Citizenship Of The World.

young gentlemen , who showed so conclusively that they had " the courage of their opinions , " did not seem to be aware that the principles upon which true cosmopolitanism should be based had long before been expounded by two great corporations , which are destined to influence man

while the earth endures . The first of these is the Christian Church ; the second is the great fraternity of Freemasons . It is not our business to speak in these columns of religious questions , but no one can deny that tho transcendent intellect of Jesus had sketched tho principles upon which

universal brotherhood should be based more clearly and accurately than any of the great prophets or philosophers who preceded him . Confucius , the Chinese thinker , did ,

indeed , make some approach to the golden rule . Socrates , four hundred years before our era , was clearly on the track which Jesus afterwards pursued , yet he but faintly grasped the noble idea of a brotherhood which should be co-extensive

with the human raco . There can be no question that Masonry owes its noblest principles to the founder of Christianity . Its Charity , its Brotherly Love , its comprehensive grasp of humanity as a whole , were no doubt derived from the Prophet of Nazareth . Learned writers

have , indeed , proved that the Talmud contains an immense body of moral precept , only second in importance to that contained in the Gospels ; but these precepts were , so to speak , the private property of a nation , the people of which had no idea of inviting- the whole world to become

partakers with them of the measure of truth they enjoyed . Masonry , which dates its foundation far beyond the Christian era , is yet deeply indebted to that marvellous period when Christian art , as Pugin justly called it , flourished , for the breadth and Charity which are its

distinctive traits in the present age . Tho architects of the great Gothic cathedrals not only spread Masonry over Europe , but they enlarged its moral boundary line . The eternal truths on which the scientific portion of Masonry is based are no doubt derived from a study of the

works of the Great Architect of the Universe ; but the grand principles which we are proud to regard as the guiding stars of the Order , the principles of Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth , come from a source nearer to humanity than the manifestations of Divine Power . A

Mason is essentially a citizen of the world . Toleration , in its broadest and widest sense , is taught him in the sacred arcanum of the Lodge . Creed , colour and nationality aro

nothing to him ; but wherever he may roam he recognises the members of the Craft as peculiarly his brethren . In the presence of such cosmopolitanism as this the boastings of individuals outside the Masonic circle are vain and

to trivial . A man of the world may indeed educate himself regard the people he meets as in some sense related to him by great moral and social tics , but he must be a gentleman , as well as a man of large and liberal ideas , before he can consent to forget the prejudices of his age and country .

It is the Mason who is bound to his fellows of the Craft by that mystic tie which has often been recognised and respected in the heat of the battle , in the midst of plague , pestilence and famine , and at times when political tyranny

lias made the confession of the principles of the Order dangerous to tho social status , and even the life of the daring brother . Such citizenship is glorious , and we , in common with the great mass of our brethren , arc proud of its responsibilities and its claims .

Homes And Education.

HOMES AND EDUCATION .

IF social , sanitary , and educational reformers mean to accomplish any great improvement in tho habits of the people , they must begin to study the character of home comforts and home duties . It is here where the first germs of virtue or vice arc planted , and the formation of

character commenced . The gentle mother , with that touch of affection which none but mothers can give , will awaken in the babyhood of her children some thoughts of love , home , and duty that live on forever . Some kind words , some

persuasive injunctions , that will suggest duty rather than command obedience , will aid the development of the mental and moral suspectibility of the child , which is to

become the father of the man , much better than fear and coercion . Home , without purity and constancy , is spoiled of its holiest charm and most blessed influences , yet how many of the homes of the prtizans , mechanics , and more

Homes And Education.

especially of the agricultural labourers , aro denuded of the means of that family isolation and domestic reverence for decency which should be incumbent upon every parent to secure . The owners of property should be made to understand that they have duties to perform , as well as rights to

maintain ; that the accumulation of private wealth cannot , for one moment , be allowed to bo a standing obstacle to the general social welfare of the comunity . The injury to the character of those who , by circumstances , are compelled to live in mere dons of desolation and depravity ,

cannot be over estimated ; such homes are mere hotbeds of temptation , vice and foul disease , and children who are brought into the world under such vicious influences may , really and truly , be said to have been born in sin , and shapened in iniquity . What is needed to

subdue these evils are more peace makers ; when we look around , do we not find that religion is war ? that Christians , forsaking their one Lord , gather under various standards , to gain victory for their sects ? Politics are war , breaking the whole people into fierce and nnscrnplons parties , -which

forget their country in conflicts for office and power . The age requires men of serene judgment and commanding virtue to preach , in life and word , the inestimable value of human brotherhood , by Avhich alone the fires of jealousy and hate can bo allayed . Great ideas and genial feelings are

even now being derived from this source and are at work . Amidst the prevalence of crime and selfishness , there has sprung up in tho human heart a sentiment or principle unknown in earlier ages , an enlarged and trustful philanthropy , which recognises the rights of eveiy human being

which is stirred by the terrible oppressions and corruptions of the world , and which does not shrink from conflict with evil in its worst forms . There has sprung up , too , a faith of which antiquity knew nothing , in the final victory of truth and right , in the elevation of men to a clearer

intelligence , to more fraternal union , and to a purer worship . This faith is taking its place among the great springs of human action , is becoming even a passion in more ardent spirits ; this spirit ought to be hailed with delight , as the enlightened . harbinger of brighter and better times to

come . Ages rolled away before it was learned that this world of matter which we tread on is in constant motion , all now aro beginning to learn that tho intellectual and moral world has its motion too , not fixed and immutable , like that of matter , but one which the

free will of men is to carry on and to stretch forth for ever . This is the social star that shines in tho mental firmament , and sheds its cheering rays all around . But to ensure the continuance of this moral and mental progress we must invoke the aid of a sound , expansive and

rational education , one that will include that whole course of moral and mental discipline , by which youth can be prepared to discharge the functions and fulfil the duties required from age . Scholastic teaching is but a part of education . The Church , the State and the family aro

educational agencies . Each in its way as important and as influential as the school ; and in every effective plan for national education these separate agencies must be combined in harmonious co-operation , lost what is accomplished by one agency should be counteracted or subverted

by another . Unfortunately , this important question has been so involved in controversy that its aspect has been distorted and obscured by the passions of angry or interested partizans , to such an extent as to disguise its very nature . Men argue as if the question at issue was between

education and non-education ; but a more grcivous error conld hardly be committed . There is no such thing as non-education . Every human being is educated ; that is to say , every human being derives principles of conduct and habits of action from the authority , tho conversation

and example of those by whom ho is surrounded . The thief is educated , the poacher is educated , and the pickpocket most sedulously educated . There is no school in the world where more heed is given to the progress of tho pupils than that in which a Fagin acts as master , and an

Artful Dodger as head assistant . Vice opens schools as well as virtue . Crime has rewards for tho zealous , and punishments for the refractory , quite as efficacious as those at the disposal of rectitude . Let this great truth bo once thoroughly apprehended ; let it once be understood that wo have not to choose between education and non-education .

for the simple reason that non-education is an utter impossibility ; let it not only be known , but felt that our choice is confined to education or mis-education—that we have to decide between possible good and positive evil , and