Masonry And Religion.

MASONRY AND RELIGION .

FROM THE MASONIC REVIEW . TTrilEN brethren here and there say fhat Freemasonry is thoir W Religion , they speak both better and worse than they know . ifc is a phrase we often hear— "Masonry is a good enongh religion for me . " There is no truth in the statement at all , unless the brother making it gives evidence in his daily life and conversation that

Freemnsonry is doing as much for him in the directions of social , moral and religious culture as the average Chnrch of to-day can do . Now whether the Church of to-day would make him a better man or not , is not the question we are discussing ; but the question is , does the brother ' s Freemasonry make him a better man , and cultivate in him

the elements of the true and good man , the social virtues , and the religious character and life ? If not , then , first , he has no right of ground or reason to say that Freemasonry is a good enough religion for him ; and , second , he does Dot know what Freemasonry is iu its deeper and richer meanings , and in its persuasive power over the

hearts and lives of those who seek its interpretations , and love its lessons . For if a mnn will not keep his vows to tho Lodge , the Chapter , the Commandery , and the grades of the Scottish Rite , he will not keep his vows to the Chnrch , though St . Paul himself , or even an angel from heaven , were the preacher . It is distinctly

understood that we are drawing no comparison at all between Freemasonry and the Chnrch—between Freemasons and Chnrch members . Still , it is true that an unworthy church member is as far from the kingdom of heaven as is an unworth y Masonio brother , and no man has any more right to say that the Church is a "ood

enough religion for him , when he neglects his religions vows of faith and love , than a Masonic brother has to say that the Lodge is a c » ood enongh religion for him when he fails to fulfil , and even to recognise , his solemn vows and covenants to be a true man in his relations to himself , to bis family , to his country , and to his God . Thov are

equally unworthy , and fall far short of the blessed inheritance of love and eternal life ! A man is saved , not by being in either , but by the discharge of his covenant obligations , and fulfilling his manhood duty , that duty , in any place , rising as high as heaven and leading to its golden gates .

Our Jewish brethren are naturally drawn to tho grades of Masonry , and to its obligations and vows , because of the relation which the Institution bears to their histoi'y and people , to their city , their Temple and their God . Still , these brethren , as wo all know , do not acrept the Christian teaching of the God-head of Jesus of Nnzareth

They worship the One , Ever living and True God , as they claim , and we have no right to doubt their sincerity in this worship , or dispute their right thus to worship . Indeed , it is a question among theologians and Christian teachers if the Jews who do not accept the Messiabship of Jesus , and still sincerely worship the

Ever-livinoand True God , are to be punished hereafter because they do not accept Jesus as very God , In the same category with them , in this connection , we name Longfellow , Emmerson , Holmes and others . And yet many of these Jews have pas-ed into the higher grades of Masonry , where the Christian idea illumines and interprets

the lower grades , and they have accepted , in their own sincere and serious interpretations , the profound , touching , inspiring , glowing lessons , emblems and spiritual power of Rose Croix ! If ever Christian history , truth , principle and doctrine were preached any where , they have been preached , and avowed , in a Chapter of Rose Croix

and in a Commandery of Knights Templar . And ifc was only the most natural and fitting thing in the world , when an eminent man and Christian of this community was receiving the Order of Chris , tian Knighthood , that he should break the solemn silence of the Asylum , and interrupt the lesson of the Eminent Commanderby

, speaking out— " Glory to God ! Hallelujah ! Bless His holy name !" Sow , my brother , whether Freemasonry is a good enongh religion for you or not depends altogether upon what nso you make of it . Yon have no right to say it , unless you exemplify the principles you have professed , and perform tbe vows you have made . As we said

before , the Church , in any form or power of ifc , could not save you , or ° e a good enough religion for you , if you were indifferent to yonr profession , and neglectful of your vows . Ton might worshi p in St . Peter ' s at Rome , or in St . Paul ' s in -w ^ don , in cathedral , chapel , or crypt , in temple of Moslem snddha , or Brahma , but you would not have the faintest experience - - , - ¦ _ - _ - ... w « .... » . v ^ uu UttfjvilCUVD

^ ° jj a good enough religion only as yon performed your duties , fnlnlled yonr vows , and cultivated the spiritual virtues you formally ana solemnl y avowed . Nor can the Lodge , by any means , nor the institution , in its solemn Christian Order , be a good enongh religion ° r you , if you neglect- her ways of Zion , her paths of righteousness , wvows of fidelity , and her binding covenants of truth , loving ^ Dflness , and religion .

