Charges Of A Freemason.

his own time , and to contract and bind himself in obligations to others . If he his not a free man he cannot be made a free Mason for he can take upon himself no responsibility . Fifth . " No Woman . " Strange , and various and fanciful , have been the reasons assigned for this prohibition ; but to the considerate Craftsmen there is a sufficient reason in the nature of the institution and

character of its rituals . It were enough to recall the fact that the Craft at first , and until a comparatively recent period , were engaged in an arduous mechanical employment . They were in the forest , felling , hewing , and preparing timber ; in the quarries , digging out , squaring and fitting great stones . These again , were to be transported _ a greater or lesser distance , and constructed into buildings—all

requiring much rugged exposure and great physical labour . Would it be proper and suitable for women to engage in such a calling ? They would be as much out of their natural sphere of action as rugged men would be in superintending the refined and delicate arrangements of tbe household . Hence , from regard for her natural physical weakness and refined sensibilities , she wa 3 exempted from the severe and

laborious duties of the ancient Craftsmen . Again : the rituals and ceremonies of the Order forbid the presence of woman . And though there be nothing in them improper for men of the most refined sensibilities , yet the nature of women , and the relation she sustains to the other sex , render it improper for her to mingle in the mystic labours of the Lodge room . Her relations to man ,

as wife , mother , sister or daughter , would forbid her presence . The place and the occupation are both unsuited to her nature . And as Masonry cannot be changed to accommodate itself to her condition , the law proclaiming her exclusion is as unrepealable as that of the Medes and Persians . If these reasons are not sufficient to satisfy the objection , we must recur to the fact that the law excludes her , and

that of itself is enough . It may be retorted that the above reasons aro not sufficient—that there is no reason for it ; but the answer still holds good—the law forbids it . The law was made for us , not we for the law ; we are compelled to take it as it is , and abide by it . Sixth . They must not be " immoral or scandalous men , but of good report . " This is a plain and sensible requirement , and one that

commends itself to the jndgment and approval of every well-meaning and reflecting man . To admit men who are immoral in their conduct , would be introducing antagonisms into the Lodge . It would bring together discordant principles , that , instead of perpetuating peace and harmony in the Craft , would produce confusion and discord . The Lodge is no place for an immoral man . The Holy Bible

is there as the rule of faith and practice : the prayer is heard , and God is recognised there : the most important and sacred duties of life are inculcated ; and the glorious doctrines of tho resurrection by a redeeming power , and an immortal and ever blessed existence in a future world are taught and enforced there . The solemn responsibilities of man as a social being , and his still higher responsibilities to

his Creator , are the themes of the Lodgo room and the subjects of illustration . The spirit of purified affection and brotherly regard , — of charity in its broadest , deepest , highest sense , which ought always to pervade that sacred retreat of disinterested friendship , would repel immorality from its very threshold . Let it never be forgotten , then , that no immoral man must ever be admitted .

Nor " scandalous . This is simply a deeper degree of immorality . Men who are not only immoral , but who glory in it —make their boast of it—before the world , and thereby are properly termed " scandalous , " should have no place in the Craft : they are intellectually , morally , and socially unfit for it . " Must be . " Reader , tho requirements and prohibitions in this Charge aro not

optional with us , to observe or violate them . They aro imperativethey must be observed , for such is tho language used . " Of Masters , Wardens , Fellows , and Apprentices . —All preferment among Masons is grounded upon real worth and personal merit only ; that so the lords may be well served , the brethren not put to shame , nor the Eoyal Craft despised ; therefore , no Master or Warden is

chosen by seniority , but for his merit . It is impossible to describe these things in writing , and every brother must attend in his place , and leam them in a way peculiar to this fraternity . " Only candidates may know that no Master shonld take an Apprentice , unless he has sufficient employment for him , and unless he be a perfect youth , having no maim or defect in his body , that

may render him uncapable of learning the art , of serving his Master ' s lord , and of being made a brother , and then a Fellow Craft in due time , even after he has served such a term of years as the custom of the country direct ; and that he should be descended of honest parents ; that so , when otherwise qualified , he may arrive to the honour of being the Warden , and then Master of the Lodge , the Grand Warden , ' and at length the Grand Master of all the Lodges ,

according to his merit . No brother can be a Warden until he has passed the part of a Fellow Craft ; nor a Master until he has acted as a Warden ; nor Grand Warden unless he has been Master of a Lodge , nor Grand Master unless he has been a Follow Craft before his election , who is also to be nobly born , or a gentleman of the best fashion , or some eminent scholar , or some curious architect , or other artist , descended

of honest parents , and who is of singular great merit in the opinion of the Lodges . And for the better and more honourable discharge of his office , the Grand Master has a power to choose his own Deputy Grand Master , who must be then , or must have been formerly , the Master of a particular Lodge , and has the privilege of acting

whatever the Grand Master , his principal , should act , unless the said principal be present , or interposo his authority by a letter . These rulers and governors , supreme and subordinate , of th ( Ancient Lodge , are to bo obeyed in their respective stations by ali the brethren to tho old and

according Charges Regulations , with all humilit y , reverence , love , and alacrity . Distinctions of birth and fortune are unknown in Masonry , for ODC of the first principles taught us is , that the internal and not thexternal qualifications of a man are what constitutes his fitness to b . made a Mason . Is he a " good man and true , " not " is he rich anhonourable , " is the question asked , It makea no difference wuetner \

