Universality Of Masonry.

is no moment of the twenty-four hours , that the meridian sun , the light-giving emblem of the Great All-Father , does not shine upon the head of a Free ancl Accepted Mason . We roam over our western prairies and thread

the ravines and canons of the Rocky Mountains , and in the savage tribes that make their domiciles under shadow ofthe everlasting ice that adorns their summits , we find those who will fraternally respond to the " mystic grip and sign , " and ivho never yet failed to give such aid and comfort as is due from one member of the Craft

to another . We cross the Pacific , and meet Avith the unsocial citizen of Japan , ancl the still more reticent Chinese , and we find the same test of brother-hood and common sympathy . We visit the islands of the Avestern sea , and among the

fierce men Avho inhabit them , Ave discover those who have learned the mystic language and obey its commands . We tread the jungles of India or explore the dread solitudes of Siberia , ancl the universal institution greets us on a thousand

thresholds , and the fraternal recognition is given us from ten thousand labour-hardened palms . Far away in desert Africa , the way-worn traveller feels the grasp of fraternity and knows that brothers meet him even in that Ethiopia , ivhich has

not yet stretched out her hand unto God . And all over civilised Europe ; even in priest-ridden Rome and woe-oppressed Spain , notwithstanding bull and inquisition , there shall not be wanted by the lonely traveller , the friendly clasp of

fraternity that has greeted him in his journey around the ivorld , proving that in all countries Masons are found . There are many incidents on record which most beautifully illustrate the universality , and not only

that , but the sublime humanising influences of our institution , but it would be foreign to the design of this article , to enter upon that exhaustless field . The sign of a Mason has rendered innocuous the uplifted hatchet ; it has unbound the captive when

tied to the stake ; it has arrested the sword of the victor in the heat of the battle , and saved a vanquished brother ; in the wilds of Asia , Africa , and America , it has brought food and succour when gold could not procure them ; in the islands of the

Pacific , it has transformed the ferocious cannibal into a trusted and trusty friend ; and the nation does not exist on the face of the globe , which has not furnished countless instances of the universality of our institution .

Even our most bitter enemies and opposers admit that the ramifications of Masonry reach to all countries and climes , and use this as an argument that it cannot be a good institution , because it includes people of all creeds and classes . We

forgive them the argument , in consideration of the acknoivledgment of the fact , and shall not UOAV attempt to controvert it . It may not be amiss to bestow a few moments in inquiring into the cause of the universality of

Masonry . It is certainly an anomaly in the history of mankind that it should have become so . Only for tAvo causes could it become universal . A system founded upon a universally acknoAvledged truth ; having for its foundation a great leading

fact that no one could , or wished to dispute , would naturally become universal . Masonry is that system . Its corner-stone of foundation is the being of God . On that universally acknowledged truth we build our structure . Who then

canobject to it ? None but the caviller . Who can receive it ? All honest men , believing in God and His overuling superintendency . In the light

of these facts , hoAV natural is it that Masonry should become universal . Another cause why Masonry should have become universal , is found in the fact that it fills a universal Avant of mankind . We are weak when

isolated from our fellows . A multitude is strong .. There is a Avorld of philosophy in that old adage ,. that "In union is strength . " The rods that could be easily broken singly , when bound together defied the utmost efforts of the strongest man ..

The natural tendency of mankind is to association . In more than one sense , it is a truth that " it is not good that man should be alone . " Masonry takes advantage of this trait in human

nature and prepares an association that shall satisfy the Avant . Why should not mankind everywhere avail themselves of the benefit thus offered ? They would be false to their connections—false to their interests , and false to their .

natures if they did so . We apprehend that in these tivo causes , Ave must seek for the reasons Avhy Masonry has become universal . It is founded upon one great leading and acknowledged truth , and is exactly adapted to the Avants and needs of .

the human race . If either of these causes had been Avanting , weshould never have heard of the institution of Masonry . Suppose Masonry had simply required a belief in God as delineated by Christian