Blest Moral Science.

supported . By improving our minds in the principles of morality and virtue , we enlarge our understandings and moro effectually answer tho great ends of our existence . Such as violate our laws ancl infringe our good order , wo

mark with a peculiar odium ; and it our mild endeavours to reform their lives should not answer tho good purposes intended , we expel them our assemblies as unfit members of tho society . Rich ancl poor receive equal justice .

This is the practice which should universally prevail among Masons . Our outward conduct being directed by our inward principles , we should bo equally careful to avoid censure and reproach . Useful knowledge ought to bo the

great object of our desire , for tho ways of wisdom are beautiful and lead to pleasure . We ought to search into nature , as tho advantages accruing from so agreeable a study will amply compensate our unwearied assiduity .

Knowledge must bo attained by degrees , and is nofc everywhere to be found . Wisdom seeks the secret shade , the lonely cell designed for contemplation ; there enthroned ,

she sits delivering her sacred oracles ; there let us seek hor and pursue the real bliss , for though fcho passage bo difficult , tho farther wo trace it tbe easier it will become .

If wo remain united , our . society must flourish ; lot us , then , promote the useful arts , and by that means mark our distinction and superiority * , let us cultivate the social

virtues , and improve in all that is good and amiable ; let tho ( jminis of Masonry preside , ancl under her sovereign nwny let us endeavour to act with becoming dignity .

I [ latter myself thafc I have convinced my readers that Freemasonry is undoubtedly an institution of the most beneficial and amiable nature , since its professed design i . ** the extension and confirmation of mutual happiness , by

the most perfect and effectual method : the practice of every moral and social virtue . It is a salutary institution , wherein bad men , if they chance , as they ought not on anv consideration to be admitted , are most generally restrained

in their moral retrogradation , or downhill progress in vice ; whilst tho good are tanght aud excited to aspire at higher degrees of virtue and perfection . A good man and a good Mason avo synonymous terms ; since a good man must

necessarily make a good Mason , and a good Mason can never bo a bad man : and , as the better men are tho more they love each other , and on the contrary , the more they lovo each other they become more perfect Masons .

Those who have the honour and happiness of being regular members of this mosfc excellent society are strictly bound to practise its duties aad precepts . Foremost in the rank of our duties stands our obligation to obey the

laws of the great Giver of all good gifts and graces , to conform to His will , and to conduct ourselves as under the inspection of His All-Seeing Eye ; for as in Him we live ,

move and have our being , partake of His goodness and depend on His favours , so whatever wo think , speak , or do , ought all to be subservient , ancl capable of being referred to His glory .

This primary ancl fundamental duty of obedience to the Supreme Being , from whence , as from their fountain , all other duties witb respect to ourselves and our neighbours flow , is evidently taught by reason , confirmed by

revelation , and enforced by Freemasonry . Subordinate and consequent to this our grand obligation , is the important and indispensable duty of brotherly love , which delights and ought always to demonstrate itself , in real acts of genuine beneficence .

Freemasonry has not only united its worthy members and genuine sons in the most indissoluble bands of confidence , concord , and amity ; ifc has even caused religion to shine forth with renewed lustre , and introduced its spirit

which the Royal Craft has strongly imbibed , in every nation and persuasion wherein ifc has gained admittance ; ancl ifc produces the most benevolent and charitable set of men , in proportion to its number , of any society whatever

throughout tho known world . Thus inestimable is Freemasonry for its manifold and most useful qualities . Ifc super-eminently excels all other arts by the bright rays of truth which it sheds on the minds of its faithful votaries ,

illuminating their understanding with the beams of a more resplendent light than is to be derived from the assemblage of all other arts whatsoever , of which the newly initiated brother begins to participate when he is girded with the

emblem of innocence , more ancient than the tower of Babel , and far more honourable than the imperial dignity . As it excels all other arts in its vast and admirable extent , so ifc far surpasses them in its pleasing and effectual modes of communicating its instructions . But of this the

