Masonic Ideal Of Manliness.

thc age . Since religion has become a part of the life of the people , the relation of man to man and man to God has assumed an increased imporfc : ince . Ifc has made itself felt

and makes itself felfc in everything pertaining to social life , and , when one seeks to enter our Fraternity , if he have not this spiritual perception , and if ho do not understand some relation to the Divine , then

he should be immediately informed thafc he must find a social home ancl relation elsewhere . Thus we have in the Masonic standard the idea of a man well balanced and perfectly harmonised in all of his powers , so equipped and so complete as to stand forth an embodiment

of the Divine ideal in creation . Such a man will naturally represent courage , persistence , and patience ; he will embody all the chivalry of past ages , and in the stand he takes will show the possession of such a spirit as will entitle him to recognition . In these days courage is not

of the physical order alone ; from the fact that a man is well balanced he will possess the different types of courage which correspond to the different sides of'his being . A man representing the Masonic standard will be able to think fearlessly . When ideas are presented to him

and it becomes necessary for him to consider them , he will think in such a fearless manner , and will so stand to his convictions and uphold his ideas , as to properly command the esteem of his associates , even though such associates be compelled to disagree with his conclusions . And it

certainly does require courage in these days to think fearlessly . When one departs from the beaten track , every hand is lifted to drag him back , and if he persists , many are the voices lifted against him in threat or detraction . If his ideas result to his mind in the conviction that

humanity will bo the better by the change in political or ecclesiastical relations , he is certain to have a bitter struggle before him , and happy indeed is he if , in spite of his courage , he does not sink in the estimation of the people . All men do not possess the generosity of spirit

which pertains to the true ideal of humanity . The multitude is haughty and overbearing when it possesses power ; the many are invariabl y narrow and bigoted . He that seeketh not his own—is unselfish and charitablebelongs to the minority in this life , for this side of

humanity has as yet reached but a slight general development . Nevertheless , the true Masonic ideal stands . He who would exemplify Masonic principles must be a modest and unassuming man , he must look with forbearance and consideration upon others . When others are weak he must

remember that differences of opinion are incident to individuality , and that no man can ever conform himself strictly ancl completely fco tho ideals of other men . Then it happens that this standard of excellence is an expanding standard . It has not been made once , for ever to

continue iu the ^ type and form which marked ita birth . The spirit of progression , which is essential to the well-being of the race , changes and remodels every ideal . In church , in society , ancl in tho

state , the advancement of one generation is a necessary sequence of the expanding thought of the generation before . We cannot stand still , and should once wo reach the position considered as the embodiment of the ideal of

excellence by our fathers , we will find tbat still beyond there opens to our vision a conception of character and of power and greatness which is worth , and demands , our efforts to reach . Hence in our standard of life we must have a place for the spirit of progression . He who would

represent the embodiment of Masonic principles , must be a progressive man in every relation of life ; that is progressive in the right way . While he seeks liberty in the state , that must be a liberty consistent with the rights of every one of his fellow citizens . No personal license which permits him

to go ^ forward without regard to his fellows , bufc such a liberty as will give to him the enjoyment of life and the pursuit of happiness equal to the privilege which he grants to his neighbour . So , in his ecclesiastical relation in the church , as Ji devout worshi pper of God ho will seek ever to expand his

conceptions oftho Divine , and his progress will bo marked as an upward progress , a drawing nearer to the life which illustrates the Divine life . To him no iron-bound creeds and no formularies of belief , which express the convictions of ages past , can properly set forth hia beliefs or his hopes . tlemust

• ^ stand in thc presence of his God , recognizing his responsibilit y to his Creator . He for himself must lormukte such belief aud express such conviction as will bring him in close harmony with the Author of his being . As a member of society his career will be marked by aa

Masonic Ideal Of Manliness.

advancement in usefulness , and he will not be a drone in the busy community . The world as a whole will be the better for his being . His aim may be said in all his life ' s work to so live that humanity may be benefited . Such a man , useful in his day and generation , exhibiting ever a

high conception of human life , will be dominated by tho spirit of charity , broad in its tolerance . Such a man cannot look npon his neighbour save with the feeling thafc he is his brother , and although he may seo in that brother much which should nofc exist , many traits and many

feelings deserving or * condemnation , yet in him he will see one who possesses the samo life and is of tbe same stocky and who must face the same future filled with magnificent

possibilities . In the tolerant spirit which exists because of charity , he must seek to help his brother and by counsel and by act ; restore him to his rightful standing where ho finds him fallen .

Bufc you may say that even these characteristics of a useful and harmonious life do not present all tho attributes of the perfect man . No , my brethren , I have not sought to enumerate and schedule each one of the points which to me represent the perfect ideal of character , but

I have endeavoured to indicate certain traits whicb , if lacking , will incapacitate a man for the highest usefulness in this day and generation . Whatever we may say of the perfect harmony of life , it ia

certain that we yvill all agree , that in these things , afc least , there are to be found some of the essentials to perfect development . Masonry , by its doctrines , seeks to inculcate these essentials and build up the mental character toward this standard . While ifc leaves fche conscience unfettered and

gives to each individual a right fco form his own opinions as to social and religious life ; its doctrines are such that there must be some form of religious life in every one who wonld exemplify its teachings . As far removed as darkness ia from light is that conception of humanity whioh entirely

eliminates the Divine from the conception which Masonry holds before its initiates . From the beginning to the close of the Masonic career we should ever heed the words , and remember , " Him who sitteth upon the circle of the heavens , " the Supreme Architect of the Universe , at the mention of whose name all ou earth should bow . — Voice of Masonry .

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