Good Thoughts.

GOOD THOUGHTS .

We visited , a few weeks since , a lodge in a neighbouring jurisdiction , located in a pleasant village of two thousand inhabitants , that has kept up an unflagging interest in its meetings for nearly thirty years by aelopting the method suggested . Try it . We frequently notice these complaints of inactivity and indifference . Our experience has taught

us that they have their origin , primuary , m three causes : First , a surplus of ledges ; secondly ( and as a result of the first ) too many members never adapted to Masonry ; and , thirdly , an almost universal tendency by cultivated brethren to decorate our Temple with the drapery of antiquities , jurisprudence and refinement of controversy , rather than to exhibit their ability and skill in the use

of " working tools ; " or , more correctly speaking , in elucidating and enforcing " cardinal virtues , " and the best methods in securing permanent prosperity to the Craft . For these reasons Masonry is having numerical success at the expense of its fraternal vitality . Is this desirable This tendency to decorate the body of the Craft with old clothes , jurisprudence and polemics , regardless of the

more important and unobtrusive equipment that furnish the elements of influence and strength , is bearing fruit of its kind . Of what consequence is the age of Masonry to a man borne down with infirmities and reverses ; struggling for a p ittance that is to " keep the wolf from the door ? " It is for these that Masons' labour , and but for them its existence

would be a burden and not a pleasure . Will it " feed the hungry , clothe the naked , or bind up the wounds of the afflicted , " to give the stricken a tract filled with the refinements of legal controversy , or that takes them back to enochian ptriods , Egyptian mysteries , the " essenes " of our Grecian Mythology ? The first great care of Masoniy is charity , brotherly love , fraternity ; the second ,

these collateral questions , to which distinguished brethren are so prone to devote their entire ability . If we are to be an active force in human weal , the question of " hoary age , " & c , should be of minor importance , and never permitted to become the tares that usurp the place of the wheat . The grand and significant question of the day is this : What is Masonry now ? A man thoughtful

of his kind , and who wishes to be identified . with the Craft , will not trouble his brain with antiquities or abstractions . His estimate of our value to the woild will be taken from the present of our relations to humanity ! If it were possible or practical to expend all our energies in an effort to fathom the past , and place it bevond question that the

lodge said to exist in Jerusalem was instituted by King Solomon , who , with his own hands placed his Masonic mantle upon distinguished craftsmen of our day , it could not be assumed that its parentage alone justifies the continuance of an organization that , for three thousand years , has not accomplished anything in the fraternal possibilities of the race . This is not the Masonry that men of sense

seek . Thought was never more active . Men will not be content with mere cumbersome , antiquated , theoretic institutions . They eagerly stretch forth their hands to grasp every developement in art , science , political and moral economies ; the consequence is that Masonry , with eveiy other institution , must advance in

the line of their own professions , if they expect to bring to their support the forces adapted to their growth and use fulness . If we all devote a life-time to the unearthing of antiquities and refining jurisprudence and ritual , its results will he , as wc too frequently sec to-day , a frigid , pompous excrescence , that has but the semblance of a claim to Masonic parentage .

Brethren , it is much more to our credit to be careful with ourselves than to make any attempt to cover up faults . To shrink from their casutigation and exposure ' is but to reproduce vigries that have brought shame , confusion and ilisgrace to organizations that now , but by reasons of the great purposes of their formation would be a bar to the necessity of Masonry or other

associations for the perpetuation and practice of principles that are at the foundation of human happiness . Is it nit true that the more our attention is absorbed by externals the less we are inclined to cling to the central point of the mystic circle ? Much light upon this subject leads us to the firm delusion that a large portion of the lethargy of which so much complaint is made is chargeable to a

disposition to flaunt decorations , rather than to be engaged in the unostensatious application of that "cement that Unites us into one family of friends , " & c . —T . T . GUIINEY . FREEMASONRY . —Its beneficent power is exerted in a thousand ways , diffusing its blessing on all who come within its sphere . Though venerable with age and enricheel by the history and traeiiiions of a remote past , it

exhibits to-day all the freshness of a renewed youth . Though the most conservative of human institutions , it adapts itself to every changing condition of life , and is in full accord with the newest developements of modern society . Based on the broadest foundation underl ying the nature of man , no change of country or lapse of time can destroy its symmetry , impair its beauty , cr weaken its

influence . It comes to every man with a restraining , ennobling , and sustaining power . It tenders to him its powerful aid in his endeavours for self-improvement . It encourages and assists him in his efforts for success , and in his hour of affliction and adversity comes with gentle sympathy to comfort his sorrows , and with ever ready help to relieve his needs . When illness invades his frame , the assieluous ministrations of Masonic brethren solace his

sufferings , and when it pleases the Supreme Ruler to call liim hence Masonry stands ready to soothe his final moments and tenderly commit his mortal remains to the bosom of mother earth , while his departure is comforted by the assurance that the orphan shall find a sure protection in her ever present care . Thus in life anil in death our institution stands the bounteous source of blessing to mankind .

