The Peace And Goodwill Of Masonry.

THE PEACE AND GOODWILL OF MASONRY .

IF we were to search the world for an illustration of what may be accomplished by a number of individuals banded together for mutual assistance , and for the purpose of contributing to the happiness of each other , we could not do better than select the Order of Freemasonry , which stands out as a noble exemplification of the great benefits arising from the practice of trne Fraternity . In Freemasonry there appears to be but one object in viewalthough that object may be considered of a somewhat

dual character : to be happy , and communicate happiness ; and it is really astonishing how successful the members of the Fraternity are in securing the realisation of their wishes in this respect . It is but natural to suppose that at times there must arise questions in Freemasonry upon which a division of opinion will exist , but the strictest observer of the outcome of such differences will admit that they are usually adjusted with the greatest

regard to the principles of the Order , which enjoin on its members the practise of Brotherly Love and toleration . Whatever an individual brother ' s opinion may be he does not let it upset the harmony of the Lodge of which he is a member , nor create a scandal concerning a society whose watchword is peace and goodwill to all men ; but , on the contrary , modifies it , so as to adapt it to the wishes of his brethren . One brother may be anxious for preferment , but if it happens that he is passed over when the annual distribution of offices is made , he murmurs not ; he is of

too generous a disposition to envy the preferment of others , and contents himself with the feeling that his turn will come in due course . So it is with all that is done in

connection with J-i reemasonry , and , as a result , we can point to the Craft as one of the happiest—if not the most happy , and most successful organization of humanity ; a Society which has the reputation of creating new friendships and cementing old ones , rather than of setting old acquaintances at variance , or creating breaches in friendships of ieU ~ i . * tue

paau . The mission of Freemasonry is Peace , and right nobly does it fulfil this grand purpose . Even when all else is pointing to the most bitter strife Freemasonry is able to unite the opposing elements in the true spirit of Brotherhood , and cause a lull—if only for a brief space—in the strife . Amid the roar of battle and the horrors of the fight Freemasonry has brought consolation and succour which nought else could have secured , while in the minor struggles of every-day life it often smoothes the path of

the weary or eases tbe load of the oppressed . In this respect Freemasonry presents a striking contrast to many other of the Institutions which have been devised by man inasmuch as all its doings are characterised with that peaceful harmony which is conspicuously absent from some

of the others , while every lesson it seeks to teach is framed on the foundation of Charity and Love . Freemasonry also teaches goodwill to man . It enjoins on its members the practice of every good action which lies in their power , and teaches them to pour the healing balm of consolation into the wounds of the afflicted ; to feed the widow and the orphan , clothe the needy , and help the oppressed . The most striking lesson in Freemasonry is framed with the object of promoting good actions , by placing the student in such a position

The Peace And Goodwill Of Masonry.

as will for the remainder of hi * days cause him to feel a pang of sympathy for the poverty of others , even if it is not always possible to give practical effect to that sympathy . Truly there could be no more worthy objects to achieve than those which Freemasonry strives to effect , by lessons which are both impressive and at the sa-ne time easy to acquire . Considering the cosmopolitan character of Freemasonry we should be out of place if we were to attach too much

importance to tho Festival of to-day , but whether we are greeting a Christian , a Jew , a Mahomedan , or a member of any other sect , we are equally sincere in the hearty good

wishes we now tender our readers . Wherever they may be , we trust that a long period of peace is in store for them , and that they may long enjoy the goodwill of their fellowmen . Sflgtoieitfa.

Jewels.

JEWELS .

Extract from an Address on Freemasonry , by Brother Alexander TI . Morgan P . M . I PROPOSE , now , to speak to the brethren about jesvels — " * Jewels , Masonic and otherwise . " The term jewel is a very comprehensive one , and will be found , upon examination , to include an infinite variety of objects . All nations , all people , all men , and all womenespecially the latter—pride themselves on the possession of

jewels . There are jewels of every and all kinds . Jewels of high and jewels of low degree ; jewels that please the eye , touch the heart , cause admiration , excite wonder , create disgust , and jewels that often appeal to the passions ; jewels of great price , of surpassing beauty , or of consummate ugliness ; jewels that incite in man the loftiest patriotism or cause him to fall from grace and forget all the obligations of public and private life . So that tho terra jewel affects us all directly or indirectly , and may be said to associate itself with all classes of the community .

" Good name , in man or woman , ia the immediate jewel of their souls . " So whispered the crafty traitor into the ear of his credulous victim . But it does not always follow that a good name is bestowed upon those who are ieally deserving ; on the contrary , it is often possessed by the unworthy , while the good and virtuous are contemned and disparaged , and the jewel of a good name is denied them . One of the general weaknesses of mankind is a desire to

possess costly jewels ; not the jewel a lite ot good deeds confers , not the jewels tbat shine in the tears tbat relieved suffering lets fall upon the hand of kind and gentle sympathizers , bnt the sparkling gems that whip-driven slaves have dug in sweat and blood , which often rest upon bosoms fair to look upon , but dark and soulless within . When the sorrowing Peri , refused admission at Heaven ' s gate , went forth over the earth , to seek for a pure and stainless

emblem that would open to her the doors of blessedness , she found , at last , a jewel that was far above thoso that weak humanity so ostentatiously display upon hand and bosom . It was the tear shed by a repentant soul , and Heaven received it as the most precious of all jewels ; and when ifc is the emanation of sincere repentance for wrongs com-