What Profit?

and made more evident the truth of the solidarity of the human race . What profit has Freemasonry ? Much profit , and in various ways , when rightly understood and applied , beiDg judged by the tests which determine the higher values . Freemasonry pays the

thoughtful , faithful Craftsmen , not in the wages of the world s current coin , but in what quickens the affections , exalts the aspirations , broadens and blesses the life , thus providing a social , intellectual and moral incitement for a strong and useful manhood . — " Freemason ' s Eepository . "

A True Craftsman.

A TRUE CRAFTSMAN .

AMONG the many gems in Bro . Stewart's lecture on " A True Craftsman , " before the Temple Club , New York , the following extracts will show the excellence of the whole : " . There is in the human mind an irresistible desire to adopt some kind of system , follow a custom and emulate example . So

apt are we in this respect that we involuntarily become attached to that from which we receive the first impression , and we thus learn to love and venerate old and familiar things . Who has not been moved by the pathetic song or story of ' The Old Mill , ' ' The Old Church' or ' The Old Homestead , ' around which may cluster

fond memories of days long gone by ? And who , when in sweet communion with himself , has not found comfort and solace in recalling scenes enacted many , many years ago ? Hence our veneration for the intellectual images we have set up , and our reverence for the quaint , though sometimes ungrammatical ,

language we use in our ceremony . In the earliest history of the human race we find a deep-seated desire to adopt forms and ceremonies intended either to please the eye , inform the mind , or teach the heart . Even among the heathen nations , as well as with the more enlightened Hebrews , ceremonies were both

elaborate and important .... FreemasoDry may not have been understood , or practiced , or even known , prior to our knowledge of its existence in Great Britain , and , save for the satisfaction of the historian , what of'it ? But it is all important how it now is , and how it should be , and how it now is practiced .

" We can trace a clear , defined and unmistakable similarity , an unbroken chain , connecting the operative with the speculative Masonry . The system , the tools and implements of our ancient Brethren have been symbolised by the speculative Freemasonry . Their quaint customs and language , so dear to every Masonic

student , have been adopted by the Craft , and thus , from what was the perfection of an operative system , useful as it was extensive , has arisen speculative or symbolic Masonry , which is to-day without a peer , the wonder and admiration of succeeding generations . . . .

" The work of our mystic rite , if performed in sincerity and truth , will last throughout eternal ages , because we build a moral structure , whose every stone must be hewn , squared and numbered according to the cardinal virtues which underlie the indestructible foundation of the Craft . Knit together by the

strong ties which unite those of the human race who believe in a progressive civilisation and the divine origin of mankind , we build a temple whose cornerstone is charity , and on whose capstone is inscribed ' Holiness to the Lord . ' .... The name ' True Craftsman' can only be applied to a Master Mason , for in the

symbolic Lodge only are to be found the foundation and capstone of Masonry . All other degrees are innovations , invented and designed from time to time to suit the fancy of those desiring novelty and high-sounding titles . We might properly except the Eoyal Arch , which has been ruthlessly torn from the Master ' s degree , and which was and is and should be , a part of it .

" The legends of Masonry , while attractive and instructive , are subordinate to the symbol . Indeed , the principal figure in the great legend of Freemasonry is itself a symbol of manhood seeking immortality

" But we have an abiding faith in this great belief which is of infinitely more importance to the Craft , that the ' Mystic Temple , ' the spirit of Masonry , existed from the foundation of the world ; the sacred altar , whose living fire , sustained by an unseen power , fed by unseen hands , burnt with unfading light and shed

its effulgent rays around the very birthplace of the human race . " The ' True Craftsman' will commune with himself , applying the square aud plummet to his own conduct . He might follow the beaten path with some degree of success , but that would not suffice ; he must do more . He must examine himself , and find not only the qualities that he should encourage and

propagate , but also the evils that he , should avoid . He will weigh the actions of his fellow in the balance of equity , and judge from reason rather than prejudice . He will avoid cynicism , that unmanly trait , so blasting in its influence , so subtle and pernicious in its destructive work . For the cynic never finds the good , but is quick to discover that which may be a defect in the character of his Brother . Beligion to the cynic is hypocrisy ; honesty , a pretense ; virtue , simply want of opportunity ; purity , a myth .

A True Craftsman.

The influence of such a nature is like the biting frost on the tender plant . The ' True Craftsman' will avoid him ; he will avoid the tale-bearer , who loveth and maketh a lie ; he will not lend himself to aught that will bring sorrow or wrong upon any member of the human race . The ' True Craftsman ' will be quick

to promote the good of others , as he does not possess a selfish nature , but cultivates a noble generosity , expelling all bitter , envenomed thoughts , whose deadly poison , like the burnished adder , would destroy the noblest work of God . He will cultivate a liberal , broad-minded disposition . No sectarian dogma will

circumscribe his development , no shallow knowledge or rudimentary religion retard his growth . He believes in the great truths of God and Nature in their purest and simplest form . May his standard advance , his temples rise , until faith , justice , truth , charity and fraternal love encompass with their benign influence the utmost ends of the universe . "— " American Tyler . "

The 49 th issue of the "East Lancashire Masonic Calendar" has appeared , and as usual bears marks of the careful editing of" Bro . Jas . Newton Past G . Sword Bearer

England Prov . G . Sec . The calendar is issued in handy form , and will be found of great service to Brethren for reference . Copies may be had from the publisher , Bro . O . C . Crompton , Fleet Street , Bury .

As mentioned elsewhere , in our report of the Ashbury Lodge ( Manchester ) picnic , the Great Central Railway specially cater for picnic parties—especially Masonic ones , added Bro . H . E . Massie , who holds an important position on the staff of the Company . He stated that twenty-five

new saloons had recently been provided for the traffic , and he hoped to retain the greater portion of these for the Manchester district , notwithstanding the London demands ,

but we trust he will find it necessary to get new ones for his own district , when once his London Brethren come to realise the capabilities of his line in the way of providing enjoyment for pleasure parties .

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