The Letter And The Spirit.

. rardino- man ' s duty to himself . We descend here to a lower p lane than those we have occupied hitherto , aud vot whon we vemomber tho end and purpose of our boiug , viz . the glory of God , it is scarcely possible to regard this branch of onr subject as of lower importanco than the

others . It is a difficult thing , no doubt , when wo look around and see tho lives that are being lived by multitudes of our fellowmen , to realize that the image of God i 3 stamped upon us , and that for his glory wo are and wore created ; but this is so , aud the fact discloses the terrible

and incomprehensible truth , that every wasted life robs God of a proportion of His eternal glory . Yes , brethren , and it discloses this ~ ruth as well , that every life that falls short of the possibility of attainment wherewith God has endowed it is a humanlv wrought failure of the omnipotent

design and will . There are those who , in His inscrutable wisdom , He has left in the darkness of ignorance concerning themselves and Him ; for them he will make excuse . It is not so with ourselves . We have the light . We make our boast of the light . And , therefore , if we be not

walking in the light , we are stultifying ourselves , we are doing violence to our consciences , aud we are mocking the Author of light . What then does our light teach us in this respect ? It teaches the necessity and importanco of self control . It teaches us to put such constraint upon

our affections and passions as will bring the body into subjection , and set . the mind and spirit above all tho allurements of vice . It warns us of the weakness of human nature , unable of itself to withstand the power of darkness , and needing the assistance of that "Power which

is from above . " It teaches us that life is a school of discipline whereby the rough corners of our characters are to bo broken off , and every jagged edge and rude unevenness made smooth ; that so we may be fitted to take our places as " living stones " in that " house not made

with hands , eternal in the heavens . " It teaches us , moreover , that this task of self-improvement is a hard and difficult and weary one , like the toilsome ascent of a winding stair , up which , step by step , we must go , daily being strengthened by an increase of knowledge , and tbe

increase of virtue that cornea from the nearer approach to God . It teaches us that the Masonic life is a life of special dedication to thc service of God , that it is so confessed in the first prayer offered a candidate within the Lodge ; and it is further so implied in the fact of the dedications of our

halls ; for if the material building be dedicated , how much more should they themselves be who dare to dedicate a building to the Most High ? For if tho temple be holy , so must tliey be who serve therein . And , brethren , the holiness which we are tane-ht to cultivate within our

Lodges must sanctify our whole life in the world , as well as iu the Lodge . Wo cannot pretend to have a dual existence , one as Masons , another as men . We must be upright men , altogether , and at all times , or we are not true to tho Craft , to ourselves , or to God . Aud this , then

is the conclusion I wish to draw ; there must be a reality in all that we do . Masonry nnut riofc be a mere profession of morality with the lips , without the solid foundation of moral life . Wo must not clothe 01 selves with the emblem of innocence , and' then put off innocence when we put off

the emblem . We must not one m-iment be giving expression to tho sublimest sentiments of religion and morality , and the moment after become more children of this world . Masonry is not a pastime , nor tho Lodge a club . We are souls in search of the light whereby we may see and know

God , aud it is by keeping this object in view that Masonry will prosper , and Masons be built up in virtue and in truth . Even our best endeavours will but ill prepare us for the

presence of the Grand Master , but half-heartedness aud lukewarmness , and unreality doom beforehand to disappointment hereafter , and only merit here the contempt of all earnest and straightforward men . A Mason at

certain times must needs be slipshod , but Masonry itself should never be slipshod . With a perfect being to glorify , and perfection to aim at in ourselves , how can we be anything but profoundly and solemnly in earnest ? Let the spirit of Masonry , then , prevail iu our hearts and in our

lives . Let the beauty and harmony and unity of our Order be conspicuous in all we do . Let all the world be better for the good that resides in Masons . Let us in the Lodge aud in the world be real , and truo to God , to our neighbours , and to ourselves . —Freemason ' s Bepositori / .

Ad00502

^ uNSHALS properly carried out and personally attended in London and Country , by Bro . G-. A . KTJTTOK " , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C . Monumeats erected . Valuations made .

New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND .

, 4 MINTING of tho Provincial and District Graud Maettra oi' tho ¦ t * - various Constitutions of Freemasonry throughout Now Zealand was held in iho Masonic Hall , Moray-place . Thero wero present : — Bros . G . S . Graham D . G . M . E . G . Auckland ( in the cha'r ) , Piorio P . G . M . I . C . Now Zealand-, Thompson D . G . M . E . C . Canterbury , Bevan D . G . M . E . C . WesUand , J . Gore D . G . M . S . C . New Zoalaud South , and T . S . Graham D . G . M . E . C . Otago and Southland . Sir Harry

