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Article RANDOM NOTES AND REFLECTIONS. ← Page 2 of 2 Article CALL TO LABOUR. Page 1 of 2 →
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Random Notes And Reflections.
of inspiration , gave a Masonic sign , instantly tho Russian offict . r dropped his weapon and grasped his antagonist by the hand . At the samo instant another soldier , who had only observed the fierce attitude of tho other two , stabbed the officer in the back with his bayonet . The wound ,
although severe , was not fatal , and the soldier Mason carried the Russian officer to the lines and tended him -with all tho care of a bosom friend . The officer recovered ,
but he never forgot his English brother , with whom he remained on terms of amity until the death of the English soldier , which occurred throngh dysentery some time after-• wards .
Our esteemed and able contemporary the Keystone says , in a recent number , "Bro . tho Bishop of Peterborough , ¦ who for some time past has been waging a fig ht with death , is well known abroad for his scintillating wit and sarcasm , no less than for his ecclesiastical accomplishments and
position . " We regret to say that , the fig ht for life is not yefc over , although there are signs of the flesh conquering for the present . The following is a capital story told of Dr . Magee : —
One day onr brother , the Bishop , was in a railway carnage , immersed in a newspaper , when a temporal peer came along , using langnage of the most offensive character to a railway porter , "who had mislaid some of his lordship ' s luggage . When he entered the carriage the peer saw the Bishop , and saw also that the Bishop must lord
have overheard him . Profuse in his apologies , the temporal explained that he was righteously angry at a piece of culpable carelessness , and that in snch cases he was in the habit of calling a spade a spade . " I am surprised and delighted to hear that , " the Bishop grimly replied , " because from my experience I certainly waa afraid you called it a shovel . " The peer looked foolish and entered another
carnage . — : o : — We have before remarked upon the characteristics ^ of some of our cousins across the Atlantic . The following incident affords an apt illustration of the fact . A man noted as a good citizen , and as a Jacksonian democrat ,
sought admission into a Lodge . He was elected , and afc the preliminary stage of initiation was asked a well known and very important question . His reply was dramatic . Raising his right hand , he answered , with great deliberation and force : " In the Great Jehovah and the Democratic
party . " The following is not a bad companion story , taken from an American contemporary ;—Bro . Capt . L . M . Chasteau , Graud Sword Bearer of the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania , and Captain of the Park Guard , tells this Story of one of his snbordinates and Attorney-General Brewster . Several years ago the Captain had in his servite a guard named Smith , proverbial for his dry hnmour and mock dignity . One day
Mr . Brewster dime tearing up Bcltnont Avenue behind a pair of trotters . As he passed the guard , Smith frantically waved his club . In a moment Mr . Brewster reined in his horses and returned . " Well , my Lord , what is it ? raising his bat to ti-e martinet guard . " The Duke is riding too fast , " said Smith , with the utmost gravity .
Brother Knight , Lord Mayor of London , has been giving a specimen of his saltatory accomplishments in Scotland . He attended a ball in connection with the Skye gathering at Portree recently , and so expert was he in reel and strathspey that the natives were forced to
admit that in the City magnate they had met their match . Tbe " sons of the mountain " and the musicians entered into a conspiracy and thought to tire out our worthy brother , bufc they calculated without their host , and
had to confess thafc his Lordship combined pluck with his agility and skill , and made a draw of the contest . The Lord Mavor kept the floor with the best of them , and ¦ when the signal for cessation was given he quietly remarked , " They little know the stuff Lord Mayor ' s are made of . "
That was a capital little bit in Punch last week . " Miss Lavinia " was reading a paragraph in the Times , " The Lord Mayor ' s Court , " when " Mrs . Ramsbotham , " startled at the news , exclaimed : " Caught , my clear ! I had no idea
that he had run away ! What on earth ' s he been doing ?" The good old soul had not heard of his worshi p ' s doings at Portree , or perhaps we might have had an interesting and characteristic homily on dancing , especially on the Scotch methods of the art .
