Is Masonry A Religious System?

its soundness , they declare without hesitation that " Masonry is a religious system" or perhaps " a religious society . " Now , there can be nothing more mischevious than this , or more detrimental to the Masonic

institution . First , because it is not true ; it has absolutely no foundation in fact . Second , because it conveys a false impression to the world , and operates to deter many of the very best men from applying for admission , because the Society ( if the

theory be be true ) arrogates to itself prerogatives Avhich should belong peculiarly to the Church ; ancl third , because it gives opportunity , for some members of the fraternity , who are apparently destitute of any religions belief satisfactory to

themselves , to claim Masonry as their religion , and to quote the excellent and devout brother A . or B . as authority for the statement that " Masonry is religion . " Masonry has been aptly described as " a

beautiful system of 'morality , veiled in allegory ancl illustrated by symbols . " We ask if any Mason Avould be in favour of substituting the word religion for the world 'morality in the above quotation ? Decidedly not ? It would not only

destroy its beauty , but would destroy its truthfulness . NOAV , Masonry and religion are entirely distinct terms , and cannot be so tortured as to mean the same thing . We will define the terms , and invite comparison of the definitions ivith " Webster

unabridged . " Morality is the practice of the social duties , and and the observanca of external virtue . It is the standard of right , iu accordance with divine law , by which we measure the value of intentions and

actions relating especially to the conduct of men toAvards each other ; and has no beavino whatever upon man ' s duty to God , save as it is in consonance with the general law by which God governs the universe .

Religion , on the other hand , is the recognition of God as an object of ivorship , love , and obedience . In its primary element , it covers simply the relation in Avhich the inner life of man stands Avith his Maker , without any regard whatever to

the relations he may bear to his fellow man , or to any other portion of God ' s universe . It is the observance and love of interned virtue , aminofrom pure intentions oi the heart , ancl an all-controlling desire to please God , as distinguished from

Is Masonry A Religious System?

external virtue , arising from a desire to benefit and elevate mankind socially . Masonry inculcates and enforces morality , and teaehes the necessity of religion . The latter , however , it does not and cannot enforce , it being a

relation between man and his God , in which no mortal has a ri ght to interfere , save in the way of advice and reproof ; ancl such counsel can havegood effect only as it influences the individual toseek a closer communion with his Maker .

NOAV the first great Landmark requires the recognition and achwwledgment of God , but further than this , Masonry does not go . It doespretend to interpret the revelations of Himself Avhich God makes to every individual man , nor to

say that he shall pray once , twice , or thrice each day , thought it tells him that he ought ahvays toinvoke the aid of Deity . It follows that , as Masonry does not attempt to enforce any religious creed , but , on the contrary , carefully avoids any interference with the free exercise of the

consciences of men , it cannot with any degree of truth be called a religious society . We believe that men have no more right to live as religious paupers upon the morality of Masonry than they have to make its charity their only means of

support . Let u s be careful then that Ave do not unwittingly lead them into such a course , by claiming Masonry to be a system of religion , instead of Avhat it is , a system of morality . There is a wid ' e difference between the two . —Landmark .

Stray Notes On The Livery Companies.

STRAY NOTES ON THE LIVERY COMPANIES .

The meaning of tbe Avord "Livery" is not by an £ means clear ; AVC fancy it must have come ( like other commercial terms— "Lombard , " "bankrupt , " & c ) , from tho Italian livrea , out of the Latin liber , " free , " so that the " livery" of a company is the dress worn by the " free" men , not a dress freely bestoived , like that Avhich sivells the pride of * a nobleman's sen-ant .

Passing from the distinctive dress of tho " livery , " or double-free men , to the charters which called them into being , Ave find that the AVeavers are possessed of the earliest charter , granted to them , by Henry II ., and . Avhich . bears the impress of the seal of Thomas a Socket . One Avould like to knoAV ivliethei- the altar vestments of the famous eleiio or the glittering dresses of his retinue

came from the looms of these ancient iveavers ; but on this subject history is silent , and '' tis vain to speculate . That they made a good article , or professed to do so , we may infer from the motto to their arms , " Weave truth AA'ith trust , ' ' granted in 1487 . Gould better warp and Avoof be given for daily habits?—raiment fit for a Solomon .

But charters or patents , though they grant a monopoly , do not always bring wealth ov peace ot' mind . Troubles came , even to one " amongst the oldest