Words In Season.

WORDS IN SEASON .

THE Holiday Period is again with us . The special season of the year when the claims of home are considered supreme , and when the majority of those whose paths in life have led to divergent

courses strive might and main to once more rejoin the family circle , and in that social communion that we trust will ever he dearest in the hearts of our countrymen renew and strengthen the true spirit of brotherly love and affection that should at all times dominate our actions .

With far too many of us the tide of events since we last did honour to the Christmas Festival has not run so smoothly as we could have desired . We have had to pass through parlous times , and losses and

disappointments have accrued that perhaps we never dreamed of . Piques and quarrels in their earlier stages in too many cases have been magnified and made far too much of ; trivial matters have expanded themselves into serious grievances , with result that bitterness and bad feeling has arisen , which has had but one result , —that of making not onlv ourselves

but those around us miserable and unhappy . This should not be , and if by a careful reconsideration of our grievances we can do anything to alter this state of things , unquestionably this is the time for prompt

action . Let those between whom strife has arisen , meet and discuss the situation . It is marvellous what mountains will sink to molehills if properly examined , and when the ground of contention has once been levelled , the standpoints of a better feeling will readily assert themselves .

May we not take it that in this year of grace 1892 we are singularly fortunate in the fact that the Christmas Day will fall upon the Christian Sabbath Day ? The day of the week so many of us look upon as the one of peace and rest ; the day that is ' usually spent in a quiet , unostentatious way . On this occasion let us strive to make it still more blessed . There are few amoneat us who cannot feel

but that in some part of his composition there are knobs and excrescences that may with advantage be struck off or toned down . Let us then take heart and work with a will to this much to be desired end . Be assured we shall have no cause to regret the effort made .

At this period of the year we may with complacency find intense satisfaction glance at the principle of Universality that is the guiding feature of Freemasonry . In our ranks no political or religious differences are tolerated . A spirit of freedom of thought and action should govern all our actions . What matters it to us what the peculiar views of

each individual may be ; all we require is that our brethren shall place their trust in the one Supreme Being who guides and controls the universe . This was brought palpably under our notice a few evenings since , when we were spending an hour or two with

Words In Season.

some of our brethren who profess the Jewish faith . As we were taking leave reference was made to the approaching holidays , and we were somewhat surprised to hear from our friends the almost generally expressed wish that we and ours might spend a Happy Christmas time . Feeling somewhat interested

at hearing such remarks from an essentially Jewish source , we inquired of a dear old friend , to whom we are indebted for much valuable information , what this all meant , and how were we to accept such kindly wishes ? Oh , said he , the days for persecution and

intolerance are happily at an end , —in this country at least . Our people wish you a Merry Christmas in all truth and sincerity . We respect you for the liberality of your views . Nay more , I may go further ; the doctrines taught by Jesus Christ may be practised

in every household , whatever may be the peculiarity of its belief . No harm can accrue from a following out of the glorious principles taught and practised by such a man . Personally I could fervently wish that such a doctrine were more forcibly laid down ; we should then have a better feeling dominant , with result that peace and goodwill would be the more firmly cemented .

True , dear old friend ; we heartily thank you for the liberality of your views , and we cordially reciprocate your sentiment ; we trust that you , yours , and your people generally , together with all our brethren , whatsoever their persuasion or profession , may spend | f ajp Cjjratas .

Masonry Confers Rather Than Receives Honours.

MASONRY CONFERS RATHER THAN RECEIVES HONOURS .

THE non-Masonlc world and the governments of the earth are ignorant , and likely to remain go , of the immense debt they owe to Masonry , which has , in all ages , successfully inculcated the doctrine of reverence and due submission to every proper and legal authority . The

cause of legitimate law and order has ever found in Masonry a stannch and never failing supporter , while the cause of freedom and progress has been materially aided by its persistent recognition of the universal brotherhood of man . No man can reflect honour on the Institution however high position in society ; the Institution honours those who are associated with it .

Kings , princes and potonates , cannot confer any honour or respectability upon the Order by their association with it . ' Not even the great and good Washington , Warren or La Fayette , who were so attached to the Order , made it any more honourable by their connection with it ; these were merely endorsements of their opinion of the Institution .

The habit of claiming men occupying high positions in society is . far too common among the members of onr society , and thi » desire to have them enrolled as members is very foolish . Itfasonry has never been improved ' or made more serviceable by these additions to ifc „ xauka