Masonic Faith.

honour ? In all ages , he who " violates his plighted Avord has been held unspeakably base . The word of a Mason , like the word of a knig ht in the times of chivalry , once g iven , must be sacred ; and the judgment of his brothers , upon him Avho

violates his pledge , should be stern as the judgment of the Roman censors against him who violated his oath . Good faith is revered among Masons as it was among the Romans , Avho placed its statue in the capitol , next to that of Jupiter

Maximus Optimus ; and we , like them , hold that calamity should always be chosen rather than baseness ; and , Avith the knig hts of old , that one should always die rather than be dishonoured . Be faithful , therefore , to the promises you

make , to the pledges you give , and to the vows you assume , since to break either is base and dishonorable .

Be faithful to your family , and perform all the duties of a good father , a good son , a good husband , and a good brother . Be faithful to your friends , for true friendshi p is of a nature not only to survive through all the

vicissitudes of life , but to continue through an endless duration ; not only to stand the shock of conflicting opinions , and the roar of a revolution that shakes the vvorld , but to last when the heavens are no more , and to spring fresh from the universe .

Be faithful to your country , and prefer its dignity and honor to any degree of popularity and honor for yourself , consulting its interests rather than your own , and rather than the pleasure and gratification of the people , Avhich is often at variance with their welfare .

Be faithful to Masonry , Avhich is to be faithful to the best interests of mankind . Labour , by precept and example , to elevate the standard of Masonic character , to enlarge its sphere of influence , to popularize its teachings , and to make

all men know it for the great apostle of Peace , Harmony and Good will on earth among men . Masonry is useful to all men ; to the learned , because it affords them the opportunity of exercising their talents upon subjects eminently Avovthy

of their atteution ; to the illiterate , because it offers them important instruction ; to the young , because it presents them with salutary precepts and good examples , aud accustoms them to reflect upon the proper mode of living ; to the man of the world , whom it furnishes with noble and useful recreation ; to the traveller , Avhom it enables to

Masonic Faith.

find friends and brothers in countries where else he would be isolated and solitary ; to the worth y man in misfortune , to whom it gives assistance ; to the afflicted , to Avhom it lavishes consolation ; to the charitable man , Avhom it enables to do more

good , by uniting with those who are charitable like himself ; and to all who have a soul capable of appreciating its importance , and of enjoying the charms of a friendshi p founded on the same principles of religion , morality , and

philanthropy-A Freemason , therefore , should be a man of honor and of conscience , prefering his duty to everything beside , even to his life ; independent in his opinions , and of good morals ; submissive to the laws , devoted to humanity , to his country ,

and to his family ; kind and indulgent to his brethren , friend of all virtuous men , and ready to assist his fellows b y all the means in his power . — Keystone-

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

CONTRADICTION IN TERMS . A Member of Grand Lodge thinks that a " Contributor " who asserts that to " talk about Christian Freemasonry is a contradiction in terms , " * neither knows Avhat Christianity is , nor what English Freemasonry as a particular . Freemasonry is . —A PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER .

WORDS OF BRO . ROB MORRIS , WORDS OF BRO . DE AVITTE CLINTON . A correspondent inquires respecting some words ascribed to Bro . Rob Morris , and also respecting - some words ascribed to Bro . De Witte Clinton . They Avill be found in communications made to the

"Freemasons' Magazine , " by the Past Provincial Grand Master for Kent , the first in January , 1868 ; the second so recently as February last . The Avords ascribed to Bro . Morris are : — "The Bible may well be prized amongst Masons and Masons ' AA'ives ; for it has banished idle Avorshiabolished

inp , fanticide , put down polygamy , exalted the condition of women , raised the standard of public morality , created for families a home , and caused benevolent institutions to spring up as with the wand of enchantment . Oh ! let the Bible be in the centre of your lodge , honoured , opened , accessible to all . "

The words ascribed to Bro . De Witte Clinton are : — " As Christian Masons , acknowledging the divinity of Christ , we have introduced the Bible into our lodges to manifest our belief in the doctrines which it inculcates . —A PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER . " RODOMONTADE . " " What ! we who have reared the Temple , and had King David , King Solomon , and Zerubbabel for our