Masonic Baptism.

ignorance , the chief cause ofthe world's miseries ; we recommend reciprocal justice , thanks to which the rights and interests of each are protected ; tolerance , which leaves each man ' s mind free ; patience , which enables us to endure with resignation those sufferings against which all other efforts are powerless ; we love all men , the rich , the poor , the weak , the powerful , the wise and the ignorant ; we pity him who has erred , whatever be his

condition , and we endeavour to bring him back to the true path ; we come with all our power to the assistance of the afflicted and unfortunate ; for us man ancl the material pleasures have no other attractions than that which results from the normal condition of man and his inevitable position in this world ; in our age the rewards to be conquered ancl preserved are above all the esteem and affection of our fellow men , together with that honour and virtue which bestows on the soul those infinite pleasures that

are alone worthy of being enjoyed beneath the eye ofthe G . A . O . T . U . " W . M . — " Godfathers , you know the evils that afflict the world , the objects and labour of Masonry have been recalled to you ; do you still persist in asking admission into our family of these lowtous ?" Godfather . — "We do . " W . M— " Do j'ou promise for them that they will endeavour to vanquish

their passions , that , they will labour for our objects and laws , jnever let themselves be corrupted by companionship with bad men , nor ever obey other men without first inquiring of themselves— ' Is this just and reasonable ; ' and that they will always be willing to sacrifice their personal interests for the general good . " Godfathers . — "We promise all this . " The children were then presented to the W . M ., ancl as he dipped the left

hands of the children in water he said to them , "May your hands be ever pure ; may they never shed human , blood * , let it never be said of them that they deprived a fellow being of what was justly his , nor of having written word injurious to your fellow men . " He then placed round their necks the Lodge jewel , and said , "May this medal—which is an emblem of that unity which we all , as members of this Lodge alwaj-s profess—always recall to your minds the promises made in your name this day . Receive also the

kiss of peace as a pledge of our unalterable affection , ancl also the name , of son , which will be your title among us till we call you brother . After kissing them he said , "My young friends , your hearts are , doubtless , touched on seeing yourselves the object of such interest on our parts ; forget nothing of what yon have this day heard ancl seen ; endeavour to merit the inscription of your name beside those of the illustrious brethren who honour the Masonic Order . "

On behalf of himself ancl the other children , young E . Fahrembach recited a beautiful poem written for the occasion , ancl as soon as the young gentleman had concluded , the W . M . again embraced him , and hung round his neck hy a blue ribbon a small trowel , emblematical of tolerance . He then made an appropriate address to the mothers of the children , after which he put on their fingers a gold " alliance ring , " with these words engraved on the insidei"Xa Loge Foyer Maconnique , ~ So . 4-1 , a la Somr Fer . rier , 1859 , "

saying , "May this ring recall to you , as to us , your future steps in the Masonic temple ; always remember what you have seen and heard . Henceforth , Masonry can have no secrets for you , you know her laws , obligations , & c , bo then satisfied , dear sisters , for this name whicli it gives us pleasure to bestow on you makes us feel that there cannot exist true fraternity and happiness unless accompanied by the presence of woman . " lie then addressed the godfathers , after which , one of them replied , and the W . M . placing his hands on the children ' s heads confirmed them in