Masonic Baptism.

five morality , of tivic ohligalions , of brotherl y love , dcvotcdness , concord , and of peace ; taking for their motto and ride of action that fine sentence of Sallust : —

• firmanila sunt ooncordiro bona , et cUscorditc malis oxpellenda . ' " During an invocation chorus , from Mozart ' s "Mysteries of Isis , " the children accompanied by the godfathers ancl godmothers entered . P . ro . Hedges , Grand Chaplain of Louisiana , then offered up an appronriatc nraycr which ' was followed by an appropriate hymn in the French language written for the occasion . The of adoption ivas then commencedit

ceremony ; was partly in French and partly in English . The W . M . said— " As once before I told you the principal object of this oay's solemnities is to bestow the rite of Masonic Baptism on tiie children of some of our beloved brethren ; in other words to lay thus far in advance the foundations for the strength and durability of our institution , by imparthi" - the influence of tlie princiles of our Order to the minds of these !

p youths But to attain so desirable a result we mirst not be content , my brethren , with their simple adoption among us . Our institution tends eminent ! v to civilization and must bestow on these children all the resources of education . And while surrounding them here with the care and tenderness required by their age we must teach them the rules of obedience , labour , order , and justice—we must teach them to become men useful to themselves and useful toothersLet them learn at earl

. an y age that they cannot-rcitch that position except through useful labour which will place them above want , and . persevering labour which will give them strength to overcome the evil chances of life . Let us make them understand that without order all thiiu's languish ancl perish . Finall y , let us teach them that justice requires them to be kind to their fellow man as to themselvesand that the

, more a man acquires by his labour the more means he creates to enlarge his sphere of action , and the more succour he should bestow on those who have been more unfortunate than himself ; for the maxim of humanity is , " labour justice , and order . "

'flic W . M . then turning to the godfathers said , — " . Brethren what seelyon of us ? " One ofthe godfathers , Bro . Stelle , replied , — " We come to ask for these children of our brethren light and protection . " W . M . — " You are welcome , my brethren . Receive our thanks . Praise is due to you for having thought of appealing to our feelings of fraternity and charity . My young friends , may your first steps in the temple be guided hy the dazzling brilliancy ofthe purest li ght . May it be as clear to your si » ht later will make it to

as we your intellect ; let ( he dark veil which the world of error wishes to throw around von for ever disappear before the brilliant star of Masonry . " W . M . — " Brother Master of the Ceremonies , place these lowtona at ihe altar with their godfather . Bro . Senior Warden , why do Masons meet thus together ?" S . W . — " To endeavour to restore the good seed to earth . " W . M . — " Brother Junior Warden , in what manner do Masons labour to realize this great end ?"

J . VV . — " by making use of those means contained in friendly persuasion and pure example . " W . M . — "Brother Senior Warden , what should a Mason teach ?" S . W . — " He must teach the divine moralit y that , ' You should do unto others what you would they should do unto you . ' As an application of this maxim and its results , we look upon all men as our equals and our brethrenwe ever persist in attacking pride , error , and prejudice ; we struggle against