Good Advice.

baptism , or , as entitled , "the baptism of the adoption of Lutons , " or the sons of Masons . It appears to be a kind of travestie of the Christian ' s ordinance , but differing in form—the hoy dipping his left baud into the urn . Although I could not believe that our brethren in New Orleans meant any disrespect to the Church , I could but feel shocked in reading the newspaper account of this transaction .

There is another danger to Freemasonry . Our Lodges are not alwayswell tyled . I do not mean only , that thelunworthy find admission , but that too much goes out of the Lodge . There was a time when the secrets of Freemasonry were nearly lost among rubbish—a kind of low twelve in its history—for thc want of an intelligent medium for its traditions . Our Masonic writers and periodical publications , have been of inestimable service in bringing

to light ancl elucidating many secrets , valuable to the Craft , which had been long hidden from Masonic eyes ; but , as there appears to be no good without some attending evil , too much has been ivritten and too plainly . The worst is , that our complaint is against some of our ablest writers and most distinguished Masons . They do not appear to understand the necessity , or the art , of writing under a veil ; orin a that all be concealed from

, way may the public eye , while clear to the initiate . I think they underrate both the intelligence of the public and of the fraternity . I know of no remedy for this b y legislation . Our laws arc stringent enough against the communication , out of doors , of the results of ballots for candidates and other Lodge business , hut our disci pline is not sufficiently enforced . Masters ot Lodges should see to this .

Self Examination.

SELF EXAMINATION .

WE assume that Freemasonry links its membership in the golden chain of fraternity—that it cements friendships—that it clevatesits disci ples morally and intellectually—that it restrains the passions—that the recipients of its mysteries become better , more virtuous , more useful , and better fitted to enjoy the communion of the "just made perfect" in the celestial sphere ; but , in assuming this , let each member of the Craft examine himself

closely , and answer the questions , if since his admission into the Order he has made any advancement in developing the spiritual part of his nature ? in unfolding' the internal qualities of his heart and mind ? if he has become a better man than he was before ? more faithful to his fellow man ? more true to himself and to his God ? It is vain to assume that Freemasonry improves and elevates those who are initiated into its mysteriesif the effect is not

, visible in the life and conduct of its disci ples . AVe do not hesitate to assert that if Freemasons will live up to the principles of Freemasonry , that they will become better , more useful , and more virtuous men . Then it follows , as a matter of course , that those who are not benefited by their connection with the fraternity , who have not improved in their moral nature , ivho have made no progress in developing the internal qualities of the heart and mind

, have not gained a true knowledge of Freemasonry . Examine—examine yourself , brother , and see how the case stands with you ; if you have improved by your connection ivith the Masonic institution . —American Mirror and Keystone .

Conservatism In Freemasonry.

CONSERVATISM IN FREEMASONRY .

THERE is a class of Masons so veiy conservative , and they are by no means few in number , nor confined altogether to the uneducated , who never advance one peg in Masonic knowledge beyond Avhat they were taught when the degrees of Masonry Avere conferred upon them , AVIIO entertain the opinion that a Freemason ought not to know any thing ofthe history of the institution—of its statistics—of its symbolism—or the ori gin of the rites and ceremonials

ofthe Order , its traditions , & c , & c ; that all this knowledge ought to be hid from thc light of day and buried in oblivion for ever . This is , in plain simple language , the sentiment of those who are opposed to Masonic publications , and to shield themselves in their i gnorance they use that convenient expression that " Alasonry is a conservative institution . " We will grant that Alasonry is a conservative institution so far as that , its landmarks

are unchangeable , but he that would infer from that that its aims and purposes are incapable of further unfoldment , or that no advancement nor progress has been made in thc development ot its princi ples since the organization ofthe Order , betrays ' gross ignorance of its past history . An institution whose aim and purpose is to improve and elevate man , cannot be conservative in all i'ospects ; the platform of yesterday must be elevated to conform w the increased li ght of to-day . There must of necessity be a continual change , an advance , an upward and onward progress as e increase in knowledge from day to day of the duties we owe to

Conservatism In Freemasonry.

