Freemasonry In Egypt.

i 3 i number ; but as the quality of its adherents is preferable to their quantity , and as the prestige of every cause must vanish as soon as it becomes public property , I feel it incumbent on me to recommend to you to increase your numerical

strength , but with the utmost prudence and discretion . Let us adhere to the axiom that those we receive into the bosom of our Order should be

few , good , and true , and then we shall succeed . What Avould you think of the army taking the field strong in number , but its battalions Aveakened , famished to starvation , exhausted by exertions , and demoralised by the loss of many

Battles ? or AA'hat Avould you think of an army of infants , being not used to command , and still less to obey ? Were an able leader oppose to such a phalanx but a hanclfnl of brave and resolute men , struggling for the sanctity of a

common cause , it would require no pains to defeat that army , and victory would crown the undertaking . But if amongst that handful of gallant men , a number of poltroons and inexperienced hands wez-e mingled , would the brave leader still

be sure of the victory ? and if he gains it , will the triumph be even such an easy one ? No , brethren , the passive elements play no part in the struggle ; they serve but as an obstruction and hindrance . From this illustration you may infer that , with a

view to secure our objects , Ave should pick our men , and select but strong and gallant Avarriors ; therefore our recruits ought to be possessed of a moral and a material substance , besides the general requirements of honesty , probity , and ordinary intelligence .

But , dear brethren , after having animadverted thus far on drawbacks and deficiencies , let me proceed to tell you now most emphatically -. Ave shall succeed , and , indeed , all Ave require to succeed is but to continue as an Institution .

The labours of the temple have thus far proceeded irregularly , but have not been devoid of productiveness ; Avhatever has been accomplished hitherto , is pregnant of a future still more brilliant and more fruitful in point of practical utility .

I venture to say that in our lodge , materials of excellent character are io he found , and have no doubt they will form the best elements ot " success . Ever since it Avajs first established , this locl ^ e lias devoted itself chiefly to the study ancl the solution

© f social problems , it has endeavoured to put into practice the most useful economical principles , and has given rise to a Working Men ' s Associa-

Freemasonry In Egypt.

tion ( Societii operaja ) which promises to become highly prosperous . It has not remained foreign to the struggles in Avhich our sister lodge of Alexandria is engaged ; it has joined its endeavours , aud contributed a stone to the foundation of . the Masonic Bank there . Does not such a

commencement warrant the greatest hopes for our success ? In casting a glance to our east , to the Avest and along the columns , I feel delighted to see them all garnished with brethren who have done much work and are veterans of past battles . I see

amongst them those Masons who have originated an international hospital , Avho have studied the best mode of counteracting the caprices of fate by forming associations for mutual relief , Avho are at present engaged in contributing towards the

realisation of two great projects of paramount importance to Egypt , viz ., first the constitution of Arabian Masonry , and secondly the abolition of the trade in human beings which is still carried on and tolerated in contempt of the most sacred £ > rinciples

of human right . The question of rite hasbeen amply and maturely discussed by us . The good sense of the lodge has manifested itself most splendidl y ¦ the principle has prevailed that the substance should never be sacrificed to the outer form .

On sucn grounds , are Aye not justified in entertaining the greatest hopes for the vitality of our lodge ? I await with unbounded confidence the future that may be in store for our temple . It is with honest pride that I take my seat in your

midst , ancl contribute the mite of my OAVU force towards the realisation of our projects and the carrying out of our programme ; if supported by a firm will , by strength , courage , and concord , the future is ours . Therefore let us choose for our motto : firm Avill , strength , courage , concord .

The Pope And Freemasonry.

THE POPE AND FREEMASONRY .

Sir , —Having given your readers a very faint ancl imperfect sketch of primitive Freemasonry ancl of its spurious offshoots , the ancient mysteries , I now proceed to giA * e them some idea of modem Freemasonry , confining- myself , howevez ' ,

to ono particular object , that of refuting the absurd charge brought against it by the Pope . If I can show that it is not merely harmless , but that its tendencies and general Avorking are positively good ancl in tho highest degree commendable , my object will have been attained . Brotherly loye ,