A Laudable Ambition.

doctrines and virtues which he inculcates -within its walls . He should be punctual and methodical in all things , and both by his character and conduct command the respect , the esteem , and goodwill of all men , for as the Master is supreme in his Lodge , and distinguished by his position in the Craft , so should he also be distinguished as the possessor of an irreproachable character ,

a . . dignified demeanour , an expanded intellect , and a liberal education . Happy and prosperous ' must those Lodges be which are governed by such men 1 Their time of meeting is looked forward to by the Brethren with pleasing anticipations . Prompt at the hour every Brother is at his station , and the work is carried on with pleasure and profit . The Worshipful Master

who presides over his Lodge with ability , firmness and decision ( for without force of character there can be no force of impression ) , whose manner is courteous yet dignified , whose decisions are consonant with reason and Masonic law , and who dispenses light and informatian among the Craft , will ever be regarded by his Brethren as one who is entitled to their highest respect and their most fraternal regard . — " Masonic Herald . "

The Cardinal Virtues.

THE CARDINAL VIRTUES .

EVEEY initiate in Masonry is taught that there are four cardinal virtues , which mark his character as a Mason , and that by these he is at all times ready to prove himself to those who are entitled to test his qualifications , and the claim he makes of being a member of the great Fraternity which has no limit on this earth , but forms a complete connecting chain all around the world . But how few are there who can even tell

the names of these four cardinal virtues , much less explain their attributes , or how they work on the character of the members of the Craft . We have met many who , having stated that they would stand the test , at once railed to do so on the application of the proof . When asked what they were , the answer had almost invariably been , " I was not posted on that . " Why not ?

No candidate has ever yet been initiated without being informed that these four virtues constituted a portion of his character , and it should be the duty of every Master to impress this fact upon the mind of the novitiate . It is of as much importance as the investiture of a new name , which is given with so much solemnity . A Mason who cannot prove himself by the tests he himself

offers , is virtually no Mason at all- ; for what is the value of Masonry unless the Brother can prove himself while travelling in foreign lands ? Where the Brother is well known the proof is rarely required ; but the advantage of Masonry is that its disciples can make themselves known where otherwise they are , and would be totally unknown . No matter what the language

of the country may be , or whether the traveller is conversant or not with the tongue of those . with whom he is brought into contact , Masonry will always furnish an interpreter . Some will say that these virtues are not essentials , but in this we differ . Everything in- Masonry , is an essential , especially when offered

as proof . There is not a step in Masonry that is not essential ; there is not a position that is not essential , else why are they so particularised ? Consequently , the perfect points of a Mason ' s character are very essential . No Master can afford to neglect the cardinal virtues , nor allow his disciples to be neglectful of them . Brethren , think of this!— " Masonic Scrap Book . "

The Freemason's Secret.

THE FREEMASON'S SECRET .

THE secret of Freemasonry is the record of a human life . The hopes and aspirations of youth , the struggles and triumphs of manhood , and the achievements and tragedies of age are all in the forms and ceremonies of a Masonic Eitual . To read the Institution aright one must needs see how hopes are realised , how ambitions are answered , how effort and trial and achievement build up what is known as character in the world , and what anticipations underlie the tragedy in which life ends . .

There is no secret more sacred than that embodied in the fact of life itself . It begins in ignorance and blindness and want . There must be the guiding hands of interested friends , the care and advice of those who had gone before , the assistance

and encouragement of the strong and the true . Well has it been said by one of old , " No man liveth to himself , and no man dieth to himself . " The bonds of mutual dependence encircle us everywhere , and even when we fancy ourselves to be able to stand alone , some unforeseen obstacle confronts us and we fall .

That one can say certain words and give certain signs is not Freemasonry , and its secret is something more than is found in the letter of its law . It will not be amiss , perhaps , to unfold its hidden meaning and tell t' .: e Craft , as well as those "who look on from the outside , what its deepest significance is . No obligation shall be violated and no trust betrayed in this recital , and it is left with the instructed to say how plain the written record stands . .

The Freemason's Secret.

When the mind of a child begins to assert itself , and the growing soul strives to comprehend its own existence , a desire arises that nothing but knowledge will satisfy . He begins to question the people and the things about him . He wants to know what is within the veil . He wishes to see beyond the closed door , and so he takes advantage of that ancient

admonition which reads , " Ask and ye shall receive , Seek and ye shall find , Knock and it shall be opened unto you . " But even then he does not obtain at once the blessing sought . There must be preparation , study , application . He must show himself to be in earnest . He is compelled to declare his manhood , to exhibit evidence of serious purpose and willing mind .

The same old questions are asked , and no one gains the highest advantages of living until answers are given , answers that satisfy the demands of that larger humanity of which he expects to form a part . And even after the answer is recorded , and the door of knowledge opens , the conviction fastens itself

upon the soul , that obedience to the higher law is essential ere the goal is to be won . Like " the point of a sharp instrument , " conscience admonishes one to " walk worthy the vocation wherewith he is called . " He cannot basely betray the teaching of truth and justice . He cannot be too unmindful of the duties he owes to himself and his associates .

As time goes on , and grander ideals open before him , he feels the power of something above and beyond him , and learns to accept the great truth of God . Life now takes hold upon something that transcends earthly and material things , and reveals a longing after that Divine companionship upon which the highest ideals rest . Man is human , but this is not all . He

lives on the earth and busies himself with the cares and responsibilities of physical existence , but there is something more . He labours with head , and hand , and heart , to meet the requirements that society , ambition -and desire place upon him , but he is not content with these . Man is divine as well as

human . He would know the joys of the kingdom of heaven as well as the compensations of earth . He craves communion with the Spirit , as well as the associations of the flesh , and the thought of God becomes a necessity . —Eev . T . E . St . John , in " Freemasons Eepository . " [ To be continued . ]

Ad00504

GAIETY RESTAURANT , STIoAlTID . LUNCHEONS ( HOT and COLD)—At Popular Prices , in BUFFET and EESTAUEANT ( on 1 st floor ) . Also Chops , Steaks , Joints , Entrees , & c , in the GEILL EOOM . AFTERNOON TEAConsisting of Tea or Coffee , Cut Bread and Butter , Jam , Cake , Pastry , ad lib , at 1 / - per head ; served from 4 till 6 in EESTAUEANT ( 1 st floor ) . DINNERS IN RESTAURANTFrom 5-30 till 9 at Fixed Prices ( 3 / 6 and 5 / - ) and a la Carte . In this room the Viennese Band performs from 6 till 8 . Smoking after 7 - 45 . AMERICAN BAR . THE GRILL ROOM is open till 12-30 . PRIVATE DINING K 00 MB FOE LARGE AND SMALL PARTIES . SPIERS AITD POND , Ltd ., Proprietors .