Eulogy On Masonry

share in the same Divine birthright , and have promise of the same immortal inheritance . Freemasonry is not in itself a religion ; it presents no system of ecclesiasticism ; it prescribes no one form of worship ; it announces no creed beyond the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man . It does appeal , however , almost constantly ,

to the religious nature , and demands , in the formation of character and the regulation of conduct , conformity to the precepts of God's Holy Word . Surely it counts for something in these days of agnosticism and unbelief , that at least some of the fundamental principles of morals and religion should be so definitely stated , and so earnestly commended by the teachings of this ancient institution .

In this connection , allusion may well be made to the common popular belief , that Freemasonry is purely a benevolent Order . Freemasonry and charity are indeed synonomous ; but the charity for which this institution stands means vastly more than the bestowal of alms on the poor and needy , the relief of suffering ,

important as these duties are . It is charity , best defined as love , representing the spirit of kindness , forgiveness , toleration , and other noble elements of the heart and soul , that brings men into working accord for the world's advancement and for their own uplifting . Beading this meaning into the charity of Freemasonry ,

its power and purpose are shown in clearest light . Brethren may give freely out of their abundance to relieve suffering and meet the demands of the needy ; yet they may lack tbe love of which charity , as commonly considered , is but a part . To give alms is comparatively easy ; to give one's self is sometimes very

hard ; yet the latter requirement is what the principles of Freemasonry teach , and nothing less than comformity thereto gives full proof of the applying of the system to the conduct of everyday life . The bestowal of alms may be a temporary blessing ; the helping of one ' s fallen brother by kindly words and deeds ,

forgetting self in sacrifice , conquering superstition , ignorance and wrong-doing by gentleness and sympathy—this is the generous giving which most helps humanity and makes life best worth living , as it brings heaven down to earth . Charity thus defined is the badge of Freemasonry , than which nothing so much adorns

the Institution . Acting in this spirit , brethren will " Grasp the whole world of reason , life and sense , in one close system of benevolence ; " petty strife will be' forgotten ; evil speaking give place to kindly words ; unjust suspicion , bigotry and harshness will be subdued by gentleness and kindness . Blessed is the

thought that from our institutions , whose banner bears this word " Charity , " there goes forth an influence which no eulogist of the Craft is likely to estimate above its worth . Enlisting under such a banner men are made stronger for life ' s conflicts , however powerful the foe they are called to meet . They can do the best

of which they are capable , inspired by the hope that over all the world , in the good time coming , there must float the victorious standard of the cross of the Crucified One , inscribed with the legend which also shines from the pennant of Freemasonry , " Now abideth Faith , Hope , Love ; but the greatest of these is Love . "

While presenting this high ideal of our institution I may note the fact that there are Brethren who fail to rightly appreciate and use the highest gifts of which Freemasonry is privileged to boast . There are those who think chiefly of some material advantage to be derived by identification with the

Masonic Fraternity , who seem satisfied with the social privileges and the goodly fellowship for which this institution of ours provides so many glad and gracious opportunities ; and such a class perhaps fail to ask anything more from Freemasonry than that which they so much enjoy in its social ministries and fraternal intercourse .

Freemasonry is a club , composed of excellent material , if so we choose to name it . It is a society where friend meets friend and brother meets brother , in the free and joyous interchanges of many a festal occasion . It is this , but it is something more ,

as I have tried to show . To the seeker after light , to the student and the men of quickened thought , manifold are the teachings of Freemasonry , and almost infinite its possibilities of advantage on the higher side of life .

A legend is told of a German peasant , a villiage ne ' er-dowell , who , having performed a single deed of sacrifice and virtue , is transported to a place where the beneficent dispenser of all blessings is represented as sitting in a homely cottage , surrounded by objects familiar to the peasant's eyes . On being told that he might choose from the collection some gift , as a reward for that

service , and as a token of his preferment , he asks only for a timeworn bagpipe which he sees lying in a heap of rubbish . He who might have claimed priceless gifts—who might have asked for guidance , power , wisdom , virtue , is content with a pitiful thing that meets the whim of a passing hour ; and , as the legend reads , he is rewarded according to the standard of his low , untaught nature . So it is possible that some who have passed the tests of Masonic investment shall appreciate little else save the material

Eulogy On Masonry

benefits which the Fraternity affords , failing to perceive its highest gifts and blessings , which might be theirs for the seeking . It is to the glory of the institution that it has a comprehensiveness of ministry so as to touch life at many points , and to give

help in so many directions . But it may not be forgotten that only by its expression along the upper ranges of its philosophic teaching and moral suggestiveness does it convey its choicest gifts to the instructed minds and faithful hearts of its true followers .

