Limitations Of Obligations.

sphere of life a man may be thrown , it is impossible for him to shake off the obligations of duty . They follow him everywhere . It matters not whether his position be high

or low , whether he be called to rule , or his lot be to obey , it is not within his power to relieve himself of personal responsibility . Happy is that man who has fall conception of this fact , and whose resolve is ,

therefore , to live according to this governing principle , making everything in life turn upon the faithful discharge of obligations . Duty , then , is supreme in its relation to life , and no man can free himself of it , no

matter what his worldly wealth or station . As without the Lodge , so within , this is the governing principle which binds Masons to each other . As each step is taken , the candidate is assured that his duties increase and become more binding , and that with advancement and elevation

there is an accompaniment of solemn obligation . Perhaps , in this connection , we do not always realize the full scope of Masonic vows when they are first taken , but in time we all feel their force and understand their sweep . How far reaching , and how effective , if honestly lived np to , they

are ! Reaching into every position and binding all with the same strong chain ; the king bound as strongly as the humblest workman in the quarry . And how honourable , also , and ennobling . The true Mason , clothed in the

emblem of innocence , is the peer of any king , prince or potentate ; can meet with him upon the level , and , within the compass of his obligation , can command the service of his brethren , and feel it a right to be served . But there is

another aspect of these things , to which I especially ask your attention at this time . Ton have heard so often of the power of the Masonic obligation , and the elevating influence of the Order , that yon need no words of

mine to cause you to regard Masonry as well worthy of your life-long devotion . It is for this reason that I invite your attention to the limitations of Masonic obligations . We know full well how sweeping and how complete the

obligations are which every Mason takes who has part or lot with the " Sons of Light . " We have had numberless examples of the power and readiness of the true Mason to respond to their call , but we know there are certain limitations

to all social obligations , and Masonry has strongly defined bounds to all obligations which are required of initiates . And these fundamental limitations are as wise as they are

satisfactory , and give to each Mason a rule for the government of his actions , which enables him to make no mistake . It has been well said that there can never be a conflict of

duties , for one is always paramount , and if one have but the wisdom to discover which one of those in seeming conflict be the higher , all will fall into proper place and harmony . Masonry leaves no man in ignorance in this regard ,

but , with a wise foresight , makes due provision for cases where there might be a chance for it to come into conflict with other and important social claims . And here is where we are brought face to face with the fundamental

limitations of Masonic obligation . We are assured that certain duties are above all others here on earth , and that much as Masonry may appeal to our feelings and regard , yet in the face of these Masonry withdraws all claim . And

here is where , through recognition of these limitations , the distinction is drawn between a true Mason and one who , claiming to be such , presents only his constant attention to Masonic meetings in support of his claim . Undoubtedly

there are many who are never missing when the Lodge is called from refreshment to labour , who are found at every gathering and participate in every ceremony , and yet , withal , disobey the law of Masonry . Such may have

forgotten the fundamental limitation of Masonic service and go beyond the true requirements , to the injury of far greater and more important trusts . Profession is not real service , and the one who apparently does the most , may

in reality do much less than others whose service appears less showy . Doubtless each brother present could readily illustrate this fact within the circle of his personal acquaintance . We are , then , to endeavour to distinguish between

the true gold and the tinsel which glitters more brightly . One is of value , the other is worthless . What , then , are the limitations of Masonic obligation and Bervice ? These are defined at the very threshold of the Temple . He who

would receive the degrees of Masonry is solemnly assured that his obligations will be great and important , but that they are in no wise to conflict with the duty he owes to his

God , his country , his neighbour , his family , or to himself , and with these fundamental limitations he can take the obligations of Masonry , if so he choose . First in place , as

Limitations Of Obligations.

first in importance , we have the Mason ' s duty to God . — Voice of Masonry . ( To be continued ) .

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . James Brett P . G . P . Senior Yice-President occupied the President ' s chair , Bro . C . A . Cottebrune P . G . P . Junior Vice-President that of Senior , and Bro . W . H . Perryman that of Junior

Vice-President . There were present Bros . Col . Shad well H . Clerke Grand Secretary , Mercer , Spaull , Garrod , Stewart P . G . D ., Britten , Dairy , Matthews , Cull , Hogard , Taylor , Bowyer , Habord , Gillard , Lucking , Grey , Brown ,

Halliwell , Birkin , Dakins , Tijou , Cumberland , Pendlebury , Dodd , Lee , and others . The Board of Masters submitted the agenda paper for the next Communication of Grand Lodge . The brethren at the Board of Benevolence first confirmed grants , recommended at their last meeting , to the

amount of £ 410 . Those on the new list comprised the names of forty-five petitioners , from London , Keswick , Warwick , Sunderland , Jersey , Llandudno , Old Brompton , Walsall , South Shields , Calcutta , Gravesend , Wood Green , St . Helena , Sherborne , Worcester , Newbury , Liverpool ,

Hartlepool , Blackburn , Pontypridd , Holyhead , Nova Scotia , Twickenham , North Shields , Tarra Tarra , Leytonstone , Torquay , Tarrow-on-Tyne , Supreme Council of France Upton , Louth , and Tavistock . Four of these cases were

deferred for further particulars . The remainder were relieved with a total of £ 1 , 060 , composed of one recommendation of £ 100 , four of £ 50 , five of £ 40 , eight of £ 3 ) , ten grants of £ 20 , eleven of £ 10 , and two of £ 5 each .

