Value Of Freemasonry.

VALUE OF FREEMASONRY .

w E do not desire to startle the reader by any remarks that might be justly characterised as unduly laudatory , but we do wish to do justice to Freemasonry , and if in so doing we go beyond the views of some , we trust they will fairly weigh our remarks before they assume to cast them over among the rubbish .

The Masomc Fraternity is a wonderful one in whatever aspect it is viewed , the most wonderful that has come down to mankind through the ages . It is an elect society , and in numbers the elect are a great army . They could do anything they would ; they choose to do only that which is for

the highest and best advantage of themselves , and at the same time , and only in a less degree , for the advantage of their fellow-men ; for whatsoever lifts up , morally and mentally , any class of men , indirectly benefits every other class . It is an ancient society . No one can locate , in time

or place , its beginning . It has existed since a time beyond which the memory of man runneth not to the contrary . We find evident landmarks of its existence back through the ages , even where little else is found . There is a charm to many minds in searching for evidences of its material works ,

and its labours of love . They feel that they are en route to an " undiscovered country , " from which the traveller may return . They are encouraged by frequent " finds , " and they thus go on , enlarging the boundaries of knowledge , and completing the history of the Craft . It is a charitable

society , charitable in its best sense . It does not merely dole out pecuniary aid ; the world can do that , and often does it . Whenever it gives it gives feelingly , fraternally . In giving to a Brother , it feels that it is giving to itself . All that it has belongs to the Brotherhood , and from its

members in distress it can withhold none of its possessions . The charity of Freemasonry is merely incident to its Brotherly Love . It is a moral society . Its morality is that of the First Great Light . All of its symbols and working tools are instrumental in teaching its '" beautiful system of morality . "

It does not supplant the Church ; it assumes only to be the " handmaid of religion . " But it is a powerful ally . Its teaching is always and everywhere the same , and always and everywhere for good morals . It is an intellectual society . The philosophic system of Freemasonry , in its principles and

teachings , is to the thoughtful observer its most remarkable characteristic . There seems practically to be no end to the beauty , force and variety of its philosophic system . Men of the largest culture and the , profoundest thought find pleasure and profit in its studies . No one can give it

attention without having the field of his reflections enlarged , and deriving intellectual pleasure of the highest character . The many may be satisfied with the spectacular exhibition of what is termed the " work of the floor . " liven this they may see without comprehending more than its merest

surfacemeaning . In doing so they throw away opportunities for the most satisfying and delightful instruction . Indeed , it is scarcely too much to say that they gather the husk and throw away the corn . This is owing , in part , to the Officers of Lodges , and other Masonic bodies , themselves . They do not

explain , they do not illustrate . But this knowledge , which the Brethren cannot at times gather within the tyled doors , is not all contraband . Some of it , at least , nay , much of it , may be found in the acknowledged literature of the Craft . Freemasonry now has a literature of which it may justly be

proud . The proceedings of its different Grand Bodies , and the Reports on Foreign Correspondence therein contained , are replete with instruction . The published works of such Brethren as Mackey , Fort , Lyon , Woodford , Hughan and Gould are worthy of the most careful reading . They give

facts and principles that are truly Masonic . They are logical , accurate and entertaining . The Brother who has them in his Masonic library has an unfailing source of literary pleasure . He may know all of Freemasonry , and thereby become a complete Freemason . lie becomes also , as a consequence ,

practically more regular and punctual in his attendance on his Masonic bodies , and more useful as a member . He is an intelligent member . He advises wisely , and acts promptly . He not only knows the work , but he understands its meaning . He comprehends the entire scope of Freemasonry . To

him it is no longer a mystery . It should not be a mystery to any of its members . Yet alas , how many Master Masons are there in name , that are only Entered Apprentices in fact . They have been " brought to light , " but afterwards have wandered into darkness . You must remain in the light , and

Value Of Freemasonry.

use that light , if you would receive its proffered advantages . Welcome the day when initiates shall no longer play Masonry , but fairly and earnestly work it . It is not a plaything . It is not a show . It is a Fraternity with unlimited capacities for enlarging the understanding , purifying ithe

heart , and elevating the character of its Brethren , while at the same time it ministers to the healthy development of their social and convivial propensities . Whoever forgets this , or neglects it , voluntarily resigns a part of his noble heritage as a Craftsman . — " Keystone . "

¦ TlnTwInnnWwwInHMfilw We have stood and must still stand for great forward movements in the world of thought and faith . Masonry has at times been charged WUQ being anti-religious , anti-Christian , anti-church . Never this . But when religion has

sunk to superstition and Christianity to a rigid system , and the church to a priest or creed-ridden set or sect , then Masonry has entered her protest and pleaa for liberty . . Human and

imperfect , our Fraternity has sometimes let the pendulum swing too far in antagonism to the church , but in it all has been the aim to spread human freedom . —John Facille , Illinois .

The constitution of our country , founded upon the principles of freedom and equal rights , has been amended from time to time to meet new conditions and new issues . And

so with Masonry , while we pledge our unqualified allegiance to its great truths , we must , to perpetuate those truths , add to and change our constitution and laws , as the necessities of the time may require . —Winheld S . Choate , Maine .

Back dues appear to haunt the minds of Grand Masters generally , as one hardly ever takes up the proceedings of a Grand Lodge that he does not find "' back dues " staring him

in the face . The writer of this imperfect review holds the opinion that arrears of dues need not be such a bug-bear as they appear to be . The evil is attributable solely to the Lodge itself . —Thomas Mowbray , Nova Scotia .

The work of establishing and maintaining Masonic homes goes on with most encouraging progress . Masonry is thus demonstrating its true mission and right to a place

among the great and good institutions of , our advancing civilisation . Never in its history has the Fraternity presented such credentials to the confidence and approbation of the general public . —John D . Vincil , Missouri .

* * * The idea of the sovereignty of every Grand Lodge is good , and 1 am not in favour of anything that would impair it ; but it is evident that that supremacy , being a state

supremacy , cannot possibly have anything to say concerning those questions which are larger than Grand Lodge questions and belong to Freemasonry everywhere . —J . M . Rumsey , Wyoming .

A Laurel Crown.

A LAUREL CROWN .

To C . F . Forshaw , Esq ., LL . D ., F . R . S . L ., on his election as Councillor of the Royal Society of Literature , 24 th April 1901 . Oh , I am glad that England gives , " Thy genius a memorial shrine , " The poet's whisper always lives - . Immortal as the " Soul divine . "

And many hearts shall throb and glow , To see this garland on thy brow , My sweetest buds of thought shall blow , To twine around thy pathway now . For thou hast tried by song and deed ,

To rouse the weak , to cheer the sad , A helper thou hast been indeed , And so to-night our hearts are glad . To see this crown of Envrald leaves Rest lightly on thy noble head ,

Oh ! may each spray that friendship weaves , Be ever green and never dead . My song is weak , my chords are frail , Yet let my weakest whisper tell ,

" That all bow down to crown and hail . " Our poet that we prize so well . E . SWEETJIAN , F . R . S . L . 149 Clonliffe Road , Dublin , 3 rd May IQOJ ,