Call To Labour.
CALL TO LABOUR .
WHAT is that mystic sound now ringing through the Lodgo rooms ? For weeks past silence has prevailed . The brethren have not statedly met . No Master has commanded within , or Tyler without . But now all is changed . A throng of brethren have passed fche outer door , and within is heard the mystic sound of the Gavel ,
Tfc speaks with no uncertain voice . It calls on to Labour . The summer is ended , tho prolonged season of refreshment is over , and from seaside , lake and mountain , from office , store and manufactory , the members of the Masonic fraternity are wending their way to their " old home , "
the Lodge-room . How cheerful is the welcome that even the " furniture " gives them ! The Holy Bible is open , with its precious promises of a benediction to " good and faithful" brethren : the Square mnst be open , to teach
fresh lessons of virtue ; and the Compasses are likewise open , to warn against the evils incident to the sway of unbridled passions . In a word , the LODGE is OPEN , aud this phrase speaks a volume . We are " called on to Labour . "
Well may Freemasons honour the Craftsmen " who first invented work . " How much does it imply ! A meeting upon the Square—the making of Masons—the dispensation of Charity—the enjoyment of Refreshment after Labour . But what is the introduction to the autumn and
winter ' s work ? Fraternal greetings the most hearty . We meet together after perhaps months of separation . A fresh zest is g iven to our labour . It has the spice of novelty . We see again in their exalted stations those whom we chose to rule over us . We are glad to greet them , and we long
to see them exercising their several prerogatives in their respective positions . The Masonic triad of W . M ., S . W ,, and J . W ., —all of them are masters in turn , and worshipful . We are proud to look to the East , for ifc is thence thafc we derive our Light .
Carlyle once said : " The true epic of our times is , not arms and the man , but tools and the man , " or rather , to paraphrase it Masonically , working tools and the Mason . These teach lessons to the initiate that epitomise the instruction of the great and good of all ages , inspired
and uninspired . Again , we are to strive , in friendly and noble emulation , who best can work and best agree . Theodore Parker said : " Work is the only universal currency which God accepts . " Although this was not spoken of Masonic work , we may well include it . Surely the
teaching of fche Divine lessons of Faith , Hope and Charity , of Brotherly Love , Relief nnd Truth , are acceptable to the Grand Architect of the Universe . Certainly when these precepts are exemplified in practice—when the cement of Brotherly Love is so spread ns to unite , as one man , all the Freemasons on all the face of the whole earth ; and when
the brother in distress , or his widow or little ones , are tenderly cared for by the extension of open-handed charity , the All seeing Eye of Him who inheriteth eternity , beholds and blesses both the giver and the receiver ! Neither have the Craft iu the jurisdiction of
Pennsylvania been idle during the months in which they have ceased to statedly meet together . ' In the qniet retirement of their homes , and in their intervals of vacation they have not forgotten the homeless , but have been devising a plan for erecting and sustaining a Masonic Home for aged and
indigent worthy Master Masons , which , when happily matured and consummated , shall g ladden many a bleeding heart , banish tears from many a weeping eye , and show to the world that our actions match our principles , and we practise what we teach .
We trust , this autnmn , to see the work go bravely on . An idle Locige is an anomaly in Masonry . When its labours cease , its best energies are dormant . Not only are its powers unemployed , they are actually impaired . The Mason ' s mind is like a pool of water , which , if it be ruffled
by the wind , stirred by the ram , shone upon by the sun , becomes a beautiful mirror , reflecting eacli leaf , blade of grass and cloud that overshadow it ; but if ifc be left to itself , at rest , it becomes a stagnant pool , its beauty changed to hideousness , and instead of attracting the eye ,
repelling all that approach it . Those Officers are to be sympathised with , or rather , perhaps , to be inspired wit " new life , whose Lodges meet only to close ; who call on only to call off . Now thafc the Gavel has called all Freemasons on to Labour , let us , one and all , work with a will . Let . ns
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Random Notes And Reflections.
