Modern Freemasonry As A Social And Moral Reformer.

We want also more Masonic philosophers . By this I do not mean learned expounders of Masonic History or Masonic Morality ( both very good in their place ) , nor indeed , preachers of any sort ; but those still more invaluable

members who strive to understand our whole system , practice Freemasonry , and whose lives shine as living exemplars of our true principles . These are the true salt of the Order , and were never so much wauted as at present .

If we have amongst us too many who will not think , then we must teach them ; this will gradually compel more care in the introduction of candidates because the necessit y of it will become more generally apparent to our present members .

For at least 170 years we have been taught that the distinguishing characteristics of a good Freemason are Virtue , Honour , and Mercy ; with these three , all moral and social reform is possible that human imperfections will

allow . We say the generation that is responsible for the degeneracy of our Order will be guilty of a crime against humanity which in the future will surel y be branded on our history in letters of fire ! Her banner now floats

unsullied m every land where our principles are upheld ; and it rests very much with us and our contemporaries , how far , during our brief connection with it , we help to debase or send it on with additional lustre to our

successors . Freemasonry may hold a very contemptible position in some men ' s minds , cramped by the prejudices of ignorance , but it is , nevertheless , the only institution that possesses within itself , when faithfully carried out , the

power to grapple with and even to a considerable extent solve the great moral and social problems of the day . If Freemasonry is not a moral and social reformer , on what

has it subsisted during the last century and a half ? To the brethren assembled in a Lodge at York , 12 G years ago , a Past Master * thus addressed himself : — "When I

consider the end of Masonry in general , when I reflect upon the nobleness of its original design , when I see it in its infancy rise with the sun in the east , when I behold it in its meridian glory , spreading beams of brightness around ,

then , when I view it struggling through the clouds of superstition and oppression , and here iu the North when I see it , notwithstanding the virulence of its foes , rising to its primeval state , it immediately occurs to me that it was

ordained to stand against the tooth of time ; and that firm and collected in its own purity and integrity it should ever remain ; that in it there should be strength , and that God would establish it . "

These words are worthy of being transcribed and widely known . At that date ( 17 G 2 ) under- 300 Lodges were working ; to-day nearly 2000 move have been added to the

roll of the Grand Lodge of England alone . To every thinking mind they appeal with conclusive force against the calumnies of ignorance and the cavils of fanaticism .

Brethren , a Masonic Lodgo has no disadvantages like the meum and tuum of friendly societies ; it is a terrestrial sanctum in these days—a half-way house of rest between

earth and heaven—where to the bright intelligent Mason " the li ght shineth in darkness , and tho darkness comprehendeth it not . "

Burns And Freemasonry.

BURNS AND FREEMASONRY .

EURN S , beyond question ( says Hunter , in his JL , " Lectures on Freemasonry " ) derived considerable advantage from Masonry . It is evident from the statements which he has placed on record , that it contributed

greatly to his happiness in admitting him into close and intimate fellowship with the wise , intelligent and social , and furnishing him with opportunities for enjoying tho "feast of reason and flow of soul" in the most rational and

ennobling manner . It presented him also with one of the best fields that he could find for the improvement of his mind and the display of his talents . In no other society are all the members treated with so much indulgence , and

p laced on a footing of so much equality . In the Mason ' s Lodge merit and worth arc sure to be appreciated , and to meet with appreciation and respect . When tho young

and humble ploughman of Lochlea joined the Lodgo of Tarbolton he was still in a great measure unnoticed and unknown ; but no sooner did he receive the stamp of Freo

Burns And Freemasonry.

