Freemasonry Considered In Its Relation To Society.

of the American schooner , " Jeff Davis , for saving lives at sea , the following passage occurs : — " The other captain having passed the Freemasons' sign , I felt doubly bound to rescue him . " The common promptings of humanity will make one person assist another in distress , but in blunt sailor-like phrase , the gallant Captain Sharp in a striking manner , admits he Avas bound by a double tie to bear CIOAVII on the disabled

ship at great risk to himself . If Ave turn to the amenities of Freemasonry on the battlefield , Ave shall find that in the hour of Auctory the SAvord lifted to slay has been turned aside , and two antagonists discoA'er they are brethren . The late Avar in Avhich the most fertile fields of sunny France Avere soaked in the blood of the

bravest and best , Avas prolific in incidents when in the battlefield , in the ambulance Avagon , and in the hospital , acts of kindness were interchanged among men , who a few hours previously Ave re seeking each others ' lives . When each was ignorant of the language of the otherthe universal

lan-, guage of Freemasonry was perfectly intelligible , and its magic power produced the happiest results . In the varied Avalks of life , its poAver has been felt . A settler in a IIOAV place , or a traveller in a foreign land soon discovers

he is not among strangers , and that in case of need he has friends on whom he may depend ready to assist him . In this , however , there is a danger , for while , in any real difficulty , a member of the craft may laAvfully exercise his prerogative ; some not

apprehending aright the principles of the institution , use it for a species of trade mark . This is a S 3 stem highly reprehensible ; one , indeed , affecting the dignity of the craft , and for this reason : suppose some person engaged in trade assumes some Masonic emblemeither as a sign or a

, mark , and in his business he is not perfectly scrupulous , not alone on him will the blame fall , but on . that society under Avhose badge he professes to act on the square to everyone . It is a duty Avhich Freemasonry oAves to society to discountenance such a

prostitution of its symbols . In the domestic , as well as the social circle , Masonic light is too frequently concealed , and its dark shadoAV is sometimes palpably visible . Talleyrand said , "Language Avas g iven to man to enable him to conceal his thoughts ; " and often it is true the Avorldl y

sarcasm is applicable , that Freemasonry is another name for a convivial society , and the meetings simply a pretext for indul ging in late hours and their concomitants . It remains with the members of the societ y to prove beyond cavil , that the vitality of

Freemasonry is not to be found at its hospitable Board , but in the performance of its duties . Apropos of the character Masonry has received , the folloAving story is told . Soon after the Good Templars had established themselves in Scotlanda

num-, ber of the GlasgoAv Lodges , dressed in full regalia , had a grand field day , a few miles from the city . Convenient to the rendezvous Avas a large way-side inn , past Avhich they marched with drums beating and colours flying . The landlord was

surprised to see so many people pass and not one calling . Forth he Avent to discover the cause of the phenomenon . Having surveyed them in sad silence , he retraced his steps , and a neighbour joined him . The latter remarked interrogatively— " Thae

folk ' 11 be Masons ? " " Na , " said my host , Avith a melancholy shake of his head , " Na , gif they Avere Masons they wachia gang by that gait ; they wad have feeuished a' the

liquer in the shop by this I" There ' s a character , not very long aud certainly not very good I This stigma is capable of being removed . Hospitality , although not one of the cardinal virtues , is a time-honoured Masonic custom . But a question arises—Does the

necessity exist for continuing the practice to its present extent ? In a sparsely settled district , where the members come from considerable distances , it is almost a necessity , but in large cities Avhere meetings are so frequentthe same occasion does not

, exist . No doubt reunions of this sort are agreeable and tend to promote that kindly interchange of thought and sentiment , Avhich has frequently resulted in lasting friendships , but then too frequent occurrence have frequently led to late hoursand

ir-, regularity of conduct—to many the -festiveboard having proved more attractive than the tracing-board . Apart from the false idea society thus receives , much money is uselessly squandered . There are other Avays of disposing of lus funds—the

surp Orphan Schools ; the Charity Fund ; the WidoAvs' Fund all require more support , and the more they receive the greater amount of good they will do .