What Has Been, And Shall Be.

WHAT HAS BEEN , AND SHALL BE .

By NILES SEARLS Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of California . THE FORMULATION OF MASONRY .

( Continued from p . 119 . ) The practice of admitting to their ranks men distinguished for their profound learning and their attainments in the arts and sciences prevailed from an early period , and little by little , as this practice continued , and knowledge increased , the rank and file of

the Order was filled by men of genius and culture , who , animated by high aims and noble purposes , gave to the body an accelerated impetus in the direction of a broader culture , a grander destiny . Thenceforth its ranks were sought by men not so much

intent upon advancement in a chosen vocation , as by a desire for a higher and broader culture in the social amenities , moral perceptions , intellectual acquirements . It became an educator of the age , an intelligent mental force of the times , around which clustered the deepest thinkers , the greatest philanthropists , the grandest moralists of every land graced by its presence .

Man is a gregarious animal . It is only in the society of his fellows that his higher attributes find full play . ' In solitude he dwindles into insignificance . Sages may sigh for that solitude as affording opportunity to formulate wise theories founded upon

the gamed knowledge coming from contact with their fellow men ; a suitable place in which to marshal , count , scan and value the gems of thought gleaned along the busy paths of life . It furnishes no mines of mental wealth in which to delve for hidden treasure .

The gratification of the social instinct inherent in man has opened the avenues for his advancement from the status of the cave-dweller to his present condition . Speculative Masonry has seized upon this social instinct of

mankind and made it the basis of all its action . It has realised that just as certainly as certain game may be found frequenting the salt licks of its environment , so may the average man be found converging to his fellow men in quest of that social pabulum without which he cannot exist .

Where I asked to designate the highest attribute of wisdom exhibited in the formulation of Masonry , I should respond , it was in seizing upon the social instinct and making it the basis for moral and intellectual culture . I repeat , that the social feature of Masonry has been the

basis of intellectual as well as moral culture . Not that sociology , which is but that branch of philosophy which deals with the constitution , phenomena and development of human society , necessarily and directly leads to great mental culture , but

indirectly the teachings which lead men to an inquiry as to their true relations as members of society , and prompt them to the exercise of their relative duties to their fellows , tend to that intellectual awakening which eventuates in a broader culture and greater intellectual effort .

Socially , we occupy a pivotal point from which a hundred paths diverge , some of them leading to lofty heights , crowned with a diadem of truth , faith , hope and charity ; others lead to the lowest depths of depravity—caverns filled with hateful things , fit abode for the vilest of nature ' s sons .

The friends we make socially exercise over us a potent influence as to the paths in which we travel . If Masonry did no more than to exercise over its votaries benign social influence it would commend itself to every thinking man competent to judge its merits . Its power in this direction , though silent as the speed of light , is mighty in moulding our lives in forms of beauty .

In its incipiency , the influence of Operative Masonry was directed to the advancement of its members in the practical affairs of life , and their growth in the higher and nobler attributes of manhood was largely a sequence of the lessons of form and beauty implanted in their minds .

By the evolutionary process under which Speculative Masonry was developed , an entire change of theory was gradually unfolded , and the rough ashlar has become not an object upon

which to bestow manual labour for the purpose of practical results , but a symbol of man ' s rugged nature , to be brought into harmony with the divine scheme , by diligent culture and a patient practice of the Masonic virtues .

To this end my Brethren , bend all the energies of your natures ; cultivate , within the limits prescribed by our rules , the social instinct as a means to the growth and expansion of all the

moral and intellectual forces within you , ever remembering that the moral soundness which has honesty and integrity as its basis , is essential to the formation of such a character as should be possessed by every true Mason .

Forms and symbols are useful in conveying to the mind beautiful and ennobling lessons , just as words convey ideas ; the latter are as prosy as the mathematics ; the former are the poetry of life , and find a rhythm in every responsive soul . So long as we confound not the altar with the sacrifice , these object lessons are as poems of ineffable beauty to the heart

What Has Been, And Shall Be.

and mind . After all , they are , like all forms and ceremonies , but a means to an end . They are the rich golden surface prospect , which encourages us to delve deep down for the hidden treasure of the mine . — " Voice of Masonry . "

A Distinguished Indian Mason.

A DISTINGUISHED INDIAN MASON .

COL . C . F . MASSY District Grand Master of the Punjab , in addressing the Members of his Grand Lodge at the Annual Communication , held at Lahore , on 27 th December last , thus referred to Bro . Edwin Woodall Parker : The Right Worshipful Brother's eminence as the most distinguished Mason in India has been fitly recognised by the higher authorities , who have now placed him , for the second time , in a position of the highest trust and

responsibility whioh it is in their power to bestow . And we , Brethren , who have for years in this Province gauged the personal worth of the new District Grand Master of Mark Masonry , well know what a happy choice has been made in the interests of the Craft which Right Worshipful Brother Parker has so long and so faithfully served . Ho is not a rich man : few of us in this land have the so-called blessing of wealth ; but no one ever appealed to him

in the name of charity , or turned towards him in tho hour of distress , without receiving from him a full measure of relief and kindly sympathy ; often , as true charity always ought to bo , given at the sacrifice of his own personal wants . This matter , Brethron , I dwell upon because my worthy predecessor in this Chair has the eminently true virtue of doing his good deeds without ostentation , setting his light , so to speak , under a bushel . His motto is :

" When thou doest alms , lot not thy left hand know what thy right hand dooth . " I would continue the beautiful quotation : " That thine alms may bo in secret , and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly . " Now , Brethren , I feel it my duty to dwell on this side of Bro . Parker ' s character , bocauso it is one which , by reason of his consistent following of this precept of secrecy , is only known to the recipients of his benevolence , and I think it right , because of tho lesson it convoys to myself and to all of

us , that this beauty in his generous and warm-hearted nature should not for ever remain hidden from his fellow-workors who may know him meroly as an able administrator , and a just and upright judge . This admirable trait has many times come to my notice since I succeeded him in the office of District Grand Master , and I now venture to make it public in the hope that it may encourage some of us who are in a position to do so , to follow his example in carrying out this most admirable injunction of our Order . — " Indian Freemason . "

It is stated Sir M . Hicks Beach Provincial Grand Master of Gloucestershire has signified his intention of holding the next Provincial Grand Lodge in Gloucester , on Wednesday in Whit week . There is a probability of the meeting being held in the Chapter House of the Cathedral .

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GAIETY RESTAURANT , STZULIXJD . LUNCHEONS ( HOT and COLD)—At Popular Prices , in BUFFET and EESTAUEANT ( on 1 st floor ) . Also Chops , Steaks , Joints , Entrees , & c , in the GEILL EOOM . AFTERNOON TEAConsisting of Tea or Coffee , Cut Bread and Butter , Jam , Cake , Pastry , ad lib , at 1 / - per head ; served from i till 6 in EESTAUEANT ( 1 st floor ) . DINNERS IN RESTAURANTFrom 5-30 till 9 at Fixed Prices ( 3 / 6 and 6 / - ) and a la Carte . In this room the VIENNESE BAND performs from 6 till 8 . Smoking after 7-45 . AMERICAN BAR . THE GRILL ROOM is open till Midnight . PEIVATE DIBLN & ROOMS POE LAEGE AJSD SMALL PAETIES .