of inspiration , gave a Masonic sign , instantly tho Russian offict . r dropped his weapon and grasped his antagonist by the hand . At the samo instant another soldier , who had only observed the fierce attitude of tho other two , stabbed the officer in the back with his bayonet . The wound ,
although severe , was not fatal , and the soldier Mason carried the Russian officer to the lines and tended him -with all tho care of a bosom friend . The officer recovered ,
but he never forgot his English brother , with whom he remained on terms of amity until the death of the English soldier , which occurred throngh dysentery some time after-• wards .
Our esteemed and able contemporary the Keystone says , in a recent number , "Bro . tho Bishop of Peterborough , ¦ who for some time past has been waging a fig ht with death , is well known abroad for his scintillating wit and sarcasm , no less than for his ecclesiastical accomplishments and
position . " We regret to say that , the fig ht for life is not yefc over , although there are signs of the flesh conquering for the present . The following is a capital story told of Dr . Magee : —
One day onr brother , the Bishop , was in a railway carnage , immersed in a newspaper , when a temporal peer came along , using langnage of the most offensive character to a railway porter , "who had mislaid some of his lordship ' s luggage . When he entered the carriage the peer saw the Bishop , and saw also that the Bishop must lord
have overheard him . Profuse in his apologies , the temporal explained that he was righteously angry at a piece of culpable carelessness , and that in snch cases he was in the habit of calling a spade a spade . " I am surprised and delighted to hear that , " the Bishop grimly replied , " because from my experience I certainly waa afraid you called it a shovel . " The peer looked foolish and entered another
carnage . — : o : — We have before remarked upon the characteristics ^ of some of our cousins across the Atlantic . The following incident affords an apt illustration of the fact . A man noted as a good citizen , and as a Jacksonian democrat ,
sought admission into a Lodge . He was elected , and afc the preliminary stage of initiation was asked a well known and very important question . His reply was dramatic . Raising his right hand , he answered , with great deliberation and force : " In the Great Jehovah and the Democratic
party . " The following is not a bad companion story , taken from an American contemporary ;—Bro . Capt . L . M . Chasteau , Graud Sword Bearer of the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania , and Captain of the Park Guard , tells this Story of one of his snbordinates and Attorney-General Brewster . Several years ago the Captain had in his servite a guard named Smith , proverbial for his dry hnmour and mock dignity . One day
Mr . Brewster dime tearing up Bcltnont Avenue behind a pair of trotters . As he passed the guard , Smith frantically waved his club . In a moment Mr . Brewster reined in his horses and returned . " Well , my Lord , what is it ? raising his bat to ti-e martinet guard . " The Duke is riding too fast , " said Smith , with the utmost gravity .
Brother Knight , Lord Mayor of London , has been giving a specimen of his saltatory accomplishments in Scotland . He attended a ball in connection with the Skye gathering at Portree recently , and so expert was he in reel and strathspey that the natives were forced to
admit that in the City magnate they had met their match . Tbe " sons of the mountain " and the musicians entered into a conspiracy and thought to tire out our worthy brother , bufc they calculated without their host , and
had to confess thafc his Lordship combined pluck with his agility and skill , and made a draw of the contest . The Lord Mavor kept the floor with the best of them , and ¦ when the signal for cessation was given he quietly remarked , " They little know the stuff Lord Mayor ' s are made of . "
That was a capital little bit in Punch last week . " Miss Lavinia " was reading a paragraph in the Times , " The Lord Mayor ' s Court , " when " Mrs . Ramsbotham , " startled at the news , exclaimed : " Caught , my clear ! I had no idea
that he had run away ! What on earth ' s he been doing ?" The good old soul had not heard of his worshi p ' s doings at Portree , or perhaps we might have had an interesting and characteristic homily on dancing , especially on the Scotch methods of the art .
