To This You Are Called.

frescoed walls , its superb organ and the sacred symbols that enrich its arches and ceilings , and windows of stained glass admitting a softened light . In its adornment it looks within like an illuminated antechamber of " that house not made with hands ; " a place of repose for the weary pilgrim , where he may

rest after his toil and travel , and fall asleep in its softened twilight , to awake at the dawn of the morning which shall herald an immortal day . Enter into this temple and these things cannot help but impress you with a feeling of solemnity and devotion . So it is with the appreciative Mason wherever he goes and whatever environments surround him .

The old prophet drew an impressive lesson on that starry night when his eye was lifted up to the glowing heavens , and surveying their vastness and sublimity , he exclaimed devoutly : " When I look up into the heavens , the work of thy fingers , the moon and stars which thou hast ordained , what is man that thou art mindful of him , or the son of man that thou visitest him : "

he thought it not beneath him to take a lesson from the stars , and contemplate reverently the bending heavens . And following the thought herein suggested , with the symbol of faith and trust that is within the breast of every good Mason , I would recommend , Brethren , that you all turn your eyes and thoughts to the symbols and silent monitors of the Lodge room .

I would not supersede the oral teachings ( of wisdom and goodness ) by a system of instruction entirely different , or symbolic , but I would have the lesser instrumentality aid the greater , instead of crowding it entirely out of the pale of usefulness . With a faith well founded in the strength of Him

who is known in the volume of the sacred law , and recognized in Masonry as " The Lion of the tribe of Judah , " I would welcome every possible aid in the great work , and avail myself of every instrumentality that promised usefulness to men . If allegory will help , then give them more allegory . If symbols give force and edge and perpetuity to moral precept , then subsidize symbols .

Recognizing the human family as one , and God the father of all , I would bring them together in an universal brotherhood ; and I would use symbolism , if need be , not only as a co-ordinate but as a co-operative means to make men wiser , happier and bettermore obedient to the laws of God—more kind and considerate to their fellow man .

Thus we build a temple of . Masonry . We are all builders , building silently into each other , for we are the temples . " Our to-days and yesterdays Are the blocks with which we build . "

We are building for to-day , to-morrow and for eternity . The foundation of our building is more durable than the pyramids , for its corner stone is eternal truth . It is constructed of principles and duties involving the relation of man to man , and

of man to his maker . Human laws may be changed , amended or repealed , but the laws by which Masonry endures can never be abrogated , for they are inherent in the necessities of society , as they relate to man in the twofold aspect of designer of earth and heir of immortality .

Our institutions are built up of duties and purposes connected with the common welfare , and involving the highest interest of humanity . The ambition and genius of man has built up empires and established thrones and erected monuments ; but they have perished , as all of human wrong and vanity must perish . You ,

my brethren , if you will follow our precepts , are the builders of a building that shall endure after all the vagaries and vanities of life shall be strewn as wrecks on a thousand shores . Its foundation is the great central truth of the universe . It is indicative of charity . Faith and hope are passing and perishable ,

but charity endureth for ever ; our institution and its elaborate architecture is outlined by symbols , and ornamented with " deeds of charity and pure beneficence ; " its towers and spires are the solid hopes and noble aspirations , brought forth from such Godlike achievements .

Finally , my Brethren , " the thrones of tyrants will crumble into ruin ; the old temples and structures of the ancient world will at last sink beneath the march of ages , " but this structure of ours , built up of pure lives and noble deeds , cemented by Brotherly love , illuminated by truth and crowned by charity , must endure until the necessity for it shall cease—a monument revered by man and approved of heaven

My Brethren , we are all called to be true men , useful men , good men . We are enjoined to noble efforts in behalf of humanity , to glorious achievements in the elevation of ourselves and others in everything that can ennoble our common nature . There is beyond the toils and contingencies of the present life a destiny for us high as heaven , as prolonged as eternity ; and both nature

and revelation with their thousand tongues bid us achieve it . From the solitudes of the mountain , and the deep undertones of the ocean , from the heavens that bend above us , and the flowers that bloom beneath us ; from the solemn warnings and the precious promises of the Book upon our altar , and from the still small voice which utters its whispered monitions in our hearts , we are called to win a glorious hereafter . — " Voice of Masonry . "

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

"We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHBONICLE . DEAR SIB AND BBOTHEB , —I have read with much pleasure and appreciation your altogether admirable article on Lodges of Instruction , in your issue of the 11 th inst ., which has just been brought under my notice . I am of opinion that the Masonic Press devote too little space to these Lodges , and too little recognition of the services rendered by the Preceptors .

If Grand Lodge knew more of the really good work contributed ungrudingly by the Preceptors of the Lodges the Grand Master might be persuaded to recognise their ability and the time placed at the disposal of the Craft ; but it would appear that preference is given to the persons of rank and influence among us , rather than to those who instruct the thousands who range under the Banner of Freemasonry .

Yours fraternally , PBECEPTOR . London , 20 th September 1897 .

To the Editor of the FEEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAB SIB AND BBOTHEB , —On behalf of the numerous Lodges of Instruction in the metropolis I think the least we can do is to thank you for your article on this subject in this week ' s CHRONICLE . YOU have often reported our meetings , and have thereby been the means of increasing our numbers , and consequently of extending the benefits of Freemasonry among

the Craft . Of course we are aware that a Masonic Journal with its limited clientele cannot flourish unless it is supported by the Brethren , and it is therefore with much pleasure that I forward you the names and subscriptions in advance of six other members , and we wish that every Lodge of Instruction in the country would do likewise . I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully , P . J . S . SEGBETABT .

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