Freemasonry's Function In Modern Society.

ment of individuality throngh tho rational nso of opportunities , through simplicity , throngh directness , through solf-denial , and through self-abnegation . It means regulated industry—modest independence—sturdy integrity—softened by wido and exquisite sympathy . It means ; in short , all these elements , issuing in that calm and sweet repose through which man , erect , self-poised , and

inaviiig forward and ever forward in the groovo in whioh Providence has pined him , imitates the productive silence of all tho creativo forces on the earth in which lie lives , and in tho spheres of light which point tho way to his eternal home . Brethren of the Mystic Tie . have I not anticipated tho fourth division of mv subject , yielded up onr deeivst secret , delineated the

Masonic character ? If this be truo , then the function of Freemasonry in modern society is . already in some measure ascertained and defined . Without scheme or plan , without Aggressiveness or organized interference , by its own internal constitution and by its action upon its own members , it exerts an inflnenco which places it at tho head of tho conservative and yet progressive forces of civilization .

Ancient , severe , changeless , it is tho very type of immutable law . Beginning and ending in God , it antagonizes agnosticism , and it is freed from all donbt and fluctuation on the fundamentals of trim religion . It is of all institutions tho most unsectarian , because it exacts only that measure of faith which is essential to sound morality . It insists npon order and subordination , because without them tho

world would bo a pandemonium . It demands definifceness and simplicity , becanse without them there would bo little else than confusion and strife . It attacks no form of government , bnt snpports all existing political institutions , while it fits its votaries for freedom and refuses its privileges to slaves . It deals solely with the individual , with his character and conduct in tho parenthesis of mortality ,

and there in those particulars only concerning which there can be no honest and rational disagreement . It requires physical completeness at tho ontset of a Masonic career , as a presumptive guarantee for the equal performance of Masonic obligations , whioh also embrace those practical duties that aro common to all men . It explore i the heart , to determine its aptitude or inaptitude for tho practice of virtue . It

turns away the atheist and the libortino , the idiot and tho lnnatie , at its outer portal , because its mission is to build out of sonnd material , and not to reform or to restore . Having exerted its right of seleotion , it proceeds with a symbolio education , in which induotton succeeds indnction nntil the Masonic equipment is perfected . As God out of chaos organized tho universe , as He brought light from darkness , as

ontof the principle of life He developed form , organism , symmetry , personality , the family , communities , nations , the entire composite order of mankind , so Freemasonry leads its children from darkness to light , from chaos to order , to wisdom , and to the full comprehension of the social bond . In all its stages , when once the onter door is passed and the preliminary lessons taught and received , the

advancing neophyte is forced to realize tho value of light , whioh reveals truth , as truth reveals the Infinite and the Infinite immorta . lity . Ho finds , too , that tho connection between Operative and Speculative Masonry , through a perfect system , furnishes him with a few simple principles , and with intelligible rules for their application to his daily walk and condnct . He discovers , or rather ho is

made to fool , that all desires , appetites , and passions , are to be used and not , abused , and to bo firmly held within the limits of moderation . Ho is also instructed in that kind of equality hotween men which forbids jealousy and protects every substantial right , while it does not attempt tho impracticable task of controlling the accidents and cirenmstancos of life by compelling all men to stand upon a dead level

in the world of bnsiness and of conventionalism . Ho perceives , too , that , npri ' . rhtiiess and intccrrity aro thn basis of ordinary success as well of memorable achievements , aud that men wero created to work and not to prey upon their kind . And last , though greatest of all , ho is introduced to that perfect charity which is identical with love , and which is manifested in sympathy equally with beneficence .

