More Light In Freemasonry.

in it ?—by it wo navigate tho seas , by it the electric spark is , as one might almost say , mndo to speak and records the words written afar off in almost the rapidity of lightning . Why should I bring forward any further examples whon yon have to look around , and each object will afford

food for thought . May I not , therefore , say , is there no beauty in those things ? Oh , yes ; we have much to learn in Freemasonry , wo have to study nature and her laws , to study man in his relation to his fellow-man ; AVO have to learn how to live and how to diV ; wo have to learn

outduties not only to ourselves , our neighbours , but also to our God . I must , therefore , endeavour to still further explain why wisdom , strength and beauty are properly called the three p illars of our Order , and why I am justified in repeating

the words of the patriarch of old , when he says , " Behold the fear of the Lord , that is wisdom , and to depart from evil that is understanding . " Our Ancient Charges tell us , iu that concerning God and rolig ion that , " A Mason is obliged , by his tenure , to obey

the moral law , and if he rightly understand the art he will never be a stupid atheist , nor an irreligious libertine . Ho , of all men , should best understand that God seeth noU as man seeth ; for man looketh at the outward appearance , but God looketh to the heart . A Mason is , therefore , particularl y bound never to act against the distates of his

conscience . " Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , he is not excluded from the Order , provided he bolieve in tho glorious Architect of heaven and earth , and practise the sacred duties of morality . Masons unite with

the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love : they are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion , and to strive , by the purity of their own conduct , to demonstrate the superior excellence

of the faith they may profess . Thus Masonry is the centre of union botween good men and true , and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance . "

Does not this charge point out our duties , does it not teach us that true wisdom is alone to be found in the fear and love of God , and that by keeping those principles in our hearts they will bear fruit in our daily actions ; and if we rightly understand Freemasonry , we will never treat

lightly the religious feelings of others , but rather give support and strength to weak and erring brethren , and prove in our dealings with our neighbours that wisdom is justified in all her followers , that He who searcheth the heart will causo all things to work together for good .

If you agree with me thus far , we shall be the better enabled to understand why wisdom is one of the pillars by which Freemasonry is supported , and wherefore it is symbolised by the Ionic Order of architecture , it is because that order bears a kind of mean proportion between the more solid and delicate orders .

Its columns are nine diameters high , its capital adorned with volutos , and its cornice has denticles . There is both delicacy and ingenuity displayed in this pillar , the invention of which is attributed to the Ionians , as the famous templo of Diana of Ephesus was of this order .

It is said to be formed after the model of an agreeable young woman of an elegant shape , dressed in her hair , as a contrast to the Doric order which was formed after a strong robust man , and therefore it is the symbol of strength , which is a plain and natural order , and is tho

most ancient , and was invented by the Greeks . Its column is eight diameters high , and has seldom any ornamerits on capital or base , except mouldings , though the frieze is distinguished by triglyphs and metopes , and the tri glyphs compose the ornaments of the frieze .

Tho solid composition of this order gives it a preference in structures where strength and a noble simplicity are chiefly required . The Doric is the best proportioned of all the orders * , the several parts of which it is composed are founded in the natural position of its solid bodies .

In its first invention it was more simple than in its present state . In after times when it began to be adorned it gained the name of Doric , for when it was constructed in its primitive and simple form the name Tuscan was

conferred upon it . Hence the Tuscan precedes tho Doric in rank on account of its resemblance to that pillar in its ori ginal state . Yon con now perceive why the Doric was selected as symbolic of strength , as wisdom is strength when properly applied ; we may thus understand why

More Light In Freemasonry.

strength should also be one of tho supports of Freemasonry , or , in other words , we are enabled to preceive the strength of wisdom . Beauty is properly represented by tho Corinthian order , the richest of tho five orders , and is deemed a masterpiece

of art ; its column is ten" diameters high , and its capital is adorned with two rows of leaves and eight volutes , which sustain the abacus . The frieze is ornamented with curious devices , the cornice with denticles and medallions ; this order is used in stately and superb structures .

These three orders alone show invention and particular character : we thus combine in our pillars wisdom of design , strength of purpose , and the beauty of form ;

combined they form a foundation wherever wo may plant the ladder by which we hope to attain the mansion of tho eternal bliss ; the three principal staves or rounds being Faith , Hope , and Charity . I have thus endeavoured to illustrate the harmonious

combination of wisdom , strength and beauty in Freemasonry , and on such a foundation our Order should be , and I trust is , firmly planted in the breast of all its members , and each in his own peculiar sphere will inculcate and give fruition to those Masonic duties that we owe to God , to our neighbour , and to ourselves .

" The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom ; " it is the fulness of wisdom , and it is the crown of wisdom , strength and beauty being her handmaids , strengthening

the weak-hearted , cheering the sad , and giving life , light and pleasure to the labour of our hands , for wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding , and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast . The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord , and the branches thereof long life . —Madras Masonic Bevieiv

The Genesis Of Masonry.

THE GENESIS OF MASONRY .

WE know of no better exponent of the " good old times" than Freemasonry in these times , and in all time . Those " good old times " were not onl y ideal in their character , but real iu their existence ; they are not a sentiment but a fact . Freemasonry now is a proof of their

existence then . Freemasonry is a leaf out of the past , a reminiscence of the golden age behind , and a prophecy of the golden age before . It spans the centuries , and is the bond of union between the two paradises . It is a paradise . It aims to promote virtue and happiness . It believes in

the right of its initiates to the possession of the hi ghest enjoyments . It aims to impart to them instruction in tho purest morality . It believes that the most virtuous should

be the happiest , and its effort is to plant the virtuous seed which shall bear the happiest fruit . How well it succeeds every true Freemason knows . Let us consider how this was brought about in the course of the ages .

One of the earliest laws communicated to mankind by the Grand Master of the Universe was the law of fraternit y , the law of brotherly love . In announcement it long

preceded the law of the Ten Commandments . Man early was taught that he was his brother ' s keeper , and almost as early forgot and transgressed it . This law of fraternity is the corner-stone of Freemasonry .

Soon after civilization prevailed , man became a builder of substantial and even imposing edifices . The highest class of these edifices could not be erected except by those who were greatly skilled in the builders' art . They naturally formed themselves into a guild , thereby

reserving from common knowledge the methods of their art . They formed a brotherhood , They realized that there was no brotherhood of man—that had been tried and failed but they believed there might be created a brotherhood of builders , who should within the circumscribed limits of their

own circle realize and exemplify the lost brotherhood of man ; and perchance this inner circle mi ght ultimatel y expand , and astonish even its own members by its achievements , for the race ; not deliberatel y but , consequentially , not of purpose , but in effect . Thus tho

fraternity of Freemasons arose , a brotherhood of builders practising the lost art of brotherly love , erecting Temples to tb . e one living and true God , having the sanction of His law for their labours , binding themselves together by that

law , and thus upbuilding morals while they planted cornerstones , erected superstructures and super-imposed capstones . It was a wonderful creation . Its stabilit y became a voucher for its right of existence . The centuries passed