Masonic Sermon,

before his eyes , Avhen he exclaimed , " Behold how good and p leasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . It is like the precious ointment on the head that ran doivn upon the beard , even Aaron's beard , that Avent down to tbe skirts of his o-arments ; as the dew of Hermon , and as tbe dew that descended on the mountains of Zion ; for there the Lord commanded the blessing even life forevermore . " —Ps . 133 . That we may cultivate this benignant spirit therefore , let

each man ask his conscience , as in the sight of God , Avhether he is reallv'kind and loving and helpful to his brethren ? Whether he deserves his brother ' s confidence ? And let us all ask ourselves , if ive are true to each other , and seek each other ' s good , and whether , in our intercourse and dealings with each other , we are careful to make a right and faithful use of the square ? These are most important questions for us to put to our consciences as Christiansand most nearly do they concern us in

, the relations we bear to each other as fellow Masons . Afain , brotherly love chews itself in courteousness of imnner , and in avoiding , in word and deed , so fur as possible , whatever may be painful to the feelings and tastes of others , as well as in avoiding Avhat is morally Avrong in our dealings and intercourse ivith them . And yet , how often do we here offend against the law of Charity , so understood ! Even in our families , and with those whom we most love , we too

often here habitually offend . How often in the little details with which the grea ' t outline of human life is filled up , are we unmindful of the teachings of kind-hearted charity , and unnecessarily mar the peace " and comfort of those for ivhose sake Ave would cheerfully , in greater matters , make almost any sacrifice ! Wc should bear in mind then , that it is on these smaller matters , of which men are often so uumind'iil , that practical human happiness is for the most part dependant . To nerve the

mind to sn'imit to the inevitable is comparatively easy , but the little harrassino- cares and worries and vexatious that are not inevitable , and which mig ht as well be avoided as not if men Avould only listen to the siveet , loving voice of Charity , are as the continual droppings of water , —unbearable . Brotherly love , therefore , teaches and disposes us to have regard to the small details Avith which the great outline of human life is filled up .

It leads us to suppress our OAVU private griefs lest ive add to the burden of those Ave love . It disposes us to consult the feelings , and even Ai-eaknesses of others , so as not needlessly to ivound their sensibilities ; and in doing a kindnes s to consider not only what to do , but also IIOAV to do it in the most pleasing and accepted manner . And accordingly Ave are admonished in the ¦ " Volume of tbe Sacred Laiv , " by tho Apostle Paul , to " follow after thino-s that be loA-ely , and to put on bowels of mercies ,

kindness and meekness . " Brotherly love further shcivs itself in the disposition to bear and forbear much , and in a readiness to forgive an offending brother who seeks forgiveness . And , alas , such are the infirmities and shortcomings of even the best of men—such the diversity of temper and disposition to be found among men , that every day of our lives Ave have abundant occasion for the exercise of this heaven-bestowed grace of a forbearing , loving spirit . infirmi

"We need it in regard to ourselves , because of our own - ties . We need it in regard to others , for they aro also " men of liko passions " with ourselves . The sense , then , of our OAVU need should dispose us to make large allowances for others , to extenuate , so far as possible , their " faults , and to be ready to forgive an offending brother not only ouco , but even unto seventy times seA'en . Above all , Ave should habitually intercede for each other , and for our fellow mon at the Throne of Grace . Before Unit

awful throne Ave should often kneel under a deep sense of our own personal univorthiness , of our own remissness in duty , of the tilings that we IKIA-O left undone which Ave ought to have done , and of . the things ivbich we have actually done amiss . And while we thus pour out our hearts in language of confession and self-abasement , seeking for ourselves God ' s pardoning mercy , we should p lead for our fellow-men and beseech the Father of of the riches of His

Mercy to pour out on them unfailing grace . Thus should we at all times make our supplication for each other as well as each one for himself , that ive may be fit material for the hand of the Great Architect , by whom we are " builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit . " Nor are we left without many most instructive examples , illustrating in practice the beautiful effect of this brotherly love . We have that presented by our oivn traditions in the case of our first Grand Master Hiram , ivho , because of the

