The Genuine Bright Mason.

THE GENUINE BRIGHT MASON .

WE have come to regard a bright Mason as one who excels in ritualistic perfection . A knowledge of the lectures and charges seems to be sufficient to give one Masonic standing and to confer upon him the diploma of graduation . The ritual is the least part of the institution of Masonry . It is essential to give expression to the principal thought of the Fraternity , but it

is not the " sine qua non . " A bright Mason is one who not only knows the ritual , but is versed in the law , landmarks , history and philosophy of Masonry . To this end he must read aud study Masonic books . He must attend the meetings of his Lodge and

mingle with intellectual Masons . He should subscribe for a Masonic paper . It will bring to him much light and information . Thus will he become a bright Mason in the true sense of tbe word . — " Keystone . "

A Grand Future For Masonry.

A GRAND FUTURE FOR MASONRY .

WB regard the future of Masonry with greater interest than the past , though yielding to none our pride of Masonry ' s history . There never was a year in all its past history when Masonry stood higher , meant more or was truer to its mission than the present , and yet we foresee that the future has greater triumphs in store . Never before was so much able talent

consecrated energy and wealth of resources enlisted m its service . As it shows the disposition and acquires the experience and reputation for the wise dispensation of charity , the means will surely be provided to carry on its work . Some charge Masonry with being little more than an expansion of selfishness ; that our

charities are confined to our own membership . While there may be some colour of truth for this charge , it is still a general truth thafc charity expands the heart and overflows towards all with whom we come in contact . Charity under any name and form is

a spark from the heavenly altar , a lineament of the divine image in which we were created . Masonry in its great mission of bringing peace on earth and goodwill among men of every race and country is sure of God ' s blessing , and will be in at the clowning victory . —Cornelius Hedges , Montana , in " American Tyler . "

Fraternal Sympathy.

FRATERNAL SYMPATHY .

~^ T O matter aggressive self-reliant , nor how modest or _ l _ ^ j " self-deprecatory the individual , there ia no one who does nofc afc some time feel the need of human sympathy . The need arises quite as easily from success achieved as from the humiliation of failure . Has one had honours heaped upon him ? He longs for the congratulatory hand-shake of a friend . Has victory

crowned bis efforts ? The personal applause of the few weighs heavier with him than the ringing plaudits of tbe unknown throng . On the other hand , is one bowed down wifch sorrow ? The

silent touch of a friendly hand will yield a balm of consolation . Has defeat instead of victory been his portion ? The comforting word from a friendly lip will go far toward allaying the sting of suffering .

" In the world ' s broad field of battle " the free-born soldier of mature years , however sound and hale , knows that he must win or lose the struggle according as he waxes strong in the fight or fails in skill or courage . As he looks over the

ground he realises that each is fighting as best he may . Each is the arbiter of his own fortunes . The world as a whole is indifferent as to fche fate of each . It gives its applause to the victor and turns its thumb on the fallen .

What a stupendous struggle it is ! And must it be fought alone ? Aye ! we prevail or fall as the wands of the Valkyries pass over or touch us . Where shall we turn for sympathy ? Eeligion has its

consolations , but they too are for the individual . The church enfolds its worshippers , bufc they are taught to pray to their Eather in secret . The home affords its shelter , but those of its household , however warmed by love , are too few and too feeble , and can only rejoice wifch those that are glad aud weep with those that mourn .

Eesponsive to the world's needs , Freemasonry affords to those of good report an asylum , whicb must be sought , it is true , but , being found , shelters all those who diligently seek to profit

unselfishly by their entrance therein . He who carries his selfishness with him into the sacred precinct of the temple carries thafc which defiles him and profanes the solemn vows which he voluntarily assumes .

Who is there that has listened responsively to the beautiful and impressive teachings of fche several degrees in Freemasonry , but has felt their power for good ? Included in that fraternal chain , hand touching hand , lips voting in unison those blessed

Fraternal Sympathy.

compacts of fraternal service , can it be that there are those who do not intend to be bound thereby ? True , there are some who have knocked and the doors have been opened unto them , but they have entered still garmented with selfishness . Love is nofc in fcheir hearts . They will profit if possible by another's labour , taking pay that they had nob earned .

