Masonry's Theology.

Masons by our adverse " es , that Masonry inculcates morality to the exclusion of piety . This in tbe onset is denied , but a bare denia 1 is not sufficient —pnd if it weu so is not morality better than nothing ? or better than a positive influence which is demoral- ' zing : n its chp-ajter ?

I have seeu a community which has been shocked , even to a holy horror , at the contemplation of the Masonic fra + irnity existing in rn organ-zed foi . n i n its midst , yet quietly

reposing under the shado of that deadly , poisonous Upas of intemperance , spreading its innumerable branches far and wide , without su effort to subdue or erf licate the legalised evili and with scarcely a sigh for its besotted victims .

But Masonic morality is the question—what is it ? The quality of an action es estimated by a standard of light and Wrong . Different rules of moraHty exist and may be so framed as to admit of the practice of positive immorality ; for the moral code of an a heist may not be f > - ' from neriu ' ir .

• Then , if doubts of the application of the mleex ' st , it is best for as in the start to acknowledge that the foundation of our code of morals is pu ^ e and good , or we must not look for purity in what it governs . We cannot gather figs off thistle—and to what shall we refer as the source of our

morality ? Holy Writ . And 8 s he who has no religion or aystem of theology can havo no consistent morality , so ho who professes a religion essentially wrong must faH into gross errors in mortals . If , then , religion is essential to Masonry , it may be asked , Is Masonry religion ? It is

answered that Masonry has a theology which is essential to the perfection of her code of morals . Masonry is no partisan of any sect , but when speaking of its religion—we mean its great principles , its foundations , beams , pillars of its system .

Atheism and Polytheism have no place in our system . Presuming that all organisations of theology refer to the Word of God as their basis we denounce no docti ines as

heretical but those which have practical tendencies of a vicious or corrupting character , and as doctrines of this cast can have no foundation in Divine truth , our denunciations , are consistent with our profession . Morality is judged by moral actions , and thesa actions

muat exist with reference to a right i ule of action . The precepts of the Bible may be strictly enforced in the moral inculcations of the Order , but its minute details of doctrine

are left to the private interpretation of each momber . And while she questions none on their private opinions , she denies admission to a share in her mysteries to all who deny her God .

And if concession is made thus far—and what good Mason does not ?—what more can the most pions sectarian ., or stickler for orthodoxy do to prove his piety ? To neglect a due and becoming reverence for the name of

Deity loosens the bands of the social compact which rests upon a mutual pledge of faith . Whatever may be the opinion of others , Masons must know that serious moral mischiefs are the result of practical profanity .

Let each Mason properly understand and follow his duties , and in the sublimity of our doctrines and purity of our morals God will be honoured . Thus he will be a good

man in the world—and we have strong reason to hope he will be a good man at home—for to fill his share of duty in guarding the shrine of bis household gods , he must cultivate the social virtues .

My brethren , look to your duty ; there is much more blame attached to an institution which professes to do good and fails , than to one which openly follows evil . We have remarked how Freemasonry has been assailed and vilified —how it has survived all storms . Now , let me ca ! your

minds to the fact that it is not from without but from luithin that we dread the most mischief . The scourgings of the Russian Czar , or the persecutions of the despot , never closed so many Lodges as the unholy war against Mnsonry in 1826 , in OPT * own blessed land of freedom . And as the institution has suffered the severest blow in our

country—blessed with so much light—whose masses are farthest removed from a state of selfish continental degradation , so in individual recreancy the time-honoured fabric suffers tho most grievous wounds in the house of its friends .

Let not the imputation rest upon us , that knowing our duty we did it not—that having been welcomed into the aanctum sanctorum of the Temple , and aided in the solemn rites , we have faithlessly revolted the compact we s > freely ratified . I could laugh at a cold wor . d ' s spite—it never promised Masonically to love roe—but for the every day

Masonry's Theology.

delinquencies of my brother , I could wcop tears of blood . Let your morality bo judged by your moral actions . The soul of man , in leaving this vale of tears , first returns in thought to the everglades of childhood , that it

may depart purified by visions of peace from tho world ' s cares . So let us in our determination to perform our TOWS purify our hearts , and , when we trust , let us trust in Him who is the foundation-stone of a Mason ' s Theology . —Voice bf ^ Masonry ,

The Criterion Restaurant.