Masonic Sermon,

affection and confidence with which he was regarded , and his fidelity to his masonic duties , must have exemplified it in an eminent degree . The Sacred Writings also abound in bright examples , as ivitness the Patriarch Joseph , and David and Jonathan , aucl the loving disciple John , AVIIO leaned on Jeans ' bosom , and a multitude of others whose imperishable names are written in the Book of Life . And thank God Ave still meet ivith many most illustrious examples iu the daily walks of life ,

each and all illustrating iu their own persons , the wonderful power of charity for good . Let us , then , in our intercourse with each other , never forget or lose sight of our Masonic points of fellowship , to which I cannot iu this place do more than just allide , but the nature and meaning of which you ivell understand . But let us on all occasions truly greet each other as brethren , ' ' reflecting that Ave are united by a strict aud endearing relation as creatures of the

same God , children of tbe samo first parents , and brethren of the same solid tie ; " and ivhen the necessities of a lw > tlio > - onlf for aid ancl support , let us be ever ready to give hiui the assistance that he needs to save him from sinking , as circumstances enables us to do . Let us support each other in all our just and laudable undertakings . Let not indolence ever e . mse our footsteps to halt , or Avrath turn them aside . But forgetting- every selfish consideration , let us be swift of foot to save , helpand to execute

, benevolence to a felloAv-creature in distress , but more particularly to a Brother Mason if worthy . And Avhen u-e offer up our prayers to Almighty God , let us remember a brother ' s welfare as our own . Let our breasts also be a safe and sacred repository for each other ' s just and lawful secrets . Let us never repe it concerning a brother Avhat . may do him harm , unless the sacred interests

of truth demand that we break silence . And , fin-illy , let ns support a brother ' s character in his absence equally as though he Avere present . Let ns not revile him or speak evil of him behind his back , or suffer it to be done by others , if it . is in our power to prevent it . Thus shall Ave continue linked together bv one solid tie , not to be unloosed , in the strong , though invisible chain of brotherly love , relief , and truth . G . id grant , then , that , we may be ahvays mindful of our peculiarly sacred obligations to each

other in respect of these things—that wo must shew ourselves " kindly affectioned one toward another -. villi brotherl y love , " for how can we mote surely glorify God and adorn our profession as Masons , and above all as Christians than iu this most excellent ivay ? Yea , has not tbe Saviour liinwlf said , ' ' ¦ By this shall all men knoiv that ye are my disciples if ye love one another . " But hoAV shall we attain to , and exemplify in our lives , this enlarged spirit of brotherly love ? There is only one way , and

that is the way of earnest and persevering prayer . Let \ v 3 then pray fervently to the Giver of all Good , tiiat He may enlarge our hearts and pour into them abundantl y of " His most excellent gifts of Charity , —the A'ery bond of peace and of all virtue , without ivhich Avhosoever livcth is counted dead before Him . " And to prayers Ave must add the constant study of the Word of God—the Holy Scriptures , —the Sacred Laivthe Great

, Light of Masonry , with diligent self-examinalimi , that so we may keep before our minds for imitation aud iusiruction , the example aud teaching of Him Ai-ho is our pattern and teacher in all things . Thus Avill Ave , as worthy Mason-- , be ended with a competency of heavenly wisdom , and attain to that charity Avhich ueA'er iaileth , and which miik"s tbe heart Avhereiu it dwells an habitation of God through the Spirit . —So MOTE IT BE .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . D . N . CHAMBERS .

The cieath of Mr . Robert Chambers , a member of the well-known firm of William and Robert Chambers , publishers , was announced a feiv days since ; and with regret we have now to record the death of Bro . David N . Chambers , the youngest member of the firm , and manager of the London establishment . Bro Chambers was so affected on receiving the intelligence of his brother ' s death , that a blood vessel burst on the liver , f rom the effects of which he never rallied . He was 51 years of age .