This Distinguishes Freemasonry.

Bcctarian , with isolated aims and a limited mission—mere benevolent societies , without old landmarks , and without any esotery developing sublime truths effecting man ' s destiny beyond the grave , and linking him to the spiritworld and eternal things . '

'Keep out of view , cease to inculcate , or erase all thought and fear of God from any community , and virtue , duty , and principle would he mocked and spurned-as unmeaning words . A sordid self-interest would supplant every feeling , and man would become , in fact , what the

theory of atheism declares him to be , a companion ior brutes . " It is superfluous to add , that disinterestedness is i chief Masonic as well as Christian virtue—a virtue taught in different ways , and under different phases , in almost every degree and order of the Freomasonie Institution .

Indeed , " there is no institution in which benevolence so pure and philanthropy s-o disinterested are taught , in obedience to the command of God , nor where , but in tho Gospel , tho social and moral duties are enforced with such awful sanctions as in the Lodges of the brotherhood . " — Voice of MasVnri j .

Thoughts On Masonry.

THOUGHTS ON MASONRY .

HpHE great code of moral teaching which i . s embraced in JL Masonry affords an inexhaustible fund of subjects which open to the mind of the Mason a fi-niil ' ul . source of meditation and study . Its themes arc ever new , and their study profitable . Since the rise * of the . Masonic Institution how many human institutions have risen and fallen ; but

our Order still survives and finds able supporters among tho great and good of all nations . No wonder it has survived , and will continue to survive . Ifc i . s founded on Divine truth . The elements of its foundation arc emanations from God , and are as eternal in their nature as is tho Grand Architect in His existence . The forms and

ceremonies , in course of time , may change , but its principles can never change . It is one and indivisible ; its unity is a peculiar characteristic . It recognises the same principles and the same ends , and speaks tho samo language in every part of the civilised world , aud even among the uncivilised it has found entrance . Ifc i . s a beautiful and harmonious

system , and from its very nature admits no change . The usefulness of Masonry cannot be disputed or contradicted ; it has left its impress on every age raid in every nation . To soothe the distressed , to dry the tears of the mourners , to raise tho fallen , comfort thc sick and --ffliefced ,

to aid the widow , and to administer to the necessities of tho fatherless , to cheer the dying , and to perform the last rites for the dead , are too common to be denied . The blessings of many a widow and many an orphan ' s prayer havo ascended to thc throne of Heaven for its spread and

perpetuity . With the scantily of such prayers for its support , it is impossible thab its usefulness cm ever be paralysed . Many have doubted its utility because of its secrecy ; the diamond i . s concealed in tho earth and is it less valuable on that account ? Tho precious metals are

embedded in tho rough ore and have to bo extracted , but are they less valuable on that account ? Why not doubt the utility of astronomy , geo ] ogy , or any of the kindred sciences , because they contain mysteries which remain undeveloped ? There is one thing about it , —it is as

indestructible as fche foundations of the earth , or as God and Truth . ^ Wars , devastations , political strifes , ancl thc opposition of the ignorant , cannot overthrow it , or shake its organisation ; it bears a charmed life , and will stand unmoved , amid all the opposition which can bo brought

against ifc . Until truth can be dethroned , until moral teaching can mako vice virtue , or light darkness , its principles will stand immovable and secure , guarded by the all-powerful arm of Him who protects truth and virtue ; and it will continue to receive the devotion of all

who believe in tho importance of truth nnd its divine origin . The good Mason will continue to visit the widow and the fatherless in their affliction , and to keep himself unspotted from the world . Princi ples like these can never die .

