" A Merry Christmas."

" A MERRY CHRISTMAS . "

ONCE more the festive season of Christmas has come upon us , and while it gives cause for joy and rejoicing it also serves to remind us of the rapid flight of time , and the ever-changing scenes around .

Fourteen years ago to-day preparations were actively being made for the first appearance of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , and well do we remember the enthusiastic band of workers who helped us to launch our paper on the troubled waters of journalism . Then , as now , we

had some true , staunch friends , who brought to bear their best efforts on behalf of the paper , and we rejoice to look around to-day and find that among our

warmest supporters are many of the men who stood by us in our earlier days . Others , alas , are no more ; one by one we have had to chronicle their decease ,

and to mourn their loss—losses which to us have seemed almost irreparable , although , we are happy to say , other workers have come forward to support us , and have done their best to supply the places of those

who have gone . This is most gratifying , and it urges us to make yet further efforts to please and satisfy our patrons , many of whom have been so long

associated with our enterprise as to cause us to regard them as personal friends . Thus far we have , perhaps , been guilty of painting

the mournful side of Christmas , but who is there , even amid the loudest outbursts of merriment , who does not call to mind the laugh , or cheery face of

some dear old friend long laid to his rest ; or who does not yearn for the sturdy grasp of the hand never to be raised again ? It seems part of our nature to associate old memories with present enjoyments , and

we candidly confess we would not alter this if we could . But the anticipation of Christmas usually presents a happy and bright prospect , even if our present surroundings are the most gloomv . We look forward for

a change taking place , which will give lis cause for rejoicing on that auspicious day , and the clouds of

our life must be very dark indeed if they do not show a slight tinge of brightness in association with the festive season of Christmas . But how is it for those not lortunate to tne ot

who are enougn possess means celebrating the holiday ? Is there a gleam of sunshine -visible even for them , or is it possible for such '

to rouse themselves sufficiently to wish their neighbours a Merry Christmas ? Fortunately there is , and in no few cases the present season will supply the only

gleam of sunshine during the year to many who are in misfortune and distress . At no other season is the Masonic injunction of being happy and communicating

happiness more generally practised than at Christmas , and at no other time is it more needed . Let us , therefore , strive , as far as lies in our power , to prove that this Masonic principle is something more than

mere words , and let us endeavour , to the best of our ability , to afford some enjoyment to one at least of the thousands" who are in sore need of sympathy

" A Merry Christmas."

just now . No doubt our brother Masons will have ample opportunities during ''^ _ . toext few days of extending the hand of charix ^ . __ ftd it is to be hoped they will avail themselves of the opportunity with no

grudging spirit , but if it should happen they are so happily circumstanced as to be free from the appeals of the needy , then we would ask them to give a passing thought to the claims which Freemasonry has

upon their benevolence , ancl if they do not , actually send a Christmas contribution to one or other of the Masonic Charity Funds , at least let them make up their minds to do something on their behalf at no

distant date . Freemasonry will play but a very poor part in the events of the next few days . Even the joy and rejoicing of our Mystic Art sink into insignificance when

brought face to face with Christmas , and he would have to be a very enthusiastic Mason indeed who would choose to assemble in a Lodge room in

preference to making one of a family circle at such a season , and yet we know that the true principles of Freemasonry will be as active just now—perhaps more

active—than at any other part oi the year . The widow and the orphan will not be forgotten , neither will the aged brother whose closing days have found him in distress . Many such will have good reason to

bless the Mystic draft , and will be loud m wishing its members , as most sincerely dowe , to-day , %Wm$ilwrfmw..'¦'

Pillars Of Masonry.

PILLARS OF MASONRY .

An Address delivered before the Grand Lodge of Illinois , 3 rd October 1888 , by Rev . Geo . C . Lorimer , Grand Orator . ( Concluded from page 371 . ) IT is a mark of strength , both in tho ceremonies and life of Masonry , that it acknowledges the importance of the secret and thesilent . These are essential elements of stability ,

and permeate the principles of this Ancient Fraternity . Pythagoras , one of its venerated representatives , when , he lectured stood behind a veil , and those who heard him , but did not see his face , were called his exoteric disciples , while

those who came into his presence were termed his esoteric disciples ; these words were afterwards employed by Aristotle , though he did not conceal himself , to describe those who attended his more popular morning discourses , and

those who came to bear bis more abstruse evening discourses . So tbat now they denote the higher and tbe lower aspects of truth , the external and the internal , the essence and substance , soul and body . As there is to the grain of

wheat outward covering and tbe vital germ within , and to the diamond its rough forbidding surface and its imprisoned splendour , so there are the superficial and the profound

degrees of truth . In Pagan religions there were mysteries expressed in symbols or in language unintelligible to the non-initiate , who received the explanation orally . The

priests were nofc allowed to communicate this knowledge