Reading Masons.

greatest secrecy , in tho loneliest places , then it waa impossible to disseminate as much light as might have been desired ; its mysteries had been handed down through generations by the " living voice , " yet , through all those ages and amidst all those drawbacks and persecutions it lived , but now the age of reason and intellectual strength is assuming vast proportions , and as the mind of man develops so

does the science of Freemasonry advance , and it can only advance by its members enlightening themselves in all its branches , rites , history , jurisprudence , symbolism , principles and traditions , and thus can only be accomplished by hard , nnwearing study—by becoming BEADING MASONS . How often have onr readers heard the Worshipful Master glibly

conter a degree , verbatim , too , at that , in a rapid , monotonous tone , without a word of comment or explanation , without oven an emphasis upon a single important point . Tho candidate wonders , he has advanced a grade , but has he obtained value for his money ? No , the ignorance of that official has probably cast cold water upon his preconceived ideas of the Institution . If the Worshipful Master

had briefly , even hastily given an outline as to the origin of the degreo , and the principles of the Fraternity , or called upon some other member before the evening was over , to discuss some subject in connection with the Institution , then the neophyte would have become interested , he would have at once grasped the thought that there waa a hidden something beneath tho surface which he could

only obtain by study ; his mind wonld have been turned to the advisability , nay , the necessity of searching for more light , by reading those works or periodicals that should be , yet are seldom found in a Masonic Lodge . At all events , the probability is that on the first opportunity he would ask his older brethren where and by what means he could obtain " more light . "

It is the want of knowledge , in fact this gross ignorance , that has done so much harm to our Institution 5 that has driven somo of our best men from onr portals , and at the present time there is no excuse for it . On all sides , at little expense , can be procured most valuable works on every subject connected with the Craft , written , too , in such easy style that the initiated can understand ,

though to the profane thoy may appear a " conglomeration of absurdities , " and besides our standard works , we have on this continent especially , weeklies and monthlies devoted to the interests of the Fraternity , in which regularly appear articles on every conceivable Masonic subject , written , as a rule , by brethren whose experience and knowledge are well known throughout the Masonic

literary world . Ifc is really lamentable to contemplate the little interest that thousands and tens of thousands of Masons take in the literature of the Craft . Announce a recherche" re-union of Royal Arch Companions , or a street parade of Knights Templars and all is flurry and excitement . Announce , on the other hand , a lecture upon

Freemasonry , and the hall will be only half filled . Show , parade , pageantry usurp the place of those higher ambitions that all the symbolism of Masonry so steadily and constantly inculcates . This is not as ifc should be , and those who really have the welfare of the Craft at heart , should make an almost superhuman effort to check this love lor tinsel and slitter , for the pure gold that lies within the

reach of every brother . The very cheapness of the Masonio periodical renders it within the reach of every Mason . No Lodge should be permitted to exercise its functions that does not subscribe to one or more of the Masonic journals of the day . It is impossible for a member of the Craft to keep versed on the stirring events of the Masonic world unless he subscribes to , reads and studies a

Masonio paper . The best Masonic ritualist is ignorant of our mysteries unless he is a Reading Mason . The assertion may appear bold , but such is the fact . The Beading Mason though he is ignorant of ritual , has a sublime knowledge of the symbolism of the Craft that no mere ritualist can ever possess . As I before remarked , there is greater reason now than ever

that " The Sons of Light , " should become " Reading Masons ; when our numbers were limited to hundreds and thousands , forced by bigotry , prejudice and intolerance to meet in hidden places , then the opportunity for study ing our mysteries was slight ; but with the march of civilization the science of Masonry made greater strides , and as we increased in numbers aud spread in every

quarter of the globe our system was developed , the Masonic tree sent forth different shoots , which became great and mighty branches , assuming peculiar forms , bringing forth lovely blossoms and sweet fruits , varying in the many countries according to the tastes , ideas and principles of those who trained them . The Freemasonry of the Nineteenth Century , is very different , with its many rites , to the

simple symbolism that existed at the translation ot Operative to Speculative Masonry in aud about the eventful era of 1717 . At that time most of the brethren were Entered Apprentices , few were even Fellow Crafts , and fewer still Master Masons , whilst , until the schism of the Grand Lodge of England , the beautiful degree of the Boyal Arch was merely a crude appendage , with certain secrets

attached , to the third degree . Aud so Masonry has developed . At one time , aided by the Jrcobius , it threatened to become a political organization , and at another , seized upon by the Saints , it would have floated into a fanatical religious society , if it had not been for the stern determination of the Grand Lodge of England ( or rather at that period tho Grancl Lodges of England ) , to maintain their

degrees as the basis aud foundation of all others :. Bnt to return to our subject . Our argument is this : That as we increase in numbers , as new Grand Lodges spring up , as onr many rites develop , it becomes more imperative upou members of the Craft to read ana study . We have withstood the assaults of politicians , laughed at the fiery mutterings and fierce tirades of ignorant branches

of tne Protestant church , and defied the thunderbolts and anathemas of Rome ; bnt now , we are called upou to defend our principles , om honour , our faith against traitors from within , and it is upon the Reading Masons we rely , brethren who are versed iu our traditions , oar history and our laws , men who are with us because they devote their Uvea to oar interests ; these men can seo what a frightful

Reading Masons.

