The Philosophy Of Freemasonry.

ers of peace . You will in vain seek to find on the fields of Marathon , Cannse , Waterloo , marks of the terrible slaughters . The man of peace , the thoughtful student , on the other hand , leaves works behind

him which benefit future ages . The printing press , the steam engine , the telegraphthings won by no bloodshed , no monarch ' s hungry grasping after conquest—live when the empires of Macedon , Carthage , and

Rome survive but on the page of history . Thc best monument to a conqueror would be the bones and skulls of his battles ' victims , built in the form of a catafalque , with a statue of a fiend , on the top , grinning

at human credulity . Popular applause , such is the mind of man , follows the conqueror in a wider stream than the defender of liberty , although the light which shines around him is that of a consuming fire .

How much of this is due to historians we cannot say , who are ever loud in praise of a victory , but seldom count its cost , and , as Hallam writes , they " have in general more indulgence for splendid crimes than for the

weakness of virtue . " But nature , which ever resents an outrage , leaves little but the name to a conqueror ; a future age undoes the fruits of his conquests , and the world , by a law heaven-sent , restores the balance

of power . No country acquired by bloodshed is incorporated in perpetuity with the conqueror . A day comes when the conquered remember the past—when the hour and the man arrive with freedom . Where

are the fruits of the great Napoleon ' s victories ? Not Ilis conquests live in France , but the offspring of his peaceful hours , his code of laws . I say again nature resents an outrage , and repairs it ; but for the works

ofthe good and peaceful , she cherishes them for the benefit of future generations . War never brings wealth to a nation , but a debt of revenge . Lucian , in one of his exquisite epigrams , writes :

" True wealth is of the soul , all other things Play more on pain ' s than on our pleasure ' s strings . " And so arbitrary is this law , that a virtuous man , although possessed of little genius , may , by his simple example , confer

blessings upon mankind , where a vicious man , with all the splendour of genius , would bring destruction . Freemasonry , then , looks to the wealth of the soul , and not to the transitory gifts of rank or fortune .

There cannot be a doubt that the Revival , Reconstruction , or Institution—I use all terms , so that none may cavil—of Freemasonry during the last century , was meant by its promoters , who , very likely , did

foresee the stride the Society would take , as a medium whereby the thinking men of all nations , creeds , and opinions might fuse in a homogenous whole , interchange opinions , and , in quiet discussion , review their

differences of thought . That Freemasonry is at present the best association for such a purpose , all must admit . But this intention was soon overlooked , perhaps misunderstood , by the members , who could not sec

that conviviality was solely a means towards the end , and not the end , by which men might become better acquainted , and so be enabled to form a friendship which would bridge over all differences existing between

them in the outer world . I must confess that it would be more pleasing to see a little learning displayed in our lodges , and something more than the parrot-like repetition of the rituals , which requires but

memory and a good pronunciation to make a fool a bright Freemason . If we must have our initiates educated men , we should insist upon them continuing theireducation . The great and good Sir Isaac Newton con-

The Philosophy Of Freemasonry.

fessed that , after all , he knew but little , and had been like a child gathering pebbles on the seashore , unconscious of the marvels

which lay beyond . Are we not , too , in our lodges gathering pebbles ? and are we not still unconscious of the marvels which lie beyond ?

One desided proof that the Association of Freemasonry is for good , may be seen in its present existence . The numbers of initiates steadily increases , new lodges are beingformed , andagreaterinterestdisplayed

by the members in affairs Masonic . This widely-extended sweep of Freemasonry over the globe , gives it a power and influence for good , which members , looking to their several Grand Lodges and nationalities fail

to perceive to the full . A Parliament of Freemasons , consisting of members of all Grand Lodges should meet once a year to to consider matters of importance affecting the Order , and to interchange , personally ,

those fraternal greetings , which lose so much , and are really so meaningless upon paper . What is wanted is , a more lively connection between the governing bodies , and

something more than the mere honorary custom of appointing representatives . By this means the usefulness of Freemasonry would be extended , and the brotherhood really be as . one family .

