The Duties Of A Mason.

Universe would Dot march with established order ; gigantic and astonishing work , harmoniously well directed , with only the invisible Being , which the Masons designate with the holy name of T . G . A . O . T . U ., can understand . —Translated from the " Boletin Masonic , " Mexico , by Bro . Eli Broad , of Penrith , N . S . W ., Australia .

Masonic And Profane Methods.

MASONIC AND PROFANE METHODS .

FREEMASONBY is a law unto itself . This brief sentencewhich is as true as it is brief—speaks volumes . Freemasonry is as unlike organisations of the profane as white is unlike black ; the two stand at opposite poles . Profane organisations meet in public places , and are usually

open 10 the observation of all . Curiosity-mongers , in common with those who are legitimately interested in them , may be and are present . The reporter is there , with his phonographic pen . In the next morning ' s journal we read an account of all that was said and done . How different it is in Freemasonry !

Masonic organisations meet in tyled rooms especially provided and set apart for the purpose . Here the profane may not enter . Here there is no reporter , with his phonographic pen . Here Masonic usages , customs and landmarks prevail , and profane customs are at a discount of one hundred per cent ., or they should be .

Having indicated the vast difference between the place and manner of holding a Masonic meeting and a profane meeting , let us advert co some of the variations of administration .

When the profane are about to go into an election for officers , they formally propose nominations , and then politically canvass for votes , all sides electioneering to their utmost ability , with the result usually not that the best qualified candidate succeeds , but that the best wire-puller is seated in office .

Open nominations in Freemasonry are contrary to the usages and customs of the Craft , and ought never to be permitted . They are purely profane in method , and should ever remain so . Our Fraternity is not a machine to be worked ; it is an organisation of Brethren . The Masonic Fraternity is a family . We know each other . We respect each other . We stand on tbe same level . We are not divided into factions . Nominations are

needless ; they are un-Masonic , and if they are anywhere practised , it is because a profane method has , without forethought or foresight , found its way into the Craft . Nothing may be argued from it , aud everything may be argued from the ancient and general Masonic usage and custom which forbids it .

Profane organisations publicly instal their officers . Why should they not ? Whatever they do is by the public and for the public . It is not so with Freemasonry . It exists for itself , by itself , for its initiates , for its time-honoured and lofty principles . It is not an example of charity , or of any other Masonic virtue , to invite the profane to witness the installation of Masonic

Officers . It is merely copying a profane example that flies in the face of ancient Masonic usage ana custom . It matters not how often this usage and custom may have been transgressed—it is still a transgression , as erroneous , as hurtful , as un-Masonic as though it were being done for the first time . No repetition can excuse or condone such an offence against the customary law of Masonry .

Masonic officials should appear on Masonic occasions in Masonic clothing . Is it not strange that one should have to iterate and emphasise such a statement as this ? It is selfevideut . No ; it is not so to all Masons . Some would abdicate the Worshipful Master ' s station and be transferred to a profane throne . They would be Solomon the King , instead of Solomon the Freemason . Which is greater ?

What are Masonic usages , customs and landmarks for ? Certainly not to serve as footballs , to be knocked hither and thither at pleasure , or to be thrown away for new ones . They represent unalterable truths . They are as ancient as the Graft . They are tried , true and crusty . And , above all , they are not profane .

\\ ho desires to see a decadent Masonry ? Not one . Who seeks to open initiation indiscriminately to the profane ? Not one . Then let not one Freemason lower the standard of the Craft in any minutest particular . No decadence is sudden , but always gradual . Keep away from the edge of the crater if you would avoid its devasting lava . Freemasonry is a law unto itself , and it should always sedulously avoid even the appearance of profane methods . —" Keystone . "

The Silent Influence Of Masonry.

THE SILENT INFLUENCE OF MASONRY .

