What Does It Portend?

Of course , if needed , these clandestine bodies would respond to any call or their endorsement of this Orient of Spain . It might be possible at this gathering at Antwerp , such endorsement would be presented to involve States in the United States in the movement . This would the more be likely because it wou'd be proclaimed as coming from Masons in America arid as indicating their unity with the proceedings of the international gathering , as it would then be called .

We are wholly in the dark as to this scheme ; we know nothing about it , except that there are letters now in some of the States inviting Masonic bodies to come to Antwerp in July . That there is mischief brewing needs no seer to see . It may ba possible that some association that claims to be Masonic , m i ght be delighted to go ,

unless it costs too much . To wear a badge , travel in Europe , walk in processions bsfore the wondering eyes of the people of Antwerp , and see the world , and visit clandestine societies calling themselves Masons , all this mig ht captivate and seduce some by the proposed or promised enjoyment , of " the fun of the thing . "

But no serious thinking man could be tempted by such a bait . No Mason , not one would degrade himself by such a proceeding . It is about time that the sober thinking Masons of the Grand Lodges of this country should try and investigate these ' Orients . " It is time they were shown to be in no sense Masonic , whatever else they are . The violation by them of every principle of Masonry has put them out of the pale of Masonic respect . What then does this Antwerp gathering portend ?—Keystone .

A Desirable Publicity.

A DESIRABLE PUBLICITY .

It is not as an unknown quantity that Freemasonry is represented in its organic life and expression . Its character , purposes , and benign ministries are made known by its laws and approved methods of procedure , over which no veil of secrecy is thrown . Any persons who have sufficient interest to make a careful examination of printed records , reports , forms , requirements , etc .. can satisfy themselves as to the character of the Masonic institution , both

as regards the system itself , in its most important features , and the manner in which it is applied and administered as a social and fraternal organisation . The secrets of Freemasonry are few . It is well that they are no more . It is quite sufficient that there should be the secret means of indentifying member of the Masonic Fraternity among themselves , and a sacred guarding of certain portions of the Masonic ceremonies , which would lose

something of their charm and impressiveness were they proclaimed upon the housetops or enacted in public . Beyond the lines thus indicated there is but little call to secrecy . Indeed , as already intimated , there is a desirable publicity for Freemasonry . Not that it should obtrude itself upon the public notice , or seem to compete with the multitude of societies and orders

which claim the attention of the community by frequent announcements in the secular press , and by somewhat wearisome accounts in the daily papers of meetings and work . There is no call for the Masonic organisation , thus to advertise itself . It will do better to follow the long-established practice of holding itself in reserve , not seeking to tell the public the full story of its benevolent ministries—its offerings to the sick and the poor .

But it may and should so declare itself as to make evident the ideas , principles , and purposes which have prevailing force in the shaping and applying of the Masonic system , together with a sufficient setting forth of what is being done and attempted under its direction , and by use of its influence and resources . These things should be known ; or , at least , they should be within the reach of all who care to examine Freemasonry as a

system and become acquainted with its fruitage . This is desirable publicity . It is because the character of Freemasonry is so well known by those outside the lines of the Fraternity—because its aims and purposes , so frequently affirmed , are understcod and approved by the general publicthat the occasional opposition to which our organisation is subjected fails to have much effect . In America and Great Britain every attempt that

is made to show that Freemasonry is an enemy of social order and good government , or an unworthy bond of alliance and protection is applied to its own members , falls ludicrously flat , because the public have enough information regarding the Fraternity to lead them to form a different conclusion . Sensible people in any English speaking community cannot be brought to believe that Masons meet together to plot against Church and State , or that

the " secrets " of the Fraternity pertain to any binding of the conscience or the will unlawfully . The people know that Freemasonry makes open avowal of its ptinciples and purposes , that in the face of such an avowal , and the grneral publicity given to the movements of this Institution , there can be no conspiracy against the government or the peace and good order of society . — Freemasons' Repository .