God , our neighbour , and ourselves . It is idle to attempt to prevent Freemasonry from advancing with the intellectual advancement of the age . The Freemasonry of to-day is far in advance of the Freemasonry of one hundred years ago in its system of government , its system of charities , but more particularly in the acquisition ofthe knowledge of its past history and an increased knowledge of its principlesits missionaud its aims and purposes .

, , None but the wilfully blind , the ignorant , or those who cannot see in Freemasonry anything above its signs and passwords , can be hostile to the dissemination of Alasonic li ght and knowledge . The man Avho is content with the knowledge he is in possession of , and closes up his intellect to the admission of more light , however absurd such an idea may seem , fairly represents the standstill conservative Mason .

Freemasonry is progressive , and is continually unfolding the mysteries contained in the volume of inspirational nature . As the pages turn over day by day of the unrevealed Book , the li g ht of science shines more brightly—thoughts are elicited from the active workshop ofthe mind , ancl each leaf is impressed with the knowledge acquired by experience , the child of wisdom . The indolent Mason , with conservatism as his shield , is impenetrable to the rays

of light which gleam from the intelligent mind . He is wise in his own conceit—he has reached the hi ghest point of human Avisdom—no one can give him information that he is not possessed of already—his understanding etpials that of the highest developed finite mind , and clothed in robes of adamant , he is impervious to the reception of light , and repels the golden rays emitted from Heaven . This is the conservative MasonAvho stands on an

un-, changeable platform , AVIIO will not improve because he will not admit the possibility of progress—who will not seek for light , more light , because lie ivill not step beyond the first lessons which ivere taught him . This class of Masons are incapable of comprehending the esoteric teachings of Freemasonry . All intelligent Alasons are , in the proper sense of the term , in regard to the landmarks of Freemasonry , conservative , ancl the more intelligent are

generally most so , but that conservatism whicli does not admit of any development of Alasonic principles , whicli is opposed to all elucidation of our mystic symbols , the promulgation of Alasonic teachings , the philosophy , the history , the statistics of Masonry , its aim and its mission , is as opposite to true Freemasonry as virtue and vice , as light and darkness are opposed to each other . — American Mirror and Keystone .

Architecture And Abchæology.

ARCHITECTURE AND ABCH ? OLOGY .

Ax a recent meeting of the Society of Antiquaries , a communication from Mr . Street Avas read , calling attention to the proposed destruction ofthe Guesten Hall , at Worcester Cathedral , by the Dean and Chapter . It was agreed that a memorial should be presented to that patriotic body by the Societ j ' , protesting against this act of Vandalism ; also to offer a subscription towards any fund which mi ght be raised for its preservation . This noble

fourteenth century hall has one of the finest roofs in England , and there is no doubt but that , by the scientific use of iron ties , successfully employed in like cases , it might be preserved for ages to come . The Dean and Chapter are spending £ 15 , 000 or £ 18 , 000 on doubtful restorations of their cathedral , and , at the same time , professedly from lack of funds to preserve it , pulling down one of the dependent buildings , which really give half the interest they

possess to our cathedrals . At the above mentioned meeting , it was reported that the restoration of tho Octagon , at Ely , as a memorial of the late dean , is shortly to be commenced . The restorations of Limerick Cathedral are nearly completed . Brinkburn Priory is also to be restored and fitted for Divine ivorship ; a threat to do the like for Netley Abbey is held out . Mr . Burges ' s Memorial Church at

Constantinople is at last in hand . It is understood that Air . Butterfield is to transmute the parish church of St . Colunib , Cornwall , with the addition of a clerestory to the mare , and substitution of a more dignified choir for the ' existing chancel . The idea is to render this church , so enlarged , fit for the office of a cathedral for the proposed new diocese of Cornwall . The restoration of Bristot Cathedral has been commenced . Those of

Lichfield , Hereford , Peterborough , and AVorcester arc progressing . Atr . Scott is to restore thc desecrated chapel of Dover Castle for use of the garrison . Air , 'Burges's restoration of Waltham Abbey is completed . The interior of the University Church at Cambridge is to lie rearranged . Air . Bodlcy has placed new stalls and a reredos in Queen ' s College Chapel , Cambridge .. Mr . T . Gambier Parry , a distinguished amateur , at whose expense thc church at Hi gham was built a few years since , is now engaged in painting the interior with his own hands .