Masonry Confers Rather Than Receives Honours.

These men who have bowed before its altar have been benefitted and improved by the leisons it teachei , but they have not improved the Order . If these eminent men , high in authority , have sought entrance to its portals , il shows in thera a proper appreciation of its influence for

good . We can more effectually commend our Order by carrying out in our lives and conduct its principles , and thus show to all the great influence and importance of its teachings . If these men , high in authority , had not found

the Institution deserving of their aiaociation with it they would have deserted it , but such an instance has never occurred . They were satisfied that the Order was all that it purported to be , and very wisely attended its meetings , and profited by its instructions .

There is no institution in the world organised upon a better basis , aiming at more beneficent and philanthropic ends , than the Institution of Freemasonry . It holds that man , in a state of nature , is like an ashlar—he is untutored , undisciplined and unrestrained in the indulgence of his

animal passions—a poor blind candidate in the darkness of ignorance ; they , the members , seek to bring him to light , not without prayer to the Great Author of the Universe and the sanction of His Holy Word . But wo must not expect too much of frail human nature , whether in the Lodge room , the Ohuroh or State .

The Church is full of dissensions , and sects have beon at bitter feuds for centuries . National organisations are exolusive and illiberal , and can see no good in those who differ with them politically . Thus seclusion , conceit and political animosities prohibit that brotherly feeling -which

we should have for each other , and we need that leaven of nationality , amity , and Christian love which ia to be found in Freemasonry . And it always has and always will continue to be an asylum to such as seek fellowship and brotherhood , for these are the internal qualifications which alone avail to recommend one to the confidence and the

affection of his fellow-man . Thus Freemasonry is a brotherhood , embracing all mankind , gathered iu a Lodge , whose dimensions are circumscribed only by the habitable globe , whose principles are Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth , which teaches the three Christian graces of Faith ,

Hope and Charity , and the four cardinal virtues of Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence and Justice ; and we are not only taught them , but enjoined to observe and follow them ,

out of the Lodge as well as in . It aims to satisfy that instinctive and universal craving for sympathy , succour and fellowship which is the proof and test of brotherhood throughout the world .

Such is the spirit and intent of Masonry ; such the object of its assemblies , held month after month , in nearly every country on earth ; such the lesson which it teaches to every class and condition of humanity , that there is a potent cement of brotherly kindness which should

overspread all their diversities , reconcile their estrangements , remove all hostilities , which will unite them in one sacred band of friends and brothers , among whom no contentions should exist , save that noble contention of who can best carry out these instructions .

These are the ends we aim at , and if we do not attain them they are by no means unattainable , nor kept out of view , but to be pursued as long as our Order survives , until our warfare is achieved , and our work accomplished . —Masonic Eeview .

The Work.

THE WORK .

EVERY well-instructed Freemason knows what is mermt by " The Work . " It cannot be explained except in a tyled Lodge of the Craft . Yet even in the present use of those words , the suggestions that are offered to the Lodges can be made

instructive . The ceremonial is the incident , the work the objective , co-related , combined and unified as the foundation of the

true Free and Accepted Ancient York Rile of Masonry . For generations this has been the established , recognised law . The landmarks are the outcome of this fact in Masonry .

Every landmark that is now , as it was from the beginning , both indestructible and unalterable , is so because it is the foundation of the symbol of the unity of the ritual and the work . Without this unity , undisturbed and inseparable , there

The Work.

could be no ancient , and therefore no present Freemasonry . Think of it and see how easily it is comprehended . This proposition , to every Mason , proves its truth . The ceremonial and tho "work constituted ancient Freemasonry . It in the organised life of Freemasonry r . ow .

The duty of Lodges is to maintain the work as it came to ( hem . Therefore it is essential , absolutely essential , for tho perpetuation of the Craft , that tho work should be carefully studied , thoroughly understood , and fully explained . There is so much to engage the attention

of the student that unless time is devoted to all the subjects involved , and the relations of the symbology to the tradition ? , the connection between them mastered , and their influence on the work comprehended , it i « . in vain

that the perfected teaching of tho work can be accomplished . Nothiug can tend to weaken the effect on the minds of the initiates , than that tho ceremony should plainly bo seen to be by rote , and not from an enlightened understanding of what is performed .

It should be observed that a very general effort is being made to establish uniformity in the proceedings of Lodges on this subject . " Schools for Instruction , " the designation of official teachers , and the frequent admonition to

Lodges are increasing in many of the Grand Lodge jurisdictions . This is very encouraging . But what avail will it he unless the subjects that are to be discussed or expitti .-i .- -, ' nnd on which it . struci : m is to be given , are first understood by tho teachers .

The first lesson for the student or the teacher to learn is

tho direct relation of tho symbology to the else hidden mysteries which mark the significant character of Freemasonry . What are known by Masons as the mysteries only can be kuown iu a tyled Lodge , and there they are contained

ia the work , and tho work is made comprehensible by the symbology which encrustates it . No candidate can be made to understand these teachings of Masonry in a tyled Lodge unless as tho work progresses the ritual is illumined by the light of the symbols which are indissolubly connected with every part of the work .

It is , therefore , of the first importance that those who are entrusted with the duty of " doing the work " should be able so to perform this service as to make the deepest impression on tho mind of the-candidate . Those who are familiar with the ceremonials in some

Grand Lodge jurisdictions cannot fail to wonder what the ceremony has to do with the esoteric mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . It is because the desire of the curious is to

ornament tho proceedings in Lodges so as to attract attention of the witnesses , without effort to enlighten their minds as to the living , abiding , unalterable characteristics of work of our ancient Craft .

" To render , " as it is termed , the ceremonial that it may gratify those who are best pleased with spectacular combinations , is fatal to the maintenance of our plain , impressive , ho try Masonic rite .

The Masons of this Grand Lodge jurisdiction , without proclaiming the fact that the work is canonized in its traditions , believe it is most attractive , because it has maintained the integrity of the ancient rendition of the mysteries .

There is , therefore , a solemn obligation on the Craft to tench as they have been instructed . Tho Lodges of Pennsylvania should feel a pride in devoting time . and effort to secure the best instructors in the ancient work of

Masonry , for the training and teaching of those of their members on whom the responsibility shall rest of maintaining the integrity of the work of F . and A . Ancient York Freemasonry .

Novelties , crude and extemporised interpolations arising out of want of thorough knowledge , attempts to improve what cannot bo changed , haste to do what should be both seriously and solemnly performed , must be avoided . It is

remarkable what has already been accomplished in many Lodges in perfecting the true rendition of our work , and the beautiful ritual that belongs to it . Every Lodge should strive for the same results . —Keystone .

The Tyler's Sword.

THE TYLER'S SWORD .

ONE of the most ridiculous incongruities still insisting upon place and countenance in a Masonic Lodge is the tool or "implement of office" known as the Tver ' s