The Fellowship Of The Mystery.

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY .

fT ^ HE two most remarkable characteristics of Freemasonry ¦ ^ aro included in the head-line of this article . Freemasonry is at onco a fellowship and a mystery , and all of its initiates are free of the fellowship or fraternal guild , and made acquainted with the mystery , of which it is the exclusive custodian nnd proprietor .

The fellowship of Freemasonry is good fellowship . It involves association with selected men of the time , men presumably distinguished for blamelessness of character , love of knowledge , desire for light . They are fellows , that is followers , of the Freemasons of the past and present .

Tbey are sharers of their wisdom , their honours , and their vocation . In the remotest times , builders of the stateliest edifices and temples felt the need for a close association among themselves , and having accomplished this , they

made the implements of their profession the medium for inculcating moral truth . Both of these facts are implied by our term fellowship : it is an association of initiates , teaching trath by symbols .

The fellowship of Freemasonry is so intimate among its members as to be complete . The Mystic Tie unites the Brethren as with hooks of steel . There is no other

association among men—not oven that of the Chnrchwbicb succeeds as tbe Masonic Fraternity does in binding its members closely together . They are indeed Brethren , united not only by obligations , but by genuine sympathy . There is community of thought , of feeling , of desire among

them . They respect each other , admire each other , love each other . They honour the history of the Craft in the past , and enjoy the privileges the Craft confers in the

present . They realise that it is tbe ultima thule of Fraternities . You may belong to a hundred , bnt there is none which ia the peer of Freemasonry . It is a fellowship in the fullest and truest sense of tbe term .

But what of the mystery , in which we have fellowship ? The mystery itself is unspeakable , but the fellowship in it may be freely referred to . The mystery of Freemasonry , singularly , is not the same to all of its initiates , because all are not sharers to the

same degree in this mystery . This is their own fault , not the Craft ' s . Nothing in Freemasonry is reserved from its members . We are in the noblest sense communists . All of our wealth , whether it be intellectual , moral , social or material , is equally for all . Nothing in private , nothing

reserved . The mystery is for all ; but it makes one sad to confess that all do not desire full fellowship in the mystery . Some become satisfied with a part , and then never strive to attain the whole . Freemasonry is so many-sided that some of its initiates are satisfied with one or two sides

only . To some the social and fraternal side is so satisfying and engrossing that they spend their Masonic lives in enjoying it . And it ia supremely enjoyable . The idea that in every land you have a Brother , who will contribute

to your pleasure when in health and in wealth , and also minister to your needs when in sickness and distress—this feature of Freemasonry is well calculated to confer enjoyment on every initiate . Brotherly Love is a priceless virtue , next in value to the love of the Father of all , the

Grand Architect of the Universe . Indeed , one can well manifest his love for the One , by loving the other . Every Freemason is bis " Brother ' s keeper , " and be who recognises this fact by his deeds and words , will be rewarded and honoured by the One above all others . 0 ! how He loves !

To some the distinctly moral aspect of Freemasonry proves its greatest charm . Being naturally devout , and walking by the guidance of the Great Light , they love to hear its solemn and impressive words quoted , and to find the implements of the Craft employed to teach divine

wisdom . The moral lessons of Freemasonry are beyond the reach of adverse criticism . They are Bible morals . The purity of the Ten Commandments runs through them . This is why clergymen of' all denominations that embrace tho Craft become its staunchest supporters . Tbey realize

that Freemasonry is calculated to make better men of its initiates , and also that it requires of every applicant , preliminary , the possession of a character free from reproach .

It is no wonder that the moral aspect of our Fraternity wins for it so many admirers . To others , although they are fewer in number than is wished , the intellectual aspects of Freemasonry are its

The Fellowship Of The Mystery.

abiding , if not its chief attraction . They see mind in it . They find it to be in itself a liberal education . It points to so many inspiring subjects for thought , it stimulates so much the spirit of intellectual inquiry , it leads one back , along both the highways and the byways of history , from

the lands of the Occident to the lands of the orient , from the heir of the English throne of to-day to him that sat upon the throne of the Hebrews three thousand years ago ;

from such kings , in thought and action , as George Washington , Benjamin Franklin , and John Marshall , in the western hemisphere , to that king of thought and action and men—the mighty Solomon in the East .