OrBLfiS have said that there is no telling -what great good may come to each country by reason of Masonic exchanges oi tcniiment and the presence of Brethren from foreign govern-

The Silent Influence Of Masonry.

ments and countries . I have in mind some of those influences that are at work . I know , Brethren , of one . In the commencement of our late trouble with Spain , we knew not who our friends were ; we knew not the strength of the enemy nor the strength of our own Government . Dewey was on the coast of China . He required some repairs to his ships at Hong Kong , but the laws

of nations would not permit a ship to remain in neutral ports over twenty-four hours , and yet some of his ships remained in Hong Kong and thereabout , and received the repairs that were necessary without bringing trouble between the governments . Now , I submit that a silent iufluence was there , for the Governor of Hong Kong is a member of the Veteran Masonic Association of Illinois ,

and has been for several years . That certainly did not prevent him from doing the best he could under the laws of his government and the laws of nations . On the contrary , it undoubte by made him feel a little closer to the American people , and the American navy , than he otherwise would have done had he not been a member of our Masonic Veteran Association . And so it

is , Brethren , all around the world , and if peace is ever to reigu supreme it will come through this great body of Freemasonry that recognises man , no matter in what clime he may be born , no matter of what colour his skin , nor yet his creed ; it is the only body of Freemasonry that is universal . It is all very nice to talk about the brotherhood of man and the

fatherhood of God , and then limit your membership to the Anglo-Saxon race as some Orders do , and as there is a tendency , too much so , in some of our bodies to-day . There is no greater sophistry than that put forth in the American Declaration of Independence , which declares that all men were born free and equal . True , they are born free and equal before the law , but

socially , financially , politically and morally they are not equal . The child is not born an hour before it is in its swaddling-clothes ; one may have a red flannel shirt , another a silk dress , and equality fades at once . We select those that we consider our equals socially . We recognise that the law makes all equal ; that is correct , but socially no . Freemasonry elevates mankind , so that all men may

become socially equal , or equally social on the same plane , and I pray , having full knowledge of war—having been in a little bit of real war myself—that I shall not see war any more . I hope that day is past . Although the vision is bright ; although the duties of this nation are enlarging , and I do not wish to avoid any responsibility , I want this nation to take its part with other

nations , and m the foreground with the nations of the earth , yet I trust it may be done without further bloodshed . I hope it may be without further war , though really I do not believe the time will ever come when nations will learn the art of war no more . I do not believe it is in mankind to get along without

rightingthe resort to arms is the last court . It is above the Supreme Court and above all governments , and it is the only arbitrator that will settle some disputes . But I trust that we may be as peaceable and the intervals as long as possible between them . — E . M . Johnson , in " American Tyler . "

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

" A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

rpiHE ancient town of Rye was thrown into quite a state of _ L consternation on Tuesday , 23 rd ult ., owing to the death of one of her most popular townsmen under exceedingly tragic circumstances . For some time past Bro . William George Rubie , master of the Rye Board School and Organist

and Choirmaster at the Parish Church , had been in most delicate health , successive attacks of rheumatic fever having severely affected his heart . A year ago he was elected W . M . of the Wellington Lodge , and at the installation of his successor , Brother Councillor Jarrett , on the 23 rd , he entered

upon his duties in the most cheerful manner , although not without some misgivings on the part of his Brethren , who had endeavoured to dissuade him from undertaking the mental strain . Having administered the obligation , Brother Jarrett succeeded him in the chair , and proceeded to adjust his collar

as Immediate Past Master . At this juncture , even while Bro . Jarrett's hand was on his shoulder , Bro . Rubie cried , " Let me sit down , " and reeled to his side . He gave one loud gasp for breath , and the Brethren immediately bore him to the adjoining Assembly Room for greater ventilation .

Fortunately , Bro . Dr . Trollope has just arrived from Hastings , and was at once in attendance , but the case was beyond all human skill , death having been almost instantaneous . A more deeply-affecting scene can scarcely be surmised , all the Brethren being visibly stricken with grief . The Vicar of

Rye , who was performing his duties as Chaplain of the Lodge , immediately repaired to the deceased ' s residence , returning with Mrs . Rubie , to whom the sad news of her awful

bereavement was imparted by Dr . Trollope . Deceased , who was only thirty-three years of age , leaves a widow and two children , with whom the deepest sympathy is expressed by every section of the inhabitants .