abyss yawns before ns , if for a moment we yield to the tongue of the atheistical philosophers of the Grand Orient of France . To crush that movement we must principally rely upon the Masonic press , and the Masonic press must be supported in its efforts to expose this damnable attempt to remove the chief corner-stone of onr temple . Snch being the case , let Grand Masters and those in

authority urge constantly upon tho Craft the necessity of reading anything and everything that pertains to Masonry ; let Worshipful Masters of Lodges teach neophytes the absolute necessity for study , ing our standard authors , and reading our principal Masonic publications ; let Lodges endeavour everywhere to build up libraries , taking the Grancl Secretary of Utah , our friend , R . W . CHRISTOPHER DIEHX ,

and his young Grand Lodge , as an example of how much can bo accomplished in a very short time ; let every brother purchase what Masonic books ho can afford , and subscribe for one or more Masonic periodicals , then every brother will be able to discnss Masonic questions sensibly and logically , and all tho efforts of a Grand Orient of France will be crushed . Aud that event will occur

all the sooner by the brethren reading up the history of the subject and studying the landmarks and principles of our Fraternity . Again , the Mason that does not read knows littlo or naught of what occurs beyond his own Grand Lodge , possibly Lodgo jurisdiction . His ideas , like his mind , are contracted . By reading he gradually comprehends the cosmopolitan character of tho Order ,

and becomes acquainted with its proceedings throughout all parts of the world . For example , the invasion , last mouth , by the Grand Lodge of Scotland of a sister jurisdiction , with which she was on terms of alliance ( Quebec ) , is , of itself , a second important event in the Masonic history of 1878 . It is , itself , a subject of vast interest to tho Craft , as on its settlement rests tho question of

Grancl Lodge sovereignty on this continent . True , American jurisdictions havo before been invaded , but not by Graud Lodges working in the Anglo-Saxon tongue . The Masons made in these two Lodges in Montreal ( King Solomon and Argyle ) , hailing nnder the Grand Lodge of Scotland , aro clandestine or they are not . The Masonic press will bo the means through which tho question will bo discussed ,

and those who read , will , in reality be the ones who will finally decide the same . We merely give this as a sample . Again , we might refer to the formation of the so-called Grand Lodge of Ontario , a body not recognised by any Grand Lodge in the World . The Mason who does not read has probably never heard of this spurious body , he meets one of these so-called brethren and unwittingly admits him to his Lodge ; if he had been a Reading Mason he would have

been aware that the Grand Lodge of Canada ( foolishly so-called ) , was the Supreme Governing Body for the Province of Ontario , and thus he would not and could not have been the means of admitting a clandestine Mason into his Lodge . We could cite many such examples but space forbids . Every year fresh events of interest occur , and it is only through the Masonic press thafc their merits or demerits can be discussed .

Much , then , has yet to be accomplished to make the members of the brotherhood Reading Masons . If , however , a commencement once is made , the stone will soon gather rich moss , in which will be imbedded hidden treasures of priceless worth . Oar Lodge rooms , our Chapters , our councils , aud onr asylums would attract the erudite , the philosophic and the learned . We should find that even the

Masonry of to-day was in its infancy ; we would be astonished ad our own ignorance . Brethren of ability and learning , finding that the Craft was interested in dissertations upon subjects connected with the Fraternity , would yet more earnestly labour , aud on discovering the precious gems would discourse upon them at our meetings ; would publish essays upon them , and thus the mind of the

body politic of Freemasonry would develop and expand , would grasp new ideas , would originate mighty thoughts . Our Institution , it is said , is founded upon the purest principles of piety and virtue , bnt they again are assisted and leaned upon the " science of Freemasonry , " and the science of Freemasonry is progressive , liberal and rational in its character , and can only be comprehended by the

most profound study and careful reading . Such being the case , how necessary is it to cultivate the mind and encourage the younger members in their efforts to obtain light . The present is the time to do this , and we cannot too strongly urge upon all those who have the Fraternity at heart to put out every effort , to strain every nerve , to harden every muscle , so as to inculcate this desire , this thirst for

Masonic Knowledge , which is so essential for the welfare , the progress and tha permanence of Freemasonry . Brethren , if yon are Heading Masons encourage others to become so , if you are not Reading Masons , aud have not discovered the wondrous mysteries of our Craft , seek them by reading aud stndy . The sooner you ally

yourselves with the reading portions of the Fraternity the sooner you will appreciate and understand the mysteries of our Order , and delight in that which to you now appears crude , illogical and incomprehensible . RODERT RAMSAY .

Ad01102

BOYAL POLYTECHNIC . —CYPRUS , its history ancl characteristics . THE MICROPHONE AMD TELEPHONE . THK GIANT PLATE MACHlNc ' . DUUOBCQ'X CHROMATIC I- 'OLJNTAliV . TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION with tho DIVE Ii , & c . THK PARIS EXHIBITION . THK KAFFIR WAR . PHOF . PiuTiiK ' s Interesting and Instructive Sanitary Lectures , entitled PURE AIR , PUUH FOOD and PURE WATKK . EVOLUTION uF SPECIES . —Concluding daily , at 1 and 'J , WitU a MUSiCAL , 'UMBLK and THK HA 11 KS IN THK WOOD , liy Mr . fcjKi-. uouii SJUII ; . —Admission to tho whole , ls ; Open at 12 and 7 , Carriages at 5 and 1 ) . CBYSTAL PALACJ l .-This day , ROMEO AND JULIET , SWIMMING MATCH , Sc . On Thursday , Firework Display , & c . Open daily , Aquarium , & c . ALEXAN-DIIA PALACE . — This day , FRA DIAVOLO . On Monday , TUOITINU MEETING . Open daily . HIPPODROME , NUL'IAN CARAVAN , & a . EGYPTIAN ( LARGE HALL ) .-MASKELYNE AND COOKE , Dally at 3 and a o ' clock ,