Scottish Masonic Lectures.

Amongst the just purposes of ceremony are those meant to keep within due bounds , the assertions of self , so that it may not ,- by overweening indulgence , become an annoyance to others ; also teaching that one is but a link in the chain of

many , and that the peace and enjoyment of society can only be maintained by a proper deference to the feelings ancl sympathies of others . There is scarcely a people so savage as to be utterly without ceremony ; respect to elders or social sirperiors ,

is to be found more or less amongst all congregated tribes of human beings , the absence of ceremony is perhaps most remarkable in the lower classes of nations claiming- the highest place of civilisation ., and in communities where social distinctions from

hereditary rank , or the possession of wealthy exclude the less fortunate from those amenities which cultivate and refine . In our own muchfavoured land we have many a sad example of this moral degration , which , mistaking- the

unbridled and uneducated assertion of self for liberty and freedom looses , iu vulgar license , all respect for the feelings of others . A little observation and reflection will convince the most sceptical , that a degree of ceremony is indispensable to the

peaceable aud pleasant existence of society . True , it is the just medium which is desirable ; that medium which , avoiding the oriental falsehoods orally placing all things afc your disposal , means to give you nothing , and desires your absence ;

yet also avoids the other extreme , which holds chat all ceremonies are but expressions of hypocricy ancl falsehood , ancl acting on this impression ,

claims the liberty—however offensive to the sympathies of others—of saying what ifc thinks , without having previously studied the thinking of what is true and what is just . The best rules and ceremonies have been studied to avoid extremes ,

so as to be friendly mediums to keep us pleasant with each other , not tyrants asking us to sacrifice all self-respect , and when properly understood and practised , will carry an assemblage of differently constituted individuals through a

meeting with results to all—to use a Masonic phrase" of pleasure and profit . " In the earliest records of civilisation we find many evidences of the recognition of the " utility of ceremony . " Tracing down the track of time ,

we find the governor of the feast , as mentioned in scripture , aud in the similar office of Si / inposiarch , or ruler of the feast , amongst the Greeks . In these ancl man } ' other institutions of ancient times ,

we see the recognition " of the utility of ceremony " to keep men within due bounds of respect towards each other . In the first rank of those institutions which have introduced rules for moral guidance and eeremonies to minister to the pleasure and

enjoyment of its members , stands the Order to which we belong . Centuries have tried these rules and ceremonies in the crucible of experience , and though sometimes encumbered with the vulgarisms ' and prejudices of the ages or mediums through which they have passed , we have only to

removethese encumbrances to perceive that her unpolluted rules carefully exclude all elements of contention ,, whilst her ceremonies , properly understood ,, minister to the comfort and enjoyment of all within her circles . Our rules forbid such

speculative topics as experience has shown has led men into dissension . Our ceremonies , whilst demanding due and proper respect to those whom the general voice has placed as rulers , claim from those rulers a courtesy and demeanour which may place

all upon a social equality as brethren , giving the power to check all breaches of decorum , whilst recoo-nisino- the humblest effort to add to thegeneral information .

I From peculiarities in the institution of our Order well known to the brethren , instruction in those rules aud ceremonies can only be practised orally , consequently , meetings would require to be frequent in order to preserve and hand down down

iu purity , those heirlooms of ages long passed away . It is to aid in this good purpose we are now gathered here , and by the permission of onrrespected R . W . M ., we will now illustrate our subject by bringing the various offices into use .

Bro . Cowie then proceeded to rehearse the different office-bearers in their duties . In this he was ably assisted by Bro . Robertson , the R . W . M ., an excellent Mason , and one who has gained the respect of all for the admirable manner in which

he has at all times fulfilled his duties . Bro . Cowie ' s illustrations were in aid of a 2 : > roposed uniform system , now so much desired . At the close of the rehearsal of each office , Bro . Cowie commented on its use . Excellent ancl to the purpose as these remarks were , we have only space for one or two .

OF THE MASTER ' DUTIES , Bro . Cowie said : This office is of so much importance that the proper fulfilment of its duties requires all that intelligence , good sense , and the