Beauties Of Masonry.

BEAUTIES OF MASONRY .

TT has oftentimes perplexed good men , to satisfy their

JL own minds , how Masons of different nations and religious creeds could meet and harmonise so cordially in the Lodge . Not one jarring atom , say they , is discoverable in their Masonic intercourse . With some few exceptions , arising from the admission of an unworthy member , followed by a strict and close discipline , that is

literally true . But on this point the diversity of opinion wholly arises from the different aspects of the case in the minds of the members , and not from the principles of the Institution . The peculiar union which pervades the whole body of the Masonic Brotherhood is obvious to every man ; and the reasons why it is thus may be seen from the following brief considerations : We meet as Masons , and not as religious

sectarians . We meet as brethren of the great family of man , having a community of interests . We meet for the express purpose of transacting such business as appropriately appertains to an institution having respect to the

common good of all mankind . Hence we meet on a level ,

and part on the square . The system of moral truths , adopted and embraced , covers each principle and harmonises on every point of common and universal interest which is inseparably

connected with the well being of man . All these principles are such as every man ' s conscience instinctively approves , and , of course , utterly preclude all diversity of opinion in

respect to the personal interest of each member concerned , the common good of the brotherhood collectively , and the general well being of the human family . Hence , no member can lay an objection which does not contravene his own

interest , and his own happiness , both as a rational man and a social being .

Masonry prescribes those relative duties concerning which there can be but one uniform opinion , as to obligation , expediency and fitness , inasmuch as they grow out of those very relations which are interwoven with our

existence . All the connecting and binding links of social intercourse and civil society consist of relations and dependencies ; and the strength , the security , the harmony , the happiness , and the common interests of all men are

connected with the due observance of each . No rational man can overlook , disregard or deny such duties as from the nature of our existence are necessarily involved in thafc entire circle of relations and dependencies , and , of course , has neither cause to dissent , nor inclination to controvert them .

The same is true in respect to those obligations of love , reverence and obedience , arising from the relation and dependence of all men on God as their Creator . From an

acknowledgement of this truth each point of duty becomes self-evident , and every man of an enlightened understanding is conscious of the obligation . Hence , on this ground , no sundering difference of opinion can find an entering place .

Masonry enjoins that humanity and benevolence towards all our species , a conscientious sense of the fitness of which is equally deep-rooted and co-existent with the sympathies of every man ' s nature . Under the impress of his Maker ' s

hand the spontaneous feelings of commiseration , in view of suffering and distress , find a lodgment in every man's bosom . These in-wrought feelings are neither blunted nor blotted out by a ruthless violence to the native sensibilities of the heart , aud the stifling of an admonitory conscience .

Principles and duties so obviously involving universal obligation , embracing the common interests of all , both individually and collectively , and promotingmutual concord and general happiness , constitute a bond of Masonic union

which can never interfere either with sectarian peculiarities or national distinctions . All meet on the broad foundation laid by those moral truths concerning which there neither is nor can be the least ground for controversy . Hencein

, the character of Masons , each member is agreed in fche acknowledgment of those obligations of duty , and principles of morality , which , by the testimony of his own conscience

, are binding , fundamentally and immutably ; and in the exercise o' th- _ t humanity , benevolence and charity , which are instinctive propensities of our nature .

From tins . Miu-Je sketch , it must appear evident that Masonry proposes the accomplishment of the greatest amount of good , on grounds where all rational men feel bound jointly to co-operate , and that such a course neither

Beauties Of Masonry.

precludes co-ordinate sectarian peculiarities in promoting human happiness , nor impedes local , or national , moral , benevolent , or religious effort , according to the various notions of men in doing good ; nor shackles individual

opinion freely exercised as to the best and most efficient

modes of carrying out and applying points , subordinate , minor , or inferential from any of the great principles on which all views and all minds accord . —Voice of Masonry .

Sacrifice Requisite.

SACRIFICE REQUISITE .

TO win all benefits Masonry can bestow , you must be prepared to make sacrifices in its behalf , whenever such are required at your hands . It is somewhere said that in the olden time a certain nobleman , desirous of erecting a magnificent castle , which

shonld be an ornament to his kingdom , sent forth , engaged the needed workmen , and procured the materials for its construction . It happened that when the work -was too far advanced to be abandoned without serious loss to the

owner and much suffering to the labourers , a drought , severe and prolonged , afflicted the land . The streams failed from their channels , the springs disappeared in the earth , and those engaged in fche erection of the edifice could not

obtain the water to mix the cement for the stones , of which the structure was to be composed . The nobleman , seeing the distress , and recognising the necessity of prompt relief , brouerht forth the rich wines with which his vaults were

stored , and with them the cement that was to hold his castle , stone by stone , was made . The sacrifice seemed a great one ; but ever after the breezes which blew above the castle walls carried on their wings the rare fragrance of the

rich wine ' s breath and filled the valleys round about with the exquisite perfume of the luscious grape ; and so it came to pass , that far and near , the very air was burdened with the

story of the kindly act -which raised the castle from the rough to the perfect ashlar ; while even the flowers and the trees , made more fragrant by tne breath of the caressing winds , bore sweet testimony to the nobleman ' s generous deed .

Let us as Masons imitate the example thus presented , and when the need shall be , stand ready to pour out as a libation on the altars of Masonry the possessions which we cherish , and then from their horns will ascend the incense whose

snowy clouds shall envelop our lives in the double blessings which reward self-sacrifice and devotion . And in future days those who may take our places here will be

aroused to better and nobler deeds , in the sincere desire to profit by thafc example which illustrated the brotherly love of men , and the glorious perfections of the institution which

made such love a possibility . —Jon .. S . DAVIDSON

Symbolism Of The Tabernacle.

SYMBOLISM OF THE TABERNACLE .

IT will not be questioned that the Tabernacle primarily signified the presence of Jehovah with His people . The structure as a whole indicated the being of Almighty God . It stood as a visible sign of that fact so impressively emphasised by the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Hol y

place , viz ., that God was mercifully pleased to sit upon the mercy seat , as upon a throne , in the midst of His chosen Israel . One of the first directions given to Moses after the

delivery of the Law had respect to this building : " And thou shalt rear up the Tabernacle according to the fashion Mipreof which was shewed thee in tbe mount . " So the

ti rn-tare was reared and furnished , and the sacred objects ¦ vi . _ L * h it was fco enclose were installed with proper observmoi ! iiito their respective places , within one year after the lie-brows had escaped out of Egypt . Then came a

manifestation that it was to be regarded as the dwelling-place of the Most High : " Behold , a cloud covered the tent of the congregation , and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle . " Thenceforward the Divine Majesty occupied

its prepared abode . We may nofc know jusfc whafc the miraculous appearance was , any more than we may discern the precise moral application of everything connected with the sacred edifice ; of the main fact , however , we need have

no doubt , for the Holy Scriptures are most distinct in their showing that the Tabernacle and its furniture were primarily intended to cause the people of Israel to recognise

the being and presence of Almighty God . If the Tabernacle in the olden time , and to the Hebrews , was thus a religious object-lesson of great value , we may

still seek to keep alive and utilize its teaching . Its sym