Centenary In Prince Edward Island.

tame and governable ; and frees fche mind from the allurements of vice . These virtues enjoined upon the Craft , are of incalculable assistance in the growth and proper development of the body ; and by faithfully observing them , we will become not only physically strong , but secure the faculty of performing all actions proper to a human body in the most perfect manner .

Masonry also emphasises as essential to this ideal manhood , not only a sound body , but a cultivated mind . Intellect is a gift of God , and we are obligated to unfold it unto the uttermost . Masonry , including within its circle almost every branch of polite learning , reminds us by the rough Ashlar of our rude and imperfect state by nature , and by the perfect Ashlar of that

state of perfection at which we hope to arrive , by a virtuous education , our own endeavours , and the blessing of God . Masonry's principal efforts , therefore , have been to induce her members to keep pace and run parallel with the culture and civilisation of mankind . In his mystic rites she represents man as in intellectual darkness , and his first craving , as he comes

from the ignorance of the outer world , is for light ; not that which springs from the orb of day as its fountain ; but the moral and intellectual light whicb emanates from the source of all things—the Great Architect of the Universe—the Creator of the sun and all that illuminates . Hence , the great and primal object of the Entered Apprentice Degree is to symbolise thafc birth of

intellectual light in the soul . And the Fellow Craft , or second degree , represents man labouring amid all the difficulties that encumber the young beginner in the attainment of learning and science , feverish for knowledge and light , and groping for a stairway that will lead to still more wonderful unfoldings . In the degree of a Master , we see the race face to face with the awful demands of integrity , the certainty of a future state , and the

dread problem of death and immortality . The Entered Apprentice occupies his mind in the attainment of useful knowledge ; the Fellow Craft applies that knowledge to tbe promoting of the glory of God and the good of man ; and the Master Mason comes to know the hidden and spiritual meaning of the temple by communing with its builder , the Supreme Architect of the Universe , in its holy of holies .

And the Mason who has an ardent desire for knowledge finds much to encourage aud assist him in the prosecution of his studies . All the branches of the liberal education , which effectually polish and adorn the mind , are earnestly recommended to his consideration—especially the study of the five senses , which are the media of man ' s first mental acquirements ; of the seven

liberal arts and sciences , which hold the sum of " Useful knowledge ; " and of tbe Sacred Volume , which enables him with the compass of his mind to measure and draw the square of his conduct , and within to exercise charity , cherish hope , and walk by faith . Our trestleboard has , therefore , drawn upon it a pattern

of perfect intellectual manhood , and we must faithfully study these directions in order- to show approved unto God . And , therefore , by working out the direction of the moral and spiritual trestleboard , we shall so divide and redeem our time as to secure that most desirable estate in this life—a cultured mind in a healthy body .

In the " work or labour" of the Craft , the moral and spiritual training of the life is declared to be essential . And our Masonic Ti-estleboard teaches us t ^ erect our spiritual buildings in accordance with the designs laid down by the Supreme Architect

of the Universe in the great books of nature and revelation . With lasting impression , by symbol and ritual service as well as didactic statement . Masonry defines and urges the cultivation of those qualities , clearly set forth in the volume of Eevelation , and which in their harmonisation constitute the perfect spiritual

man . These qualities are the blessed fruits of the spirit of God , planted and growing in the life : —Love , joy , and peace , long suffering , kindness , goodness , faithfulness , meekness , temperance " and " against such there is no law .

When these graces are properly blended and developed they constitute the perfect spiritual man . And in the development of this character we must copy from the pattern given us on the mount . For our convenience , pattern has" become person . Our model is the Perfect Man . The ideal and the real meet in Him . He could say " Follow ine . " "Be ye therefore perfect" He

said to the men about Him . "Looking into Jesus , " wrote the apostle , because He has given " to us an example , that we might walk in His steps . " How shall we copy from this " pattern seen in the mount ? " Almost in a word can we answer : Become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ . Spirit inspires . Would you become brave ? Read Plutarch , and the

dauntless heroism of whose warriors of the elder ages will fire your soul with fervour , and become your inspiration . Would you be " blameless" in spirit , pure in heart , sincere as light ? Then study the words , imitate the example , fall in love with the person , and devote your time to the services of Him who is the brightness of the Father ' s glory ; and as roses and violets absorb

