How Masonry Is Eternal.

at largo in tho fields of present existence ; to pursue tlio pleasure and the gratification of tho moment : unci to take that wliioh the right of might could give ; but as a part of

the eternal and almighty thought wlrch marie all rhing .-else , came ho forth to be co-worker with the Great Mastei in that stupendous labour which found its beginning in tht wondrous creation . This , tho apprenticeship .

As the architect , from rude and stubborn materialfashioned by skill and craft , —erects the temporal ecli ' . ieo , s- > the Supreme Architect brought forth man that he might be fashioned for his intended use in the erection of that

magnificent and boundless temple , upon whose truth-crowned tnrrets rests the throne of life and light eternal Thus were laid upon man the extended duties of the Craftsman—not easily to be performed . None but the faithful may stand within the middle chamber .

Man has a spiritual being ; distinct , separate , and ap . irt from the physical . It is tho spiritual nature , and that alone , which makes tho man . Both natures arc susceptible of development . Wc may rcac ' i the limit of physical development ; of spiritual , never ; aud the degreo to which the

spiritual natnro may be developed determines the true caste of manhood . Physical development , oven though it may reach perfection , is but for a brief season ; tho spiritual , for ever , and as it approaches toward perfection , so does it

conio nearer to God , from whence it sprang . Merc lies tlio work of the Craftsman , and herein ho becomes a co-worker with the Great Master in measure with the degreo of hb spiritual envelopment . This , the office of Masonry , in the discharge of which has our Institution been perpetuated .

Primeval man worshipped tho Maker . Inherent in his nature was tho intuition that he was tho offspring of the thought of God , and as such was a part of God . Reason taught him that without a causo there could ao no effect , that the first man could not produce himself ; for to

prodnce is to act , and to act without a being is to bo something and nothing at tho same time ; that , as tho effect of a cause , that causo was beforo him ; that that causo was in the beginning ,. that what was in the beginning was not finite , and that which was not finite was infinite ; thit

which was infinite was God , and what was a part of God was , in part , infinite . So thought , as its inception , evolved the proposition of the existence of a ono great cause eternal and everlasting , aud that which was a part of that great cause , had that which was imperishable . Hence , "tho

unity of God and the immortalit y of tho soul . " This is the vital essence of Masonry—that which his symbolism portrays , which its teachings inculcate , and that which is the vital force of its material organism . So Masonry , like

the human organism , owing being to a vital force , sprang into existence with thought , aud so , too , when this vital force shall leave it , will the material habitation crumble and decay into the perishable elements of which it is composed .

In the springtide of creation , under the sunlight of this sublime thought , man ' s spiritual nature expanded and grew . As the race multiplied , came those who preferred the joy of the moment to the happiness of time ; who strove for the development of the physical and neglected the

imperishable ; who sought the victory of force , not of love . The world was not prepared for the eternal truths of Masonry . Here mysticism stepped in and afforded

protection , and , under the mystic rites of the priesthoods , the esoteric philosophy of Masonry grew . The labours of the Craftsmen were true to the designs of the Grand Master .

We are wont to look from the material standpoint for the origin of our Institution . We think that in the many beautiful traditions which cluster around the construction

of that wonderful Temple at Jerusalem we . can see the birth of Masonry . As well mi ght we judge man by his figure , not his deeds—the one is material , the other spiritual .

The conditions of civilization were favourable for the

propagation of the Masonic philosophy when King Solomon began his great work . Of the thousands that participated in that work , each was actuated by the one aim , the one purpose—to so complete his work that it mi ght be thought worthy and given a place in that maguificent

structure—the ne " plus ultra of human possibilities , a stupendous monument to God . There was no strife in that multitude ; no rude jostling for place ; no struggle for personal gain . " Fraternity " was the pass-word and tbe consciousness of duty well performed the highest reward sought .

How Masonry Is Eternal.

The travelling Masons of the Middle ages were adherents of a peculiar social system . Their mysteries were not alone the secret transmission , from sire to son , of the operative principles of their art . They were students of the same p hilosophy which coexisted with thought ; which was tho

mysteries of tho priesthoods ; which was crystallized at the building of the Temple and which is still the essenco and spirit of Masonry . It is a significant co-incident of tho material and philosophic features of Masonry that these bands of operative Masons were engaged almost entirely in

the erection of temples to God . So mingled the Operative and Speculative , and so came our beautiful and fascinating symbolism . No institution has ever lived beyond a century which has not been founded upon truth . The organization of men ,

fitted tor purposes no matter how worthy , cannot exist beyond the ago that gives them birth . Truth alone is everlasting . Masonry , coeval with time , still pours its blessings upon mankind . Founded upon truth , the eternal years of God are hers .

An institution founded upon truth , and whose vital essenco began with thought , must not only have served a noble purpose in the past , but have to-day purposes as unchangeable as truth , and as fixed as they wore in the beginning .

Man—the Fellow Craft—the co-worker with the Supreme Master , has a glorious destiny to fulfil in bringing up true and perfect . work to bo used in tbe ' construction of that boundless tomplo whose foundations were laid at the creation and whose copestones will be placed in eternity . This was , is , aud will ever bo the purpose of Masonry .

As man is a co-worker with God m the measure of his own development , so must the Mason look to the nature of his spiritual being for the fulfilment of his Masonic duties .

He commits treason who takes up a cause for personal glory and fights not its battles ; who supports its banned only on dress parade , and runs away when sacrifice or danger threatens .

In the Masonic rite first comes the conception of the philosophy which is life and being ; next the application of that philosophy to the work of man . As mysticism protected and fostered the Masonic philosophy so is it now

the strongest and most subtle means of reaching man , Here is the purpose of the ritualistic system . Latent conceptions of tho mind are easiest roused through the medium of the senses . Tho more attractive and solemn

our ceremonies , the more deeply impressed will be the beautiful thoughts they symbolize . Make the Lodge room attractive , and let the ceremonies be decorous and impressive . The practice of the Masonic philosophy may be summed

up iu one word— " Fraternity ; yet what a range of action that oue word covers . When human action shall have established tho universal brotherhood of mankind , then

and not till then , will the purpose of Masonry be fulfilled . This is the Mason ' s work ; this the Mason ' s hope , in the fruition of which will the purpose of the wise Master be accomplished .

Ho who wrongs his brother commits a sin against the Supreme Master , for in that wrong he injures that which is a part of himself , and that which is a part of himself is a part of that , from which he came . Is the Mason who speaks ill of his brother in truth a

Mason ? Where envy—that fiend , than which none is more horrible—calls forth its low-bred minions to attack a man , there true Masonry cannot be found . Before the enlarged spiritual nature envy quails . No power of invective , no bitterness of speech , can adequately condemn

the Mason , who , envious of his brother , speaks ill of him . No fratricide more merits the fullest penalty of law . Yet , with aching heart , Masonry in shame hides her tear-stained face , and acknowledges that such there are , who thus in

profanation most foul , would hurl her sacred altars to the ground . Out upon him who fain would wear the proud title of a Mason , and , in sacrilege of Masonry ' s holy rite , defend not the honour of his brother .

A woman taken in the commission of a revolting crime against society , was bought before the Holy Nazarene . The multitude judged her ; the multitude sentenced ; and the multitude would have executed . Bach unmindful of his own estate , demanded of her that which he himself held most dear . Who among them cast a stone ?

One-half of the evil we believe to be in the world is but the pronouncing of it . Man sees in his fellows that which is in himself . Who , then , will stand forth in his own