Lodge Meetings Next Week.

1311 Zetland , Leeds 1330 Sk Peter , Market Harborough 1357 Cope , Sale 1389 Fenwick , Sunderland 1773 Albert Victor , Pendleton 1794 De Vere , Nottingham 2063 St . Osyth Priory , Cl ' ct'n-on-Sea 2231 Talbot , Stretford 2380 Beneventa , Daventry 2447 Palatine , Manchester

Lodge Meetings Next Week.

Saturday . 715 Panmure , Cannon Street Hotel 1139 South Norwood , S . Norwood P . 1364 Earl of Zetland , Guildhall Tav . 1641 Crichton , Camberwell 1732 King ' s Cross , Anderton's 811 Yarborough , Brighton 1126 Oakwood , Romiley 1871 Gostling Murray , Hounslow

Masonry's Genius And Effects.

MASONRY'S GENIUS AND EFFECTS .

( Continued from page 51 . ) IT discountenances and prohibits vice in all its Protean forms , as destructive of happiness and degrading to the dignity of its subjects . It recommends the peaceful paths of true wisdom ,

as the only course of safety for man , and strongly inculcates the duties of friendship , without the alloy of indifference ; of morality , without the mixture of ostentation ; and Brotherly love , without the imposing shadows of dissimulation .

That Freemasonry has sustained a peaceful character , and urged the practice of its sublime virtues upon the members of the whole Fraternity , will not be doubted by any serious , reflecting mind , who will be at the trouble to examine the records of its progress in various parts of the world , and especially in times of persecution . It has never lifted its hand

to crush the civil power . It has never summoned its votaries to erect the standard of rebellion , or seize the reins of government ; but . it has uniformly inculcated the duty of submission to the legal authorities of every nation , and solemnly enjoined an undeviating adherence to the precepts of justice , which would perpetuate the invaluable blessing of peace to the world .

Had Masonry been a system of rancourous policy , its deformity would long ere this have been exposed , and its ranks deserted by virtuous men . But instead of rancour and pride , it teaches the lesson of humility and condescension , to the prince ,

the ruler and the judge ; while it descends to the vale of obscurity , and exalts , the man of humble virtue to a level with the great . The warm , undeviating friendship of brotherly love is considered by Masonry as the proper centre towards which all the actions of its friends should verge .

Wherever the genuine principles of the Institution are cherished in the heart , the bosom is caused to glow with love , and the finer feelings of the soul are excited and become interested in the welfare of a brother . This effect is accounted for by the

fact that Masonry holds fellowship with pilgrims in distress ; cordially hails the sons of want , and welcomes them to the board of plenty ; administers to the wants of a penniless brother , and regards with the tender solicitude of fraternal affection the unfortunate children of affliction and pain .

The Mason who is worthy of a Mason s name can meet on the same level , and greet with the same cordiality , a Briton , a Frank , a German , or a native of the forest , and fellowship them as brethren , if they are acquainted with our art . How widel y

soever the members of this Fraternity may differ in their opinions , he who acts up to the sentiments and rules of this noble Institution must lay aside his prejudices , and , on the Masonic pavement , hail in the melting voice of friendship a brother of a different denomination .

The worthy Mason is taught to visit the widow in distress , to substitute the oil of consolation and joy for the tears of affliction , to clasp in the arms of charity and affection each helpless orphan , and administer to their necessities . His heart is taught to regard with emotions of grief the distresses of others , and to aid in the alleviation of human misery ; in a word , the

natural influence of Freemasonry is , to tame tbe ferocity of men , allay the prejudice of those whose tenets are the most dissimilar , promote peace in society , correct the morals of the irreligious and profane , encourage arts and social intercourse among mankind , and engage the hearts of men in the exercise of virtuous friendship and love .