Let us then fearlessl y do our duty , and if wc perform it our march is onward and upward whatever the orejudices rostereel by tho enemies of our Order may bring ' forth . ! " , f ? bonrs « houkl be . directed lo strengthening as well as "lormngonr benntifui Temp ! ,. , erected by onr mcleeessors , " »« may ti . o trust committed to our bauds be fulfilled in

Thoughts On Masonry.

the fear of Him , without whoso approbation our efforts are vain and fruitless . Only let us all practice out of the Lodge thoso duties we are taught in the Lodge , and by our amiable , discreet and virtuous conduct , convince mankind

of the influence of the Masonic Institution , so thafc when any one is said to be a Mason , the world may know that ho is ono to whom the burdened heart may poor its sorrows , and distress prefer its suit , whose hand is guided by justice , aud whoso heart is expanded by benevolence .

Some object to our Institution because , they say , the times havo changed . They do not condemn Freemasonry , but say that whatever uses such an Institution may have served in former times , the present has so changed as no loii"er to require its service ? . They do nob deny thafc it

litis been of service to mankind , but that it has simply outgrown its usefulness . Let us examine this argument . Havo the times so chauged as to be able to do away with tho lessons of Masonry ? Haa man so altered as to have no further use for tho

transmission of its teachings ? Heroin lies tho refutation of the assertion . Man has not changed ; human nature is still the same in ita practice , it is as prone as ever to ignore tbe doctrine of Masonry—the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man ; they still need reminding , and

constantly , of theso facts . It is still necessary that somebody , or somo institution , should be devoted to the preservation aud enforcement of these doctrines , which otherwise would be overlooked . Here Masonry steps iu . It cannot be superseded ; its usefulness is as greafc to-day as in the past .

Masonry is a fraternity ; therein its mission to mankind dwell ? . Its lesson is , that whatever distinctions may exist in the outward community , in the Lodge they are nofc

recognised . There we meet upon tbe level , as members of oue common family , beyond and around us the waters may be troubled , but all within our ark is concord and harmony .

Tho brother we meet in the Lodge we recognise in the walks of life . The world is made better by the teachings of our Institution . Were it not for the leaven of fraternity in the world , humanity would perish from tho earth .

Ifc is very singular how opposed to our Institution aro the different sects calling themselves Christians . Pastors , popes and priests' arc constantly engaged in denouncing each other ' s doctrine , but united in their denunciation of Freemasonry . It is because its truths teach men to lovo

one another ; to let no differences of creed or opinion divide them ; to lean upon each other more than on tho clergy or priesthood . Now this is so contrary to their own teaching that they want to sweep Masonry from the earth . They confine their acts of charity to members of their own

church ; beyond this they cannot look . If the person is in want of aid and assistance who does nofc belong to fcheir church or particular sect , they pass by on the other side . But Freemasonry , like the good Samaritan , does not stop to ask the question , what creed do you profess ? It ia

enough for it to know that theindividual is in need of assistance , aud it is freely rendered . But their efforts to destroy the Institntion are as futile as old Dame Partington's when she essayed to sweep back old ocean ' s billows with her broom . It is clear that it is not that ifc teaches

any false doctrine , which does not coincide with theirs , bufc rather that it teaches the true one . This combination is composed of all the discordant elements which keep man kind in a constant turmoil against the great concord which would harmonise all mankind . These different sects are

constantly denouncing and excommunicating each other for ( as they state ) the falsity of their mutual faith , who are all propagators of false doctrines , if any one of them is to be believed , as against the others ; and therefore as Freemasonry strives to enforce its principles of brotherly love .

relief and truth , without regard to sect or creed , fchey wish to obliterate it from the face of the earth . Masonry ' s highest crime is , that without sanction of priests , popes or clergy , and without their assistance , it has dared to enter the field with its Heaven derived teachings , that whilo

sect ancl church may give countenance to detached bodies and individuals , she is towering hi gh above all a firmament of universal bcuevolence , like Heaven ' s blue arch encircling ancl embracing all . She recognises the claims of

common humanity over every sect or party , considering all as created b y the samo Great Creator , and , all equally under His care and protection , high and low , rich and pr . or , not inquiring whether lhey are Baptists , Methodists , Uni arians or Catholics . And the .-rO foolish peon ' e think