Masonic Notes And Queries.

works whose fame shall be handed down to their latest posterity ? We are not builders of cathedrals , or temples , or palaces , or abbeys , nor any of the grand old monuments whose towering forms aud mossy walls , hoary with age , are the living exemplifications of that scientific pre-eminence which marked the footsteps of the Masonic institution , to be found

in every part of the world , and nowhere more frequently than in England . Masonry cannot enter , as a society , the commercial world , and ' contend with the shipper aud manufacturer ; with him who brings spices from the east , furs from the north , the delightful fruits of the earth from the south , bearing in exchange , to every part of the wide world , some useful thing to barter with our fellow-man for that which nature has devised to a different climate . Gain

is not her vocation . War , that dread scourge of the earth , has few to advocate its claims to honour among the civilised part of maukind . The profession of arms is for us not a deli ght , but a stern duty . The destruction of his fellow-man , desolating the home of his brother , burning , ravaging , aud destroying all that is beautifulcannotfor a momentwin us to its

con-, , , sideration , when we are seeking employment for a society whose members have ever delighted iu the name of peacemakers . Masonry can never gain a single laurel ou the tented field , or iu the wild havoc of war , save to shield aud protect the fallen , and to comfort the wounded and miserable .

Equally denied to us , as a society , are those great vocations to whose pursuit so many great minds of the world are engaged . Though , as individuals , we may become famous as statesmen , by guarding aud preserving the liberties of our countrymen , and guiding humanity in the possession of those great rights of lifelibertyand the pursuit of happiness

, , , along the paths of peace and prosperity , for ever dashing back the waves of anarchy and ruin ; though , as divines , learned in all the wisdom of the sacred writings , gentle and loving as a St . John the Evangelist , we may win man from error ' s path by the cords of love ; or , as a St . John the Baptist , may forbid by

stern , unbending integrity and love of truth , the commission of crime—yet , as a society , we cannot enter into these fields , for the universality of Masonry takes within its embrace every free man who is good and true , or no matter what political opinions he may hold , or at what altar he . may kneel , so that he believes in the Great Artificer of the Universe , who rules in the armies of heaven and governs the counsels of the inhabitants of the earth .

Where , then , shall we look for that pursuit which we may follow , aud , gaining the end sought , mark upon it , Masonic ? I can turn to nothing worthy of the great truths which you profess to teach , worthy of the deeds of your departed ancestry , worthy of the age and country in which you livesave the building

, up of a Masonic literature . In this work there will be no conflict with any princi ple which the society has ever held . There is no conflict with the world , there is no conflict with truth and charity—the objects of our sincerest devotion . The intellectual pursuits to which it invites usharmonise with all the

, teachings of Masonry . They will be handmaids to assist us in the study of our peculiar forms aud ceremonies . Instead of being forbidden , the lectures of a degree in Masoury especially recommend such

studies to our favourable consideration . More than all , such an attachment will be the death-knell to slothfulness and idleness among the officers of a lodge if , unhappily , any are tempted to tread such dangerous paths . A heathen poet tells us that idleness is the prolific parent of all vice —on the other handperseverance

, is always successful ; for that failure which is attributed to misfortune may often be the effect of imprudence or inattention . How frequently do we hear from indolent men that their time is so fully occupied in providing for the necessities of their families that they have no leisure for speculative pursuits , when ,

in fact , there are more hours wasted in frivolities , by such men , than would serve to make them masters of all the arts and sciences , if properly applied . _ When Philip , king of Macedou , invited Dionysius the younger to dine with him at Corinth , he felt an inclination to deride the father of his royal guest ,

because he had blended the character of prince and poet , and had employed his leisure in writing odes and tragedies . " How could the king find leisure , " said Philip , " to write these trifles ? " Dionysius answered , " Iu those hours which you and I spend in drunkenness and debauchery . "

A well-known Masonic writer says : " The times in which we live are peculiarly characterised by a deep research into the causes of things , and bold speculations for the improvement of science . Whilst so

many powers are earnestly engaged m a contention for superiority , Freemasonry must not pause upon the threshold , while the world runs on in an uninterrupted course of improvement . Freemasonry must not stand still ; for if she hesitate ever so little , time will pass , and she will be distanced in the race . We appear to be on the eve of some great organic

changes ; whether for good or evil , the Great Architect of the Universe can alone determine . But it behoves Freemasonry to take such steps in the great drama of life as to secure , if it be possible , the predominance of good . She ought to occupy the foremost rank in the work of amelioration , to watch over

the best interests of society , aud endeavour to prevent the inconsiderate and unwary from being misled by the false glitter of unsound theories on the one hand , aud hollow professions on the other , which are sure to terminate iu disappointment , and perhaps in consequences of a more serious nature . " In advancing these views , I do not pretend to

desire that any " ancient landmark" of the Order should be even so much as touched by tbe pen , which will add to our deli ght ancl knowledge , by furnishing us with Masonic history , Masonic essays or treatises upon philosophy , or burning lines filled with the poetry of Masonry . Surely I need not stop to argue that these things will not invade with rude hands the secrets of the Order , or do aught but add to its glory and usefulness . —S . A . M . WOOD ( U . S . )

MASONIC RULES . Never let it be known how you vote upon an application for admission to the Order , either directly or indirectly . N ever be afraid to do your duty when you believe a candidate is not worthy to be received in membership with us . Never speak of lodge matters in unseemly or improper places .