Masonic Morals.

MASONIC MORALS .

Extract from the address of M . W . Bro . John G . Earri * , Grand Master of Masons in Alabama , delivered before the Grand Lodge of that Jurisdictian , at the Annuul Session , held 6 th December 1886 .

BEFORE concluding this address I beg leave to call to your attention , painful though it may be to me , what I conceive to be flagrant violations of our rules , regulations and principles .

It is charged that some Subordinate Lodges within this Jurisdiction retain members who profane the name of Deity , and who blaspheme the name of that God in whom we are taught in the most solemn manner to " put our trust . "

The Lodge that tolerates such conduct is at variance with the very fundamental principles and doctrines of the Order . No Mason who properly regards his Masonic character will

ao far forget himself as to speak lightly of that Divine Being of whom we are reminded when within the walls of a Masonic hall . Profanity is wrong in any man , but in a

Mason it is a crime . George Washington , first President of these United States , and for many years Worshipful Master of a Masonic Lodge in Virginia , while commanding the army

of the Revolution , observing that profanity was prevalent among the troops , on the 3 rd day of August 1776 , issued an order in reference thereto , in which he said : " It is a vice so mean and low , without any temptation , that every

man of sense and character detested and despised it . Where is the Mason who has so far forgotten his allegiance to his Creator , his Benefactor , and his first entrance into a Lodge , as to hurl into the face of the Almighty

blasphemous oaths and epithets ? What has become of his dignity , his manhood , his nobility , his plighted faith ? Has he expunged from that Book , the Holy Writings , that constantly lies upon the alter of the Lodge room , the

command that was issued amid the thundering of Sinai : " Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain " ? Truth needs no compound oath to make it more

true . Pure and chaste language elevates and refines ; it gives dignity to manhood , and tone to character ; without it , the Masonic life is a fraud , and Masonic character a deception .

There is another vice to some extent prevalent , and I would be recreant to duty , were I not to raise my voice against it , and warn the brethren of its consequences . Whilst we are satisfied this monstrous evil is on the

decrease , yet it is still amongst us . I allude to intemperauce or drunkennesss . It is a vice that carries with it wreck and ruin—rnin socially , ruin morallv , ruin intellectually , ruin financially , and therefore ruin Masonically .

' Oh ! that men should put an enemy into their mouths to steal away their brains ; that we should with joy , gaiety , revel and applause transform ourselves into beasts , when every inordinate cup is unblest and every ingredient is a

devil ! " Strike from a man his good reputation , and he is shorn of his strength . Drunkenness dwarfs manhood , dethrones reason , destroys character , while our obligations do ootprouibvfe the moderate , 'temperate use of ardent spirits ,

yet they do prohibit most stringently the excessive use of every intoxicating drink . Whatever our individual " views and opinions may be in reference to the

use of intoxicating beverages , Masonry restricts only t < o the temperate use of them . Drunkenness is in direct and unequivocal violation of our precepts and tenets . No drunkard , therefore , should be retained as a

member of any Lodge . I do not believe it would be usurpation of authority for the Grand Master to arrest Mie charter of any Lodge that tolerates profanity or drunkenness amonp- its members .

Brethren , we cannot be too cautious , too circumspect , ^ e cannot raise the standard of Masonry too high , morally , tier code of morals , emanating from a Divinu source and corning down through tho ages unimpaired , should be

I ? uthrull y observed and rigidly enforced . Her members s'ioulcl be men of spotless reputation . It is not wealth , n or station , nor honour , nor learning that constitutes tho model Mason , but character uuimpeached and mi impeachable . The humblest citizen is on a level with the

hii'heisl-Representative of the nation . Hence our Order knows no distinction among the just and the upright . Let ns iaeri > as a brotherhood , strive to reform every vice , ' - purify every corruption found among our embers — in love , warning , in justice , reproving

Masonic Morals.

