From Refreshment To Labour.

FROM REFRESHMENT TO LABOUR .

rpHE season of activity among Freemasons , although •*¦ starting width September , can hardly be regarded as in full force until the close of that month , and the

opening of the succeeding one . October essentially marks the commencement of the Masonic year , more especially in London and large provincial towns

where Masonry is , to a very great extent , neglected during the summer . This being , so we may expect an early summons " from refreshment to labour , " and to a resumption of those duties which are so interesting to the general body of members of the Craft and so beneficial in a direct or indirect manner

to the world at large . With this early call awaiting ns it is but natural many should pause for a moment and wonder how they are likely to find their brother members in

Lodge . How many are there who will re-assemble after the recess to find that one , or perhaps more , of their number has been taken away by the hand of death ? Others will resume their attends ance at Lodge with the knowledge that perhaps its

most promising member has left it , business or other calls having necessitated a removal to distant parts . Then there is the feeling of uncertainty as to who will be received into the Lodge , and how its

general business will be managed during the Session . Indeed , the whole subject opens up scope for active thought and speculation which all who take a real interest in their Lodge affairs must recognise .

Speaking generally we may ask—What are the prospects for . the future ? and how far is Freemasonry likely to progress during the next few months ? We see no reason to expect anything but

a period of activity , and a general advance in Ifasonic affairs , while there are a few items of especial importance looming in the future which will carry the period outside the ranee of mere routine , !

and will doubtless render the Session of 1891-2 : famous for many years to come . The Craft will be ; asked to assist in the celebration of the Jubilee of ) the Roval Masonic Benevolent Institutionand thia -- j .

, v _ „ „___ we may regard as the event of importance for the ; near future . For some months past the work of pre-j paring for it has been actively pushed forward , and ; it is gratifying to know that influential support Has

already been secured for the Festival which will mark the completion of fifty years in the history of the Institution . This one event will supply labour

lor many of those who will be called from refreshment during the next few days , in order to resume their Masonic duties , but it is by no means all we may expect to interest us and occupy our attention during the winter . There will be the usual Lodge elections , installations

, and periodical meetings , and the hundred and one other events which go to make up the routine of Masonic life . We hope those who will take part in the Work wilf derive both pleasure and

From Refreshment To Labour.

profit from its fulfilment , and that the outcome will be satisfactory to all concerned , and advantageous to the general body of Freemasonry .

Illuminating Power Of Freemasonry.

ILLUMINATING POWER OF FREEMASONRY .

MATTHEW Arnold has sometimes beon credited with tho invention of tbe phrase , " sweetness and light , " but long prior to his era Dean Swift , in his " Battle of the Books , " spoke of " The two noblest things , whioh are sweetness and light ; " and far anterior to the time of

both of these literati the Masonio Fraternity was , and ever has been , a living example of the embodiment of sweetness and light , in a society which exists for the purpose of

disseminating these blessings throughout its membership . In one word , Freemasonry is light , and light is always sweet , to body , mind an <_ spirit , to earth , air and water .

Freemasons , as a rule , meet only at night , and never by the light of the sun , but they have " three great lights " of their own . Of these we may say what Milton said of Virtue :

" Virtue conld see to do what virtue wonld By her own radiant light , though snn and moon Were in the fiat sea sank . "

The Holy Bible , the Square and the Compasses have au illuminating power which exceeds that of tho sun , moon and stars . These latter shine upon material things , but our great lights illumine the spirit , shine into the mind ,

penetrate the heart . " He that haa light within his own clear breast May sit in the centre and enjoy bright days ; Bnt he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts , Benighted walks nnder the midday sun . "

Probably the sweetness of the Masonic disposition was never better illustrated than in the case of the mediaeval builders . They erected the most substantial , as well as the most ornate and beautiful , edifices which have

ever stood upon our planet , and yet their architecture —the Gothic — is lightness itself , with its great windows , its flying buttresses , its pinnacles and spires , its grotesque figures , carved in stone and wood , and adorning various portions of most cathedrals . Indeed ,

we may describe our operative Brethren of the Middle Ages as Shakespeare describes the bees :

"Those singing masons , building roofs of gold . " If Freemasonry be , as we believe it is , a system of light , let us' endeavour to estimate its candle-power in illuminating its initiates , and those especially who are continuously students of its mysteries .

Freemasonry illumines the heart . It does this by tho almost magic power of its symbolism . It does not address us in the language of the street , nor in the language even of the books , but by holding up before us the implements

of our profession , the lights by which we labour . Words are often mockeries ; they but beat a momentary " rat-tat " on the drum of the ear ; bnt symbols are seen by the eyes

of the mind , and touch and attune the cords of the heart . You cannot forget a symbol . It is a perpetual object lesson . It abides as a picture on the walls of memory We see it when we are asleep . We can never forget ifc .