Masonry's Past And Present.

Grand Lodge . It was organised on the basis that old and immemorial usages and landmarks should be sacredly perpetuated , and through it the symbols , rites and ceremonies have been preserved , and with slight modifications exist to-day . This Grand Lodge was soon met by opposition and antagonism , and a rival

Grand Lodge was formed which continued for many years , but finally , in 1813 , the difficulties and dissensions were overcome and there emerged the United Grand Lodge of England . From these Grand Lodges and their creations the science of Freemasonry has been extended to all lands .

The institution has stood the test of years , and has come through trials and persecutions glorious and triumphant , and stands to-day an exponent of what is good and praiseworthy in man , morally , socially and politically . It matters little , however , to us , what was the origin of this

institution , how it arose and what called it into being . We must take it as we find it at the present time , and what concerns us is , what is it doing now ; what is its reason for existence , and if its objects and principles are good , how shall we perpetuate them to our posterity ? " Let the dead past bury its dead . "

I do not believe that it is necessary to invoke the doubtful prestige of ancient descent to perpetuate what is valuable in Masonry . What is valuable will survive whether four or four thousand years old , and what is valueless will disappear , notwithstanding it may have the sanction of many years of life .

" The design of the Masonic Institution is to make its votaries wiser , better and consequently happier . " These are among the first words heard by a candidate on his admission within the Lodge . " We receive none knowingly into our midst except those who are moral and upright before God , and of good repute before the world . " We should add and enforce one further requirement , namely , that we allow none except such to remain in our fellowship .

In the accomplishment of these objects what duties have we to perform ? Man has two objects in life , to provide for the wants of his mortal existence , and to secure happiness in the future state . Everything he does has for its ultimate object the attainment of one or the other of these ends . Masonry addresses itself and

directs its teachings to both of these objects . It also teaches us the duty we owe to ourselves , to fellow beings , to our country , and to our God . These are fully explained to every candidate for its mysteries , and no better , cleaner or more concise code of morals could ever be devised than are inculcated in the several Masonic lectures .

Masonry is also practical in dealing with the ever returning wants of the needy and suffering about us . Probably there are few who have not known or heard of the practical benefits of Freemasonry , its unheralded charitable care of the widow and the orphan , its brotherly love and kind attention to the sick and needy , and the advantages of recognition among the Brethren . I could instance many cases of the value of this Masonic

recognition . Such then is the Masonic society as it exists to-day , in its teachings and practical usefulness . Its teachings are every one of them good , and no man can conscientiously study the Masonic

lectures without becoming a better , a happier , and a truer man . They cannot be too often called to the attention of every Mason , from the oldest Master to the youngest Entered Apprentice . It is due to their high character that we should pay careful attention to and cultivate them , and it is our duty to do so .

The ability to make one ' s self recognised should also be maintained , for none of us can tell how soon we may be called upon to exercise , this privilege , and if occasion requires it , that recognition should be a guarantee of good character . To every intelligent and thinking Mason , and particularly to the rulers of the Craft , must come the thought , What is to be the

future ot this great li raternity ? As we stand upon the threshold of the twentieth century we find the present one passing into history with many grand propositions for the betterment of man ' s condition coming into prominence . Among the nations of the world the piinciple of arbitration for the settlement of national disputes is rapidly gaining ground . The general distribution of

knowledge of sanitary measures and their enforcement by the authorities is rapidly tending to preserve and inprove tho general health . The condition of the poor and needy , the insane , the sick and infirm , and the criminal classes , is being continually improved by public and private measures and resources . In this general effort for the welfare of the people our Ancient and Honourable Fraternity must lend a helping hand .

As m the early part of the eighteenth century , as I have said , there were two forces which resulted in the overthrow ofthe operative features of the Masonic societies of that day , namely , the growth ol operative ability among the profane , and the increasing numbers of non-operatives within the Lodges , so to my mind there are two analagous forces at work now , which threaten and may destroy even the speculative features . They are , iirst , the great increase in the number of secret societies

Masonry's Past And Present.

which may be compared to the growth of non-affiliated ability or cowans ; and seconl , the increasing apathy anion- ; the members of the Fraternity and the feeling that the upper bodies are the important thing , and that the first three degrees are to be taken merely as a necessary requirement to advancement , which may be likened to the increase of the non-operatives .