But where ends the mystery ? You may not find it until you obtain a clue to the end of the fellowship . Both are infinite . ' Wonderful Freemasonry , which so richly endows with fraternal , social , moral , and intellectual wealth all of its initiates . —Keystone .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THOMAS JELL PULLEY .

ON Saturday evening , the 29 th ult ., Bro . Pulley was in a Committee Room at the Town Hall , Reading , where he was about to attend the Conservative dinner , when ho was struck down by paralysis . His medical attendant , Bro . Dr . Tench , was present , and accompanied Bro . Pulley to his

home . From the first there was no chance of recovery , and on Tuesday evening death resulted . For a considerable time Bro . Pulley has been in a very unsatisfactory state of health , and in consequence had been compelled to retire from an important position which he

held for many years in the establishment of Messrs . H . and G . Simonds , brewers . Bro . Pulley ' s business relations had brought him into contact with a great number of persons , in many parts of the kingdom and in other countries , and by them his death will be much regretted . Bro . Pulley

was a zealous Freemason ; at one timo he was a member of more Masonic Lodges than perhaps any other man in England . He attained high rank , especially in Mark Masonry , in which degree he took special interest . He was a member of the Reading Board of Guardians . The

funeral took place in the afternoon of the 5 th inst . The weather was very cold . The first portion of the service was conducted in St . Bartholomew ' s church , by the vicar ,

the Rev . E . J . Norn ' s , while Mrs . Norris presided at the organ , and , in addition to accompanying the hymn , " Abide with me , " played " 0 , rest in the Lord , " as the cortege left the church . The coffin was covered with . beautiful

wreaths , sent from the deceased ' s family , from Messrs . Simonds , from the employes ' of that firm , from the Mark Masons , from members of the Wellington Club ( of which the deceased was a member ) , and from other friends . The service was concluded at the Cemetery , where the deceased

was interred , in tbe presence of a large gathering . In accordance with custom , a sprig of acacia was thrown into the grave by the Freemasons . In addition to tho members of the family there were present Mr . W . Stamford , Mr . W . Collins , Mr . H . J . Simonds , Mr . L . de L . Simonds , Mr .

Arthur Simonds , and the principal employes of the firm , — Messrs . J . Suttaby , F . Lindars , W . Lindars , Dormer , & c . The Freemasons present included Bros . J . Greenaway , E . Margrett , W . Ravenscroft , J . Miller , Dr . Tench , W . Sowdon , W . W . Ridley , E . W . Ridley , J . T . Stransom , H . Kidgell ,

C . G . Hawkes , T . Mackrill , C . E . Hewitt , D . N . Heron ( Wokingham ) , & o . The following Guardians were present : —Messrs . H . Wright ( Chairman ) , D . J . Cook ( Vice-Chairman ) , W . G . Hayward , R . Oakshott , Deverall , Lake ,

G . B . Jackson , W . C . Moffatt , and tho Master of the Workhouse , Mr . J . Pope . The following Conservatives and others were present : —Messrs . F . Cooksey , A . H . Peach , W . H . Majori , Smart , W . Embling , H . Russell , W . Day , Hunt , E . Smith , L . H . Bailey , Brewer , Mann , & c

Ar00403

——y ^^»^»^ w ^¦ wn—^ ' ^— awnm . w ... _ At Torquay a grand Masonic ball is to be held in tbe Bath . SaloonB , on 28 th January , nnder distinguished patronage , tbe proceeds to be devoted to Masonic Charities . The efforts of those who are promoting thia grand charity ball will be to uphold the prestige of the Order , benefit the town , and contribute a substantial earn to the Provincial Masonio Charities .

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FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended . , in London and Country , by Bro . G . A . HUTTOW , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C . Monuments erected . Valuations made .