Candidates For The Benevolent Institution.

reduced circumstances . May they all , in turn , be elected to the benefits of the Institution , and may they then long enjoy its annuities , is the wish of every one of its subscribers . It is only the lack of ability to perform what

they wish that prevents the subscribers admitting all of the applicants as annuitants at the next election . Turning now to the Female Branch , we have a list of seventy-one widows seeking a participation in the benefits

of the Benevolent Institution . Of these , one makes an eighth application , five a sixth , one a fifth , eight a fourth , eleven a third , twenty a second , while the remaining

twenty-five now appear for the first time . The number of votes brought forward range from 1355 in the case of Elizabeth Coulton , No . 19 , third application ; to nil in the

cases of Nos . 39 , 40 and 41 , all of whom are second applications . As in the case of the brethren seeking to participate in the benefits of the Male Fund , there are special reasons in each of the Widows' cases to render them deserving of sympathy ; and large as the number of

applicants undoubtedly is , it would not be considered too large for the subscribers to relieve them all , if it were in their power so to do . It is distressing to contemplate the amount of suffering which these two lists of candidates disclose ;

but , alas , the cases here recorded are but a tittle of those which exist , and which , but for our Benevolent Institution and similar Charities , would ever remain unrelieved . It is only by continued and united efforts that these benefits

can be extended , or even sustained ; and , as we feel that a study of the two lists to which we have here directed attention would prove one of the best incentives to increased exertion , we commend them to our readers .

Masonry Everlasting.

MASONRY EVERLASTING .

An Oration by Right Worshipful Alfred A . Hall , Grand Chaplain , at the Dedication of the Masonic Hall , Rutland , Vermont , 27 th January 1886 . W"E stand to-day in the presence of a work completed , bearing evidence of study , watchfulness , the liberal

contribution of means and good taste . Brethren of Rutland , I congratulate you upon the fruition of your labours . May this Masonic home prove to you and to those who shall follow you , a very Bethel in which the

pure and noble tenets of Masonry shall be taught . From your altar may the pure incense of morality and virtue ever ascend as an acceptable service to the Great I Am . The ceremonies of consecration have been fitting and

impressive , and this beautiful and commodious hall , now dedicated to Masonry , to virtue and to universal benevolence , is an honour to its patrons and to our Institutions , and a monument to the dignity of Masonry . The ceremonies of the evening were to some extent an imitation

of the dedication of King Solomon ' s temple—the prototype of all Masonic halls—and , while they could not expect that divine approval would be manifested by the visible fire which signalized God ' s presence in the holy of holies ,

it was hoped that the work had been so constructed and that its future use would be of such a character as to merit the approval of the Lord of hosts . The occasion and ceremonies make it eminently fitting

that we consider the relation of Masonry , virtue and universal benevolence , which have formed triple links in the chain of dedication . Of Masonry let us ask the three

important questions—whence ? what ? whither ?—asked by every thoughtful man and woman of every new and obscure principle offered for consideration . The origin of Masonry is veiled in obscurity , and we neither accept the theory of

zealots who affirm that it is coeval with the creation , nor limit its birth to the date of its present purely speculative form in 1717 . The true time probably dates from the associations formed by the architects of Tyre , called the

" Dionysiac Fraternity , an association of builders of temples and like edifices , distinguished by the use of the common signs as a means of recognition . Organizations having similar traditions have existed in all countries for

ages , and the evidence of the best Masonic scholars , as well as of much that is in the nature of circumstantial demonstration , show that the antiquity of Masonry is great .

From a manuscript in the Bodleian library we have the opinion of the time upon its origin in a dialogue between King Henry VI . and one of the brotherhood summoned for examination , very quaint in expression :

Masonry Everlasting.

Questian : " Where dyd it begyne ?" Answer : Ttt dyd begynne with the fyrste menne yn the Este , whych were before the ffyrste menne of the Weste , and comynge Weste ytt hath herewyth alle comforts to the mylde and comfortlesse . "

The " what of Masonry is by far the more important question . While we are proud , and justly so , of our antiquity as an organization , and regard it as proof of strength and stability , in this utilitarian age we care far more for the thing itself than for its origin or age .

Granted that it commends itself to our use or judgment , and we accept it without question as to whence it came . By the test of works and fruits Masonry should be tried , and if upon examination it is found to contain anything immoral in teaching or practice , or if it trenches upon duty

to trod , our neighbour or ourselves , tnen tne " tecei ot Belshazzar's warning should be written upon the cover of every Masonic book as well as the walls of every Masonic Lodge room . But if instead there is found anything true ,

just , honest , lovely or of good report , if there be any virtue or any praise in it , then we have the authority of the great apostle for believing it worthy of our thoughts . Masonry is born of the necessities of mankind , teaching that God is our common Father and man our brother . Its four

corner-stones are truth , virtue , justice and charity , and it aims to make men purer , nobler and happier by encouraging mental improvement and social enjoyment , and affording mutual protection and relief . The teachings of the

several degrees require a belief in God , and inculcate secrecy , duty , the practice of tbe cardinal virtues , uprightness , honesty and the cultivation of the liberal arts . There is a marked prominence given to geometry ; there are

lessons taught by the various Masonic emblems , and finally , the crowning lessons of Masonry teaches that there is an immortal part within us bearing affinity to that supreme intelligence which pervades all nature , and which can never , never , never die . Masonry leads us up to a sublime and noble height by paths hewn carefully in the

rock " morality . " It bids us from an altitude high and pure behold the streams of life wind gracefully and beautifully from source to mouth through fields made green by noble deeds , unbroken and unlashed by storms

and rapids that mark the course of selfishness and sin , but at the dark , unfathomed river , where all finite life must end , it only presents a heaving , tossing tide that marks its nearest shore , content with whispering that there

is a land beyond . While not affording perfect satisfaction , nor claiming to supplant the higher life , it tell us of a loftier peak beyond , ascended by a path which runs near to that by which we came , up to a grander , nobler

heightthe summit of Christianity—and with prophetic words assures us that from such a point we may , in the pure sunlight of God ' s truth , span the dark abyss and catch glimpses of tbe jasper walls , the pearly gates and glittering towers that mark the New Jerusalem .

But what is the effect of such teachings upon the heart and life ? A beautiful ideal might be held up before us , the imagination might be led to grand and noble heights , but unless it went further than to please the fancy and excite the admiration , it is of little or no practical value .

Nought but good can come from Masonic teachings . The evil found in members is not of Masonry . The truth it teaches cannot be contemplated without leaving higher and nobler aspirations , which , if allowed to take root and grow , will prove like the river winding through the valley ,

adding fertility to its soil and fringing its banks with living green and perennial flowers . A noble principle in the heart benefits not alone him who receives it , but all who come within its influence , for

No life can be pure in its purpose and strong in its strength , And all life not be purer and nobler thereby . Masonry has grown from crude beginnings to an institution covering the whole habitable globe , and counts

among its numbers all classes and conditions of men ; the highest , the lowest , the richest , the poorest , if worthy of acceptance . This country alone has more than seven hundred and fifty thousand Masons , and they increase

from twenty thousand to thirty thousand yearly . Universal benevolence is one of its grandest features . Charities are of two kinds—individual and

generalamounting in the aggregate to millions of dollars yearly , expended for the benefit of members , their families , and in the support of libraries , colleges and asylums . The sufferers from fires , floods , famines and epidemics find