The True Mission Of Freemasonry.

confusion , there arises again , so to say , as once , angelic voices sweetl y singing , " Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace , good-will towards men . " This is ever the true motto of Freemasonry ; for in relieving distress , in succouring old age , in

providing for Aveakness , in mitigating misfortune , in training up the young orphan children of our brotherhood , and . fitting them as Avell as we can for the sterner battle of life , we are indeed shoAviug that we love our neighbours as ourselves , that we are alive to the true mission of

Freemasonry , that we are intent in practising its unchanging precepts , and that Ave have indeed realized how true it is that "Charity , like its divine sister Mercy , is twice blessed , in that it blesses him who gives , as Avell as him who receives it . " HOAV beautiful is the picture thus represented to the mind ' s

e 3 'e of the reflecting Freemason . Freemasonry is endeared to us by many warm and active memories of the past . It recalls many happy hours and faithful friends , summons up eA'en MAY , amid prevailing sorrow or depressing care , a vision of " cari

lnoghi " of clays of yore , Avhen we found in the select circle of a genial friendship , many a plesant and refreshing season amid the trying calls of duty or the continuous exertion of business and toil . But beyond this , and above this , Freemasonry is invested for us Avith still more radiant lures of beauty and of grace , when it comes to us in the garb of charity . Then Ave

feel IIOAV great and good a thing Freemasonry really is , how admirable the Institution , IIOAV Avise its aims , IIOAV noble its end . Thus , raised above the passing interests of the day , we see at once how real , after all , is the true mission of Freemasonry and in Avhat it indeed consists .

Not in angry strife or uncharitable debate , not in the prolix utterances or mournful "outcome " of censoriousness or detraction , not in the perpetuation of angry feelings or hostile camps , but in the peaceful avoAval of a universal sympathy , and the

glad belief of a universal brotherhood . Here , then , Ave venture to think , is the true mission of Freemasonry , and those Avho , like us , thus make Freemasonry mean both the practical development of charity aud mercy and sympathy , who believe that otherwise Freemasonry sinks into an aggregation of useless ornamentation or garish show , they Avill ever hail that happy

The True Mission Of Freemasonry.

and onward movement in our honoured English Craft , which has of late years placed Freemasonry in its true position before our fellow-citizens , has promoted so greatly the true cause of Masonic liberality and benevolence , has conferred countless

blessings on young and old , the happy recip ients of the generous and sympathetic aims of our fraternity , and is a lasting proof , if proof be needed , that we are in England , at any rate , faithful brethren of our good old Order , and thoroughly understand and faithfully carry out the true mission of Freemasonry in the world , —The Freemason .

Influence Of Masonry.

INFLUENCE OF MASONRY .

It Avas one of those disagreeable , rainy days of last Aveek , when the rain ' poured doAvn in torrents , when heavy , dull clouds hung overhead , when the streets Avere deserted of pedestrians , and when everything Avore that dreary look Avhich one always sees on a rainy daA ' that Ave strolled into

, Lauglois and Roman ' s billiard store , more to get out of the rain than in the hope of finding any items , though Ave Avere sadly in need of something of the kind . The store wore a look that corresponded with the weather ; it Avas dark and silentand

, although the afternoon Avasbut half spent , the gas jets tAvinkled Avhere tho senior member Avas industriously at work OA'er his volumes of accounts . There Avas no one in

to bu 3 ' , and the clerks Avere lounging about in the most comfortable attitudes possible upon the softest bales of canvas , while the unfortunate but classical lleyer ( having been beat out of his seat hy a customer calling ) leaned pensively against a barrel of ochre . Near the stove Avere seated a feAV

outsiders , among them two or three lake captains . As is customary upon such occasions , the conversation embraced all topics ranging from graA'e to ga }' , from lively to severe , and at last- —now Ave cannot tell IIOAV—the subject of Masonry Avas brought up , and its influence upon the Avorld , and

its good in a general sense was discussed , Avhen Captain P— , a gentleman Avell known in this city , interrupted the speaker with the remark , that whatever good or evil Masonry may do in the world or even has clone , it Avas at one time the means of saving his life .