Conserving Power And Influence Of Freemasonry.

CONSERVING POWER AND INFLUENCE OF FREEMASONRY .

Great forces are silent ones . The most potent influences are not those that come attended by commotion and upheaval . Beneficent forces are silent ones . Destructive influences are not only awful in their results , but they commonly come heralded by trumpet tongues . How mighty the storm and the earthquake—how awful their work of ruin . Yet how much greater the silent forces of the sun , that unnoticed by the common mass , are constantly beating upon the earth , bringing blessing to all that breathe .

Destructive forces ate more speedy in their operations than constructive or conserving energies . The giant of the forest , the growth of centuries , is shattered in a moment by the lightning ' s stroke . Yet a greater force is manifested in the growth of the tree than in its destruction . So faiths and hopes that have slowly strengthened themselves in the soul may be shattered or swept away by a single storm of unbelief . Yet faith is mightier than unbelief .

Among the great conserving influences that have operated among men during past ages , Masonry has not been the least . But much of its work has been silent and unseen by the profane . The building of the Temple represents in beautiful symbolism the work of our Fraternity . Silently the structure rose . No sound of workman * s hammer was heard therefrom . _ In the caverns underneath the ciiy , the workmen wrought out the skilful

designs of the Master , ,-, nd then each stone was dressed and fitted for its appointed place . And to-day in those same caverns can be seen the chippings on the 11 ) or , the marks where the great stones were hewn from the living reek , the stw ke stains , the workmen ' s torches upon the walls , all tilling of the work of Solomon's builders .

The multitudes that thronged the rity in those golden days saw the structure rise in glorious beauty , but they knew not the marvellous cunning of him whose designs were daily drawn upon the trestleboard , nor did they see the work of those whose skill wrought out the Master ' s designs and shaped each stone for its place .

Conserving Power And Influence Of Freemasonry.

The dwellers in Jerusalem saw only the result—the pr > cesses by which tint result was achieved were hidden from their eyes . Yet had it not been for the designs of the master and the work in the darkness under the city , no temple would have risen to be the joy and pride of the people for so many

years . So many a splendid life stands forth conspicuous among mm , and the world looks on with admiring gaze , knowing noth- ' ng of the forces that shaped that glorious career . The world sees the result—we witness the process by which such results have b ; en wrought out . For many centuries Masonry has been a civilising , conserving . power .

Have you not noticed the prominence of Masons in deliberative bodies , in business enterprise , in social and religious affairs ? Is not this prominence largely the result of the discipline and training of the lodge ? Theq ulities which fit men to become leaders in all these enterprises are developed here in marked degree . What higher tribute could be paid our organising and conserving power than the fact that all secret organisations of higti and low degree have borrowed from us .

The great conserving influence of Masonry is seen also in the influence it exerts in softening the asperities of life . The heat of party conflicts , sectarian zeal , business rivalries , collisions over great moral and social questions , all tend to separate men and embitter them one against another . Such influences are disorganising and destructive to the peace of society . Masonry , as it binds men together in one common Brotherhood , softens these asperities and corrects in large measure these harmful tendencies .

Masonry teaches the Brotherhood of Man in a way that conserves society . The communistic spirit , so prevalent in these days , find no encouragement in our Fraternity . We teach the Brotherhood of Man , but not in that exaggerated way that weakens the bonds of authority and law . The Master of the lodge is no mere figure-head . He is clothed with authority , not personal to himself , but pertaining to his office ; and in this

regard for authority , so carefully and thoroughly taught m the lodge , we find at least a partial explanation of the fact that Masons are generally to be found on the side of law and order . When passion rages like a flood , when outbreaks against authority are frequent and alarming , Masons are among the first to rise with determined courage in support of authority and right . Every lodge is a protection to the community in which it is situated .

