Reasons For Masonic Secrecy.

REASONS FOR MASONIC SECRECY .

IF the secrets of Masonry are replete wrth such advantages to mankind , it may be asked why are not they divulged for the general good of society ? To this it may be answered , were the privileges of Masonry to be indiscriminately dispensed , the purpose

of the Institution would be subverted , and our secrets being familiar , like other important matters , would lose their value ancl sink into disregard . It is a weakness in human nature that men are generally more charmed with novelty than with the intrinsic value of things . Innumerable testimonies might be adduced to confirm this truth .

The most wonderful operations of the Divine Artificer , however beautiful , magnificent and useful , are overlooked because common and familiar . The sun rises and sets , the sea flows and reflows , rivers glide along their channels , trees and plants vegetate , men and beasts act , yet these being perpetually open to view , pass un-noticed

. The most astonishing productions of nature on the same account escape observation and excite no emotion , either in admiration of the great cause , or of gratitude for tlie blessing conferred . Even virtue herself is not exempted from this unhappy bias in the

Reasons For Masonic Secrecy.

human frame . Novelty influences all our actions and determinations . What is new or difficult in the acquisition , however trifling or insignificant , readily cap iva'e-- th- imagination >> n 1 insures a temporary admiration , while w at h- fanr'i : r o- n 1 " - attained , however noble or eminent , is sine to b ui e ^ a did b the giddy and unthinking .

Did the essence of Masonry consist in the knowledge of particular secrets or peculiar forms , it might be alleged that our amusements were trifling and superficial . But this is not the case . These are only keys to our treasure , and , having their use , are preserved ; while , from the recollection of the lessons which they inculcate , the well-informed Mason derives instruction , draws

them through a proper medium , adverts to the circumstances which gave them rise , and dwells upon the tenets which they convey . Finding them replete with useful information , he prizes them as sacred , and , convinced of their propriety , estimates their value from their utility . — " American Masonio Register . "

o o o MASONS going to Cuba should take their diplomas or Grand Lodge certificates with them , as they will not be received in Lodges there without written evidence of legitimacy .

Next Week.

NEXT WEEK .

Monday . 1789 Ubique , Criterion

40 Derwent , Hastings 61 Probity , Halifax 68 Royal Clarence , Bristol 75 Love and Honour , Falmouth 89 Unanimity , Duckinfield , Cheshire 105 Fortitude , Plymouth 106 Sun , Exmouth 151 Albany , Newport , Isle of Wight 189 Sincerity , East Stonehouse 237 Indefatigable , Swansea 240 St . Hilda , South Shields CiC A ftT « 1 n *» w * i i ^ -C 41-4 r \ ATiIii T 2 n 4-li- » i » i claim ui \

• £ U * t J . uuo x-uo , uauicj 297 Witham , Lincoln 302 Hope , Bradford , 303 Benevolent , Teignmouth 307 Prince Frederick , Hebden Bridge . 330 One and All , Bodmin 388 Prudence , Halesworth 408 Three Graces , Haworth 433 Hope , Brightlingsea

467 Tudor , Oldham 589 Druid Love and Liberality , Redruth 699 Boscawon , Chacewater 797 Hauley , Dartmouth 884 Derwent , Wirksworth

893 Merrdran , Mrllbrook 1168 Benevolence , Sherborne 1221 Defence , Leeds 1271 Friendship and Unity , Brad .-on-Avon 1272 Tregenna , St . Ives 1286 Bayon , Lincoln 1408 Stamford and Warrington , Stalybridge 1436 Castle , Sandgate

1449 Royal Military , Canterbury 1486 Duncombe , Kingsbridge 1542 Legiolium , Castleford 1564 St . John , Woking 1600 Hamilton , Alford 1611 Eboracum , York 1618 Handyside , Saltburn-by-Sea 1792 Tudor , Harborne

1885 Torridge , Gt . Torrington 1948 Hardman , Rawtenstall 1952 High Peak , Chapel-en-le-Frith 1966 Fidelity and Sincerity , Wellington 1977 Blackwater , Maldon 2376 Carnarvon , Layland 2457 St . Annes , St . Annes-on-Sea

Tuesday . 80 St . John , Sunderland 131 Fortitude , Truro 184 United Benevolence , New Brompton 241 Merchants , Liverpool 272 Harmony , Boston 319 New Forest , Lymington 366 St . David , Milford 371 Perseverance , Maryport

473 Faithful , Birmingham 484 Faith , Ashton-in-Makerfield 496 Peace and Harmony , St . Austell 603 Zetland ; Cleckheaton 696 St . Bartholomew , Wednesbury 764 Harbour of Refuge , West Hartlepool 814 Parrett and Axe , Crewkerne 829 Sydney , Sidcup 877 Royal Alfred , Jersey 897 St . Helens of Loyalty , St . Helens 967 Three Grand Principles , Penryn 973 Royal Somerset , Frome Qjd Four Cardinal Virtues , Crewe

Next Week.