— holding on as long as self-respect and allegiance to trust will allow , to the wayward and refractory , and when patience and long-suffering are exhausted , and

the last fraternal effort is made to reclaim and has proven futile , then be just and fear not , appl ying the rule of discipline according to the Constitution , laws and edicts of the Order . —Freemasons ' Repository .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

G-aiety . —We may well commend Mrs . James Brown Potter ' s courage as she rings up the curtain once more , and this time to give us a blank verse tragedy , with the cap of cold poison of the fourth act turned into a sleeping draught , aud the hero and heroine made happy ever after . The verse is at its best when it suggests some of

our favourite Shakspean ' au quotations . The Btory of the romantio young prince , who loves the lowly maiden and secretly weds her ; the ambitious old king his father , who would insist on a royal alliance j the wicked Gonzales , counsellor aud favourite of the kins ? , who would supplant Prince Pedro , and offers his bride the alternative of death

or the renunciation of her bridegroom ; these personages are coo . ventional enough , thongh the caustic intensity of Mr . Willard , as Gonzales , gave individuality and substance to what else would have been unreal enough . Mr . Kyrle Bellow looked an ideal prince , charming ; he rose to passionate sincerity , saving the play at several critical moments , when the verdict seemed likely to mean swift

condemnation . To Mr . E . S . Willard also was due the thanks of authoress and management ,- all adverse voices were hushed when he held the stage . Mrs . Brown Potter , as Inez , in one or two passages was really powerful , and grasped the reality of tragic passion , but she is strangely unequal ; sinking ever now and again into almost

grotesque triviality of gesture and intonation . She is evidently intelligent , but as yet has but a very intermittent command of her powers , especially she need overcome those ungraceful noddings of her head , and a tendency to almost constant restlessness . The scenery is somewhat too brilliant in colour for the baokgronnd of

effective stage pictures . The dresses are tasteful , especially those worn by Mr . Kyrle Bellew j these are exquisite studies of colonr . Mr . Mark Kingborne deserves an especial word of praise for his earnest rendering of a small part , that of a cowed and injured

retainer—a kind of King John Hubert . The rest of the company scarcely call for remark . On the first night , when the curtain fell there were loud aud persisteut calls for the authoress , Ross Neil , but with wise discretion that lady decided not to appear .

Criterion . —The revival on Saturday last of the late Mr . H . J . Byron's most popular comedy , " Oar Boys , " was well received at the above theatre by an appreciative audience . The piece went with considerable spirit , and caused quite as hearty laughter aa heretofore , although the lines are slightly altered—just to keep

pace with the times . Mr . David James sustains his reputation in the part ho has created , ferkyn Middlewick . He develops his old quaintuess , and was most warmly recoivod by the audience . Mr . George Gidciins , as Talbot Champnoya , played in his nsual light manner , aud was deservedly complimented . Miss E . Vining , as

Belinda , although not approaching Mias Cicely Richards , the original representative of this character , acquitted herself well . Mr . Sidney Brongh deserves considerable praise for tho way lie impersonates Charles Middlewick . Mr . Brandon Thomas , us Sir Geoffrey

Champneys , fails to make the most of the part . Miss May Scarlett is a good Violet Melrose , while Miss Rose Sakor , as Mary , displayed much spirit and vivacity . The piece is well mounted and doubtless will adequately fulfil its purpose .

Ad00702

INSTALLATION OF H . R . H . THE PRIME OF WALES , As the M . W . G . M . of England , AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL 28 th APRIL 1875 COPIES of this BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVING by Brother HARTY P . M ., consisting of A' -tist ' s Proofs . Proofs before Letters , aul Lettered Proof ' s , India Prints , anil Plain Prints may be had at i . ' ost Privoby applying to Bro . W . R . NORRIS , ay Southampton Buildings , W . C , London .

Ad00704

BRO,GcS.GRAHAM, The Popular Tenor and Buffo Vocalist , from St . James ' s Hal ] , Crystal Palace , & c . ( Provincial Grand Organist Middlesex ) IS OPEN * TO ACCEPT ENGAGEMENTS FOR Concerts , ( Sntottammcnfs ft | gasanic |) anqucis . Bro . G . S . Graham ' s Party of Eminent Artists can be engaged for Masonic Bnminets , Consecrations arid Installations , & c . For Opinions of the Press and Terms , address—G . S . GRAHAM , Tfazeldcan , Cornford Grove , TSalham , SuiTcy .

Ad00703

DANCING . —To Tho- 'o Who U-.-vo Never Learnt to Dance . —Bro . and Mrs . . fACQUKS Wl'NMANh receive daily , and undertake to teach 1-ulies a ( 1 jroriUcmeii , wiio have never ml the slightest previous knowledge or instruction , to KO through every fashionable ball-dance in a . few easy lessons . Private lessons any hour . Morning and evening classes . ACADEMY—74 NEWM . AN STREET , OXFORD STREET . Bno . JACQUES Wrmtur WICL m < ir . vpnr TO TAKE TUB . UASAor . icr . rr OF MASO . YIC ItlGLS . PlBST-Cf . ASS BAJT / W PfiovrpKn . PaoaPBdUri o . v APPLICATION .