At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

to them , for they now realized something which they had never known before . A new strength seemed to have come into their friendship . It now seemed reinforced and rounded out until it looked with the eye of faith beyond the present and far into the distant future . The editor knows this incident to be true , for he was one of the friends . "

© © © Two sets of laws , the written and the unwritten , govern Freemasons , and in many respects the latter is the more important—at all events it is the more interesting . Seeing that a candidate for admission into our fraternity is asked

to declare that he will abide by the antient usages of the Order , at the very outset of his career , then our Masonic traditions may well be held to come first . It is quite possible for a brother to keep in line with every jot and tittle of the Book of Constitution presented to him at his initiation and

still his conduct may be in many respects " un-Masonic . " In fact , the term " Masonic conduct" generally means conduct in accordance with the principles to be found in our traditions , and which are nowhere to be found in the written law .

© © © For this reason it is that the charge to an entered apprentice occupies so high a place in our estimation , embodying , as it does , all that is best of the antient charges handed clown to us from the earliest times . Of the many

guides to Masonic conduct therein contained , that which most forcibly strikes the imagination is the injunction to secrecy , and for that reason it is the one universally observed . It is worth while to remember that the secrecy of the Institution occupies a very subordinate place in the charge

we are referring to . There are duties to God , our neighbours and ourselves , and our social obligations , which take a higher place , and these are matters which regulate the Freemason ' s attitude to the outside world , so that when a person is known to be a Freemason , the world may also know him to

be one whose hand is guided by justice . Whenever , then , any brother is found to have an imperfect understanding of the obligations thus laid upon him , the reputation of the whole Craft suffers .

© © © Any violation of the Constitutions aifects only a Freemason ' s relations with his brethren in the Order . The outside world is not concerned with our internal regulations , but it is concerned with the establishment in its midst of a

community pledged to the observance of such lines of conduct as are enjoined in our ancient traditions , and therefore the brother whose conduct is in the widest sense " Masonic , " is a living recommendation of the Order .

© © © Our separation from political prejudice and from sectarian difference within the lodge room is bound to have a modifying effect upon our demeanour in other places not consecrated by Masonic association , and we are thus led to

be more tolerant , and , without sacrificing any single one of our convictions , we learn to respect those of others . Obedience , again , as understood by the Freemason , both to the laws of the Craft and those of any country which may afford him the shadow of its protectionas well as his

, subordination to the Master and Wardens of the lodge , is by no means confined to the observance of the written constitution and by-laws . An instinct of discipline is one of the most valuable assets of a community ; and the possession of this instinct accounts more than anything else for the

marvellous organization of the Craft , its ability to concentrate effort were most needed , its power of giving attention to the minutest details and never losing sight of the larger questions often demanding solution .

© © © The portrait of Bro . Charles W . Cole , which appeared in our June issue , was from a photograph by the Elite Portrait Co ., of 267 , High Holborn , W . C .

At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

Visitors to Baclen-Baden will be glad to learn that Bro . Jules Lippert , co-proprietor of the Grand Hotel , Belle vue , San Remo , has extended his operations to Baclen-Baden , where he has acquired the newly-built Hotel Regina , which is only two minutes' walk from the central point of social intercourse—the Conversations Houseand the Lichtenthal

, Alley . The establishment is now open , and will remain open for guests and visitors during the summer seasons , from April to November . It has been constructed in accordance with the newest technical and hygienic improvements in a most favourable and elevated position . It is

elegantly furnished and provided with all the comforts of a refined private home , combined with the advantages of a well-organised hotel . The fashionable restaurant and the terrace are also for the use of visitors . Particular care is given to the kitchen and wine-cellar , cleanliness

and prompt service being a speciality . As annexe , a pretty Swiss House and a lovely Villa , in the Italian Renaissance style , with complete suites of rooms , have been neatly arranged for guests desiring privacy . The establishment , being sheltered in the middle of a large

garden 8 , 000 sq . metres , commands magnificent views of the Black Forest , and is an ideal spot for rest and comfort .

© © © NEW PALACE STEAMERS . —The new service inaugurated by the " Koh-i-noor " to Deal and Dover and back in a clay , has evidently caught on with the travelling public , for the traffic has materially increased since the commencement on

the 26 th June . The facilities offered by this breezy route to the popular resorts before mentioned are much appreciated , for by means of the special trains which run in connection with the sailings of the " Koh-i-noor " a vast area of Greater London is catered for . The Midland specials from St .

Pancras to Tilbury call at the important stations en route , and thus embrace the larger portion of North London , whilst the specials from Fenchurch Street draw from the populous districts of West Ham , East Ham , etc ., in addition to the City trippers . The Company have lately made an alteration

in their tariff for refreshments in the 2 nd Class Saloon of the " Royal Sovereign " and " Koh-i-noor . " Passengers may now enjoy a plate of cold roast or pressed beef at the small charge of 7 d . per head , potatoes id . or 2 d ., and all other charges are very moderate . The excellent 2 s . 6 d . lunch is still served

in the 1 st Saloon , and passengers for that sum may eat lobsters , chickens , joints , vegetables , sweets , and bread and cheese , " ad lib . "

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