Lights And Shadows Of Scottish Freemasonry.

consecrated these lodges to the purposes of freemasonry . And what are the purposes of freemasonry ? A binding of men together for their mutual welfare , and for the advancement of every social , moral , and intellectual virtue . A constant endeavour to show to the Avorld at largeby giving

, many practical exemplifications of the greatest of all virtues—charity , that the name " Freemason " is not an empty nor a boastful title ; a keeping before the minds of its adherents the great principles of equity and justice , and so to regulate

their lives as to live in the favour of God and man ; a careful looking after the interest of the Avidow and orphan j an earnest striving to hasten the coming of the time when there shall be neither wars nor rumour of Avars , but Avhen peace on earth and goodwill towards all men shall make a naradise of a land that has been the scene

of many a bitter conflict . These are some of the purposes of Freemasonry , and it is such desires Avhich Ave earnestly pray animate the breasts of all who appear before us in search of masonic instruction . And

yet , taking into consideration the unseemly proceedings but too often witnessed inside our lodge rooms , we might be tempted to infer that there are other purposes of freemasonry Avhich at first we were hardly aware of . Drinking ! Surely that is one , that is a something Avhich Ave are quite

accustomed to see , go almost where we may , be the lodge room in the city or in the country . Drinking ! and the three great li ghts of the Crafts lying openly in your midst . Drinking ! and a newlyinitiated brother looking on in wonderment

and feeling constrained to join in your revelry . Is this one of the purposes of freemasonry ? Ask yourselves the question . Comic songs and ribald jesting inside the sacred walls ; toasting and maudlin speechif ying . Are these and such as these

among the true great purposes of freemasonry , or are many of its best ends to be gained by such means ? Ask yourselves the question and you will have each one of you but one answer : —No ! no ! distinctly and emphatically , no ! The effect of a continuance of such customs will be to lower the Craft in the estimation of those Avhom

we ought to wish would think well of it , and greatly tend to wards its utter demoralization . Then why tolerate them any longer 1

Is it because they have been banded down to you from time immemorial , is it because they are relics of times about which the less said the better ? This is the age of progress , and though our constitutions and our workings shall stand as unchanged in the future as they have done in the pastour

, surroundings ought to keep pace Avith the advancement of modern times . Away with such proceedings , aAvay Avith them . They are eating into the heart of the Craft , and may ultimately sink it . Does it help to raise it in the estimation of society to

know that such things are 1 Does it offer any further inducement to Avell-doing careful young men to join its ranks and lend their influence towards the furtherina of

its greatest aims ? Does it elevate the morality or strengthen the hands of its members ? Ask yourselves the questions and tell us what are your answers . Husbands do you Avant your Avives to . think well of the order for which you profess such admirationand for the meetings of which

, you leave the attractions of home with such unvarying regularity ? If you do you will strike a blow at this evil . HOAV do you Avant to feel that Avhen your mothers see you dressed and ready to attend the meetings of your respective lodgesthey

experi-, ence no fear that you are going into the way of temptation , knoAving that those whom you will meet are they Avho will be examples to Avhom you might look with profit and pleasure ? If you do will you lend your aid to remove this obstruction

in the path of progress 1 Brothers , if you confide your sisters to the care of a Freemason do you want to feel assured that he is one who Avill love , honour , and esteem her 1 Men and brethren , do you want to be able to give the lie direct to all who taunt you with such things ; do you want

to drive out from among you something ignoble and debasing ; do you want to prevent the name " Freemason " ever becoming synonymous with the word "Drunkard ?" If you do , then raise your hands and your voices and hurl out the de-vil that is lurking

in your midst . It grieves us to think that did necessity require we could give many instances of the baneful effects of this pernicious system , and we make no unfounded nor unsubstantiated charge Avhen we say it has much to answer for . Men whom we have ourselves come in contact Avith have