On Symbols As Applied To Masonic Instruction.

and herb for the service of man ; that he may bring forth food out of the earth , and wine that maketh glad the heart of man , and oil to make his face to shine , and bread which strengtheneth man's heart . " And here we see another example of the dependanee of everything on each other . The great ruler of the world ordained for a

punishment that man should labour ; but , in order to give him encouragement , he ordained that he should be nourished by the fruits of his labour ; work , operating upon the different functions of the human system , produces hunger , which is the best sauce ; so , to satisfy the cravings of natureman willingly works . But some

, men appear to live to eat , instead of eating to live . About a century ago it was considered a proof of dignity and manliness to drink to excess . Gentlemen of high birth and education used to meet together for the express object of getting drunk . Drinking parties were protracted for whole days . Imbecility and prostrate

helplessness were the result ; and it is difficult to understand what ideas of pleasure could be attached to scenes of such excess , to the nausea-, the disgust of sated appetite , aud the racking headache of the terrible next day . "Wine was given to make glad man ' s heart , not that he should make a beast of himself ; to a certain

point it is a refreshment and a wholesome stimulant , and , in many cases , a valuable medicine . Beyond this point it is no refreshment , but on the contrary unhinges the system , and destroys the body and also the soul . Well did the sacred writer call it , when used in excess , " a mocker . " It makes all men equal , because it makes them all fools . It allures them into vicious indulgence , and then mocks their folly by taking away any sense they may ever have possessed : —•

"Tour love and wine Which shake so much the human brain and breast , Must cud in languor ; men must sleep , like swiue ; The happy lover aud the welcome guesfc Both sink at last into a swoon divine ; Full of deep raptures and of bumpers , they Are somewhat sick and sorry the next day . "—Byron

xhid here another of our symbols inculcating Temperance , steps in to guide and warn us . Irregularities that impair the health of the body , and much more the faculties of the mind , create and increase family dissensions , and reflect a dishonour upon Preemasonry , from which its intrinsic excellence cannot at all times redeem it in the public opinion . Happy am I

, however , to say that it is but seldom in the present day a Mason is found who so far forgets what is due to himself , and the Order to which he belongs , as to do anything which may by his unworthiness bring dishonour on tlie Craft . Do not , however , brothers , fancy I am speaking against refreshment ;

it is not against the use , but the abuse , I speak . I like the good old custom of refreshment , either during or immediately after lodge hours , but not in the lodge . I' knew a lodge in the west of England where the brothers regularly met after work ; in summer , the fare was bread aud cheese and salad , and some good beer ; the

cost to each member was sixpence , aud a very pleasant hour we used to spend . And here let me remind you that there is not only a bodily but also a mental refreshment . A man whose mind has been on the stretch all day requires some relaxation , something to give a turn to his ideas—music , books , or social aud intellectual conversation : —

' ' Unhappy he who from the first of joys , Society , cut off , is left alone Amid this world of death . "—Thompson

" Society is as needful to us , " says Dr . Channing , " as air or food . A child doomed to utter loneliness , growing up without sight or sound of human beings , would not put forth equal power with many brutes ; and a man never brought into contrast Avith minds superior to his own , will probably run one and the same dull round of thought and action to the end of his life . " Now , what

can he more social than Ereemasonry ? for while it has the highest objects that can engage the attention of human beings , it at the same time fosters and encourages those friendly and social dispositions which enable us to make this life pleasureable and happy ; so far as regards mutual intercourse , which it cultivates and assists at the same time , instead of offering incentives to excess or dissipation , teaches us to keep conviviality within due bounds .

The e emng brings a hame , is a true old Scotch proverb , " which Byron has paraphrased : — " 0 Hesperus , thou briugest all good things Home to the weary ; to the hungry cheer ; To fche young bird , the parents' brooding wings ; The welcome stall to the o'er laboured steer . "Whate ' er of peace about our hearthstone clings , Whate'er our household gods protect of dear , Are gathered round us by thy look of rest ; Thou bring'st the child , too , to the mother ' s breast . "

Ni ght- with her sable covering draws on . "Butt ocea-no nox , involvens umlrd magna terramque polumque . Sopor fessos complectitur artus" says Virgil . Man fatigued with the labours of the day , and having fulfilled his appointed duties , retires to take his needful rest , but not to waste his time in slothfulness and easefor Solomon 1 Proverbsxxviii . 21

; , says , , , ' * ' Drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags ; the slumberer and the slothful shall come to poverty . " And here we learn a lesson from the sun . The great luminary of the Creation rises in the east , to open the day ivith a mild and genial influence , and all nature rejoices in the appearance of his beams . He gains his meridian in

the south , invigorating all things with the perfection of his ripening qualities . With declining strength he sets in the west , to close the day , leaving mankind at rest from their labours , and to gather strength for future exertions . If we would improve our life and time to advantage , let us be sure not 1 » o neglect the morning ;

early rising is a practice which leads to many worldl y advantages , and , where the mind is well disposed , may be turned to better purposes . There is a freshness , a sublimity , and a calm monitory voice in the early morning , which inspires purity of feeling , counsels good purposes for the ensuing day , and lifts the heart to adoration of the Being who made all the bri ght world that is awakenino- around us .

A learned old divine says— "There are lour mornings of time ; 1 st , the morning of your life , the time of your youth , health , and strength . Such of you as have lost this season , in whole or in part , pray double your diligence in the improvement of what remains of your time . But such of you as are young , be advised to remember your Creator in the days of your youth .

2 nd . The morning of every day is a time to be peculiarly improved , " for God and your own good . It is a season that is not only a friend to study , but also to prayer and devotion . 3 rd . Improve the morning of every week , i . e ., the Lord's day , for as we discharge our duty thenwe may expect God ' s blessing through the

, week , more or less ; but if we refuse to give God what is His due on His own day , we must not think it strange if God withdraws from us on those days He has allowed us to serve ourselves upon . lib . It may not be un-