The Relation Of Theism To Freemasonry.

Hoch uber der Zeit und dem Kaume webt Lebendig der hochste Gedanke ; ' Und ob Alles in ewigem Wechsel kreist , Es beharret im "VVechsel ein ruhiger Geist . Furthermore , in the ancient charges of a Freemason , it . is said that a Mason who properly understands the system " can never be a stupid Atheist , or an irreli gious libertinebut must be obedient to the moral law . " This establishes two propositions :

, first , that the man who is an Atheist is , in the language of the Holy Scripture , a fool ; second , that man is responsible to God as his judge , whose law he must obey on penalty of His infinite displeasure . No man can be a worthy Mason who does not do both : believe in God , ancl walk in obedience to His holy law . Freemasonry has always taught that the man who can look on the wonders of the Universe—behold the infinite traces of design in his own body , and in the

adaptation of cause to effect—gaze up to heaven and see the sparkling worlds with which the Grand Architect of heaven and earth has shown his wisdom , goodness , and power—ancl not believe in the existence of God , is to be set down as a fool , he is simply stupid , dazed in his moral or intellectual faculties , and utterly unworthy to be

called a Mason . It has also always taught that Theism ancl morality are inseparable ; that there is no basis for a sound morality but the belief in God and in the sense of responsibility to Him . Hence , in its imperative demand that no one shaU be made a Mason unless he be a moral man , it considers that he must necessarily be a Theist . With Lord Bacon , Freemasonry has ever said : " He who revolveth to do every duty is immediately conscious of the presence of the gods . "

Brethren of the Mystic Tie ! may this issue , which revolutionary Frenchmen have thrust upon us , only prove like a chemical solvent , which shall discover the true gold by precipitating the base metals . Let us only hold the grand landmarks of our Order with a firmer grasp . When the enemy would snatch from us the battlestained standard which has waved through a thousand battles , let us hold it with a stronger grip , and rather die than surrender . Remember that one man with God is always in the majority . " Magna est Veritas , et prevalebit . " Truth must conquer in the end , as Milton nobly pictures : —

Satan * * * dilated stood Like TenerifEe and Atlas um-emoved ; His stature reached the sky , and on bis crest Sat horror plumed * * * The Eternal * * * Hung forth in heaven his golden scales yet seen Betwixt Astrjea and the scorpion sign . * * * The fiend looked up , and knew His mounted scale aloft ; nor more ; but fled Murmuring ; and with him fled the shades of nieht

Faith, Hope, And Charity.

FAITH , HOPE , AND CHARITY .

SovnitEiaN of all the beauties rare , With thee not Faith nor Hope compare , Hope looks beyond , and Faith above ; But eastward turns the glance of love . Faith's hand clasps tight the golden

strand—Hope ' s finger points to the distant land—Love ' s hands are open , quick to bless , Remove despair , relieve distress *