, . or > 1 y " good enough" religion for you , my brother , ia that "' ch teaches and inspires you to "love the L ^ rd thy God , with all 7 heart , with all thy soul , with all thy mind , and with all thy ¦ ength , and thy neighbour as thyself . " On these two Command"balfr Dg a 11 th ° Law and tho Pro P nefc 3 - " T , lia d ° > an < l tboa

ho definition of Religion by St . James is worthy of meditation T 0 a ^ . ie % 'on , and UDdefiJed before God and the Father , is this W ic thc father ' esa aud widows in their affliction , and to keep mem anspo . ttei : l froin tho wovld . " And St . James himself com-) , J ! . '? bis own words when ho says :. " If a brother or sister < W ' . ^ . destitute of daily food , and one of yon sav unto them , 'hem m pGace ' y ° warmed and filled , notwithstanding ye give Profit ° » tt 0 Se ttin S which are needful for the body , what doth ifc

() , . (] , _ „ , kfc ' Jon" the Evangelist , ono of tho Patron Saints of our bPn ' f ] j' S 'Y " But whosoever hath this world ' s poods , and seeth his him I nvo neo ( 1 > ail < 1 s'l'ilteth np his bowels of compassion from Xow V ' hvo ] hlh '' ' - U ) V ' - ' "f G " ' : > '" ' "' ? " > my dear brother , your Freemasonry teaches you to do Lheso

Masonry And Religion.

things , and yon aro under solemn obligation to perform them . If yon fail to observe and to do these things , yon are not a Mason , and if yon will neglect your vows as a member of tho Lodge , and perform them not , unto men and before God , you will bo neglectful , unruly , disobedient and unfaithful toward any vows yoa may take anywhere else . In such case , thoro is nothing named under heaven that will be " a good enough religion " for yon !

Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

Loughboroxigh Lodge of Instruction , No . 22 . —A meetiug was held on Monday , 9 th inst ., at 7 o ' clock , at Bro-, McDiaimaid's , Cambria Tavern , Loughborough Junction , Present—Bros . Stacey W . M ., Larchin S . W ., Tate J . W ., McKinley Sec , Martin S . D ., Eidman J . D ., Fox I . G ., Johnson Preceptor . The Fifteen Sections were admirably worked by tho members of the Lodge , a 3

under : First Lecture—Bros . Jones , Martin , Webb , Johnson , Harding , Brown , Tate . Second Lecture—Bros . Snelling , Abell , Fox , Larohin , Gush . Third Lectnre—Bros . Stacey , Gush , McKinley . The following brethren were elected members : —Long 1541 , Whitlock 1158 , Templeman 1339 , Dane 1158 , Eagle 1901 , Tallant 1901 , Sarleant 1765 . There were fiffcy-two brethren present . A vote of

thanks was accorded to the members of the Lodge who had so kindly assisted in working the sections . Bro . Stacey was elected an hon . member . Bro . Stacey thanked the brethren for the vote , and for electing him an hon . member . If he bad done anything for the welfare of the Lodge , he was amply repaid by tho kind wishes of so large a number of brothron . He hoped he shonld have the pleasure of

meeting them on many future occasions . The S . W . and J . W . responded in tho same strain . Tho J . W . said ho had never been at a working of the sections where tho brethren had been so quiet and attentive . This was a proof that their endeavours had been appreciated . It was announced thafc the ceremonies of consecration and installation would be rehearsed at the Selwyn Lodge of Instruction

No . 1901 , tbe East Dulwich Hotel , East Dulwich Green , near Champion Hill Station , by Bro . James Terry Prov . S . G . Warden Norths and Hunts , P . Prov . J . W . Herts , P . M . 228 , 1278 , 13 G 6 , Secretary of tho Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , on Thursday , 2 fith October 1882 . Lodge will be opened at 6 . 45 for 7 precisely . Brethren to appear in full Craft clothing .