That Masonry has not only endured through the ages , but has also been a conserving power , is in part owing to its intrinsic nature . Because it is Masonry , it has stood firm . Our ancient brethren were not workers in wood , that fire could consume , or the tooth of time soon destroy , but out of the everenduring rock they wrought square work , true work , massive and enduring . The exactness of expression , of sign and movement , all tend to develop those

traits of character which make men strong and true . But the great reason of the perpetuity and conserving power of Masonry is found in the foundation principle . No matter how goodly the building , it cannot endure unless built upon a solid foundation . The temple was built upon the living rock , and Masonry is built upon the Rock of Ages—the living God . Faith in God is the fundamental principle of our Fraternity . Our ancient brethren

built wisely in settling this as the foundation-stone of the edifice they were rearing . This faith is not a cold philosophical abstraction—not a dreamy , hazy thought , that perchance somewhere there may be a mysterious Being , unknown and unknowable—but it is a living faith in a personal God whose superintending providence we recognise . In such a God we have in the most

solemn manner avowed our trust . This faith is the foundation of every edifice in which man can securely rest . Government and law , business , social order , philosophy and religion , all rest upon this as a fundamental principle . God is the ground of Right , and in Him all moral distinctions lake their rise . Built upon the living rock , Masonry will endure the storm of ages . —Rev . Bro . C . H . Briggs , Grand Orator , Grand Lodge of Missouri ,

Masonry In Germany.

MASONRY IN GERMANY .

( Translated from Die Baiihutte , by Bro . J-. r . Leitncr ) , In earlier days lodges in Prussia , Coburg-Gotha , and Hessen were " protected , " and all other German States only " tolerated " ones . Since each lodge may have a jurisdiction of its own , they are under the protection of the laws of the country . The origin , extension , and propagation of each of the Genei al Masonic systems corresponds with the small principalities and political

isolation . While in England , Ireland , Scotland . and North America the lodges become united , the G . Lodges in Germany went their own way , being careful to painfully insist on their substantiality and independence . There was no intention of a grand united structure , of a uniform system , although the majority of the Grand Lodges in Germany were united in keeping off and excluding all fantistic . il enthusiasmand obscure mysticisms , united in fostering

idealism . ( Jradually though the was Droacnea a strong , unueu Fraternity of allGerman systems was necessary for the purpose of a more effectual unfolding of Masonic work ; for this it was , of course , preponderating that conformity in the principles of Masonry , according to the teachings of the " Ancient Charges " was requisite . With this demand the fundamental laws ol the old Prussian Grand Lodges in Berlin were contradictory , and so it

camethe insurmountable opposition principally resting on the variety of the Masonic Degree work and the pretensions to the religious creed of its members—that , therefore , on the one side the adoption of high Degrees and the " Jewish question , " and the observance of the privileges or especial rights on the other side , were the opposing factors . The old Enelish Masonic teachings consist , as is well known , of the three St . John s

Degrees . In them lies the whole irrasure of knowledge of the Royal . The St . John ' s Masonry holds inviolably that there is no Masonic knowledge existing which is beyond the Degree of Master Mason . All higher degrees are by it denoted as excre > cences of the simple and sublime idea of Masonry-Not so the three old Prussian Grand Lodges . They are not satisfied with such simpleness . They demand " more light " in the higher degrees ; only

in them they believe to find full Masonic truth and brightness . The three old Prussian Grand Lodges aver that not the external form . not the privileges of the several Grand Lodges , are offering an obstaile to the union of the whole of German Masonry , but that the united working spirit would be able to accomDlish the same . This certainly sounds very nice , and seems to nil to

the German Freemason with some hope . But , my beloved brethren , whom German Freemasonry is an open book ; who , standing on the ground of the Ancient Charges , use the criticising knife , must also ascertain thai there is a difference in a spiritual direction as shown by the different Grano Lodges ; that in regard to the unmasonic high degree work and handling ot the religious creed of the member , the three old Prussian Grand Lodges have lost the Masonic spirit .