A Conception Of Freemasonry.

A CONCEPTION OF FREEMASONRY .

FRATERNITY is as necessary for the life of man as the traction exercised by bodies among themselves is for the existence of the countless planetary systems . The respect , the interests and the love that a fellow creature

should always inspire us have their only base in the duty we have of guarding our existence , in the instinct of conservation , in one word , which conducts us , although it astonishes many , to the ground of the most pure and elevated altruism . The individual cannot exist without the collective , and the

collective is impossible without the individual ; the man who , seeing a fellow creature in danger does not try to save him even by risking his own existence , does not make a sacrifice and obeys solely the instinct of preservation , because the life of that fellow creature is necessary for the conservation

of his own . The man that defends the liberty of a people in slavery whose work is absorbed bv the voracity of a tyrant always more worthy of pity on account of his ignorance than of chastisement by reason of his iniquity , who gives his blood and even his life for justice , obeys the instinct of

conservation , because the liberty and the right of our fellow beings is the only guarantee of our own liberty , of our own right . The exact knowledge of the necessities of our existence is therefore the most solid base of Fraternity , is the study of matter in its inexhaustible and eternal evolution ,

the sole germ of infinite and true love , the dawn whose as yet tenuous light offers to dispel the darkness which ignorance creates and error sustains , engraving in us with the burin of experience and the ineffaceable characters of the

truth the profound conviction that whilst there exists a man dejected by misfortune , there will never exist for anyone a lasting felicity , that whilst there exists a people submerged in the tenebrosities of slavery there will never exist a people tru ' y free . —Ferdinand Escobar , in " La Escuadra , " Cuba .

Forced affiliation will be a serious invasion of the grand doctrine of " free will and accord . " In the civil law duress is a wrong that frees the citizen of every act superinduced by it , and nullifies every contract secured through it . — Thomas B . Long , Indiana .

Masonry has stood the test of time , and the experience of every day bears witness of the fact that blessings everywhere follow its advancing footsteps , and wherever found it brings men into friendly and harmonious intercourse . — Wm . Ff . Martin , Maryland .

If the petitioner is capable of conforming to the " ceremonies of the degrees , " even in an imperfect manner , I should not let that defect be a detriment . Brains , hearts and morals are wanted in Masonry more than feet , hands , fingers , & c . —Henry L . Bosworth , Missouri .

• • • That Masonry teaches morality no one any longer doubts ; that it is founded upon the eternal truth we , the members , know , and by a full reliance upon the great " I Am " as the author of all intelligence , we need have no fears for the future of our institution . ' —J . H . Kennerly ,

iictii & ctb . * The fact is , that we are very much of an expansionist , and believe fully that the Anglo-Saxon and cognate races

are to inherit the earth , restore the waste places , rejuvenate its effete races , and dedicate it to law , liberty and religion . Masonry will be one of its chief instrumentalities . —Cornelius Hedges , Montana .

* * * It is plain to our thinking that the present requirement of a charter to the legality of the Lodge is not a landmark , and for the reason that it is a very modern requirement , the result of special legislation . We do not think , moreover ,

as we have heretofore expressed , that the formula of our Lodge rituals relating to the subject necessarily means that the charter must be actually present in Lodge hall in order to secure the legality of the work . It refers , as seems to us ,

to modern legislative requirements that Lodges should exist only by virtue of their charters , and not to any necessity of its actual presence at the place of meeting . —S . Stacker Williams , Ohio .

A Conception Of Freemasonry.

We do not claim perfection . None but the Grand Master above may do that . And He has not seen fit to inhabit this world with perfect people . If He had , life would not be worth the living , for it is only through storms and struggles , fears and tears , trials and temptations , that we

reach the best that is in us . It is with the cement of brotherly love and the mortar of affection that we are attempting to fashion out of the units of society fit material for the great social structure that is to endure as long as time . —Hon . H . E . Deemer , Iowa .

An experience of forty years in the quarries has taught me that in Masonry , as in all human institutions , while men are willing to work without hope of fee or reward , yet there is a proper desire to know that their labours are appreciated , and thus recognition is acknowledged by the conferring of

honours within the gift of the Craft . It is a laudable ambition to aspire to Masonic honours , and the reward for faithful service thus held out to every Masonic worker inspires him with renewed zeal , lends enthusiasm to his labours , and adds testimony to the appreciation of his merits . —Christopher G . Fox , New York .

The payment of dues was from the beginning a voluntary affair , and no Lodge or Grand Chapter has ever yet passed a law making it a Masonic crime , and while local Lodges or Chapters may so regard it , yet , where there is no organic law touching this matter , we prefer to be lenient with those who

cannot keep up their dues ; and while it would seem that in other jurisdictions they are styled as Masonic criminals , and are suspended without trial from all the rights and benefits of Masonry , yet in this jurisdiction suspension is for a very grave offence , the non-payment of dues not being one . — James Southgate , North Carolina .

We admit we never could understand the reason why Masonic writers and speakers always avoid telling what we consider to be the exact truth . As a system of ethical philosophy , every fundamental principle taught by Masonry in any degree is explanatory of the nature of human relations

to the Deity , of the supreme intelligence to man , and of the most perfect relations between men . The church of to-day has no fundamental thought but that Masonry has covered the same ground long , long ago . No , Brethren , Masonry has nothing to do with creeds and isms , doctrines and discussions

which separate men into sects ; but the underlying principles which teach correct life on earth , and a certainty of a happy future , are owned , taught and exemplified in every degree , set forth and illustrated by every symbol . There is not one single wrong or wicked thought or comprehension of Deity ,

or our relations to Him , found in any section of any degree ; hence we frankly acknowledge that in its entire systematic thought , from the first preparation to the final test , Masonry is the most perfect religion ever taught to man . —J . M . Hobson , Oregon .

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THE CASTLE HOTEL , EAST MOLESEY , Adjoining Hampton Court Station , FACING THE RIVER AND PALACE . Special Provision for Lodge and other meetings , including A MASONIC TEMPLE with ample Ante-Rooms , Banquet Hall , and every convenience FIVE LODGES ALREADY MEET HERE . Ample accommodation , in the new wing of this old-established and noted Riverside Hotel for Banquets for anj number up to 110 . Every convenience for Ladies ' Gatherings . Spacious landing to river , whence Steam Launches can start . Specimens of Menus , with prices , sent on application . TWO BILLIARD TABLES . GOOD STABLING ACCOMMODATION STEAM LAUNCHES AND SCULLI . NG BOATS provided at the shortest notice . Tariff , Sec . of Bro . JOHN MAYO , Proprietor .

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THE HERCULES , LEADENHALL STREET . J . F . NEADE , Proprietor , WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANT , 119 Leadenhall Street , London , E . C . Excellent accommodation for Lodges of Instruction . The Confidence Lodge , £ to , 193 , meets & t tais establishment every Wednesday , at 7 o'clock ,