No period has been as prolific of secret societies and organisations as the present . Despite the influence and effect of the times scarcely a year passes without the organisation of new orders , or the revival of some that have fallen into decay . These quickly brighten into popularity and enroll in their membership large numbers of active and enthusiastic adherents . Some of these

have peculiar , unusual and extravagant names , and as peculiar forms and ceremonies of initiation . They frequently have insurance features , or sick , accident , or death benefits . As a rule these organisations are commendable and worthy of encouragement . This society work , however , is now so extended that with the new organisations and the extension of old societies , there is scarcely a man who does not belong to one or more of

these various orders . But what is the effect of this upon us ? Why , men will say , I now belong to this or that society , and it furnishes me a cheap insurance ; my evenings are occupied with attendance at its meetings ; I cannot afford either the money or time for other like matters , and , although I would like to be a Mason , I must postpone joining to some other time , and seldom does the convenient time arrive .

The second matter mentioned , and which may be designated as the increase of the non-speculatives , is perhaps a worse trouble . The first three degrees must be taken for their own intrinsic worth , and should never be considered as merely a necessary requirement to obtain admission into the upper bodies . In this way only can their value be preserved for succeeding generations .

I do not wish to be understood as in any way casting the slightest reflection upon the higher bodies . I am a member of nearly all of them , have held office in some . Their teachings are worthy of the highest praise , but this does not detract from the fact that the Blue Lodge degrees are worthy of equal consideration .

Masonry has nothing to fear from opposition or oppression , social or political . These antagonisms have been met and overcome many times already , and can be as readily overcome again . Masonrv has nothing to fear from ridicule or sarcasm .

Its great danger , which we should ever guard against , is that which arises from the indifference of its members to its principles , precepts and teachings , and perhaps , I may add , the hesitancy of the Lodges to discipline members for any breach of moral or Masonic law .

Guard against these , and although no one can forsee what shocks and whirlwinds Freemasonry may yet encounter in its onward march , what dark days and troublesome nights it may pass through , what misfortunes , persecutions and hostilities it

may meet , yet we confidently predict that it will endure through it all and that under the protecting care of the Supreme Architect of the Universe ^ it will come forth strengthened , ennobled and victorious , to become a blessing and benediction to future ages . — " Voice of Masonry . "

The Power Of Freemasonry.

THE POWER OF FREEMASONRY .

ON the occasion of the one hundred and nineteenth annual communication of tbe Grand Lodge of Virginia Bro . J . P . Fitzgerald Grand Master addressed his Brethren , as follows : I have read , with ever-increasing interest , as from time to time they have been received , the proceedings of the Grand Lodges with which we are in friendly and fraternal correspondence . I have noted with satisfaction the means and methods which are

being adopted to carry onward and upward the beneficent work m which we are engaged . I rejoice in the evidence thus furnished , that everywhere the stakes are being strengthened , and the cords are being lengthened , and I have been confirmed in the belief

which I have entertained since I first knelt at her altar , that Freemasonry is a potent factor in the growth and in the development of civilisation , and in the amelioration of the condition of mankind .

Masonry in this work is silent , and its influence is occult . It operates upon the heart , and its effects are manifested in the life of the individual . Because it makes no display , and is unostentatious in its surroundings , some who are ignorant of its aims , its objects and its teaching , deny its claims , and others

malign and defame it . They may as well deny tbe existence and the potency of that power in the physical world by which the ocean ' s tide is made to ebb and flow , which leads each billow at

the appointed time to its appointed place along the shove , and which , binding them all in one , compels the sea to bear to their destinations the navies of the world . Or they may as well deny that there runs along their coasts , within and of the sea , but