canvass for votes , all sides electioneering to their utmost ability , with the result usually not that the best qualified candidate succeeds , but tbat the best wire-puller is seated in office .

Open nominations in Freemasonry are contrary to the usage ' s and customs of the Craft , and ought never to be permitted . They aro purely profane in method and should

ever remain so . Our rraternity is not a machine to be worked ; it is an organization of brethren . The Masonic Fraternity is a family . We know each other . Wo respect each other . We stand on the same level . We aro not

divided into factions . Nominations arc needless ; they are un-Masonin ; and if they aro anywhere practised , it is because a profane method has without forethought or foresight found its way into tho Craft . Nothing may be argued from it , and everything may be argued from tho ancient and general Masonic usage and custom which forbids it .

Profane organizations publicity instal their Officers . Why should they not ? What over they do is by the public and for tho public , lb is nob so with Freemasonry . It exists for itself , by itself , for its initiates , for its timehonoured and lofty principles . True , in times of great

public calamity , of devastating fire , flood , famine , or the like , it contributes fnmncially for the relief of the general distress ; but even then it , does not make Masons of the distressed . It is not charity to mako a Mason . It , is not an example of charity , or of any other Masonic

virtue , to invito the profane to witness tho installation of Masonic Officers . It is merely copying a profano example that flies in tho face of ancient Masonic usage and custom . It matters not how often this usage and

custom may havo been transgressed—it is still a transgression , as erroneous , as hurtful , as un-Masonic as though it were being done for tho first time . No repetition can excuse or condono such an offence against the customary law of Masonry .

Masonic officials should appear on Masonic occasions in Masonic clothing . Is it not strange that ono should have to iterato and emphasize such a statement as this ? It is self-evident . No , it is not so to all Masons . Some would

Masonic And Profane Methods.

abdicate the Worship ful Mastei ' s station and bo transferred to a profane throne . They would ho Sole una the King , instead of Solomon the Freemason . Which is tivafe ; ' ? Shall a Lodgo Room 1 o tho theatre of the future ? Shall it be formally announced that on such an evening a tragoily

will bo performed in Profane Lodge , No . 1 ? Shall public * placards state that Bro . — will enact tho part of King Solomon and Bro . that of Hiram of Tyro ? That is the direction in which " robes and crowns" for Masonic * Officers naturally lead . They aro simple and purely

profano and nn-Masonic , and they arc entirely out of place in a Lodge of Freo and Accepted Masons . What aro Masonic usages , customs and landmarks for ? Certainly not to servo as foot-balls , fo be knocked hither

or thither at pleasure , or to bo thrown away for new ones . They represent unalterable truths . They are as ancient as the Craft . They are tried , true and trubty , and , above all , they are not profane .

Who desires to seo a decadent Masonry ? Not one . Who seeks to open initiation indiscriminately to tho profane ? Not one . Then let not one Freemason lower tho

standard of the Craft in any minnto particular . No decadence is sudden , but always gradual . Keep fir away from tho edge of the crater if you would avoid its devastating lava . Freemasonry is a law unto itself , and it should always sedulously avoid even the appenra'ieo of profane methods . —Keystone .

Astronomy And Freemasonry.

ASTRONOMY AND FREEMASONRY .

nnHE connection between Freemasonry and Astronomy JL is not to be regarded as close aud well defined . Tlrnt there is a relation between the two systems , growing ont of what is inherent to each , has sometimes been claimed , bnt the evidence is wanting to sustain such an assumption . Fveemn . sou . vv has been denominated an off-shoot of

Astronomy , and certain writers havo argued that tho modern system is an evolution from the astronomical mysteries of the ancients . But there is no sufficient ground to support such fanciful theories . Tho most that enai

properly be claimed is that the Masonic system ; including much of its symbolism , direct teachings , and ceremonial practice , shows a relation to the science of astronomv , to its revelations concerning tho heavenly bodies .

It is interesting and suggestive to trace this lino of correspondence , taking notice of the many points of relation . Thus Dr . Mackey remarks : " A Masonic Lodge , in itself , is a representation of the world ; it is adorned with images of tho sun and moon , whose regularity and

precision furnish a lesson of wisdom and prudence ; its pillars of strength may be compared to the two columns which the ancients placed at the equinoctial points as supporters of tho arch of heaven ; the blazing star which was , among tho Egyptians , a symbol of Annbis , or tho day star ,

whoso rising foretold tbo overflowing of the Nile , shines iu the east , whilo the cloudy canopy is decorated with the beautiful Pleiades . " There aro other references in Masonic work and teachings to tho movements of tho celestial bodies , and special significance attaches to the sun as tho great source of light and heat .

In the second degree of symbolic Masonry tho attention of Craftsmen is called to the seven liberal arts and science ? , among which Astronomy finds place . The candidate for Masonic advancement is instructed to look up into tho heavens , and there read tho wisdom , strength and beaut y

of tho Almighty Creator , thus tracingthoSupreme Architect , of the Universe by His works . By such direct , enforce' - . ment , no less than by symbols made uso of by tho Craft , and by a ceremonial practice belonging to the initiatory

degreo , and repeated in tho conferring of other degrees , there is signified by Masons a peculiar regard lor Astronomy—for what it unfolds of tho glorious firmament , above—for what it sets forth of impressive law and divine direction as thus made evident .

Masons should bo students of science , and interested , especially , in astronomical investigations and rovelations . In many ways will they be benefited by tho knowledge thus derived , by tho influence thus

exerted on their intellectual and moral faculties , whilo most assuredly , being intelligent Craftsmen , they will not , fail to notice tho intimato correspondence between Freemasonry and Astronomy in many respects . By this . t . iicly and by the application of some of the groat principle's