United Pilgrims Lodge of Instruction , No . 507 . — At the meeting , at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , on Friday , the 6 th inst ., Bro . J . B . Sarjeant presided as W . M . His Officers were-. —Bros . J . N . Bate S . W ., R . PooreJ . W ., A . J . Styles S . D ., H . Stokes J . D ., J . W . Hartley I . G . There were also present Bros . John S . Terry P . M . Secretary , James Stevens P . M . Preceptor , M . E .

Stokes , J . S . Eidmans , R . W . Pooler , & c . The Lodge was in the first degree during the evening , and the work comprised the rehearsal of ceremony and the charge , the working of the first and second sections , calling off , entry drill , and calling on . The thanks of the Lodge were voted to Bro . Sarjeant for his services for the first time in

the chair of K . S ., and the manner of his work fully justified the encomiums he received . Bro . Bate was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , when the Lodge will be in F . C ., and the ceremony will be rehearsed , and the charge and sections of that degree will be worked in full Bro . Hartley was elected a member , and Lodge waa then closed in harmony .

Amherst Lodge , No . 1223 . —This Lodge held its last meeting of the present session ou Saturday , the 7 fch inst ., at the Amherst Arms Hotel , Riverhead , Kent . Present—Bros . J . Smalman Smith W . M ., Thomas J . Baker S . W ., Harry Lemon Hall J . W ., Joseph H . Jewell P . M . P . P . G . O . Secretary , Richard Dartwell P . M . Treasurer , Charles Edward Birch S . D ., Ruf ' us Stevenson J . D ., Edwin S . Strange M . C ., Frederick J . Crowest Organist , William Sparrowhawk Steward ,

Charles J . Craig I . G ., William South Tyler . P . M . ' s Bros . A . W . Duret and Charles J . Dodd . Lodge opened in due form , and the minutes were confirmed . Bro . John Watkins was raised , and Mr . Alfred Walter Bowie was initiated as a serving brother . A banquet was afterwards partaken of , the W . M . presiding . The table waa excellently well supplied , and the after music first olass , under the direction of Bro . F . Crowest . Lodge adjourned . The next regular meeting will be held on the first Saturday in April 1883 .

Percy Lodge of Instruction , No . 198 . —At the Jolly Farmers , Southgate-road , on Saturday , tho 7 t . h inst ., Bros . Galer w " . M . Wolf S . W ., Gilier J . W ., Pcarcv Preceptor , Fenner Secretary , Parkes S . D ., Gush J . D ., A . M . Marks I . G . ; also Bros . I . P . Cohen , C . K . Killick jun ., Honghton , Yon Holtorp , W . Williams , Carr , & c . Lodge was opened iu due form , aud the minutes of last meeting were

lead and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Von Holtorp acting as candidate . The W . M . then gave the charge of tho degree , in a very impressive manner . Lodgo was called from labour to refreshment , and from refreshment to labour . Bro . Cohen worked the fourth and fifth sections , assisted by tho brethren , aud

the sixth by Bro . Gusli . Bro . Wolf was elected W . M . for the next meeting . A vote of thanks was awarded to Bro . Galer W . M ., for the able and efficient manner ho had discharged the daties of the chair for the first time iu this Lodge of Instruction . After which Lodge was closed and adjourned .

Bro . C . K . Killick W . M . Cranbouvnc Lodge , No . 1530 , will read a leciure , !> y Dr . Oliver , on Ancient Masonic Rituals , at this Lodgo of J ;! Slruct : on this (¦'¦ virimlay ) eronrng , when the attendance of brethren is VR ? p ctfnlly requested .