The Evolution Of Masonry.

worth of human fellowship was recognised as something higher than mere mutual aid on the basis of a quid pro quo ; and when fellowship became the essential element of the society , the fraternity of Freemasons was born , and the differentiation was complete . This change had been accomplished at a period antedating our earliest attainable knowledge of tho Institution . As far back t \ t our knowledge goes ,

the fundamental law respecting relief has been the same as it is today , laying upon each individual brother the duty of relieving , to tho extent of his ability , the wants of a distressed fellow ; a duty not to be shifted upon the Lodgo or any other organiz ifcion . This law makes no provision for cash premiums , but grounds tho obligation to relieve the distressed solely upon the sacred relation of fellowship .

It is this feature that makes Masoury alone , of all the numberless soc ieties that have the relief feature in some form or other , a genuinely charitable institution . This character we must maintain , or it must die and give place to gome organization that will maintain ifc . The law which governs the development of institutions is identical with that which governs the

evolution of species , and does not permit of permanent retrogression from higher to lower forms . Science teaches , however , that temporary retrogression is possible when the forces which produce development aro overborne and cease for a time to exert their due influence ; and the adverse forces which surround Masonry are to-day

so strong thafc ifc behoves us to keep this fact in mind . Tbe quasi recognition accorded by some Grand Lodges to so-called Masonic benevolent societies , the propositions tbat have here and there cropped out to convert tbe Grand Lodge itself into a directory of a great mutual life insurance company , and the increasing tend , enoy to regard the cessation of cash contributions to the Lodge

treasury as an excuse for denying not only the privileges of the Lodge , but the general rights of a Mason—those contingent not npon his membership in the Lodg ^ but upon his fellowship in the great fraternity—all show the dangerous extent to which our ranks are recruited from among those who bring into the Institution from other societies , methods and habits of thought totally at variance

with the principles which characterize a charitable Institution , methods and habits of thought that belong to the guild stage of development from which Masonry so long since emerged . Whether Masonry has reached the highest point of the line along which ifc has been developed , or whether ifc contains the germs from

which shall spring something still higher , is a question which only the future can answer ; bnt we may be sure that its essential principle , which through unselfish fellowship seeks the perfection of human character , whether finding its expression in the Masonic or some other form , will still survive .

The Model Mason.

THE MODEL MASON .

ANCIENT Masonry had many models , and noble ones , too ; and so has modern Freemasonry . The Temple of Solomon was a wonder of architectural beauty , conspicuous , without and within , for the lavish use of the gold of Ophir , and scarcel y less distinguished for its outer

porch , and its remarkable brazen pillars , decorated with lily work . If there ever was a typical fane or symbol in stone , it was this Temple . Ancient Masonry had other and prior works of art , but none so grand so imposing , so beautiful ; none erected under the auspices of so

distinguished a triad of Masons as Solomon and tbe two Hirams ; none that has had so lasting a history , or in equal degree has attracted and held the attention of the civilized world through all the generations that have succeeded its erection . Modern Freemasonry has done

well in clustering around it the teaching it imparts to its initates . It is the text of a noble discourse , the landmark of a notable fraternit y , a fit type of that " Temple not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . " Operative Masonry had no nobler model . But it had others . Many

oi tne glorious edifices , religious , royal and public , of after times owed their construction to those whom we cannot but consider the successors of the builders of King Solomon ' s Temple . Now , especially , may we admire , respect , and almost reverence , the deft handiwork , the honest and

conscientious building , the symbolic teaching , embodied in the Gothic structures of tbe middle ages in Europe . These were the last , and only less than the best , of tbe works of Operative Masons in any era of the world ' s history . They merit mention next after Solomon ' s Temple . Models are

they all , material models , without equals in modern times tor theiV architectural grandeur . But we are only concerned with these , now , by way of introduction and contrast . Modern Freemasonry has many models , and noble ones , also . Freemasons are not fashioned in nnv < .. $ » . qf .. ii . nn

mould . They are many men , of many minds , and of many physical sizes ; but all are whole , sound , perfect . Ton do not see , in a Masonic procession , men with one eye , a single arm , a fragmentary leg , or , in short , deaf , dumb , lame or blind . We do not have deformed or butchered

men among our models . They may become the one or the other afterwards , but that is their fault , or misfortune , not ours . At initiation they must be whole , perfect in all weir parts , or else they cannot typify that perfection which

