A Kind Word To The Brethren.

A KIND WORD TO THE BRETHREN .

Not that we are receiving too many members into our Order , for the greater number , consistent with thorough instruction and Masonic discipline , the more servicable to the great

princip les we advocate . But are we not frequently receiving persons and hastily urging them on , of whose character , habits , and reputation we know but little ? We have before adverted to

the exclusion ot the selfish , for how can they engage in any great work for the relief of a brother or humanity ? We always find such imposing some obstacle to charitable purposes

and benevolent action . We have frequently referred to the importance of truth as a qualification . Can a man who is guilty of prevarication , who is dishonest in his opinions , who has no

conception of principle in politics or religion , engage in search after truth nnd in its propagation ? But are we not now in danger , great danger ,

of suffering as a society from the vice of intemperance ? Are we not in clanger of the repetition of the scenes preceding the anti- Masonic tornado ? We may have provided against the

credit system then so much in use in the Lodges , and thus have saved the Order from the influence of men in debt to it , a burden and ready to become its enemies , finding it easier to cancel

the obligation by abjuration . We have for ever escaped the repetition of a violent and gross persecution ; but we doubt whether this was an evil to Freemasonry . Persecution and adversity

are as essential , occasionally , to a society as to an individual . Have we escaped the ravages of intemperance in our midst r We may boast of our comparative freedom in this regard , and that

temperance prevails among us to a greater degree than in any other institution ; but are we freeare we doing our duty ? Shall Masonry contribute in the least to the encouragement of

intemperance ? God forbid . With her claims for regard as a means of temperance , can she endure an evil official example ; Can our society for a moment tolerate drunkenness in any of

its officers ? Should partiality for friends , or commiseration for the unfortunate , permit the retention of a man who is not perfectly sober , in any post of honour or distinction ? Should we

not be immovable here , and in no case y ielding ? Tempted by no great capability of serving as officers ? Better never have a degree conferred , than to give countenance to this vice in our

midst . Let such officer distinctly understand that he must promptly resign or be tried and degraded . Let no personal tenderness intervene .

Such officers are men of noble social traits , who gather around our sympathies , and it is difficult to act . Love the man no less , but the whole Order , the whole Brotherhood more .

Do what you can to save the Brother , but let no tenderness stop you in your duty to the Lodge , for fear this example may prove contagious , and

and the Lodge become like the Master . Jefferson once expressed his conviction , the result of long and varied experience , that no man should be entrusted with office who drank . So

our experience admonishes us in Freeemasonry . Again , what shall be done with erring brothers holding no official position ? Try to reform and save . Talk , with them , urge them to decision ,

A Kind Word To The Brethren.

to abstain utterly , —for when a brother has once fallen , there is no certain remedy but in total abstinence . If he hear not individual brethren , let the . Lodge , in a spirit of kindness and

brotherly love , appoint a good and benevolent member to talk officially with him , and if unsuccessful , increase the number of the committee , and protest and multiply effort to save the brother .

Find out where the temptation lies , and apply the remedy . Let the Lodge persevere in doing good . Let exclusion be the last resort . Thus may we do our duty to the erring brethren , ancl at the same time to the brotherhood . Thus

will something be done to save the Craft . But more is necessary . A drunken brother will be very likely to attract those like himself into the Lodge . Be constant in watchfulness

here . Use the blackball in every case where the probabilities are of evil result . We would also suggest that the Lodge censure any brother recommending a petitioner known to be of unsteady habits .

Generally in this matter are we doing our full duty ? While seeking to promote that temperance , which forms one of the noblest and most comprehensive of the Christian

virtues , are we staying drunkenness , with its legion of ills ? We know how it diseases the body and disturbs the equilibrium of the intellect , and poisons the springs of generous affection in

the heart , and lays a ruthless hand upon the whole moral and and spiritual nature , what it does to its poor victim ( and he a brother sometimes ) , and its ravages in Masonic households .

