Masonry A Perfect System.

his solemn vows . There is not a church but has its hypocrites ; not a d'gma but has its recreants ; not a doctrine bnt has its false believers ; and so it is not strange if Masonry has its false brethren . But the counterfeit only

proves the genuine , and a false brother is no more a Mason than a hypocrite is a Christian . The " Mystic Brotherhood " has had its reverses and its enemies in all ages , and even in its bright present there are a few Nebuzaradans

who would g ladly destroy our sacred temple and drag the Craft into captivity ; but Masoury is a primary force and sustaining princip le in the grand system of morality and civilization which encircles the world , and has nothing to

fear from outside assaults . Whatever danger there is to the Order now is from within ; but there is none that cannot be avoided by closely observing the important duties which we owe to each other in all the relations of life , as

well as to the world at large . While we deli g ht to dwell upon the scientific and historic aspects of Masonrv , we should not forget that it has also a practical , every-day significance that must not be neglected .

As we gaze with rapture at the glittering beauties of the snow-capped mountains , we shonld not with rough feet crush the shrinking flowers in the pleasant vale . We live in a practical age . The temple in which we walk is the

busy teeming world . Onr hearts are the trestleboards upon which tbe Supreme Archilect lays out his designs , and our lives are the stones with which we are building . Neither

must wo live for ourselves alone , for our lives are so closely interwoven with the lives of others that much of our happiness and theirs depends upon our relations and conduct with each other . And , what sad blunders we often make !

" These olumsy feet , still in the mire , Go crushing blossoms without end ; These bard , well-meaning hands we thrust Amid the heart-strings of a friend .

" The ill-timed troth we might have kept—Who knows how sharp it pierced and stung ? The word we had not sense to say—Who knows how grandly it had rung ?"

And I fear our hands are not always even well-meaning in their thrusts . ' •Hand to back , " shonld be to support a falling brother , not to stab him with a dagger . We must make practical use of the beautiful teachings of our Order ,

and bring them to bear on the affairs of every-day life , if it is to be perpetuated in the world and respected by men . It must be something more than a rose-tinted dream , or a it sublime theory ; ifc must be a living , acting epitome of

truth , morality and fraternal love . It was a beautiful fancy of the poet when he said , that the song he had breathe d into the air he found again , without the loss of a single note , lon . tr , long afterwards in the heart of a friend .

So true friendship is ever breathing its sweet soDgs into the air ; and so , too , it shall find them all again , from beginning to end , in the hearts into which they come . Nothing that love does is ever lost . We should always be as ready to

sustain the name and reputation of a brother as to sustain our own . Mankind generally pny strict regard to the rights of others , so far as they relate to the laws of property and the preservation of life ; but when it comes

to that intangible , though priceless , property , consisting of a man ' s reputation , they are not so careful of his ri ghts , bnt ruthlessl y and even wantonly mar , blacken and des

troy it with little regard for crushed hearts or darkened homes ; and it is a matter of regret that even Masons are not entirely free from this common sin .

Masonry never before had such numerical strength ancl moia / influence as it now lias , but this Fact only makes if more necessary for the Craft to practise its precepts and carefully observe the ancient landmarks . This is an age ot

intense activity , and a spirit of adventure pervades ali el i . ss s . We are restless * under restraint , have but little veneration tor the past , and are inclined to try experiments . 13 ut Masonry is n perfect system , proven and fully tested

by the wisdom of past ages , and acknowledged by the experience of the present . No experiments with its work should be attempted , or departure from its ancient landmarks allowed . The essential principles of our Order

should be kept constantly before our minds , and its elevated sentiment be ever guarded like the Parsee ' s sacred fire . If Masonry fails in its grand mission the responsibility

must fall upon the Craft themselves , and not upon outside foes , however fierce . The blood of the martyrs was said to be the seed of the church , aud so it is with any institution founded upon the enduring principles of right ; it will grow

Masonry A Perfect System.

and strengthen in the face of all opposition as loner as its practices are consistent with its teachings . — Voice of Masonry .

Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts.

GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS .

A QUARTERLY Communication of the Grand Lod ge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was held at the Masonic Temple , Boston , on Wednesday , 9 th June , when the follow , ing Officers were present : —

Abraham H . Rowland jan . Grand Master , George P . Sanger Deput y Grand Master , William T . R . Marvin Senior Grand Warden , George W . Storer Junior Grand Warden , Samuel Wells Grand Treasurer , Sereno D . Nickerson Recording Grand Secretary , William 0 . Robinson Corresponding Grand Secretary , tho D . D . G . Masters of Districts

5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 17 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28

Rev . Fielder Israel Grand Chaplain , Charles Harris Grand Marshalj James M . Gleason Grand Lecturer , Baalis Sanford as Senior Grand Deacon , Sylvester R , Adams as Junior Grand Deacon , William A .

Farnsworth as Senior Grand Steward , Joseph F . Frenoh as Junior Grand Steward , Z . L . Bicknell Grand Standard Bearer , Joseph B Mason Grand Pursuivant , William H . Gerrish Grand Organist , Henry J . Parker Grand Tyler .

The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form , at 2 p . m ., prayer being offered by W . Rev . Fielder Israel Grand Chaplain . The Record of the Quarterly Communication held in March was approved without reading , an abstract

of the same having been distributed in print . Bye-Laws and amendments from private Lodges were presented for approval , and referred to the Standing Committee on Bye-Laws and Charters . Past Grand Master Welch having

addressed the Grand Master , it was resolved " that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in Quarterly Communication assembled , has learned with deep regret of the illness of R . W . Thomas A . Doyle , Past Grand Master of the Grand

Lodge of Rhode Island , and desires to express to him and his family its profound sympathy and earnest hope for a speedy recovery . " Various appeals were next introduced , and in each case they were referred to a Committee for

consideration . Reference was then made to the decease of Bro . 0 . B . Sengrave D . D . G M . of the 19 th District , who died in February last , and an " In Memoriain , " submitted by a duly appointed Committee , was ordered to be recorded .

It was stated that one hundred and forty-eight Lodges had between them rontributed upwards of 800 dollars on behalf of tbe sufferers by the fire in Galveston , but it appearing that the needs of the Galveston Brethren had been

supplied , the contributions were retained by the Grand Secretary , subject , to the order of the donors . A sum of 500 dollars having been placed at the disposal of the Committee on Charity , the Recording Grand Secretary submitted a

verbal report as to the progress made in the work of printing the early records of Masonry in Massachusetts , by which it appeared that there was already in type the full record of St . John ' s and Massachusetts Grand Lodge , from

the time of the organization of each until the union of the two . He also exhibited some interesting mementoes of the past , and later on it was voted : That a committee of three

be appointed to consider and formulate a plan b y which this Grand Lodge may become the custodian of objects of Masonic interest which may be either loaned or donated to it . Grand Lodge was subsequently closed in ample form .

Among the candidates seeking admission to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , is James Howes Haylett , No . 18 on the list , son of the late Bro . Alexander Charles Haylett , of Diss , Norfolk . The case is a particularly deserving

one , the lad being one of seven children ( the eldest of whom is a confirmed invalid ) left to tbe care of their widowed mother , who is totally unprovided for . The father

was initiated into Freemasonry in the Faithful Lodge , No 85 , Harlestou , iu 1875 , and died after a three days' illuess in August 1885 . Among those who recommend the case is Bro . Dick Radclyffe ( 129 High Uolborn , London ) , who will be pleased to receive proxies for the candidate .

THE GKAND LODGE or MONTANA . —The Grand Lodge of Montana has adopted the following truly Masonic resolution : — " Should any matter of difference or contention arise between her and any sister prediction , the Grand Lodge of Montana agrees to submit the matter to friendly arbitration , and will not resort to edicts of non-intercourse .