Address By The Crown Prince Of Prussia.

trate our Grand Lodge at the beginning of the new century , to create new life and invig orate this life to a fruitful result . Let us therefore go on with consciousness and wise delicacy , and with strong and alert spirit , and

be convinced , my brethren , I will assist yon willingly and faithfully . The first century of the existence of this Grand Lodge bequeathed us imperfect things , the coming century , at its ending , will undoubtedly call our

endeavours and doings likewise imperfect . However , we hope , at least , that our sincere labours to promote in a true Masonic spirit the Avelfare and the prosperity of our Grand Lodge , will be acknowledged .

The True Accepted Masons.

THE TRUE ACCEPTED MASONS .

FBOM THE BOMBAY GUARDIAN . " Six hundred years ago Freemasonry was not what it is now ,- —it was a real thing , not a sham ; its ranks were recruited , not from among lawyers ,

merchants , and' other professions , but every apprentice was forced to undergo a severe probationary servitude and acquire skill in the art of Masonry before he was permitted to become a member of the craft . Nor was it the privilege of

the members—their Masters , or Wardens , to spend the funds of the guild in luxurious dinners and rich wines to be consumed at convivial meetings ; the table of the lodge was a common table Avith plain homely food for strangers and brethren . " Go back six centuries : the cities were small

communication was very slow , there Avere no newspapers to advertise the works that were going on , and the larger works Avere then few compared with what we find everywhere now-a-days . The Mason ' s work never has come to him , and in those

days he had often far to go in seeking it . On spring evenings you might then have often seen approaching some continental town , a couple or so of way-farers , tired , probably , and foot-sore , but almost always characterised by a step and gait

that evinced a freedom and independence of character that marked them from most of the other people you met . They enter the toAvn , and turn into a quiet street where there are few shops and one of them accosts some men sitting in

earnest conversation on a bench at the door of a poor but comfortable looking house . The stranger says ' We are Masons / and the townsman offers them his hand , and they exchange secret signs that none but the initiated could notice . These

are their passes to the hospitality of their brother Masons , and they are far better ( in those days ) than letters of commendation , for they cannot be forged , and not one Mason in a hundred can read a Avritten certificate . They have no need to ask

lodg ings : another starts [ up from the seat , and accosting the second and younger stranger begs that he at least will stay the nig ht with him close by . Refreshments are set forth , and kindly questions asked and answered , aud the talk

speedily falls upon Avork—their work—building . There is a Church of God building not far off , say the townsmen , would they take work there ? and the strangers say they Avould gladly do so ; they

had heard of it by the way , and wish to apply to the Master-builder next day . Accordingly next morning , thanking their hosts for their cheer , and perhaps accompanied by them , they proceed to the works , and asking for the master , are taken

to the Lodge , They are questioned as to nh § t ranks they have respectively attained in the Craft . These they at once communicate by secret signs that are trustworthy and recognizable only to those of equal or higher standing than themselves , and

they save all tedious examinations and practical proof of their skill . They are made welcome , and each is at once appointed to the sort of work he is fit for ; there is no envying or grumbling that one has a higher kind of work than his fellow ;

the ambition of each is to do his work perfectly as ' a workman that needeth not to be ashamed , ' knowing that thereby alone can he ever expect to rise to a higher grade in his Craft .

" Now the recent formation of a- Christian Alliance has suggested or recalled the fact that there is a Freemasonry—liable indeed like the other to be degraded into a mere name when its professors forget the great practical ends of its

existence , —but which , if real and earnest , is calculated to be most helpful to travelling builders of God ' s true house . True Christians are members of one profession and possess spiritual and secret signs , by which , if they are not ashamed of

them , they may make their profession known to one another , but which are not understood by the outside world , nor can be reciprocated or replied