Charges Of A Freemason.

he is the son of a president or a peasant ; whether he is robed in broadcloth , or clothed with homespun , so his heart and head be right . So , too , in the selection of officers for a Lodge . Promotion is , or should be , the reward of merit , not the result of favoritism . The subjects of inquiry should be : has he the capacity for government ;

is he prudent , discreet , courteous , yet firm ; does he understand the laws , usages , and customs of the fraternity ; has he studied the ancient Charges and Constitutions ; is he familiar with the rales and regulations of the Grand Lodge ? Is he master of the toork ? Does he understand the use of the instruments , and has he a proper appreciation of their sublime teaching ? Does he fully understand the spirit and genius of the Order ; and has he illustrations and

resources at command so to work that " the brethren may not be put to shame , nor the Royal Craft despised ? " These aro the questions that should be asked in searching for the best material to fill the several stations in a Lodge , a » d especially for the office of Master . These qualifications are a sine qua non ; if they are found united with education , refinement , a good address , and suavity of manners , so much the better ; but education and refinement alone , will not supply the place of these Masonic qualifications .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution For Aged Freemasons And Widows Of Freemasons.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION FOR AGED FREEMASONS AND WIDOWS OF FREEMASONS .

BY special invitation of Bro . Terry , a few of the supporters oi the above Institution repaired to Croydon on the 30 th ultimo ) for the purpose of affording the inmates a little amusement . The day being particularly fine , and the arrangements of the indefatigable Secretary perfect , full scope was given for consummating the

pleasure anticipated by the annuitants and visitors . After ample justice had been done to the tea , superintended by Mrs . Terry , the party in « spected the dwellings and grounds , and were particularly delighted with the improved condition and lovely aspect of the garden , by the recent addition . of plants and trees , so profusely and graciously

presented by Bro . Cutbush . The inmates and guests having assembled in the Lodge Room of tho Institution , the amusements were enjoyed by the old folks with a heartiness gladdening to the contributors , amongst whom were Madame Tliaddcus Wells , Mrs . Strong and lady friend ( whoso name we could not catch ) , the Misses Strong , Terry ,

Berry , Constable and Mrs . Webster ; the brethren woreBros . Thaddous Wells , John Stevens , Berry , and Constable . Madamo Wells sung several songs , with her wonted ability and sweetness , whilst Bro . Stevens and his son contributed the comic portion of the entertainment , in songs , readings , and recitations , iii fact , each individual succeeded in the

attempt to amuse , to the intense satisfaction of the inmates , whose faces wore radiant with joy . A vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . and Madame T . Wells for their kind assistance . One of tho male annuitants proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Terry , for the treat he had afforded them , both by the concert aud the liberal supply of fruits

and wines ; this was promptly seconded by one of tho sisters , and carried amidst acclamation . Bro . Terry briofly returned thanks , assuring the inmates and friends that no stone should remain uu » moved to secure their comfort and appreciation of his exertions . Bro . Dr . Strong desired to convoy the thanks of the annuitants to

those ladies and brethren who had assisted in the evening ' s pleasure , and although they were amateurs their efforts were highly appre ciated . This , we understand , is the first anniversary of what we may term Bro . Terry ' s treat to the old folks , and we go heart and hand with

him , hoping to see many such happy unions . Thoy cannot fail to be productive of good in various ways . We congratulate Bro . Terry in holding the sincere affection and regard of the annuitants , and commend him for his genial kindness to those whose interests he serves so well . One circumstance was particularly noticable ; those who , from

illness or ago , could not attend the concert , wero not overlooked . Bro . Terry tended them personally , with tho wines and fruit provided . May he , in his decliniug years , surrounded with affluence , find a solace in the affection of his children , carrying out tho example oi their father . Tho party , numbering about forty , returned to town soon after nine p . m ., highly gratified with the afternoon ' s proceedings

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . DAVID BRANDW 00 D . CX ® Sunday afternoon the mortal riuiains of Bro . D . Brandwoodj ^ - ' P . M . Lodge of Faith , No . 3 14 , undo iii ' e . near Mauch > ster . v \ ero -- ' -. 'J ., ^ ^ ui JL tuuiJ , XT . ,, v i .-x , t » r . iu * j lUU , IICM-i J . UJIUUII' fcLCI . nUU

committed to rh ^ ir Inst , ivstjim-piooj , i ¦ Si . TIUJIUHS ' S Cimri-hyanl , tadclifl ' e . . l rered : n ^ t : r ir y , ;\ -e « , uumb T of bivtlue ; i uiarciiud to the churchyard , JBro . It . Wuiinskcr ^ rV . v . vorth ) , i ' . l ' . G . D . O . East iancashire , officiating as diicctiu - *> . : &¦ imni . ois Our ltite brother , ip to twelve months ago , held tho post , oi' manager and secretary to ¦ .. ha iiadoliii ' e and Pilkiugton Gas Company , aud foiling ; health leJ to - ols , resignation . He was in his -52 nd yean