Investigation.

know its precepts and have sufficient acumen to understand that it cannot _ be managed as a business institution ; that it does not teach social equality or socialism , but uither puts each member on his individuality ; demanding that he shall be no drone , but that he shall make the best possible use of the powers which God has given , and take the place in the Temple for which he is best

fitted . There is but one perfect Temple ; its walls are not of stone and cement ; its beams are not of flesh and blood ; its ornaments are not the product of human skill . Barneses , Diana and Solomon built well , from a material standpoint , but desolation and ruin followed . We build speculatively , necessarily of

imperfect material , but the rejected stone of to-day may be accepted to-morrow , the rough ashlar of the quarry may become the perfect ashlar in the house not made with hands . Masonry demands that we fit ourselves for a place in God ' s Temple . — " Los Angeles Freemason . "

Is Freemasonry A Luxury?

IS FREEMASONRY A LUXURY ?

THAT Freemasonry is a luxury is asserted by many , even of those high in the councils of the Fraternity . If to have been brought from ignorance to a knowledge of Masonic mysteries is a luxury ; if to be permitted association with worthy men , united in a common cause for good , is a luxury ; if

to be taught all those lessons which , if heeded , make noble men , is a luxury ; if to have an opportunity to work in the quarries , hew in the forests or hammer at the forge in preparing work for our spiritual temple , is a luxury—then is Freemasonry a luxury .

But m the sense of that which rnary be done without ; that which should be denied one ' s self , on account of the cost ; voluptuousness ; epicurism ; then Freemasonry is no luxury . Freemasonry is not for the rich , the luxurious ; neither is it for the poor , the incapable . To be hale and strong and capable of

earning an honest living , are among the requirements of those voluntarily seeking admission to its ranks . The genus of the Institution is labour . Tho symbols are tools of labour . There are masters and craftsmen , and the apprentice must learn to work before he can be advanced .

The luxurious do not toil . Those who live in luxury are not a part of the world's energies . The luxurious are spenders of that which has been accumulated . Barely indeed have those who live in luxury contributed to the fund which they so lavishly enjoy .

Freemasonry is a viri ' e force . Its labours can never cease . For there is no day , however distant , when the working tools can be laid aside . The individual Mason may complete his spiritual temple , but his labour only ceases with life . New generations throng the quarries of Zeredatha , and hew in the forests of Lebanon , but they are all toilers , and toil is the antithesis of luxury .

Our beautiful temples are reared , not as Aladdin palaces by the fiat of the slave of the lamp . . They are builded , stone by stone , with infinite toil and patience . Their walls are tried by the plumb , proved by the level and must conform to the square . The trowel and the setting maul are weilded by strong right arms , and these arms belong to freemen—not slaves .

But Freemasons do not always labour ? No ! They have their times for refreshment . But these are not Lucullus banquets set to tickle the palates of gourmets , but necessary pauses for replenishing the vital energies that toil may bo renewed . No ! There is nothing of luxury in Freemasonry , but the luxury of doing good . — " American Tyler . "

How To Speak.

HOW TO SPEAK .

ONE of our exchanges contains an interesting article on how to speak in the Lodge . Judging from the lengthy remarks some of the Brethren occasionally make , they do not need any advice on this subject , unless it is to be a little more brief and speak to the point , Undoubtedly Fraternal organisations have been largely instrumental . in cultivating an aptitude for public

speaking . The greatest trouble in this connection is , perhaps , that a few members do all the talking , whereas there are other members who , although they may not be quite as fluent speakers , nevertheless could give much valuable advice to their fellows if they could only overcome an innate modesty , which increases as they grow older , rather than tho contrary . The ice once broken , however , there is not nearly so much difficulty in speaking in

public as they , perhaps , thought . Most people are always willing and desirous to hear a speaker who has something of importance to tell . As to just how to speak , modulate the voice , or what particular method the member should pursue in making his speech , that is a matter of very little importance , so long as he really has something to say worth listening to . Just think over what you want to say , and then say it courteously and briefly . If you are filled with true fraternal feeling you are apt to make a

How To Speak.

favourable impression on your fellow-members . Bear in mind that you have just as good a right to be heard as any one else . — " Masonic Sun . "

Suspensions.

SUSPENSIONS .

SUSPENSIONS of members for non-payment of dues goes on with remarkable regularity in all fraternal orders , and they are made in many cases—we may say , in most cases—without any inquiry being made into the financial condition of the Brother . There is a cold , calculating cent-per-cent principle in the matter which overrides all considerations of Fraternity , of

Brotherhood , of justice , sometimes . This should not be—this is not Fraternal . In our Order we pledge each to the other to be just , to be Brotherly , to use such consideration as will bring hearts together and unite the Brotherhood into one cemented whole . When a Brother falls in arrears , this is one of the occasions for the exercise of those Brotherly principles ; the circumstances under which he is labouring should be carefully

inquired into , without any of the spirit of curiosity , and if it is found to be such as to justify it , relief should be extended in such a quiet way as not to wound the sensitive pride all manly men possess ; if found to be the reverse , and his delinquencies the choosing of himself , then let him go as one without the true idea of Brotherhood—as one unworthy to waste Fraternal affection on . Thus , in all cases where a Brother falls by the wayside , let the Golden Rule be the guide of action . — " Masonic Chronicle . "

The Candidate.

THE CANDIDATE .

EACH individual member of the great Fraternity of-Freemasons was at one time of his life a candidate , humbly knocking at the inner door and seeking admission . It matters not how exalted his position in the world , how wealthy he was , or how powerful his influence , he came simply as a free man , of lawful age , and with a good character . His gold and his silver he

left outside the Lodge room and in humility he first saw the light . In the Lodge everyone was his equal , Masonically , no matter how widely divergent their paths may have been in the world , or how much higher a position in society he may have held than those about him . He came then with the marks that fitted him for the place he sought in the mystic circle .

In ancient Borne , when one sought an office , he wore a white robe , so constructed as to show the wounds which , as a soldier , he had received in his breast . The robe was the toga Candida , and the wearer candidus ; hence the word " candidate . " The derivation is a suflicent reminder of that " purity of life and rectitude of conduct " which should be shown by everyone who seeks admission through the inner door of the Lodge room . — " Masonic Standard . "

Masonic Aphorisms.

MASONIC APHORISMS .

Freemasonry is Theistie , but not necessarily Christian . Freemasonry invite ? none to its mysteries . All come of their own accord . Freemasonry needs no defenders , for it has stood the test of ages and has outlived all opposition .

Freemasonry makes the minds of its votaries absolutely free , and removes the blind spirit of bigotry and intolerance . Freemasonry is a complete system of moral philosophy and by the exercise of its sublime teachings we learn to subdue our passions .

A belief m the existence of Deity is the only creed of Freemasonry , but we can be Freemasons in truth and spirit only while we act as honest men .

Freemasonry teaches in a sublime manner the great principle of civil government , the equality of man , and by its teachings we learn to regard men for their true worth , and view the artisan in his homespun as the equal of the king in his royal purple . — " Pacific Mason . "

Georgia is moving irresistibly towards the establishment of a Masonic Home . On the evening of 11 th May there was held in thc city of Borne a great Masonic convocation , attended by more than 700 Brethren of that section , and ou the question of a Home a vote was taken , every Mason present belonging iu the state of

Georgia voting enthusiastically in tbe affirmative . The seventh Masonic district , representing some thirty Lodges , held a convention in the same place on the 10 th , ancl when this matter came up for consideration every Lodge voted in favour of such organised charity . This , of course , means that the matter is as good as settled , and another year will see the Home under way .