The Model Mason.

is tho very purpose of Freemasonry to inculcate . It may sound very well , in the estimate of some , to say , Why not accept a lame man , a deformed man , an unfortunate who was born whole , but mutilated by accident ; bnt it is not Masonry . Masonry , theoretically , knows no snch thing ns

deformity or imperfection . It aims high . It does not seek to embrace mankind . It is composed of a select , pecitliar people . If the world included a large majority of fragmentary men , there might be an appearance of reason

in the plea for tho reception of such men into Masonry ; but it does not . We have a wide choice for material , and there is no reason why we should not , in accordance with our ancient teaching , receive only the physically perfect , men without blemish , sound in all their members .

So much for the physical Mason . All Masons are , or should be , models in this respect . But let us now turn away from tho material , to another aspect of the model . Spiritually , there is unity in variety among Freemasons . There is freedom of thought and feeling to a degree not

found in any other organization . Having been from the beginning a cosmopolitan fraternity , it was limited by no sectarian , political or national lines . It is for noblemen

among mankind everywhere . There are a thousand models , all excellent , and yet all dissimilar . And these divergencies are paralleled by the individual models among Masons , of whom we shall now speak .

Brother Jinks is a model Mason ; and yet some say he has only one idea . What of that , if it be a good one ? He says , the corner-stone of Freemasonry is Charity ; hence , whenever au opportunity arises in the Lodge for the display of this cardinal virtue , he manifests it to the fullest

extent . He is nothing if not charitable . No application for charity fails to elicit his support . He would rather give ten unworthy men than deny one worthy one , He avoids the latter by giving all petitioners . A most amiable man is Brother Jonks . He sometimes plays " high Jenks "

with the treasury , but his intention is commendable , and we put him in one of the niches as a model . ' Much as ib gives , Freemasonry gives too little away in charity . Listen to the annual report of the Committee on Accounts . Brother Charles is another model Mason . He is the

talking member , he always has something to say , on every subject . What a dull Lodgo it would be without him ! He is not always right , but who is ? At all events he is not a stone . He has a tongue , aud he uses it . Some of the always silent members , who cannot be provoked on any

occasion to hear the sound of their own voices , in the Lodge , deserve to have their tongues extracted , overhauled and put in tune . Members that can talk and won't talk , ought to be made to talk . Bro . Jones is still another model Mason . He is not only

never absent from his Lodge , but he is always present at the opening . In summer and winter , in good weather and bad , in health or indisposition , he is there . Such a brother is a tower of strength , a magnet , a first-class

model . As an example his value is inestimable . To say nothing of the efficacy of his counsel in debate , his constant presence is of itself a priceless benefit . He is a landmark that is not removed ; and may he never be , until he shall be translated to the Grand Lodge above .

Brother Brown is a model , also . He is a pre-eminently useful , handy member . He is always ready to take a place , or station . Let who will be away he is there , and there to fill any place to which he is called . Some brethren , when called upon in an emergency , are " going to

leave the Lodge shortly , " or are " rusty , " or " beg to be excused , " but Brother Brown is not one of these . He is always ready , always willing , always looking for an opportunity to be useful . The sluggards call him officious . That is a small matter . We style him a model , and the more we can have like him the better .

How different are these models ( not to name many others besides ) , aud yet how valuable they all are to our Fraternity . To cool the ardour of any one of them would be to do a lasting injury to the Craft . They take a pride in all they do . Tbey are self-sacrificing , arduous ,

enthusiastic , plentiful in good works . Let us have more like them . They maintain tbe character of Freemasonry for physical perfection , for charity , for attention to the business of tbe Lodge by giving it their continual presence

and counsel , for punctuality in attendance , for devotion to the work , and readiness to aid in its execution . With such models to continually characterize it , Freemasonry cannot fail to go on , prospering and to prosper . Brother , are yon any kind of a model ?—Keystone .