Masonic Thoughts.

I am not setting up a degree of excellence unattainable , and I desire not to be misapprehended . Freemasonry does not demand perfection . I am painfully aware ] iow soon my OAvn expulsion would follow

the establishment of such a test . It does not inhibit any rational enjoyment . That would be to subvert and destroy the social qualities , Avhich it aims rather to cultivate and develop . But it does require , most imperatively , that every one of its votaries

shall at - least maintain the ground of respectability ; and he Avho falls but a hair ' s-breadthbeloAvthatrequirementshould ho cast out without misgiving or regret , Eegard your lodge as a family of Avhich you are constituent portions , and let no one enter there Avhose character or conduct

is such that you Avould be unwilling to admit at your own fireside , or blush to present to your own Avives and daughters . It is because you have departed from these rules of conduct and fallen beloAV

this standard of excellence , that you have become frigid and unsocial at your gather , ings , and half the enjoyment of being Freemasons has become unattainable . You do not give the sojourning brother a cordial welcome , because your experience has

taught you that some Avho bear that name are unworthy of your confidence and fellowship . But if you had been more

careful in making Masons , you would have had no such experience and no such consequent distrust . I have often been pained at the neglect Avith Avhich strangers have been received and treated in your lodges . I have seen them depart with more alacrity

than they came , glad ancl relieved , apparentl y , to escape from a place where they had come expecting Fraternal regard , and found only the forms of politeness , mingled with evident suspicion and distrust . And though , until more care is exercised in the

election of candidates , and more energy displayed in the discipline of those already chosen , there Avill be occasional impositions , yet Masters of lodges shoidd knoAV that

Masonic Thoughts.

whoever conies to them in tho character ot a Mason should receive that civility and attention Avhich tho fraternal relation entitles him to anticipate , until by some act of his own , he lias forfeited his claim to your courtesy and hospitality . —The Craftsman and Canadian Masmic Record .

Time.

TIME .

Old Time keeps fleeting from us all , 'Mid Reeling scenes away , Yet soft the footsteps seem to fall Of its giant strides to day , As without a halt , without a pause , It moves on ever here , Reckless of blame or of applause , The distant or the near .

And yet , how wonderful is Time In all its vivid power , As the bells of Life in ceaseless chime , Proclaim each passing hour ; How , as its minutes onwards flow And its scenes all disappear ; AVe see how little seasons grow Into each passing year .

And not so much does Time display Its aspects dim and strange , As our thoughts beyond each speeding day , Take a far wider range ; For we feel , that all things here below "Whatever they may be , If Time come fast , if Time come slow , Bow at last to it ' s decree .

For alas ! how many changes daily Do we witness in ouv race , AVe who loiter on so gaily With a calm and smiling face ; Youth comes and goes demurely , Mawrer hours creep on , And we find ourselves all surely , Old age ' s leaves among !

Ancl on all Times ways and stories , Its hopes and its success , Its graces and its glories The gifts which blight or bless , Tliere falls alike the withering hand , Of palsying , fear ancl doubt , As we sadly watch the ebbing sand , Or the dim flame flickering out .

Yet still thank God , mid " shine and show ' r , ' To mortal man 'tis given , Like a fluttering leaf in Autumn hour Before the cold winds driven , To gather up each golden scene , Of love , and bliss , and peace , Of joys tliat happily once have been , Of gentle hopes that cease .

And thus Time lends a mellowing ray To all of earth and life , Whispering amid each fleeting day Of happiness or strife : " Oh ! mortals while I pass away , And end each joy or woe , On each fond heart , and fair array , A sombre pall I throw ; K 2