Caste.

signatories pledged themselves to a given course ? And is not that party warfare which seeks to upset tho deliberate resolve of Grand Lodge when it asserted the rig ht of appointing a Grand Treasurer yearly ? The begetters

of strife are the first to condemn its existence ; by this means they hope to cover motives they are afraid to disclose , because thoy know full well that thoir occupation wonld soon vanish were the real truth realised . Near to

the close of this curious manifesto " all those who have the interests of tho Craft solely at heart" are exhorted to give their support to the fighting movement . The italics are ours , and we emphasize the word because of the imputation it implies . Such language is the justification for the

boldness of our position , and accounts for the plainness of our speech . It ought to nerve every independent member of Grand Lodge to action , in order to uphold a principle already unmistakably affirmed , and to maintain that right of judgment which rests in majorities , against the influence of cliques and the exclusiveness of officials .

Immorality And Masonry.

IMMORALITY AND MASONRY .

OUR attention has of late been called to the matter of immorality as practised by certain brethren of the Fraternity , and especially the open boastfulness of several as to their deeds , which should be concealed with shame . We would not take up the pen to note so glaring an

outrage on decency and society were it not that the ribald parties glaringly wear Masonic jewels , a slipper , Square and Compasses , and Keystone , and when remonstrated with , and advised if their course was to continue to remove the symbols of our Fraternity , that it might not be

disgraced , the friend and counsellor was informed in reply , they had a right to wear such jewelry , that in addition to their being ornaments , they were found to be a source of protection in emergency , and finally that their objectionable course in Society had nothing to do with the Institution of

Freemasonry , which had no control over their social life so long as the law of the land was not violated nor revelation of the hidden secrets of ancient Freemasonry made by them . In brief that their morals were not subject to review by the Fraternity , much less to a trial and upon conviction punishment .

Discussion led to inquiry , and so our attention has been attracted thereto more especially when , in looking for others ' thoughts expressed in print , we turned up a fragment of a number of the Masonic Review published by Cornelius

Moore , in 1849 , and of which we will avail ourself of extracts herein . Brother Moore says , he heard it asserted by a Mason in Open Grand Lodge , that , as an organised association , the Lodge had no jurisdiction over the moral character and conduct of its members . A Mason had been

charged with a breach of the moral law ; which was also a violation of the laws of the land . In defence of proceedings instituted against him , it was said by his friends that he was not guilty , and , " if he was , it was no violation of Masonic law , and he could not be dealt with for it by the

Craft . " This is a case in print , and worthy of thorough understanding . Moore says , " If this be correct doctrine , the sooner it is known the better ; and if the Craft has no right to exercise a wholesome discipline over the moral conduct of its members , the sooner the organisation is

dissolved the better . But Masonry does recognise , and require an observance of the moral code as taught in the Holy Scriptures : and Lodges have not only the right , but it is their duty , to enforce that observance and inflict Masonic punishment for disobedience .

We can depend upon the argument of Bro . Moore , and will proceed to quote in part . "Every man gives his solemn pledge that he will ' conform to all the ancient established usages and customs of the Fraternity . ' Now , is the observance of the moral code an ' established usage

or custom of the Fraternity ? ' Why , what are the facts ? Masonry is founded upon the Bible , and connected in its origin with one of the most interesting and important facts recorded in the Bible , . . . and to inculcate by

symbolic teaching the great moral precepts contained in the Bible . The ancient charges and regulations , which have come down to us from antiquity , require as follows : * A Mason must observe the moral law . ' It is not a mere

recommendation , it is an absolute command . It is hardly necessary to ask the question , are drunkenness , profanity , adultery , gambling , obscurity , & c , violations of the moral

Immorality And Masonry.

law ? Every man who takes the Sacred Writings as the rule and guide of his conduct and practice knows they are , and it were an insult to common sense to discuss such

a question . A Mason , then , who is guilty of any of these offences against the moral law violates the laws of the Masonic Institution , and is answerable to those laws for that violation .

Let us consider further , every intelligent Mason will bear out the assertion that a violation of the moral law is as much a transgression of the rules and usages of Masonry as it would be to reveal the secrets of that Fraternity . A Mason is under no greater obligation in one case than

he is in the other . In violating the laws peculiar to Masonry the individual sins only against the rules of an association of his fellow men ; though after passing the solemn rites of his degrees this were a crime of damning

turpitude . But iu the commission of adultery and its kindred crimes he violates the laws , not only of the fraternal association to which he belongs , but also the laws of his country , and the laws of God .

Let there be no divided opinion upon this subject ; every one who loves and venerates our Ancient Order should watch against the introduction of such opinions into the Lodges . As to the wearing of Masonic jewelry that is a

matter of taste , but certainly vulgar as well as well as in ill taste when worn in certain places and on sundry occasions . The blatant bravado needs no reply . Bat Masonry has jurisdiction and the right of discipline in cases of immorality . —Hebrew Leader .

The Trestle-Board.

THE TRESTLE-BOARD .

AMONG the symbols of Freemasonry the trestle-board holds a prominent position . It is introduced in the first degree , and its use is there explained to be for the Master workman to draw his designs upon . In Operative Masonry it is thus made the medium of communication between those who lay out plans for the work and those

who are to execute it . It was thus used at the building of King Solomon ' s Temple , and in this manner the immense number of Craftsmen employed received the necessary instruction by which they were enabled to erect that magnificent edifice in all its wondrous splendour . So true

were the designs placed on the trestle-board , and so well skilled were the workmen in following them , that when completed it is said the Temple had more the appearance of being the handiwork of the Supreme Architect of the Universe than that of human hands .

It must be evident to every one that a trestle-board without designs upon it possesses no value , and it is only by connecting the two together that it becomes of service to the Craft . Of this Masonic tradition furnishes a striking illustration in connection with the building of Solomon ' s

Temple . The absence of the necessary designs on the trestle-board at the proper time produced great confusion among the workmen , and for a time the work ceased . The trestle-board was there in its place , bnt the men were idle , and must remain so until new designs were placed upon it .

In Speculative Freemasonry there is in every Masonic Lodge a representation of King Solomon ' s Temple . Every Mason is a builder . As at the building of the Temple so at the present time there are Entered Apprentices , Fellow Crafts and Master Masons . Now , as then , there are skilled

workmen , and those who need instruction in their work . There must be a trestle-board in every Lodge , and proper designs upon it , for the Craft to pursue their labours ,

otherwise there will be confusion and idleness among them . This is as true Speculative Masonry now as it was when the stones were hewed , squared and numbered for its prototype on Mount Moriah six thousand years ago .

In the government of Masonic Lodges the time has just passed for the annual election of officers . Many changes have been mado in those who hold official positions , and many brethren for the first time hold the emblem of authority in their hands . They have been promoted to a

high and responsible position , and each one has taken a solemn obligation to discharge the duties of his office to the best of his ability . Every Worshipful Master thus becomes

a Master workman , or Overseer of the work in his Lodge . Upon his ability and skill will largely depend the prosperity and happiness of his Lodge during the year 1884 . Did you think of this , my brother , as you turned your