Masonic Oration,

its poor never knowingly are alloAved to suffer . It numbers in its ranks many of the most liberal , earnest , and enlightened men of the age . By a rigid discipline it prevents in its members notorious vice , Avhile , by every Masonic precept and the

constant moral force , it incites to the study and practice of every virtue . It conduces to honour in all business transactions , and raises , the general tone of every community where it flourishes . Among its members will be found the most reliable

citizens , as well as the most zealous Christians ; and , instead of supplanting Christianity , the tAvo organisations put forth their energies in labours in a common philanthrophy ; while the vices which are inimical to the one are equally hostile

to the other . The view of every community where Masonry is honourably sustained Avill bear record to these points . More than this , by its very character of being a moral and not a religious organisation , it is made possible for Masonry to reach , to rescue , aud to strengthen many Avho would hold themselves aloof from an

avowedly religious or Christian organisation , but who Avill rally at the trumpet call of charity . Many will even seek the one Avho Avould repel the other . And thus , by having their attention turned through the agency of Masonry

to the Scriptures , with their sacred teachings , and to all things of good report , they will , as it were , have cast up in the wilderness of their hearts a "highway of the Lord . " I bear in mind living illustrations of this idea , and on them base the

assertion that , instead of " practically neutralising Christianity , " as claimed in this objection , Masonry really paves the Avay for the introduction of those vital truths concerning the higher life . The next objection is that Masonry is opposed

to a republican form of Government , and prevents good citizenship . This objection , made by those who know nothing as to the internal policy of Masonry , or its Avorkings , we find based upon a theoretical deduction as to the nature of secret

organisations and the effects of the obligations imposed . We do not chose to lift tlie veil that hides our mysteries , nor to whisper in the ears of these objectors the points of our obligations . We only refer to the lives of Masons in every

community , and adduce that living argument as the complete refutation of this calumny . We call attention to this passage from the " " charge " given to every newly-obligated Mason : " In the State you are to be a quiet and peaceful subject , true to

your government and just to your country ; you are not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion , bufc patiently submit to legal authority , and conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in Avhich you live . " Is our own "iron-clad '" '

oath of allegiance more loyal in its requirements , more comprehensive in its provisions ? Turn toevery community , and ask , Who are your best citizens ? Turn to States , and ask , Who are your most reliable supporters ? Turn to governments ,

and ask , Who are your most faithful subjects ? and from all come answers enumerating the names of honouredmembersof our Order . Doesany one doubt this ? Let him test it by experiment ; and to that test I appeal for confirmation . Masonry opposed ' to a republican form of government ! The

democratic principle of human equality before the lawis one of the corner-stones of Masonry . Tyrantshave dreaded this poAver ; pontiffs have anathematised it , but republics have ever given it the Avarmest Avelcome , and in their bosoms , by reason

of the sympathy and unity of object and feeling ,. Masonry has groAvn into its most eminent success . Witness the States of this Union—Illinois with her twenty-five to thirty thousand Masons , representing through their families over a

hundredthousand having claims upon the Masonic brotherhood , and other States with equally flourishing organisations , where , by this great golden chain of brotherly love , the people are bound tngether and fco God , aud tell me , is not this the

demonstration of the groundlessness , the entire falsity * of this charge ? ( To be continued . )

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

FBIEIS'DSIin * . Dear Brother , Atheists believe that upon death the soul perishes . Make not an Atheist your friend . Certain Roman Catholics believe that upou death the souls of all bufc Koman Catholics will be everlastingly miserable . Make not such a Roman

Catholic your friend . —C P . COOI ' . THE THEOLOGT OF CHRISTlAJflTT . — THE META * l'HTSICS OP " N ' ATUlUI , HELIGION A > "X ) l-JiEEJIASONBl ' . Christianity has its theology . The wise Christian understands it as his Christ teachesNatural

re-. ligion and Freemasonry have their metaphysics , and with metaphysics of any kind the wise Theist and Freemason meddle as little as possible . —From a manuscript in Bro . Purton Cooper's Masonic collections entitled "Freemasons' Table Talk . "