Freemasonry Grave And Gay.

The lessons which Freemasonry teaches above all others by its symbolism are charity and piety . They are like the two pillars , Jachin and Boaz , which stood in the porch of the Temple of Solomon . By charity is meant the tie of sympathetic love which every Mason owes to his Brother

Mason , and , in less degree , to his brother-man . The Masons have ever been foremost in good works ; they have raised sums of unparalleled amount for Masonic charities , and he who enters into the Masonic Brotherhood is sure of finding

friends all the world over . But along with charity the Masonic symbolism inculcates piety . The operative Masons of old lived and worked under the patronage of the Christian Church . The oldest of their constitutions contained

invocations to the Virgin Mary and the Saints ; and their Patron Saint was in England St . J ohn the Baptist , and in France St . Blaize , as the Patron Saint of shoemakers was St . Crispin and that of Smiths was St . Eloy . But when speculative Masonry succeeded to operative the intimate

connection with the Church came to an end . The Mason was then required , as Mackey says , to be " of that religion in which all men agree . " Unfortunately men do not always agree as to what that religion is ; but speculative Masonry has been ever true to two main doctrines . the existence of

a personal God and the fact of a future life . The atmosphere of Masonic Lodges has been at once one of religion and of religious toleration ; they are opened and closed with prayer ; they acknowledge in all their proceedings the presence of the Great Architect of the Universe . In the little book called " How Hindus were admitted into the

mysteries of Freemasonry " it is recorded that the first Hindu Freemason in Calcutta was not admitted to the Brotherhood until he expressed his willingness to make the following declaration : " I am not a Pantheist or Polytheist . I do not identify my Creator with any one of his creatures , I believe

in the existence of one Great Architect of the Universe , whose . wish is the happiness of all his creatures ; His will is Law ; whose Laws are impressed on the heart of every right thinking individual , and whose never-failing justice shall reach the transgression of His laws on the Great Day of

Judgment to come . " That is a splendid and sublime belief . In India , where the division of races and religions are more acute , perhaps , than anywhere in the world , it is the wisdom of good citizens to seek rallying points . Such a rallying point is found in the cult of Masonic doctrine . To myself ,

though the most convinced of Christians , the opportunity of meeting men of other beliefs them my own , upon a common ground of faith in God and immortality , has been a privilege of great utility and pleasure . So long as it is impossible that anyone shall become a Freemason without professing this

intellectual and spiritual adhesion to sublime religious doctrines , and so long as no one can live worthily as a Freemason without developing the fruit of his doctrines in charity and philanthropy , Freemasonry will deserve the confidence of thoughtful and virtuous citizens , and will play a great and salutary part in human life . —Exchange .

Devonshire Charity.

DEVONSHIRE CHARITY .

THE annual meeting of the Committee of Petitions of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire was held at Exeter on the 28 th ult , and was presided over by Biro . G . C . Davie P . G . D . Eng . acting G . M . for the Province .

The acting G . M . said as the Provincial Grand Lodge did not meet until later in the year , he thought that those present as representing the Lodges of the Province would think it but right that they should record on their minutes the great loss the nation sustained by the death of their

beloved Queen . Charity , in the widest sense of the word , was the distinguishing feature of Freemasonry , charity as laid down by Saint Paul . They as Masons felt that that had been the great characteristic of her Majesty ' s life and reign , and the tribute paid by America , of the " Stars and

Stripes" flying at half-mast over the White House , was unique in the history of that country , and would probably never occur again ; but it showed the feeling of the world towards Queen Victoria . Nations not always in accord with this country were paying their tribute , and even the Boer

prisoners in Pretoria had suspended their amusements until the funeral had taken place . Respect such as that for the Queen ' s memory showed a true feeling of sorrow at her loss and how much she was beloved . It proved that goodness and virtue in this life would always have a wise and beneficent effect on all humanity . Pie asked them whilst

Devonshire Charity.

they joined in recording the deep sense of the loss they iiad suffered to couple with that the expression of their devoted loyalty to the Grand Master of England King Edward Vil . The proposition was seconded by Bro . F . Westlake , and agreed to in silence , the Brethren standing whilst it was recorded .

An official communication was read stating that whilst Lodges might enter resolutions on their minutes expressive of the loss that had , been sustained by the death of the Queen , and recording their loyalty to the King , they must not

forward them to the Grand Secretary , as some of them had already done , and should certainly not go so far as to telegraph or communicate them to the King , as some Lodges or Masters had done .

The report of the Secretary , presented by Brother J . B . Gover , was of a most satisfactory character , and , on the motion of Bro . Powell , seconded by Brother C . Piper , was adopted .

On the motion of Bro . Gregory , a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman , who was unanimously re-elected , testimony being borne to the very able and courteous manner in which he presided over the meetings .

Bro . John Stocker highly eulogised the work of Brother Gover as Secretary . His re-election was agreed to heartily and unanimously . Bro . Allsford referred to the services which Bro . Westlake rendered the Province as their London representative , and

appealed to the Devonshire Lodges to support him to the fullest extent , and give him full power to act on their behalf as he thought best . Bro . Westlake was cordially thanked , and asked to continue to discharge this " labour of love . " In response to a unanimous invitation , he thanked the Brethren for their confidence .

Two petitions ,, from Lodges 1205 and 2035 , were accepted , and the Brethren were asked to use their influence on behalf of the Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widows , for which Bro . John Stocker Prov . G . Sec . is this year the Steward representing the Province of Devon .

Walter Martin Memorial.

WALTER MARTIN MEMORIAL .

THE monument which has been erected in Brockley cemetery to the memory of Bro . Walter Martin P . G . A . P ., & c , who was one of the best known and most popular members of the Craft in South London , was unveiled on

Saturday afternoon , 19 th ult . Owing to the unpleasant nature of the weather there was not so large an attendance of subscribers to the fund which had the raising of the monument for one of its objects , as there would doubtless

otherwise have been , but still a large number of Freemasons attended , among them being Bros , the Rev . W . Harrison , James Terry P . G . S . B ., E . W . Nightingale P . M ., and J . D . Wilkinson P . M . ( joint Hon . Secretaries to the fund ) .

Bro . the Rev . W . Harrison having offered up prayer , the President of the fund Bro . James Terry unveiled the monument , delivering a short address , in the course of which he mentioned that he had first invested the deceased as an Officer . Those present that day were but a few of the many

who appreciated his friendship , and no dearer friend was ever found in Freemasonry . The object of the fund was not only to erect the monument , but to raise a sum , the interest of which would be devoted to assisting unsuccessful candidates for the Benevolent Institution , and thus perpetuate his name .

Brother the Rev . W . Harrison then delivered an oration , remarking that the deceased Brother had often exceeded the limits of Masonic obligation and charity—charity abounded in his , life . . The affecting little ceremony closed with the singing of the hymn , " Abide with me , " , and a bunch of acacia was laid upon the grave .

The monument , which was designed by Bro . Eedle and erected by BrO . W . Richards , of Brockley Road , takes the shape of a Runic cross in red Peterhead granite , with Masonic emblems worked in relief , placed on a diminishing die .

If you ask me what is the relation of Masonry to the church I represent , I tell you it is the chiefest of the allies that the world has produced . I tell you that it is second only to the church—first of all other institutions in the

ideal that it has held before mankind , as that toward which it shall direct its efforts ; first in its broad and sweeping charity that comprehends all the world ; first in its impulse to all that is high and pure . —Rev . R . Perry Busb , Mass .