Blest Moral Science.

enlightened brother alone can form a judgment or make the comparison . Those who have happily made the experiment are convinced of its transcendent excellence in this particular . Tho unenlightened by Masonry can only form vague ancl uncertain conjectures of the utility of the Royal

Craft , or of tho modes of initiation into its various degrees , or of the subsequent different ; delightful and beneficial instructions respectively communicated . As we ought to bo irreproachable in our own demeanour ,

so we ought to be careful that our candidates for Freemasonry have the requisite qualifications , which

indispensably ought to be a good reputation , an honest method of living , sound morals , and a competent understanding . No member who has the honour of fche society , or even

his own , sincerely at heart , will presume to nominate any that are uot possessed of these valuable qualities . In that caso it would be incumbent upon every worthy brother to give a negative , and reprobate such indecorous conduct .

It is to bo supposed , at least amongst Masons , that as enlightened members of so noble a society , wo have more just , sublime and comprehensive ideas , with respect to virtue , decorum , ancl dignity of human nature , than tho

generality of the misled mass of mankind . It is to bo apprehended that we grant admission to none but men of principle , of virtue , honour and integrity , lest tho ancient institution , instead of being an object of deserved

veneration , fall into disrepute and become a subject of ridicule . It is therefore to bo expected thafc neither the wealth , tho station , or tho power of any man shall procure from us his admission into our respectable Lodges , but his propriety of

conduct , his uprightness , his goodness . Such indeed as answer this description will be an honour to our sublime Craft , aud are best qualified to reap from it every desirable advantage . And although it is a maxim with us to solicit none to enter into our society , yet we shall bo always exceedingly glad to enrol such worthy members in the

honourable lists of our numerous members . Those are egregiously deceived , and ma } ' thoy ever be disappointed in their application for admittance as Freemasons , who

consider us in tho light of a Bacchanalian society , or under any similar ignoble idea . Our association , indeed , admits of all becoming cheerfulness , festivity and gaiety of temper , at suitable seasons and intervals ; but indeed our

assemblies are principally convened from tho most beneficial and exalted purposes : for purifying tho heart , correcting tho manners , and enlightening the

understanding . Thus the useful and the agreeable are by us happily united ; instruction and pleasure aro blended together . Order , decorum , concord and complacency arc coiibfcant attendants upon our Lodges .

Now , is Masonry so good , so valuable a science ? Dcoi it tend to instruct the mind , and tame each unruly passion ? Does it reconcile men of all religions and of all nations ? Does it expel rancour , hatred ancl envy ? It is an universal

cement , binding its "followers to charity , good will and secret friendship ? It is calculated to promote the greatest freedom ? Docs it teach men to lead quiet lives ? In short , are not its precepts a complete system of moral

virtue ? Then , hail , thou glorious Craft ! bright transcript of all that is amiable ! Hail , thou blest moral science , which so beautifully exemplifies virtue ! Welcome , yj delightful mansions , where all enjoy the pleasures of a

serene and tranquil life ! Welcome , ye blessed retreats , where smiling friendship ever blooms , and from her throno dispenses pleasure with unbounded liberality ! Welcome , sacred habitations , where peace and innocence for cvor dwell!—Voice of Masonry .

In reply to the loyal and congratulatory address to tho Prince and Princess of Wales , adopted at the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Suffolk , held afc Beccles , the Right Hon . Lord Henniker Provincial Grand Master has received the following : —

Marlborough House , Pall Mall , S . W . 30 th July 1889 . My Lord , —I am directed by fcho Prince of YVa / ea fco acknowledge the receipt of tho loyal and fraternal address from the Freemasons of

the " Province of Suffolk , " and in reply to convey to the brethren His Eoyal Highness ' s best thanks for the kind and generous congratulations contained therein npon fche marriage of tho Princess Louiae , Duchess of Fife . —I am , & c . DlC ' . HTON PROISYN , General Comptroller and Treaanrar .