Landmarks And Innovations.

those be repeated over and over again to candidates ? Why should we not act in regard to Freemasonry as intelligent men act in respect to all things else—matters of faith and religion not excepted—modifying and improving the system in usages and methods where the real , abiding " landmarks " aro not trenched upon ?

Beyond this we may not go—must not go ! We must stand by the " landmarks " our fathers set np , and resolutely resist the pressure for change and novelties which is continually felt . As a recent writer on the subject , Bro . George C . Connor , of Tennessee , has well said :

" We gladly admit that there are a number of landmarks that should not be overturned by any present or future legislation or customs . And these are clear to our mind .

But there are a number of so-called landmarks that are merely regulations , and are to be observed or nofc , as the Grand Lodges , in their wisdom , may decide . This should be understood by all Freemasons . "

It may be difficult to draw the line—to determine between " landmarks " and mere rules , usages , methods , declarations , sometimes thus designated ; but intelligent , conservative brethren will be able fco reach conclusions on these matters as each is presented . If doubt arises , let the

benefit of ifc be given to the old phase or former method ; and under no conditions of pressure or enthusiasm let changes be made until they have been long and well considered . Then they will not be likely to be " * innovations in the body of Masonry . "—Freemasons' Bepository .

Two Lights And Aids.

TWO LIGHTS AND AIDS .

MASONRY is built up and sustained only on divine truth and divine aid . Truth is eternal and ever the same . Sciences and arts are progressive , because their elements and materials lie in struggling and shifting minds , or in beds of matter , whence they are drawn as

experiment and discovery accumulate their taols , but truth eternal is absolutely perfect , unchangably divine , because it is Godlike . It is like a polygon , many sided in its appearance to men , and they accept it each one from his own standpoint of belief , education or reason . Yet all

these sides are so angled that they converge aronnd one common centre , which is eternal truth , which is God , the Infinite , the Snpreme . Masonry therefore teaches that whatever a man ' s creed , it is alone a firm belief in the existence of God , a compliance with His laws , a moral life

which is alone the beauty of holiness and virtue , which is not only purity of life , but strength of character , that constitutes the essential elements or manhood . Hence fche intellect as well as the spirit of man must nofc lie dormant , but be exercised and advanced in the knowled ge of

truth , in order that science , art , nature and revelation may combine to aid in its discovery . The utility of all appliances of knowledge whether gained in the spiritual life by deepest lore in God's revealed word , or in discovery by the penetrations of science , which bring to light so much

that is hidden and mysterious , and thus facilitate the progress and improvement of the race , such utility is onl y seen and realised when there is a sense of devotion to duty , when man sees in his fellow-man a brother , made like himself , in the moral image of God ; and whose

keeper he is in that sense , that he must always respect his life , his property , hia character , bis reputation , his bonour . A man who lives up to teachings of Masonry

can be nothing else but an honourable , a pure and a godly man . So Masonry is nofc an institution that antagonises tbe church ; far from it . It help a man to be a Christian . The Church is instituted for the

purpose of bringing God to men as a Saviour , and proclaiming tho essential purpose of man ' s creation . Its ultimate purpose is to bring man to God for his salvation here and hereafter . Masonry is intended to make mon better , truer , juster in all tho relations of life , and to extend

the grand truth that came into the world with the advent of man's elder brother into it—the brotherhood of man . But as the brotherhood of man must necessarily havo for its foundation the fatherhood of God , Masonry not only

teaches but insists on the fatherhood by virtue of creation and universal dominion , and by virtue of God ' s power in operation among men . Thus , there is no conflict no antagonism whatever between the Church , instituted to declare God ' s glory among men , and Masonry , established

Two Lights And Aids.

for the perfection of human character , thafc it may conform it to that of its creator . * They both exist in the world as two lights , one divine and one human , one the pillar of strength , and the other the pillar of divine beauty—mutual aids and supports in the service and worship of God and in the service of man . —Masonic Trowel .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

FORTITUDE LODGE , No . 66 .

AT the meeting held on the 20 th , at Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , Bro . W . Bweet S . W . was elected W . M . for the year ensuing j Bro . S . Jew P . M . P . P . G . M . O . aa Treasurer , and Bro . James Gidley P . G . S . as Tyler .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Haymarket . —It is with pleasure we have to record a success for the revival of Mr . 0 . Haddon Chambers ' play " Captain Swift , " ia whioh Mr . Beerbohm Tree again appears in the name part . The popnlar aotor-manager has so many good characters in his repertoire that all classes of playgoers are in tarn satisfied , bat it is doubtful if

there is a part that gives Mr . Tree better opportunities to display his well known talent than Captain Swift . In every scene Mr . Tree makes his mark , whether it be a love scene or a passionate one , and as a result gains the hearty applause of his audience . The company engaged to support Mr . Tree is a good one , but space will not permit

of our mentioning all . However , Mrs . Tree , Miss Irene Yanburgb , Miss Carlott * Addison ( too young looking for the mother of Captain Swift ) , Mr . H . Kemble , Mr . C . M . Hallard , Mr . F . H . Macklin , and Mr . Charles Allen , all deserve a word of praise for their Capital noting .

Mohawk Minstrels . —The Christmas programme arranged by the managers of this popular troupe of minstrels is one that should draw all North London , inasmuch as it is , to onr mind , one of the best ever provided at the Koyal Agricultural Hall . As usual the first part comprises oomic and sentimental songs , dances , and jokes ,

concluding with a new comicality entitled " Elec-Triokery , or the Champion Belt , " in whioh the characters are sustained by the members of the company . In the second part Little Thomas cleverly sings " Johnny Bchmoker , " Johnny Danvers and Johnny Schofield appear in a duet , George I ) 'Albert and Billy Gardiner make separate

appearances , Celian Kottann plays one of his oornet solos , the Mohawk ' s choir reader "In this hoar of softened splendour , " the whole finishing with a farce , entitled " Hypnotisomnambulism . "

This is of a really high order , and certainly onght to take a front place among the farces of this company . Each of the membera taking part in this work well , with a result that a capital evening'a entertainment is brought to a happy and successful ending .

A movement is on foot to establish a Masomc Club in Richmond ( Surrey ) , and a well attended meeting has been held afc the College Hall to consider fche subject . An

influential Committee has been formed to make farther inquiries as to the available buildings suitable for the purpose . The place mostly favoured , a contemporary remarks , is the present Conservative Club .

Messrs . Cassell & Company having forwarded to H . R . H . the Prince * of Wales a set of the plates published in this year ' s issue of Yule Tide , and tbe new decorative design prepared for the announcement of Gassell's Family Magazine for December , ai specimens of British lithographio printing , have received the following communication :

" Marlborough House , Nov . 29 , 1893 . " Gentlemen , —I am desired by the Prince of Wales to express hia * best thanks to yon for having been so good as to forward for his inspection the decorative designs mentioned in your letter , and to say * that he thinks them pretty and in good taste . —I am , gentlemen , your obedient sevant , FRANCIS KNOLLYS . "

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE is spoken by over ono hundred millions of persons , sixty-nine millions speak German , over forty-one millions French , and thirty millions Italian . Spanish is understood by fortyone millions , and thirteen millions speak Portuguese , whilst Kussian is understood hy sixty-seven millions of persons . Thus , nearly three hundred and sixty-one millions oi people are acquainted with the

wonderful curative powers of HOLLO WAY ' PILLS and OINTMENT , as instructions for their use have been translated into most of the languages named . In fact they are universally known as the best medicines for all diseases . During the present cold weather they will be found in-I valuable for the prevention or cure of influenza , rheumatics , and all diseases of the throat and lungs .