The Spirit Of Freemasonry.

actions of many generations and vast masses of humanity , and do not call for our contempt or derision . . ' : Bather should we feel pity that man has had to struggle from such an abyss of darkness up such mountains of moral difficulty , through such tangled mazes of superstition , along such a thorny road of ignorance , and through such dismal forests of doubting fear and gloom , until be emerged into the brilliant radiance p £

the light that shine 3 around us to-day . They all contained some germs of truth , and all that was true in them remains in our religions of the present time , and especially in Freemasonry , for the truth is eternal , and Freemasonry is a perfect well of moral truth , pure and undefiled . Whether it is possible to trace it back to those old religions or not Freemasonry can justly ' claim to be the " heir to all the ages" of religious thought and moral

reflection . Freemasonry knows no trammels of dogma , no restrictions of sectarianism . A man may believe in all the gods of the Hindoo Pantheon , or in the Allah of the Mohammedan , in the Jehovah of the Jew , or the Trinity of the Christian ; provided he has some belief in an Almighty Power , as Great Architect and

Supreme Buler of the Universe , as expressed in Pope s " Universal Prayer "— " Father of all , in every age , in every clime , ardpred . by saint , by savage , and by sage , Jehovah , Jove , or Lord "—and if he is also a just , upright , and true man , Masonry throws her . portals open wide , and receives him in her all-embracing arms . It is not only the most cosmopolitan institution the world has ever seen ,

including , as it does , all nations , races , and ranks , but the most widely Catholic , embracing all sects and creeds . It is the highest in its aspirations , the purest in its aims , the most elevating in its tendencies , and the most beautiful and prolific in its fruits , for these are many deeds of loving kindness and mercy , of charity and brotherly love . It preaches the grandest religion of all , the religion of humanity , the brotherhood of man .

And if , in the far-distant future , the dream of the poet is realised , and " the war-drum throbs no longer , and the battle-flag is furled in the parliament of man , in the federation of the world , " then it will be acknowledged that Freemasonry has been a mighty factor in attaining that happy consummation , and the religion of that federation will assuredly be one , in all its

essentials , identical with the teachings of the Craft . Before concluding I may briefly refer to the civilising and social aspect of Freemasonry . . In olden times , no doubt , it was spread throughout the then civilised world , and our ancient Brethren were justified in their claim that it had the sun always at its meridian . With the increase of population , the spread of

civilisation , and the extension of colonisation , it is now , of course more universally spread , and has a larger number of adherents , than at any . previous period in its history . It is safe to say that in every centre of civilisation , in every town of importance , you will find a Masonic Lodge . In the nature of things Masonic , the members of that Lodge must be picked men—that is , they

must have come up to a certain standard of moral worth and intellectual ability . You will also find—and I say this without the slightest egotism as a member of the Craft , but simply as stating a fact—that if they do not represent the wealth , they do represent what is better , and this is , most of the moral and intellectual force in the community . It is impossible that such

men can pass through our ceremonies , and listen to the beautiful language of our ritual , without being impressed by its teachings , or without these influencing their lives outside . Those influences must naturally act on others , and thus extend , in ever-widening circles , so that no man can say where the civilising or elevating influence of a Masonic Lodge ends .

As to its social effects , we know that many a warm and lifelong friendship had its origin in a Mason ' s Lodge , and that many an old and deep-seated grievance has either been remedied by the teachings of the Graft , or removed by the active mediation of wiser and less passionate Brethren . We have also an excellent illustration of its social influence afforded this evening , for at this

festive board , enjoying your excellent hospitality , are men from all parts of the district , indeed from near and far , men of various stations in life , of many businesses and professions , sometimes necessarily in antagonism outside—men of many shades of religious belief and political opinion ; yet all have been working in perfect harmony , assisting in the celebration of one of our most

interesting and important rites . Surely we should admire and be proud of an institution which , out of so much discord , can evolve such harmony—out of such incongruous and unlikely material can produce such perfect unity , peace , and concord . We may indeed be ready to say with the poet , that " most of good that man befalls is found within the hallowed walls " of a

Masonic Lodge . Outside the rancorous war of sectarianism may rage , the tempest of politics may howl , the clashing of business interests in the strife and straggle for existence may embitter the hearts , warp the prejudices , and disturb the minds of men , but the Mason knows that for him there is one refuge from all this turmoil , storm , and stress , and that havea of rest is the bosom of a Mason ' s Lodge . — " New Zealand Graftsrnan . "

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

—* . o : — We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . , All Letters must bear the name and address of the writers , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

— : o : — MAEK MASONEY

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am sure it will be welcome news for those of your readers who are Mark Master Masons to know that a Mark Lodge of Instruction has been formed under the sanction of the Star Mark Lodge , No . 499 . The inaugural meeting will be held at the Six Bells Hotel , Hammersmith ( two minutes walk from either of the Hammersmith Railway

Stations ) , on Wednesday evening , 8 th March , at 8 p . m ., at which all Mark Master Masons are cordially invited to be present . The executive trust that in meeting this long felt want all Mark Master Blasons who can possibly do so will attand , and avail themselves of the opportunity afforded them of learning the beautiful ritual and working of this Degree . Bro . Woolmev Williams P . M . 499 . Grand Steward has kindly consented to act as Preceptor , and Bro . Robert Reid 499 as Deputy .

The Lodge will also meet on the second Wednesday evening of each subsequent month . Yours , & c , ¦ . . ¦ W . T . RIDGWAY Secretary . 2 Brooklyn Road , Shepherds Bush , W ., 26 th Feburary 1899 .

THE GBAND TBEASUBEBSHIP .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Kindly permit me through your columns to thank my Masonic friends who kindly gave me their support at yesterday's election . I deeply appreciate the great honour that has heen paid to me , and I shall do all in my power to uphold the high tradition of the office . Yours faithfully and fraternally , ALFRED H . BEVAN . 2 nd March 1899 .

All Books , & c , intended for review should be addressed to the Editor , Freemason ' s Chronicle , ISSew Barnet .

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