Freemasonry In New South Wales.

and it will be well to remember that , as a general rule , the " recommendations" are more stringent than in more settled countries . One thing more merits attention . The distance from the Grand Lodges has been very much felt . Alienated in a manner from these foci , we think the time is now propitious for a federation of all the Lod . Wc would wish that the advance should issue

ges from the Grand Lodges themselves . They must be aware that circumstances cannot be so graphically portrayed as not to admit of a further touch , and a late decision in a nei ghbouring colony ivould , we are certain if left to the judgment of au Australian Grand Lodge , be speedily reversed . For epithets sounding harsh in the mother country have lost much of their " grating" here ; ancl it is worthof being notedthat the princile of thought and

y , p action according to convention , has been here superseded by that suggested by a far more extended and rational philosophy . LODGES OF FREEMASONS IN NEW SOUTH WALES . ENGLISH CONSTITUTION . — Lodge of Australia , No . 518 , Freemasons ' Hall

, Sydney ; Zetland and Chapter of Australia , No . . 148 . Freemasons ' Hall , Sydney ; Australian Lodge of Harmony , No . 814 , Freemasons' Hall . Sydney ; Zetland Lodge of Australia , No . 941 , Freemasons' Hall , Sydney ; Robert Bums Lodge , No . 60 S , Freemasons' Hall , Sydney ; Balmaiu Lodge , Balmaiu ; Australian Lodge of Harmony , No . 814 , Freemasons ' Hall , Sydney ; Sydney Samaritan Lodge , No . 843 , J . Clark ' s Booms , Sydney ; Cambrian Lodge , No . 942 ; Freemasons' Hall , Sydney ; English Lod

ge of Past Masters , No . 25 , Freemasons' Hall , Sydney ; Lodge of Unity , No . 865 , Annidale , New England ; Southern Cross Lodge , Campbelltown . IUISH CONSTITUTION . —Australian Lodge of Fidelity , No . 267 , Freemasons" Hall , Sydney ; Australian Social Lodge , No . 260 , J . Clark ' s Rooms , Sydney ; Leinster Marine Lodge , No . 266 . SCOTCH CONSTITUTION . —Loyal St . Andrew's Lodge , No . 358 , J . Clark ' s Rooms , Sydney ; Newtown Kilwinning Lodge , No . 377 , Newtowu-road ; Tarbolton Lodge , No . 37 S , Freemasons' Hall , Sydney ; Lodge Woolloomooloo , W . Clark ' s Rooms , Woolloomooloo .

Masonic Charity.

MASONIC CHARITY .

CHARITY is the chief of every social virtue , and the distinguishing characteristic of our Order . This virtue includes a supreme degree of love to the great Creator and Governor of the universe , and an unlimited affection to the beings of his creation , of all characters and of every denomination . This last duty is forcibly inculcated by the example of the Deity himself , who liberally dispenses his beneficence to unnumbered worlds . It is not

particularly our province to enter into a disquisition of every branch of this amiable virtue ; we shall only briefly state the happy effects of a benevolent disposition toward mankind , and show that charity exerted on proper objects is the greatest pleasure man can possibly enjoy . The bounds of the greatest nation or the most extensive empire cannot circumscribe the generosity of a liberal mind . Menin whatever situation they are placedare still iu a great

, , measure the same . They are exposed to similar dangers and misfortunes : They have not wisdom to foresee , or power to prevent , the evils incident to human nature . They hang , as it were , in a perpetual suspense between hope and fear , sickness and health , plenty and want . A mutual chain of dependence subsists throughout the animal creation . The whole human species are therefore proper objects for the exercise of human charity .

Beings who partake of one common nature ought to be actuated by the same motives and interests . Hence , to soothe the unhappy , by sympathizing with their misfortunes , and to restore peace and tranquillity to agitated spirits , constitute the general and "Teat ends of the Masonic institution . This humane , this generous disposition fires the breast with manly feelings , and enlivens that spirit with compassion , which is the glory of the human frame ancl

not only rivals , but outshines every other pleasure the mind is capable of enjoying . All human passions , when directed by the superior princi ple of reason , tend to promote some useful purpose ; but compassion toward proper objects is the most beneficial of all the affections , as it extends to greater numbers , and excites more lasting degrees of happiness .

