Freemasonry And The Profane. By An Old P.M.

Nature Avitnesses to Scripture that natural laAvs operate on all alike . "He sendeth his rain upon the just and upon the unjust . " But , as universally as they operate for the good of those who obey them , so universally and inflexibly do tbey move to the destruction of those who are disobedient to them , just or unjust .

" Our charity , " that is love , though I suspect no more than almsgiA'ing was originally meant , " shall know no bounds ( i . e ., of faith or politics ) , save those of prudence . " We should extend kindness as ividely as we are Avilling to receive it . There should be mutual concession , reciprocal friendship , mtitual obligation .

Should we not rather abstain from praying altogether than pray wrongly ? May meetings rightly commence without prayer ? Masons mutually agree not to discuss faith or politics , nor interfere Avith practice ; but they lay not aside nor weaken any opinion . Christianity , as a higher privilege aud more

complete revelation than any which preceded it , instead of destroying that loi'e and goodwill which man had previously cherished , would , as displaying and manifesting the principles of a higher love , bring it into a more active and healthy existence . "Do good unto all men , " says the apostle . ( Gal .

chap , vi ., ver . 10 . ) The especially connected with it does not neutralize the general proposition , but points out the more immediate object of the disposition to do good . He would be no Christian who restricted his kindness to his own party , and failed to do good to all mankind .

"Love not the world , neither the things of the world , " seems an opposite maxim to that of " Love all men ; " but it must mean love not the openly wicked , the men ivho live only for the present . The first blasphemy , the first impiety , should arouse us ; but it does not follow that we should , ivhen ive fall

into their society , shun those Avho have not the same high vieAvs of truth as ourselves , but who ivalk morally in the light they have . We may not stand at the same time in the' spirit of Christ , and say of such , " Stand by , I am holier than they . " In other company Ave may reap more edification , but " none of us liveth

unto himself . " We have not only to obtain , but to impart edification . The company Ave fall into should receive edification from us . We should not obtrude . We should argue more by conduct , by actions , rather than Avords . The enjoyment of higher privileges than others cancels no general obligations . No sanctity

in other things can compensate for the vvant of love . " If any man say I love God , and hateth his brother , he is a liar . " ( St . John . ) . Such ' are the difficulties of this twofold view . Scripture must be confronted with Serijiture . Analogies must be sought . ( Prov . chap , xvii ., ver . 17 . )

The Lodge Militant.

THE LODGE MILITANT .

( From our Scottish Correspondent . ) Some outsiders , from a consideration that man thousands of hrethren swell the ranks of the volunteer force , UOAV leagued together for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of the art of Avar , have questioned

AA'hether , in so doing , Craftsmen are acting quite in unison with the spirit of Freemasonry , whose mission is prominently held forth to be one of UN - IVERSAJ . BKOTHJEEHOOD AND PEACE . While as Masons , we can have nothing to do with Avar , except it be to try to ameliorate its horrors , the Order has contained

some of the most distinguished warriors of modern times . Washington and Wellington , Nelson and Napier , Moore and Moira , Avith other commanders of lesser note , Avere members of the Craft , and their brilliant achievements in the service of their country continue to be remembered Avith pride and gratitude

by every patriotic Craftsman , both here and in America . As Masons we are ever ready to offer , the olive branch for the acceptance of brethren of every clime ; but when as citizens of our respective countries we unfurl the war banner in a righteous cause , Ave do not compromise any principle of

Masonry . But it is far from our intention to enter upon a disquisition affecting the propriety or impropriety of members of the Order engaging in the profession of arms ; rather it is our object to afford

to brethren the opportunity of contrasting with that of the present day the enthusiasm in the Yolunteer cause which animated the brethren of a former generation . There are many UOAV living Avho remember IIOAV , Ai'hen the First N apoleon threatened the invasion of this country , some 400 , 000 volunteers

sprang up as one man for the defence of home ancl fatherland . That the Craft furnished their quota to that army of reserve is beyond a doubt , for occasionally , even yet we meet upon the chequered floor Avith old brethren AVIIO have served in it . But few , A'ery few—none almost—now journey

on the level of time , who can have any personal recollection of the spirit of devotion to their country AA'hich , long anterior to the advent of Napoleon , beat so high in the heart of the Craftsmen of Scotland as to call down upon them a public rebuke from their supreme head in Masonic matters ,

or ei'en that such ivas the ease is known to comparatively few of those now taking an active part in the business of the order . History tells us that in 1777 , with America in open rebellion against her Sovereignty , and menaced by more than one of the Continental Powers thirsting

for her humiliation , Britain called for an extraordinary levy of men , Avherewith , to meet the emergency . Carried away by the patriotism AA'hich filled their