What Is Freemasonry ?

serve to remind us of the reverence due to our Creator ; a duty plainly and clearly taught at the very threshold of Masonry , and impressed perpetually by the ever present symbol reminding us of the G . A . O . T . U ., to whom Ave must all submit , and whom we ought humbly to adore . Let his

temperate and abstemious fashions teach us how to limit our desires and enjoyments within legitimate bounds , so that having due control over them we may not become slaves to prodigality and luxuriousness . But , in more special relationship with Freemasonry—let his unwearied

labours for the temporal ( and eternal ) welfare of others call to our minds always and ceaselessly tho various claims of that distinctively Masonic principle of brotherhood . Let his most noble and renowned attempt to visit upon himself the dire effects of imperial and persecuting anger

directed against another , awake in us a manly and unsparing effort to at least share the burdens of our fellows and brethren by extending to them the gladdening hand of Fraternity . Whilst it has been the especial province of religion to instruct us in our duty to our Maker , and to

inculcate feelings of reverence and humility towards the Source of all Goodness , we claim it to be the peculiar province of Freemasonry to develop our love for our fellows , and to foster a high standard of brotherhood . In this direction we are drawn from the abstract into the real .

Beatific inspirations become solidified by humanitarian action , and holy thoughts are rendered of current value when minted into the coin of sweet charity . And where we use that much exercised word let us not use it in that narrow , limited form which is made to represent the

disposal of creature comforts and temporal benefactions ; but rather in that wider , boundless and illimitable sense in which charity means brotherhood and tenderness , and gentle dealings one with the other . The cultivation of a state in which bickerings aud petty jealousies shall have

been annihilated ; where none shall lie in wait ( as it were ) ever seeking cause of offence and reasons for obst ructing ; where any movement designed to carry forward the banner of progress , or to engage in the righteous quest of knowledge shall be fostered rather than hindered ; whore

personal vanity and rude spite shall be deemed unworthy and inglorious . What is demanded of Masonry in tho present age is that it shall mean a true manhood , and that to be named a Mason is to be accounted a true man . One permeated with nobility of spirit , and tutored in all the

virtues which make life fragrant and healthy , a centre of sympathetic action and a source of happiness and support to others . Not wilfully given to unreasonable perversity , but ever inclined to judge all actions in tho same spirit as that in which they may be initiated .

Whatsoever things are true , Whatsoever things are honest , Whatsoever things are just , Whatsoever things are pure ,

Whatsoever things are lovely , Whatsoever things are of good report , If there be any virtue , and if there Be any praise—think on these things .

Such should bo the formula for our guidance and action , and we doubt not that if adopted in the same spirit as we conscientiously judge our own motives , contention and

strife must of necessity vanish . To thine own self be true , And ifc shall follow , as the night the day , Thou canst nofc then be false to any man .

But , brethren , far beyond this negative form of brotherhood and charity there exist finer and nobler gradations of Masonic ethics . We may be tardy in admitting the responsibility imposed on us by our Masonic vows , but tho truth remains that no duty is more expressly inculcated than that

which concerns fraternity . Nofc the empty paradings of brotherhood , limited to short re-unions at regular ancl stated times ; nor yet the meaningless professions made by one Mason to another when self-seeking or sordid motive- - foolishly prompt us to make a stepping-stone of our

obligations ; but rather the cultivation of that expanded benevolence and brotherhood which sees in every man , be he cowan or initiate , a claimant for sympathy and fellow-feeling in some form or another . The brotherhood which waits not for forced opportunities wherein to exercise his

professions , but being ever on the alert for chances ancl openings , discovers the truth of the statement made by the learned Roman philosopher , that " men resemble tbe Gods in nothing so much as in doing good to their fellowcreatures . " —

What Is Freemasonry ?

Be useful where thou livest , thafc they may Both want and wish thy pleasing presence still . Kindness , good parts ; great places are fche way To compass this ; find out men ' s wants and will , And meet them there ; all worldly joys go less To the one joy of doing kindnesses .

And , if taught we would weave a fresh garland , with which to add to the honour of our Craft , it can be accomplished by declaring that from henceforth fche virtue of Masonic charity shall be defined as embodying—not only the commendable disposal of bounty and a ready

response to the demands of necessity and affliction , but also the lavish liquidation of humanity ' s claim for a tender and compassionate sympathy . It has been truly said that " all human lives are as separate circles , they may touch at one point in friendly approach , but

when they touch each rounds itself off the other "—( Lytton ) . While admiring the illustration one dares to question whether under the benign influences of a tender

compassionate interchange the actual point of contact may not be magnified into a joyous , prolonged over-lapping . To give of our substance to the poor and necessitous in the hour of their affliction cannot but be meritorious and

praiseworthy ; but loftier still , and pre-eminently laudable is the conduct of him who has for pursuit the mitigation of the martyrdom of so many lives—who has a heart for the life-long burden of sad and dreary duties which so many are forced to bear , and unalleviatod by tho cheering

help of external solace or comfort . How do we propose to render help to theso ? Certain it is that the jingling of the guinea will be no avail , nor will the prompt observance of a sworn obligation supply tho exigency . But equally sure will prove the earnest , passionate appeal to tho Great

Source of all kingliness of nature that we may be supplied with words which shall prove efficacious in providing relief and comfort to burdened hearts , and in pouring balm on many an aching wound . And to-night within

sound , as it were , of the joyous peal of Christmaatido greetings , there appeals to our hearts with intensified force the claims of a wider Fraternity and a moro invigorating type of benevolence . It never was moro needed , methinks , nor ever before so well calculated to soothe the ills of a

restless and ailing humanity . Day after day there is presented tho spectacle of a wearying and weakening strife between the various sections of au otherwise united people—each clamorous for his portion of material wealth . Regard for the interests of others appears to have been

transformed into the hungry frenzy of au enemy . Personal freedom and liberty are apt to be encroached upou under the banner of the " greatest good to the greatest number , " and tho times seem pregnant with restrictions

and intimidations . Drawn in coarse and crude lines , this is the aspect of the times . As Masons , have wo no missions ? no remedies to offer ? no principles to assert ; ? no virtues to commend ? Shall we not labour to attain that

millennium—When each man finds his own in all men ' s good And all men work in noble brotherhood . M . W . G . M ., my effort is concluded . Permit mo to offer it for your commendation and for the approval of my brethren . —South Aiistralian Freemason .

We aro glad to hear that Bro . Richard Clowes , tho present W . M . of tho Earl of Sussex Lodgo , No . 2201 , has been appointed to the office of Provincial Senior Grancl Warden iu tho Province of Sussex , of which H . R . H . thc Duko of Connaught is Provincial Grand Master , the

vacancy being caused by the death of the late lamented Bro . Crawford J . Pocock . Bro . Clowes has already filled the office of Provincial Senior Grand Warden in tho Province of Essex , and we are pleased to find that his

merits aro appreciated in Sussex , where he has taken up his residence . His zeal for Freemasonry is well known , and he is a subscribing member of two other Lodges in the Province . His appointment will be hailed with tho greatest satisfaction by all who know him .

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