Secret Societies.

SECRET SOCIETIES .

FEW people really understand the force and power oi secret societies , especially in the Old World . They are numerous , and in many instances despotic , cruel and damaging to persons and property . Monarchs have been and are controlled by them . At their dictation war is declared and peace restored , precisely as it suits their plans . Such organizations are dangerous because they are political , and by their very secrecy are enabled to carry

out their plans of destruction , striking at the very root of liberty and freedom . That the oppression of the past may have given some excuse for the formation of bands for mutual protection cannot be denied , but the object of their organization has been perverted , and from resisting tyranny they have become themselves tyrants .

It is said that the perplexity of the tottering throne of King George of Greece depends upon a society known as " Ethnike Hetairia . " This society is said to have exercised such a power over the Greek king as to have compelled the invasion

of Turkish territory in an unjustifiable manner , and precipitated the unfortunate war which has proved so disastrous to the classic Greeks . This society is also said to be very strong and powerful , with thousands of members scattered all over Asia Minor and in the leading cities of Europe .

The Carbonari of Italy exercised a great influence over , and even controlled the actions of Napoleon III ., who was unable to escape the despotism of their decrees . In Russia the Nihilists have held such sway as to retard the progress of that great nation towards constitutional government and greater liberty . In Austria

there are a number of these secret societies , which hamper the government and make things extremely uncomfortable . Of course , very little is known by the outside world of these societies , whose pernicious influence is damaging to every good organization in the world .

It is not to be wondered at that there should be opposition to every secret society , no matter what their purposes or aims , and from the evil done by the secret societies political in nature has ariseu much of the prejudice against Freemasonry . Indeed , in some countries every secret organization is called Masonic . It

cannot be doubted either that in Spain , France and Italy , bodies organized as Masonic have lost sight of their real purposes , and in the secrecy of their Lodge rooms have planned matters that have been injurious to government and society . Such actions on their part have stamped as injurious every true Masonic Lodge in those countries .

The Masonic Institution has no secrets the whole world might not know . There is nothing in their organization that could be subversive to good government . Every man who enters the Lodge room is taught to be loyal to his government , to discountenance rebellion and patiently submit to the constituted authorities . Such men , as a matter of course , could not be concerned in plots or conspiracies . The whole teaching of the Fraternity is peaceful and charitable .

We should not severely condemn those who oppose Masonry , ¦ when tbey have before them the disaster wrought by secret organizations , and whose opportunities to discriminate between the peaceful Mason and the warlike " Hetairia , " or Carbonari , are not as favourable as ours . Bigoted prejudice in the light of the good deeds of Masons is inexcusable ; but where Lodges , meet in such secret places that the members themselvos can scarcely

find their way thither , and their charities , per force of circumstances , must be confined to a very few of their own , it is difficult to let the light shine . In this country , however , and in others where the benefactions are seen in the monumental charities of Homes and Asylums , the good that Masonry does is apparent to everyone , and commands the respect of all , no matter how prejudiced they may be . — " New York Dispatch . "

Platform Of Freemasonry.

PLATFORM OF FREEMASONRY .

THE cardinal virtues of Masonry are temperance , fortitude , prudence , and justice . Each one of these constitutes a plank o £ equal importance in the Masonic platform . Securely dovetailed together , after the plan of a wise architect and builder , and strengthened with the cement of love and unity , they form a structure not only strong but enduring . With its

four corners resting upon four imperishable stones , brotherly love , belief , truth and charity , firmly planted upon the solid rock of fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man , it forms a

foundation for the institution of Freemasonry that has stood the test of many centuries past , and that will endure till time shall be no more . It has needed no repairs in the past , does not need any in the present , and will never need any in the future .

Time but adds to its strength , and years to its durabilit y . The waves of fanaticism break harmlessly over it , the winds of bigotry cannot shake it , nor the fires of intolerance destroy it ,

Platform Of Freemasonry.