Paris Exhibition Of 1878.

PARIS EXHIBITION OF 1878 .

We call the attention of our readers to the following important letters in the Times of the 1 7 th : — The following are translations of letters received by the English Committee of the Paris Exhibition from the Ministry of Agriculture anil Commerce : — " Foreign Sexlions , Paris , Dec . ' . 4 ,, 1877 .

" Monsieur le Secretaire , —It is with deep regret that f noticed signs of a real hesitation among the future British exhibitors in consequence of the political disturbances in France . Beyond the Ministries which have lately succeeded one another in power , beyond our Government itself , there has always been France , in whose name the foreign nations have been invited , and she would never

have failed to keep engagements of honour entere 1 into b y her . The Marshal President of the Republic has just done a patriotic deed in his recognition of the Parliamentary rights of the country . This act , which has led to the formation of a new Cabinet , taken from the majority of

Deputies , will allay all misgivings . The Exhibition will open on the 1 st of May , 1 . S 7 S , in undiminshed beauty , thanks to the noble efforts made and about to be made by the foreign as well as by the French exhibitors . I am authorised to beg of you to make as public as possible the official assurance which 1 am happy to give you to-day .

" Receive , M . le Secretaire , Sec ' ., "GEORGES BERGEK , "Le Directeur de Sections Etrangeres . " " Paris , Dec . 14 , 1 S 77 . " My dear Mr . Owen ,--Although Mr . Georges Berger has already answered by telegram and letter , I must also tell you personally how greatly I should have been

disquieted anil affected by the perusal of the letters that you forwarded to us this morning if the great political incident which has just now taken place here had not occurred most opportunely to restore matters to their normal condition . The institution of the Exhibition would in any case have ptcvailed over all obstacles . The sympathetic attitude of England and the character of the relations that

we have the honour to hold with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales were before us to point out our duty , apart even from all the obligations assumed by the French Government . It is France who has invited the nations of the whole world to the great festival of peace on the

Champ de Mars , and France would in no circumstances have resigned her mission of international hospitality , however serious niie ^ ht have been her internal anxieties , " Receive , my dear Mr . Owen , ci : c ., " J . B . KRANTZ , "The Senator Commissairc-Geuiral . "

Private Inquiries.

PRIVATE INQUIRIES .

We call attention to the following letter in J he Janes which deals with one of the greatest nuisances of the day , the abuse of private inquiry : — Sir , —Will you allow me to make public through The Times the following occurrence ? I do not add any comment j the grievance speaks for itself . One day recentl y

a man came to this institution and addressed some question to the superintendent as to the business matters of the place . She referred him to the clerk , and an interview followed between the stranger and the two secretaries of the society . Subsequently the same man came and saw the accountants , from Messrs . Wuddell ' s , who keep our books , anil required to see the ledgers , eVc . He brought no

warrant from any society or individual as to this act , but represented himself as doing it " privately . " The officials here , having nothing to hide , answered all his queries . They were such in substance and manner as might be used to convict the criminals with whom we deal , but not those suited to any communication bitween trustworthy people .

The work of detectives in the employment of the Government is familiar to this society , but " private inquiry" we know nothing i . bout . If the system is to be pursued in this country , we ought to learn it and treat it as it diserves .

I ask for the protection of the public against such pro ceedings on the part of person or persons unknown . I am , Sir , your obedient servant , SUSASSA MEREDITH . Prison . Mission , Nine Elms-house , Wandsworth-road , Vauxhall , S . W

Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons , containing the Charges , Regulations , E . A . Song , ixc . A copy should be in the possession of every brother . It may be obtained for 2 s . at the office of the Freemason , or will sent post free , to any part of the United Kingdom oil receipt of twenty-five penny stamps . Address , Publisher , nj 8 , Fleet-street , London . —AIIVT .

Our esteemed Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D ., has been unanimously elected W . M . of Fortitude Lodge , No . 131 , [ or the ensuing year .

HOLLOW-AY ' S OINTMEVI AND PILLS . —Colds , Coughs , Shortness of LJreath . —These corrective rcmeelies are infallible lor these pectoral complaints , whieli , neglected , ejfte-ii enti in asthma , bronchitis , or consnmotion . The Ointment well nibbed upon tile chest anil back , pene-fatin . ; ihe skin , is cai lied elireclly to tile iuii ( , 'S , whence it expels all lmpuiilies . Aii ihe biooel in the boely constant U passes thr < mt ' , h the- hint's , anil there all uosious particles teiieIin ' '

tei proiiue-e disease , eaei he epiickly , tluirem ^ lily , anil yiermaueveUy neutralised , rendereel harmless , or ejected tVoni the system . Ilolluway ' s Ointment anil I'ills peiTectly accomplish this puiitication , and through the blood , thus cleansed , the inllnenee of thesu wonderful medicaments reaches the remotest parts ol the human body ; anC thus cures all all diseased action , whether internal or external . —An vr ,

Masonry.

