Masonic Fruits Essential.

In spite of great revolutions , which of very necessity involve inconsistencies , it still remains true that Freemasonry is conservative , as in the past she has been generally , an ally—a buttress of Church and state .

My brethren , I have been considering some of the objections alleged against our Institution , and havo gone into the line of defence to an extent beyond my first intention , yet there is another quite serious question which

some of our best men , even very good Masons , have entertained , one which fairly deserves to be carefully aud continually considered by all of us , and that is , What is the use of all this ritual , of all these guards of symbolic

teaching , of what in a hostile spirit is called mummery ? If this be the end and aim of Freemasonry , if tho whole scope of the Institution is comprised in what is technically known as the work , " then I would be ready to

acknowledge that it is utterly vain and unprofitable , a delusion

and a snare . But it does not require a very profound study or extensive research , yet more profound and extensive than is sometimes given , to show that these rites and ceremonies

have kept alive , and do keep alive , the traditions of Freemasonry ; that through these certain principles no longer secret have been maintained and fostered under varying conditions , through a period extending in time to the

unknown past , and through these , Brotherly love , Relief and Truth have had a wider application , and a more complete diffusion among different races of men , than would otherwise have been , to our human view , possible .

In this somewhat sceptical age even well informed Masons have questioned the antiquity of Masonic institutions , but a critical examination will , I think , convince almost any one that among much that is modern , that is ,

dating back only a few centuries , there are some things which show a very considerable antiquity . We may have the form and framework of the trade-guild , which goes back to the beginning of English civilisation , but when we

find the most important part of our language among the Israelite and Arab Masons of Palestine—among people little given to change , not fertile in invention , nor prone to adopt or imitate the institutions of other lands , we are

justified in suspecting , if not believing , that from the East and from the remote past , we have received our most important and valuable traditions , and some parts of our symbolism , teaching great truths to the eye as well as to

the ear . Of course this question of antiquity is not a vital one , nor does the excellence of the Institution depend upon its age . If it were the creature of to-day all its inherent excellences would be just the same , and its defects would

be no leas observable , but even in its most modern form Freemasonry is the oldest of all merely human societies , and the question should be asked with reverence and a proper sense of our responsibility , for what purpose has

God permitted this Institution to exist and continue ? It is for us , dear brethren , not merely to ask this question but in some degree to answer it , for the answer concerns our duty in the present . This Institution of selected men ,

numbering to-day more than a million—in the past a countless host—must have had , and must continue to have , in the affairs of men an important mission . That it has had such a mission in the past we know very well . That

it has not always been true to itself , to its high mission , to its golden opportunities , is more thau probable , but the failures and successes of the past belong alike to the past , except so far as we may be able to learn from them . We

cannot remedy the faults or live upon the glories of former ages . Duty is for to-day , and by the way we do this we must be judged , not only by the Supreme Ruler and Judge , but by our own consciences and by the opinions of our

contemporaries . This latter is not all important , but it is so important that we cannot afford to ignore it , even though we may not allow it to determine our conduct in all directions .

It will not be sufficient for the world to tolerate our existence , but we should have in the affairs of life such an influence for the general welfare that we shall not be simply tolerated but welcomed .

This age , though sceptical , is exacting . It calls upon every man and every organisation to justify existence by action , and every man and every organisation that fails to do what is reasonably expected is relentlessly pushed aside ,

while the world rolls on . Principles and professions must not only show fruit , but a liberal yield of fruit . There must not only be promises , but results . Within the century there have sprung into existence

Masonic Fruits Essential.

various organisations , more or less imitative of Freemasonry , and these show to us that the indirect influence of our Institution is considerable . Is this influence for good or for evil ? Is mankind benefited thereby ? What

is the effect upon home and upon public and private morals ? These are important questions , and we must be careful in answering them . It is quite true that men of the present day prefer associations of men of similar tastes and

pursuits . It is also sadly true that many families are deprived of what should be to them the most delightful companionship . The father and husband is sometimes away at tho Lodge when he should bo at his home , but is

Freemasonry responsible for this r Not so much as the tired wife and mother anxiously awaiting her husband's return may think , but more than the men of the Lodge fairly realize .

While I would be perfectly willing to challenge comparison of Freemisons with a like number of men of equal circumstances in life outside , and while I would

willingly submit the whole question to the wives of Masons , a majority of whom are enthusiastic advocates of Freemasonry , still there are cases , here and there , whero a man is so callous to Masonic teaching that he will neglect

bis family for the sake of attending the Lodge . ( To be continued . )

Freemasonry As A Secre T Society.

FREEMASONRY AS A SECRET SOCIETY .

IS Freemasonry a secret society ? You may answer either yes or no , and be correct . Freemasonry is not a secret society , because its members assemble in a place known to the public , open to the public at certain times , and occupying a site so marked as to bo familiar to all citizens . Secret societies obnoxious to

criticism are such as meet in secret places , for secret purposes . They hide from observation because their deeds are evil . The fact that they hide condemns them . Freemasons have no reason to conceal their places of meeting , because their purposes are all commendable and noble .

Freemasonry is not a secret society , because its individual membership is open to public observation . Brethren openly visit the Masonic Temple , openly march in

processions of the Craft , openly participate in tho laying of Corner-stones , the dedication of Masonic Temples and the burial of the fraternal dead . No brother seeks to obscure

the fact of his Masonic membership ; he is proud of ifc rather than ashamed of it . It is otherwise with the members of organisations which have not the common weal at heart . Conspirators seek to be unknown because they aro

workers of iniquity . It is not so with Freemasons . Freemasonry is not a secret society , because its purpose is a matter of common knowledge . In this it has nothing to conceal . Recognising the fact that Freemasonry should

bo above suspicion , it openly admits as much to the world . We are the friends of humanity as well as of the initiated ; we acknowledge the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man , and hence are ready to do good to all men , while we love most and best those who are encircled with

us by the Mystic Tie . Many are the charities , in all Masonic jurisdictions , bestowed by us upon the worthy profane after great public calamities . This is our positive , practical acknowledgment of the brotherhood of man . Freemasonry is not a secret society , because its principles

are well known to the public . The " Constitutions" of tho Craft are in print , its history is in print , and every jurisdiction has its Proceedings printed annually . From all of these the public can readily gather the principles of

Freemasonry . These are in no sense Masonic secrets , and we do not strive to hide them . * Now , can a society whose stated places of meeting are

known , whose membership is known , whose purpose is known , and whose principles and history are known , in any proper sense be styled a secret society ?

But , on the other hand , Freemasonry is a secret society , because while the public know a part of ifc , they do not by any means know all of it . A Masonic Lodge is not like a tavern , with the latch-string hanging out , and into which

any one may enter . It is for tbe elect alone . Every applicant must be closely examined . His moral character must be found free from flaw . He must be of good repute in the community . This is ro secret , for it prevents nmny