What Is The Mission Of Masonry?

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF MASONRY ?

Afc the building of Solomon ' s Temple , the glories of Masonry , according to the traditions upon which the society is based , culminated in wisdom , strength , and beauty , as represented by the three Grand Masters ; that Avisdom Avhich develops faith , firm and abiding , looking beyond the veil to things unseen ; that strength which sustains hope in a blessed immortality ; that , beauty

Avhich it displayed in the graces and influences Avhich true charity bestOAvs . The centre of Masonry has been as the HOAV of a gentle stream—now sparkling in the sunlight , noAV hidden by the luxuriance of the herbage , Avhich her OAVII Avaters have nurtured . If we lose , for a moment , the dancing of the sunbeam ou the ripple , the bending foliage tells us the

secret of the stream . So quiet and unobtrusive has been the influence of Masonry , that she has scarcely been recognised as one of the great means in the regeneration of the nations . Yet such she is ; not by active interference in political or religious agitations ' . from this she is strictly debarred

by her landmarks and discipline . But , gently instilling into the minds of her children those great and broad principles of justice and charity , a strict regard to the rights of all , and a pure unselfish love of the AA'hole , she trains them to become useful members of society , and , through the individual , operates upon humanity , Upon this broad foundation , ifc may be emphatically said , rests

the only platform on which all can meet , divested of political animosities and sectarian prejudices . This constituent ; feature of the Masonic system should ever be kept steadily in vieAv . The rough ashlar becomes a perfect one ; and hoiv ? The harsh edges of thought and Avill ; the bitter feeling and hasty action are smoothed aAvay in the lodge-room by the softening influences of courtesy and kindness , forbearance and encouragement . This is the lever Avith Avhich she Avorks .

We can scarcely estimate too hi ghly the rare value of these virtues , when faithfully inculcated and habitually practised . Ifc would be folly to claim that Masonry is the only necessary human institution , inasmuch as she combines the excellences of all , although the claim has been , afc times , indiscreetly advanced . But we can , Avith truth , assert thafc she is the . only association , fche offspring

of human minds , Avhich combines perfect unity of sentiment , Avith unity of action . What , then , is the mission of Masonry ? Her wonderful preservation amid the vicissitudes of so long a period is a striking proof she was destined for some great and useful end . Institutions , which claimed kindred Avith vyith her , have sprung up in clusters around her ; bufc ,

like the insect of the hour , they have sunk into oblivion . She has overcome the opposition of the powerful ; she has foiled the acts of the crafty ; and unscathed , though purified , by tho fires of persecution , she exhibits in her age the vigour of her youth . The surges of popular fanatacism have swayed against her temple ; not a stone in her foundation is loosened . The green foliage , which

time has planted winds around her columns ; it has given strength to the slender shaft , and the columns stand firm and unbroken . What then is the mission of Masonry ? Aro we , as some Avould Avillingly believe , merely a social band of brothers , with free hearts bufc light heads ; fond of the glass and jest ; desirous only to forget the troubles and

cares of life in the passing cup and the revelry of the hour ; productive of more harm to ourselves than to the wiser multitude who stand without ? Why , the lesson Avhich runs like a golden thread through all our ceremonies and ritual ; impressed on the candidate when he enters our portals , and still lingering on his year as he departs ; to moderate his desires and observe strict sobriety , to well each word , and to be prudent in action ,

What Is The Mission Of Masonry?

is an answerable refutation of so font a charge . Some , it is true , haA'e fallen by tho Avayside . AVe do nob excuse the erring , for they sinned in the full light of moral teaching and suasion . Bufc we Avould say to tho censorious caviller , in the words of one who knew no sin , bufc could feel no sympathy for those less perfect : " Erst cast the beam out of thine own eye , and then shalt thou

see clearly to cast fche mote out of thy brother ' s eye . " To the great and good members of tho Masonic Society , and their name is legion , men Avhom the world has delighted to honour , Avhose many virtues and noble deeds have won tho croAvn of immortality , we may turn with pride and pleasure . 'They are the true exponents of what Masonry Las done

and Avill do . We of the craffc know how and where those characters Avere moulded . Again , the Masonic institution is supposed , by others of the outer Avorld , to be simply a benevolent society ; an association of Brethren of Mercy , Avho are willing to devote some portion of their time and means to the relief of distressed humanity . Masons themselves have done

much to foster this idea , for the bvivde * i of the many Masonic Addresses and Avritings have been the praise of charity , as a Masonic Almoner . Genius and eloquence have lavished their Avealfch on this fruitful theme , nor with wasteful prodigality , if rightly explained and understood . Charity , in its restricted sense of almsgiving is , indeed ,

a jeAvel of which- Masonry may be Avell proud ; it is but one , however , of fche many brilliant gems Avhich . encircled her brow . Ifc is an incidental , nofc a constituent parfc of her system ; the result of that devoted friendship , which kindred feelings and habitual associations naturally engender ; the overfloAv of thafc tender sympathy , which is ever welling up from the deep fountains of the heart . The mission of Masonry is to humanize , civilize , and fraternise mankind—Pomeroy ' s Democrat .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

THEISM SAID TO BE THE RELIGION OF FREEMASONRY—THE KILWINNING FRATERNITY . " Theism is said to he the Eeligion of Freemasonry theoretically this may be so ; but in practice the Kilwinning Fraternity ignores this cosmoplitan characteristic of the Order , and substitutes in its stead a

feature ( not , hoAvever , until after the novitiate has passed the threshold of the lodge ) which effectually debars Turk or JBAV from a full participation in their work . "We are led to this remark from a glance at the grounds upon which the first recorded honorary member of Mother Kilwinning was selected for that distinction .

In recording the minutes of the meeting , 20 th December , 17 G 6 , the Secretary writes : — Mr . Alexander Gillies , Preacher of the Gospel , formerl y entered iu another lodge , having this day preached before the brethren in the church of Kilwinning , to their great edification , and with universal applause , — the brethren in consideration of the learning ,

sobriet y , and sound divinity of the said Mr . Gillies , do unanimously admit him as an honorary member of theJMotherLodge of Kilwinning . "—From one of Bro . Murray Lyon ' s communications to the "Freemasons ' Magazine . [ To be continued . ]—CHABLES PTTETOIT COOPEE .