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Institution that they pretend to support , and the nature of the trust which they are bound to perform . 5 £ he consequence is , that anarchy and confusion ensue , and the substance is lost in the shadow . Hence , men who are eminent for ability , rank , and fortune , frequently view the honours of Masonry with indifference ^ and when their patronage is solicited , either accept offices with reluctance , or reject them with disdain . Thus , then , my Brethren , in the too great love of luxury and self-indulgence , in the admission of ignorant and improper persons to share

our privileges , and in promotion , by favour and not merit , may be seen some of the chief abuses of Masonry : these require vigilance , steady determination , and perfect unanimity to correct them ; and in this holy work we may all in our various ranks unite , by correcting , first of all , defects in self , and then , in a spirit of love , applying ourselves to correct the evil in others . Being forewarned , we may be forearmed ; and the need of reform seen and admitted , is the primary step to the

reformation itself . And for our satisfaction as Masons , we may remember , that if imperfections are to be found amongst us , that the Institution itself countenances no departure from true discipline , and the rules of rectitude and propriety ; so that no man may condemn the system of Masonry from the deficiencies and failings of a few of its members . And we may note , that if the lives of professing Christians "were admitted as an argument against Christianity , then the purest system of morality and benevolence would be exposed to censure .

My Brethren , —We would now draw our remarks to a close , rAfter paying , as we would wish to do , a just meed of praise to the Lodges of the Province , which are all we believe , in a satisfactory state—indeed , we caif bear personal testimony to the ability of the presiding authorities and officials in several , and know that in the ranks are to be found earnest and good men , eminent for purity and propriety of conduct in every relation of life , men who adhere with strictness to the high principles and requirements of the Order ; of those we may , in conclusion , especially ask , Have you not oftentimes felt a strange electrical pleasure in the

grasp of a Mason ' s hand ? In the Lodge have you not felt as a traveller on entering some green isle of beauty , where the desert lay around him ? Have you not looked forward to each periodical meeting with delight , knowing that you would renew again the kind word , hear again the solemn admonition , or yourselves impart the warning voice of wisdom to others ? Have you not left your Brethren at the close of your meeting refreshed and strengthened , and prepared to renew again with fresh vigour the battle of life ? You , then , who have realized those feelings , who know the uses of Masonry , will be the best to remedy its abuses .

Be then up and doing ; guard against the first symptoms of decay ; let each in his post stand armed , and watch against irregularities and intemperance , let each do his best to hand down to unborn generations the institution of Freemasonry ; and finally , as a last word , we exhort you to cultivate more and more the undying principle within you , —the immortal spirit which we call the soul ; to reflect upon its powers , its destiny , its moral accountability , and its capacity for joy or sorrow .

The question , "What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul , or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul ? " is indeed a momentous question , one that must speak to the heart . If you feel the value of your treasure aright , you will make progress in all wisdom , you will be left behind in no honourable pursuit ; for you will work , remembering , " the night cometh , when no man can work . "

We desire on behalf of the Lodges of this Province prosperity and peace ; we wish every individual member the greatest possible amount of happiness here below ; and we would pray that all might so rule themselves in this life , that hereafter they may be received into mansions of glory prepared for them in the Grand Lodge above , where the world ' s Great Architect lives and reigns for ever and ever

YORKSHIRE . Bradford . —Lodge of Harmony ( No . 874 ) . —On the 15 th inst ., the very rare and interesting occurrence of a Brother having completed his 50 th year as a Mason was celebrated in Lodge . Bro . Eichard Mortimer Scholefield , W . P . M ., of the Lodges of Hope , No . 370 ; and Harmony , No . 874 , has been a worthy , esteemed , and respected Mason for half a century ; an ornament of our Craft , whose