To exemplify the charitable genius of this venerable Institution , it is only necessary to remark that in the last memorable struggle with one of the most formidable powers of Europe , the unfortunate captives from beyond the Atlantic shared largely the bounty of Lodges , in many of our populous

towns and cities , where their funds were liberally imparted for the relief of brethren compelled by the laws of their country to sustain the character of an invading foe . And permit me to add : If the lessons which Freemasonry inculcates were universally

observed by its professed friends , the tongue of slander would be bound—the wise politician , the worthy religionist and the sage philosopher would rejoice in its upbuilding , and feel themselves honoured in having their names enrolled with the Fraternity and deposited in the archives of the middle chamber . I have entered thus far into the history of the origin and progress of Freemasonry , elucidated its real principles , and

Masonry's Genius And Effects.

treated of its genius , its influence upon and relation to society , its tendency and the benefits derived from a knowledge of the Institution , not for the instruction of the experienced and well informed Mason , but for the purpose of refreshing their minrls with a recollection of those truths on which the prosperity of the Craft depends , and to aid the young and inexperienced in the just estimate of the principles which mark the importance of our Order .

But I am aware that two objections are urged with great pertinacity against the Fraternity , and give rise to inquiries which demand a reply . First : If Masonry be of any real benefit to the world , why is it kept secret ? Second : If the Institution be good , and has a tendency to reform mankind , why are there immoral members found in its ranks ?

In answer to the first it is proper to reply that in order for the secrets of Freemasonry to be generally known , it would be necessary that its privileges should be indiscriminately bestowed , which would not only subvert the design of the Institution , but render it familiar , and it might , like many other important theories , lose much of its influence upon the mind , and gradually sink into disregard . The general neglect of the sublime and

infinitely important truths of Christianity furnish striking illustration and evidence of the truth of this position . Besides , it is a fact which has not escaped the observation of the most discerning , that whatever is new and difficult to be obtained is the more highly prized on account of the obstructions in the way of acquisition , and more sure to awake the curiosity and encourage the perseverance of the inquiring mind .

These considerations , in conjunction with the arguments already adduced in support of its peaceful tendency audits moral influence upon its members and upon society , will not only justify the exclusion of the world from a knowledge of the art , but prove with sufficient clearness that in order the more effectually to extend the benefits of the Institution , its secret should be inviolably kept within the walls of the Fraternity .

In answer to the second question , which relates to immoral members , we may reply , although it cannot be denied that such members are sometimes found in our ranks , yet from that consideration it cannot be inferred with certainty that the Institution itself is corrupt : for such an inference would justify the unreasonable conclusion that no member of a community could

act unworthy of his profession . Where can a society be found on earth , of any description whatever , that can boast of having no bad members ? And shall we pass the uncharitable censure that all institutions are corrupt because some of their members walk in a disorderly manner ? If what has already been advanced be not sufficient to explode the objection , let the objector consult the sacred history of the apostolic fraternity ,

where he will find penned , in living characters , the treachery of one and the falsehood and profanity of another ! It is true that sometimes we are troubled with disorderly or immoral members , and find it necessary to admonish , rebuke and exhort them to reformation , with long-suffering and charitable forbearance ; but when gentle means fail to reform their lives , we have recourse to the painful expedient of expulsion , and forever withdraw from them our fellowship as Masons .

The latter alternative is truly painful to the Fraternity , and deeply disgraceful to him who merits such treatment . To be forever excluded , and stripped of the honours and denied the confidence of a society whose principles are founded upon the

most rational and manly piety ; whose laws are dictated by justice and reason ; the principles of whose actions are sympathy and benevolence ; which breathes universal peace on earth , and promotes good will among mankind , is deemed a sufficient punishment for us to inflict upon the refractory .

To preserve unstained the reputation of the Craft ; to insure prosperity to the designs of this Ancient and Honourable Fraternity , and to aid the cause of universal improvement in the science of happiness , it is only necessary that we attentivel y

pursue the path marked out by the sublime precepts and excellent moral instructions inculcated within our walls , and urged with silent but forcible eloquence by the numerous emblems of the Masonic Carpet . —Eev . David Pickering , in " Voice of Masonry . "

Bro . Baron de Bush has been elected a member of the British Commission of the Brussels International Exhibition this year .

It is announced the project of establishing a Masonic hospital in Brooklyn is under consideration in twenty Lodges of that city .

Among the recent contributions to the Indian Famine Fund we notice the Moira Chapter , No . 92 , £ 5 5 s ; Lodge of Unity , No . 69 , £ 5 5 s ; the Bishopsgate Lodge , No . 2396 , £ 5 .