Charity—Its Masonic Import.

CHARITY—ITS MASONIC IMPORT .

C HARITY is a word that requires several forms of definition to express its full meaning . In one of its proper uses it points to that active beneficence which is exercised by those who seek to give help and relief to

distressed humanity . It implies a practical ministry to the wants of the unfortunate ; a willing service of benevolence performed as opportunity may offer ; a giving

and doing for the good of others according to whatever are the resources available . Charity , as thus defined , is a virtue specially commended in the teachings of Freemasonry , and its practice is enjoined npon every

Craftsman . The word may be used in another sense , however , and given a meaning which signifies vastly more of noble character and true service than is implied by the former

rendering . Charity denotes a fundamental principle of generous thought and feeling—a disposition that disposes a man to be kind and forbearing to his associates , to regard their conduct in the best light possible , and to

refrain from attributing to them base motives . It is a potential grace of character , always prompting the heart in which it bears rule " quietly to hear , kindly to judge . "

Such an one will put the best construction on the acts and motives of others , being moved to take an optimistic rather than a pessimistic view of man and the world .

A Brother who has become imbued with the true spirit of Freemasonry will manifest , charity in this form of its expression . He will not exhibit that severity and haste of

judgment which so often cuts to the heart , and accomplishes but little of good . He will remember how limited we are in the knowledge of men—that we cannot read their hearts—that we are unable to understand tho

motives , purposes and circumstances which may have influenced them , and hence will conclude that much of charitable judgment is demanded . Even where human conduct is clearly wrong—where there are just grounds of criticism and censure—a Brother in whom charity has

come to be a ruling force ought to be generous , forbearing , forgiving . He who is hard and unpitying , severe and relentless , in his treatment of those who may have been at fault in some things , is no true representative of

Freemasomy . The Craftsman who is under the control o ? enmity and resentment , so that ho is pitiless in his judgment , never disposed to palliate offences or forgive the transgressor , and who despises those who fail to meet all

the tests of his requirements , partakes more of the spirit of the world than of the spirit of that Fraternity in which he has taken membership . Most certainly he lacks that queenly grace of charity—to possess which is a better endowment of life than the understanding of all mysteries ,

for Charity is of God and the greatest of Heaven s guts to man . —Freemasons' Repository .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London , N .

The Modem Kitchen Oracle . A culinary magazine . By Samuel Hobbs , formerly Chef de Cuisine to Messrs . Gunter and Co ., of Berkeley Square . London : Dean and Son , 160 a Fleet-street , E . C . WE have so many books on culinary subjects , under the

comprehensive title of " cookery books , " that one might almost imagine ttat onr stock of information ou the science of gastronomy was complete . But when such an experienced man r . s the chef de cuisine to " Gunter ' s" turns his attention to the subject we naturally expect a practical addition to the knowledge which has been imparted to ns

by compilers whose chief merit lies iu theory . The great point aimed at by Mr . Hobbs is to tell his readers how to cook the most rScherchS dinners , and meals which shall be as little expensive as possible—the great fault of most of our cookery books being that the instructions given for manipulating the mo 3 t ordinary dishes are too lavish for

economical households . In this magazine , which is to be published iu twelve sixpenny monthly parts , there will be given a menu foreficb month , with ita requisition list , and also a list of dishes snitablo fer breakfast , luncheon , supper , and other collations . Clear directions are also given Low to preparo each dish and its belongings , how to

serve a dinner , large or small , and when to commence its preparation . It is pointed out thit so many changes have taken place in the gastronomic tastes and habits of all classes of society that

onehalf the works on cookery hitherto attempted have become almo .-t obsolete and out of date , many of them being written by foreigners , who did not kno < v our tistes and proclivities iu the way of fond , and what is now promised and needed i 3 a plain direction in culinary

Reviews.

operation , divested of superfluous and expensive ornamentation . Fort / years' experience in the best kitchen 3 in the metropolis will be brought to bear to eusure the success of this work of information to

those wishing to beome accomplished cooks ; and we predict for it an extensive circulation amongst those ^ families to whom a properlycooked and well-served dinner is an object of primary consideration in the daily routine .

Bow Bells Almanac for 1886 . London : John Dicks , 313 Strand . IT seems rather late in the year to be in receipt of "annnals , " but this production by Mr . D cks is worthy of mention , if only for the artistio style in whioh it ii got up , and the vast amount of inform

tion it contains . One reason , probably , for its apparently tardy issue is that it is madu to include the official list of all the m ^ rnb-rs elected to the new Parliament , also revised Peerage , and members of the Privy Council revised to date . This compendious almanac , which

is profusely embellished with engravings , contains a great variety of useful and interesting informa ion , and it is only on a pir with the other marvellously cheap proluotioas by this well-known publisher that so enormous and valuable a budget is presented to the public at the ridiouloasly low price of sixpence .

Printers , Stationers , and Kindred TradersEffective Advertiser Loudon : Baker and Symes , 60 Ludgate-hill , E . C . THE seventeenth issue of this monthly trade circular is to tund , and it contains a variety of information and hints on matters in which

tne traders named are interested . The " trade notes " are ciisp t , ; id up to date , aad are written by one who evidently is conversait with the subject which he is called npon to treat of , while the " random papers , " appropriately for this month , deal exclusively with

valentines . There are papers on "International Contract , " " Printing for Profit , " " Cheap Books , " and other miscellaneous subjects , all of which are of interest to those engaged in various branches of printing , stationery , and newspaper trades .

Ad00703

THEAMERICAN PORTABLEMUSICSTANDS, J . F . WALTERS * PATENT . Iron , from 10 / 6 each . Brass , frcm 3 ( / - each . r PUESE Stands are unsurpassed iu simplicity , strength , portability 1 cheapness , and elegance of finish . They are suitable for Military TS : ind , Orchestras , Reading n , nd ! S ew 3 Rooms , Libraries , Studies and Ora-ving Ronms When opened to their full capacity thfi . v star " S foeh high , and can bo folded nd enclosed in a case 31 inches Ion ? by 2 inche-1 din . mer . cr . The u-etsrhtis ni > ut a lbs . 12 oz ., and they will support a weight of 50 lbs . To be obtained of nil Music Dealers , and of the Manufacturersand Proprietors of the Pnhnt , HARHOW & CO . MUSIC SMITHS , BRASS WORKERS , & C 13 and 14 Portland Street , Soho , London , W . DESCRIPTIVE CIRCULARS FREE .

Ar00704

The Bevised Book of Constitutions : Critically Considered and Compared with tho Old Edition . London : Simpkin , Marshall & Co . 4 Stationers' Kail Court , B . C . Sent on reeeipt of stamps , One Shilling , by W W . Morgan , Freemas' ns ' Chronicle Office , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pentenville .

Ar00705

£ 20 . — T OBACCONISTS COUJIMCTNG . —An illustrated guide (! lo jinccs ) , Hew to Open Respectably Trim £ 20 to . eiOOO . " 3 S ' firrps . II . Mv ; -rs A ( . ' o ., Cigar and Tobacci Merchants , 103 Eu & ton Koad , London . ' . Vholtsale ci . ly . Telsphone No . 17511 .