Brotherly Love.

nr ... n To write the lore of God to man Would drain the ocean dry , Nor conld the scroll contain the whole , Thongh stretched from skv to sky . "

He who is thus the fountain of love is , and of necessity must be , supremely loveable . He is " the fairest among ten thousand—the one altogether lovely , " hence this benevolent affection of our nature in fixing upon Deity , only aspires to its native source and basks in its native element of bliss . Supreme love , therefore , to our All-Wise Creator and Infinite Benefactor is at once onr most

reasonable service and our most inviting sphere of immortal gratification . Here we come to a most important point : That at least so far as our capacities can

comprehend it , we should understand the service in which we are to employ our immortality , and the question arises : What is implied in that love which God thus claims from His rational creatures ? Some have thought of it as

merely an intellectual approval of the divine excellencies . Others have regarded it as a mere impassioned admiration And reverence of God . Beside and beyond all these aspects , we submit , that it implies a supreme delight in God . The understanding , for instance , may philosophically approve the perfections and works of God , and the sensibilities may be compelled to admire His rectitude and love , and yet because I do not possess these qualities myself , because my traits of character are opposite to these , because , therefore , I deserve the divine displeasure ,

and cannot in this condition hope for the divine approval , I may feel envious , unfriendly , and hostile even to love itself , but when hostility is given up and God is truly embraced as a Father and Friend , then there is attained , not only reverence and admiration , bnt a supreme delight

in His favour and His love . In its range of mental culture this love employs , elevates and refines all the powers of the human intellect . The penetration of the philosopher , the sagacity of the navigator , the accuracy of the mathematician , the subtlety of the logician , the eloquence of the linguist , the researches of the historian , the conjectures of the geologist , the discoveries of the

astronomer , the explorations of the geographer , the investigations of the chemist , the aptitude of the phonographer , the expertness of the operator at the telegraph and the telephone , the industry of the agriculturist , the

ingenuity of the mechanic , the discernment of the artist and the sculptor , and the skill of the architect and " wise master builder , \ with all other developments of human intellect , may be aptly employed to facilitate the deep

researches , the lofty aspirations and moral scannings of the diligent student of nature and of morals , in securing the highest possible knowledge of the works , the word and the love or benevolence of Deity . This element of intellectual expanse and improvement is also a mighty agent in

tho refinement of the sensibilities or feelings . Every kindness of Deity , as the Creator and father of our race , appeals not only to the intellect , but also to the feelings . All the mercy of the Christ as our Master , Elder Brother and Saviour , appeals to the feelings . All the tenderness of

the Infinite Spirit in His offers to admit us , His frail creatures , to personal and immortal friendship and communion with Himself appeals to the feelings , to bring , if possible , even the profane from enmity to love , and from

alienation and fear to filial assurance and delight . Ont of

these fraternal relations between Deity and his creatures flows forth as from a fountain the principle which heads our present article , " Brotherly Love . " As we are thus

allied to the Great Supreme , so should we be fraternally allied to each other , thus demonstrating to all , not only " the Fatherhood of God , " but also " the brotherhood of man . "

Benevolence towards us from our Superior should always awake benevolence among lis as fellow equals in the one common family . Hence as fraters in the great

Masonic brotherhood , we place first in the catalogue of the points of our profession , " brotherly love , " and it finds beautiful illustration in our varied and impressive lessons

of instruction to candidates and fellows , and emphatic demonstration in every kindly feeling of each toward tbe other ; and especially in every act of self-denial for the benefit of a brother , and in every gift of help for the

widow or the orphan who may need our liberalities , and in all our acts of charity and benefaction in the vast arena of want around us . These developments of good will , when referred to in " the volume of the sacred law , " are fitl y designated " brotherly kindness , " and emanate

Brotherly Love.

from brotherly love as natui'ally as the sparkling rivulet flows from the mountain spring . It is true that acts brotherly in their appearance and commendable in their kind may sometimes be performed from a selfish motive , with the hope of winning favour in some special circle ,

or of attracting notice and obtaining public praise , or of awakening responsive feelings in the receiver , and securing even larger gifts in return , but true brotherly love indignantly frowns down all sinister motives and wakens in us that disinterested kindred sympathy , " Which makes na feel for others' woe , And God-like charity bestow . "

One of the most commendable features of Masonic benefaction is the absence of ostentation . While most charitable associations take pains to publish their liberalities to the world , Masons seem to glory in the sentiment of that great Pattern of beneficence who said to almsgivers : "Let not your right hand know what your left hand doeth ; " and hence the millions bestowed for the relief of human suffering or want among them attracts so little notice outside of the circles where they warm the cold , feed the

hungry , clothe the destitute , heal the sick , bury the dead and make happy the homes of the bereaved , that opponents sometimes tauntingly inquire , " Where are the showings of

your so-called brotherly love ? " This , however , finds its best rebuke in the improved condition and quiet gratitude of those thus made glad , while the cheer of each seems to retort : " Come and see !"

Mere nominal Masons , like their cousins , nominal Christians , are often sadly defective in brotherly love . They seem to forget that others exist as well as themselves , and drop into a most unsocial ambition for self-preferment .

Soon they have not time for even Masonic " communications , " unless they have hope of exaltation to office . They cannot post themselves in " the work " of Masonry , unless they are likely to be promoted , nor will they take part in

acts of benefaction unless they especially aro to have the praise . Others indulge in a very un-Masonic " greed for gain , " and incline to disregard the welfare of the Lodge , the study of the art , the toils of tho brethren , the

reputation of the Craft , tho progress of Masonry , and even tho sufferings of the unfortunate , unless "it will pay , " or in some way assist them to brighten " the almighty dollar . " Such seem to us to ignore " the Fatherhood of God and the

brotherhood of man . They bow only at the shrine of selfsupremacy , and appear to worship only the god of this world . But a still more glaring , inexcusable and unbrotherly defect is that of petty ill-will . It is often based

entirely on fancy , and indulged towards a brother who , perchance , entertains toward us the kindest feelings and highest respect . Yet , because we fancy otherwise , we indulge first a coldness , then a shyness , later still an unfriendliness ,

and last of all open dislike . In other instances , perhaps we really find some slig ht fault occurring with a brother in regard to our preferment , or our views of fraternal business , or possibly of party or business interests , and we become

unfraternally severe , and court retaliation rather than reconciliation , " personal pique" instead of brotherly love ; forgetting the human injunction , " Be ye kindly affectioned one toward another , with brotherly love ;"

thus bringing Masonry sadly into disrepute , and humanity into perverseness and disgrace . The true spirit of Masonry , on the other hand , is "to love one another with pure

hearts fervently , to have compassion one of another , to love as brethren , to be pitiful and courteous , and above all things , to have fervent charity among ourselves . "

Masonry has many enemies and mighty foes , but when ill-will is fully overcome , and genuine brotherly love gains perfect sway , these enemies will gaze in mute astonishment upon a Craft whose work begins in order , is conducted in peace , and closed in harmony , and they will speedily crave

to be admitted to the benefits of Masonry , and to share in the profession of brotherly love , relief and truth , —Voice of Masonry .

The following Festivals were held at the Freemasons ' Tavern during the week ending 17 th January : — Monday—Old Pauline Club , St . George ' s and Corner-stone Lodge , Lodge of Unions . Tuesday—St . James ' s Union Lodge , Urban Lodge . Wednesday—Enoch Lodge . Thursday—Universal Lodge , Great Northern Lodge , St . Mary ' s Lodge , Globe Lodge . Friday—Jordan Lodge , University Lodge , Lodge of Antiquity ,