Masonic Instruction.

MASONIC INSTRUCTION .

WE were present at a Lodge meeting recently when , the business having been dispatched in a short time , and the expected candidate not having arrived , a well-skilled Brother was called upon to give an impromptu talk to tbe assembled Brethren . Although so suddenly called upon , he discoursed afc some length on the relative value of the Canadian , American ,

Irish , and ether systems of work , making out a good case for the system practiced here , and on the method of conducting a board of trial . Others spoke on peculiarities observed when visiting Lodges in other jurisdictions . Many of those present on this occasion expressed themselves as being greatly deligbted and

edified . If this course were generally adopted , not only a great deal of useful knowledge would be disseminated among Brethren not having the time or opportunity to acquire it for themselves , bufc the meetings would be of a more intellectual and interesting character , and greater vigour and spirit would be displayed . — Exchange .

Masonic Obligations.

MASONIC OBLIGATIONS .

IN conclusion , ifc is clearly my duty to call the attention of the Grand Lodge to the rapid and extensive growth of a disease that is threatening the very existence of the Fraternity , that is , the frequency with which the Masonic obligations fco protect the reputation , person , and well-being of a Brother Mason , are

constantly disregarded m this Jurisdiction . I will not attempt to indulge in any high-flown generalities , but will endeavour to speak of the subject in straightforward words of soberness and truth . If our solemn obligations , entered into at the altar of Freemasonry , are merely " as sounding brass or tinkling cymbals , "

we had better cease administering them , for it seems , from what we read in the public press , that in New Mexico the Masonic obligations are " more honoured in fche breach than in the observance . " Brethren , unless we set about changing this condition of affairs , Masonrv deserves to become a fit subject for

scoffing ,- —a by-word in the land . Have we come to regard the Blue Lodge merely as an institution to formally qualify its members for admission into their more modern Orders ? All Masons musfc unite in upholding Masonic obligations , duties and honours in every degree of the Fraternity . When they do this

the principles of Freemasonry will be preserved in their pristine purity , to the benefit hot only of Masons , but of the entire world . If they do not , the Institution should , as ifc certainly will , perish from the earth . How can it be done ? How can the desired result be brought about ? The answer is easy . Let you and me ,

and every one of us—your Subordinate Lodge and mine—do its duty . Do nofc waib for anybody else to do it . Let it at once be understood that no violation whatever of Masonic Law will be tolerated by any Mason , high or low , in politics ; in business , in Masonry , or elsewhere , and the end will be attained . Do nofc

wait for the injured Brother to become the accuser . Do not allow any compounding of the crime . Both parties may be guilty , and ifc is the duty of the Lodge to act promptly . I repeat , if we have not the interest to force Masonic obligations , let us stop administering them . —James H . Worth G . M . Mexico .

Have A High Conception.

HAVE A HIGH CONCEPTION .

EVERY one will see in Freemasonry that which the faculties he possesses enable him to perceive . One beholds a merely social organisation and appreciates more the " Fourth Degree , " which is " the hour after " the Lodge meeting , than the grand truths taught in fche First Degree , or the impressive lessons of the Second . He misses the true aim of the Institution . .

The " Fourth Degree " of the Lodge is only incidental to the p leasant associations of Fraternity . The true meaning and import of the Institution are found in the sublime teachings of the symbolism of the degrees . All men have not the power of appreciation , or the faculty Of looking beneath the surface of rites

and ceremonies . They make comedy of tragedy , and farce of reality . There is neither comedy nor farce in Truth . They look upon life itself as a frivolous pastime and are serious about nothiug . They go with the multitude who keep holiday , and , spending as they go , alike in material things , mental things and spiritual

things , fchey fail fco find the true essence of the Fraternity . Such men are Masons only in name . They may be active in the Lodge ; be able to confer degrees smoothly , and be praised as good workers , but their degrees and their work fail of their true purpose . The parrot and magpie chatter away , but neither the parrot nor

magpie have any conception of what tbey say . The parrot and magpie are without any heart or soul in their utterances , hence they but jabber and jabber away . Precisely so with those who see words , and only words in the sublime , beautiful impressive , and well-nigh divine lessons of Freemasonry .

Have A High Conception.

He appreciates the Fraternity who beholds in it a comprehensive system of the highest ethics , the noblest sentiments ; a wise exposition of the old truths of philosophy and religion ; a code of the honoured precepts of chivalry ; an instrumentality of the Deity himself to make men wiser and better , and to fit them for the enjoyment of life here with its

blessings of civil and religious liberty , and lead them to prepare for the enjoyment of happiness hereafter . How the mind of man longs for the blessedness of immortality ! How his God-like spirit revolts afc the mere suggestion of annihilation , and how ifc pants for a realisation of its lofty aspirations ? This globe which we inhabit is far too small to satisfy the desires of the expanding

soul . The more we learn the more we feel our littleness , and the circumscribed existence we have in this world . What are the stars ? What is the firmament above ? What is eternity ? These questions crowd upon the mind and remain unanswered . God , eternity , immortality , are serious things that Masbiiry

considers ; and if there is a God , whose existence is from everlasting to everlasting ; if man has a soul immortal and aspiring , it is the part of wisdom that we give heed to everything that will lead us to a proper appreciation of their importance . It is the aim of Freemasonry to aid in this appreciation .

The great temple of our existence lies beyond the vestibule , which is this life . As we approach the doorway through which we are to be admitted to the temple , we should see to it that our raiment is in proper condition to stand fche strong light that shines

from the glorious East ; of the Celestial Lodge , and that the rents made by our sins and the patches upon our character may not appear in glaring accusation . Our shoes should be cleaned from the mire and filth of the highways of wickedness , for nothing fchat will pollute or make unclean will be admitted there .

Appreciate properly Freemasonry , for it will surely aid you to prepare for admittance into the Temple of Life . " The mission of Masonry is not obscure , " wrote the late George C . Connor . " . It is hot to make imaginary masters , but to teach devotion to

one another , the necessity of preparing for the final ending of all things earthly , and the ascent ; Of the soul , when delivered from the environments of the flesh , info that peace which remaineth to tbe people of God . An organisation having such a mission m-ay well be devoted to its calling . "—Masonic Standard . "

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