Responsibility Of A Freemason.

of infidelity , and are led willing captives of a corrupt imagination . The work of reformation must beg-in at Jerusalem , and that too , at once . The message which the old Scotch woman gave to Dr . Norman Macleod , when he came to his

first parish , must be heard and obeyed . The wise old woman told him to " Gang o ' er the fundamentals . " The great fundamentals must be emphasised again and again , until every doubting heart shall be inspired with the divine certainties of Freemasonry .

The first duty of a Mason is to God , next to his neighbour , then to himself . Controversy ends with this statement .. To fail in the performance of the first duty as a Mason is to fail in the duties that follow and come to the end of life a

miserable bankrupt . Freemasonry must ever be the bulwark against which absoluteism shall come to grief ; it must be the fostering parent of free . speech and free thought throughout the world .

It was Christian Freemasonry that planned and gave the Declaration of American Independence , and it has ever been both the fulcrum and lever in upholding the liberties guaranteed to the people by that Declaration . It ought also to be the first to extend its hand whenever there is death

and want and sorrow . Having been poor and blind and naked every Mason ought to know how to sympathise with the afflicted ones of this sin-cursed world . When he forgets this lesson he is mean , sordid , selfish , devilish . No matter how he may be clothed himself he can have no lot or part in the inheritance of the faithful .

While Politics should never be discussed in a Masonic Lodge , it is demanded of every Mason that he carry his Masonry—its truths and principles—into politics , as well as into business and society , for the reason that every Mason is sent into the . world with a mission from God : "Ye have not chosen me , but I have chosen you , and ordained you , that

ye should go and bring forth fruit , and that your fruit should remain . " His ambassadorship is unmistakable and absolute . There may be differences of opinion as to the ways to be chosen for the speedy accomplishment of that mission , but there can be no question as to the objective point : the

glory of God is that righteousness which exalteth a nation , it is now generally conceded that to be a Mason is to possess a passport ' to the confidence of the suffrages of the people . Even the greatest foe to the Institution recognises this tact in the selection of her political labourers ; but she makes

decoy ducks of them , by first taking them up upon a high mountain and getting them to fall down and worship her tor the glory of the kingdoms of power shown them . This recognition of the principles ot honour and integrity in the disciples of Freemasonry is laudable , and the Institution

must safeguard her honour when such disciples become betrayers—making compromises with the powers of darkness —by cutting them off lorever . Their leprosy is contagious and Masonry cannot afford to cover up the diseased body with her sacred garments . In the recent elections have been

seen Brother pitted against Brother—but you would never have known ot the relationship if conduct had alone been left to impart the knowledge . Deceit , trickery , slander , and , if hatred in the heart be murder , then murder can be added to

the crimes perpetrated in the shadow of the Five Points of Fellowship , rsow , Masonry cannot be blind to these crimes without becoming a hiss and a byword to all people , and instead of a temple filled with the beauty of holiness of the Lord , a sepulchre filled with ail rottenness .

The faithful performance of the first two duties incumbent upon every Mason " guarantees to him and his children the wisest protection of all interests in this world and the world to come .

A Mason ' s day of twenty-four hours is divided into three equal parts , whereby are found eight hours for the service of God and a distressed worthy Brother ; eight for his usual

avocation , and eight for refreshment and sleep . What a useless parade to talk of these things within the walls of the Lodge if they are never carried out in the life ?— " American Tyler . "

Popularising Masonry.

POPULARISING MASONRY .

rip FIE greatest danger to Freemasonry at the present time JL is the attempt to popularise it . The tendency

Popularising Masonry.

seems to be to do things which will excite the public and cause the curious to seek admission . With this in view , numerous articles appear in the public prints , public exercises are given , and the doings of the Lodge heralded from the housetops . Secrecy is the vital element in our Fraternity . Freemasonry

is a silent force , and exerts its influence quietly and unobtrusively . It was not originated to excite attention , and by reason of its peculiar organisation will never become popular with the masses . A great influx of petitioners should be the exception rather than the rule , and the workings of the

institution should be " safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts , " and there kept intact . Scrutinise well the candidates for admission , that the impostor , who comes not with a sincere desire of knowledge and favourable opinion of the institution , may be kept 'far from the door . — " Illinois Freemason . "

The Only Way.

THE ONLY WAY .

~ S IHERE is one way , and only one , by which Masons may JL encourage the profane to become members of the Craft . That is by the force of example . The outside world does not judge Masonry by its principles , but by the exemplification

of its principles . To them it is not laws , or regulations , or creeds , or tenets , but the potent force of the lives of men that makes Masonry . They can only call good that which is good in its outward manifestation .

Should , then , a Lodge desire to follow nature ' s rule of " increase and multiply , " should it covet the prosperity of numbers , let it strive after nobility of character , the powerful factor of good ' living ; let it set a splendid example in each

individual life ; let it become a tower of strength in the community , an uplifter of humanity , and an improver of morals . Then , and not until then , will many candidates knock at its portals seeking the light of its benign influence . Not until then will it enjoy true Masonic prosperity . — " American Tyler . "

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