The Good Masonry Can Do.

ment of the abilities that are given us . " It is the duty of every man to try and improve himself ; the more a man does for himself , the more Avill the Great Architect do for him ! Masonry , especially , teaches this lesson in a second degree ; and , in furtherance of the design , orders its votaries to devote their attention to "Liberal Arts and Sciences . " Masonry , therefore , teaches industry and a thirst for knoAvledgeancl in this search for it brings the earnest student

, to contemplate that greatest of earthly lessons— " the knowledge of one ' s self . " We could go on enumerating other good things that Masonry can do , but we prefer to stop here for the present , as Ave consider we have supplied enough matter for consideration at one time . Surely no person , whether a brother Mason or profane , can say that Masonry is cWoicl of good lessonsancl useless . No doubt men can teach and

, practise the same Avithout becoming- Freemasons at all , but all are not so inclined . It is well , therefore , that such a society should exist , ancl inculcate its doctrine for good ; so that those may be left to contemplate and practise them that AA ould othenvise never think of their importance . Seriously , then , Ave must

acknowledge that though Masonry is a power for good , its A otaries ancl adherents do not pay sufficient attention to its teachings . Why are brethren so apathetic when they have so much in their poAver ? Why neglect to do Avhat they promised they would at their initiation ? One great reason is that sufficient caution and inquiry is not employed in choosing their candidates ! Nnmbers , far too great , are received Avho would have been better left in the profane world . Many of these even rise to be rulers in the Orderancl sofrom bad examples

, , being set , the neophytes are led to think lightly of what to them should be " the whole duty of man . " We should like to see a better spirit at work ; that Masons should not be so in name only , but in spirit ancl truth . Too much attention is giA r en to exoteric and too little to the esoteric lessons and practices of the Order . Too little is clone to exemplify that greatest of all Masonic charateristics" Charity . " Money will do a great dealbut sympathancl kindness will

, , y often do more . Money will relieve actual AA ant , but personal attention ancl nursing will alleviate sickness ancl soften grief . Without love for God , there will not exist the love of one ' s neighbour . If brethren do not improve their talents , they will never understand that greatest of all lessons , " knoAvledge of one ' s self . "—Scottish Freemason .

Charter Of Scoone And Perth Lodge, A.D. 1658.

CHARTER OF SCOONE AND PERTH LODGE , A . D . 1658 .

CHARTER . TN THE NAME OF GOD , AJIES . —To all . and snndrie perspnes whome thir - * - prittis doe belong . Witt ye AYS the persones under-subseryvers , maisters , ffriemen , ancl fellow crafts , measones resident within the burgh off Perth , That wbair fforsameikle as We and our predecessores have ancl haid , ffrom the Temple of temples building on this Earth , ( ane vniforme communitie , ancl

wnione throughout the whole world , ) ffrom AAdiich temple proceided one in . Kilwinning , in this our nation of Scotland , And from that of Kilwinning many more within this kingdom , Off which ther proceicle d the abbacie ancl Lodge of Scoon , built b y men of art and arcbitectorie , Wher they placed that Lodge as the seconcle Lodge within this nation , which is now past memorie of many geuevationes , And -wes upheld be the Kings of Scotland for tbe tyme , both at Scoon and the decayed ci tie of Bertha Avhen it stood , ancl now at Perth , held bragh of the sbirefclome thereof to this verie day , which now is ffour