Freemasonry In Mexico.

under the same in Vera Cruz . Besides these , a so-called " Council of the Supreme Grand Orient " was Avorking at Toluca ; it belonged to the province of the National Grand Lodge , and superintended the rituals of all the high grades having a chapter in the State of Mexico . The influence of the French invasion on the

state of Freemasonry m Mexico has been most disastrous . A great number of brethren haA r e been dispersed hy the Avar , and the activity of most lodges has been suspended or eliminated . At Toluca , the Temple was sacked by the mob ,

headed by the prefect and a priest , although General Bertier , himself a Mason , Avas iu command there at the time of this event . Throughout the country the members of the Craft have been most cruelly persecuted by the Imperialists and the

French ; amongst others , the W . M . of the Lodge Constancia ( No . 3 ) , to Avhom Ave are indebted for this account . Most Mexican leaders distinguished during the present Avar belonged to the Craft , e . g ., Juarez , Ocampof , Degolladof , Lerdo de

Tejadaf , Zaragozaf , Zarco , Valle ( sen . and jun . ) f , Zamora f , Porfirio Diaz , & c . It is to be hoped that the re-establishment of a normal state of

public affairs Avill be conducive to the interest of the Craft , as Avell as to the general Avelfare of this hitherto unfortunate country . [ We should add that the preceding is compiled from a series of articles and statements which have recently appeared iu the Freimaurer Zeihing . l .

Nine Precepts.

NINE PRECEPTS .

By BRO . JAMES I REDEIUCK SPURR , P . M ., addressed to the hrethren of the Old Globe Lodge ( N ~ o . 200 ) , Scarborough . I give you the following precepts for the best of purposes , aud that is that you may always sincerely

in your actions incline your hearts to Avhat is good , and endeavour to correct whatever is evil aud vicious in your disposition ; for there is no other Avay in which you can be happy in this life , or safe in that Avhich is to come .

1 . True religion consists in a prevailing love of God in all our actions , and the strongest resolution to obey Him in every instance . Where there is true religion there is such a belief of the gospel as consists in a love for the church , where this belief of the gospel is taught aud practised—a zeal for the truth—a true affection for those that are good

—a great desire to be united to Christ—a hatred for sin , and a love for Aortue—a great humility in ourselves , and an entire trust in the grace of God , joining at all times in fervent prayer that we may have a just esteem for everything that has

relation to the Grand Lodge above , where the Avorld's Great Architect lives and reigns for ever . 2 . Nothing but religion can bring us that peace and satisfaction which the mind of man so

naturally and earnestly desires ; and they that live Avithout a sincere purpose of bettering their hearts by God's word , -will die Avithout any reasonable hopes of happiness . 3 . Peace of conscience will enable a man to go

through every difficulty of life , Avhen he knows that he is in the Avay to heaven aud endeavouring to please God . Nothing but holiness and simplicity of manners can make the mind truly easy . Obedience to the Avill of God entitles us to a

particular promise of His assistance for our peace and comfort . Almighty God gives His grace according as a man labours and prays for it ; and withdraws His grace according as His goodness and providence are neglected and dispersed by a careless and Avicked life .

4 . Grace and blessings abused harden the heart , and this is most frequently brought about by the neglect of public and private prayer . 5 . If AA e seek for happiness in anything but in God Ave are sure to be disappointed ; and it is God Himself AA ho disappoints us , that Ave may turn our

hearts sincerely to Him . 6 . As the peace of society is founded upon good dispositions to God and mau , so the misery of life is the too sure consequence of Avickedness and bad examples . 7 . The only Avay to keep up com erse with

Almi ghty God , and be grateful for His daily mercies is by frequent and humble prayer ; and it is not sufficient for salvation to be innocent of the gross sins of the Avorld , if at the same time we neglect those important duties of public and private

prayer . 8 . A child's best inheritance is a pious education ; but a neglect in that is an evil in after life , that rarely , if ever , can be conquered . 9 . It is the way of many to hope all things will be Avell AAuth them at the last , when at the same

time they are hVing in a careless habit of committing many Avilful sins . There is no delusion so fatal as this , and Ave can never be too often put in mind of it . If Ave Avould have comfort in this life we must obey the precepts of the gospel , than Avhich nothing is so easy to be understood ; but if

Ave neglect these plain precepts and follow the thoughtlessness of others , our past time will always be remembered Avith misery and regret .