Freemasonry Is Principle Incarnate.

development and progress . Webster ' s definition , "Any system of worship , " is , however , hardly comprehensive enough to cover the ground , ns men may have a faith which does not form itself into a regular system , so called

yet which is truly to them a religious belief and a moulding force in life and character . We are thus prepared to answer the question as to the relation which Freemasonry sustains to religion . If Freemasonry is " a system of

morality veiled in allegory , " it certainly is , in one sense , a form of religious belief , for the foundation of morality is a recognition of human responsibility to the Supreme Being ,

who , as the final arbiter of the race , is to reconcile all the decisions , made by men , which involve a question of justice and rectitude of conduct . Without a constant sense of a

final just award , it is hardly a question that the passions of the human heart wonld destroy all idea of righteousness among men ; religion would be something altogether unknown , and the strong right arm would be the

controllinginfluence in the world . Chaos were come again were this inspiration to morality lacking . It will follow , then , that a moral system must be , of necessity , a religion , even though it do not assume to be one .

In the Lodge , the truth is , a moral system is not only taught , but enforced , The Freemason is not merely exhorted to walk worthily as a Mason , but his conduct is carefully hedged about by wholesome restrictions which

usually secure a life in accordance with the teachings of the system of morals which constitutes the essence of Freemasonry . Even a hurried examination of the moral

principles taught by the Lodge will satisfy any one that they are such as underlie the well being of the race , and such as are essential to its true civilization . No matter

from what source they were drawn , the fact remains , man cannot exist in peace , if at all , if these fundamental principles of action be eliminated from our lives . That our system of morality is drawn from the Holy Bible is a

tribute to that book of books , and must be taken as an allsufficient answer to those who affirm that Freemasonry is essentially a survival of heathenism—a statement often made by those who do not understand the meaning of

Freemasonry , or have been misled by shallow thinkers or writers—of whom , unfortunately , there are only too many . When we understand the full scope of our system , we are glad to acknowledge its importance as a power in

helping the race . Certainly , anything which lifts men nearer to the " full stature of a perfect man " must be looked upon as worthy of regard , no matter whence it be drawn . And yet , to the believer in the inspiration of the Great Light ,

this adoption of the biblical morality by the Fraternity is a weighty testimony to its value as it is given by men of all shades of belief ; for we do not often expect men to see eye

to eye , in the present state of human development , for we know that when all men see alike in matters of faith , the mightiest stride of history shall have been taken toward a perfect civilization .

Further—In the purity of the motive by which morality is stimulated , Freemasonry can safely challenge scrutiny . In the grandeur of its effect on character it can court investigation ; for the close relationship of means to end is

apparent to all who examine into its workings . In passing , we remark here that the extent to which reliance should be placed on Masonry , as a complete reli gious system , is also worthy of our thought and attention for a moment at this

time . It will scarcel y be denied by any one here to-day , that a perfectly pure moral system can have no other motive than one altogether founded on our relation to God as our Creator , to whom we owe a perfect obedience . Any

other motive , or motives , introduce elements which have no place in a perfect moral system . But Freemasonry has , confessedly , a large admixture of purely human or social

interest . It is an organisation for the furtherance of humanitarian ends , and as an aid to such work , it relies on the influence of moral conviction . As the true

object of a moral system is to restore mankind to a right relation to Deity , any system which is not comprehensive enough to embrace all mankind in its scheme is so defective that man dares not trust ^ t , to

the exclusion of others which are confessedly free from this defect . All inferior ends must be subordinated to the highest good of the race as a whole . The divine must be supreme on earth as well as in heaven . No matter how

fascinating our social plans may be , the great object of human existence must never for a moment be lost sight of nor ignored . Reli gion is intended to make the world fairer , happier and wiser . Freemasonry , in its religious

Freemasonry Is Principle Incarnate.

aspect , intends to elevate reason , to secure freedom , and to enhance all soci-il bV-ssings . To take any other- > . --v >; : nd is to relegate our system of morals t- > t ' 10 backurroiiiid . Freemasonry must hold firmly ro this position or it will

loso its hold on the reasoning men of to-day . It must show that by its aid there can be a more equitable adjustment of human rights , a more perfect promotion of the welfare of the race as a whole , as well as the introduction

of a higher social state . Freemasonry must be ready to show that its labours are along the line of human progress , and directed b y a wisdom which comprehends the true object of existence . It must also lift up its voice in

protest against all that is unjust , and must labour for its eradication . It must enlarge the circle of its sympathies so as to embrace all who may be in need of a kindly voice or a helping hand . To all who boar the burdens and

know the wretchedness of life , it must extend the largest charity , for are we not told that true " Charity never faileth ? " Hence the spirit of self-sacrifice must enter

largely into its life—in the work for truth and righteousness—for out of the ruins of our earth , it may build up spiritual temples to our God .

In such a spirit must it labour , and m such a light must Freemasonry be viewed , if we are to realise the true ideals which are implied by the existence of our Order . It cannot take the p lace of the Church as a teacher and guide

in the labyrinth of life , for it does not presume to teach with the authority which alone gives assurance to the inquiring soul . In the Church all the interests of our race are gathered up in one comprehensive plan and purpose .

In its principles that which is universal , as well as that which is efficient , are garnered . It alone can reconcile the conflicts of our present state . It gives us the most elevated and inspiring view of tho ultimate destiny of

humanity . It gives us not a speculative , but a historic certainty ; one , too , that has approved itself as adapted to all our wants , and competent to secure the complete welfare of humanity . Freemasonry , then , should be the

handmaid of the Church , and lead the seeker after truth to its portals . By its teachings the mind of the initiate should be fully prepared to grasp and understand the ideal existence which it is the mission of the Church to

bringwithin the reach of the world . The Church will go on and do its work in the redemption of mankind , and if our Order cannot heartil y co-operate it has outlived its usefulness and must cease to exist . However , it is our

conviction that all the teachngs of our Order lead us up to this co-operation in its work , as the exponent of the highest truth . We believe Freemasonry has been an agent in the uplifting of humanity for this reason ; it has maintained

its hold on men by virtue of this close , though not always acknowledged alliance . In the mutations of human opinion and the rise and fall of various systems , ours has lived on through many conflicts , because an unseen

influence was helping it—the affinity to that which men regarded as the ideal of excellence . It has emerged iu triumph from its conflicts , because it has lived for the exemplification of charity and truth , and as the poet has well said :

" Truth crushed to earth will rise again , The eternal years of God are hers ; But Error , wounded , writhes in pain , And dies amid her worshippers . "

The religious basis is , then , a source of strength to Freemasonry ; nay , more , it is the strength of our Order , and in proportion to the zeal with which we follow that which is best and purest in faith shall we draw near to

the goal which we have set before us . From all this we come to the conclusion that to understand the spirit of Freemasonry we must always remember that its vital and controlling principle is religion—this governs its actions

and is the final test of its character . This being good and true , the system is worthy of our affectionate devotion , and will help us to a higher plane of useful manhood . But

if we are to reach this higher plane of noble Masonic manhood , we are to bear in mind that a noble manhood ia only gained by a noble use of our opportunities and of our powers .

" Heroes must be more than driftwood , Drifting on a waveless tide . " Let us carry this a little further : Freemasonry can have

little value if it does not mean to us a constant ir crease in knowledge . It must be educative in the true sense , if it is to do the work for which we give it credit . By it all