The Committee ( members of the Craft ) of the Surrey Masonic Hall Quadrille Parties are now making arrangements for commencing their eleventh season , and as they have hitherto met with very great success , there is no doubt the present season will be equally so . Subscribers are not restricted to members of the Craft . We understand there are still vacancies for a few . Full information can

be obtained of Bro . H . A . Stunt P . M ., Secretary , 12 Aker man-road , Brixton .

The Fifteen Sections

THE FIFTEEN SECTIONS

WILL BE WORKED At the New Finsbury Park Lodge of Instruction , No . 1695 , Hornsey Wood Tavern , Seven Sisters ' -road , on Tuesdays , the 23 rd and 30 th of November 1886 , at eight o'clock p . m . Bros . H . Jenkins S . D . 860 W . M ., R . Larchin P . M . 1501 S . W ., J . C . Cross J . W . 902 J . W .

Tnesday , 23 rd November—First Lecture : Bros . Briscoe , Beck , Salmon , Gregory , Galer , Gash , Larchin . Tnesday , 30 th November —Second Lecture : Bros . Frampton , Cross , Snelling , Sharpe , Berry . Third Lecture : Bros . Oldis , Hill , Hodges . Bros . H . G . Gush Preceptor ; A . J . Berry Secretary .

By members of the Alexandra Palace Lodge of Instruction , No . 1541 , held at the Station Hotel , Camberwell New Eoad , on Satnrday , 27 th November 1886 , afc 7 p . m . Bros . Farwig P . M . 180 W . M ., C . A . Woods P . M . 145 S . W ., Westley J . W . 1986 J . W . First Lecture—Bros .

Hampton , Eidmans , Eshng , Spon , Stacey , Jenkins , C . A . Woods . Second Leoture—Bros . Hooper , Stevens , Kearney , "Westtey , Johnson . Third Lecture—Bros Martin , Luokhurst , Rupple . Bra H . Stunt P . M . Secretary ; Bro . Stacey P . M . 180 Preceptor .

At the Tredegar Lodge of Instruction , No . 1625 , held at the Welling , ton Arms , Wellington-road , Bow , E ., on Thursday , the 25 th instant , at seven o ' clock precisely . Bros . W . Musto P . M . 1349 S . W ., D . Moss P . M . 1275 J . W ., B . Stewart 1276 I . P . M . First Lecture—Bros . Cary ,

Allan , Brittain , Isaacs , McDonald , Maloney , Watkinson . Second Lecture—Bros . Fox , Moss , Myers , Musto , Seigenberg . Third Lecture —Bros . Stewart , Lome , Kichardson . Bro . B . Stewart W . M . 1278 Preceptor ; Bro . C . N . Fox 1340 Secretary . Bro . T . J . Barnes P . M . 554 933 , P . Z . 933 will preside .

At the Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , No . 1056 , held at the Portugal Hotel , Fleet-street , E . C , on Fridays , 26 th November and 3 rd December 1886 , commencing at seven in the evening . Bros . Gush P . M . 1541 W . M ., Larchin P . M . 1541 S . W ., Jenkins I . G . 860 J . W .

Friday 26 th November—First Lecture : Bros . Long , Price , Sammons , Snelling , Stacey , Hurdell , Larchin . Friday , 3 rd December—Second Lecture : Bros . Bond , Kearney , Skelton , Jenkins , Giddings . Third Lecture : Bros . Hancock , Storr , Beck . Bro . W . W . Snelling J . W . 1541 Secretary .

HOH . OWAY ' 8 OINTMENT . —Miners and Workers in the Gold Fields . —This invaluable and renowned Ointment is extensively used and patronised by such people to their very great advantage , being easy of application and portable in small compass . When used in conjunction with Holloway ' s Pills , in accordance with the clear and concise directions for use which accompany each pot and box , there are but few of the diseases which afflict mankind which will not yield to the sanative powers of the combined remedies . Holloway ' s Oint - ment and Pills do not deteriorate by keeping , nor change of climate , and as they contain no deleterious mineral drug , they can be used with the most perfect safety under most adverse climatic and » anitary conditions .