Masonic Publications.

thoir solemn covenant in all their private and social relation ? , and if we would continue our institution to posterity , and preserve it in its original aim and purposes , its

members must live up to its hi ghest teachings , and cause the light of their example to shine forth , and convince the world of its beneficent and divine principles . Now , a publication which labours for the dissemination of Masonic

principles , and the denunciation of all that tends to make Masonry appear in a false garb , should be supported by the Fraternity . Our Masonic magazines are channels through which the brethren are admonished of their duties and reminded of their obligations , and the public are

informed on some points concerning the order on which thoy seem to be in perfect ignorance . For instance : they state that we are tempted to do wrong in tho interest of a brother , because of our obligations , which impose the duty of mutual assistance . On the

contrary , every Mason knows that no obligation he has taken requires him to do wrong in behalf of a brother . All the teachings of our Order are opposed to any such idea ; he may be called upon , under certain circumstances , to risk his own life for the protection of a brother , but he is

not obliged to sacrifice his honour , or commit a breach of trust in order to protect a brother . No Masonic obligation justifies a wrong act , even in behalf of a brother . To do right , at all times , and under all circumstances , is the

maxim of Freemasonry . The brother who appeals to another to do wrong in his behalf is guilty of nn-Masonic conduct in making the request , and not only justifies a prompt refusal , but also the suspicion that he is unworthy of confidence .

Through our Masonic magazines the public are enlightened in regard to what is required of those belonging to the Order , if they really wish to be , but there are those whose stubbornness will not allow them to be enlightened , and will denounce the Order if one of its members proves

that his bad heart has been too powerful against the good influences by which he had been surrounded . But they have not a word to say against religion because one who professes ifc has turned out to bo a scoundrel . Ia it too much to ask for Freemasonry tlie same consideration ?

The small band of twelve whom the Great Teacher gathered around Him had one among them whose sordid nature was not influenced by theso benign teachings . We cannot claim for Freeemasonry , moral as aro its teachings , a higher power over the human heart than these lessons of our Great Teacher possessed .

I have heard it remarked more than once , that if a Mason was arraigned for any crime it would be impossible to convict him if the judge was a Mason , or if there was a Mason on the jury . Now , every Mason knows that this is the very opposite of what would occur , for tho brother is

obligated to obey the laws of his country , and if he transgresses , he has forfeited tho obligations of his brethren to him , as well as his own to the Fraternity , and tho Masonic brother , whether upon tho bench or on the jury , would be the first to convict him , as he has not only forfeited hisobligation

as a citizen , but also his obligation to the Fraternity , by this disobedience to the laws under which he lives , and those who make such assertions should know more about the Order before they make them . Now a Masonic periodical is tho right channel through

which tbey may gain a better knowledge of the Institution , and the members be more . constantly reminded of their duties , and every brother is in duty bound to support such a publication by his subscription . The publisher works

hard to disseminate the beautiful teachings of our Order , and we are bound to " help , aid , and assist" a worthy brother . Therefore , I say to my brethren who profess to be interested in the Order , patronise some Masonic magazine . —Masonic Bevietu ,

The Cohesiveness Of Freemasonry.

THE COHESIVENESS OF FREEMASONRY .

THE widespread influence of Freemasonry has for a long time been the wonder of all people . Those who aro comparatively ignorant of its real intent , or the

doctrines it inculcates , look upon it as an Institution of almost unlimited power and extent . They venerate it without knowing why , except a vague sense of respect for its reputed antiquity , and a feeling of indefinable awe for

The Cohesiveness Of Freemasonry.

apparent mystery that surrounds its history . That it is the most powerful of human societies is acknowledged on all sides . That it has the loyal support of its members in

all countries is well known within its precincts . There must be some reason for this universal respect , this worldwide influence and this firm adherence to its principles , aside from its mere antiquity and its mysterious history .

There is a cohesiveness in Freemasonry that is found nowhere else , and the question is pertinent , Why is it ? In the church there are storms and schisms ; divisions and strife . Brother is arrayed against brother , aud where should be found a spirit of forbearance and brotherly love ,

is the bitterest hatred . The fierce fires of hell are not hotter than the fire of religious persecution . Among those who only a short while ago there seemed to be the sweetest harmony , there now exists an antagonism that threatens the peace of the whole religious world . The spirit of

determined opposition to fancied heresy in some marked and prominent leaders of Christian thought , has brought out the very worst weaknesses of the human heart . In their zeal to " defend the faith , " to " maintain the dignity

of the church , they resort to the basest means known in the world , and the hard feelings engendered makes those whowerefastfriendsthe bitterest foes , and scenes of disgraceful riot are not infrequent .

Rivers of human blood have been spilled in religious warfare , and the very worst impulses of the human heart have been aroused . The knife of the assassin has been used

as a defence of pretended Christian belief . Tho creed ! the creed ! has been the cry , and any who dared oppose the dictum of the church , whether it was in harmony with the convictions of conscience or not , suffered the rack or the thu mbscrew or the faggot .

In the State the same spirit of strife and contest is seen . Parties war with each other , and those of a man ' s own household are often found arrayed against him . If that difference in opinion were confined to mere matters of

conviction , and were nofc allowed to change a man ' s very nature , and cause him to raise his hand against his best friend , and even in fratricidal strife to curse his nearest kin , it would not be so dreadful in its consequences .

In society , jealousies and ambitions cause the widest preparations . Pride , with its haughty dangers , estranges those who should be in closest friendship . There are " castes " and " sets " so seclusive and exclusive that hearts are made to bleed from the slights and neglects that are

daily heaped upon them . There is no protection in society . A shrug of tlie shoulder , a knowing wink , or an innendo soon takes shape in a rumour that grows with every

repetition until the purest angel from heaven would be made to appear blacker than the demons of hell . Societ y destroys friendships . Pride tramples upon the heartstrings and causes distress where there should be peace and joy .

There aro many elements in Freemasonry that bind together its members . Underlying them all is the greatest of all doctrines of church or school—the fatherhood of God . Masonry teaches in terms so plain that the humblest may understand , that there is one God , the

maker and preserver of all things . To Him , the Wisdom , Strength and Beauty of the universe , all should pay homage , from tho king upon his ivory throne to the peasant in the hovel . Masonry does not tell a man that ho must worship God according to any particular creed , it

does not attempt to define the doctrine of regeneration or election . It leaves all such questions to the man ' s own decision , after exercising his reason and enlightening his conscience by study . It simply teaches that man has ono Father , to whom he owes his heart ' s best devotion .

Allied closely , indeed , inseparably connected with the doctrine of the fatherhood of God , is that broad fundamental principle of Freemasonry , the brotherhood of man . Every man is a brother to every other man . These two doctrines are , perhaps , the strongest elements of

cohesiveness in tbe institution . All men are equal in the eyes of God . All men are equal in Masonry . Not in the sense of social or intellectual attainment , but in being the creatures of one Supreme Being . Therefore in the Lodge-room all ranks are levelled , all distinctions are done away with , and

the prince and peasant , the rich man and the poor , the learned and tho unlearned meet upon one common level , and strike hands as brothers . There is a golden chain of

sincere affection that binds heart to heart in the mystic circle . Political strife finds no place in the Lodge-room . Religious creeds and theological dogmas are unheard of there . On the same tessellated floor meet the Christian