Masonic Art And Science.

skill clearer if the ancient and orderly method of doing all business in the ultimate or Entered Apprentice degree had not been arbitrarily changed in defiance of tho Divine Order , bv which tho highest or inmost is in the interior ,

and both operate in the exterior by continuity , there manifesting themselves by use and execution : whereby every deed or act derives its quality from the inmost source , through tho interior degree .

In this way , and nofc <• ¦ mtr-ithvise , all Masonic work and use must operate and proceed . Hence , should only sensual Masons undertake to obtain the secrets hidden within the

hig her or internal degrees , to them closed by violence by thoir own self-derived intelligence , or evil intention and act , they would assassinate Divine Order within themselves , and so become ruffians truly . This is so because love or life in its esse , which is of

God alone , is inmost and therefore cannot be seen or perceived except by its form alone , or wisdom , which operates by truth in strength from the omnipotence of the Supreme , down through the interior , continuously in the exterior , and there presents itself to the senses in all its

beauty . Thus life flows into the inmost from the Divine as from the father , or Divine love in its esse , which proceeds in Divine truth as its continent , or as the Son , and operates through the interior in the exterior , or the natural

degree of man , by charity and faith in act , in all its harmony . Here is where we behold the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man , in faith , hope and charitywhereon , as upon Jacob's ladder , its heavenly forms descend and ascend .

In the terrestrial Lodge aro greafc and lesser li ghts . Iu orderly progression we first behold the sun which rules the day , and the moon which governs fche night ; and thus , by correspondence , all states and qualities of lovo and faith of

each individual Mason , that the Worshipful Master , representing this duality by love and wisdom in their unity , may rule and govern his Lodge , or all combined , with equal order .

The natural suu being pure fire , and hence dead , derives life from the Divine fountain , and through its rays of natural heat and light transmits spiritual heat and li ght , or love and wisdom , in regular order through the three degrees and their subdivisions into ultimates , or nature , from wbich

springs lifo in all creatures and creation . As the sun , by its dual yet discrete composition of heat and li ght , makes one in its effect , so love and wisdom , good and truth and charity and faith , iu each subordinate degree , make one by effect and execution .

From this is all duality in nature—aye , in the universe —which , from its Divine source that is infinite , is limitless , and becomes a trinity by use , and thus again makes one in ultimates . In the Lodge this rests in its geometric science by length

and breadth and height . Length signifies what is good , breadth what is true , ancl height the united quality of both , according to fche degree . From this ifc is , that fche Entered Apprentice Lodge without , and thafc of the Fellow Craft within , extending from east to west around fche globe , and

being thus twice as long as ifc is broad between north and south , are double cubes , whilo tho Master Masons' Lodge , which is inmost , as was fche sanctum sanctorum of King Solomon ' s Temple , whose length and breadth and hei ght

were equal—is a single cube , and signifies that the inmost or supreme source is essentially one—from Whom alone proceeds love and wisdom , good and truth and charity and faith , in duality and by discrete degrees , to become one in all its complex qualities in effect or ultimates .

In the degrees of the individual Mason this duality dwells in his right and left , but more particularly in the two brains , the ears and eyes and nose , his breast and limbs and arms ; aye , iu the nerves and fibres thafc proceed in multitudes from the brains to all parts of his body , to

construct the man , until , in their contemplation , the human mind is lost in amazement at their infinity , but all of which unite in one by use or function .

The left side , corresponding to his understanding—in the profane of what is false , and in the initiated Mason of what is true , or capable of becoming so—symbolises the first degree .

The righfc side , corresponding to hia will—now vivified in the Fellow Craffc , and now assenting to be led by its guide , the understanding , in what is good—represents the second degree , * whilo both loft and right , by their mosfc vital parts within the breast , in their symbolic functions of friendship , morality and brotherly lovo , or charity in its

Masonic Art And Science.

complex form , constitutes the third degree . Aye , the whole Institution , from firsts to outmosts , proceeds in the Divine Order , by good and truth in their duality , from end to cause , and becomes a trinity in the effect which makes it

one . This duality manifests itself in the Lodge in the two Wardens , who represent the two great pillars , established by strength in the third or wisdom , in the lambskin or whito apron , in all tho means of recognition , in every ono

of the working tools of the Craft , and in all its lights and shades ; all of which , as well as numberless other things that go into tho logical and cohesive framework of the Institution , I must hero leave unexplained , for want of time and opportunity . But everyone can see , upon

reflection , that it is from the general and universal application of its sublime metaphor , geometric science , and pbilosqphy and symbolism ; and not because all men everywhere upon the globe can be made Masons , which cannot be trne ; where dwells the antiquity and universality of this

remarkable Institution , and which unite in this Divine injunction : " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart , and with all thy soul , and with all thy strength , and thy neighbour as thyself : " from which is the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man . —Voice of Masonry .

Planting The Sprig Of Acacia.

PLANTING THE SPRIG OF ACACIA .

THE New Yorh Sunday Times very prettily says : " The lesson taught in the planting of the sprig of acacia lasts with the life of a thoughtful Craftsman , and its moral imprint is associated with every acfc of his eventful life . The revelations and the beauties of Masonry are gifts to man from his Creator , and the green sprig tvpifies the

existence of an immortal soul . In this view , Free and Accepted Masons greet the sprig as a constant reminder , so to speak , of man ' s grave responsibilities to the author of his being , whose watchful , all-seeing eye is never closed . To follow this line of thought is bufc to be led by tho

hand of divine mercy toward the treasures thafc are to be found in tbe little symbol we are wont to call a green sprig . To the human eye ifc is bright in colour , and of trifling value save to answer the purposes of sorrow , then its plaintive story is told in a melody thafc inclines our hearts

to the Great Unknown hereafter . From time immemorial this sprig has associated with the labours of Masons , and , when following the remains of a departed brother to the silent grave , we display ifc on our bodies , and to the dust we consign it with an exclamation of sorrow . The profane

world can , if so inclined , witness the performance of this sad duty , but of the hallowed associations clinging to thafc ceremony they are ignorant ; and so too are other men ignorant who have learned of the lesson taught by the little green sprig , but refuse to make a

timely application of its teachings to their perverse hearts . By the act of depositing the sprig in the grave of a deceased brother the living Mason bears witness to his faith in the immortality of the human soul , the power of the Creator , and man ' s dependency upon his divine will .

So , too , does this little green sprig guide the Mason into a rebirth . It takes him from the darkness of ignorance into the light of a pure life , and when mortal cares beset our path it whispers sweet consolation to us , and tells us of the glories of another world . Yes , the green sprig from

a Masonic standpoint is very precious . Ifc never leaves us . In joy or sorrow , ifc is at our side and in our hearts . It sings songs of pleasure in the haunts of grief , and when man has served his stewardship on earth , it returns with him to the dust , to share in the joys that are only found at the home of our Creator . —Liberal Freemason .

It is proposed that the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys Athletic Sports should take place on the afternoon of Saturday , 31 st May . Bro . George Everett has kindly consented to act as Treasurer , and a Committee for carrying out the sports is in course of formation .