Ancient Craft Masonry.

particularly upon Masons ? In God's name how are we , as Freemasons , bo discharge the solemn duties incumbent upon us unless we learn and know what our obligations to ourselves and to each other are ? If every Freemason in the world would qualify himself bo discharge the solemn duties voluntarily assumed by him , and would faithfully perform them " as means and

opportunity would permit " —the power of Freemasonry would be strengthened , its usefulness broadened , and its fame and glory enhanced immeasurably . Important moral duties are imposed upon Master Masons , and unless we fully inform ourselves as to the nature of these duties we are in no wise fitted to discharge them .

The Masonic creed so beautifully set out by the late Cornelius Moore , in his " Outlines of bhe Temple , " , says , " that we are speculative or moral Craftsmen ; and that it is our duty to erect a Temple for God in which he may dwell—a spiritual Temple designed as a habitation for the eternal spirit—so from the fountain of a pure hearb , which God has designed to make his

dwelling place , blessings of love , kindness and goodwill go out to every child of man , and bear upon them the broad seal of eternal love . " The creed of a Mason , then , is to love all mankind . He should know no other emotion of the heart than charity—charity to all . His acts of benevoleuce should embrace all , and , as far as

in his power , he should do good unto all . Ib is the duby of a Mason to " dispense light and information , " to make men wiser and better , as well as to relieve their bodily necessities ; to dispel the clouds of ignorance , and let in upon them the sunlight of truth . " To be benefited by Freemasonry we must learn the meaning of its lessons , its emblems and its hieroglyphics . "

" Freemasonry is not an association for mere social or convivial purposes . Its aim is higher—its designs more elevated . " " It modifies feelings , subdues passions , binds heart to heart , and creates friendships that end only at the grave . " An institution with such high aims and purposes as Ancient Craft Masonry

should be studied by all who have been permitted to enter its portals , and no Mason of high or low degree who has given it though of any consequence , will ever permit himself to be weaned away from his Alma Mater—Ancient Crafb Freemasonry . — " The American Tyler . "

Duration Of Freemasonry.

DURATION OF FREEMASONRY .

AS long as beaubiful ritualism attracts , so long will men knock at the door of Masonry ; as long as trubh is taught , so long will bhe Insbibubion survive ; as long as error is bo be combated , so long will our Order endure ; as long as men need fraternal aid , so long will Masonry exist ; as long as poverty , want and sickness are heritages of mankind , so long will grateful widows and orphans sound the praises of our Craft . When all

necessity for co-operation shall have ceased , when all occasion for chariby is ended , when instruction and elevation shall no longer be required , then may Masonry cease to exist . Thab time will come only with the end of time , when bhe finite shall be followed up in the infinibe , when all that is hidden shall be revealed , and when the true significance of the occasion shall have been realised by every loyal , trusting Mason . — " Sun . "

Fraternal Employment Agencies.

FRATERNAL EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES .

IF the fabric of our Masonic Institution is to become strong enough to endure and promote the general welfare and happiness of its membership , organisations should be established on the line already adopted in some Masonic centres , whereby the employers and employed who belong to the Craft might be brought togebher or have an opporbuuity of exchanging

information with each other on this subject of paramount importance , the employment question . No more helpful scheme could be provided at the present , time for the ameliorabion of distress among the members of our Brotherhood than the establishment of employment agencies or bureaus of information for those members of our Order who require to employ others or seek employment themselves . —Ex .

Rhodesian Gold Trust . —The event of the past few days has been the interest taken in everything Rhodesian . Some of the biggest financiers , including the Messrs . Eothschild and the leading Berlin bankers , are now largely interested in Rhodesian gold properties . It is said that Mr . Cecil Rhodes has gone to Berlin to personally confirm the statements made about the great mineral wealth of Matabeleland and other parts of Rhodesia . The Rhodesian Gold Trust , Limited , whose capital is £ 1 , 000 , 000 in shares of £ 1 each , has taken over an immense tract of gold-bearing reefs . They own 2 , 157

claims : n' the best known and most important parts of Matabeleland and Rhodesia . According to the reports from their engineers on the spot , there are valuable old workings on many of these claims . Some of the properties are now being developed , which means the flotation of a . number of subsidiary companies , with large profits to the parent company . The prosperity and success of the Rhodesian Gold Trust are now so well assured that it is right attention should be drawn to the low price , 8 s per share , at which its £ 1 shares are now selling on the London Stock Exchange .

A Bright Mason.

A BRIGHT MASON .

A WESTERN subscriber asks us to tell what a bright Mason is . The phrase is usually applied to one who is well posted in bhe lecbures of bhe various degrees , and can communicate them without hesitation and correctly . This requires , of course , a retentive memory and a readiness to learn . But it must be

remembered thab Masonry does not wholly consist of ceremonies and ritual . We have seen men who could confer bhe degrees , give the lectures complete without missing the smallest word , but who could hardly be regarded as bright Masons .

The brightness of Masonry lies beneath the veil of allegory and the surface of symbolism , and takes hold of the heart with its tenderesfc sympathies and affections . The brightness of Masonry is not confined to the Lodge-room , but shines from the

soul in the life and actions of the man . It is seen in the cheerful countenance , in the kind words and good deeds , in bhe journeyings on the errands of mercy , even barefoot , if necessary , in the shielding of a Brobher ' s good name , in manifestation of good fellowship that makes association pleasant .

Parrots jabber away , bub their gibberish in meaningless . A Masonic parrot may recite the words of the ritual , be familiar with every step bo be taken in the ceremonies , and bo the casual

observer appear " bright , " bub like bhe thin wash of gold upon a brass foundation , the tarnish will soon appear , and the brightness be destroyed . There must be the true , pure metal , in order to secure the proper and permanent brilliancy .

The work of the bright Mason is soulful and earnest . He feels that he has something important and good to communicate , and he does it wibh a feeling bhab carries convicbion to the listener . We remember when a boy frequently hearing a good old lady , nearly sevenbv years of age , speak in church prayer-meeting , and

the whole burden of her few words of exhortation was for wholeheartedness in devotion and work . " I'll tell you , brothers and sisters , " she would say , " there is no blessiug or success attending half-hearted service . The whole heart , not a part of it , must be in whatever we do . " Preciselv it is so in all Masonic work . The

whole hearb musb be in ib , and he who bhus lives and aebs will be a bright Mason , even though he may stumble over big words in the ritual . — " Masonic Standard . "

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