Masonry And Freemasonry.

masons , on the contrary , needed a system of quietude which they have ever prescribed , as noise and confusion are incompatible with their work and business . The sound of tinkling hammers and chisels would soon prevent the quiet

deliberation which their society needs . The noble men who instituted Freemasonry were the most gifted and talented men the world has ever produced . Moses was with his tribe forty years in removing them from Egypt to

the land of Canaan . He went through every vicissitude of trouble and affliction , which qualified him to discern the sorrows and sufferings of men . He was the law maker of the Jews . Abraham was equally experienced as patriarch

of a great multitude , in the sufferings of humanity . Job was indeed rich ; but his own calamities and those of his fellow-men led him to weep over the miseries he saw around him . He strove to better the condition of

mankind . He was visited by the sons of God in a special manner . Both of the St . Johns belonged to this Order , one of whom was an Apostle . Both were Christian men , and with a heavenly amenity sought the human welfare .

Aaron was a high priest under Moses , and saw the pitiable condition and poverty of the people . Nor is it improbable that Jesus Christ , who is the Son of God from nativity , belonged to this Order of men , and assisted in the

formation of this society . The probability is strong that he did He wrought miracles to cure poor people of their misfortunes . His Gospel instructs the people to help tho poor and needy . It would be absurd to suppose that He never belonged to this Order of benevolence .

These noble men saw that the world of mankind was

in a prodigious struggle to get wealth ; that the opportunities to obtain it were unequal among men ; that one place afforded a better chance to obtain it than another , as influences assisted one and not another , aud yet the

world had wealth enough for all if it could be equally divided . They saw , too , that one man had greater power and strength to accomplish his purpose than another ; that one man ' s homestead would be blown down by

a tornado and his family desolated and another ' s not : that some contagious disease mig ht strike a whole famil y and desolate them , and others not ; that lightning might set a poor man ' s house on fire and burn it down , and thus he

would be destitute ; that a hurricane might destroy his crops and leave his family to suffer , and that the inequality of wealth in a nation , caused by the crafty and dishonest shrewdness of some men ovor others , had

beggared the world , and was causing incalculable misery among the people . These and other considerations palpable to the eyes of all men , led the above mentioned

philosophers to institute the moral and charitable Institution of Freemasonry . It doubtless has been a blessing to millions of men . It set an example for other societies to imitate . May the good spread and widen to the ends of the earth .

It may be said that there never was a time when the nations of the earth could not assist all their poor and make them comfortable . The trouble is , the wealth of nations is all in the hands of the few , and the poor are

compelled to make them richer . In general the governments of all countries are rich and their people poor . But it is not possible for one benevolent society to help all the

poor in the world . Every religious society should have a charitable institution in it , and extend help to its own members if necessary . In this way the burden would be lighter upon all .

Freemasonry , in its beginning , assumed to help the in di gont need y members of its Lodged , and their widows and orp hans . The policy of keeping women in the dark on this subject is not judicious . Women would be the happiei

to know that behind the curtain obligations aud provisions a'' 0 made to hel p them in the fatal catastrophe of life . At the present time , however , more pains are taken to protect ivorneu while journeying ia cars and steamboats over the

country , by furnishing them with degrees ot rrecmasonry , the si gns of which they can exhibit before a multitude ol K ^ n and Freemasons . This , in most cases , would briny

Protection to them , as there is hardly a considerable crowd of men without there being some Freemasons among them . yoke of Masonry .

„ ' } lQ , Sevi 3 ed Book of Constitutions ; Critically Considered "" ¦ d Compared with the Old Edition . London : Simpkin . i'iarsViall & Co . 4 Stationers' Hall Court , B . C . Sent on receipt of stamps , One Shilling , by W W . Morgan , Freemason ' s " -aronicie Office , Belvidere Works , Hormea Hill , Psntonville .

The Sure Test.

THE SURE TEST .