Possessed of this amiable , this godlike disposition , Masons are shocked at misery under every form and appearance . When we behold an object pining under the miseries of a distressed body or nnnd , the healing accents which flow from our tongues alleviate the pain of the unhappy sufferer , and make even adversity , in its dismal state , look gay . Our pity excited , ive assuage grief , and cheerfull y relievij distress . When a brother U in wmit , every

Masonic Charity.

heart is prone to ache ; ivhen he is hungry , we feed him ; when he is naked , ive clothe him ; when he is in trouble , ive fly with speed to his relief . Thus we confirm the propriety of the title we bear , and demonstrate to the world at large that brother , among Masons , is something more than au ' empty name . —American Cri / stal and Masonic Journal .

The Twenty-Four Inch Gauge.

THE TWENTY-FOUR INCH GAUGE .

AMOXG all the implements of Freemasonry there is none more expressive than the twenty-four inch gauge . It belongs to the entered apprentice , and consequently every Freemason is taught in the first step in Masonry its Masonic use . The twenty-four inches represent the twenty-four hours of the day , ivhich Masonry divides into three equal parts , to be appropriated as follows : — ei ght hours to the service of God and the benefit of our brethren

, eight hours for our usual avocations , and eight hours for refreshment and sleep . Here we find in the emblematic teachings of this simple but useful implement of Masonry , the ivhole of our duties as men , as intelligent beings , and Masons , clearly defined . The responsibility rests upon us if we do not make use of our time during our probation iu this life , in accordance with the above teachings . In no part of the succeeding steps in Masonry

are any of the above teachings abrogated , but on the contrary , every step onward enforces more strictly their observance . As all Freemasons voluntarily appliedj for admission into the Order , and advanced through the degrees of their own free will and accord , and as in the first degree they were instructed as to the proper application to be made of the twenty-four inch gauge , a heavy responsibility rests upon those who do not emplo } ' their

time according to Masonic teachings . We believe the true and proper division of tlie day for our moral , mental , and physical improvement to be in accordance with the above emblematic application of the twenty-four inch gauge . Order and regularityconduce to the mental and physical improvement of man . Alas , how small a portion of our time is seriously and honestly devoted to God and our fellow man ! Too much , by far too much of the

day is engrossed in worldly pursuits and our own gratification , or trifled away in indolence and unworthy efforts . The application of the twenty-four inch gauge is designed to elevate man , to improve him , to cause him to regulate his time according to system , to be industrious , to apply , himself to useful pursuits , not to indulge in excesses , to observe regular times for refreshment and rest , so that tlie physical machinery may be capable of performing its

proper functions , to expand his sympathies , to enlarge his benevolence , to render him unselfish , to inspire him with high and holy aspirations and reverence for the Creator . These are the teachings of the twenty-four inch gauge . How comprehensive the instructions given by this implement of the Entered Apprentice Mason . But the question , do we , as Masons , observe in our daily life the teachings of the twenty-four inch gauge ? Let each brother answer for himself . —American Mirror and Keystone .

FIXEDNESS or PURPOSK . —When a child is learning to walk , if you can induce the little creature to keep its eyes fixed on any point in advance , it will generally " navigate " to that point without capsizing ; but distract its attention by word or deed from the object before it , and down goes the baby . This rule applies to children of a larger growth . The man who starts in life with a determination to reach a certain position , and adheres unwaveringly to his purpose , rejecting the advice of overcautious , and defying the auguries of the timid , rarely fails , if lie circum

lives long enough , to reach the gaol for which he set out . If - stances oppose him , he bends them to his exigencies by the force of energetic indomitable will . On the other hand , who vascillates in his course , " yawning , " as the sailor says , towards all points of the compass , is pretty sure to become a helpless castaway before his voyage of life is half completed . There can be no question among philosophic observers of men and events , that fixedness o £ purpose is a general element of human successWeathercock men are Nature's failures . They are

. good for nothing . Better downright pigheaded obstinacy than eternal vaseillation ; better wilful blindness to danger , however menacing , than the hesitancy which is for ever weighing the possibilities o £ defeat against the chances of victory . The men of action , whose names are written imperishable on tbe pages of history , were men of iron . Silky fellows may do for intrigue , but the founders and conquerors , and the liberators , and saviours of empires , have all been of the warrior metal . No human being who habitually halts between two inionswho cannot decide

op , promptly , and having decided , act as if there was no such word as fail , can ever fie great , as Ctesar would never have crossed the Rubicon , nor Washington the Delawars , had they not fixed their stern gaze on objects far beyond the perils at their feet . — New York Masonic Mirror and ? Keystone .