The Freemasons Secret.

THE FREEMASONS SECRET .

( Continued from page 149 . ) HERE then , the real life begins . He walks before his associates , and the world looks on while the questions are asked and answers given . And first among the lessons one hears as he engages in the duties of daily life , is that written by the Psalmist and repeated to-day as of divine origin :

" Behold how good and how pleasant it ia for brethren to dwell together in unity . It is like the precious ointment upon the head , that ran down upon the beard , even Aaron ' s beard , that went down to the skirts of his garment . As the dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended upon the Mountain of Zion ; for there the Lord commanded the blessing , even life for evermore . "

After learning the lesson of a common brotherhood where each is received for what he is in and of himself , it is natural to expect that the man shall pledge himself to his fellow men , to be a man among men , true to his trust and faithful in his daily toil . Then the world confides in him , takes him by the hand and receives him as a fellow worker for the common good , gives him light .

The grip of a mutual fellowship is accepted among men as a token of fraternity . The word is common property wherever men strive to do and say the right thing . Both these advantages come to those who show their willingness to act the part of

sympathetic helpers in the work of the world . Now the world says to its workers " Stand upright , with the square of truth beneath your feet , and the working tools of an earnest manhood n your hands . "

But this is not all , the world expects one to magnify his calling , to show his sincerity by deeds as well as words ; to maintain such purity of life and conduct as best befits those who claim companionship with angels as well as men . The " white

leather apron " may not come to all who live and labour in tbe world , but the thing it signifies must be in the heart of every man if he would see life at its best and know all that the noblest ambition would achieve .

But suppose after all is said and done , after an honest effort and a willing heart have shown how faithful and true a human life may be , there still come want and destitution and poverty ! Is life a failure because of that ? There are times when the world asks " You find yourself entirely destitute ? "

But who does not know that there is a fund of wealth in the consciousness of personal rectitude ? That a virtuous intent opens the way to human sympathy and assistance ? Selfishness is not supreme anywhere . Noble character makes friends

among the lowly and oppressed as well as with the rich and great . Tbe compensations of life flow in on every side , and common experience establishes the fact that the hungry are fed , the naked clothed , the sick are visited , and the poor find the Gospel of God a thing of joy to the soul .

Nothing now remains but to take life as one finds it , accustom himself to the use of such working tools as the nature of the case demands , and live in accordance with the Golden Rule that admonishes him to do to others as he would have others do to him .

Such is the Entered Apprentice Degree in Freemasonry , and the lesson it would impart is that which concerns a good beginning for the duties and responsibilities that are to come in the future . The lights that are to guide the novitiate are Faith in God , and Love towards his fellow men . The Plumb , Level and

Square are emblems of uprightness , fraternity and rectitude . The principles of action are Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth . The cardinal virtues are Fortitude , Prudence , Temperance and Justice . Who could be injured by such teachings as these ?—Rev . T . E . St . John , in " Freemasons Repository . "

The Level.

THE LEVEL .

THE chief glory of Masonry is that it levels all the barriers that intervene between individuals aud communities , and brings together upon a plane of common equality persons of the most diverse opinions , occupations and interests . Over-leaping all boundaries of selfishness and exclusiveness , over-ruling all social and class distinctions , breaking down all the partitions of bigotry and intolerance , it unites in common work and common object the

good and true of all pursuits , opinions and languages . The Lodge can never become the exclusive creature of any social , political , or religious class or sect , because it is the joint possession of the best representatives of all classes and conditions . Here upon the level—the symbol of equality—the rich and poor , the high aud low , the titled prince and the sturdy yeoman ,

forget all differences of rank and station , and unite their best endeavour for the highest good of each and all . Here the best representatives of the various church creeds and tbe most diverse theological sentiments stand side by side without a single test between them I Here the leaders of opposite parties and rival factions forget their intrigues , and catching the spirit of royal sympathy and philanthropy breathed from every lesson of the Fraternity

The Level.

their hearts are melted into responsive love and fraternal peace . Here nobility of birth and blood is superseded by that higher nobility whioh is of disposition and life . Here the crown ot royalty and the sceptre of authority belong to those most distinguished for virtue and honour . Here all languages are melted into words and symbols conveying the same meaning

to all minds , and bearing the same significance in all circles . Of course , it is not assumed that these noble and honourable aims are never losb sight of by persons who have sought and obtained the fellowship of the Fraternity . Bad men sometimes conceal their selfish designs so skilfully that the closest scrutiny may fail to unmask them . But the object of Freemasonry to unite

and harmonise in a benevolent and honourable work , the best representatives of all theological and governmental opinions , is not the less apparent on this account . And that its influence in this direction has been exceedingly potential and beneficient no one acquainted with the facts of the case will pretend to deny . — " Freemasons Repository . "

Masonic Compasses.