Centenary In Prince Edward Island.

their colours from the sun , so you will become white with the radiance of Christ ' s purity ; and in His light the mysteries of earth shall melt into the changeless realties of the better land . The past of Maspnry reads like a romance , and her future is full of promise . Throughout the civilised world her monuments are seen towering towards the heavens ; and her

beneficient teachings are felt promoting the kindly intercourse of nations , softening the asperities of war , smiling upon science and giving to Christianity her best services in introducing the distinguished era of universal light and salvation . Standing here as you review the century and gather courage and inspiration for the coming time , I could wish to pourtray

each scene from tbe venerable past in such vivid dress and colour that it might seem a living reality ; but higher far do I count the power , and " fervently " do I covet it , to stir the heart of even the youngest Entered Apprentice , standing in the north-east of his Lodge , to a deeper and truer sense of his duty , and arouse

within him a determination to act for the glory of God and the redemption of man . Esteeming nothing done until all is accomplished , and giving their own personal and individual purification , and the support and happiness of the widow and orphan , whose hope , next to God , is in you , his daily and undivided attention .

Go forth anew my Brethren on your God-appointed , heavenapproved mission , and for " sweet charity ' s sake . " bring light to those in darkness , deal gently with the erring , relieve the distressed , visit the sick , bury the dead , love God and your brofcher man . And for the sake of all that is pure and of good report abstain from all excesses , regulate your actions by the square of virtue , and daily consult the Book of God , even as the

mariner scans his chart when uncertain of his way , that by the use of its precepts there may be a manifest correspondence between your theory and practice , your principles and manner of life . Study the Bible , believe ifc true , obey it , for it contains the * ' working-plans" for life . And in the construction of your spiritual and Masonic edifice if you carefully follow its directions , circumscribing your conduct within its precepts , it will be impossible that you should materially err .

Then let us , as we stand at this auspicuous hour , with our feet upon the threshold of the twentieth century , and our faces toward fche coming time , bind anew God ' s Holy Word to our hearts , " engrave all its precepts on the pages of enduring memory , " that we may ever walk by them . — " Canadian Craftsman . "

Applause In Lodges.

APPLAUSE IN LODGES .

NOTWITHSTANDING the depreciation and constant opposition of Masonic authorities to the objectionable custom of applause in Lodges , the habit is still mosfc frequently indulged in and virtually encouraged by the Master . It will surely be apparent to every reflective Masonic mind that in all wellregulated Lodges there must be equality of condition , and thafc

any attempt to accord pre-eminence to presumed intellectual ability or superior ritualistic capacity is in direct opposition to this recognised principle—equality . To applaud the more highly gifted brother , and receive the well-meant efforts of one nofc mentally so well endowed in deadly silence , is an insulting discrimination utterly opposed to the principle , and quite

unworthy the spirit and intention , of our ancient Institution . And , further , no argumentative power is necessary to illustrate the obverse side of the picture—to indicate that if it is right and just and honourable to allow marks of approbation , the expression of dissent must be admitted on equal grounds . It would nofc be a remarkably edifying or highly creditable spectacle to hear the

hiss or groan of an opposing faction in a Masonic Lodge , and such exhibition would indubitably be productive of the most intense surprise . Doubtless the average Master would at once use his gavel with prohibitive effect . And yet if the same Master was in the habit of tacitly allowing discriminate applause he would act most inequitably and unjustifiably in prohibiting

dissent . He would cease to hold the scales in equal poise , and would stultify his own instruction . The Master especially should remember that he who is placed on the lowest spoke of fortune ' s wheel—whether physically , mentally , or in a wordly sense—is equally entitled to attention , respect , and esteem , and every effort should be made to avoid wounding his feelings . It may possibly

be urged that the expression of dissent is a contingency too remote for consideration , but we may assure our readers this is not so , as we have unfortunately witnessed the indecent spectacle . But were it so , it does not remove the invidious distinction wbich applause is calculated to promote between members of the same

Lodge . Of course the whole responsibility rests with the W . M . ; if he is so ignorant of his Masonic duty , or so supine in administration , as to even tacitly acquiesce in the continuance of a most irregular custom , on his head be the blame . — " Canadian Craftsman . "