All these elements of discord and dissolution are powerless to accomplish its destruction . Freemasonry has nothing to fear from its enemies without , so long as Masons are true to the noble principles which constitute its foundations , and which are found in every stone in this beautiful Mystic Temple , even up to the

capstone itself . To be true to them they must have a thorough knowledge of their import , and this information is essential to a proper discharge of their duties as Masons . In Operative Masonry no one can become a skilful workman who does not apply himself diligently during the term of his apprenticeship , and the same is equally true in Speculative Masonry .

Masons must learn Masonry before they properly practice it themselves or teach it to others . This cannot be done in a day , a month , or a year ; but years of study are necessary . Some learn the ritual quickly and think that is all there is of it . Others go through without learning anything at all . A few only ever become well-informed Masons . In this lack of

Masonic knowledge among so large a portion of the membership lies the greatest danger to the Institution itself . They are in a position to do it much greater harm than those who assail it from without . Once inside they become an element of weakness , for they are just as liable to go wrong as right . They have never learned how to observe the cardinal virtues of Masonry , or to practice the tenets of their profession .

They are apt to think the platform needs some changes or repairs and imagine themselves competent to furnish the plans . Some seem to think the temperance plank of more importance than all the rest , and are ready to sacrifice prudence and justice in their efforts to enlarge its dimensions . Brotherly love and

charity are rolled out from under it , leaving it to topple and break in pieces . The beautiful structure , contrived by -wisdom , constructed by strength , and adorned by beauty , in their hands becomes a shapeless mass , with scarcely a trace of its former grandeur .

Let the platform remain with all the planks as originally placed in it . Let it continue to rest upon the four corner stones firmly planted upon the bed rock of Masonry . Then shall Masons everywhere continue to enjoy the rich blessings that have so long been their portion , and continue to show to the world how good and pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity . — " Masonic Advocate . "

Hustling.

HUSTLING .

A GOOD Brother , earnest and faithful in Lodge work , remarked the other day , " now we must get out and hustle for members . " Just what he meant by " hustling for members , " or how he was going to " hustle for members , " we are at a loss to fully comprehend . We hear a member called " a hustler " if he brings in a large number of petitions , and he is looked upon as a

kind of superior Mason , because of his activity . He is regarded as a Brother whose zeal is worthy of imitation . But is that always the case ? Does it always prove advantageous to the Lodge to have a " hustler" in it ? Is it not from " hustling " that the unworthy are brought into the Fraternity ?

Masonry is opposed to proselytism . It has no travelling " salesmen , " no " drummers , " no " missionaries . " It is a purely voluntary association , and opposes any invitation on the part of members to those outside to enter its portals . No man who is

solicited by his friend to join the Lodge can say absolutely that he is " unbiased by friends . " The very solicitation , to a certain degree , affects his opinion . He must come of his " own free will and accord . "

There is , we fear , too much " hustling , " not that it is always done in an offensive way , but in too many cases the desire to increase membership or replenish the treasury leads to the use of undue influence to bring in candidates . Masonry is opposed in all its teaching to such a method . A man must appreciate the

value of the institution from what he sees of its good effects . He will not be a Freemason if he does not come uninfluenced . No man can say he is free who listens to the suggestion or request of his friend to " join my Lodge . " While it is natural for us to desire to have our friend associated with us in good work , and in

no place is there a more tender friendship than in the Lodge , yet it is not the spirit of Masonry to solicit anyone to join . There is no doubt that friendship and association has very much to do with much of the " hustling " that is done . This fact also exists , that the friendship is cemented and made stronger when those

whom we esteem and love have the Lodge secrets in common with us . There is a kind of kinship , an emphasised Brother , that is found nowhere else . But , with all this , desirable and pleasant as it is , the dearest friend we have must be a free man before initiation , and a Free Mason afterwards .

We rejoice at the prosperity of Freemasonry . We are glad when good men unite in the great work . The more such men we have the better the fraternity , and the better the world at large .