United Grand Lodge And Its Benefactions.

that of doing good by stealth , and carrying out the Divine axiom , "let . not the right hand know what the left hand doeth . " The very presence of the Most Worship fnl Grand Master and the masrnates of the Grand Lodge of

England on the occasion to which Bro . Holmes refers was a splendid demonstration of the interest manifested by the Craft in tlie ancient institution in whose defence he so eloquently spoke . It was the means of drawing together

a vast assemblage of men whose pride it is to join hands in promulgating the principles of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth ; and it is impossible that such a phalanx of Masonic strength could have been drawn from all parts of

the kingdom—even from Guernsey—without some tangible and substantial addition to the funds needed for carrying out that noble enterprise . It is for our brother , and many others who may think with him , to know that Masonic

sympathy and aid in such cases as that to which we allude must be the outcome of individual impulse , and not an overstraining of the functions of Grand Lodge . The executive of our Order have plenty to do with the

means that are p laced at their disposal for doing good within the scope of their design , and it would be most impolitic aud unwise were they to initiate any step which would open the way for an application of the funds vested

in them to any but the peculiarly legitimate objects for which that money is contributed . We tender these observations in all kindness and fraternal regard to our esteemed Bro . Holmes , but it was impossible to allow

such a statement as he recently introduced to his brethren in Guernsey to pass without saying one word in defence of that Institution which he must , with all Masons , equally love and admire—the Grand Lodge of England .

Freemasonry Is Principle Incarnate.

FREEMASONRY IS PRINCIPLE INCARNATE .

WHA . T is Freemasonry ? The answers to this question are various . Some will tell you it is the relic of the mysteries of the dead and gone heathenism of the old days of Egypt and Greece . To such as these all onr ceremonies are the survivals of the old Pagan rituals , and every

Masonic acknowledgment of God is a token of the lingering power of the old beliefs . To them our altars are altars of Baal , and all our work is a league with the " Prince of Darkness . " Fortunately , we are living in a

more enlightened age than that in which this was the prevalent opinion of Freemasonry . The progress of knowledge has dispelled some of the ignorance of the past , and we can rely on the good sense of the people as a whole

to laugh at such a statement of the meaning of the Masonic Order . There is another view of Masonry , however , which is more or less extensivel y believed and diligently circulated . This looks on Freemasonry as an unmeaning system of

degrees , which are of no real value , as they do not teach anything to the seeker after light and knowledge . This view regards Masonry as a farce , unworthy of the attention of earnest and thoughtful men in this busy age .

Undoubtedly , if we concieve of Masonry as a mere collection of rituals , then this view has ground . If there is nothing in the system which will make men not only wiser , but also better , than before they became initiates , then it is a farce which should be discountemanced by all .

But there are truer views of Freemasonry than either of these . Long ago , wise men , who had penetrated all the mysteries , called it " an art , useful and extensive , which comprehends within its circle every branch of human

knowledge and learning , and stamps an indelible mark of prominence on its genuine profession , which neither chance , power or fortune can bestow . " " It is an establishment founded with the benevolent intention of extending

and conferring mutual happiness upon the best and truest princi ples of moral life and social virtue . " "It is an institution based on that never-failing charity which upholds universal love , calms the troubled sea of our evil

passions , ancl leaves a smooth surface , on which all men , who are sincere and conscientious worshippers of God , and unexceptionable in moral deportment , may unite , bless each other , and rejoice in the sublime belief that

" Got ! hath made mankind one mighty brotherhood , Himself their Maker aud the world their Lodge . " The father of our country declared its object to be " the

Freemasonry Is Principle Incarnate.

happiness of the human race . " The old ritual calls it— a system of morality veiled in allegory and teaching by symbol . " There is no doubt it was intended to teach men a knowledge of God and conserve tho moral welfare of the

world . These views will give to us , at once , the clue to all its secrets and open for us all its mysteries . Thus we see one of the many noble agencies for fche civilization and enlightenment of mankind , and one with an importance

which commends it to the regard and affection of the seeker after truth . Certainly , an institution intended to make men happy must be something more than a sham , and must have a

misson to fulfil . If its princip les are those which are calculated to make men happier than they would be without them , the Order has the right to claim the consideration of all who are working for the amelioration of the woes of humanity .

For the thoughtful , the only safe judgment is the one which is based on actual observation and careful study—for Freemasonry , while it does not make an ostentatious parade of its work , still does nofc hide itself from the light of day ,

but works in every community , so that all have an opportunity to see whether ifc adds to the happiness of those who come within the sphere of its influence . In this matter , as well as in most other things which affect human welfare ,

the real test is that one which is founded on personal knowledge and experience . The world has the privilege of closel y scanning the life and works of a great multitude who are the exemplars of Masonic principles . If these are

living so as to command the respect and confidence of all who know them best , then their lives are an attestation of the worth of our Order ; for Masonry claims to be a power

in stimulatiug t __ . o practice of all the virtues which give moral tone to the social system . A man , to be true to Masonry , must be true to the best interests of fche com . munity in which he resides ; for

" He s trne to God who ' s trne to man , whenever wrong is done To the humblest and the wpakest , 'neath the all-beholding snn . That wrong is also done to ns ; and they are slaves most base , Whose love of right is for themselves and nofc for all their race . "

Masons , then , are under double bonds to live in the best possible way to show the influence and moral principles they profess . As citizens , they have an interest in the welfare of the community ; and as disciples of truth they

have vowed to do " good to mankind . " It is essential , therefore , that the Masonic character be fully formed and the Masonic principles mould the life of those who would reflect credit on the Order . Now , any system which

really lays hold upon the hearts of men , which deepens their sense of responsibilit y and obligation , and which elevates their moral natures , must depend largel y upon those universally acknowledged principles of right , which

lie at the base of every moral code . These must be a part of the life of the representatives of the system . Professions are good enough in their way , but an actual and positive

assimilation of the truth is worth a thousand professions . We read that— " Life itself is always broader than any science of life , " and we consequently onl y show our love of Masonry by permitting it to transform our lives .

Again—Masonry claims to take the candidates for its degrees , and by instruction , fit him to fill and adorn hi gh and noble station in the field of human endeavour . It

regards the minds of men as the rough ashlar , which , by the benign influence of knowledge and virtue , is to be polished and modelled into due form and shape . By the aid of the power of reason , which is given to all , the mind is

enabled to grasp the ideas of morality and is fitted to do work for humanity . Said Plutarch : " There is nothing by which a man approaches nearer the Divinity than by reason , especially when it is employed in matters of religion ;

wherefore it is that every one who intends to consult the oracle is strictly charged upon tbe spot , that he take care to have pious thoughts in his heart , and seemly and decent words in his mouth . " The first requisite , therefore , in the

candidate for Masonry is , a teachable spirit . Men become wise by receiving the truth . While our natural pride of intellect often is unwilling to acknowledge our need of instruction , and we do not take kindly to the suggestion

that we have much to learn , yet , afc the very threshold of Masonry , we are compelled to admit our ignorance . We emphasize the two aspects with which we are to view the

princi p les of Freemasonry . The first—its appeal to the reason ; its presentation of a system of thought and philosophy which is acceptable to the intelligence . The second—