'The Tassels Of The Lodge."

tioa into our mysteries , to practice every moral and social virtue , and let Prudence direct us —Temperance chasten us—Fortitude support us —and Justice be the guide of all our actions ; and , as was given in tho " Freemasons' Magazine , " a

few years since : — For ever may Level and Plumb-rule , Their moral truths convey ; Hay Temperance , our passions cool , And Prudence guard our way ; Slay Fortitude in danger ' s hour ,

Our sinking spirits nerve , May Masons , though , possessed of power , From Justice never swerve .

Of Good Report.

OF GOOD REPORT .

From , the New York Cosmopolitan . We frequently hear the remark made , both by the initiate and uninitiateto the mysteries of Freemasonry , that " persons not of good character are admitted to Masonic Lodges . " Would such be the

case if proper enquiry were made ? We contend that no man should be admitted to brotherhood among Masons : about whom there is a doubt as to character ov . habits , and there should be a doubt when good character is not proved by strict

inquiry into past life and present moral standing . IMo brother should propose a candidate for Masonic degrees unless , from his own personal knowledge of the person proposed , he can vouch for his worthiness . The committee appointed by the

Worshipful Muster of the Lodge should be selected with care , aud any brother accepting an appointment on KUCII committee should accept it with , the full purpose of faithfully performing the requirements of Jus office . It may be at personal

inconvenience that sufficient time is devoted to strict inquiry , but wo should hope no Mason would accept such a position that was unwilling to work for the good cf ihi ; Craft even at a little personal inconvenience , Every member of a Lodge should use

tho meu , i ; : j in his power to bo assured of the chevueter of those proposed to be admitted to brotherhood , for no good man wishes to associate with tho vicious ; especially he does not desire to admit a bad man to the close bonds of

brotherhood . We ( bar that occasionally the watchmen become sleepy , or , vhat is more , indiffer 3 iit , allow the enemy

to penetrate our portals and share m our mysteries . This may arise from various causes—the W . M . may desire to increase the number of members of the Lodge more rapidly than a healthy growth could accomplish ; the Lodge may be

pressed for funds , or there may be a desire to create a large fund , that when calls are made for charity the means may be at hand to be applied to succour the unfortunate brother or his family . Too often we fear the initiation fee is an argument

that halts inquiry . There is a necessity for the wakening of Masons to their duty , to the sublime order of which , each , one forms a part . Our noble-hearted P . G . M ., the late Bro . Robert G-. Holmes , during his occupancy

of the position of Grand Master , and in fact through all his connection with Masonry , earnestly endeavoured to inculcate in the minds of Masons their duty to guard well the portals of the Lodge . If this duty is not well performed Masonry will

sink from its high estate as rapidly as it has risen . There is more danger in rapid growth than in slow progress , and Masonry is rapidly growing throughout the entire civilized world . Hence , instead of relaxing in vigilance we should , by all judiciou 3

means , guard the purity of our Lodges . Wealth should not entitle to admission unless allied to worth . It certainly is desirable that men of wealth should be admitted to Masonic intercourse , but not desirable unless the possessor of wealth is a man of unblemished character .

The "brightest" Masons are not always the best . Though in the examination room or in the Lodge they are perfect in the ritual , they may not have imbibed the true spirit . Knowing the work , is not the comprehending of it in its full

significance . Our Grand Master , District Deputies , and Grand Lecturers , while advocating good work and uniformity of work , should endeavour on all occasions to inculcate the principle that no man not of " good report" should be admitted within the

portals of our Lodges . While adhering to form let us not forget the substance of Masonry . In contemplating the allegory let us not forgefi morality . We quote an eminent Mason ' s definition of Freemasonry : —

" Freemasonry is an institution based on that never-failing charity which upholds universal love , calms the troubled sea of our evil passions , and leaves a smooth surface in which all men who ara sincere and consciencious worshippers of God and