THE CRITERION RESTAURANT .

MUSICAL dinners are regarded almost , as a necessity in tbiB Jnxurions age , and nearly every restaurant with any claim to first class rank has provided some kind of musical entertainment , either vocal or instrumental , to amuse their patrons while enjoying the more substantial delight of the table . Messrs . Spiers and Fond , the well-known enterprising pnblio caterers , have always been to the fore in all onlinary and gastronomic matters , and have lately carried oat

extensive improvements at tbe Criterion , whioh are snre to meet with ready appreciation by those for whom they are intended . The Grand Hall , in which the " Glee Dinner , " for many years used to be given , has been beautifully redecorated and refurnished , while stately palms , ohoioe ferns , and other evergreens placed about the room and tableB harmonise well with the statnary and softened glow of the electric

light , forming a tout ensemble unsurpassed by any hall in London . Commodious waiting and cloak rooms for ladies and gentlemen' have also been added . French dinners at separate tables will in future be servad between the hoars of sis and nine in the evening ; and theatregoers will be glad to learn that snppers will be provided from eleven

o clock till past midnight . The original Hungarian band has been engaged , but as so many imitations have sprang up , they now appear in a yellow uniform instead of blue as formerly ; and it is worthy of montion , as showing the extensive ramifications of the firm , that these uniforms were made at tbe tailoring department of Messrs . Spiers and Pond ' s stores . • ^< ' ¦ ¦ ¦ < " ¦ ' - " ¦ - ,: r

Masonic Sonnets.-No. 17.

MASONIC SONNETS .- No . 17 .

BY BRO . CHAS . F . FOESHAW , LL . D ., VMXx ) ¦ , -y ^ . — : o : — . / .. LORD TENNYSON .

Now , gay Thalia , still thy merry voice ; And be thon silent , gladsome Euterpe ; For your stern sister , harsh Melpomene , HBB Bent her fiat forth . None may rejoice ; For he is dead ! The one ye loved so well .

And though ye weep , sublime Calliope , And ask for aid from bleit Mnemosyne , No ease will come to sooth your heart's wild swell , . , For Lethe ' s stream to-day has lost its spell .

And no oblivion , no forgetfulness , Will come to heal yonr pangs of deep distress For loss of him who did all bards excel ! Urania ' s writ in the bine skies his fame—So , Clio , on earth ' s scroll record his name . Winder House , Bradford . 10 th Ootober 1892 .

The Provincial Prior of Devonshire , tho Rev . Dr . Lemon , proposes holding the annual Provincial Priory of Knights Templar , on Thursday , the 20 fch insfc ., at Plymouth , under the banner of the Royal Veterans Preceptoiy .

Bro . James Stevens will deliver his popular lecture on Masonic SymboliBm , ritual and ceremonial , under th ' e auspices of the Hundred of Elloe Lodge , No . 469 , at the Masonic Hall , Spalding , Lincolnshire , on Thursday , the 3 rd of November .

The Provincial Grand Chapter of Leicestershire and Rutland , will be holden at the Bull ' s Head Hotel , Loughborough , on Wednesday , the 19 th day of Oct jber 1892 , for the transaction of the general business of the Province . Provincial Grand Chapter will be opened at five o ' clock in the afternoon .

HottowAT ' j O : . TMByi iWD Pints . —Chest jrid Stomach Complaints . —The sor 'ce and centre of almost ewy a I > nont is iaipr'ity of the blood ; dislodge th '^ poison and disease depr-ts . Holloway ' s Pills exercise the inestimable power of thoroughly cleaT's'ng each compo ie it pp "t o * tee bl sod , nd t ernlering tbisflu'd fit to pe . Jorm its imoor ' tnt fanciions . Thoy cope most successfn'ly with chest diseases , stomach compla' , liver didorde-s , and

many other maladies , which wo -e once tue besoit ' qg dangers of mankind at certa ' n seasons of the year in town rnd country . The di-octions for use enable everyone to regulate the operation of these Pi'ls with the . greatest n ' cety . Chrome invalids , nervous suffcreis , and all whom other tr * - ; tmei > ts have failed to relieve , are respectfully invited to try Holloway ' s celebrated medic' ie , which will strengthen and cure them .