Fraternity.

sought after without any sinister purpose or latent equivocation in the seeker . As the stones in the Temple required to be shaped and prepared for their proper place , the inequalities , and projecting points , and rough edges , carefully adapted to a perfect

adjustment to those that connect with them , so it is that Fraternity demands each Mason should prepare . himself as to his opinions , his temper , his views , his disposition or whatever of his individuality is objective , or repulsive , uncongenial or disputative , that

he can unite and harmonize in the brotherhood , constituting it a Fraternity . It is the virtues of Masonry that give it power , and one of the greatest of its powers , is unity . In the world , among men , there is no Fraternity . They

combine and agree and act together , but the tie which binds them is some temporary or short-lived interest . They coalesce , but it is a combining without Fraternity . No one surrenders his own views or wishes , or opinions or expectations ; they are not

subordinated to a common object , and too often the enterprise : is totally defeated or abandoned , because there is combination , but no unity in those Avho are associated for its success .

Fraternity subdues and softens the sharp edges of ^ self , in will , in interest , in action , and in effort , so that the " Light" which is shed on the mind of the Mason , gives it the tone and temper of a united , harmonious blending into the perfect love which begets perfect Fraternity . —Keystone .

Filial Duty, Or Parents' Claims And Children's Liabilities.

FILIAL DUTY , OR PARENTS' CLAIMS AND CHILDREN'S LIABILITIES .

BY BEO . BOND , AUTHOR QS " EMPLOYMENT J ? OR FEMALES , " "THE TIP GIRL , " & C . ( Continued from page 486 . ) An aspirant for magisterial honours could never nope for a realization of his wishes unless he could

satisfactorily prove that he had honoured his parents , and to other claimants for authority and power , material information Avas conveyed in this ¦ clause : — " He that is undutiful to his parents shall be incapable of bearing any office" whilst the addenda

, , " -and be further impeached before the Magistrates , " must have operated as a check ou those whose tendencies Avould otherwise have led them to a dereliction of duty . We hear much of the ill-feeling Avith Avhich mothers-in-law and daughters-in-laAV regardor

, are supposed to regard , each other ; but the affection and inseparable attachment which Buth manifested towards Naomi were as great as might be expected from a daughter , and it Avould be well

if a like spirit—a like good feeling—characterized all children whether male or female . There is something sublimely affectionate and pathetic in the entreaty and resolve to Avhich she gave utterance , " Intreat me not to leave thee or to return from following after thee , for whither thou goest I will

go , and Avhere thou lodgest I will lodge , thy people shall be my people , and thy God my God , where thou diest there will I die and be buried . " " Poets in all ages have attempted to describe the love and constancy of Avoman , who in the first mutterings of the approaching stormtremble as

, the aspen leaf , but when the tempest breaks , will cling like ivy to the grey Avail , either to shield it or to share its fall ; but , where was ever that constant love so touchingly , so beautifully described , as in those few simple words of Buth to Naomi . "

In Abraham ancl Isaac memorable instances of obedieuce are recorded . Isaac offered no resistance to the accomplishment of the intention of his father , and- although apparently , his life depended upon it—he had faith in his earthly father—that what he contemplated was essential , whilst

Abraham was inspired with such extraordinary faith in his heavenly father as to unmurmuringly yield compliance to the remarkable injunction that he should immolate his beloved child , on whom was based his fondest hopes , believing , as he must have donethat the Almighty would not

, have commanded him to have done so , unless for some wise purpose , and his reward was a rich one . " In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed , because thou hast obeyed my voice / ' this seed was Christ , Avho died as a propitiation for our

sms . Beaders of scripture must recollect Jeptha ' s rash VOAV and the readiness of his dutiful daughter to conform to it . Elisha ' s regard for his parents is strikingly exemplified in his request to Elijah , " And he left the oxen and ran after

Elijah and said , let me I pray thee kiss my father and my mother , and then I will follow thee . " The Blessed Saviour , notwithstanding his affinity to the Most High , resisted not the authority of his earthly parents , but , on- the contrary , became subservient to them , acting as became a good and dutiful child in which , as in all other matters , hewas an illustrious guide , a noble example : —

" At sixteen years old he talked with men , The Jews all wondering stand , Yet he obeyed his mother ' s will , And came at her command . " Later in life he assisted his father , Avorking as a carpenter , and just previous to his uttering the memorable Avords " It is finished" agonized in

, mind and body , his care for the temporal as Avell spiritual welfare of his mother Avas displayed as he confided to his beloved disciple the charge of her . Most affecting Avas the farewell scene on the cross , Avhilst amid the agonies of a cruel death , the Saviour , forgetting his OAvn suffering , in