Pillars Of Masonry.

in writing . The word " mystery" from tbe Greek muserion means " the concealed , " just as the term " mystic" from a Gr tek root—ma—signifies " the closed . "

In the New Testament tho former expression is frequently fonnd , and the Saviour Himself said that tbe elucidation of the parables was given to His immediate disciples , but

to those who were without it was not given . Hence it is that tbe " Clementine Homilies" declare that He taught a secret doctrine , and hence the distinction drawn in the services of tbe early church between tho initiate and the

neophyte . Now while I do not believe that Jesus taught a secret doctrine in tbe sense that any where arbitrarily excluded , it is evident that there were heights and depths to what He did teach that exceeded tbe ability of shallow and secularized intellect to . understand . Masonry in

common with these examples has its esoteric side , its unwritten instructions and interpretations , and even beyond these its recondite and spiritual expositions , which cannot be communicated orally even , bufc are made plain only to thought . The grips , passwords , and bailing signs which are

frequently tnentioned to prejudice the the populace against the Order are the merest trifles , and form the most inconsiderable part of its esoteric traditions . They need hardly be mentioned here . Bnt the impression that has zealously been promoted that secret societies aro a threat to community and dangerous to the commonwealth , deserves to be noticed . Masonry is nofc , properly speaking , a secret society , but a society with secrets . Whero it a body

conpealing its existence , like a company of "Ku-Klux" or ' * White Caps , " seeking to exercise a lawless influence on the public , and doing so the more readily because of its secrecy , it would deserve to be repudiated by every lover

of his country . Such , however , is not the character of our Order . It publishes its existence to the world , gives annual reports of its organisations and work , and tells any

one and every one what is its purport and mission in the earth . But while it is no secret society , it has its secrets ; and when it can be shown that it is wicked for Jehovah to

have secrets accessible only to His children , and when ifc is proven indefensible for a business firm or a family to maintain some degree of privacy , or for philosophers to

give esoteric instruction , then , but not till then , we will challenge the right of Masonry to hide from prying and irreverent eyes the light they would only pervert and abuse . And until then we shall likewise believe that this very peculiarity , which prevents every idler from profaning its sacred courts , and rendering its Holy of Holies , common and unclean , is an abiding element of strength .

So is the silence it enjoins . This naturally grows out of secrecy . There are moments in the mysteries when absolute stillness reigns , a bush comes on tbe soul , and tongueless death appears to overawe . Then the initiate is prepared for wondrous things , or wonderful things are taking place .

" In silence mighty things are wrought-Silently builded , thought on thought , Truth's temple greets the sky ; And like a citadel with towers , The soul with her subservient powers Is strengthened silently .

" Soundless as chariots on the snow The saplings of the forest grow To trees of mighty girth . Each nightly star in silence burns And every day in silence turns The axle of the earth . "

From the Lodge the Craftsman turns with a new appreciation of the proverb , " speech is silvern , silence golden , " and he ia prepared to hear Carlyle : " In thine own mean perplexities do thou thyself bufc hold fchy tongue for one day ; on the morrow how much clearer are thy purposes

and duties ; what wreck and rubbish have these mute workmen within thee swept away , when intrusive noises are shut out . " This is an invaluable lesson . There are sounds tbat

cannot be heard until all other sounds are hushed . The roar of the streets must be gone before the rhythmic music of the lakes becomes audible . A nightingale cannot be beard through tho clang and crash of a brass band .

