Some Masonic Observations.

earnestly congratulate our brethren of Illinois on the energy , spirit and zeal they have manifested in utdertaking to build , as the builders of our Craft in tho aforetime never would have believed , n possible structure . It is not n castle , nor a cathedral . The Egyptians would not have

conceived it as a mausoleum . They would have rathei assigned it to tbe era of the pyramids . It is a pyramid . May it last as long as that immortal pile , and pyramid of Geza . May the true Freemasons , the inheritors and

conservators of the mysteries , symbols , landmarks ar . d principles of Freemasonry , in joy and gladness , in pence and harmony , congregate in this Masonic Fraternity Temple for ages to come .

SCHOOLS OF INSTRUCTION . Schools of Instruction may be made of great service to the Craft . The acquirements for the teachers are necessarily of a high order . Unless the teachers are taught , their toachings may lack the essence of instruction . In Masonry it'is of high moment that tho instruction given

to the Craft should be based on the fundamental principles accepted as tho true foundation of Freemasonry . Once comprehend thesymhology of Freemasonry , and apply the meaning conveyed in these symbols to the work and ritual , and the teachers in these Schools of Instruction will be

guides as well as teachers . From our experience , we doubt if any valuable instruction can be given , to benefit the members of Lodges , if this is not the method adopted . To tell how tho bye-laws of Grand Lodge , or those of a subordinate Lodge , aro to be carried out is important ; but

to instruct in tho great principle of Freemasonry demands a larger and more thorough knowledge of tho history of the Craft , and a trained study of the traditions , symbology and landmarks which have como down to us from the aforetime . If this teaching could be carefully imparted to

even a fow Masons who would devote themselves to lenrn , the cousequence would be of the mo 3 t signal benefit to Lodges and members . Let it ever be known that the mere " work " of tho floor is but physical action , unless the eternal spirit of the symbolic teaching permeates it as its true , necessary interpretation .

MASONIC MONITORS . We condemn aa unmasonic all kinds and sorts of printed Masonic Monitor ? . If tlioro are not enough members in Grand Lodge , or Past Masters of subordinate Lodges , to learn tho work and ritual of Freemasonry , then the death of ancient Masonry will not be postponed by printing what

nono of tho laws of Freemasonry permit . Who is to be the judge of what ought to be printed ? What means can be adopted for interliuiug tho printed pages with prohibited matter ? We havo never yet found that Freemasonry

under Masouic Monitors was free from objectionable novolties invited by the deviation from the Masonic law as to tho publication of what ought never to bo made accessible to the profane .

DANGEROUS PROGRESS . When Faith diep , when tho Craft has no foundation to Test ou , when the established ia destroyed , when the principles which constitute the essential doctrines of Freemasonry , that for centuries and by generations have been accepted as true and unalterable , are to be brushed away

by any and every doubt 'of ignorant and unthinking worshippers of modern isms , when anything will doas Freemasonry if tho thing called " progress " sets up its devastating power over the true and eternal , hallowed and

consecrated , teachings of our Fraternity ; when these things come to pass , then our ancient and honourable Craft will follow into the abyss where lie the skeletons of profane institutions , which died of " progress " . and are buried in oblivion .

FRATERNAL CONGRESS . Such an assemblage would be a sort of " caucus . " It would arouse at once the distrust of all Grand Jurisdictions , because it is unknown to Masonic law , the form of Masonic government , responsible to nobody , not even to itself , and could never " arrive" at any " result" which could be a

" guide-mark" in Masonry , iho "questions" such an assembly would " deliberate " upon are those which have no place in Masonry . That of itself is a fatal objection to such a " caucus . " The only likely result from such a caucus would be schisms and clandestine Lodges and all 6 orts of those things called fraternal associations . As a

Some Masonic Observations.

debating society it might be amusing . The " suggestions " that would be offered for deliberation and debate would excito hostilities in the caucus itself , and the eloquence of tho " leading men in all jurisdictions " would bo words that unintentionally might stir up strife , contention , and

bitterness . Freemasons , true , instructed , enlightened , earnest , ' aithful , obedient , well trained , would never consent to meet such a convocation for the purposes suggested . Obedience to their obligations would not permit it ; that is , obedience to the obligations which true Masons understand

would be violated by any dehb : ration on qnestions which wero not recognized as Masonic or within the legislative power of a Grand Lodge of Freemasons , by the

jurisprudence of the ancient Craft . If such questions ever arise , then the only power to deliberate on them is the sovereign , supreme authority of the Grand Lodge , if it would degrade its history by entertaining them .

MASONIC CHARITY . Masonic charity is an incident of Masonic teachings . A forced support is not the true meaning of Maf-on ' c charity . — Voice of Manoinj .

Responsibility.

RESPONSIBILITY .

THERE is no funny business in Masonry . Tt is , from inception to conclusion , a grave , solemn and serious association . Through its ritualistic and esoteric work , nothing of the ridiculous or vulgar faeotious finds a place . Its education of tho three senses , of hearing , seeing and

feeling , is intended to deeply impress the awfully sublime fact of living and dying . Its teachings convey the terrible responsibility man rests under to his Creator : the serious fact of human action in time , leaving its imprint for good or bad in eternity . It teaches the immortality of tho soul ,

and as that soul may be stained by sin or purified b y virtue , so will it have to stand the scrutiny of the All-Seeing Eye . It shows that life is but a brief span between two boundless eternities , from whence we came and to whither we go . It teaches us to subdue our passions and

perfect our character in all that goes to make virtue triumphant over vice . It is not a religion , a creed , a confession of faith , but a moral philosophy in which man ; is

taught how to do his first works , in preparation for that indwelling grace , which is alone the bestowment of the God which Masonry teaches us to recognise , as revealed in His Word—our Great Light .

Now with such serious labours before us , the injection of folly into sublimely serious thought and action is sinfull y absurd . " No room for mirth or trifling here—For ribald laugh and foolish jeer—If life BO soon is gone ;

If death stands knocking at our door , And we mnet shortly stand before The inexorable throne . " Now all this is but prefatory to our protest against making a mock of such a serious thing as Freemasonry by

the insertion of mock or side degrees . There are a number of these , but we are pleased to know they are fast falling into disrepute . One in particular , called the "degree of Adam and Eve , " is a vile travesty upon Chapter work ,

and is , wo believe , still given in some Chapters in Michigan . Masonry has no use for such nonsense , and the sooner all such be eliminated the better . Masonry is filled with beautiful and exhilarating thought . Among us as a Fraternity is no room

for" Vain teachers of folly who strive hard to show That the sole road above is throngh dormant below . " Ours is a bright , loving , cheerful philosophy , which recognises the good and the beautiful ou earth as a foretaste of the joys of heaven , and invites to the intelligent

cheerful use and not abuse of the creature comforts a loving beneficent Father hath provided . We believe in the happy laugh that kills care ; the scintillation of pure wit , the facetious repartee , the humorous dispute , the ludicrous anecdote , story , incident , poem or narrative . We

believe iu making life happy , pleasurable , joyful , and wo ignore the false theory that self-abnegation of the pure and delighLful is tho proper method to curry favour with Heaven . But we have no place for the vulgar , vile or depraved thought or sentiment . We have no Fraternity with the mockery of our moral tenets . All such are