A True Grand Master.

could , " with the light and ability I possess , and it has been my daily prayer to God that I might proceed aright . Men can do better sometimes than at others . When the highest traits of their souls , the dignity of their thoughts and

those spiritual forces which are so different from the lower forms of life , are brought together and constitute a grand disposition of self-denial , then men give evidence in their lives of the dwelling of Brotherly love in their souls . And when this occurs their efforts in all directions rise above selfishness and

vindicciveness into the noblest views and conceptions of life . They become patient under burdens , hopeful under difficulties , and it lifts upon them the light of the eternal world and inspires them with the feeling that they are sons of God and heirs with Jesus Christ .

I trust that we may not , through ignorance , be carried away with the idea that to make ourselves martyrs by special acts is true self-denial . But I humbly pray that we may have that nobler , higher view of self-sacrifice which prompts us to bear each others burdens day by day , and thus fulfil the law and teachings of this great Fraternity .

Brethren , in the weakest soul dwells something of the Divine Spirit . In other souls there is a great deal more . In still others there is an angelic sweetness , which has never been sung , which has never been uttered in the most devout prayer , and of which no adequate description has been given in words .

The best qualities of the nature of man are those which he cannot speak and cannot detain long enough to become familiar with . We are casting off continually many experiences ; they pass so quickly that we are unable to record them . They " baffle all investigations , and we can only say we had the experiences but cannot recall them . And , Brethren , in laying down the gavel

for the last time , and bidding official adieu to these beloved Grand Officers , Past Grand Masters , and other Past Grand Officers , with whom I have been so closely associated for many years , I cannot express in fitting words my gratitude to them for their loyalty and manifold kindnesses . That which I would say went from my mind before my pen could record it , and therefore , in the most simple manner , " I thank you . "

I am aware of my fallibility , and that I have fallen into error , but never intentionally . It has been my highest ambition to discharge the duties of the high office to which you have elected and re-elected me , to the entire satisfaction of the Craft in this Grand Jurisdiction . I have endeavoured to be Grand Master of

all the Masons in Vermont in the highest sense , not of a chosen few ; rising above personalities and forgiving those who have trespassed against me as I would that my Heavenly Father should forgive my tresspasses .

Now , if I may say that " I have fought a good fight , I have finished my course , I have kept the faith , " I must frankly acknowledge that it is not alone the result of my own efforts . You are aware that many a battle has been lost because the soldiers did not know their strength—because that which was in

them was not brought out . And many a battle has been gained because the souls of men were fired and they were made to feel that they were doubly strong . You have no doubt observed how strong the child becomes in the performance of a duty when the smiles of a parent are resting upon him , and how much better the

schoolboy fought when encouraged on by his friends . And we all know how much stronger a man becomes when the influences of society are iu his favour and his friends are sustaining him . From this explanation you will readily grasp the fact that my power of thought and deliberation has been multiplied by the wise counsel

and encouragement of these beloved Past Grand Masters and associate Grand Officers , freely given on all occasions . How sweet are gifts which come from love ; and especially from the love of those who have walked with us , and interchanged the noblest things ! It is as though one had plucked a blossom from the nearest bush for a memorial , it is as sacred as though it had

grown by the throne of God itself . It is of no intrinsic value , but it is perfumed with the odour of heaven . It is precious beyond the most costly , glittering , precious stones , because it is the soul that gives it value . And , Brethren , may our souls rise into the personal presence of God and feel that God ' s life is breathing through them , and may we have the sense of eternal blessedness dawning upon us . —" Tyler . "

No man by joining the Masonic Order becomes wicked ; on the contrary , if he was already such before he crossed the threshold of our Temple , he can improve his manners to make himself worthy of those who profess the most purified virtue . Notwithstanding this , however , there are some Masons whose

conduct is lax , because there are labourers of all kinds in the Lord ' s vineyard ; but it is obligatory on the part of the Brethren to correct their defects by means of persuasion , and it is very rarely that the erring ones are not sensible to the disinterested counsels of virtue and goodness . — " Tyler . "

Revival Of A R.C. Chapter.

REVIVAL OF A R . C . CHAPTER .

THE Royal Military Chapter , No . 8 9 , of the Rose Croix Degree , was re-opened on Tuesday , Sth inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Aldershot . The warrant constituting this Chapter was first issued in 1864 . The last meeting was held in 1886 , and the warrant was returned to the Supreme

Council shortly after . On a petition being forwarded lately from members representing various Masonic Lodges in the district , the Supreme Council again agreed to return the

warrant , and several prominent members attended in order to give the Chapter a send-off . The ceremonies were impressively performed by the members and Officials of the Supreme Council .

Some months ago the Gloucester Conservative party tendered an invitation to Bro . Vassar-Smith ( the popular Deputy G . M . of Gloucestershire ) to come forward to champion their cause at the next election , and if he had

accepted the invitation he would undoubtedly have been the best selection that could have been made , his local connection and popularity giving him an advantage which an imported candidate does not possess . But the fact that Mr . Ralli has been introduced to the Gloucester electorate by Mr .

Vassar-Smith himself , says the "Cheltenham Examiner , is a sufficient indication of the finality of the latter gentleman ' s decision not to accept the candidature . The reasons for Bro . Vassar-Smith's refusal to stand have been variously stated in the local papers , one of these being that the condition of his

health would not permit of his incurring the strain of a parliamentary contest . Our contemporary is glad to know that there is not the slightest foundation for this statement . On the contrary , Bro . Vassar-Smith had the assurance of his medical adviser that there was no reason whatever why

he should not bear the stress of a contested election and of parliamentary work , if he chose to do so . But Bro . Vassar-Smith had necessarily to make choice between a seat in Parliament and a continuance of the Masonic and public work in which he is now engaged , and with which a due

discharge of Parliamentary work would have seriously interfered . He chose the latter alternative , and the Freemasons of Gloucestershire and local institutions , such as the Ladies' College and the Delancey Hospital will congratulate themselves on the choice . His attachment to

his present work , and the fact that he had no wish to enter Parliament , were the reasons given to the Executive Committee of the Gloucester Conservative Council for the decision he had come to , and they are the reasons which the friends of Bro . Vassar-Smith will readily endorse .

They are not so particular about " standard " work in England . Uniformity is not required , and the Grand Lodge does not attempt to prescribe the ritualistic work . It is the general idea , over there , that Masonry means something more than conferring degrees . — "Canadian Craftsman . "

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