THERE are many tests of Masonic knowledge and proficiency . Some of tho evidences are merely technical , and are chiefly valuable as certifying to the fact that a brother has passed through certain degrees , and has

rightful place in one or another department of Freemasonry . There are likewise titles and designations , official and otherwise , which mark honourable advancement among Craftsmen , and seem to signify that those who bear the tokens

of such preferment are indeed well skilled in the Mystic art . In this way lines are drawn and grades are fixed , one portion of the Fraternity being regarded as better fitted

than another to represent the organisation to which both belong . These distinctions must needs exist , and the signs of advancement which some brethren of right display are not without their value .

But there are other aud higher tests of Masonic proficiency . We must look to a man ' s character and conduct if we would really know how much of a Mason he is , and whether or not he is a true representative of the system

and the association . It is the expression of his daily life which reveals how far and with what success he has prosecuted his search after light . The individuality which be manifests—his words and deeds—constitutes the one sure

standard by which to determine both the quantity and quality of his Freemasonry . To Craftsmen must the one unerring test be applied : " By their fruits shall ye know them . " Ifc is the manner of life and not the professions

that decides how strong the influence of the institution has been . The way in which a brother lives and acts shows what progress he has made in comprehending and applying Masouic lessons , and by this sure test he must rise or

fall in the judgment to which he is properly amenable . Alas ! how many there are who have taken various degrees , passed on in an upward way , gainel numerous titles and distinctions , and yet have not so mastered Masonic

principles and imbibed the spirit of fraternity as to represent Freemasonry in the way it deserves to bs represented . Men look in vain to such a class to find illu-tr .. rio . i of the graces and excellencies , the power aud b ' essedness of the Masonic systpm .

There are others , however , who can stand the severe test , and under its application ninke clear the true character and glory of the Ancient Craft system . We can think of faithful members of the Order who set forth its gracious

teachirigs in clear and attractive ways . The way and manner in which their lives go forward from day to day , bears witness to the fact that they have given heed to the lessons of Masonic teachings . They are generous , magnanimous ,

and true , always ready to give and do in the large spirit of fraternity at the cad of another ' s need . They are forbearing and forgiving , gentle , considerate , yet , stedfast to the right , thus making the whole tenour of their being to harmonize with the lessons that have been Uu ^ rhfc them in the

name of Freemasonry , and the obligations they have taken while searching for light and truth . Such as these , whether of exalted or humble rank outwardly , are the best

representatives of tbe Craft ; and being able to abide the severest test that can be instituted , they stand of right in the very front rank of brethren who most adorn Vhe institution . — Freemason ' s Repository .

ALPINE GUIDES . —It may be as well to say a few words regarding Kniiles . Much has been written , much more has been said , ou the subject , and tho following must be taken merely as bints for novices . Avoid the self-styled guide who meets you in remote places with a book of glowing testimonials , and who is always perfectly

ready to undertake to ootid not yon anywhere aud everywhere . He 13 Jilmost certainly incompetent . Kemember that a guide should be trusty nnd trusted ; he must necessiirily be yonr companion , and he should be chosen with discrimination . It is possible that tho time may come when your life will be in liis hands ; all tho more reason ,

then , why you should not imperil his life and your own by recklessness or by foolish disregard of oidiuary precautions . The result 'o be attained should be in proportion to the risk required to achieve it , and there is no cowardice in seeking to avoid preventable accidents . If you meditate anything more ambitions than the simplest

excursions , it is not sufficient that your guide should bo a good climber . He must be this , and more . He must tackle untried ground with a sort of intuitive perception of the best route to bo followed ; he must not be at fault a 3 to the best point at which to attempt a crevasse . He must be quick , brave , loyal , fertile in

resource . There are many amongst the be .-t class of Alpine guides •vho fulfil these conditions , and th y iire , as a tule , engaged year after year , mouths beforehand . P . >^ .-ihiy the wnr > t set of guides in i ho Alps , taking them as a body , are tinm- sit . ( , 'hamounix . Wi h some few exceptions , it may be sii •oi hia •a' tleir rap'uit y ii enormous , their ignoranco sublime . —Cassell's Family Magazine .