The Mason's Oath.

ifc , Ifc is not binding when ifc is unlawful . The oath of those who bound themselves with a curse not to " eat or drink till they had killed Paul , " was an unlawful one . The men who took ifc were guilty of moral perjury and blasphemy . Tbey were nofc required by their oaths to commit murder , because they were under previous and stronger obligations to avoid such a crime .

When Herod " promised with an oath " to the daughter of Herodias " fco give her whatsoever she would ask , " he did nofc know that she would ask thafc which it would be unlawful for him to grant . Although the oath was profane and rash , yet the matter of the promise was not unlawful until the girl's wicked request made ifc so . If she had asked for anything which he could

lawfully have given her , he would have been bound by his oath to give it to her , but when she demanded " the head of John the Baptist on a charger , " the matter of the promise became unlawful and he was not bound to fulfil it . Herod added to the crime of swearing a rash oath , the further crime of so interpreting it as to lead him to commit the still greater crime of murder .

There is nothing in a Masonic obligation contrary to the law of God . If there was no Mason would be under any obligation to keep the oath . An anti-Masonic writer says : " If in the oaths that are said to be taken by the members of the Masonic and other secret societies , they swear to do things that are not forbidden by the laws of God or the commonwealth , they ought

conscientiously to fulfil their oaths ; bufc if , as has been alleged , these oaths involve a promise to do that which is or which may become unlawful , they are not binding in regard fco the unlawful matter . For example , a Mason ' s oath to help a Brother in distress can never bind him to violate his oath as a judge , a juror , or a witness , nor to do any other unlawful act in order to relieve his Brother . "

The duty of keeping an oath even to one ' s personal injury receives the sanction of the Great Light of Masonry . In Psalm xv . we read : " He that sweareth to his own hurt , and changeth not , shall abide in the tabernacle of the Lord . " This principle is illustrated by a number of historical incidents recorded in the Scriptures . Joshua made peace with the Gibeonites , " and made a league with them , and the princes of the congregation sware

unto them , " and kept the promise made , although it had been obtained throngh fraud and deception , and to the hurt of the people of Israel . We are assured that God approved of the conduct of Joshua and the princes ic keeping their oath , for He was displeased with Saul , when long afterward he injured the Gibeonites in violation of his treaty . An oath , lawful and proper , must be kept , even though it be to our own hurt .

The Mason ' s obligations are all lawful , and . are therefore binding upon every one who takes them . They should be observed in every point . The objection has been urged by those who oppose the Institution of Freemasonry , that the noviciate is

required to promise to keep secret what has not been revealed to him . This is absurdly ridiculous . If the thing to be sworn to were revealed to him before the oath was taken , it would be optional with him whether to assume it or not , and there would be little or no force in the vow . — " Masonie Standard . "

Masonry's Power And Use.

MASONRY'S POWER AND USE .

OUB Institution , while in harmony with the conditions of today , reaches back into achievements of the past and forward into fche possibilities of the future . Ifc was not created for any one age , but for all ages , and will always command the admiration of mankind .

You will remember the Jewish tradition that every morning little angels are born by the brook tbat gives life and vigour to the flowers of Paradise . They do not work ; their whole life is a song ; and when even comes they cease their song and disappear . Thus it has been with a large number of the

associations which have arisen and flourished for a time in the past . They had no abiding principles which would satisfy the aspirations and hopes of men ; nothing in their practice or theory which would open broad fields of usefulness ; no deep purpose to claim the interest of humanity ; no foundation upon which to erect a superstructure which would command the admiration and

support of the intelligent and learned mind , and unite men in the bonds of a common brotherhood ; and hence they fell into oblivion . Bufc it is not so with our Institution . It stands to-day stronger than ever , and looks back upon ages which are filled with monuments of its usefulness and power .

But , it may be asked , what gives it its power and usefulness ? What attracts King and subject , statesman and peasant , Jew and Gentile , to its portals ? What gives it its peculiar identity ? Not its so-called secrets , not its ceremonies , impressive though they be . There is uo importance , no mysterious importance , attached to them . They are iu no sense tbe foundation stone of our temple . Its great principles—universal and catholic as they areare not mysterious .

Masonry's Power And Use.

Every one knows what charity , truth , virtue , life and death are , and believes that his soul will live eternally . It is these great truths and realities which it is the mission of Masonry to teach , that lie afc the very foundation of our Institution , and give

it its peculiar identity . The inculcation of these principles by instructive lectures and impressive symbols has given Masonry its honourable position , made it universal in its brotherhood , boundless in its possibilities , and unrivalled by any human institution in its power for good .

Out of the wisdom and achievements of the past which tradition and history have transmitted to us , out of the past of humanity , it has come down to us , hand in hand , and keeping even pace with education and advancing civilisation , diffusing its influence and leaving its impress upon every age , and to-day

stands as a conservator of law , liberty , equality , fraternity , and the dignity and freedom of man ; and with the silent ministrations of the symbolism of the square and compass , the level and plumb , seeks to reprove injustice and oppression , and establish among men the principles of charity and brotherly love . —C . G . Hutchinson G . M . Massachusetts , in " Masonic Tidings . "

The " Toronto Sun " says : "Freemasonry is purely a voluntary association . A member in good standing and not in arrears for dues cannot be compelled to retain his membership in any particular Lodge against his own will . This is the law of Masonry everywhere . The candidate enters of his own free will , and so long as he complies with all the requirements and regulations of

the Order , though not relieved from the performance of his general duties , he is still a free man and can retire whenever ifc suits his sense of duty to himself , without giving any reason for his action . Freedom of conscience is held up before the mind of the candidate at every step he takes in Masonry . " The " Sun" attempts to shine on both sides of the shield . The candidate comes of his

own free will to seek the benefits of Masonry , which he can only obtain , however , on the surrender of his will . The statement by the " Sun " thafc " so long as he complies with all the requirements and regulations of the Order " is the point that sticks . He voluntary promises virtually to obey all laws , rules and regulations of the Lodge when he becomes a member of it . How then can he become a law unto himself ?

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