MASONIC COMPASSES .

AN article in relation to the much mooted question as to which is th correct word— " compass " or " compasses "—is a question that has troubled me in my dreams and waking hours ever since I began to study Masonic symbolism , and to endeavour to find out the correct pronunciation and meaning of words contained in the Masonio vocabulary . I had heard " compass" and " compasses" used in the same breath , and the most

diligent inquiry has so far failed to elicit any further light on the subject . I have also heard used the word " scissors , " and frequently a " pair of scissors , " but never " scissorses " or a " pair of scissorses , " and as a compass is made of two pointed branches , the same as a pair of scissors , I am as a loss to determine exactly where I am at . My present dilemma reminds me of

tbe tailor and the tailor ' s goose . He wanted two of them and , when he sa down to write an order for them , he said : " Send me two tailor ' s geese . " That didn't sound just right , and so he changed it to read : " Send me two tailor ' s gooses . " That looked worse than the other , and so he made up his mind that neither way of wording the order would do . After scratching his

head a lew minutes , he seized a pen and sheet of paper and wrote : " Send me a tailor ' s goose , and—dang it , send me another I " Even that unique way of getting out of it has still left the question unsettled in my mind , and it seems to be as far from solution as ever . But the tailor got out of it to his own satisfaction—much after the way that Lincoln , when a young

captain of militia , got his company on the other side of the fence one day when out drilling them . They wero marching in platoons and he wanted to get the boys through the gate , but when he had arrived there he couldn't think how to give the order to get them in proper line , so they could march through , and so he said : " Halt—break ranks—and in two minutes assemble on the other side of the fence I "—Aroz , in " Masonic Advocate . "

GLASGOW MASONIC HALL . THE Masonic Temple which has been built to accommodate the Glasgow Brethren of the Craft was thrown open for public inspection on Saturday . The premises have been used for meetings of the various Lodges for some time , but it was thought that the shareholders and their lady friends should have an opportunity of inspecting the whole suite of halls and rooms under the genial influences of afternoon tea and a little music . Accordingly invitations were issued by the Chairman and Directors of the Company .

The movement which has resulted in the erection of the handsome building at 100 West Regent Street was originated by Bro . John Graham Provincial Grand Master . A limited liability company was formed , and the money required was speedily subscribed . The site is on the north of the thoroughfare , and two buildings have been erected on it , the one fronting the street , and the other on the back portion of the ground . The former has been almost entirely arranged in suites of offices , the rents of which will furnish a considerable annual revenue . The other one is devoted entirely to Masonic purposes .

The designs were prepared by Bro . 3 . L . Cowan , who has adopted a free treatment of the English renaissance style of architecture . The building ia four storeys in height . The basement is occupied by reception , cloak , and ladies' rooms , with a purveyor ' s kitchen , as well as a machinery roora containing the appliances for mechanical heating and ventilation . On the street level a commodious hall has been constructed 64 ft . long by 38 ft . wide . There is a dado panelled in stained wood 9 ft . high , and above the walls are

treated somewhat elaborately , with capitals between the windows , which run round three sides . The lights are seini-oircular headed , and are filled with stained glass on which are displayed the arms of Grand Lodge , the Provincial Grand Lodge , the arms of the city , and various Masonic symbols . The hall is comfortably seated for 400 persons , and there is a pneumatic

organ which has been built by Messrs . Brindley & Foster , Sheffield . On the next floor there is a commodious Lodge room 45 ft . by 26 ft ., and a large adjacent room with committee , smoking , and other rooms . The Lodge room is treated simply and severely in the old Greek style . There is a lesser Lodge room above , 30 ft . by 24 ft ., and there are a store room and caretaker ' s house of three apartments on the top floor .

The cost of the buildings was £ 11 , 500 , which , together with £ 4 , 000 paid for the site and the money spent on decoration , brings the total expenditure up to about £ 16 , 000 . The invitation of the chairman and directors of the Company was responded to by a very large party of ladies and gentlemen . After inspecting the premises the company assembled in the hall , where a concert of vocal and instrumental music was gone through . — " Glasgow Herald . "

MASTER Mason , age 24 , deairons of going abroad , is open to accept any situation , highest references . —I . c / o Editor , FREEMASON ' S CHBONIC & E ,