1021 Harrington , Barrow-in-Furness 1028 Royal Alfred , Alfreton 1073 Greta , Keswick 1214 Scarborough , Batley 1220 Solway , Aspatria 10 RA f-tlll ^ ovf . frjvnnoll Wnfwmnfnn

1266 Honour and Friendship , Blandford 1267 Kenlis , Egremont 1402 Jordan , Torquay 1476 Blackpool , Blackpool 1482 Isle of AxholmeCrowle

, 1528 Fort , Newquay 1545 Baildon , Baildon 1587 St . Giles , Cheadle 1713 Wilbraham , Walton-on-the-Hill 1 R 93 "R . nvn . l fVln . rfinpf . P . lnro

J . V-. U ~ . V J «~ V-V » . * V ... ~ .., W . »* U 1837 Lullingstone , Wilmington 1847 Ebrington , Stonehouse 1902 St . Cuthbert , Bedlington 2099 Ethelbert , Heme Bay 2104 Whitwell , Stockton-on-Tees 2134 Wilberforce , Hull 2222 Frederick West , East Molescy

Wednesday . 619 Beadon , Upper Norwood 1382 Corinthian , Cubitt Town 2140 Huguenot , Criterion , Piccadilly

32 St . George of Harmony , Liverpool 121 Mount Sinai , Penzance 128 Prince Edwin , Bury 137 Amity , Poole 200 Old Globe , Scarborough

311 South Saxon , Lewes 320 Loyalty , Mottram 325 St . John , Salford 341 Wellington , Rye 342 Royal Sussex , Landport

368 Samarrtan , Sandbach 372 Harmony , Budleigh Salterton 376 Perfect Friendship , Ipswich 380 Integrity , Morley 387 Airedale , Shipley

409 Stortford , Bishops Stortford 533 Eaton , Congleton 555 Fidelity , Framlingham 580 Harmony , Ormskirk

591 Buckingham , Aylesbury 610 Colston , Bristol 681 Scarsdale , Chesterfield 697 United , Colchester 726 Staffordshire Knot , Stafford

823 Everton , Lrverpool 910 St . Oswald , Pontefract 962 Sun and Sector , Workington 1024 St . Peter , Maldon 1040 Sykes , Driffield 1086 Walton , Kirkdale

1136 Carew , Torpoint 1212 Elms , Stoke Damerel 1301 Brighouse , Brighouse 1334 Norman , Durham 1353 Duke ot Lancaster , Lancaster 1363 Tyndall , Chipping Sodbury

1511 Alexandra , Hornsea 1544 Mount-Edgcumbe , Camborne 1634 Starkie , Ramsbottom

1638 Brownrigg , Kingston-on-Thames 1645 Colne Valley , Slaithwaithc 1774 Mellor , Ashton-under-Lyne 1783 Albert Edward , Huddersfleld

1808 Suffield , North Walsham 2135 Constance , Consett 2203 Farnborough and North Camp , Farnborough 2258 W . D . United Service , E . Stonehouse 2355 Cbantrey , Dore

Next Week.

Thursday . 57 Humber , Hull 98 St . Martin , Burslem 116 Royal Lancashire , Colne 203 Ancient Union , Liverpool

208 Three Grand Principles , Dewsbury 230 Fidelity , Devonport 245 Mechanics , Jersey 267 Unity , Macclesfield 275 Harmony , Huddersfleld

283 Amity , Hashngden 286 Samaritan , Bacup 324 Moira , Stalybridge 337 Candour , Uppermill 343 Concord , Preston

345 Perseverance , Blackburn 367 Probity and Freedom , Rochdale 450 Cornubian , Hayle 456 ForestersUttoxeter

, 469 Hundred of Elloe , Spalding 472 Friendship and Sincerity , Shaftesbury 600 Harmony , Bradford 605 Combermere , Birkenhead

625 Devonshire , Glossop 630 St . Cuthbert , Howden 659 Blagdon , Blyth 710 Pleiades , Totnes 758 Ellesmore , Runcorn 802 ReposeDerby

, 940 Philanthropy , Stockton 1011 Richmond , Manchester 1032 Townley Parker , Chorley 1037 Portland , Portland 1042 Excelsior , Leeds

1164 Eliot , St . Germans 1184 Abbey , Battle 1235 Phcenix of St . Ann , Buxton 1327 King Harold , Waltham Cross 1332 Unity , Crediton

1386 St . Hugh , Lincoln 1393 Hamer , Liverpool 1562 Homfray , Risca , Mon . 1576 Dee , Park Gate , Cheshire 1763 St . MaryThame

, 1776 Landport , Landport 2091 Castleberg , Settle 2189 Ashburton , Ashburton 2268 Hallamshire , Sheffield

2305 Stour , Ashford , Kent 2390 Exmoor , Minehead 2342 Easterford , Kelvedon 2430 Runnymode , Wraysbury

Friday . 401 Royal Forest , Slaidburn 460 Sutherland of Unity , Newcastle-under Lyme 652 Holme Holmfirth

Valley , 1034 Eccleshill , Eccleshill 1108 Royal Wharfedale , Otley 1311 Zetland , Leeds 2005 Brooke , Chingford 2078 St . Lawrence , Scunthorpe

Saturday .

149 Peace , Mcltham , Yorks . 370 St . George , Chertsey 444 Union , Starcross 453 Chigwell , Chingford

1146 De Moulham , Swanage 1326 Lebanon , Feltham 1871 Gostling Murray , Hounslow 2035 Beaumont , Kirkburton 2228 Dene , Cookham Dene 2309 George Gardner , Eton