But why , brethren , shonld I pursue this detailed exposition of the relations of Freemasonry to modern society ? You aro impregnated with its philosophy , and its teachings are as familiar to you as household words . Some of you have grown aged and venerable in its service , and all of you presumptively shed its influence abroad upon the multitudes without its doors . Ton know , dear brethren , what

the profane can conjecture only ; that I am justified in claiming that Freemasonry does exercise , cannot fail to exercise , a predominant conservative function in modern society ; that it guards the faculties and represses the vices of men ; that its methods aro founded upon that highest logic which leads only to truth and rejects the false and the superfluous , and upon that soundest morality which declines even to

discuss a question of principle ; that it abhors extremes , while it is definite and uncompromising in protecting individual , domestic and social life ; that it regulates without extirpating hnmnn energy , hnman passions and human aspirations ; that it represses the weaknesses and developes tho strength of men , chocks their self-sufficiency and egotism , and promotes manly self-respect and independence

that , whilo it scrupulously renders unto Caosar the things that an ? tear ' s , it is tho friend of liberty and the foe of tyranny ; that it rests on no barren theory , is disfigured by no grotesque or hideous innmmcries . but is held together by wisdom and by virtue inculcated _ by wholesome traditions and enforced by siiblimo secrets ; that ib feed or

; doe . ^ nofc diseased imaginations perverted intellects , but that it is clean , pare , definite , exact and harmonious , uniting " y a perfect arch tho ( wo sections of eternity ( hat enclose onr inortallife , and delivering , in symmetry and beauty , at the portals of the tabernnclo " not marlo with hands , eternal in tho heavens , " the ° i'spnng 0 f tue Womb who become the faithful recipients of its nriviiQf ^ Oja s l

N ith . this realization of the office of our beloved institution . I trust may compress the corollary to my argument into tho exnression of »> e hope that we may deep ! y feel the responsibility ' which our 'Uasonic associations devolves upon ourselves ; that we mav fully comprehend and realize tho strength and the beanty of those " fleshly » nss that unite us with the past through the history and traditions

Freemasonry's Function In Modern Society.

of our Ordor ; and that wo may pros ? on in fra t ernal accord throngh all the circles of the future , leaving behind us a trail of lisrhfc which shall illuminate tho minds and guide tho footsteps of untold generations .

Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

CRYSTAL PA . LACE LODGE , No . 7-V 2 .

THE annnal meetiug of this Lodge wa « hold on Thursday , the 5 th inst ., at tho Crystal Palace , Sydenham , when the following Officers were present—Edward Ayres W . Af ., F . A . Pulton S . W ., J . Kay J . W ., T . Foxall P . M . Treasurer , W . Land P . M . Seoretary , Wil-Ham IT . Toten S . D .. F . Wright I . G , W . Sovmour Smith Organist , R . Fnllwood P . M . D . C ., . T . W . Lassam Steward , George Colo P . M ., Charles TJ . TTnme P . M ., 3 . Bhvndell P . M ., n . Cox P . M ., George Weeks

P . M ., Dick Rfulolyffo P . M ., W . W . Baxter P . M ., Robert Roberts P . M ., n . Finch P . M ., H . T . Thompson P . M ., & e . Tho Lodgo having been opened with the onstomary formalities , the reports of tho Audit and Benevolent Fund Committees were submitted . Bro . F . J . Ingram was passed , and thon tho W . M . elect was presented for installation . In due course ho was placed in the chair of K . S ., Bro . Home P . M . carrying

out the ceremony in a realty impressive manner , even excelling his previons efforts in thi 3 respect . Having been saluted by tho brethren of the Lodtje the new W . M . proceeded to invost his Offic ! rs , conferring tho collars on the following brethren , vie .: —Kay S . W ., Toten J . W ., Foxall P . M . Treasurer , Land P . M . Secretary , Wright S . D ., W . Morrow J . D ., A . Levy I . G-., W . Seymour Smith Organist , Fullwood

P . M . D . C ., J . Woodstock Tyler . The coremony of installation was then completed , after which Bro . F . A . Pollen at once proceeded to shew his ability to carry out the duties of his office . The ballot was brought into requisition , first on behalf of Bro . Frederic Purkiss , of the Panmnre Lodge , who desired to join , and then for Mr . William Richard Parker , who came forward as a candidate for initiation . The

result was favourable in each case , and the latter gentleman was at once brought forward to receive the benefit of Masonio Light . Having been initiated he was regularly entrusted , and the business of the day thns brought to a conclusion . Tbe brethren then repaired to the banqnefc room , when the remainder of a very enjoyable day was spent . Among those who visited the Lodge were Bros . C . A . Cottebrune P . G . P ., W . C Smith 1563 , Arthur Cox 1471 ,

