Freemasonry Universal.

Master Masons—just as they have to-day , and no such handicraft could then or now be successfully conducted without them . History or no history , Grand Lodge or no Grand Lodge , there never was and never will be any other , nor can there be any other classification of any trade , and Masonry is no exception .

Travelling east and north with the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt , we again get a glimpse of Masonry in Syria , and strong evidence of its Egyptain character in the construction of the famous Temple of King Solomon , with its two brazen pillars at the entrance and their ornate adornments . The same

are to be found to-day in minarets of the mosques in Africa and Asia , and are but typical of the two obelisks in front of the temples in Egypt . In the middle of the mediaeval ages we find great bands of workmen travelling westward through continental Europe , engaged in the erection of palaces , fortresses and cathedrals , which

were known to be organised bodies of Masons , and thence still westward to Great Britain , where we have many remaining evidences of their skill in the beautiful ruins of palaces , abbeys and cathedrals . That these bauds of roving workmen were Operative and Speculative Masons , and of the great Fraternity of

Freemasons Universal , it were useless to deny . It is freely admitted by Masonic students and writers that while it cannot . be said where and at what period in the world ' s history Freemasonry was organised , neither can it truthfully be said when Freemasonry did not exist . And we as truthfully claim that the date of the

mergement of Operative and Speculative Masonry is as obscure as that of its institution . Of one fact we are assured historically , and that is that the Freemasonry of to-day , the Freemasonry of the world , came from those bands of workmen , from those Lodges of architects who erected the famed abbeys of Melrose and

Kilwinning , in Scotland , and the many abbeys , palaces , castles and fortresses in England . From those grand old builders , whose stupendous work' of Masonry dot Great Britain , continental Europe , Africa and Asia , or lie in picturesque ruins in other lands , came the Grand Lodge of England , of Ireland , of Scotland , of the United States , and other countries .

Freemasonry existed for ages before the Grand Lodge of today was ever thought of , as every band of workmen formed their own Lodge , and representatives of the same often met in general assembly for the purpose of mutual counsel and advice . ( To be continued . )

By Their Acts Ye Shall Know Them.

BY THEIR ACTS YE SHALL KNOW THEM .

THEEE was a time , in the long ago , when Freemasons , like church members , were known by their deportment in daily life , especially so where they dealt with each other . No show of temper was allowed and no short turns taken . When riled by business , politics , etc ., and their hot blood was ready for action , a " still small voice " whispered in their ear , " He is my Brother

and I must not strike him , or shed his blood in anger , " and continued its kindly admonition by reminding us that " neither indeed have we the right to use language sufficiently insulting to bring on an assault . " When , however , we could not contain our wrath , but gave vent to our feelings even with a blow , mutual

explanations immediately followed , and a faster friendship in a large number of cases was the result . If this failed official cognizance was taken of the matter by the Master , and the good offices of the Lodge were invoked to " line out" the belligerents , or deal with them according to Masonic law aud usage . In those

days Masonry was no " respecter of persons . " All , all alike , were made to act upon the square and live by the plumb line of truth . In those days they were more mindful of a Brother ' s feelings . In those days neither wealth nor station was a barrier to a close affiliation with the poor Brother . In those days their own

reputation and that of their families was sacred , the tongue of scandal was paralysed ere it spoke . In those days the uplifted arm was arrested and the blow stayed that would have felled a Brother . In those days the cries of the widow and orphan were never heard in vain . In short , in those days they lived Masonry because they loved it .

How is it now ? Listen , while we tell you . The Mason is only known by being seen in some outdoor procession , by the jewelery he wears , or by affixing several figures to his signature . In his daily walks he knows no difference between his Brother and profane . He will abuse him roundly if occasion presents

itself and challenge him to a passage at arms to appease his wounded honour . They " will not speak as they pass by , " but continue to nurse their wrath . They defy their Lodge , and the Officers are too " weak-kneed" to regulate them . They attend Lodge occasionally , and if they " get sit down on , " as they say ,

do not hesitate to express themselves after Lodge is over . They are " purse-proud , " and think it quite presumptuous to be classed with the poorer members , especially so unless they can do their thinking . They have attained political honours , perhaps , and do society to such an extent that they neither associate with their

By Their Acts Ye Shall Know Them.

Brethren , unless they happen to be in their class , or attend Lodge . They frequent saloons and on convivial occasions " tank up " to such an extent that they could hardly " hit the ground with their hat . " They are fond of a " social game , " and when

in their cups do not hestitate to stand a raise in a jack pot or back a bob-tail flush against two pair or a big dog , greatly to the discomfiture of their poor wife and children , who are hungry and cold at home . Is this Masonry ? We wot not .

" Why , the old man has been there , surely , " says one . Yes , Brother , we would feel as though we had lived in vain if we fail to profit by what we have seen and heard during the last half century , It is this knowledge that enables us to talk to you as we do and

warn you against the pitfalls in your pathway ever open to receive you . It is our intimate association with the members of the Craft that has " put us on to " their shortcomings , and thereby enables us to call " a spade a spade . "

Of course we do not mean to say that the entire Fraternity are given to such flagrant violations of the teachings of Masonry , but we do mean to say that those who are guilty know it , and we admonish them to change their course of conduct and " get into line , " so that the world at large may know them from a profane without the use of jewelery or figures after their name .

We are led to these remarks by everyday observations , and we must say that the tenets of Masonry are being sadly abused . Members of the Craft are so afraid of being considered cowardly and the Officers of Lodges so afraid of being accused of officiousness that the guilty go unpunished and Masonry is dragged in the dirt . If the Worshipful Masters and members

would do the full measure of their duty , and when they hear of " personal tilts " among the Brethren or a flagrant violation of Masonic law and usage , go promptly and report the same , to the end that an amicable settlement may be arrived at or the guilty parties made to answer , Masonry would soon take a different turn , and respect and esteem for the Institution would rapidly reclaim its lost ground . —Bun F . Price , in" American Tyler . "

The Great Western Eailway Company have entirely remodelled their public time-book , and the revised edition is being issued for January . It contains an excellent map of the Company ' s system , and upon the cover are views of some of the places of interest served by the line . The type , which is entirely new , is exceedingly clear , and the publication is thoroughly up to date .

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