Freemasonry A Progressive Science.

portiuvity of again referring to his book in our pages , but in the meantime we would once more remind him , and others AVIIO similarly regard the

unehangablo character of Freemasonry , that ours is a progressive science ; and that it is quite in accordance with the general acceptation of Freemasonry that it should alter from time to time , so far as may

be necessary to adapt it to the times and places m which it is practised . Theoretically it is , and must ever remain the same ; practically it has boon , and can be altered according to circumstances , and on

this basis Ave are able to admit men of all creeds , colours and nationalities—to do which we must open our doors to the " great lights " which they have been respectively taught to regard as the rule and guide of their faith .

Three Higher Degrees.

THREE HIGHER DEGREES .

"TT ^ REEMASONRY , in its technical and fundamental Ju character , consists of three degrees , Entered Appren" tice , Follow Craft , and Master Mason . These three degrees are closely connected , being so interwoven in teaching and ceremonial as to form one complete system .

With the receiving of only one degree a man becomes a Mason in name , but he must pass through the two I succeeding grades in order to grasp a satisfactory knowledge of the Institution , and be able to perform the

duties required of a true Craftsman . With the study and practice of theso essential degrees the way is open for the expression of a genuine Masonic character , the accomplishment of a large and varied service , and the realisation of much that is helpful to the individual life .

Thus Freemasonry has value . Its precise system must be understood , its ceremonies witnessed , and their meaning brought out , before the candidate is prepared to take his place among Brethren as a Fellow Craftsman . He must be

proficient in the three degrees in order to represent Freemasonry in the way of an intelligent application of its , truths and principle , or to be prepared for advancement

, along the prescribed lines of its unfolding . These three . primary degrees are essential , constituting as they do the substantial basis of form and ceremony , of pledge and instruction , on which the Masonic edifice is builded .

But there are three other degrees—degrees less formal and technical—which are requisite to the production of a fulbformed , attractive , Masonic character . There are higher degrees , composed of pure moral elements , that

must needs be taken by every Brother who would honour the Institution , and show forth its distinguishing qualities . We may designate these degrees as so many steps , or grades , in the expression of moral honesty—an ascending

way marked by three stations , signifying the integrity of individual purpose and being . At the first , emphasis is laid upon honest and straightforward speech ; at the . ! second , equal stress is put upon honesty of deed in all

dealings between man and man ; and at the third , there is a ' culmination of moral teaching in the enforcement of the proposition that heart honesty counts for most , and should be chiefly sought after in the development of a noble and true character .

Do all Masons take these higher degrees ? If they think they have been thus instructed and progressive , how often they fail in meeting the tests imposed ! As regards the first point named , how frequently , in the case of many

Brethren , their speech betrayeth them , showing that they are but poorly versed in the principles and precepts belonging to this primary degree . Words are not like blows that bruise and maim the body , but often they strike in

upon the heart and do a worse injury . Harsh and bitter words are charged with a power of evil , making them far more to be dreaded than any misdirected physical force . Then there are the words of cruel misrepresentation , as

when the conduct of another is placed in a false light , or base assertions made to the injury of the business or professional prospects of an associate , perhaps a competitor ,

while his general reputation is made to suffer accordingly . 0 , how many there are , even in the ranks of Craftsmen , who have not learned to bridle their tongue , to be careful in speech , never misrepresenting a cause or an individual

by any utterances they may make ! These need to take

Three Higher Degrees.

yet another degree which shall impress upon them the importance of honest and generous speech . It is possible that the first of these moral degrees may be taken and not the second . There may be an honest

tongue and a dishonest life , although commonly no such contrast is shown . Of course , if there must be failure anywhere , it is less sorrowful to fail in word than in deed . However , as a rule , the Brother who has taken the first of

the moral degrees specified , rapidly passes on to tho second . His actions correspond with his words , and he is alike truthful in both . Such a Brother caunot betray a friend or do him injury . He will neither blacken his reputation

by word of mouth , nor strike him a worse than mortal blow in his home , his affections , or elsewhere , by the base deed . The man who illustrates this second degree goes

forward in the beautiful simplicity of a just and well ordered life , doing injury to none , but carrying light and sweetness wherever he goes .

The third degree m morals , even as the third degree in technical Freemasonry , is of highest import . Passing to this upper range one learns of honesty going beyond an expression of truth by words , or the right reputation of the

conduct of the life ; he is taught of a heart purity—a sincerity of soul—which transcends all other virtues . It is here that tho highest point of duty , as regards ones self , is reached , for when honesty presides on the throne of tho

inner being and bears rule in the heart , the whole expression of the life must accord therewith . Then comes the grandest exaltation of character with a blessedness not otherwise possible ; for so it is declared , " Blessed are the pure in heart , for they shall see God . "

Would that all Brethren might be perfected in these three ascending degrees of moral uprightness—then bv their words and their works would they reflect hononi upon the Craft , while they would themselves enter into the realisation of highest good . —Freemason ' s Repository .

About Change Of Opinion.

ABOUT CHANGE OF OPINION .

By BRO . JACOB NORTON .

IT is said that " a fool never learns , and never forgets * , " or , in other words , that he never changes his opinion . There are some , however , whose opinions have changed , but false pride prevents them from acknowled ging it .

Now , Bro . Brown , editor of the Voice of Masonry , at Chicago , was , until recently , an out and out defender of sectarianism in Masonry . Some years ago , in replying to some Christian bigot who attacked Masonry , Bro . Brown

went to work and proved that the three degrees , and other threes in the ritual , taught the dogma of the Trinity ; and when I remonstrated with his nobion he came down upon mo with a sledge hammer argument , viz ., by quoting tho

opinion of a Jesuit , that " Jehovah" means a " Triune God . " I therefore thought that the said brother belonged to that class whose opinions are unchangeable . But the

November No . of the Voice of Masonry , I am glad to say , shows conclusively that Bro . Brown has actually changed his opinion , and that he strongly disapproves now what he had hitherto advocated .

In the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , of 25 th February , there is a communication of mine , headed " Common Sense not yet extinguished among American Masons , " in which I gave a full report of the Committee of Jurisprudence of the Grand

Lodge of Illinois ( of which P . G . M . Robbins was Chairman ) on the following case : —A member of an Illinois Lodge had published a speech that he had made before some society , in which he denied the authenticity of the Bible .

Thereupon , the Grand Master ordered the Worshipful Master of the Lodge to have the offending brother tried for a Masonic offence . The Illinois Grand Lodge Constitution , however , prohibited any charges to be brought against a brother

Mason on account of religion or politics ; but the Illinois King Solomon overruled that provision , and ordered the Lodge to proceed with the trial . The defendant then brought charges against the W . M . for disobeying a

proviso in the Constitutions , and the case was referred to the Jurisprudence Committee , and , in accordance with the advice of the said Committee , the Grand Lodge restored the

offending brother to all the rights and privileges of Masonry . Now , in Kansas , there is another Bro . Brown , who is

Grand Secretary , and 1 believe he was formerly Grand