It . Berwick 19 , A . T . Chapman 834 , P . Rose-Innes S . W . 1261 , W . S . Pring P . M . 151 , W . Minns P . M . 1755 , E . West P . M . 1327 , W . Gilbert P . M . 1327 P . P . G . J . W . Herts , W . J . Graham P . M . 700 , W . J . Miller ( Leigh ) , N . Burgess J . W . 1767 , W . Banbery 217 , R . T . Whitley P . M . 946 P . P . G . D . C . Middlesex , H . Marchant 141 , W . H . Allawiy 1598 , J . Laird W . M . 720 , E . M . Lander P . M . 1642 , C . Everist P . M . 720 , J . Fonge P . M . 69 , H . Finch 134 , E . J . Jones I . G . 134 , T . W . C . Bush

P . M . 185 W . M . 1728 , J . T . Tanqueray S . W . 1965 , F . Burnett 1965 , George Lewis . S . W . 1671 , J . W . Morley I . G . 1891 , Henry Glum 17 , J . Barber Glenn 3 , J . Holt 807 , & o . At the conclusion of the banquet , and after grace had been said , the W . M . proceeded with the enstomary toasts . Thn first on tho list—that of the Queen and the Craft—needed no vyords of introduction in so loyal a Lodge as the Crvstal Palace had ' ever shown itself to be . It was heartily drank ,

aud followed by tho National Anthem . The toast of H . R . H . the Princo of Wales , Grand Master of tho Order , was another equally snro of a hearty wclcom " . At nil times , and in all places , thePrincs of Wales had proved hirnsolf worthy of every esteem , and arwng Masons especially so . Thoy wero always pleased to il > him honour . The Worshipful Mastor , in proposing the health of the Grand

Officers , referred to tho recent action of the Earl of Carnarvon in Grand Lodge , concerning tho Pope ' s letter . He considered the Earl refuted , in the mo 3 t emphatic manner , tbe charges made by the Pope against , Freemasonry , and he hoped , when His Highness received that flat contradiction , especially emanating as it did from such an authority as tho Grand Lodge of England , which has the

Prince of Wales at its head , and is backed up by suoh men as the Earl of Carnarvon , that he might see tbe error of his statements and be induced to offer somo sort of apology . The Worshipful Master had pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of au old and esteemed member of Grand Lodge—Bro . C . A . Cottebrune P . G . P . This brother , in the course of his reply , referred to the approval

which had been expressed , and which wonld be expressed , at the action taken by the Pro Graud Master , to which reference had just been made . This was but another evidence of the way in which the Earl of Carnarvon performed the work which fell to birn in his official capacity , and was but a pattern of how the Grand Officers generally fulfilled " their duties . They were one and all willing at all times

to undertake snch work in order to benefit Freemasonry aud Freemasons . Bro . Cottebrune was especially pleased to see the W . M . placed in the chair that night , as be could distinctly remember the day when he was initiated , and it was always gratifying to see the advancement of brethren who in year's gone by had stood before us as initiates . The W . M . then proposed the health of the Initiate .

This ho considered a mo 3 t important toast in Freemasonry . Without initiates the Order must soon come to an end . Masters must naturally feel proud of their first initiate—he knew ho did . He hoped the re . ception accorded to Bro . Parker that day , and the ceremony he bad taken the chief part in , bad made a lasting impression on his mind . If they had , he ( Bro . Pullen ) should feel bo had done well in his first attempt at carrying out the duties of Worshipful Master . Brother

Parker desired to tender his sincere thanks for the manner in which he had been received that day , for the way in which his health had been proposed and the hearty reception it had met with . He considered it a very hig h hononr to be- admitted into Freemasonry . He hoped he might become a good Mason , and as a true brother ever be a loyal subject of Her Majesty the Queen , The health of the Visitors was next honoure-l . The W . M . gave them a most hearty reception , It