A Power Of Good.

p lumb is used to raise porpendiculars . It must be , indeed , a , man void of feelings , who cannot be impressed as the different dogrees are conferred upon him , each one ^ instructive , edifying aud procliiiming great moral ° truths . What meaning there is in the words , " Behold how good and

p leasant it is for brethren to dwell fcogether'in unity ! ' and how instructive is " Eemember thy Creator in tho days of thy youth ! " We can ever listen profitably to similar passages of sacred ?" - '(•• ipf tire . Can , therefore , the true Mason disregard tho lesson which tho [ plumb teaches ¦ so

impressively ? Should our intercourse with each other not become daily of a more elevating character ? The true Mason cannot exclaim with Cain , "Am I my brother ' s keeper ? " We should care for our brother ' s welfare in bearing with him gently , kindly and forbearingly .

Our mystic tie is fnll of significance . We are forcibly reminded that we " come forth as a shadow and continue not , " which should impress upon qnr mind that this life is of a transitory nature , but that a higher destiny awaits us " in that house not made with hands , eternal in tho heavons . "

The symbols and ceremonies of Freemasonry remind an that we are endowed with an immortal soul . Our ~ Ordcr tolerates no innovation , but holds fast to that which is o-ood . As our Masonic rites and ceremonies are of the most inspiring and instructive character , and have

answered its purpose so well for many centuries , we can see no reason for any change , as we claim everything that is noble and good for oat' brotherhood . We believe in no discrimination . The humblest citizen , as well ns ( he mighty king and emperor , receive their obligations at tho same altar .

While Freemasonry is known as a secret organisation , we could just as well publish our principal secrets before the world . Is there any good reason to lay so much stress upon tbe word secret ? In every household there are secrets which should not be divulged to the outside world .

It is , thorefore , not out of place that we communicate not to the uninitiated what transpires within our walls . We have a platform on which we all can stand , for wo proclaim : To love truth and virtue and walk humbly before ' God . S

The square admonishes us to act always honourably toward our fellow man . If we all were actuated by this great moral principle , what a blessing it would be for mankind ! The courts of justice , as well as other tribunals , could be dispensed with .

We , as Masons , should not be influenced by any material gain , or any other inducement , to take tbe advantage of our fellow man , no matter in what position we are placed , or under any pretext whatever . While it is quite easy to

deceive our fellow man , we cannot the Almighty , who knows all our thoughts and actions . As the Psalmist expressed it , " Before a word is upon our month , Thou , 0 God , hasb known it already . "

It is to be regretted that the great principles of Masonry are not understood as they should be , even among its members . The square admonishes us at all times to regulate our actions by it . God has implanted into our bosom tbe principle of justice , hence it is not difficult to discern

between right and wrong . Let mo hope that the Craft may always be favourably known as just and honourable men , ready and foremost in every good undertaking . Let

brotherl y love influence all our actions . If we listen to the voice of Masonry we must become better and purer men and lift our lives above the common plane by the indwelling of the Divine .

While the adage , " Once a Mason always a Mason " holds good , it must be properly qualified . We should bear in mind that , once a Mason , there should be a continued progress , a steady advancement in reaching greater perfection in all our conduct . We have too many thus called

Masons , who , when their idle curiosity of having the degrees conferred upon them has been gratified , are of tbe opinion that now their task is completed . These are the drones who eat the honey without the least benefit to us . There are others who are of the opinion that if they

merely pay the dues , nothing else is required of them , thinking that others should do the work , but that they can reap the benefit . It is , however , an established fact that no Lodge can flourish without the activity of its members .

It is requested that the meetings should be attended by every true Mason whenever it is possible . Order and decorum should prevail always , for the Officers who do not enforce it discharge not their solemn duties . It would be

A Power Of Good.

far better for any Lodge to disband , if the Officers and members do not combine in making the meetings interesting , digiiitied and of mutual benefit to each other . It is well that Freemasonry confers ample authority upon each

Worshipful Master to govern bis Lodge as his sense of duty dictates to him . As the sun rules the day , so the Master should govern his Lodge with the same regularity . We may truly assert that the prosperity of any Lodgo will depend largely upon the interest which the Officers

will take to discharge every duty promptly to which they have obligated themselves , but it must ever be remembered that no Lodge can prosper without tbe co-operation of its members , Let there now be manifested among all the members of the Fraternity earnest resolutions to promote

tho great interest of all , and of their respective Lodges in particular . Let the Masonic dictionary contaiu no such word as fail ; let there bo an emulatiou among all who can best servo in his proper sphere to secure the steady progress of our

great brotherhood . The influence of our Order should be felt everywhere . Lodges should become Banner Lodges , and establish for themselves more than a local reputation .

From each Lodge room the light of Masonry should so illuminate Masons' pathways that they should never be found wanting when placed in the balance . Our intercourse with each other must ever be of the most

intimato and friendly nature . The word brother must have a peculiar attraction for us , not merely in the Lodge rooms , but in our social intercourse and in all relations of life . We want to be willing to help and assist each other in time of need , correct each other ' s faults ; in short , to

promote the brother ' s welfare in every way possible . We want to bo the staunch advocates and followers of justice , liberty and equality , as so beautifully illustrated by tho square , plumb and level . Let us remember that our

journey of life is of transitory natnre , but a brighter destiny awaits ns in the realms of eternity . Let us then as Masons build up our spiritual edifice , beautify its walls by virtue and righteousness , and furnish it acceptably when wo seek admission to dwell in it for ever . —Voice of Masonry .

Mistakes In Freemasonry.

MISTAKES IN FREEMASONRY .

IT is a mistake to suppose that the Master of a Lodge can govern it with justice and equity , and creditably perform the work of the chair , without giving days and nig hts to the study of the duties of his station . A Master of a Lodge should be a Solon and a Bismarck combined : in

short , a Solomon ; ready to hear , quick to think and prompt to act . He should be both a capitalist and a labourer , born to rule and educated to work , a sovereign and a subject , a judicial and an executive officer . If he lack either judgment in decision or skill in work he is so far a failure as a Master .

It is a mistake to seek to become a Freemason in order to " win trade . " The mercenary Mason is a signal failure . He does not cheat others as much as he cheats himself . The dollars-and-cents view of Masonry is a false one . He has no sense who looks for dollars in the Craft .

It is a mistake to suppose that initiation , passing and raising make a passable Mason . Onl y " proficiency before advancement " can do this . We have heard of a Mason not a thousand miles from where you are now , Brother reader , who spent nine years away from hia Lodge without

being able to visit a single Lodge in all that period , although he was surrounded by them—because he could not " work his way in . " He paid his money and ^ " took " the degrees ; he was " taken in" completely in his own Lodge ; but no other Lodge would take him in .

It is a mistake to suppose that a Masonic Lodge is an " entertainment" society , for amateur theatricals , or recitations , or dancing ; or that it is an insurance society , with weekly benefits or funeral benefits ; or a debating society , where every member can say what he pleases and

" appeal from the chair " if the chair decides against him or a male-and-female society , where men , women and children " meet npon the Level and part upon the Square . " All these are gross mistakes . It is a mistake to suppose that a Grand Master does

nothing but wear " regalia' and receive " distinguished visitors" in his sanctum . If he does not have "pen paralysis " it is not because he is not always answering the thousand-and-one letters he is constantly receiving from