Antiquity Of Masonry.

Freemasons continued for a long time to receive the protection and enjoy the patronage of the church and the nobility , until the former , becoming alarmed at the increase of their numbers and the extension of their privileges , began to persecute them with an unrelenting- rigour which eventually

led to their suspension on the Continent . Many lodges , however , had already been established in Great Briiain , and these , shielded by the comparative mildness and justice of the British laws , " continued to propagate the doctrines of the Order throughout England and Scotland , and to preserve

unimpaired its ancient landmarks . From the royal city of York in England , and the village and abbey of Kilwinning , the cradle of Masonry in Scotland , our Order continued to be disseminated and to flourish , throughout the two kingdoms , Avith undiminished lustre , long after the lodges of

their less fortunate brethren had been dissolved by the persecutions on the Continent . From this period , the institution of Masonry began to be extended Avith rapidity , and to be established with permanency . The dignity of the Order was elevatedas the beauty of its priiciles became

, p known . Nobles sought Avith avidity the honour of initiation into our sacred rites , and the gavel of tho Grand Master has been more than once wielded by the hand of a king . —Maclcey .

Masonic Equality.

MASONIC EQUALITY .

The great end and aim of Freemasonry is the happiness of man ; by bringing together men of every rank and station , annihilating prejudices of creed and profession , reconciling opposite temperaments , and cultivating good Avill and brotherly love among those AVIIO , otherwise , must have

remained at a perpetual distance . How thankful ought Ave to be for the blessings of such an institution ; and how careful to preserve , by a becoming deportment , and in all times ancl in all places , more especially within the sacred precincts of our lodges , the principles and doctrines it

inculoites . 'Cue emblem which symbolises the principle of Masonic equality is the level . ' It reminds us that God is no respecter of persons , and that in His sight all men are equal . " The monarch is by it reminded , that , though a diadem adorn his brow , and

a sceptre his hand , the blood which flows in his veins is descended from the common parents of all , and is , therefore , no better than the meanest of his subjects . The wisest senator and the most skilful artist are taught that , equally with the rest of their fellow-creatures , they are exposed by nature to sicknessinfirmit

, y , and death , and that unforeseen circumstances may impair their faculties , and reduce them to a level with the lowest of their species . Yet this emblem stands not alone in its teaching ; it is supported by the square and plumb-line , and while that inculcates the principle of equality with the foregoing wholesome truths ,

these enforce the observance of order and equity ; and from them the brother of inferior talents and unexalted station receives instruction equally wholesome and profitable . He is taught- generally to render unto Cassar the things that are Cassar's , and particularly to regard with peculiar

esteem his brother of superior station in the world , Avhen he sees him divested of pride , vanity , and external grandeur , condescending in the badge of innocence and bond of friendship to trace Avisdom and folloAV virtue in company with those of inferior degree . " In strict observance of these

injunctions consists true Masonic equality : thus alone can good-will and fraternity be fostered and encouraged . To raise the moral and intellectual standard ofhis poor and humble brethren , and to contribute to their improvement and happiness , is the duty of the brother of high degree ; but to suppose that the moment an individual of rank and distinction

m society becomes a Mason , he must , m addition to making himself social and agreeable , descend also in sentiment , word , and action , is preposterous . Yet , that this impression prevails in many places , Ave have with pain observed -, and having observed it , Ave are bound to reprobate , in

unmeasured terms , so monstrous a perversion of this most delightful , most beneficial privilege . It is for the humble brother to strive and raise himself in the good opinion of his superior—to appreciate his superior's condescension , and to be circumspect and discreet in his deportment and

conversation . Depraved , indeed , must that mind be , which imagines that a man being a Mason entitles him to drag his superior down to a level \ A ith himself ; to expect that his habits , ideas , and tastes , should be adopted by men of refined intellects and high attainments—men , as far removed

from him in the scale of human beings , as the east is from the west . It is the attempt to do this that creates an insuperable disgust and alienates all previously conceived kindly dispositions , severs the bond of fraternal union , engenders suspicion and reserve , and deranges the A / hole economy of the beautiful system . Ought these results to produce either astonishment or anger ? The refreshment table is allowed on all hands

to be a necessary auxiliary in carrying out the designs of the institution , viz ., the cultivation of brotherly love by the free and unfettered interchange of kind words and kind offices of man with man , brother Avith brother . Yet it is essentially necessary for the full and satisfactory development

of this excellent system , that the strictest attention be paid to moderation and decorum . The ancient charges on this head ought ever to be present in the minds of the brethren : " enjoy yourselves Avith innocent mirth , avoiding all excess . " Now the Avords " all excess" here evidently

imply , not only excess in eating and drinking , but in conversation and manners also ; for Avhere is the consistency or propriety of abstaining from the one , and indulging in the other ? Idle , flippant .