We know its blight on happiness and virtue , and even hope . We know the palpable shame , ancl misery , ancl guilt , about the drunkard ' s home ; the desolate hearts and cold hearths , where want

breaks in as an armed man , and the wife ( or sister ) is heart-broken or debased , ancl the children are demoralized , where ribaldry , blasphemy , and obscenity abound . Do we not

realize that we have a duty , and' are we not resolved that the vice of intemperance shall find no sanction nor protection from our Order ? There is no hope for those who have once

fallen but in total abstinence , and fearful is the account of those brothers who place temptation before such . We know the case of a young brother , of

no ordinary promise , who unhappily had contracted habits of intemperance . His excess brought grief to a large circle of friends ancl relatives , ancl to the Lodge of which he was a

member . The earnest and kind remonstrances of friends and the Lodge led him to desist , and understanding the philosophy of his case , he firmly resolved to abstain the rest of his

days . Not long after , in a social circle , he was urged to drink and be agreeable . A brother urged him , and a brother ' s wife . Yes , these unwittingly

urged this brother , lately so lost , and a brother so marvellously redeemed . Yes , they became the instrument of his downfall . With banter he was cheated out of his noble purposes . He felt

the demon waking from temporary sleep , and he said to a brother , " Now I have tasted once more , and I must drink on . " He did drink on , and died a drunkard ' s death , and was borne to a grave of shame .

A Kind Word To The Brethren.

Let us do our dut 3 ' to our brethren and our fraternity , to the wives and children of our Masonic household , and to a world to be influenced by our example .

Is not drinking healths becoming to common here and throughout the land ? Is not a gentleman and a brother sometimes denominated unsociable unless he repeats it again ? We cannot

better illustrate the absurdity of this practice than by the case of the German nobleman who once paid a visit to Great Britian , when the practice of toasting and drinking healths was at its height .

Wherever he went , during a six month ' s tour , he found himself obliged to drink , though never so loath . He must drink with every one who would be civil to him , and with every one , too ,

who wished a convenient pretext for taking another glass . He must drink a bumper in honour of the King and Queen , in honour of Church and and State , in honour of the army and navy . How

often did he find himself retiring , with throbbing temples and burning cheeks , from these scenes of intrusive hospitality . At length his visit drew to a close ; and to requite , in some measure , the

attention that had been lavished upon him , he made a great entertainment . Assembling those who had done him honour , he gathered them

around a most sumptuous banquet , and feasted them to their utmost content . The tables were then cleared . Servants entered with two

enormous hams ; one was placed at each end ; slices were cut and passed round to each guest , when the host rose and with all gravity said , "Gentlemen , I give you the King ! please eat to his

honour . " His guests protested . They had dined ; they were Jews ; they were already surcharged through his too generous cheer . But he was inflexible . " Gentlemen , " said he , " for

six months you have compelled me to drink at your bidding . Is it too much that you should now eat at mine ? I have been submissive ; why

should you not follow my example ? You will please do honour to your King ! You shall then be served with another slice in honour of the

Queen , another to the prosperity of the Royal family , and so on to the end of the chapter , — Michigan Freemason .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY ? To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir , and Brother , This is a question often asked , and very easily answered by any Freemason , who will tell you , that it is a " peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols . "

¦ I was initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry in the year 183 j , and I then determined to learn " what it was all about . " I learnt the working of a Lodge , and soon became its W . M . I was a subscriber and an occasional correspondent to the " Quarterly Review " and

read every new work by Dr . Oliver and other Masonic writers , and not only read , but took occasional notes of my readings , and I would say to my Brethren in the Craft , if you wish to become Masons in the proper sense of the word , go and do likewise ; you know Mr . Editor , there

are hundreds of Masons who attend lodge and banquet , and then think they have done all that is required of a Mason , and have nothing more to learn . What , can such an one think of Masonry ' . I advise all young Masons , who take any interest in the Craft , to subscribe to your paper , as a stepping stone to the study of Masonry , and