Semper Eadem.

too often beneath hollow forms of outward conformity are lurking , in full swing and energy too , the baneful emotions of a sneering scepticism , a disregard of ecclesiastical claims , and even of moral restraints . It is then this benumbing and intolerant influence of Rome to which we

sostrongly object . You may be the most amiable and benevolent of men , kind , cultivated , and " sympatico " in the hig hest degree , but once hug the Ultramontane chain of infallible authority , and unerring dogma , all is changed with youyou are hardly the same person . You who

, were so benevolent , so philanthropic , so menschenfreundlich as the Germans say , in all that concerns the Roman Church of your birth or adoption , are as violent as Allen , and as unpitying as Torquemada . Let us take Daniel O'Connell ' s letter on Freemasonrv , in our last issue , as an

illustration . Daniel O'Connell was emphatically in himself a large-hearted man ; he had a genial and kindly sp irit , a love of pleasantry and fun , and seems to have represented in many respects all the most amiable aspects of the Irishcharacter . He once was a good Freemason , he had learnt and taught its lessons of toleration and goodwill ,

and no doubt , had cracked many a joke and had been a very pleasant companion of the social hour . But no sooner does he become thoroughly under the power of his spiritual advisers than he gives up Freemasonry , and denounces it . He , it is curious and amusing to note , professes not to have known of the decrees of Clement , of

Be-— "fie-iiicr ., orofTeo ^ mciseerris to say that their famous Bulls had not reached " Ould Ireland . " But all of a sudden his conscience is awakened , and he gives up the " filthy thing . " We take no notice of his angry remarks , or unfair animadversions , for they mean nothing , and count

as nothing . He is making out the best case he can for himself , and we can afford to be charitable to him . For Rome had mastered his fiery spirit , and he " caved in . " We like truth , and so we published his letter , that the fact might be clearly and finally disposed of . But the moral

to our mind is simple and plain . Rome dislikes Freemasonry , condemns Freemasonry , curses Freemasonry . Why ? Because Freemasonry , without wishing to interfere in reli gious discussion ov denominational differences , gives a warm hand , offers a hearty welcome , to all who

are friends to the freedom of the human conscience , and the right of private judgment ; who condemn no man for his creed or church ; who love toleration , charity , peace , and goodwill ; and whoina spirit of true religion , while avowing and

adoring the great Creator of all , decline to act as inquisitors into the faith or feelings of others , and especially object to that ' * crematory " process , which has ever been the " ultima ratio " of the persecutor , the bigot , and the intolerant .

Masonic Truth.

MASONIC TRUTH .

It might almost seem superfluous' to write on such a subject , since "Truth" is supposed to be a Masonic cardinal virtue , and said to be one of its distinguishing characteristics ' . But alas Freemasonry is human , and of this earth , earthy , like everything else in this sublunary world , and it has not escaped altogether the process of worldl y

adulteration or " decay ' s effacing fingers . " Freemasons , like all men , do not always practise what they preach ; they do not always square their deeds with their professions ! fa society and in common life , amid its struggles and its cares , and its business , and the pursuit of wealth , to which we all more or less devote the best

energies of our wills , our feelings , and our affections , we arc often , despite our good Masonic teaching , led to identify ourselves with the fashionable dicta of the hour , apt to be affected by the hidden leaven ever upwards working of a debased morality , of a corrupt code . We think

all means righteous to gain our object . We echo the old saying , " in love and war all things are fair j" wc are very ready to think that the " end justifies the means ; " and we applaud the sophistical axiom , that " we may do evil that good

may come . " Hence very often there comes over even our Masonic dealings , and words , and ways , a colouring of insincerity , of unreliability , of a want of openness , of a tendency to go beyond a brother . Wc do not run straight . We smile in a brother ' s presence , wc backbite him in his

Masonic Truth.

absence . We listen to the ready tongue of the malicious or revengeful : we greedily catch up some idle story to his discredit , and we pass it on with zest , or we palm it off" eagerly on some credulous listener " as a fact , sir , " a reality , a truth ! Now , friendship itself is a very sacred bond ,

given by the Great Architect of all for . the happiness and peace of man here , and ought always to be looked upon as something very dear , precious , and inviolable . It is one of our greatest blessings and our purest joys . But Masonic friendship has charms and claims of its own .

We are members of a little band of warm and genial friends , children of the light , brethren of love , guiding our steps over life ' s troublous sea by the beacon lig hts of Faith , Hope , Charity , and Truth 1 To ignore a brother ' s claims upon us for kindly consideration and fair treatment ,

to be slanderous where we should be chivalrous , and detractors where we should be upholders , is indeed a sad commentary on the reality of Masonic principles , on the vitality of Masonic practice ! It is base enough in the common vulgar crowd ' of hurrying mortals to sacrifice rig ht and

truth to low expediency and cowardly subservience . It is sad to see friendship betrayed and loyal trust disappear in the too frequent violations of every law of honour , morality , and duty . But to forget that as brethren we seem to form a phalanx of kindly hearts and honourable associates , that we are bound to be true to one another and our ( rood old flrrW l" """» rnnliaminaiJt

• j ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ "" s ' r "' life s often trying pathway , is , and must be a subject of deep regret to every good Freemason . If faith and charity are destined to leave our toiling hosts of mortals to-day , if the progress of society is only to be marked by the sad evidences

of a failing love of veracity , by demoralizing habits and mournful prevarications , let us seek to keep our lodges still the home of truth , the refuge of honour , friendship , and devotion , where brethren can meet as brethren , and friend rely on friend .

