Freemasonry Considered.

must train in life for an everlasting life , and that heaven is his home , undying bliss his heritage . This is a serious text , a text upon Avhich the keenest minds have bsnfc , a text which has baffled all philosophy . We see the Avater of life

stretching aw & y for a hundred miles , gradually fading till it is lost in the far off distance . We see the trees thickening on the banks as the Avaves roll on , thinning as they become faint in the distance ; and RS Ave journey on that water our strength fails ,

and our sight grows dim , so that we cannot see more clearly , as Ave -advance towards the goal , than Ave did at our first setting - out . Yet we have our

beacon . It is a general and shining light , the sunbeams cannot eclipse , neither can the night wrap it up in darkness . Storms may dash across it , but they only cause it to shine the brighter , aud the lurid lightning only makes it grander by its

steadier radiance . It hangs above the distant goal , it points the straight unerring path , for there are many branches to the River of Life , leading away to cataracts and destruction . The light of Truth , the knowledge of God , and revealed Avord

of God never fails ; it shines on , it will ever shine on , bright and glorious , for the guidance of man , till earth shall be shattered at the judgment , and the destinies of all be fixed for evermore .

It is a solemn text , it is a serious subject to contemplate ; but it has its OAVU joys , and life obtains a fresher lustre when we have carefully considered it . The Monk , in his cold cell , turned to the skull , the emblem of mortality , Avith no

aAve : it Avas Avith joy and happiness , for it reminded him that Avhen this frail and aching tenement of clay should be returned to Avhence it had been taken , the brighter ancl imperishable spirit would mount up Avith eagle's Avings to Him Avho

gave it . Like the Monk , the Freemason feels no pang at the sight of the representative of death , it only Avarns him that he must die ; it brings no terrors , it is a friend , and teaches him that happ iness is not lasting on earth , but never wanes in

heaven . With no irreverence does he view that emblem ; he gazes at it , and muses on the fate of the one whose busy brain once dwelt within its frail tenement , and he trusts that Avhen his body is committed to the grave , his soul may be safe in the land of the blessed .

To die Avorthy of a better Avorld , then , is the end of all Masonic teaching . She tells her children that as they sow here well , so shall they reap good fruit , and satisfying hereafter . She points out the

weak' and helpless state of man Avhen he first enters upon life—blind , naked , ancl dependent upon his felloAVS for assistance . HeknoAVS nothing * , for his mind is an unwritten tablet , a tablet , it may be , of adamant , upon which the good or evil

engraved remains for ever ; or it may be the frail wax , easily moulded to the virtuous or the vicious . She teaches him the use and qualities of the mind , warns him against the lures of sin , and inculcates the principles of morality . She is no honied

monitor , suiting her doctrines to the palate . She tells him that he is a fallen creature , in danger of an everlasting death ; that of himself he is nothing ' , and only great through a dependence upon a higher power . Yet unto herself she arrogates no

influence but such as she derives through the higher power . She delivers the precepts confided to her , man must work out his OAVU destiny . Having thus shown her children the dangers which surround them , inculcating the principles

of mutual dependence and belief in God , she traces upon her trestle-board the various studies which are calculated to subdue the passions , and elevate the mind . She tells that labour is the lot of all , and that the labourer is Avorthy of his hire . She

rewards the diligent—she reprimands the negligent . While the Avorld is distracted by Avarlike commotions , the sack of cities , the slaughter of men , the lodge is peaceful , and the brethren are happy . Upon Freemasonry the passing events of the Avorld can make no chancre—exercise no

influence . Her doctrines Avere established before a stone of the Pyramids Avas laid , and they will exist Avhen not a stone of the Pyramids remain one above another . She is founded on eternal truth , and can know no change . She laments the

bloodshed and the Avoe attendant upon the quarrels of nations . These she cannot prevent , but her hand is ever open to relieve the Avounded , and to give burial to the dead . How often , in the battle field , has her influence been felt ; and men

engaged in deadly combat have bowed to the sign which told them they Avere brethren . It has often been said by our antagonists , " If Freemasonry exercises such an influence , Avliy not make its doctrines known to all the Avorld ? " It

is a question easily ansAvered : " because the world is not ripe to receive them . " Were the doctrines of Freemasonry throAvn open to the whole world , hoAV long would they be cherished by man ? Perhaps not one would seek to knoAV thorn . They are hard to acquire , and difficult to folloAV ; but