Call To Labour.
CALL TO LABOUR .
WHAT is that mystic sound now ringing through the Lodgo rooms ? For weeks past silence has prevailed . The brethren have not statedly met . No Master has commanded within , or Tyler without . But now all is changed . A throng of brethren have passed fche outer door , and within is heard the mystic sound of the Gavel ,
Tfc speaks with no uncertain voice . It calls on to Labour . The summer is ended , tho prolonged season of refreshment is over , and from seaside , lake and mountain , from office , store and manufactory , the members of the Masonic fraternity are wending their way to their " old home , "
the Lodge-room . How cheerful is the welcome that even the " furniture " gives them ! The Holy Bible is open , with its precious promises of a benediction to " good and faithful" brethren : the Square mnst be open , to teach
fresh lessons of virtue ; and the Compasses are likewise open , to warn against the evils incident to the sway of unbridled passions . In a word , the LODGE is OPEN , aud this phrase speaks a volume . We are " called on to Labour . "
Well may Freemasons honour the Craftsmen " who first invented work . " How much does it imply ! A meeting upon the Square—the making of Masons—the dispensation of Charity—the enjoyment of Refreshment after Labour . But what is the introduction to the autumn and
winter ' s work ? Fraternal greetings the most hearty . We meet together after perhaps months of separation . A fresh zest is g iven to our labour . It has the spice of novelty . We see again in their exalted stations those whom we chose to rule over us . We are glad to greet them , and we long
to see them exercising their several prerogatives in their respective positions . The Masonic triad of W . M ., S . W ,, and J . W ., —all of them are masters in turn , and worshipful . We are proud to look to the East , for ifc is thence thafc we derive our Light .
Carlyle once said : " The true epic of our times is , not arms and the man , but tools and the man , " or rather , to paraphrase it Masonically , working tools and the Mason . These teach lessons to the initiate that epitomise the instruction of the great and good of all ages , inspired
and uninspired . Again , we are to strive , in friendly and noble emulation , who best can work and best agree . Theodore Parker said : " Work is the only universal currency which God accepts . " Although this was not spoken of Masonic work , we may well include it . Surely the
teaching of fche Divine lessons of Faith , Hope and Charity , of Brotherly Love , Relief nnd Truth , are acceptable to the Grand Architect of the Universe . Certainly when these precepts are exemplified in practice—when the cement of Brotherly Love is so spread ns to unite , as one man , all the Freemasons on all the face of the whole earth ; and when
the brother in distress , or his widow or little ones , are tenderly cared for by the extension of open-handed charity , the All seeing Eye of Him who inheriteth eternity , beholds and blesses both the giver and the receiver ! Neither have the Craft iu the jurisdiction of
Pennsylvania been idle during the months in which they have ceased to statedly meet together . ' In the qniet retirement of their homes , and in their intervals of vacation they have not forgotten the homeless , but have been devising a plan for erecting and sustaining a Masonic Home for aged and
indigent worthy Master Masons , which , when happily matured and consummated , shall g ladden many a bleeding heart , banish tears from many a weeping eye , and show to the world that our actions match our principles , and we practise what we teach .
We trust , this autnmn , to see the work go bravely on . An idle Locige is an anomaly in Masonry . When its labours cease , its best energies are dormant . Not only are its powers unemployed , they are actually impaired . The Mason ' s mind is like a pool of water , which , if it be ruffled
by the wind , stirred by the ram , shone upon by the sun , becomes a beautiful mirror , reflecting eacli leaf , blade of grass and cloud that overshadow it ; but if ifc be left to itself , at rest , it becomes a stagnant pool , its beauty changed to hideousness , and instead of attracting the eye ,
repelling all that approach it . Those Officers are to be sympathised with , or rather , perhaps , to be inspired wit " new life , whose Lodges meet only to close ; who call on only to call off . Now thafc the Gavel has called all Freemasons on to Labour , let us , one and all , work with a will . Let . ns