Qualifications For Membership.

verities of Christianity ; consequently it is no place for an infidel . The Order is for humanity , for men ; and humanity is naturally religious , ancl men yield everywhere to the kiw of worship . Therefore , they who deny God , a future life , ancl

diidne retribution , having thus cut themselves loose from humanity , and sold their birth-right as men , cannot , without perjury , join themselves to us , nor can we without danger receive them . Those , ancl those only , should be admitted ~ who

can come with generous hearts ancl open hands , and kind dispositions and loveful spirits . The selfish , the profane , the impious , and the unbelieving , should be rejected utterly . It is hoped that those Avho have a real regard for the Order , will be watchful of its interests , and see that no harm come to it bj 1 " the introduction of unworthy

men . An old myth relates , that on a certain time the demigod Hercules Avished to become a member of one of the secret societies of antiquity . He accordingly presented himself , and applied , in form , for initiation . His case was referred to a council

of wise and virtuous men , who objected to his admission , on account of some crimes which he had committed . Consequently he was rejected . Their language to him was , " You are forbidden to enter here ; your heart is cruel , your hands are stained

with crime . Go , repair the wrong you have done ; repent of your evil doings , and . then come with pure heart and clean hands , and the doors of our mysteries shall be opened to you . " After his regeneration , the myth goes on to say , he returned , and became a worthy member of the Order .

Let Freemasons contemplate this example , and profit by it . We should alloiv no persons , Avhatever be their standing in society , whatever be the dignity of their social position—be they great ancl famous as the god Hercules—to become members

of our Order , Avho have not the qualifications requisite for such a relationship . We should not permit ourselves to be dazzled hy any outward shoAv whatever , but scrutinize carefully , and ascertain whether the applicant for

admission to our Order has really a heart Avithin his bosom—Avhether he has a soul , and is capable of sympathy . If our association is ever ruined , it will be by the hands of unprincipled and selfish men , who manage to get among us . We have quite , enough of this class already , and it is time now to commence closing the doors against all

Qualifications For Membership.

suspicious persons . The Order is now so popular that eA erybody is rushing towards it , and demanding admission , so that Ave may say , in the language of Scripture , "it suffereth violence , and the violent take it by force . " There is no safety for us but

by imitating the example of our ancient brethren , in the rejection of all the unworthy , without hesitation and Avithout fear . Brethren , let us think of this .

All In The Olden Time.

ALL IN THE OLDEN TIME .

By AN ANTIQUARIAN . What treasures of incident may be gathered up from Masonic work are only known to him AVIIO has put it into the hearts of Masons to be benignant to one another , as he is benignant to

us all . One thing every man will be convinced of , Avho Avill open eye and ear as he travels , viz .: that the history of the Craft is full-charged with incidents of good deeds clone , sorrows assuaged , tears dried , passions repressed , relief

tendered , Avages paid , ancl all through the influence of the Masonic covenant . Let the pages of the " Eclectic" this month tell one of these incidents , so well authenticated that men are yet living who knew of the circumstances ; and so

illustrative of Masonic theory and practice as to serve , if need be , for a standard of both . Forty years ago , the American settlements upon the river Brazos , Texas , were scanty indeed .

Austin ' s colonies held possession of some goodly leagues , and here and there a bold ranchero had settled down at a place Avhere " wood , water , and grass" were in juxtaposition . Of these , William Morton Avas an acknowledged leader . He had

selected his place about tivelve miles west of Avhere the city of Houston UOAV stands , and at the crossing of the Brazos . As travellers between the Sabine audAustin's settlements naturallypassed iby Morton ' s door , his name became knoAvn far and

near , and being an extremely hospitable man no one crossed the river at his place without partaking of his kindness . Morton was a Freemason , and a good one . He was about the only one of the Fraternity resident on the river , and Avas , therefore ,

dependent upon the chance calls of sojourning brothers to keep himself posted , and learn IIOAV the great Fraternity elsewhere was flourishing . Such persons Avere sure of a double Avelcome at the house of William Morton . Amongst these there chanced one day to visit him a native of Scotland , one Robert Gillespie .