Freemasonry.

secret ceremonies and different degrees of membership , with secrets peculiar to each degree . The Presidents of thf > colleges were called Masters or Teachers ( Magisiri ) .

and thru * membership was composed of men of all countries and of different beliefs . In nearly all these particulars we find a striking similarity in the Freemasonry of the present day .

A few of our authors have gone further back still . The City of Nineveh was one of the most ancient cities of the world . It is supposed that it waa the first city built after

the flood . Its ruins have been examined and investigated in modern times , and it is stated to be an undoubted fact that the Builders' Marks found on the stones in the ruins

of the ancient City of Nineveh aro identical with the Freemasons' marks of tho present time . It may therefore be safely asserted that thia similarity is a strong proof of the Antiquity of Freemasonry .

It is also known to the initiated that in the ceremonies o Freemasonry there is internal evidence of its antiquity . Some of these ceremonies are evidently founded on incidents and circumstances which took place at the

building of the Great Temple at Jerusalem by King Solomon , and which are preserved only in Freemasonry . Likewise the use of corn , wine and oil in the ceremonies of Consecration and Dedication is clearly traceable to a similar custom practised by the Romans .

At all events , whatever may have been its origin , Freemasonry is the most Ancient Fraternity that is now in existence . So much for its antiquity . Freemasonry is " honourable . " It is honourable because

** by a natural tendency it conduces to make all those honourable who are strictly obedient to its precepts . " One of its fundamental principles is the practice of social and moral virtue . It is honourable because its teachings

inculcate the highest morality . Whatever may be mysterious about its ori gin , there is no secret about its principles . Ifc is based on universal benevolence , universal brotherhood and universal charity .

It is honourable because its objects and aims are pure and good . It is always to be fonnd on the side of Humanity and Progress . It is essentially Philanthropic , Philosophic aud Progressive . Its objects are the

investigation of truth , the study of universal morals , science and art , and the exercise of benevolence . There may be , and doubtless there are , many members of the Society who do not realize this high ideal , who do not

know the high objects and aims of the service in which they are called upon to assist , but that is not the fault of the Institntion , and those who study it in the light of these designs and intentions will find themselves amply repaid .

It is honourable from the long line of illustrious and honourable men who have given their time and their talents to further its interests , to engage in its work and to prosecute its designs . The wise and good of all nations

have been connected with Freemasonry , and have found in that connection ample scope for their highest and best efforts . Kings and Princes have been proud ' o wear its badges and share its labours . Chnrch and State have

contributed their quota . Professional men , merchants , artificers and all classes are to be found represented in the ranks of Freemasonry . A society so attractive to the best thought and the best minds must be worthy of all respect . Surely Freemasonry is Honourable .

Freemasonry is a Fraternity . One of its leading features is that every Freemason is Brother to his fellows . This Brotherhood is independent of all distinctions . It is not dependent on nationality , race or religion . It is free

from any and all considerations of colour , clime or form ,. It is uninfluenced by political divisions or the distractions of statecraft . Men of the most diverse opinions find in

Freemasonry a common meeting-place where they can unite in the prosecution of a common aim . It forms the centre of union between Good men and true .

In this connection , the Universality of Freemasonry is a characteristic of its Fraternity . In all parts of the civilised world yon will find Freemasons . Wherever civilisation exists you will find Brothers of the mystic tie .

The Freemason will find friends wherever be goes , friends bound to him with the same ties of Brotherhood , brothers ready to help ancl assist , him , to cheer him on his way , to

comfort him in sickness or distress , and to render to him those kindly offices so dear to the true loyer of his fellowman . If a traveller in a strange land , he needs few * letters

of introduction , the fraternal grip of a Freemason will amply supply their place .

Freemasonry.

As a Fraternity , Freemasonry joins in tho ties of closest friendship those who otherwise would be widely separated and who wonld remain perpetually apart . It exercises the

princip les of a Brotherhood by improving the character of its members , by g iving them broader views of their relations to one another , and by inducing them to improve their condition in life and to reach a higher ideal of

usefulness . In following out these designs , Freemasonry binds each of its members to all the others by the most fraternal ties to succour ancl relieve a Brother when necessary , and fco

extend a helping hand to those who were dependent upon him when they are deprived of his protecting care . In these good works all must tako parfc . It is impossible to belong to a Masonic Lodge without hel ping to support some scheme of benevolence . From tho moment of his

initiation fche neophyte is like a cog m a mighty wheel , and he can no more help moving on with the rest of tho machinery in the direction of good deeds than tho wheel itself can help turning while the motive power exercises its impellent force .

The earliest lesson in Freemasonry is one of charity and toleration , and no individual torpor or demerit can long withstand the beneficial influence of the rules of Freo

masonry . It may then be safely asserted that the whole system of Freemasonry is calculated and designed to inculcate and enforce the sentiments and practice of a Brotherhood or Fraternity .

Masons are "Free and Accepted . " Free alike in the technical sense , ancl free also in the utmost liberalit y of thought and action . Freemasonry requires a perfect freedom of inclination in every candidate for its mysteries .

It is of his . own free will and accord that he comes forward to join its ranks , and it is of his own free will that he takes upon himself the obligations and duties of a member of the Craft .

Many speculations have been indulged in as to the why and wherefore of the terms " free " and " accepted . " The word " free , " in connection with operative Masons , originally signified that the person so called was free of

the guild or company of Masons , that is , in full membership and entitled to all the privileges of the society , the right to do the highest class of work and to receive the highest wages . The operative Masons who

were not free of the guild were not permitted to work with those who were . This distinction still exists in many parts of Europe . The term was perhaps first used in the tenth century , when the travelling Freemasons were incorporated by the Roman Pontiff .

" Accepted" is equivalent to initiated . It alludes to the acceptance by the operatives of those who were not previously members of the guild or company . One writer asserts that Masons were declared " free "

by King Solomon , and termed ** accepted by Cyrus , the founder of the Persian Monarchy , the Conqueror of Babylon , through whose instrumentality the Jews were

delivered from captivity and allowed to return to Jerusalem . Also , that they were invested with the privileges of bearing arms and freedom from taxation b y Darius , the Mede , and Artaxerxes , the son of Xerxes .

Our Masonic tradition is , that after the building of King Solomon ' s Temple , the initiated were declared " free " ancl exempted from all imposts , duties and taxes for them and their descendants : for , as the remnant of the Canaanites

employed as labourers and bearers of burdens were associated with the free-born at the erection of this edifice , a distinguishing appellation became necessary to prevent confusion , as well as peculiar privileges fco excite

emulation . This appellation was " accepted , " and the privileges were a perfect immunity from all contributions to the service of the State . A similar plan was pursued

by Zerubbabel at the building of the Second Temple , when Freemasonry was revived after the captivity in Babylon . These occurrences affixed to Masons the honourable and permanent designation of "free ancl accepted . "

Last y , the members of this Fraternity are " Masons , " anciently and originally , beyond a doubt , operative mechanics , stone-masons who carried on their handicraft by manual labour and with the actual tools ancl implements

of then * calling . Modernl y , they are Speculative Masons , who apply these tools as symbols of great moral truths , and who have extended the system to embrace all science and art , and who have laid under contribution all operative terms as symbolical of greater realities to form a comprehensive plan of the highest morality .