Jottings Of Transatlantic Freemasonry.

JOTTINGS OF TRANSATLANTIC FREEMASONRY .

We were glad to have been able to give a report from the " Old Dominion" of the progress of our good brethren under the Grand Lodge of Quebec , and we always heartily welcome the reports of Canadian Freemasonry . Our brethren have two very able periodicals there , the

' Canadian Craftsman , " and the " Canadian Masonic News , " both very well edited , and we are pleased from time to time to cull from their columns many an interesting item of Masonic intelligence from that far-off land , for the information of our brethren at home . We are

always happpy to hear of Canadian " sayings and doings . " We have also received the " St . Francisco Chronicle" of October the 1 4 th , in which is contained the meeting of the Californian Grand Lodge of October 13 th , under G . M ., G . C . Wilkins . From

his address we learn that all is prospering with Freemasonry , and with the Grand Lodge . We are glad to hear , and our readers will too , what the Grand Master terms the " moral influence of Freemasonry " in that remarkable land . " Could the secret history of our own State be unfolded , " he says , " the works of charity and pure bene

licence bestowed by Masonry would command the reverence of many who now revile it . For many years in the mining portions of our State it was the prevailing moral influence thac kept men within the bounds of moderation , andtaught them to ' do tinto others as they would wish that others should do unto them . ' Its votaries

ministered to the sick , relieved the destitute , and performed the last sad tribute of respect to the dead . Thus is Masonry ever quietly and unostentatiously performing its mission among us , receiving within its folds those only who voluntarily knock for admission and are found worth y —men of every nationality and creed , with r . o

religious prohibition except the one requisite belief in God , the Supreme Intelligence which prevades all nature . Jew and Gentile , Mahommedan and Christian , meet within our lodges upon one common level , working harmoniousl y together for their moral improvement and social regeneration . " Jt seems that there are 198 lodges in this jurisdiction working under charters

Jottings Of Transatlantic Freemasonry.

from the Grand Lodge , and four working under dispensation . These 202 lodges have a memhership of about 12 , 000 , all the lodges having during the year increased their membership . The financial report of the Grand Lodge is said also to be very good , and the Grand

Master thus speaks of the Board of Relief , though , as will be seen , no actual figures are given . "The earnest appeal of the Grand Master , in his last annual address in behalf of the Masonic Board of Relief in this city , I would again commend to your consideration . The good

work daily performed by the members of that board is deserving of all praise and honour . Their report will , I think , show a very large increase , during the present year , in the number who have applied to the board for assistance , who , if

they are found worthy and deserving , are always granted aid sufficient to relieve them of their immediate necessities , and as far as practicable they are assisted to some work where they may earn an honest livelihood . I trust that the

Grand Lodge will make a liberal appropriation to this truly benevolent organization . " The address was well delivered and loudly applauded . _ The Grand Master closes with the following incident ,

which we think is well worthy of note and remembrance : — "A certain man , before leaving his old home in the East , had been made a Mason , but since coming to the Pacific coast had not visited a lodge , but had fallen upon evil paths _ and

BrxrnEoTTiToaissipation . One day he was looking for some articles in his trunk , when he came upon a forgotton package , which , when opened , was found to contain his lambskin apron ( for the lodge wherein he was made a Mason had made it a custom to present each member with

this emblem of Masonry ) . The sight of the spotless vestment , more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagls , aroused a flood of recollection in his bosom . In imagination he was carried back to his old home where he had been honoured and respected ; to the time when he

stood in the north-east corner a just and upri ght man , where it had heen given him strictly in charge thus ever to act and walk . He asked himself how he had fulfilled the charge ? Had he walked as an upright man ? He felt that he had not . But the spark of manhood which still

lingered in his bosom was strong enough to kindle a raging lire for reform . He put the apron away , and went forth determined to conquer the terrible demon that had been leading him on to the abyss of destruction . " It is then , we trust , an interesting fact in itself , and one

very encouraging to all Freemasons , that our great brotherhood is even more powerful , and more advancing , in the new world than in the old . In ^ the Dominion of Canada , under the Canadian Confederation , and in the United States , the nuriiber of Freemasons cannot be less than 650 , 000 , and if to this be added English , and Irish , and

Scotch Freemasons , and our lodges in India , the Mediterranean , the Cape of Good Hope , the West Indies , the Mauritius , & c , Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry , without much exaggeration , may be placed at something short of a million of members . May all of good attend the onward progress of our universal brotherhood .

Albæ Dies.

ALB ? DIES .

Since last we met our readers two great anniversaries have been observed and have taken place within the good City of London . The one , the birthday of our Royal Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , the other , Lord Mayor ' s Day . Both of these events have much meaning and

interest for all patriotic Englishmen . Despite the unwholesome virulence of a few unreasoning fanatics , the great mass of our free English people is emphaticall y loyal to their hearts' core ! We may have our days of trial and even discontent , low wages may affect us , a bad trade may

try us , but the pulse of England always beats full and true in its healthy hours , unchanged in its loyalty and devotion to the best of Queens , and the great and glorious institution of our free and constitutional government . Under it a wise

and understanding people has thriven and progressed in contentment , order , comfort , peace , and wealth . Party cries have become less and less , social reforms long needed , now attract the energies of the statesman , and the sympathies