Freemasonry Illustrated And Applied.

symbolical instruction , which , at every succeeding step which they take , is presented to the view . It is a matter of deeper sorrow , if any brother either in his domestic relations , or in his more extended intercourse with the world , present an instance of Freemasonry , as repulsive to that world as it is prejudicial to the Order itself . Yetshould cases like these unhappilprevail

, y , will any one be so unreasonable as to deduce a universal conclusion , condemning the whole from a few particular instances of inconsistency and failure ? I trust not . Can any society , or church , of almost uni ^ versal extent , comprehending within it untold myriads , in every part of the habitable globe , be really perfect in all its partsand correct in all its members ? Man is

, prone to err ; imperfection cleaves to man ' s best schemes and efforts ; and Freemasonry is as liable to the common frailty , and aberrations of some of its members , as any other sect or society of men . Let then the initiated strive to walk more warily , and more in unison with their holy calling , remembering that they are as a city set upon a hill , —and that the world marks

all their shortcomings , and failings , and that such are as injurious to themselves as to the society of which they are members . Yet having acted as God Avould have them , and as His word ,- and our society direct , —let them

meet the world ' s malignity , falsehood , and sneers , just as the Saviour met them , " by answering them to never a word "—Matt , xxvii . 14 . And let the world in judging of us , extend the same meed of charity and forbearance , that it generally gives to other large and public societies . Permit me kindly to assure the uninitiated that we have secret signs and tokens , — " which , being reciprocally

understood , serve to distinguish a Mason by night and by day . " These with us are real matters , and no myths , as some would have you believe . Gould a myth , or a nonentity , find its adherents in every clime , aud amongst all orders of society , from Kings and Princes , downward to the sons of toil ? I ask further , could a myth prevail generation after generation , enlarge its borders , and

spread its benign influences , until the very antipodes of the earth acknowledge its refreshing influences , and dwell beneath its shade ? Assuredly not . Freemasonry is a real matter , and a real principle . We possess our secrets , which we lock up in the treasure house of our hearts , in all good fidelity , and the true Mason will sooner part with life itself than divulge any of them .

Yet let us ever remember , that these serve the real principles on which it is founded , and which it endeavours to carry out , only as the walls of a church are of use to the principles therein taught ; they may be the shell , but they are not the kernel ; they may foreshadow the substance ,

but they are not the substance itself ; they may be the language used , as by the inhabitants of the frozen regions in the North , so also by those in the balmier climes in the South , but they aro neither the sentiment enunciated , nor the power and influence im-parbed thereby . I will state to you , in as few words as possible , what I apprehend Freemasonry really to be . It is a benevolent

institution ; it is a social Order , as has just been stated , yet it is more than these . It is " a peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . " It is a grand , well organised society , where brother meets brother , and , as far as human aid and sympathy can reach , where each bears the other's burden , and , if needs be , applies a healing balm to his wounds . It is an

institution of virtuous men , united for the noble purposes of spreading " brotherly love , relief , and truth " around them . Nay , more . It is a union of men of kindred purpose , where heart beats to heart , and hand joins to hand , in fervent and sincere embrace ; raising each other from the corruption and bondage of this world , to union and communion with all the good and true Masons , who

are gone before to receive their reward . This it effects by basing all its principles upon the truths of God ' s word , and thereby raising its members successively from the darkness and bondage of the tomb to the glorious

light , fellowship , and effulgence of Heaven itself . Did I apprehend Masonry to be anything short of this , or other than this , either in its principles or its purposes , it would find in me neither an adherent nor an advocate . The great question then for each of us to put to our hearts is this . Do I realise these holy and heavenly

purposes by my having become a Free and Accepted Mason ? If our consciences give a negative reply to this question , let us turn over a new page in our existence , enter upon a new career , and guide our future footsteps by the light Avhich God ' s Avord gives , and which true Masonry so strikingly reflects . On the other hand , if we can return an affirmative answer to the question , then may we unitedly sing in the words of our

anthem—Parent of light ! Accept our praise , Who shed'st on us thy brightest rays , The light that fills Sis mind . By choice selected , Lo 1 we stand , By friendship joined a social band , That love and aid mankind . CHORD- * ' loral numbers Masons join , \ To bless and praise this liht divine

g . The widow ' s tear , the orphan ' s cry , All want , our ready hands supply , As far as power is given . The naked clothe , the pvis ' nev free , These are thy works sweet charity , Revealed to us from Heaven .

CHORUS < choral numbers Masons join , I To bless and praise the light divine . If we realise these things aright , and by faith lay hold of Jesus as our Saviour , then are Ave the chosen of God in Christ , His workmen , and we shall give to all their portion in clue season , aud in due time the great Overseer of the universe will take us to himself , with these

words , " well done good and faithful servant , enter thou into the joy of thy Lord . " If this be so , then have we found the pearl of groat price , "the new name , " the secret which was lost at the death of our great Master , and for which every true Mason must perseveringly seek until he find it . The Psalmist tells us in whose bosoms this lost secret rests . " The secret of the Lord ,

he says , " is with them that fear him , and he will show them his covenant . " And dwelling in this secret place of the Most High we " abide under the shadow of the Almighty . " If this be our happy condition , we can well bear the scoffs of au ungodly world , who are very apt to deny the existence and the reality of Avhat is beyond the province of their own minds , or of ivhich they may be ignorant . If any one be present Avho feels that he is not acting up to his high privileges ancl opportunities , let him

apply to himself the admonition of the prophet Amos , and remember that the plumbline , the square , and the compass are sometimes used for purposes the very reverse of those for which they were made . Instead of being used for building and erecting , they are sometimes used for marking out buildings intended for destruction . God forbid , brethren , that this should be the

case with any hero . Sad indeed would it bo for those who are united by ties of sympathy and brotherhood , to be separated in the eternal world , as far as tho East is from the West . Let none of us therefore neglect the daily remembrance and use of our obligations and privileges , lest God say of us , " behold I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people , Israel . I will not again

pass by them any more . " Brethren , life will soon be over with every one ; let not then either its troubles or its joys so influence us as to cause us to neglect ancl forfeit our high and spiritual calling . A few more meetings and separations , a few more festive days , or ivith some perchance a few more swingings to and fro of life ' s pendulum , and it will all bo over so far as this world is concerned—as with tho strongest so also with the best . Let us , then , so live now that we may spend a happy eternity together . Let