Masonic Relief, In Theory And In Practice.

do for them . Our contemporary here gives a forcible summary of the whole subjpct , and briefly enumerates the full basis on which a Board can be established—to do the work which is impossible in the Lodge . It is as a means of

finishing employment to applicants that a Board could especially prove its usefulness , but in this and all other respects we feel it is for the brethren who constitute such Boards to deoide what is best . What is first needful ,

however is , to inaugurate a system of Boards of Relief , and see that the system is extended throughout the country . If this be done , we think Masonic Benevolence—in a quiet , unoatentationR manner—wonld be less of a name and more of a reality than it is at present .

Worship On High Places

WORSHIP ON HIGH PLACES

MANY people of old worshipped upon hills , and on the tops of high mountains ; that they might have a nearer communication with heaven . Strabo says that the Persians always performed their worship upon hills . Some

nations worshipped the hills as the deity . In Japan most of the temples at this day are upon eminences , and often upon the assent of hiorh mountains , commanding fine views , with groves and rivulets of clear water ; they said

the gods were extremely delighted with such high and pleasant spots . This practice in early times was almost universal , and every mountain was esteemed holy . The people who used this method of worship enjoyed a soothing

infatuation , which helped the gloom of superstition . The hicrh places to which they retired were lonely aud silent , and seemed to be happily arranged for contemplation and prayer . They who frequented them were thought to be

raised above the lower world , and fancied that they were brought in connection with the powers of the air , and of the deity which was supposed to reside in these upper regions . But the chief excellence for which they were

frequented was the Omphi , which means the divine voice ( vox divina ) being a particular revelation from the spirits in the air . In short , they were looked upon as the place ? where God delivered his oracles . Many times when a

reformation among the Jews was introduced by some of the wiser and better princes , we find it lamented by the sacred writers that a change was not made and that the highest places were not forbidden , yet the people still

offered and burnt incense at the hi gh places . The Masonic Lodge is described as extending in length from east to west ; in breadth from north to south ; as high as the heavens , and as deep as from the surface to the centre ,

supported by three columns , named Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty . Our Institution is said to be so supported because we need wisdom to contrive , strength to support , and beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings .

Its dimensions are unlimited , and its covering no less than the canopy of heaven . That to this object the Mason ' s mind should be continually directed , and thither he hopes at last to arrive by the aid of the theological ladder , which

Jacob , in his vision , saw extending from earth to heaven , the three primitive rounds of which were denominated , Faith , Hope , and Charity . It becomes very evident from this that a Masonic Lodge is supposed to represent the

•world , upon which plan the ancient Pagan temples were formed . The floor of the Lodge is intended to represent the face of the earth , and the principal ceremonies in it are an imitation of the movements of the heavenly bodies ,

particularly that great luminary , the sun , the god of Egypt . The Rev . D . Taylor , in his lecture on Masonry , very ingeniously solves the enigma of the three principal rounds of the theological , or I should say , astronomical ladder .

Faith is the genius of Spring ; Hope , of Summer ; and Charity , of Autumn . Faith of Spring , because faith and works must always come together ; Hope , of Summer , because from that point the sun looks vertically down upon

the seeds which have been committed in Faith to the fertilizing womb of the earth ; Charity , of Autumn , because then he empties the cornucopia into our desiring laps . Faith is the eastern pillar ; Charity the western ; and Hope

the keystone of this Royal Arch . This astronomical ladder has seven rounds , and is known in the degree of Knights of Kadosh . It marks the course of the sun through

the seven signs of tbe zodiac , commencing at the vernal equinox and ending at the autumnal , both inclusive . The semi-circle made b y the sun in passing these signs forms the celebrated Royal Arch , and a Mason to attain that

Worship On High Places

degree must pass through the seven grades of the Order , which is without doubt one of the most sublime and beautiful degrees that a Mason can have conferred upon him .- — Hebrew Leader .

Charity.

CHARITY .

HOW few of us really catch the full meaning of that comprehensive word , Charity ? How many realise it means love , kindness , forbearance , and tenderness , and are ready to do its bidding ? We often hear people say they have charity—but who has it ? If we have it there

will be no bitterness in our nature towards any one ; no malice , no unkindness or harshness . We will always think charitably of every one ' s endeavours , and judge kindl y if at all . In the exercise of the " ereatest " of all virtues we

will enconrage others with our sympathy and bless their lives by letting in the sunshine of kindness , when hope is well-nigh gone . By so doing we enrich our own natures , by cultivating a broader sympathy , and gfiin an enlarged

view of the real struggle for victory which mankind has to make " in the shifting scenes of life . " We reach a state of mind which can only be gained by a real heartfelt sympathy for those who err . Truly it pays ; as every virtue

pays , not always in dollars and cents . ; not in appreciation from others , sometimes , but to the inner consciousness of man it brings sure reward , in the peaceful assurance that he hastened to make some life brighter , and extended

sympathy , kindness , and even mercy , to an unfortunate one . Why should we be ashamed to do as our heart prompts us with the erring ? It is the God power in us , reaching out a saving hand to a weak one . Let us not

smother it . We spoil the results of many good impulses by considering what this or that one may say of our acts . In the exercise of charit y it lies between the object to be benefited and us . Let us not be cowards : afraid to do

what we think is right . Begrudged charity is flat and unhealthy in its influence . We must not forget that we , too , are human . If our life is full of beauty and happiness , our home full of joy and peace , we should have the larger

charity for those who have not these elevating surroundings in which to develop . Some who are blessed with earthl y gifts are very poor in spirit , and need kindness and sympathy in their poverty . It is charity to some who are in

trouble to be left alone . We should study to extend the blessing in an acceptable manner . Those of us who are strong should be glad to help the weak . Why are some strong and others weak ? Those who seem most noble and

true , sometimes fall when their day of temptation comes , and that tries us . It is easy " to be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease , " with every wish gratified . It is the hungry heart that sins ; the starved soul who is sorely

tried , that falls by the wayside , and the poor , tired , lonesome one who is easily led astray . There is some reason why every time . Let us have our mantle of charity so

broad , so flexible , that it shall suit the needs of God ' s children wherever we meet them . We may need it ourselves . —Mrs . Kate Weston .

Masonry In Sweden And Norway.

MASONRY IN SWEDEN AND NORWAY .

THE organization of the Masonic bodies in Sweden and Norway differs materially from that of any other country . The degrees of Masonry are conferred by various bodies : 1 . The Lodge of St . John , which has control of the first three degrees . 2 . The Lodges of St . Andrew ,

which pass the brethren of the St . John Lodges through the fourth , fifth , and sixth degrees , or the Scottish Masonry . 3 . The Provincial Lodges , which confer the seventh , ei ghth , and ninth degrees . 4 . The Swedish National Grand Lodge ,

which confers not only the seventh , eighth , ninth , and tenth degrees , but also the dignity of Kni ght and Komthure of Rose Croix , who are entitled to wear the insignia of the Order of Charles XIIL

The head of the National Grand Lodge is the Grand Master ; and all tbe Knights and Komthures Rose Croix are members of this body , which , in addition , is composed of the extraordinary and ordinary officials of the eig hth , ninth , and tenth degrees . The business of the Grand Lodge is conducted through three Directories : 1 . The Directory of Finance , which has