The Work Of Reform At The Boys' School.

That was—we may almost say—the legitimate result of the sensational report that was issued . But the Craft has had time to consider the matters therein touched upon , quietlv and thoroughly , in the interval

that has elapsed since the presentation of the Report : and , perhaps , after what has been proved in other quarters , there is not so much cause for strong disapproval of the actions of the old friend of the

Institution who has , for a very long period , enjoyed the confidence of its supporters as their Secretary . _ It must at least be apparent that many points on which the Secretary was blamed did not legitimately come

within his scope of operations , and we think that without any loss of dignity certain members of the Craft might find it possible to retract some of the hard words that they uttered in the excitement consequent on the issue of the Investigation Committee ' s Beport .

More Light In Freemasonry.

MORE LIGHT IN FREEMASONRY .

A Lecture delivered by Bro . J . A . F . Cole , Secretary and Master-Elect Mount Lodge , No . 926 , Madras , on the 9 th November 1889 .

IN the ancient charges which are addressed to candidates they are told , "that they should feel themsolvcs bound to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge . " Do we do so ? And what is it wo want to

know ? Some ask for tho history , or antiquities of the Order ; others practise in fcho working , and yot others a knowledge of the Bymbols , and what are the lessons thoy convoy to our minds ? To meet this want I come before you this evening , not with the object of answering all these

questions , but , in as far as my own knowledge extends , to clear away sorno difficulties of which yon complain , and I trnsit that if not explanatory on some points , I shall still bo sufficiently suggestive , so that with your own previous knowledge you will be enabled to solve the true meaning

of many points which you are at present in doubt about . To thoso who are better skilled in Masonic lore than myself , I would ask for " more light , " and that each throwing his mite into the general stock , a fund of

information would bo formed , from which each of us may derive both " profit and pleasure" I sincerely trust that the symbols now to be brought before you may bear fruit .

Tho first question that may properly la asked is , what is Masonry ? To you who have seen the light I scarcely need repeat the well-known formula , that " it is a peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by

symbols . " And here lot me impress upon all , that "when such a question is asked you by those who are not Freemasons , you would so inform them , and not by light and frivolous jokes giving a false idea of the Order , but tell truly that

" There s nought but what's good To be understood By a Free and an Accepted Mason . " But does that answer convey to your mind as a

Freemason a full meaning of the question , " What is Masonry ?" Is your mind satisfied ? No , we seek for something further : it is not so much its antiquity , or its history , but its teachings that we would have ; the veil raised , the symbols illustrated ; in fact , we want more light .

Now let us try and clear away some of the clouds that obscure its light , and by illustrating some of the symbols we may in the end be better enabled to obtain a clearer knowledge of its beauty , and how perfectly it is adapted ( that is as far as human institution can be ) to produce and maintain that universal Brotherhood that is one of its

chief foundations . Ye ask for more light , and as it is so beautifully expressed , so simply , and yet with such force in the Grand Charter of our Order in the literal translation from the original that God said , " Let there be light : and there was

light . " That light in which all Nature rejoices : without it we pine away , and droop and die ; even as the blade of grass struggles to the light , so we on our part through life struggle to the light , the light not only of the physical world , but also to that of knowledge of wisdom . i

More Light In Freemasonry.

But what is wisdom ? Our Great Grand Master has handed down to us those sayings by which we may gain an insight therein , and in homely proverbs tells us , " That the fear of the Lord is tho beginning of knowledge . That wisdom crioth aloud to us , that we should seek her as

ailver , aud search for her as hidden treasures , for wisdom is the principal thing , and therefore get wisdom , and with all thy getting , get understanding . " But how does this apply to us Masouically ? In this way , that as we search into the hidden mysteries of nature , we improve our minds ,

wo see the wonders of creation , we begin to appreciate the blessings that have been conferred on us , and we are thus led to look to the G . A . O . T . U . with that awe and reverence which the " creatures owe to the Creator . " And seeing the harmony of nature we are still better

enabled to understand why we say that in Freemasonry its triple foundation is wisdom , strength and beauty . " Wisdom to contrive , strength to support , and beauty to adorn . " The wisdom by which all things were created , the strength by which creation is supported , and the

beauty by which it is adorned . And we are further led to understand how it ia that the universe is the temple of the Deity whom we serve , and wisdom , strength and beauty are about His throne as pillars of His work , for His wisdom is infinite , His strength omnipotent , and His beauty shines forth through all creation in symmetry and order .

In Freemasonry we therefore symbolise this by three pillars , which wo call " wisdom , strength , and beauty , " and are represented in architecture by three of its ordors , —the Doric , Ionic , and Corinthian , they being the best illustrations of tho qualities for which each is celebrated :

tho Doric for wisdom , tho Ionic for strength , and the Corinthian for beauty ; and it is one of the reasons why the principles of architecture are suggested for your private and more extended study . But on the present occasion , to still further illustrate these three principles of wisdom ,

strength , and beauty , for with wisdom you will gain strength , and beauty will adorn your character ; with strength you will fulfil the purpose of your life , whilst you listen to the dictates of wisdom and permit beauty to harmonise your labours ; with beauty you will make the path

of life smooth ; its ruggedness will disappear if you take wisdom and strength as handmaids in your undertakings , and thus each will be in harmony with the other , for wisdom without strength and beauty is but vanity and vexation of spirit ; strength without wisdom and beauty is

labour in vain , and true beauty cannot exist in the heart of man ; without wisdom to point it out , and strength of mind to render it of use , and thus each being dependent on the others cause " all things to work together for our good . "

On taking a more practical view of these three great princip les let us examine how they affect us in our daily walk , as thus by wisdom are designed the various works by which wo are surrounded ; by it steam is made the slave of our will , the coarse fibre is converted into the useful

fabric , the ship forces its way across the heaving billows , and man runs to and fro through the earth , the electricity is cribbed , cabined and confined to do our bidding and conveys our messages either across the continent or beneath the restless ocean j by it we even bind Nature to our will ,

we till the earth and search out her hidden treasures , and thus whichever way we turn , still by wisdom we are taught ; then strength comes , and plays its part in the drama of life , for by it the teachings of wisdom are fulfilled , but with wisdom and strength without beauty our labours would be

in vain , there would be no pleasure to reward our toil . How could we appreciate the wonders of wisdom if beauty was not present to display its perfections ? How appreciate the wonders of nature and art ? How understand

the fitness of all things without her . teachings ? You cannot , therefore , but understand how it is that wisdom , strength and beauty should be , and always must be , combined .

Let us seek fnrther . I 3 there not beauty of construction , wisdom of design and strength in its results , in the microscope , for by it are not the secrets of nature exposed to our view , and are we not taught how wonderful is that wisdom , how great that strength , and how beautiful the

design by which this world was created r Or again , the hy draulic press , so simple in its construction , and apparently so powerless in means of action , but what is the drop of water when wisdom gives it strength , for by it the Britannia bridge was raised to its present eminence ; or that small needle , is there not beauty and strength of wisdom