Neither can the voice of the soul , or the " still , small voice" of God if we live in a perpetual bable of chattering and gabbling . Nor is it possible until then for the

man to know himself , or acquire that stability of character which is honourable in all . Until we learn that noise is not force , that the thunder does not add sharpness to the lightning , nor the roar of the breakers might

Pillars Of Masonry.

to the waves , nor the beat of the heart purity to tbe blood , nor anything at all to gravity , to electricity or fche tornado , we shall never accomplish the grandest results . In this

talking , fussy age , therefore , let us be thoughtful for the Mystic Order , that teaches us at times to hold our peace , and to believe that the walls of God ' s temple will as surely rise if no noise of hammer or metallic instrument be heard .

as they would were we to be deafened by clanging implements and turbulent shouts . It is a token of beauty both in ceremonies and life of Masonry that it extols the value of the artistic and

ornamental . Of Solomon it is written " that he garnished the temple with precious stones for beauty , " and Isaiah declared of the second temple , "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee , the fir tree , the pine tree and the box ,

together to beautify tbe place of my sanctuary , and 1 will make the place of my feet glorious . " When we realise how large a sphere is occupied by this qualitv in the

universe , bow it gleams on us from the stars , how it charms us in the flowers , how it breaks on us in sequestered nooks and quiet glens , and how it dazzles us in tbe

sun drenched clouds and in silver saturated mists , we cannot but admit its incomputable worth . Within the limits of a Lodge it salutes us in artistic and symbolic ornament , in dramatic rite and histrionic representation . But

beyond this , and more to our purpose , ifc is manifest in the graces of character it seeks to cultivate and the adornments it commends to conduct . There are those who

assume that if a man is rigidly exact in his dealings , accomplishments , and decorative virtues , like gentleness , courtesy and sympathy may be dispensed with . As well might it be said that the world can do without flowers because it has the trees , and do without the lark and the

nightingale because it has the eagle and the buzzard . The charms and attractions of character are not to be despised ; for they are fruitful in blessings to the world . Among

these charms may be classed the cardinal virtue of Temperance , which means more with us than mere abstinence from the use of intoxicants . It comprehends that " due restraint upon our affections and passions which renders

the body tame and governable , and frees the mind from the allurements of vice . " Yet the Order is not indifferent to excessive indulgence in strong drink . To its credit be it known that in Ital y it established , in 1748 , the first

temperance society ever formed anywhere , and called its members Xero-pbagists , a compound Greek word signifying " those who live without drinking . " ( See Scott ' s Ancient Craft Masonrv , p 112 . ) Whafc more radiant and fascinating

than self control ? The serenity , the calm , is as fair to the eye as the unruffled mirror of a verdure bordered lake , or the undisturbed splendour of a star beaming through the

torn bosom of a gloomy storm cloud . J _ it to be associated with this are the graces of brotherly love and relief . Benevolence , sweet charity , who can do justice to thy beauty 1 Ifc is the purest gem in the crown of Masonry , and sheds a lustre over the entire body , and illuminates

many a home of sorrow and penury . To dry the widow ' s tears , reverently to bury her dead , and generously to shield her little ones from want ; to succour a distressed brother , and to lighten the burden of his declining years—these are tha sacred nrivilei ? es of our Craftsmen . And thev are to be

met in the spirit of disinterested service : for while gratitude is a grace inculcated by tbe Lodge , it is frequently not exhibited by those outside who are the recipients of its favours . Tourgenieff , the Russian , happily hits off this

omission in one of his charming fables . He represents a meeting of the Virtues , and observes that Benevolence and Gratitude pass each other as strangers , and are not even on speaking terms . " This is too bad , " he says , " and ought nofc to continue . I must introduce you to each other . Benevolence , this is Gratitude ; Gratitude , this Benevolence ; afc least bow to each ofcher . " Ah me ! that

there should be any reason for this satire . Yet , so it is ; and be who does no good except for praise , will do but little in this naughty world . It is possible to be mercenary even in charity , and to have an eye to profit in our

gifts . If we would be radiant benefactors wo must be charmed by the essential glory of beneficence , must be convinced thafc ifc is its own reward , aud ba practically indifferent to the encomiums of our fellows , knowing that

their approval or disapproval cannot change the nature or effect the merits of our actions . It is related of Cicero that he went to Syracuse for the purpose of visiting the tomb of Archimedes . Arrived in the pity he called on the Archons , on the chief men , on those who correspond in