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

ation in the present order of things . There must be a change in the whole body politic before any of its branches can become thoroughly purified . Much may be done by the moral teacher . His functions never cease , and his duties

become more onerous and imperative as difficulties increase . It is his privilege to proclaim eternal truths , to insist upon purity of motives , and the absolute necessity of cultivated

intelligence as the means of action . He is met at tho outset with the money-grubbing spirit , which rules tho world as probably it has never ruled it before , and in its sordid nature is absorbed all that is best in the human heart . Wordsworth had a true poet's scorn for the love of

wealth . In one of his sonnets he exclaims : " Great God ! I'd rather be A pagan suokled in a creed outworn , " than waste powers in " getting and spending . " He knew the curse that the race for wealth brings , and like a

prophet , ho raised his warning voice against an evil that while it destroys it fascinates . There is a remarkable consensus of opinion among poets of the debasing character of money getting , and the pretensions that the possession

of wealth too often inspire . The fool with money ranks with the most gifted in the eyes of the world , and the distinctions between real worth and vulgar shams are growing less . Tennyson hits the mark most vigorously when he says :

" Cursed be the gold that gilda the straitened forehead of the fool . " He wars against the crying sin of the age . Another teacher not less gifted , Mrs . Barrett Browning , strikes a

different chord , but vibrating to the same purpose . She is not unmindful of the achievements of enterprise , of the results of trade and civilisation , but she has this very suggestive line in " Lady Geraldine ' s Courtship " :

Little thinking if we work our souls as nobly as our iron . " Do we ? While the trophies of trade and commerce are seen everywhere , the practice of the higher virtues is little

regarded . That must be the answer to the poetess . The man who sets up a hi gh standard as the rule of life in business , in all other matters is too often regarded as a

fool ; that is , if he happens to be poor . The wealthy man escapes any test , and success alone covers all offences of omission and commission .

This moralising is peculiarly suitable and applicable to Freemasons . Possessing in common with all mankind the veritable truths of religion and the facilities for its exercise , enjoying all the advantages that are supposed to belong to

the present state of civilisation , the Freemason has the additional privilege of belonging to a Fraternity that embodies in its teaching all that is excellent iu mind and heart . He is afforded special opportunities of becoming practically

acquainted with all the virtues , and his whole training as a Mason is calculated to lead him in the paths of intellectual and spiritual development . The heritage of a Mason is beyond price , and it is sad to see it appraised at so low a

value b y the many , while the few are powerless to adequately sustain its wisdom , strength , and beauty . Still more might be attempted in the way of mental and moral progress than has hitherto been the case , and a beginning

might be made in repressing as far as possible the trading spirit so apt to be manifested by tbe neophyte , and so offensive in the old Mason . It is of no importance to let the world know that a man is a Freemason , and there

are ways of making the fact known to the brethren without artificial aid . It is just this difficulty—the becoming known to , and recognised by , each other outside of the Lodge , room , that creates the grest stumbling block to real bro

therly feeling . The Charities are marvellous monuments of liberality , and reflect honour upon the Masonic body . But there is something more wanted to complete the bond of union , affection , and help . The great want is expressed in

the word " sympathy . ' If a brother is considered worthy to be on a level with princes and nobles in the Lodge room , surely he is entitled to some regard out of it . There would be no sacrifice of social distinction in recognising a

brother in the street , while the very difference that separates some would give a peculiar value to the friendly nod of a superior to an inferior in social status . It is not the mere fact of recognition that creates the value , but the

assurance that it implies . It means that a brother is not only such within the confiues of four walls and surrounded with certain regalia , but thatj he retains his character iu the ordinary relations of life . There need be no fear of

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

undue familiarity ; true dignity never lacks defence , while the sham article is not worth preserving . It ; is impossible to estimate the value of a real band of brotherhood such as is here indicated , but it is easy to understand

that were it to exist the circle of Masonic duty would be onlarged , ugly gaps that now disfigure it would be closed up , sympathy would strengthen the weak points , and a boundless charit y would embrace the whole .

Masonry And Woman.

MASONRY AND WOMAN .

THE " science " of Masonry is the science of moralsteaching us how to rear a spiritual Temple , and how to perfect and adorn it , by the aid of that wisdom and strength which God supplies , for a "habitation of the

Spirit , " in which God may dwell and reign for ever and ever . Is not this science accessible to woman ? It is true it is not earth-born , it is of heaven ' s own revealment ; but it is written on the arched heavens and the green

earth ; it is recorded on the ample pages of nature ; it speaks on every leaf of the great Light of Masonrythe Bible ; and " the Divine Spirit , like an ever present tutor , is always ready to explain and amplify and lead on

from step to step , from one essential principle to another , until the great Truth is reached and comprehended , and the novitiate is enabled to shout his rapturous " Eureka !" Is woman excluded from the sociabilities of Masonry ?

From those which belong to the Lodge room she is , but they are not essential to woman ' s welfare . She is excluded from them as man is excluded from the private interviews , communications , and associations of ladies .

Men do not ask to be admitted there , for they have no business there , and it is not suitable and proper they should be there . God has stamped upon tho elements of human nature the necessity , and we all may see the

propriety of this exclusion . But women are not excluded from Masonic sociabilities outside the Lodge room . And so far as sympathies are concerned a Mason ' s heart beats first and highest for woman ' s happiness . Woman is not

excluded from the honours of Masonry . To be honoured is to be loved ; to be honoured most is to be loved most . And we assert that in the affections of all the worth y Craft woman is the presiding divinity , next to the Deity .

Our earliest and latest and purest affections are for her . Our first care is for her , and at her shrine we would offer the fairest and brightest g ifts of earth . To wear a Masonic dress of a peculiar shape or colour is not honour .

To have suspended from the neck a jewel of peculiar construction is not honour . To sit in the East , and preside over the work , is of itself but little honour . But to be enthroned in the affections ; to be the object of first

consideration ; to be obeyed with promptness and served with pleasure , this is to be honoured . Is not woman honoured by the Craft ? Does she not share in the " honours " of Masonry , and largely too ?

But she is debarred from our traditions and mysteries , These two words imply almost the same thing , and as such we shall consider them . Women we believe have too much

respect for Masonry to wish it destroyed . But were we to reveal its traditions and mysteries to ladies , it would be a violation of its laws and mig ht prove its ruin . Besides , we cannot , without first becoming recreant to every

principle of honour and integrity . Would woman be gratified with the knowledge at such a price ? We think not . Nay , she would reject the coveted prize and spurn the traitor from her presence . The secrets of Masonry ,

among brothers of the Craft , are like the secrets of the physician and his patient ; the lawyer and his client ; the husband and his wife . To reveal them would be to show ourselves unworthy of them , and place on record the

evidence of our own infamy . We know that women p lace too high a value upon the virtues of truth , honour and integrity to desire admission to our mysteries at such a sacrifice . The brow of her honoured father whom we haU

as a brother of the Royal Art would darken upon her pathway at such a wish . And , after all , we are satisfied that a lady would decline the honour of becoming a

Brother amongst us , if that distinction were freely tendered . Her heart is with her home ; and neither our mysteries nor traditions could allure her to the Lodgeroom . —Hebrew Leader .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge ot Middlesex will be held at Uxbridge , on Saturday , 6 th June .