The Prosperity Of Masonry.

be any exception to this often-proved principle . Too great numbers in the Fraternity may naturally promote its disruption and destruction . Do not let ns , then , regard the

historical growth of tho Craft as proof-positive of its prosperity , since , far from being so , it may betoken its decline and fall . There is all the difference in the world

between a healthy growth and a rapid one . The black-ball is the safeguard of Freemasonry in this respect , and wherever a section of the Craft " lets down the bars , " and requires two or three black-balls to reject , it places a

premium upon insufficiency , aud introduces into the Brotherhood elements which may work its ruin . Let us not be led astray by the easy belief that a great number of initiates is proof of the Craft ' s prosperity , for to do so may be to deceive ourselves , and to invite adversity .

Does it consist in great wealth ? Excess in wealth , no less than excess in numbers , betokens enervation , and induces destruction . It puffs up , and pride goeth before a fall . Not only are all men and all societies liable to failure from this

cause , but no matter what their first principles may have been , great wealth is almost certain to cause them to over-ride those principles . The history of monarchism affords a striking example of this , as also does that

of the mediaeval Knights Templar . In their origin the monastic orders were pure and of good report , but when they came to own half the country where their domains

existed , dividing it practically between themselves and royalty , their wealth caused , them to ignore their principles , and exemplify the grossest and most

lawdefying lives . So the Templars , whose original seal represented two Knights riding upon one horse , by way of testifying to their poverty , in after years became enervated as a consequence of the possession of unlimited wealth . It seems that man in no state of life can assuredly bear what

we vainly style great prosperity . Freemasonry cannot expect to stand where all others have fallen . The Craft should not desire to have its coffers lined with silver and gold , for to do so would not be to increase its efficiency , but to invite its decline and fall .

Does it consist in great popularity ? Masonry Tias no right to le popular . It is a secret society . It is for the few , not the many ; for the select , not the masses . It wishes not to be evil spoken of : but better that than to

be lauded to the skies . Whatever directly tends to bring Masonry before the profane , or to bring the profane into a Masonic Lodge-room during the performance of any of the ceremonies of the Craft , is to seek that prosperity

which is utterly hollow , and that popularity which is as fickle as the wind . Neither great wealth , nor great numbers , nor great popularity can serve as the

cornerstone or the cap-stone of our ancient and honourable Fraternity . It must continue to exist independent of all these , and avoiding all extremes . In the middle

course only is safety . The true prosperity of Freemasonry consists in the universal prevalence of the germinant and unifying princi ples which distinguished its origin and prosperity m the past , and these must be maintained if we would

ensure its prosperity in the future . We must continue to exemplify kindness , courtesy and unaffected good reeling towards all of our Brethren ; genuine charity for the imperfections of our fellowsand for the material

, relief of the distressed ; and we must persevere in an ardent advocacy of Masonic truth , and exhibit it in action } ° our daily lives . This is real Masonic prosperity , and it

may exist without great numbers , without great wealth , without great so-called prosperity , and , indeed , it cannot exist with them . A Masonic persecution is often a blessing in _ Sguise . The COmnanv ni * 1 IA TWH > r *> n i " o ah . vtmnHhanoA

b 7 the loss of its selfish and half-hearted members . They are stragglers and deserters , whose natural home is with w » e enemy . They weaken any cause they espouse . Such a persecuti on is medicine for the Craft , unpleasant to take , ut

f f curative in its results . Let us trust that in the future / nth may be so upheld , principle so exemplified in Practice , and undue popularity , excessive wealth and great numbers so avoided , that the prosperity of Freemasonry m J be assured through all the years of coming time . —Keystone

A Tilt At The Vices Of The Age. [Communicated.]

A TILT AT THE VICES OF THE AGE . [ COMMUNICATED . ]

THERE are many things done in the name and under the cover of Freemasonry that are reprehensible , and not the least of these is the trading spirit that so largely prevails . Were the love of religion , morality and justice really the moving springs of men ' s actions , instead of being ,

in the vast majority of cases , the outward covering of a selfish purpose , tbero would be little need to point so frequently to the abuse of the fundamental principles of the Craft . In dealing with what may be termed conspicuous

vices among modern Masons the prevailing vices of the times must always be borne in mind . Glitter and show pass current , while simple worth goes unheeded . Men ' s desires have become necessities that formerly were

accounted luxuries . Deception in trade is looked upon as justifiable , provided it is successful ; and what is now viewed as a venial offence , in the days of greater purity was looked upon as dishonourable , if not dishonest . To keep

up show requires money ; increased indulgence necessitates increased means ; and to thrive in trade demands the whole energies of men to the almost utter disregard of moral and spiritual culture . Even the intellect is crammed with a

view to trade , and although books and newspapers have multiplied enormously , thoy tend to satisfy the lower wants of mankiud , rather than the higher aspirations . They are often shallow and showy , and like the Yankee ' s razors , imde

to sell . It would be wonderfulif Masonry escaped from the grovelling vices of the age . The trading spirit is rampant , and many men see in a Masonic jewel or symbol a talisman of fortune . Thoy join the Fraternity , and forthwith their

outward person becomes the adorned sepulchre , while within often is found rottenness or stagnation . In some cases shop fronts proclaim the fact that the occupier is a Freemason , while in other instances Masonic symbols

figure on cards and circulars , indicating that those who issue them wish to announce to the world that they are members of the Craft . These personal shop front and printed witnesses of a fact are not always dictated by the

trading spirit . The love of show is a powerful lever , especially to the men of shoddy . In Masonry they find a means of ready access to society which is denied to them by social conventionalities . They have wealth , but neither by

birth nor education are they eligible for polite and refined intercourse . Masonry supplies them , in a modified form , no doubt , with something approaching to their requirements . Hence are found in the Craft a large number of

successful traders , who are satisfied with the social advantages they obtain . They observe the outward form of the Fraternity , but they are veritable dead bones to all that is spiritually beautiful . They are charitable even to

lavishness , but that involves no sacrifice , while the popularity gained by giving gratifies their pride , and solaces them for inroads upon their purses . These men are neither better nor worse than the average class of the day ; they are

traders in spirit , and the shop is never absent from their words and actions . Happily a few only have all the vices of their class without their virtues ; they aro the unwholesome leaven that now and then disfigures the

Order , and brings reproach . The Masonic body includes a large number of publicans , and this fact is not regarded with favour by many . But the explanation is simple ;

sociality is an essential feature of the publican ' s business ; indeed it is its mainspring ; and in joining Masonry a publican at once gratifies his social instincts and promotes the interests of his class . As a rule he cares little for

ritual and ceremonies ; he shines best at the banquet table , where physical enjoyment and his trade are so favourably combined . In fairness it must be admitted that while the publican enjoys the pleasures of the table , as

a rule he is no niggard with his money , and some of tbe most generous supporters of the Charities are to be found in this class . Still the fact remains that the good that is achieved springs from the lower motives of action , and

that the esoteric character of tbe Craft is preserved in virtue of its inherent excellence and tho efforts of the educated few . The intellectual life of Masonry is still further circumscribed , and were it not for a devotion

worthy of martyrdom , the ritual and ceremonies would lose that exposition which throws light upon disputed poin ' jg , opens up new views of origin and history , and enlarges and intensifies the spiritual glories of the Order . It would be vain , perhaps , to hope for any great alter-