The Pope's Allocution And The Principles Of Freemasonry.

But among the many features of our Oriler Avhich claim special attention , is brotherly love and affection . These are the croAvning principles of the fraternity—they stand out in bold relief on every page of Masonic history . " Do good unto

all men , and especially unto those of the household of faith , '" is a Divine command ; and Avith Masons it is the Alpha ancl Omega , the beginning ancl the ¦ ending of all their deliberations . We recognise this principle , when first

introduced into the vestibule of our lodge rooms , ancl ¦ as , step by step , we are initiated in the secret working of the Order , we discover that brotherly

love is the grand arch-stone of the Masonic superstructure . It is visible everywhere throughout the fraternity , and it is only with those Avho can carry out this divine principle of humanity that we desire an association . Hearts that beat in

unison with this principle ahvays find a cordial welcome . Is there not something ennobling and divine in such principles ? Could humanity , with all its imperfections and perfections have devised a theory

more exalted and humane ? Brother recognising brother—calling up from the very depths of the heart ' s Avarmesfc recess , the ties , the endearments , and the sympathies of home .

Children are born in the Avorld , and as the infant mind begins to expand—as the first rays of intellectuality begin to inspire its tender mind , and to develope its loveliness and beauty—the most sacred , the most surpassingly sublime of ail its first intonations are those in Avhich we recognise the fraternal accents .

There is no tie on earth stronger than that which unites a family together . There is a halo , emanating from around the sacred family circle , which no poisoned breath can effectually eradicate . It is the tie of brotherhood—having its

height , length , depth , and breadth in pure fraternity . Shielded thus , each member of the household is as effectually bound together as thous'h an adamantine chain Avas throAvn around o them .

With this innate principle thus developed ancl strengthened , Ave can easily perceive the grand nucleus which attracts , as a magnet , our sympathies and our attachments , our hopes and our fears , around the fireside of our families and

kindred . It is here that the purest fountains of the heart are opened—that Ave drink deep , and are refreshed , from the cup that knows no bitter-

The Pope's Allocution And The Principles Of Freemasonry.

ness to the heart susceptible and careful of its influence . Talk of seminaries of learning , of colleges and schools ! All essential , 'tis true ; but the seminary and the institution in Avhich the child first

learns to lisp its fraternal accents exercises a more powerful influence on the morals of the age than them all . Does that mother realise this fact ? At the sacred altar of our homes and firesides Ave Avere first inducted into the pure principles of

fraternity ; ancl as reason began to assume an ascendancy over the passions and vanities of youth , we Avent forth , seeking an affinity Avith those Avho have been thus cultured , and Avith whom a fellowship would prove SAveet . And then , leaving the

cares and trials incident to a life of business behind , Ave enter , once a week or once a month , the sacred atmosphere of our lodge rooms , to advance the interests of Masonry , and to exchange salutations with the brotherhood .

A place rendered sacred by such reminiscences will never become the theatre of personal vituperation ancl abuse . Those cardinal virtues of the human mind , Faith , Hope , ancl Charity , should here reign supreme . Oh ! that these words Avere

Avritten in letters of gold , and -hung out in the heavens , so that all could read them ! Other associations may split and divide , but ours should be one and indivisible . Unity should be visible everyAvhere throughout its borders , and , as a solid phalanx , we should occupy the position assigned to us by the providence of God .

The Masonic Ladder.

THE MASONIC LADDER .

Faith is the true prophet of the soul , and ever beholds a spiritual life , spiritual relations , labours and joys . Its office is to teach man that he is a sph-itual being , that he has an inward life enshrined in this material casement , an immortal

gem set now in an earthly casket . It assures man that he lives not for this life alone , but for another , superior to this , more glorious and real . It dignifies humanity with immortality . It dAvells ever upon an unseen Avorld , announcing * ahvays

that unseen realities are eternal . Virtue , knoAVledge , Avisdom , mercy , love , ri ghteousness , and Avorship are among its immortal unseen realities . Lofty , dignified , transcendingly glorious are its teachings , and equally so are its moral influences . It is a faculty of the human soul too much neglected . The things of time and sense—earth and