Reasons For Masonic Secrecy.

REASONS FOR MASONIC SECRECY .

IF the secrets of Masonry are replete with such advantages to mankind , it may be asked , why ate they not divulged for the general good of society ? To this may be answered , were the privileges of Masonry to be indiscriminately dispensed , the purpose of the institution would bo subverted , and our secrets being familiar , like other important matters , would loso thoir value ancl sink into disregard .

It is a weakness in human nature that men are generally more charmed with novelty than with the intrinsic value of things . Innumerable testimonies might bo adduced to confirm this truth . Tho most wonderful operations of tho Divine Artificer , however

beautiful , magnificent and useful , are overlooked because common and familiar . The sun rises and sets , the sea flows and reflows , rivers glide along the channels , trees and plants vegetate , men , and beasts act , yet theso boing perpetually open to view , pass unnoticed .

Tho most astonishing productions of nature on the same account escape observation and excito no emotion , either in admiration of the great cause , or of gratitude for the blessing conferred . Even virtue herself is not exemped from this unhappy bias in tho human frame . Novelty influences all our actions and

determinations . What is new or difficult in the acquisition , however trifling or insignificant , readily captivates the imagination and insures a temporary admiration , while what is familiar or easily attained , however noble or eminent , is sure to be disregarded by the giddy and unthinking .

Did the essence of Masonry consist m tho knowledge of particular secrets or peculiar forms , it might be alleged that our amusements were trifling and superficial . But this is not the case . These are only keys to our treasure , and , having their use , are preserved ; while from the recollection of the lessons which they inculcate , the well informed Mason derives instruction , draws them to a near

inspection , views them through a proper medium , adverts to the circumstances which gave them rise , and dwells upon the tenets which they convey . Finding them replete with useful information , he prizes them as sacred , and , convinced of their propriety , estimates their value from their utility . —" American Masonic Register . "

A Stage Sermon at the Criterion . —It has often been said that the stage is as powerful a factor in inculcating the principles of virtue as the pulpit , hut it is rarely that the mirror has been held up to poor humanity in so pitiless a fashion as is the case in Mr . Henry Arthur Jones' new play " The Case of Rebellious

Susan . " The piece is called a comedy , but it contains many elements of a tragedy , and though laughter is evoked , it is not altogether of the honest hearty kind , for Mr . Jones is in his most mocking , cynical mood , and taking as his text the deceptions of married life , he pours out his scathing satires in witty epigrams on

various samples of the species . If not convinced by his arguments we are amused at his methods , and it is only after thought that causes these reflections . Lady Susan Harabier has discovered her husband in an intrigue . In revenge she determines to leave him and resume her independent position , free to act as she pleases . It

is somewhat difficult to understand how a lady of Susan ' s temperament could have married such a noodle as James Harabier is represented , but there it is . Susan goes abroad with a lady friend and at Cairo meets " her fate " in the person of Lucien Edensor , and although keenly alive to her responsibility is induced eventually

to consent to an elopement . This is fortunately frustrated by Sir Richard Kato , Q . C , the lady ' s guardian , who having had a long experience in the Divorce Court , guesses the state of affairs and peremptorily orders the young man to New Zealand . Fifteen months elapse and we learn that Lucien , after pining for three

whole weeks for his lost love , has fallen a victim to another flame , and returns Susan's love-token with a piece of wedding cake . . This episode effects a cure so far as the " rebellion" is concerned and resigning herself to the inevitable she makes a truce with her husband on the understanding that bygones are to be bygones . A

second couple are Admiral Sir Joseph and Lady Darby , who point a moral in another sense ; whilo a third is more amusing as portrayed by an esthetic young man and a young lady with strong views as to woman's rights , who rush into matrimony with disastrous results . It is , however , on this third text that thc

preacher is at his best , for Sir Richard settles the matter in a fine scene in which he states that woman's position was settled in the Garden of Eden ancl that her rights are bounded by and should be centred in her home . We have seldom seen Mr . Charles Wyndham in a character more suited to his best style , depicting

Sir Richard with a dignified demeanour but exquisite humour which alone could have made the sermon palatable . Miss Mary Moore plays Lady Susan with considerable delicacy ; and Miss Gertrude Kingston is a charming widow who assists in the reconciliation . Mr . E , Little has a small chance as the foolish husband , but Mr . Ben Webster is an ardent Lucien . Mr . Fred

Kerr and Miss Nina Boucicault represent the ill matched pair , with excellent results ; and the boisterous Admiral and his wife find admirable exponents in Mr . Kemble and Miss F . Colman . The play is undoubtedly clever , and the audience showed its appreciation hy liberal applause , calling for the author and actors at its termination .

IN his 28 th Annual Report Dr . Barnardo reviews the work of his well-known Homes for the twelve months ending 31 st December last . He has a splendid story to tell , for his Institutions now cover a very wide range of effort . Many of the totals supplied are really amazing in their magnitude . For instance , it appears that nearly 5 , 000 children arc now under the care of the Homes ; that 23 , 711 Waif Children have been rescued , trained , aud placed out in life in

Reasons For Masonic Secrecy.

the bygone twenty-eight years ; that 13 , 418 children were dealt with in the course of the single year 1893 ; that vory nearly seven boys and girls were on the average admitted every twenty-four hours ; and that 6 , 571 trained emigrants had been sent out to the colonies from the beginning of the Homes to December 1893 . Free

lodgings have been given to the most destitute by tens of thousands , and free nv ? als by the hundred thousand ; while religious services , and temperance , social , and educational meetings held at tho various mission centres havo had over a million of registered attendances in twelve months . A detailed account is given of each

of the fifty-one branches which are now comprised m the Homes , and a series of most interesting case-histories and of letters from former inmates , attest at once the real necessity for the work and the great success which has attended it . In the second part of the Report the Committee of the Homes dwells on the financial aspect

of the work , and supplies an audited statement of accounts . It appears that last year tho sum of £ 132 , 054 was received in no fewer than 82 , 709 separate gifts . Sixty-six per cent , of the donations were individually under £ 1 each , showing that the Institutions are

really widely supported by the general public . Donations in aid of tho Homes are urgently needed , and are at all times welcome . A copy of the Report will be sent to anyone on application to the General Secretary of the Homos , 18 to 26 Stepney Causeway , London , E .

OUB Contemporary , " Science Sittings , " has just decided a most interesting question , which , in view of the approach of cold weather , was asked at a particularly fitting moment . The object was to find out which is tho most popular Beef Essence in the

market , and a spirited competition was held by its readers , which resulted in placing Bovril at the head of the poll with 4318 votes . As 11 , 563 votes were taken , and all the well-known products ( 9 in number ) of this nature were in competition , this is tolerably conclusive evidence of the universal popularity of Bovril .

o o o SOME Masons have remarkable ideas on Masonry . At a recent Masonic function a visitor , in responding , expressed his regret that the meeting had not been more freely advertised , as he should judge from his experience that evening , that the body would be

fairly succesful if it gave more publicity to its proceedings , and he had no doubt many Initiates could be got to join if they only knew , & c . The Brother was doubtless somewhat surprised at the

absence of enthusiasm in the reception of his remarks , which may bo explained from the fact that the body in question for the past seventeen years has prided itself on securing Masonic quality at the expense of quantity . — " Exchange . "

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