New Ideas And Novel Degrees.

intelligible principles , ours is the , iA r oived adherence to an ancient and recognized system . But the moment AVO seek to graft on to an old Masonic tree , these IIOAV if flourishing shoots of another and a widely different groAvth , not only are Ave jeopardizing our hitherto unassailable jjosition as a great

fraternity , but Ave are paving the Avay assuredly for the gradual diminution of our members , and the actual decadence of our Craft Masonry . In all I have ventured to say , I trust that I shall bo credited Avith the most sincere and fraternal good Avillby

, my many excellent brethren of the High Grades . They may iind in them much to interest , and more to edify themselves . I quarrel not Avith their VIOAVS or opinions , nor do I Avish to restrict their liberty , or to arraign their judgment .

But Avhat I Avish to say , to day , is simply this , that those IIOAV grades , call them Avhat 3 'Ott like , are not , and never can be , Craft Masonry ; and that Ave should always bear this fact carefully in mind , Avhen in the multiplicity of these HOA ' CI organizations , Ave run the chance of forgetting that old Craft Masonry of ours , which in its OAVII intense simplicity of ritual and

arrangement seems rather to some , to be behind the advancing ideas of our present generation of Masons . I am glad then to be permitted here , after a Craft Membership of 3 f years , to avow my unchanged fealty to the

undeviating principles of the Craft , and to express my humble opinion after some little experience , that , it is only on the foundation on which Craft Masonry rests , that Are can hope to maintain either its independent position , or its historical

character . Nay , I will oven assert , that , if AVO endeavour under the tempting idea ° i " progress , " of "novel orders , " of " wwi ideas , " the attraction of a more shoAvy ritual , to undervalue the simpler forms and less sensational teaching of our good old Craft

, Ave shall assuredly see our great order descend from its high and honoured position to the lower level of many other excellent and valuable " benefit societies ' ' Wiich llourish for a tunc , and thou pass w'and utterl

ay , are y forgotten . And so I conclude , ' with the ardent aspiration , may our Craft Masonry still continue to flourish , enrolling in its ample Motherhood , according to its simple regu-Ji « ions , members from all lands and of all

New Ideas And Novel Degrees.

denominations , unfurling in all of loyalty and sincerty , its great and goodly banner of universal sympathy , toleration ancl brotherly love . MENTOR .

Ancient Accepted Rite.

ANCIENT ACCEPTED RITE .

AS IT AVAS A SCORE OF VEARS AGONE . " Truth is stranger than fiction . " In the spring of f 853 , a large concourse collecting in front of a prominent warehouse in Baltimoredenoted some unusual

, excitement . A gentleman Avhe had succeeded in reaching the doorway , giving one look at the object before him , turned deathly pale , and exclaimed : " Great heavens ! it is Charley Elkins ! " A surgeon kneeling by the body , said : " If you know

this man , communicate immediately Avith . his family , for he is dead . " In the meantime the Coroner arrived , Aidiose jury rendered a verdict of " accidental death . " James Burton , 32 ° , the gentleman before mentioned , obtained permission to take charge of the remains .

Charles Elkins had been a prosperous merchant , but , unfortunately , the demon of speculation caused him to lose all . Depressed as he was by ill-fortune , and Avith a AA'ife and three children dependent on him , it Avas necessary to commence aneAv .

Ho obtained employment in a manufacturing establishment , ancl Avas sent to superintend the removal of goods from the Avarehouse . As the cases descended the hoistAvay , he attempted to seize the fall rope , missing Avhich , he fell , and AA'as killed .

In . prosperous days , Elkins connected himself Avith the Masonic fraternity , attained tho Grade of Bose Croix , 18 ° , and became Worshipful Master of his symbolic lodge , Avhich office he continued to hold until secular misfortune assailed him , Avhen he declined a re-electionand Avas subsequentl

, y stricken from the roll of membership for non-payment of dues . Bro . Burton , at that time being Senior Warden of his lodge , Avent in quest of the Master , William Hope , 32 ° . Bro . Burton met that gentleman and his lady starting from their

residence for the opera . The Senior Warden related what he kneAv of poor M