As presently constituted , what are the purposes of a Masonic Association ? To get some men prominent places , who could not otherwise aspire to honours ? headless and brainless peers , and dumb members of Parliament ? Or is it an association for the

benefit of hotel-keepers , and the swelling of doctor ' s bills ? Is it an association for the spread of falsehood and error , for the propagation of historical fables , and manifest lies ? Is it a society for the destruction of truth ,

and the crowning of an edifice of forgery by a caricature of charity ? All these statements have been made , with what truth or want of truth , or part of truth , I leave the reader to judge . But this , undoubtedly , is

the object ofthe Association , judged by its laws , and its philosophy : to reward the deserving . The names which Freemasonry points to , such as Pythagoras and Locke , are not those of drivelling idiots , or

uneducated men , nor are they those of nobles . The buildings which Freemasons claim by their predecessors to have erected , such as Cologne cathedral and Melrose Abbey , are not works of small minds , nor meagre

intellects . But where are we to look for the Pythagoras and Locke among the Freemasons of the day , or where are we to find the Cologne cathedral and the Melrose Abbey , operatively or speculatively , among Masonic modern works ? An association

must , to be useful , be progressive ; it is not by a blind adherence to the letter that it can survive . Manners and customs change , society changes with them , and any association which docs not keep pace with them ,

speedily falls a viction to thc onward march of time . I have said that we are flourishing , but wc must have some fruits with the flourishing . We must openly show to the world that there is something more than

dram-drinking in our midst ; that our jewels are not for ornament , but for use ; and that as those who went before us in times past , left their mark upon the age , so we do the same , in gathering together into one family

the good and learned of all climes and of all creeds , showing an association where political and religious antagonists may find a

truce ground , and a time for peace . Peace may be said to be the true secret of Freemasonry , and , in my eyes , is more her characteristic than even charity . ERROL ,

Masonic Curiosities.

MASONIC CURIOSITIES .

We present the following Certificates , in conclusion of our series of " Masonic Curiosities , " as it is our intention in the future to send , as time permits , contributions

towards "A MASONIC S CRAP-BOOK , " which will be more of a general character , and embrace many matters which , though of value , could not be classed under thc title

of curiosities . The first of the series will , in all probability , be devoted to " Petitions for Membership , " which system is so

admirably worked in the United States , and which lately a well-known contributor to THE FREEMASON ( Bro . Mackenzie ) alluded to in these pages .

The Certificates are in the possession of a dear Masonic friend of mine , of Philadelphia , U . S ., and the brother to whom they originally belonged was his

great-grandfather . The family has been in great repute , Masonically , for more than a century , and the present representative is on the

eve of being installed as chief of the Royal Arch Masons in Pennsylvania . We wish him much joy on his appointment , and as successful a term of office as he deserves .

WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN . COPIES OF CERTIFICATES .

[ CRAFT , A . D . 1783 . J " Lodge No . 210 , A . Y . ' M . " WE , the Master and Wardens of Lodge No ! 210 , Ancient York Masons , held in the City of New York in North America . Do certify , that the bearer hereof , our well-beloved

Brother , Issace Reed , is a regular Master Mason of Lodge No . 210 , Ancient York Masons , and has during his continuance with us , always behaved himself as becometh an honest and faithful Brother , and as such we recommend him to all

worthy-Brethren , wheresoever Providence may order his lot . Given under our hands , and seal of our Lodge , No . 210 , this Twenty th day of September , One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-three , and of Masonry 5783 .

FREDRICK GUION , Master . ( Seal , imperfect . ) GEORGE CUMMINGS , S . W . ANDREW MORRIS , J . W . NATHANIEL TAYLOR . "

[ The form of the above Certificate is printed and on thick parchment ; the seal is attached to a ribbon of Blue ( light ) and Orange colours , and is fastened on the margin of the parchment . Seal of sealing-wax . ]

The forms cannot be preserved , so we have not attempted fac-similes .

[ ROVAL ARCH , A . D . 1783 . ] " WE , the High Priest , & c , & c , & c , of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Super Excellent Masons held under thc sanction of Lodge ( No . 535 ) . Do hereby certify , declare and attest , that the bearer , our faithful , true , and well-beloved Brother ,

Isaac Reed , past Master of said Lodge , was by us initiated into that sublime Degree of a Royal Arch Super-Excellent Mason , he having , with due Honour and Justice to the Royal Community , supported the amazing Tryals of Skill and Valour attending his admission , and as such we recommend him to all

true and faithful Brethren of the Royal Community . Given under our hands and seal of our Grand Chapter , on Long Island , 20 th July , in the year of our Lord 1783 , and of Royal Arch Super Excellent Masonry 3283 .

J EREMIAH WRIGHT , H . P . J ARAD BETTS , R . A . C . WM . SMITH , 1 st G . M . ALEX . FAIRCHILD , 2 nd G . M . ROGER COOPER , 3 rd G . M . WM . COLLIER , Scribe . "

[ This Certificate is written , and the seal is of sealing-wax , in a good state of preservation , fastened by a Crimson ribbon to the margin . Device on seal : Arch with keystone in centre , sun on right