Freemasonry Requires Masterbuilding.

Tho expediency of admitting to membership those who wero Freemasons was often debated within its councils . Finally this method of settling the question was adopted . An honourable brother , whose judgment was pasfc

questioning , wns delegated to join the Fraternity and ascertain the facts relating to its worthiness . If it should be found in the judgment of this good brother to be a worthy Institution , then the church would feel free to admit to its

fellowship members of the Masonic fraternity who showed evidences of piety and Christian character . A suitable length of time was given this Committee of one to carry out the plan . The good brother offered himself to the

Lodge , and as the meeting which appointed him to this work was held in secret , so that the Lodge had no knowledge of its object , he was readily received . The good man was an admirer of tbe beautiful in sentiment and

principle as well as iu nature , and the lessons he learned during his initiation , passing , and raising , fairly captured his soul . He thought of a personal friend in the church , one Deacon B rower , whom he wished to share with him in

his new found delights , but he held his peace , and awaited opportunity . At length the time came for the meeting of the church to listen to the report on this subject . When called upon for it the good man arose very deliberately

and said : * ' Brethren , I have done as directed . I have joined the Freemasons , and made such investigation as was needful and proper , but am not disposed to make a report just yet , as I would prefer to have the further

investigation of another Committee , that in the mouths of two witnesses at least , the facts may be established . I suggest that you appoint Deacon Brower as another Committee for this work . " Tho suggestion was adopted , and the report was favourable to Freemasonry .

It will not be out of place here to allude to the objections raised against our Craft by its enemies , and by those who are prejudiced against it by them . And first and foremost among these objections is our secrecy .

" Secretism , they hold , is terribly objectionable , when applied to secret societies ; yet every well regulated family is a secret organisation , and nothing is more disgusting than discussing the private affairs of the family before the

public . If secrecy is objectionable in moral associations , why not oppose it in all things , and compel not only families , but business and professional men to divulge their private matters ? Merchant , take that private mark off

your goods . What right have you to withhold from the public the secret it indicates ? Doctor , what is the trouble in Mr . Cs family ? Don't keep any secrets in your

profession . Sheriff , United States Marshal , Detective , what was your business at Chicago yesterday ? Come , gentlemen , show up , as no secrecy is to be allowed .

" But , " say our enemies , " your secrecy is oath-bound , and this is the objectionable feature of your Institution . " I answer : Why apply this to Freemasonry only ? Every well regulated army that was ever organised for battle was

a secret oath-bound society . The councils of war are generally held in secret . Every officer and soldier if bound under oath to be loyal to the cause he has espoused , and every one of them understands that he is liable to be

placed where he must keep secrets . Why allow this , is secrecy under oath is wrong ? Sentinel , shout that countersign to the world , though a thousand foes are in hearing . And you , messenger , entrusted with those private

instructions from the commander to his subordinate , give them up . You have no right to keep secrets , though you are sworn to do so . And you , ambassador to a foreign court , give to the world those sealed instructions , though a nation ' s welfare depends on your keeping them . —Voice of Masonry . ( To be continued ) .

After The Summer Vacation.

AFTER THE SUMMER VACATION .

r * T 1 WO or three months of vacation time have quickly

JL passed away . Masonic organizations for the most part have held no meetings since June . But little of Masonic work has been done in any locality of which we have knowledge . The members of the Craft , in common

with the rest of the world , have been moving about , going on excursions , taking rest , trying to throw off—at least temporarily—the heat and burden of the day , and , by change of scene or engagement , to gather new strength for the ordinary , active duties of life . All this is well . We believe in holding vacations . It is

After The Summer Vacation.

good for the individual sometimes to pause and rest . Ifc does no injury to the Lodge or other Masonic organization to intermit its meetings occasionally . But after the vacation , —what ?

Brethren are just now returning to their homes , and taking up again the routine work which claims their attention . From seaside and mountain—from places far away and close at hand—they come home to apply themselves

selves more diligently , and more successfully , quite likely , to the work and business of ordinary life . In the nature of things this is what should be expected , as , rested in body

and brightened in mind , there comes a fresh inspiration with which to engage in the activities of secular care and concern . And shall not some of the wholesome influences thus derived , the beneficent effects of summer rest , make themselves felt in Masonio channels ? Brethren who have

been separated for a little time , who have not visited the

Lodge for months , ought to be glad to meet again within the tyled room and to take each other by the hand . They come together rested and refreshed ; lassitude has given place to activity , and they take brighter and better views

of life because they have paused a while , or gone away on some vacation experience . Surely there may be expected a better feeling , a more earnest purpose , greater interest as regards Masonic affairs , in consequence of the change that has been made—the relief thafc has been had—while the

disposition will be strong to do more and enjoy more in Masonic work and associations . In summer quiet , as Brethren have gone away from the heat and din of the citVi they will not have ceased to think

of Freemasonry , and quite likely they may return , not only with renewed zest for the meetings and work of the Fraternity , but also with a higher appreciation of the worth of the Institution . Perhaps , as they have rested and

thought , they have gained some new ideas as to what should be done to improve the condition of their Lodge , Chapter or Commandery ; or they have at least resolved that

individually they will be more zealous in respect to Masonic interests , more regardful of the principles and precepts of the organization with which they are identified .

After vacation cometh work—work for the individual , the Lodge and every other Craft ; organization . Let Brethren apply themselves to this work , not in a merely perfunctory manner , but rather with earnestness and joy ,

as they appreciate the fact that life ' s highest zest comes from service in the appointed ways of related life and duty . Masonic Brotherhood implies much of true fellowship , of hallowed communion and of hearty service in behalf of each other ' s interest and the common welfare . Craftsmen

everywhere need to be reminded of their privileges and obligations in these respects , and thus be roused to their best endeavours . Then will the Fraternity be glorified by the words and deeds of its followers . —Freemasons ' Eepository .

Wor . Bro . Asher Barfield P . M ., P . P . G . D . Hants , W . M .

of the Hampshire Lodge of Emulation , No , 1990 ( Installed Masters only ) , will open the Lodge at Freemasons' Hall , Commercial-road , Portsmouth , at 3 p . m . on Saturday , the 13 th inst ., when Bro . James Stevens P . M . P . Z . will deliver

his lecture on " The Ritual and Ceremonial of the Symbolic Degrees of Freemasonry , 1813-1886 . " W . M . 's and P . M . 's of other Lodges are invited to attend , and it is expected

that many Lodges , both in the immediate district and in the Isle of Wight , will be represented on this occasion . The brethren will dine together after the Lecture .

Bro . Sir M . White Ridley , Bart ., M . P ., will be installed Prov . Grand Master of Northumberland , in place of Bro , Earl Percy resigned , at a special Provincial Grand Lodge to be held at Newcastle-on-Tyne , on Tuesday , the 16 th instant .

HotitoWAT ' s PIMS AND OinTMENT . —The great variations in temperature , the fogs and the foul vapours which permeate the atmosphere , try the respiratory channels terribly ; hence arise Hoarseness , Quin-ies , Loss of Voice , Bronchitis , and the whole train and endless variety of Throat and Chest Affections which now prevail . Neglect of these in their early stages is almost criminal , as many

a life might be saved through early and prompt treatment , by means of Holloway ' s well-known remedies . This treatment can bo readily and easily carried out , and soon disposes of the attack in a most satisfac ory manner , by restoring the balance between the circulation and respiration , by lessening the inflammation , abating the febrile symptoms , and by soothing the irritability of the nerves .