The Masonic organisation , as it exists to-day , is more powerful than ever before ; its membership is larger than at any previous period , and is constantly increasing . New and attractive temples are being erected for its use ; benevolent institutions , established under its auspices , are flourishing ; and the tokens of its prosperity

are evident wherever we look . It is strong in the character of its membership , not less than in the resources which it has gathered , and in the large measure of public favour with which it is now regarded . It has withstood oppression and persecution ; it has lived down the calumnies of its opponents ; and to-day presents

itself to view with a record of noble service . It has advanced with the progress of civilisation ; has found expression in the philanthropies of the age ; and has made its contributions to art and literature , while it has been discharging the benign ministries of a true fraternity . Other organisations have lost their places on

the earth and become extinct ; nations have fallen into decay ; rulers and princes have died ; but Freemasonry has endured , because of the principles for which it stands , and because of its appeals to the highest and best promptings of human nature . Institutions abide and have enduring honour only as they develop these highest attributes . Great thoughts live on when men and

nations crumble to the dust . It is because we believe Freemasonry to be charged with sentiments of eternal truth and to have a mission of exalted usefulness , that we find an explanation for its long existence and present strength , and for the prophecy in which we indulge that it must go forward in a way of increasing power and usefulness .

Carlyle but expressed an axiomatic truth when he said , " Human institutions cannot long stand on selfishness , mechanical utilities , economics and law-codes ; if there be not something of the moral element in them , as there is a religious element in the relations of men , they are doomed to ruin . "

Our abiding hope of the progress and glory of Freemasonry rests upon the conviction that it will continue to cherish the ancient landmarks of the Order , that it will maintain fidelity to Masonic teachings and traditions , and continue to serve the world in a practical way by the application of its great principles

to the enobling of character , and the right discharge of the duties of common life . Because of its principles , and because of the service which it seeks to render for love ' s sake , and for truth ' s sake , it claims the allegiance of its followers , and deserves to hold a place among the institutions which contribute light and blessing to the human world . — " Freemasons Eepository . "

The Emblem Of Innocence.

THE EMBLEM OF INNOCENCE .

IN her symbolic teachings Freemasonry uses the common things of life , so that we are hourly reminded of our duties and obligations . Many of her symbols are of great interest from their antiquity and the circumstances of their origin . One of the grandest and most impressive lessons ever presented to the mind

of man , when properly understood , is found in the first step in Freemasonry . Before we could enter the door of the Sacred Temple we had to leave behind us every habilament that would hinder us in our upward course to be good men and true . We were divested of the vices and superfluities accumulated in life , and we were received within the portals for what good there was

in us . We had to become , as it were , a little child , to be led by other hands , and begin life anew . The grandeur and beauty of this lesson must be apparent to every Mason . Yes , the forms of Freemasonry are instinctively alive , and clothed , as they are , in the sublime habilaments of symbolism , they stand a silent monument of Truth to be read , and comprehended by men of all religions , men everywhere , and men in all ages .

As with the first lesson , so with each succeeding step to reach the sublimity and perfection of Freemasonry . We pity the mental poverty of the man whose soul was not thrilled with joy when presented with the lambskin or white leather apron . And why is it an emblem of innocence and the distinguished badge of a Mason , and why presented when and where it is ? Why more

innocent now than when he stood at the outer gate ; and why the skin of a lamb made white ? In the dark background the " Tyler " sees the truth , as it were , in letters of fire , " without the shedding of blood there is no remission . " The lambskin of a Freemason speaks of a blood atonement , in the sacrifice of a lamb . It carries , or ought to , our thought to that " Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world . " In beginning life