Masonic Fellowship.

MASONIC FELLOWSHIP .

IT is allowed by all careful observers of Freemasonry that it furnishes some strong bonds , by means of which its members are united in a pleasant and abiding

fellowship . In this respect its power is acknowledged and its utility made manifest . What is the basis of such a fellowship ?

Why is ifc , and how is it , that the Masonic organization holds its members so closely to itself , and brings them into such friendly regard with each other ? The fellowship created by Freemasonry is more than that

of the social club . Good cheer and free , hearty companionship have their place in Masonic associations . The Lodge , like the club , ministers to the social side of man ' s nature , and makes tho opportunity for an expression of much of friendliness . We may not despise the offerings of organised . Freemasonry in this respect . The laugh , the song , the story , the good humour , and the good cheer which belong to the unrestrained social intercourse of Masonic gatherings , ought not to be esteemed as of little or no value . But it is derogatory to the high character of the Masonic Institution to regard its clubable features as constituting its ' most important ties of fellowship . We must recognise the

privileges of sociability and good cheer provided under its auspices , but in the scale of relative values they do not weigh so much as' some other things . There are ties depending on Masonic sentiment , faith , teaching , obligations , work , & c , which are of the first importance and the most enduring character . Freemasonry presents itself as a science to be studied and applied ; a philosophy to be unfolded j a system of ethics binding the life to duty and to humanity , and a

system of faifch and devotion uniting the heart to God . Regarded in this light it is not so very difficult to discover the fellowship it imposes , and the basis on which it rests . That basis most certainly is nothing less than the

principles , ideas and purposes , which belong to Freemasonry and give it character—a vital force without which it would have perished long ago . Men who stand together on a platform of noble and grand ideas , who pledge themselves

alike to beneficent services , and become interested in common studies and pursuits , must of necessity be brought into friendly communion , and their souls must be knit together by a sweet and gracious fellowship .

It is as a working body specially that the Masonic organisation creates and develops this true , hearty fellowship . When we begin to do for others our brotherly love warms and increases . The benevolent service that we

render as Craftsmen—the charity we express by word or deed—all faithful discharge of the active duties of related life will bring us more and more into sympathetic accord and help to a realization of the full import of Masonic

Brotherhood . It is no cause for complaint that Freemasonry has this practical side , and that so much is required in the way of mutual regard and helpfulnessrather a cause for rejoicing , for thus the spirit of brotherly

love is deepened and quickened , and the best possible basis of a true Masonic fellowship established . So may we be glad to" Give each ofcher pity , aid , and strength , And consolation ; man was made for man . "

Young Men In Masonry.

YOUNG MEN IN MASONRY .

THERE are no old men in Masonry . There are Brethren whose heads are crowned with hair of snowy whiteness , whose eyes are dim witb years of continual seeing , whose limbs are tottering with the weight they have borne for so long a period , but their hearts are

young , their spirit is unbroken , their fraternal zeal is unabated , and they are still yonng men in Masonry . It is a characteristic of our Craffc that it is a fountain of youth to its members . Cicero once said , " As I approve of tbe

youth thafc has something of the old man in him , so I am no less pleased with an old man that has something of the youth . He that follows this rule may be old in body , but he can never be so in mind . " Cicero is said to have been

an initiate in the Eleusinian Mysteries , and he tells us that " men came from the most distant shores to be initiated at Eleusis . " If he was an initiate , he realised in his own

experience , and in that of his Brethren , the fact that all remained young who shared in the Mysteries .

Young Men In Masonry.

There is something m " Masonic Light which illumines all the dark places in life a Freemason is called on fco pass through . There is something in Masonic fellowship which

guarantees exemption from the carping cares too often incident to human existence . There is something in Masonic charity which is more than money , more than sympathy , more than worldly assistance , to him who is in

distress . Even when clouds obscure the light of day , and misfortune wickedly assails , and friends desert a Brother , who is left worn with years , and with an empty purse , then his Brethren surround him with the arms of their love , and give him a home—the Masonic Home , where with selfrespect and comfort he may pass his last years , surrounded by his friends , who are eager not only to minister to his absolute needs , but to give him also some of the luxuries of life .

All Brethren being thus young men in Masonry , let us enter a Lodge and note what we there see . The Master of a Lodge is often what any one would call a young man . and so are the Wardens , while the appointed

officers are certainly young , often very young . Deacons , Masters of Ceremonies , Pursuivant , all are unmistakably young . They perform their duties with ability . They are active , vigilant , discreet . They are ambitious of knowledge , of preferment , of performing their work well . They are even proud to " go to school , " since they know that one can never be too old to learn . Freemasonry is thus a school of : discipline , of culture , of knowledge . And the offices in Masonrv . rising- one above another in a scale of

increasing dignity and honour , open a field of unexampled breadth for the display of individual ability . Where else can one derive equal information and pleasure in return for the expenditure of the same amount of time and effort ? Did it confer no other advantage than exemption from the benumbing influences of age , Freemasonry would be worth all the labour one can expend upon it . Young Masons ,

would you remain always young ? Maintain your active connection with the Craft , meet statedly with your Brethren , associate with those whose spirits never flag , and your days will be prolonged—and your nights also—and you will unanimously vote that life is worth living . But who are those sages in the Lodge who occupy the

higher seats ; who , perhaps , perform comparatively little of the active work , but are there for an emergency ? Some of them are apparently Masonic veterans ; three score , or three score years and ten , may have passed over them , but still they are there , wise counsellors in case of need .

They are entitled to their ease , and they enjoy it .

How blest is he who crowns , in shades like these , A youth of labour with an age of ease . But at any moment these Past Masters may become active Freemasons . They are ready , at a moment ' s notice , to don

the Master ' s clothing and do his work , or do that of the humblest appointed officer . And if counsel be needed ,

they are there to give it . They are still young men m Masonry , and they will never grow old . Brethren , do not you feel this " fountain of immortal youth" welling up in your hearts , and sending life through your veins ? Ifc is the Craft ' s gift ; treasure it as you ought , and use ifc as you may for promoting the best interests of Freemasonry . —Keystone

The gavel is the emblem of authority . It is the lever whioh moves the Masonio world . When wielded by the Master in his Lodge it is more potent than a monarch's sceptre . The Master there is sovereign , and his will alone becomes the law by which the Craft are governed , and to which they mnst bow with graceful submission and

strict obedience . For the Master to permit the slightest deviation from this rule would sap his prerogative and plant the seed that would produce turmoil , disorder , dissension , and ultimately anarchy . It is fche province of the chosen few to command , while it is the duty of others to obey . Upon the very threshold of Masonry the novice

is instructed that the peace and harmony of the Lodge must not be disturbed . Whenever a Ma . on so far forgets himself as to bring anything offensive into the Lodge whereby disturbance may be caused , he becomes guilty of one of the greatest offences known to our Masonic calendar , and amenable to the severest penalty which our Masonio code can impose .

A CAED . —AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY is announced in the " Paris Figaro , " of a valuable remedy for nervous debility , physical exhaustion , and kindred complaints . This discovery was made by a missionary in Old Mexico ; ifc saved him from a miserable existence

and premature decay . The Eev . Joseph Holmes , Bloomsbury Mansions , Bloomsbury Square , London , W . C , will send the prescription , free of charge , on receipt of a self-addressed stamped envelope . Mention this paper .