Masonry And Its Obligations.

MASONRY AND ITS OBLIGATIONS .

LBCTT . BE DELIVERED BY W . BBO . ARDASEEB GOOSTAJEE , W . M . LODGE " HAIOIOSI . " ( JNO . 438 ) BEKGAT ,. Those who study the history of Freemasonry , my brethren , with attention , will find that there are scarcely any of those arts and sciences which have conferred the most essential benefits upon the world , but have been

nourished and protected from the earliest ages by the followers of the Craft . True indeed is the remark , that "Masonry and civilization , like twin sisters , have always gone hand in hand together , " and that everything that could embellish and improve human life have followed with unerring steps in their halcyon train . Such being the effect of Freemasonry upon society in all ages , can

ifc be wondered that our noble Craft should have bitter enemies and incredulous despisers , ivho being darkness themselves , presume that our employments and pursuits are trifling , absurd mysteries , or profane mummeries ; whereas there is no subject existing within the grasp of the human intellect , be it the most subtle or various , be it hih as the heavens aboveor deep as the earth beneath

g , no secret of creation into which the science of Freemasonry does not enter , in the pursuit of wisdom , knowledge , and virtue . Some there are who ridicule our secrets , supposing either they are prejudicial to society or wrong in themselves , ov a childish attempt to conceal that which , if revealed , would be either ridiulous or profane ; whereas the truth is , those secrets are bonds of

our mutual fidelity , by which we oblige ourselves to trace wisdom and follow virtue ; they are locks upon our treasures to baffle the curious and to restrain unworthy persons from prying into deep and hallowed mysteries ; they are also emblematic symbols of doctrines and moral beauties ; thoy have uses which none but the initiated can thoroughly appreciate ; and we only want the candid and charitable to judge of them by the general aspect and character of Freemasonry so far as we are permitted

to unfold its excellence to the eye of the world . Many wonder why we are decorated vvitli an apron of snowy whiteness and various jewels , looking upon them as mere external adornments , not knowing their deep symbolical meaning , bringing ever prominent before the mind of the Mason the duty he owes to himself , to masonry , and to the world ; just as the sun is an emblem of all the great attributes of the Divinitandtogether with the

y , , moon , raises our thoughts to the fountain head of truth ; and though in the language of the Sacred Law they have neither speech nor language , their voices are heard among them , their sound is gone into all lands , and their words unto the ends of the earth , thereby affording us excellent lessons to instruct men in the wisdom and goodness of the Creatoras if they had an hundred

, tongues . These things indicate that the true object of Masonry is to unite us to the performance of virtuous deeds , the accomplishment of which testifies to the world that , as sons of Light , we have dispelled the dark cloud that otherwise would have obscured us , and that being no longer lost in tho mist of hatredmalicedrunkenness

, , , and other hideous sins which degrade the mind , and destroy the body , and render the hereafter a dreadful source of anticipation , ive prefer the labour of charity , benevolence , brotherly love , and the exercise of every other virtue . Thus it is we wear our white apron as a fit emblem of the G . A . O . T . U ., from whom no evil work can proceedand our jewels and ornaments are intended

, to try our affections by justice and our actions by truth , in like manner as the square tries the workmanship of tbe mechanic . But not to take up too much time , brethren , I will very briefly allude to one or two of the leading obligations of our order . The first JIasonie duty , of which I am sorry to say many of our order are sadly remiss , and

Masonry And Its Obligations.

which is much handled by the world , is Temperance ; yet on this obligation , as we well know , Masonry lays an unusual stress ; not only does she herein recommend themoderate and sanctified use of all things and blessings of light , but commands us to restrain our passions . Let any of our brethren , therefore , who may unhappily have been guilty of wilful and continued acts of intemperance

and excess , reflect seriously how they are breaking their Masonic obligation . Another portion of our obligation is to have respect for and protect each other ' s character ,, and those of our families when unjustly assailed ; these the noble principles of our Order require us to hold most dear and as sacred as our own . Around the reputation of her children Masonry casts a consecrated robe ;

which she forbids her followers to touch , much less tear off with unnecessary rudeness , and when compelled by honour and justice to do so , she bids us with a tear of pity , not a smile of malice , to be merciful , and no one who is not dead to the nobleness of the human character ,, or sensible to the finest feeling of his nature , can hear or see without indignation a Masonic obligation so wantonly violated as is often witnessed . JFor the sake ,

therefore , of all that is of good report let us not forget our obligation . In conclusion , brethren , if our charity is to be crowned with success , if our truth is to lead to universal happiness , if our brotherly love is to know no diminution or decay , if our temperance is to diffuse without alloy its wholesome influence amongst the Craft , if our obedience

is to continue of that elevated character which leads man to admire the greatness of a greater mind , if our fortitude and prudence are to lead us as the mountain landmark leads the pilot to a safe and fitting harbour , if our justice is to render us better citizens of the State and better befit us for the social intercourse of man ; how indispensibly does it become us both collectively

and individually to be vigilant and active in the performance of our duty ; to remain pure , firm , and unshaken in our fidelity , and thereby endeavour to add another rivet to that chain of fraternal affection which will never allow us to be neglectful of our Masonic obligation . Happy will it be for ihe Mason when so acting he is called from labour in the lodge below to rest in the lodge above , there to shine like the stars in the firmament for ever and ever .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

GERMAN MASONRY . A . correspondent will find the communication respecting which he enquires " Freemasons ' Magazine , " vol . 22 , page 12-9 ; but on reading the last four lines he will probably consider the language such aa to make it inexpedient to reproduce them even for the

purpose of recording their condemnation by every instructed member of our Order . This was , I believe , the language that I had in view when , as I am reminded , I wroto ( Freemasons ' Magazine , vol . 23 , page 50 ) : — " In future discussion it will be well for all to hear in mind that words are

thought to betoken the class to which the individuals employing them belong . "—CHA EI . ES PUETON COOPEB . MASONIC LITERARY CONTROVERSY . From the columns of Masonic literary controversy in which , whatever may be the cause , with what is seemly there is mingled what is unseemly , instructed brothers turn with irrepressible disgust . —A PAST PKOYI ] MCIA : D GEAND MASTEE .