masony , than he took his place Avith Sir John Whitford of Ballochmyle , James Dalrymple of Orangefield , Sheriff Wallace of Ayr , Gavin Hamilton , writer , Manchline , John Ballontine , Provost of Ayr , Professor Dugald Stewart

of Catriue , Dr . John M'Keuzieof Mauchline , William Parker , Kilmarnock ; and a whole host of Ayrshire worthies , high and low . By coming in contact with these men , his manners were refined , his intellectual energies

stimulated , aud his merits acknowledged and applauded . Nay , Wood , the tailor ; Manson , the publican ; Wilson , the school - master ; Humphrey , the "noisy polemic ; " and all the meaner brethren , seem very soon to have discovered his

high intellectual qualities , for they were not long in raising him to tho second highest office in tho Lodge—an office that caused him , ou ordinary occasions , to occupy the Master ' s Chair and perform tho work of initiation . In the

school of tho Lodge he must , in a great measure , have acquired that coolness of demeanour , that dignity of deportment that fluency and propriety of expression , and that acquaintance with philosophy and humanity , which so astounded

and electrified the sages and nobles of Edinburgh , and made his advent in that capital one of the most remarkable incidents in literary history . Instead of a clownish , bashful , ignorant rustic , the most learned and exalted citizens

found that he was able and ready to take his place by their side , and that in everything in which intellect was concerned , he was in some respects their equal , and in others greatly their superior . Burns was principally

indebted to Freemasonry for any little gleam of prosperity that shone on his earthly pilgrimage . It was the Freemasons of Ayrshire who invited him to their tables ; who furnished him with advice ; who read his productions into fame ; and purchased and circulated the Kilmarnock edition of his poems . It was by the advice of his brother Mason , John Ballantine of Ayr , to whom

he inscribed his poem , entitled " The Brigs o' Ayr , " that he repaired to Edinburgh , and not as is generally said , by the letter of Dr . Blacklock to the Rev . George Laurie , of London , which says not one word

of his coming to Edinburgh , but merely suggests the desirableness of his poems . His brother , Gilbert , expressly states that when Mr . Ballantine heard that the poet was prevented from publishing a second edition , from the want

of money to pay for the paper , he "generously offered to accommodate Robert with what money he might need for this purpose ( £ 27 ) ; but advised him to go to Edinburgh as tho fittest place for publishing . " When Burns , acting

on this advice , set out for Edinburgh , he had not , as he himself slates , a single letter of introduction in his pocket , and we would be quite at a loss to know how he was able to form so sudden au acquaintance with the nobility aud

literati of tho Scottish capital , were we not assured , on good authority , that he owed this , in a great measure , to his appearance among the Masonic brethren . It was they who introduced him into the best circles of society ; who

put money in his purse to suppl y his wants ; wno secured subscribers for the new edition of his poems ; who formed his companions iu his tours ; who were his chief epistolary correspondents ; who gave him accommodation in their

houses ; who obtained his appointment in the Excise ; and who , last of all , put him iu possession of a farm , the chief object of his desire , As Masons we are proud that Robert Burns was enrolled in the ranks of our Order , and while we should strive to avoid the thoughtless follies that laid

him low aud stained his name , we should endeavour to imitato his ardent zeal , his open aud generous disposition , and hi 3 manl y and loft y independence . —Ayr Observer .

The Lord Mayor lias consented to visit Stockport on the 6 th of September in order to lay the foundation stones of the new technical schools . He has expressed a desire that tho ceremony should be attended with Masonic rites , aud the friendl y societies and local volunteers have decided to join in the procession .

TYr . r . ow . vY ' a OCNTJIKNT xyn Pir . i . s . —Rheumatism . 'mil Neuralgia . -Though tho former disease rcmorsel ssly attacks persons <>! ' nil a _ : cs , aud tho latter ruthlessly selects its victims 1 ' rom the weak and deiicato , the persevering use of these remedies will infallibly cure bo . ' . h complaints . After tiie affected parts have been diligently fomented with hot brine , ' and he skin thoroughly dried ,

Hodoway ' s Ointment must be rubbed in iirmiy and evenly for a tow minutes twice a day , and his Pills taken according to' the printed directions wnppcd round each box of his medicine . ISith Ointment and I ' . lls are accompanied by instructions designed for the public at large , aud no invalid , who attentively reads them , can now hi at any loss how to doctor himself successfully .