Watchfulness.

WATCHFULNESS .

EROiVI our earliest association with the Craft we are exhorted to be watchful . Watchful over our own conduct , and ever careful to foster and promulgate the welfare and happiness of the human race . In hearing this charge in mind we should , however , remember it is not expected that we are to sacrifice the comfort and independence of those with whom our family relationship is of the closest character , or that we should overlook the more imperative calls of those nearest and dearest to us . Our care for those outside our immediate circle should not be allowed to take precedence of , but should be subservient to ,

our natural calls . We often hear such remarks as , " Brother A . is a splendid fellow ; one of the most zealous workers in the cause of charity . Get him to promise to assist you and your case is assured . " This may be so , but does Bro . A . always exercise that watchfulness that has been so pertinaciously impressed upon him , and is he equal to the strain—if we may use such a term—that such a reputation too frequently compels him to undergo ? We fear not ; in too many cases the excess of zeal that has secured

for the possessor of such a reputation his high position , exhausts itself and leaves but a string of mental regrets and a bitter train of disappointments . In entering upon a Masonic career we strongly advise all our young friends to study the somewhat contradictory aphorism , " make haste slowly . " Make haste , by all means , but let watchfulness regulate your speed . When you have settled upon a pathway , look for a foothold that will enable you to advance , and when you have reached any given stage of your iournev let there be no repinings as to opportunities

lost or time unnecessarily wasted . We have often heard it said that such and such a brother was initiated only twelve months back , and he is capable of working the Fifteen Sections and rehearsing the whole of the Craft ceremonies . This intelligeuce has not at all times afforded us the gratification that he who made it desired to convey . When the " prodigy" thus referred to has been personally known to us the thought has naturally intruded itself , at what sacrifice has he achieved all this ? Has it been at the expense of his business , which in

too many of such cases will be found to have been seriously affected , or has he been neglecting the more pressing claims of those nearest and dearest to him ? In far too many cases we have reluctantly had to arrive at the conclusion , —Yes , in both cases . Another important stage of a young Mason ' s career wherein watchfulness should be exercised is , when the consideration as to how far and how soon shall he seek advancement demands his attention . With some there is but one aspiration ; it is this , that they shall pass through the several degrees at the earliest possible opportunity . To us the fact that a brother has joined the Boyal Arch , has been advanced in the

Watchfulness.

Mark Degree , and is expecting still further to push forward to the higher grades , is not in all cases a recommendation . We want to know to what extent he has profited by his connection . Has he fully mastered the details of the preliminary stages , and has he proved his worthiness and capacity for the higher position he aims at ? Does his social status warrant the cost that must necessarily follow , an outlay that in far too many cases was never anticipated by him when he took his first step in a Masonic Lodge ? At this period of a student ' s career we would most emphatically exhort him to be watchful .

Our more advanced members , also , may bear the precept in mind , with advantage both to themselves and to the Lodges with which they are associated . When a Lodge has a careful Treasurer and an energetic Secretary , backed by a competent Worshipful Master , it will invariably be found that both income and expenditure are carefully looked after .

In far too many cases where heavy arrears on the subscription account appear in the balance sheet it will be found that a laxity has been displayed by the officials to whom more especially the responsibility has been entrusted for these items . Where the Officers are in " touch " with the members , and carry out their work in a conscientious spirit it can have but one result , —that of imparting happiness to all with whom they may be surrounded in their Masonic relationships .

Freemasonry's Fruitage.

FREEMASONRY'S FRUITAGE .

Freemasonry's Great Age , Teachings and Influence for Good . From Out this Temple Gomes the Perfect Man . Freemasonry '' s Disinterested Spirit and Purpose is building to the Future . An Oration by A Ibert G . Brice , at the Dedication of the new Masonic Temple in New Orleans , Louisiana , 2 J ) ih Jidy 1892 .

( Continued from page 324 . ) THE next important building was the ark . To construct such a vessel knowledge was required in ship-building and n : ival architecture . Was it the

work aud invention of a single » hip-bnilder , or the combined knowledge of many masters ? Was it the knowledge of an art obtained in a single generation and by one mind , or the result of the experiences of many '? Were

iron and brass employed ? It is said tbe Lord gave to Noah the form of it ; did the Lord directly superintend and instruct the workmen , or were they already skilled iu

boatbuilding , in caulking and pitching vessels r Are we to assume it was a special work of Deity ? I put the interrogations—you will answer as your minds may suggest .

One other example of buildings in stone constructed since the flood is noteworthy . They are monuments of a remote ago , standing , many of tbem , to-day iu ail iheii- fiuthucca