An Important Aspect Of Grand Lodge Sovereignty.

taken to a flower-covered font , and dipped their hands in the water . Tho youngest of the boys—a mere babyhowled dismally as he became aware that the water was wet . Fortunately a mama was at baud to reprove the child . Tho children then knelt before a table , on which

fragrant incense was burning , and wero subsequently presented with their Masonic aprons and jewels . Tho baby was especially delighted when he first put his uniform on Music and singing filled in tho remainder of the programme . " What profane nonsense this , to introduce into

a lawfully-warranted and duly-constituted Lodge in an American jurisdiction ! Is it to be wondered , where such a ceremony occurs , that the foreigu element responsible for it should assumo to introduco other foreign novelties ? At the foundation of this trouble is the desire , not

nufrequently manifested by certain Germans , French and Italians in America , to bring with them to this country altogether alien habits of thought and action , which they were accustomed to indulge in at home , but which are entirely unsuited to the true republican and Masonic ideas .

All communism and ultra-liberalism are out of place , and without oxcuso in America . Here liberty prevails , but not license . Here , above all , pure Freemasonry prevails , and it will brook no opposition from individuals who , residing in its domains , are rightly subject to its sway , and havo in

addition pledged obedience to its Constitutions , rules , regulations and edicts . We trust the action of the Grand Lodge of New York , in promptly exposing and legislating upon the illegitimate body that lifted its head so boldly in

its territory , will have a happy effect in repressing similar evil tendencies elsewhere , and thus make American Freemasonry entirely homogenous , at unity with itself , and the admiration of the Masonic world . —Keystone .

Conservative Fanaticism.

CONSERVATIVE FANATICISM .

FROM THE VOICE OP MASONRY . LIFE is a problem which Masonry attempts to solve . To a success . ful solution , two kinds of knowledgo are necessary—what the terms of the problem are , and how to apply them in the solution . The terms of this problem of problems are nnchauged and unchangeable the same in nil ages . They are included under manifold complexities and combinations in an intelligent and comprehensive idea of the duties which a man owes to himself , as a moral ,

¦ ooml , and intellectual being . These are carefully unfolded and explained to the initiate in the first three degrees of Masonry , wherein the novitiate is instrncted , instead of neglecting to thoughtfully and persistently perform every duty which he owes to God , his country , his neighbour , and himself . No Mason can plead ignorance of his duty , as an excuse for inaction .

Duty has been explained and enforced at every step in his Masonic career , and , if the spirit of obedience be presont , it will seek and find a way , however intricate the path . The wants and woes of a struggling humanity present , again and again , complicated questions which demand thoughtful answers from thinking men . To meet and satisfy these wants , to understand

and alleviate these woes , has been the life-work of the world ' s true philosophers . Their success has consisted not in intellectual comprehension of dnty , but in its practical application . Comprehension of dnty is good ; exeontion of dnty is better . It is given to every Mason to comprehend duty , to know the terms of the problem of life , but to experience the blessings of the practical

solution of the problem , to realize the pleasures of the execution of duty , is granted to but few ; not because the experience is denied to them , bat because they deny it to themselves . This combination of a wise thoughtfnlness with a bold and fearless adherence to truth ; this guidance of the doings of the present by the wisdom gained through the experience of the past ; this union of

conviction with performance , of understanding with industry , of talent with tact , of capital with labonr , of intellect with action , has given the world its trne philosophers , its real philanthropists , its effective statesmen , prominent among whom is the patron saint of our Order , St . John the Evangelist , whose memory we perpetuate . The advantages that arise from tho combination of these two

elements of power suggest a fitting theme for our thoughts , a theme which we will consider under the title of " Conservative Fanaticism , " not because of the peculiar adaptation of these words , but since in a unique term they suggest by their apparent contradiction and lack of relationship the elements of power which by themselves alone are generally useless , sometimes harmful , often cruel , but which united

give success to the individual , to society , and to the state . Let ns consider them separately nnder the terms Fanaticism and Conservatism , and then in union , noting their influence on the individual , on society , and the state . Fanaticism is a term applied to the enthusiastic support aud

reckless propagation of individual ideas , irrespective of the arguments , opinions or wishes of others . Fanaticism is the offspring of excessive enthusiasm , and the more active sister of blind enthusiasm . It has its origin in the enthusiastic support of religions beliefs , and under powerful convictions of right and wrong extends into the domain of public affairs and becomes a potent factor for weal and woe iu the poli-

Conservative Fanaticism.

tical deoisions of all matters involving a moral qnestion . Superstitious adherence to dogma in all shades of peculiar religious faith , and the bold defence of individual belief in every form of political action , gives ns tho bigot in religion and the independent in politics . Fanaticism limits the intellectual vision of its victim , bliuds his judgment , and ofttimes results in cruelties and barbarities .

