An American Idea Of Fraternity.

ment of certain weak-minded sympathisers in Connection * and Vermont may bo a proof that the " grand " and " good " work is " going bravely on . " Bo it so , only we in England must be excused if we think differently . Wo are not yei

of the opinion that harmony is got out of discord by a firebrand , or that Firebrand Graham is one and the same person with the apostle of universal peace and harmony . Something of this kind may be the American idea of Fraternity ; it is not ours in the mother country of Free , masonry .

Symbols.

SYMBOLS .

rpESSELLATED PAVEMENT . —In architecture the - * - tessellated pavement was merely an ornament belonging to the highest and most costly class of buildings . If . decorated the courts and the , rooms , and in very many instances was of great beauty , being of as many styles as

the modern frescoing . The finest specimens of the art were made of very small stones and glass , wrought into pictures repn senfcing plants , trees , flowers , battle scenes and ' many of the customs , habits and costumes of ancient life , and presenting all the colours of the various scenes represented .

Originally they were not designed to represent any moral quality or teach any lesson , bufc organizations of later date have appropriately adopted them for that purpose . The lesson making them represent the checqiiered character of life is in perfect keeping with the character

of the work . As ordinarily pictured it requires some imaginative power to develop the full force of the lesson , bufc as seen in its true character it is very easy to see bow the originators of the moral teachings of the emblem could use the figure and fact in imprinting such truth . As

the figures upon the pavement represent the different phases of human life , at once showing its surroundings of beauty and pleasure , then the scenes of the public conflict of men , so we are taught that it represents the checquered life we are all living . Afc one time we are surrounded by

pleasure and the mind is at ease ; then comes the dark storms of adversity or deeply perplexing sorrow settling about us as the storm-cloud settles about the mountain ' s brow . We are not , in the honr of prosperity , to lose sight of the All-Wise Protector , nor are we in adversity to

charge that Being with punishing , bufc in calmness bear all for the MASTER ' S sake , remembering that as the prosperity is the result of our industry so many times the adversity is the result of our inadvertence or some unlooked-for misfortune .

The accustomed Masonic teaching of this symbol corresponds with this thought , the body of the pavement indicating tbe varied scenes of life , and the border the manifold blessings with which God surrounds us . Webb makes the star in tbe centre represent tbe star of Bethlehem . This

may have been the true intent of the originator of this part of the emblem , as ifc is undoubtedly a thing of late date , for while there was a central figure in the ancient pavements , there is no authority to show that ifc was common to all . This part in the courts was often occupied by a fountain .

Practically human life is an ever-changing scene ; but there is no time when we are not surrounded by fche wonderful blessings from an Almighty hand , showing that

while our lives present many adverse points , there is no time , not even in the very greatest adversities , when we may not be within the call of the Divine ear , to whom all our wants may be made known .

BIBLE . —The Bible is by no means a small part of the symbolism of Masonry . As a book of practical importance it is the most valuable part of Freemasonry , because from ifc the very foundations of the Institution are taken . It is the guide and light of every true Mason . It is to be

deeply regretted that some , perhaps , may take it more in the character of a symbol than in its true light . Almost , if not everything else is a symbol , bufc the Bible is a practical and faithful guide when its instructions are followed . There are no adversities of life where a corresponding

comfort may not be found ; no prosperities where counsel is not given ; no temptations where an antidote is not presented ; no moral or spiritual teaching that is not embraced within its pages . Where there is so much within its pages we cannot afford to award it any second place in Freemasonry . If we are true Masons in every way we will be

Symbols.

found searching for its counsels and learning its directions for life . Realizing the importance of this book of books , learned writers p lace it upon the highest scale , hence it is dedi . cated to Goi > " as the inestimable gift of GOD to man , " and

" as the rule and guide of our faith and practice . It is of the greater valne because , while its instructions are for this world , if faithfully followed in all its teaching it will lead into the highest enjoyment in the world to come , and is the harbinger of joy and peace while in this life . In

sorrow it elevates and gives joy as a triumph of our faith ; in prosperity , it humbles and prevents the loss of spiritual peace ; to the Jew it opens the history of a great people and promises a glorious REDEEMER ; to the Christian it gives the toils and triumphs of the faithful great , presents

a REDEEMER already come , and opens the way by the HOLT SPIRIT for a direct communion with the great I AM . It symbolises the union of the mental power of GOD and man ; the greatest good from the greatest source ; the feebleness of all human things and the greatness of the Divine mind .

Around this boot we cluster in all our doings in the Lodge ; upon it we make our vows ; before it we receive the first dawning of Masonic light ; upon it we behold the

other great lights , about it we see the lesser lights in their symbolic bearing ; around it we see the circle of union we are about to enter . It is tbe companion of the Lodge in our life ; the companion as the brethren bow above our

graves . SQUARE . —Tbe Square , while a lesser symbol , is also one of great importance in its teaching . Square , for measuring the stone or wood , its symbolism enforces the necessity of true and perfect dealing with our fellows , which , like the

Bible , implies conscientious action , inculcating the very highest elements of morality . It embraces nofc only financial dealings , but all the actions of life wherein any points of honour are involved ; embraces the rule of action thafc " whatsoever ye would that men should do to you , do

ye even so to them . " Dealing squarely with men and strictly following this rule sometimes , in emergencies , involves intricate questions as to what is strictly right ; sometimes under given emergencies men are sorely tempted , but an appeal to the faithfully instructed and controlled

conscienco will lead us to the right . If we meet emergencies where intricate questions or strong temptations are presented , and imaginatively change places with the other party and ask , " If I were he how would I like him to deal with me ? " tbe difficulty will soon be solved and we

will know exactly how to deal with the brother . The lesson is not that we are to deal squarely with the brother only , but with all men . It goes into all the actions and elements of life ; in commercial dealings ; when character is assailed , when an enemy is approaching ; when the

name of a brother's family is being tarnished by slander ; when reputation , character or property is in danger , and in a thousand ways where a true brotherly action is

demanded , even if that be the brotherly reproof though we may know that , temporarily , ifc may sever strong friendships , yet to deal squarely with men we must carry out the teachings of the symbol .

COMPASSES . —The Compasses teach thafc we are " to circumscribe our desires and keep our passions in due bounds . " While Masonically this is purely emblematic , yet its biblical and moral foundation is just as strong as any other emblem . While it is true that it relates to self yet

constructively it applies to many others . To gratify selfish desires we may deprive our dear ones of necessities , and many times entail pain . To deprive self will ensure happiness , comfort and joy to others . The gratification of the desire of conquest in Alexander the Great entailed pain ,

horror and death upon thousands ; to have suppressed that desire would have left nations in the enjoyment of comfort and peace . To gratify desire for drink entails misery upon families , to suppress that desire brings joy and comfort to many households . So in a thousand ways through all the ramifications of human society this thought of the suppression of desire may apply .

Keeping the passions in due bounds applies more intimately to self . The main point of the thought is easily comprehended by all men . Controlling the great passion of men is mest essentially conducive to their virtue , and to the

peace of their sweetest family tie . Failing to control this is the loss of one of the highest manly virtues or the breaking the tie of love that should be the holiest of human life . But passion means more than this , for there are other passions , though in the main not so important , nor are they