Atkinson D . G . M . E . G . Wellington , Sir F . Whitaker P . G . M . S . C . North Island , and L . Lonisson D . G . M . S . C . Canterbury , were unable to attend . The conference dealt with a number of matters relating to Froemasony in tho colony , and with reference to the proposed Graud Lodgo of New Zealand , adopted the following resolution : — " That this couferoncoof Provincial and District Grand Masters commend iho

action of the Masonic Union in postponing their proceedings , and considor that in tho best interests of Freemasonry , and with the viow of preserving harmony in the Ca '' , it is not desirable to form a Grand Lodge of New Zealand at ;• . sent , BO that time may be allowed for a better understanding between tho various Lodges of the several constitutions , and a greater unanimity arrived at upon

such a vital question to Freemasonry in New Zealand . " A special meeting of the English and Scottish Distriot Grand Lodges was held on the same evening , for tho purpose of reoeiving and welooming distinguished visitors . There was a very large attendance of the brethren , and the Lodge was opened at eight o ' olook p . m . The

District Grand Master E . C . ocoupied the ohair , and he and his Officers took their places in the Lodge , aftor whioh the R . W . D . G . M . Bro . James Gore , and the Officers of the District Grand Lodge S . C . wore announced and admitted iu due form . Bro . W . Roebuck P . G . S . B . Grand Lodge of England , J . 0 . Remington G . S . W . Grand Lodgo of New South Wales , J . Bevau P . G . M . Westland , E . T . Gillbn D . G . M . N . I . S . C , G . D . Pierce P . G . M . N . Z . I . C , Graham D . G . M . E . C

Auckland , and Bros . Aitken , Martin , and Ingram , members of the Victorian Grand Lodge , were also present . The Chairman said it was with mingled feelings of pleasure and gratification he had to welcome so many distinguished brethren to Dunedin from all parts of tho Colonies and England . In looking at the advance of Masonry during the last twenty years , in New Zealand , it was always a

pleasure to visit a Lodge working under either of the Constitutions , because they were always sure to meet a Visitor or two from what he called foreign countries . On behalf of the brethren over whom he had the honour to preside , and the Distriot Grand Lodge of Otago , aud Southland E . C , he most heartily welcomod the Visitors . Bro . James Gore R . W . D . G . M . S . C said he would like to say a few

words . During a recent visit to Victoria he was very cordially treated , and he took this opportunity to thank the brethren from that ColoDy for the hononr done him while there . Bro . Graham ( Auckland ) said it was with great pleasure he received the invitation to attend the meoting , as it was quite unexpected on his part . If any of the brethren present ever visited Auokland he would do all iu

his power to return the compliment . Bro . Bovan D . G . M . E . C , of Westland , said he always looked upon it as a pleasure to visit outside of his own distriot . He had travelled a groat deal , and visited many Lodges . He felt he would not be doing his duty if he did not express hi 3 warm sentiments to those of the Craft , that should any of them ever pay hia district a visit they would meet with that

hearty welcome which was characteristic of Masonry . Ho had met brethren on his visit whom he bad known 25 years ago , and he returned sincere thanks for the grand reception they had received that uighfc . Bro . Roebuck P . G . Sword Bearer England expressed great pleasure in receiving the invitation to be presont that evening , because he had found so many true friends amongst his Masonio

brethren . When he came to Dunedin he thought he was a stranger in the city , but he found that he had made a mistake . He then referred to the advantages whioh were derived from the Masonic Girls ' and Boys' Schools at Wandsworth ( Clapham Junction ) and Wood Green , in England , and said they had about 500 pupils in those schools . There were Masons' children in those Institutions from all

parts of the world—even from India ; and it continued to do a vast amount of good work . He would report , when he roturned to England , the hearty reception accorded him in Now Zealand . Bro . J . Pierce , Pro G . M . New Zealand , I . C , gave an illustration of somo good work done through Masonry . He also spoke at some length on the advisability of founding orphanages for Masons '

children , and homes for aged and infirm Masons . Bro . E . T . Gillou ( Wellington ) apologised for the absence of his superior officer , Sir F . Whitaker , owing to illness . He regretted that so many of tho old and rospeoted Masons had departed this life , atuoDgst whom he might mention Bro . Harvey . But he was extremely gratified to sea a few old friends amongst them yet , notably Bros . T . S . Graham ,

Gore , James , Court , and others who had been identified with the Craft for many years . Bro . Remington G . S . W of New South Wales said he had heard it mentioned since his arrival that New Zealand was little thought of on the other side ; but , whilst he did not wish to try and contradict this idea , he could talk for half an hour to the contrary effect . He at least could assure them that as regards

Masonry those in Now South Wales watched keenly the actions of cheir brethren in New Zealand , and took great interest iu their doings . Bro . Aitken echoed the provions speaker ' s sentiments . They in Victoria also watched with the greatest intorest the advancement which the Craft was making in New Zealand . He tendered thoso present a hosrty welcome should they visit any of the Lodges in his district , and had great pleasure in specially referring to tho

kind welcomo accorded him by Bro . James , whoso broDbor holds a , ytry high position in Masonry in Victoria . Bro . Jame 3 said it was a very long timo ' since ho had been in Victoria ; ho thanked Bro . Aitken for so kindly alluding to him aud his brother . Apologies were made on behalf of Bro . Sir R . Stout and Bro . Thompson , District Grand Master of Canterbury . After some routine business had been , done the Lodge adjourned .