The zealous Roman Catholic of continental Europe of the middle ages , and the inflexible Puritan of revolutionary America , alike sushiued wrong in the name of right . But it was fanaticism alone , nnguided by a conservative judgment . Such must always be tho resnlt of fanaticism ! rushing blindly on , nnguided by judgment , unrestrained by reason , undirected by thonght . By itself it gives us

action without intellect , performance without conviotion , tact without talent , pluck without purpose , industry without understanding , labour withont capital , bold aud foarles 3 adherence to seeming truths without the discriminating judgment to decide what truth is j intense living in the present , heedless of the lessons of the past . It is the good ship Sincerity plunging wildly along without a captain in the

tumnltuons sea of active life , or attempting , without a pilot , to make the harbour of Public Opinion . It ia speed without safety , persistence without aim , energy without jndgment , application without occupation , in short , fanaticism alone is the exeontion of apparent duty without the comprehension of what duty is . Conservatism is a term applied to the tendency towards the reten

tion of established customs in life and thonght , and the reluctance to displace the old and tried with the new and untried . It views the present in the light of the past ; the future as but a repetition of what is gone . It exerts a mighty influence in guiding the momentum already acquired , though it seldom adds momentum of itself . It is the first of onr elements of power nnder wh . ' jb duty is defined and

comprehended . Its mission is a grand one , but it is always supenn . tending , seldom working . It plans , but never executes ; it thinks , but seldom acts ; it is defensive , never aggressive . It thinks , reasons , and jndges , bnt always for others , never for self . It tells us what truth is , but never reaches after new truths . It 13 conviction without performance , understanding without industry , talent without

tact , intellect without action . Its tendency is to stagnation and stubborn self-conceit ; it is blind to progress and improvement . Every invention is coldly received ; never welcomed . It whistles down the brakes in times of danger , and refuses to take them off to enable the train to start after all danger is averted . Like the finished engine , it stands a monument to inventive thought , to constructive

skill , and mechanical combination , bnt cold and lifeless , nnable without enthusiasm and fire to apply its own wondrous powers , it even obstrncts the trails and prevents others from farther progress . Thus , mighty in defence , it often becomes a positive hindrance in attack . It is safety withont speed , aim withont persistence , judgment without energy , occupation without application , in short , conservatism is

the comprehension of duty without tho ablity to execute it . Thus our subject "Conservative Fanaticism" under these definitions and contrasts , reminds us of the existence of two opposite elements of power , eaoh the complement of the other , which , united , work harmoniously nnder all the combinations and complexities of life , employing every faculty of both mind and body in a wondrons

aggregate of human achievement , but which , by themselves , are generally useless , sometimes harmful , often cruel . Seldom or never do we see in the individual , or in sooiety , either of these extremes in extenso , but on every side do tendencies toward them appear , which should be avoided . Capital of the brain , as well as of the parse , is naught but labour husbanded , saved up for future

use , but unused capital becomes a snare and a delusion . It ha 3 been said with truth , that "Whoso by his short-sighted greed accumulates more than he needs for a comfortable living here , acts as host to anxiety and care . " Labour and capital are useless , each without the other . The rich should labonr to give them " an appetite for their dinner , " and the

poor to give them " a dinner for their appetite . Nature s law , " By the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread , " is an intellectual as well as physical truth , it applies to both extremes of our problem . Conservatism is obligatory upon every brother , but its consideration is worthless to ns as individuals or a Lodge , unless thereby we learn not only to store up some truth in thought , but also to make daily

use thereof . Conservatism commends itself to us , and is very easily chosen , as inactivity always is ; but its tendency is harmful . Fanaticism makes itself unpopular , as positive action always is ; hence is not readily chosen , and yet its tendency is seldom harmful , since it always furnishes a powerful element worthy our admiration .

It has the one redeeming feature of sincerity , which is always present , and which I fain wonld commend to every true Mason . Sincerity , among the virtues , is like iron among metals , if not the most preoious , it is the most useful , and the wise man always prefers utility to ornamentation .

Fanaticism is a belief , not a pretence , and a belief without sincerity is naught but " sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal , " pnre hypocrisy . Gennioeness of purpose is the essential element of fanaticism , it is its life , its all . One may perhaps play the role of fanatic for gain , but pure fanaticism is of the heart , and loses its reality withont sincerity and loyalty in its devotee . However base or cruel

the act , take away the belief on the part of the actor that he is doing right , and you have robbed him of his title , fanatic . Without this honest conviction he becomes a sham , a pretender , a charlatan , a quack : no longer worthy the name fanatic . Add hypocrisy , and the fanatic becomes the demagogue , one whose aim is for selfish purposes , by hook-or-crook to guide and control the convictions , opinions or votes of others , but not to be governed by his own convictions .

However warped the judgment , however unpopular the acts of the fanatic , all must admit his sincerity , or change his name . Take now this sturdy adherence to conviction and guide it with conservative judgment , and you unite heart and head on the right side in an intensely interesting , oft-times perplexing , sometimes desperate conflict , bat never a doubtful one , for truth is mighty and shall prevail . It is this element of honest conviction , independent thought and