The Boys' School Inquiry.

cannot be made public through our columns . Let those who doubt us in this respect put us to the test —but in doing so they must act legitimately , and keep within the bounds of fair argument . It is not our intention to refer at any length here to the work which is before the Committee of Inquiry , doubtless tho brethren who compose it will , among them , be able to formulate a programme , and if it is sufficiently representative we have no doubt that every matter of moment will be fully and impartially investigated , but there is one point we should like

to urge for the consideration of the management of the Institution ; it will not be interfering with tho work of the Committee of Inquiry , but if properly carried out it will materially assist in the labour of its members , and will render unnecessary much discussion and individual expression of opinion which must otherwise occur . What we suggest is , that in view of the principal complaint being in

regard to the expenditure of the funds of the Institution , the House Committee call for fresh tenders for the various goods they have to purchase , and that they give the trades respectively concerned due notice , by public advertisement or otherwise , of their desire to encourage fair competition in everything required for the Institution . If these tenders are received at once , and could be placed before the Committee of Inquiry at one of its earliest meetings , with the assurance that everything had been done it was possible to do in order to ensure

publicity to the desire for tenders , the ground would be cut from under the feet of those who now urge that extravagance is practised , and probably the labours of the Committee would be brought to an abrupt termination and general confidence would be restored in regard to this most useful Masonic Institution . Elsewhere we record the proceedings which took place at the last meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nottinghamshire , where a resolution was passed bearing on this subiect . This resolution is

perfectly legitimate , and will no doubt be copied far and near so long as the question of extravagance remains undecided , and , as we have already said , we fully anticipate that support for the Institution will be curtailed , if not wholly stopped , wherever such a resolution is considered , until the work of inquiry is brought to a conclusion . Such being the ease we once more urge the necessity of speedy action .

Square Work.

SQUARE WORK .

An Oration hj Bro . Bev . A . Frank Boss , before the Grand Lodge F . and A . M . of Indian Territory , 2 nd November 1887 .

OUR GEE AT LIGHT tells us that " a tree is known by its fruits . " An individual or a society is judged by the fruit produced . When a new society springs up or a new political party is organised , the first and important questions are : What does it do , or

propose to do ? And if it becomes known that its aim is to benefit mankind , the good and influential give their support , which , is the reason that so many of our grandest men of the past were fond patrons of Freemasonry .

Empires and societies often become corrupt and crumble to pieces . A curious world wonders how Masonry has withstood the lapse of time while kingdoms and nations are constantly crumbling . It is not because there is no

opposition , for every black ballot makes an enemy , and every attack on corruption meets opposition . The secret of Masonry ' s power is its wholesome instruction , followed by its " Square Work , " for no other kind of work will a true Mason do .

In this business age others may be found to cheat , wrong and defraud , but he that wears the " Square " on his breast should not dare tread such a path . The square is our " principal working tool and ornament " and a " great light . " It was used by our ancient brethren

to " square their work , " fitting it for the temple ; but

Square Work.

wo are to use it in " squaring our actions towards all mankind , " fitting our minds and hearts for that temple not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . The Craft at labour without tho square is thrown into confusion and its

work is irregular aud clandestine . So is our Masonic career outside the Lodge room a failure unless regulated by tho square of virtue . Fraud would be more common if it was not for the law's protective arm , but a true Mason will

never cheat another out of the value of anything knowingly , oven should the opportunity be ever so good—if clone at a midnight hour beyond the reach of mortal eye , that All-seeing * Eye in whom wo put our trust is ever

looking down upon our deed . After violating our fraternal ties and sacred obligations we could never come before tho Holy Altar , and see the great lights spread , without having our spirits crushed with remorse .

It is a sad fact that not all Masons always do " square work , " among whom I may class the gambler , he that wants something without having earned it ; a very disreputable business for any one , and especially so for one that wields

the trowel . If a brother is not competent of making a livelihood otherwise tho ready arm of Masonic charity will be immediately extended to his relief . The Mason who can take his hands from the Great Light to shuffle cards ,

throw dice , push balls or pnt up stakes at a horse race , has a very incorrect idea of the nature of an obligation , and is certainly very ignorant as to the requirements of our

regulations . A few Masons have actually been known to run gambling houses in our jurisdiction , and it is a shame upon the Lodges that such go unpunished ; shame enough to inflict an everlasting stain and hush their gavels for ever .

Temperance is one of the principal planks iu the square worker ' s platform . We are to be temperate in all things , especially are we to shun the intoxicating cup that carries disgrace and ruin with it . He that does and admires

Square Work is always mortified at the sight of : a drunken Mason , but alas ! how sad has it been during the past year in our own jurisdiction to see not only staggering members , but officers have tottered from the honoured places and

stations of the sanctum sanctorum into the gutter , thereby paralysing their Lodges and bringing disgrace upon Masonry , and even members of the Grand Lodge at our annual Grand Communications have been guilty of this sin .

It is a pity that men with so little control over their appetites have become engrafted into our Masonic tree , and a shame that they have been promoted to places of distinction from , whence the fall draws much life-blood from

the entire body . Some of our Lodges have members ( so I am informed ) who make a practice of getting drunk at least once a week . While I admit , that this is a weakly

affair , it is sufficiently strong to crush the Lodge , and divest our Order of all respectability in the locality . A thorough pruning is often essential to life and production , and the proper season is at hand .

Masonry teaches us to pray for ourselves and our brothers , that no evil may befall us while sojourning here below , but it nowhere authorises that prayer of condemnation sometimes offered by our crooked walking members

petitioning God to damn his brother or his own immortal soul . Such a prayer offered by those lips that repeated that binding obligation , indited by the mind that received the good instruction , is not only sufficient to strike

us down with surprise and fill us with mortification , but enough to astonish the demons of hell and make the angelic host of heaven weep . Brethren , have you forgotten that solemn charge to never

mention " His name but with that reverential awe which is due from a creature to his creator . " Lodges , if you have weak brothers that cannot overcome this low habit , for the

sake of your own obligations see that the edicts are abided by and do not allow those violators to go unpunished . Leniency is detrimental , almost ruinous .

Masonry is Fraternity . We of all nationalities are of the same household tribal walls have crumbled , political chasms filled , and we are " cemented together by brotherly love , among whom there is no contention except that

contention who can best work and best agree . " A square working Mason will never speak evil of a brother . Should he err go and see him , " whisper good counsel in his ear , ' and if he cannot be reclaimed tell it to the Lodge that be may

be dealt with according to our edicts , and he may then be to thee as a profane and not as a brother . With regret and shame must we admit that not all of our members are " square workers , " for some circulate and even originate the most damaging and malicious accusations against the