The Spirit Of Freemasonry.

THE SPIRIT OF FREEMASONRY .

( Continued from page 189 . ) At this stage of my discourse I deem it necessary to say something about the position which Freemasonry occupies in relation to the many forms of religious faith which

prevails in the world . Masons , generally , have looked upon this matter as very uninteresting , and have felt that it is a ground abounding with quag-mires and dangerous pit-falls . And it is quite possible to heat

such a subject in such a manner as to engender strife rather than to minister profit . Be this as it may , I deem it necessary that there should be an honest expression of opinion even on this subject , What is Freemasonry ? Is it a religious faith , or

is it a sort of national reli gion based on researches into science , art , and nature ? Does it aim to supplant the Christian or any other religion ? Or is it a sort of eclectic and comprehensive system which has gathered to itself the beautiful and true of all other systems . To all these questions we answer emphatically , no . It is not a religious faith , neither is it

intended to propagate any religious tenets . It maintains certain principles or doctrines which every Mason must subscribe to , which are intimately connected with a man ' s duty to his fellow men , and which involves his responsibility to God , but beyond these it does not obtrude itself upon

any man ' s religious convictions . To the man of latitudinarian faith , who cannot recognise the obligations of its princi ples , it is evident that Freemasonry does not present a basis sufficiently broad for him to stand on . To the man of narrow

views and contracted sympathies , Masonry is too Catholic and undefined for him to accept . Where Freemasonry , as in our case , is connected with Christianity , it is Catholic in the most comprehensive sense of the term , allowing the utmost

difference on all minor points ; but it ever insists on the one great commandment , " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart , and with all thy soul , and with all thy strength , and with all thy mind , and thy neighbour as thyself . " If we correctl y understand the object of the

fraternity or recognise the principles which it enforces and requires , we cannot fail to perceive that the broad and Catholic mantle which Masonry throws over men who are widely separated in their religious habits and convictions , forms one of its

grand distinguishing and g lorious characteristics . Men in this age seem to have an inherent right to parcel off Christianity into gardens and p lots of their own inventions , and to fence them around in such a manner as if the whole world lying beyond was heathen and very wicked . They never imagine that beyond the little hill which bounds their view the world still

extends , and God still has children . I yield to no man in maintaining my relig ious convictions , and neither in this place nor elsewhere am I prepared to abandon any of them ; yet I feel that in this lodge we possess a mutual advantage , we ¦ meet upon one common groundand learn to

, respect , and , I trust , love one another . Whatever may be the state of parties politically or religiously outside of this place , within we can all meet as men and as brethren , acknowledging the same obligations and united in one common

cause . Will any one assert that this is not a great advantage ? What other school is well calculated to teach mutual respect and toleration notwithstanding many differences ? Freemasonry is therefore an arena wherein we learn a broad Catholic and

tolerant spirit . It has certain principles of religious faith which it will not , cannot abandon , but beyond these it recognises the beautiful and the true , in all systems and in every religion . In the spirit of research and in the investigation for knowledge it encourages you to fearlessly but

honestly launch your Iberian bark upon all seas . It teaches us all to go forth and wrestle strongly and patiently with the inscrutable problems of being and life , and to imitate those spirits of whom the poet speaks : —

" Great spirits yearning in desire , To follow knowledge , like a sinking star Beyond the utmost bound of human thought . " In conformity with this tolerant- feature of Masonry we are taught in one of the

ancient charges that no private piques or quarrels must be brought within the door of the lodge ; far less any quarrels about religion , or nations , or state policy , we