Freemasonry In The United States.

antiquity of ages—still , like a lofty rock whose foundations were laid deep in the earth , towered above the storm of civil strife , the howling waves of discord beat in vain upon her elevated crest . Amid subsiding kingdoms ancl crumbling empires ,

our mystic brotherhood still stands , the great beacon light of ages , the friend of justice , the preserver of peace and humanity . " We are pleased to find that our transatlantic brethren are being roused to a sense of the vital

importance , to the welfare and honour of the Craft , attaching to the proper selection of candidates for admission into our Order . We have had frequent occasion , more especially latterly , in these pages , to dwell upon this

important subject and to entreat of brethren proposing candidates to make themselves thoroughly satisfied that those whom they propose are such as will reflect credit , and not discredit upon the Order . We have continued perseveringly to inculcate this caution even at the risk of being considered tedious .

The M . W ., our Grand Master has , as our readers are aware , issued a special caution in the shape of a circular upon the same subject , particular allusion to which Avas also made by the Grand Registrar at the last meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of

Berks and Bucks , and there is also the forcible address delivered some few months since upon the importance of this subject by our esteemed Bro . J . F . Spurr , P . M . of the Old Globe Lodge , Scarborough ivhich we have reprinted in the shape of

a slip and circulated freely amongst our lodges . It is therefore , we repeat , pleasing to find the Kentuckian Grand Master reciprocating Avith us on this side , and following in the path of our own Grand Master in cautioning brethren to use

increased vigilance in the direction indicated . We here quote the language of the Grand Master of Kentucky : —¦ " While our portals are thronged , every moon , with anxious petitioners ; praying admission to our

secret rites and honours , it behoves us to guard , like faithful sentinels , the sacred precincts , lest , instead of friends at eventide , some ivily foes should gain admission among the good ancl true .

" I must confess I am at a loss to determine whether the unparalleled pojDularity of our Institution at this time should be hailed as fraught with good , or whether it shall be regarded as ominous of evil . The initiations in this and many other jurisdictions far surpass those of any past year .

May not the wise ancl . prudent Craftsman ask , c shall ive look for a great and glorious Masonic millennium , or for a horrid Babylonish reign ?' Let us , therefore , be on the alert , and by a strict guard over the outward portal of the temple , secure

the admiration of the wise ancl good , thereby transmitting to future generations , on the solid basis of a pure code of morals , our glorious institution , unimpaired in vigour , the patron of universal benevolence . "

The following portion of the address ivhich relates to Freemasonry and political opinions , will be read ivith interest : — " There is another matter that has caused some trouble in a feiv lodges , during the past year . It

arises from political differences . Many brethren seem to have forgotten that Masonry does not conflict with political or religious sentiments . I have received not a feiv letters touching this subject . Some wish to know whether as Masons

they should celebrate the funeral obsequies of deceased members , who took service in the rebel cause . Others have asked , whether resolutions of condolence and respect should be adopted in such cases ; and whether the widows and orphans of

such deceased brothers are entitled to Masonic charities ? To all these inquiries my answer has been substantially : Brethren , let not politics be mentioned in your lodges , and know no difference in men because of political or religious distinctions . Masonry unites men of every country , sect , and

opinion , upon the broad basis of universal charity . Our Institution is not sectional , and our lodges should not be converted into courts martial . Alleged crimes against the civil government should be tried ancl punished only by the civil

authority . Masonry should take no part in civil strife , except to throw the broad mantle of Masonic charity over the faults of our brethren ; succour the needy , - apply the oil of consolation and the AA'ine of joy to the afflicted , especially to those of

our own household . At the " same time I called , the attention of those lodges to the following axtract from ' The Charges of a Freemason ' : — " A Mason is a peaceable subject to the civil powers , wherever he resides or works , and is never

to be concerned iu plots and conspiracies against the peace ancl welfare of the nation , nor to behave himself undutimlly to inferior magistrates , for as Masonry has beeu ahvays injured by war , bloodshed , and confusion , so ancient Kings and Princes have been much disposed to encourage the Crafts-