A Mistaken Estimate.

out saying " Pepper , allspice and ginger . " He encountered a playmate who asked him where he was going so fast , and the only reply given was " pepper , allspice and ginger . " A little further on his way a neighbour accosted the boy , asking him the question : " Has your father returned home ? " and the reply

was the same , " pepper , allspice and ginger . " The boy seemingly had a firm grasp on the form of words and would have executed his errand in the best manner possible had he not , in passing- through a ship yard stumbled over a lot of tar barrels and other belongings of the place , by which his ideas were

considerably discomposed . The boy scrambled to his feet , however , a little shaken by his fall , and sang out : "I have not forgotten it— ' Pitch , tar and turpentine . ' " The form of the

words had got twisted by the unlocked for experience , but the lad remembered to the last that he had been put in charge of a phrase of doubtful meaning and he was determined to have something to show for that .

But assuming that all technicalities are sufficiently understood by the Brother who passes so rapidly forward—that he makes himself familiar with the ritual of every part of the Masonic system as it is presented to him—there is yet no acquiring- of the royal art in such haste , and by so limited a use

of time and thought . The most gifted candidate—the Brother alike ardent and studious in trying to interpret Freemasonrycannot assimilate its teachings , either mentally or morally , in the brief period of time mentioned . To master the system and

come to fullness of knowledge respecting its various features is the work of years . The earnest , progressive Masonic student never expects to come to the finish—to find there is nothing more to be investigated or learned .

In another and higher sense the progress must be slowthat of applying to the character the principles and precepts that uelong to Freemasonry . It is one thing to be a nominal Mason , having high rank , perhaps , in all the departments ; it

is quite another thing to be a genuine Mason , having the characteristic features of the Institution stamped indelibly upon the heart and illustrated in daily conduct . We must expect to come somewhat slowly to this highest appreciation and best experience of Freemasonry . — " Freemasons' Repository . "

The Ballot.

THE BALLOT .

THERE is a great deal of mischievous nonsense for which a wrong understanding of this principle is responsible . Some Masons seem to think that the doctrine means that a Mason must not make known his objections to a candidate , ii he has any . Such a theory is absurd . We are a family of Brothers , and can discuss as such the admission of new members

to the family . We are not afraid of each other nor malacious toward each other . The secrecy of the ballot must be protected . We can imagine a case when the appeal to such a right would be

valuable . But it is a shelter lor extreme cases , nor for every day—a cyclone cellar , not a living-room . The writer has seen nearly five hundred men brought into his Lodge and has never yet seen the time when he was afraid to tell everything he knew or believed or had heard or thought about any one of them .

Suppose I bring in a petition in good faith and it is rejected and no one vouchsafes to me a reason . My situation is very unpleasant . I am tormented with a dozen suspicions Am I deceived in my friend ? Ought I to be on my guard against him ? If so , in what way ? Ought I to refuse ' to lend

him money , or to keep my wife from his company ? Or is it only that I am not a judge of what is good material ? But have I no longer the confidence of my . Brothers ? Do they think me unworthy of it , or why do they conceal from me their objections ? Do they think me so unjust that I would

not listen to objections , or so spiteful that I would seek for revenge ? Do they think I am mean enough to betray their confidence ? Such are some of the reflections that are certain

to occur to the unfortunate proposer ; and justly ? Where a candidate is rejected in silence it is a slap in the face to the Brothers that proposed him , and also to the members of the investigating committee , if they recommended him .

We believe that such conduct arises from a misapprehension of a Mason ' s duty . It is true that one must not say either , _ " I will black-ball so-and-so . " But with these two exceptions he may say whatever he is man enough to say .

He mav go to the proposer and say to him , " You are mistaken in the character of so-and-so , " or " There is something about so-and-so which you may not know , and which in my opinion makes him unsuitable material Hor Masonry , " or , " Mr , So *

The Ballot.

and-so is perhaps entitled to the privileges of Masonry , but he is very offensive to me , and I advise you to get leave to withdraw his petition and let him send it to some other Lodge . " If for any reason that step is not agreeable , he can go to the Master or to the investigating committee and tell

them what he knows or what they should investigate . There can be but two occasions when it is necessary or proper to silently and secretly cast a black ball : One is when the objector is a coward and the other when the proposer is a rascal . — ' * Tyler . "

Freemasonry And Church.

FREEMASONRY AND CHURCH .

I HAVE on this subject often expressed my views in words and print , and I may reiterate here 'in brief that Freemasonry , although it promotes and propagates highest virtue , strictest morality and undoubted faith in God , it is not a religion in the literal sense of the word ; and if one says , as

sometimes we do hear it said—Freemasonry is good enough religion for me , he has not the true conception of either Freemasonry or religion . Each has a different sphere of usefulness , and both can stand side by side as God-given means to improve man for life here and hereafter . I have been inspired to write

this by a report I read in the " American Tyler , " where at a church conference at Toronto , Canada , a Mr . Jones with perturbed spirit laments the lack of attendance of his church and lays the blame at the feet of Freemasonry , in which his preacher , Rev . Mr . Rosch , concurs fully .

From my humble observation I cannot see how the Lodge , Masonic or any other , can conflict with the church , when their meetings are not held at the same time . At least Masonic Lodges never hold meetings on Sundays , and I presume it is

in very deference to the churches , while they do meet on Friday nights , when the synagogues are open for services , yet I had no occasion to complain . On the contrary , I find the Jewish Masons are as good Jews as they are Masons ; and as to Christians , I have a host of noble Brother- Masons

among them , staunch supporters of both the church and Freemasonry , giving their personal attention to both in equal shares , and love both as two distinct institutions . If , then , there is a church that lacks attendance , change the jDreacher ; do not blame Masonry , the best friend religion has . The preacher is to blame , mark my word !

If a Lodge would lack attendance , see whether the Master is able to interest the Craft and give them wholesome instruction , that none go away dissatisfied . The same holds good in church . The Freemason goes to Lodge for Masonic instruction , to church for religious instruction , and both can fail or prosper , according to the guidance they have .

Let the preacher make long , meaningless prayers , and deliver dry , spiritless sermons—perhaps a little too long too —and the lack of attendance will be the ultimate result , although the preacher and his fanatic confreres will not recognise it .

Let the preacher , on the other hand , make short , proper prayers , deliver bright and instructive not too long sermons , and he will find Freemasons ready and willing communicants . If Bros . Jones and Rosch would try this method of conducting their services , methinks they would change their minds . — Rabbi L . Weiss .

The Honest Mason.

THE HONEST MASON .

nnHAT all Masons ought to be honest does not admit of J _ dispute , and as it is generally conceded that no man ought to be dishonest , it seems somewhat strange that there are so many people who , if measured by the Masonic guage , would be found short of the standard ; if squared by the square of virtue

would be found awry ; if tested by the level and plumb , would be found out of line and so far out of plumb as to be a menace to their surroundings . Anomalous as it may seem and absurd as it is , nevertheless it is a fact that every being entitled to the name man believes that all other men ought to be honest . It

is barely possible that even a thief may know 'that it is wrong to steal ; that a liar may believe that it is wrong to deceive , yet some unexplainable influence , some unholy spirit—devilcontrols his actions , thereby making him an enemy to his fellow

man , an enemy to himself , an enemy to God . Whether there is a reasonable excuse for the frightful lack oi honesty , apparent in all the walks of human life or not , is not a question for Masons to discuss . It is enough to know that something is wrong and that as men seeking for light it is our duty to , at least , attempt