The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

able for distribution . We must admit the task looks a formidable one , as no less a sum than £ 13 , 760 is now

required to provide the existing annuities , a sum to which the Craft of England is actually pledged , while to warrant any large addition to the number of annuitants a considerable amonnt must be forthcoming beyond that needed for

current expenditure . There is , however , a large field to work upon , and there is virtually no limit to the amount which might be raised if all who are in a position to help could be induced so to do . There is not a single Lodge in

ihe land that could not send up a Steward to ono or other

of the Charities during the coming year if it so chose , and there are many who could afford to support all three of the Institutions . If what is possible in this respect could be accomplished , we should have such a sum subscribed as would enable the various committees to mark in a tangible

manner the Masonic appreciation of Her Majesty s jubilee , and who shall gauge the extent of the benefits that might thus be conferred ? The Benevolent Institution offers special facilities for the display of this spirit of thankfulness , inasmuch as its work is among the aged—those in whom Her Majesty must have especial interest , evoked by what we may term fellowfeeling ; for it must be remembered that a reign of fifty years finds our sovereign well advanced in life . Is there a more worthy object open to the Freemasons of England by which to mark their thankfulness that that of helping those who have worked during the long years of Her Majesty ' s reitrn . onlv to find themselves at the close of their

lives in a state of distress ? We think not , and whatever may be urged on behalf of the many other claimants for special consideration at the present time , there can be no gainsaying the fact that the aged have the first claim . They it is who have worked side by side with their Queen to make the empire , its industries and its charities , what they are , and they it is who should be considered ere it be

too late , 'J . here may be many years during which others can be assisted , but the days of the aged are limited , to what extent it is not for us to decide ; that the short space of time still available to many of them could be made brighter by kindly sympathy and financial aid is true

beyond question , and it remains for the brethren of England to do their share—their duty—towards securing for their distressed fellows as much of this brightness as is possible .

Such Is Masonry.

SUCH IS MASONRY .

( Continued from page 212 ) . TENDENCY OF MASONRY .

The tendency of Masonry cannot-be evil and must be good . The knowledge of God which it imparts ; the high plane of duty upon which it places its votaries , and the morality which it prescribes , tend to make the Mason a better man in every relation of life . But while it appears

to be hardly necessary to press this point , it may not be out of place t _ » notice some of the objections which the ignorant and malicious urge against the Institution . For , alas for human nature ! there is nothing so pure , so elevating , so high , so holy , that has not its enemies and detractors , * and

many hate Masonry for no other reason than the Athenian of old hated Aristides . He could not bear to hear Aristides called the just , because that title was such a reflection upon his own life . In like manner many hate Masonry solely

and simply because its very existence is a condemnation of their every thought , and word , and act . Their lives are evil , and they love darkness rather than light , because their deeds are evil .

Some worthy men , may , perhaps , be honestly opposed to Masonry , but it is because they have been imposed upon by

others and are really ignorant of what they condemn ; just as some irreligious though otherwise excellent people condemn the Bible without having read , perhaps , a dozen chapters in it . No man is entitled to an opinion on any

subject before he has carefully examined it ; only fools are Bwift to speak before having heard , examined and thought . But to the objections . Lifting up both hands in holy

horror , the objector cries out , " It is a secret , a mysterious organization ! Whatever is secret is wrong , and must be Tile amd sinful ; for if good it would be made known to all . " But if everything secret is vile and sinful , how exceed-

Such Is Masonry.

ingly vile and sinful must be the thoughts of the heart of

the objector ; for in that secret laboratory he converts good into evil and evil into good , to the deception and betrayal often , no doubt , of himself . Oh , my soul , enter thou not

into the secrets of his foul and deceitful heart ! Who can know it ? The heart that is continually thinking evil of others , and ascribing bad motives to them , is undoubtedl y " a cage of unclean birds . "

But there is nothing secret about Masonry so far as its design is concerned . The only object of its existence is to do man good upon the broadest platform of human bene licence , elevating him above himself to a knowledge of tho

duties he owes to his neighbour and his God . Its secrets pertain solely to methods of communicating , preserving ancl transmitting a certain mysterious and impressive form of initiation and instruction . If in the whole body of Ancient Craft Masonry there is a single precept or principle which tends , directly or indirectly , to conflict "with any religious , civil or social duty , then I know it not ; but , on the contrary , I do know that all its precepts and principles tend immediately and directly to cultivate the best and holiest motives in the discharge of all the duties of life . Were it otherwise , could we expect

to find among its votaries any of that long list of worthies who have adorned tbe annals of every condition of life , in every age and country ? The testimony of such men as Warren , Franklin , Washington , and their compeers , in Europe and America , surely ought to outweigh the

cavils and objections of hosts of ignorant and prejudiced sectaries . But , if secrecy be such a damning sin , what shall we

say of Christianity itself ? Has it not often been a secret institution ? Have not Christians often been compelled to meet "in upper rooms , " and in caves , in mountains and in deserts , for fear of the enemies of the Lord ? The seven

thousand of old , who had not bowed the knee to Baal , were they not secretly worshippers of the true God ? Was their secrecy a sin ? And yet some Christian denominations persecute Masonry . Again , Masonry is said by many to be atheistical , but no

one can become a Mason unless he declares his belief and trust in God , and Masons cannot convene without having a copy of the law of God on their altar . " Masonry is a secret political order I" is vociferated by

some , and to show the consistency of the charge , in Europe it is said to teach democracy , and in America monarchy . The truth is Masonry banishes politics from the Lodge , nor

can such questions ever arise there . Everything that divides men into parties ia absolutely prohibited ; for Masonry is constantly on guard against division , and on the look out for what will produce harmony .

But Masons are " gluttonous and wine bibbers , the friends of publicans and sinners , " say some . The same was said of Him " who spake as never man spake , " to be classed with whom , even in reproaches , is a glory . But Masons

deny the charge both against Him and themselves . Among other virtues they inculcate temperance . " Be ye temperate in all things ; " in eating , in drinking , in dress , in every indulgence , custom , passion , habit , speech and action , using

all things but not abusing them . The cardinal virtues of Masonry are Fortitude , Prudence , Temperance , Justice Fortitude in resisting temptation ; Prudence in regulating

our conduct ; Temperance in governing our appetites , tempers and passions ; Justice in guiding our dealings with all men .

But the objections against Masonry have been refuted a thousand times , and those of to-day are mere repetitions of those which have been urged time and again in former ages , and time and again have been proved utterly baseless . They deserve , therefore , no further consideration at our hands .

CONCLUSION . My brethren , ye are Freemasons : free to do good , but not evil ; free , as having passed from darkness to light ;

free , as having shaken off error and imbibed true knowledge ; free , as having passed through death and the grave to the resurrection of a more glorious life . Forget not the emblematic colours of our Institution . Blue is typical of

truth , scarlet of zeal , yellow of active beneficence . Never violate our cardinal virtues , fortitude , prudence , temperance and justice . Ever practise our fundamental tenets ,

brotherly love , relief and truth . Our aprons are symbols of labour , teaching that by the sweat of our faces we must make our bread . The colour of onr aprons and gloves in-