Would ifc were possible fco bar the door against any such , for then when our arms in loving contact rest upon a Brother ' s shoulder we could feel the thrill of a mutual love and know thafc fche hunger of our heart for an unselfish sympathy need not go unappeased . —" Keystone . "

The Meaning Of The Work.

THE MEANING OF THE WORK .

SOME Masters of Lodges appear fco thmk that the " whole duty of man , " from & Masonic standpoint , consists in doing fche " work " " correctly . " If fchey dot all their i ' s and cross all their fc ' s , in their estimation nothing more remains to be done . We are quite ready fco agree with them that this is of the " first " importance , but after all this is only the foundation of

Freemasonry , upon which fche superstructure remains to be erected . Ifc is the " Alpha , " but nofc the " Omega . " Ifc is the exordium , bufc not the peroration . It is the Entered Apprentice ' s , bufc nofc

the Master Masou s degree . Freemasonry is a progressive science . The work necessarily comes first , but it is far from being all of Freemasonry . It is the outer court of the Temple , while within is the " sanctum sanctorum . " Let us seek to enter in .

We will suppose all the i ' s dotted and all the t s crossed , the work so perfect that no ¦ " Grand Critic " can find a flaw in it . So far , so good . But did'the Grand Architect of the Universe , when He created this resplendent universe of ours , cease labour when ifc was announced that " the evening and the morning were the

first day ? " True , He had already majestically said , " Let there be light , " bufc afterwards He created " more light , " when He set the sun , moon and stars in the firmament of heaven . Let us

follow , although it necessarily be at so great a distance , the example of our Supreme Grand Master , and before we pronounce , in the realm of Masonry , every thing " very good , " see to it that we have created more than correct work .

The work is the shell , and " within " it is the oyster . The work is the egg , bufc the bird is as yet unproduced . The work is the first day of the week , bub we await the hallowed seventh day . The root , the pith , the marrow of the work is its meaning . What a wilderness of mystery here awaits tbe unenlightened

mind ! Anyone with a memory can acquire the words , and then have only " words , words , nothing but words . " The ideas resident in the words are to him who never has studied their meaning as closely shut in as a prisoner is in his cell . Masonic work , to some Brethren , is a sort of Eastern Penitentiary ,

stately enough on the outside , but they have no " pass' to enter its gates . Do you ask what may be learned " therein ? " Where may one not learn ? There is a science connected with Penitentiaries , the science of penology . Few are adepts in it , but nevertheless it is a science , and worthy of the study of tbe

brightest and best minds . But Masons have their penitentiaries —the Work , wherein words enclose ideas as with granite walls , and prison bars , and armed guards . We propose to issue " passes " to these penitentiaries . On these passes is written , " Think and you may pass in . Study and you may enter where you will . "

The Master , the Freemason , who knows only the words of the work , and has not penetrated the full meaning of those words , is after all but an Entered Apprentice Mason . He has " almost " everything fco learn , and certainly the highest things . He has nofc taken his third degree .

Do you enquire how you shall be raised to the sublimity of understanding what you say ? Ponder the words . Get your Webster or Worcester and ascertain their exact meaning . It is the English language that you use , and it is not dead . Having ascertained the dictionary meaning of what you say , then by

judicious reading of the best class of Masonic books and approved serials , diligent attendance afc Lodge and inquiry of the most thoughtful Freemasons , arrive at the full Craft meaning of the mystic language you employ . Thus shall you attain unto the stature of full-grown Masons , masters of the complete art and

mystery , and able to give a reason for everything you say , from A , to Z . in the work . One who has not indulged in this labour of love has no idea of the pleasure incident to ifc . There is a laudable pride of knowledge , and he who possesses it will not only enjoy it

himself , but willingly impart it to others . We should be light dispensers as well as light bearers . To be a teacher is nofc only to occupy an honoured place in the ranks of Masonry , bub to doubly enjoy one ' s acquirements by imparting them to others .

Freemasonry owes its great age and its signal prosperity to the fact that it has always included iu its ranks students , who have preserved not merely the form , but the substance of the Craft . We boast , and boast truly , thafc we possess Landmarks ,