MASONRY .

Freemasonry has its history—a history full of noble deeds , well worthy to be preserved and cherished through ages to come . She has survived the vicissitudes , the wars and revolutions of nearl y thirty centuries ; has witnessed the rise and growth of all the civilised nations

on the face of the globe . The principles of our Order inculcate honour , probity , justice , self-abnegation : they denounce , they condemn dishonour , falsehood , injustice and presumption . They teach mankind to live together as one great family , leving , cheering , true to one another as God , who is our Father

A man is never too old to practice brotherly love , relief , and never too old to bring a ripened judgment , a holy and consistent life to bear upon his younger brethren . Masonry has ever been loyal to its own principles , characteristics and aims ; it has sought to do no work but its own .

Amid all the strife which has sundered communities and deluged the world in blood , Freemasonry has been in the enjoyment of tranquil repose . It has been for all who were under the tongue of good report . Had it not been so , our affections would have turned from us as dishonouring to that Creator who kindled the splendid fireside of the sun and who poureel the mi ghty floods from the hollow of his

hand . Masonry wears upon its forehead the gathered scars and wrinkles of a thousand years , and yet it is as vigoous to-day , as resolute of mortal purpose , as if it bore upon its frontal only the glittering dew of youth . The world is vviele and the demand is great enough to employ the energies of all ; but Masonry leads the column of that great army which followed the Church of Christ upand

down , anil to and fro , 111 the earth , conepuering peace and fraternity among men . Proverbs x \ 14 ; xviii 17 ; xvii . 28 . Masonry is a fountain of charity , whose streams go out to invigorate and gladden the sorrowful , to bear relief to famished poverty , to meander by the widow's cottage , an d lave the fett of the orphan . Its crystal waters ^ cool , the fever of partizan passion , and baptize men of conflicting views into a great brotherhood of mercy . —Comer Stone .

Living Still.

LIVING STILL .

Confucius still enacts the law for China , Plato and the other great sages of antiquity , still rule and reign as kings of philosophy . The temple built by Solomon and our ancient brethren has sunken into decay . The Holy City is

a mass of hovels under the domain of the Crescent , and the Holy Land is a elevastateil destvt . The kings of Egypt and Assyria , contemporaries of Solomon , have past into oblivion and are forgotten , their histories are known as mere fables . The ancient Orient is a shattered wrick , bleaching upon the shores of time .

Toe wolf and the jackal howl amid the ruins of Thebe and Tyre . But the mysterious , quiet and peaceful Order , of which the son cf a poor Phoinician widow was one of the Grand Masters , with the Kings of Israel and Tyre , has continued to increase in stature , strength and infl uence , defying the angry waves of time and the storms of persecution .

Age has not weakened its foundations , nor shattered its columns , nor marred the symmetry and beauty of its harmonious proportions . This is Masonry , and she is still there . And we procced onward through the sublime mysteries of its degree , well m . y it be said of her , too , " I have many things to tell you but ye cannot hear them now . " And as one by

one of her noble representatives pass away , assuming the robes of immortality , and receiving that last degree of investigation of the hereafter , let it be a lesson to us to deport ourselves in life as to entitle us to a peaceful death , so lhat finall" it may be said of ns , " Farewell faithful brother , here is the end of an upri ght life of toil elevoted to the cause of justice , humanity and brotherly

love , his life was free from the stain of sin , and his final rest as peaceful as that of the noblest dead . Therefore let our watchword be , Faith , Hope , and Charily . Faith , that we may prove our fidelity to our highest .-mil holiest ties and obligations ; Hope , that we may rest content in the sublime belief of the promised

hereafter , and Charity , that we may be charitable to all our fellow men , that he who docth all things well may ultimately be charitable to us . Thus we are taught by Masonry , these sublime attributes , Faith , Hope , and Charity , but the greatest of these is Charity . So saith the genius , Masonry . — llebreio Leader .

SCOTCH FREEMASONS . —Mr . J . Ballantiae , Grand Bard of the Scottish Grand Lod ge of Freemasons , died in Edinburgh on Tuesday at the age of 69 . Mr , Liallantinc was the author of sever ? . ! works of fiction including "The Gaberlunzie Wallet" and "The Miller of Deanhugh , " the former of which attained great popularity , He was also the author of many favourite Scottish melodies , one of these being " Ilka blade of grass keeps its ain drap

o' devv . " Mr . Ballantine learnt the art of decorative painting in his youth , and for many years was head of the firm of Messrs . Ballantine and Son , glass stainers , of Edinburgh . He was a great admirer of the works of Burns , and did much towards forming the Burns Collection in the monument erected to the poet on Calton-hill , Edinburgh . He was for many years secretary to the Edinburgh Burns Club , —Timet .