The Antiquity And Teachings Of Masonry.*

democracy was but a name . But Masonry recognises with generous sensibility the dangers and needs of individual man , and watches with genial care over his rights . Its primary object is to bless the race not in the aggregate , but in its unite ; while its ultimate aim is not to exert a power over society , but to achieve

its amelioration and perfection by silent influences in its component parts . This characteristic of her system is the reversal of the thrones of ancient days , which were tried only to fail , and have left the Avreeks of their destruction scattered over the earth . Masonry has never sought

to establish her sway over men , but Avithin them . She exerts her power as a pervading influence , and never in the form of arbitrary control . She meets man in all tho varieties of his condition -with sympathy , and comprehends him in all the wants of his complex nature .

The first and last teaching of Masonry is that the highest human development is in the direction of personal virtue and individual excellence ; that the true nobility is goodness ; that the common duties of life have iu them the elements of heroism and sanctity ; that self-respect is a virtue ; and that every

man possesses a dignity derived from his original endoAvments and inherent capabilities . She esteems every man the peer of his fellow in nature and rights . Before her altars distinctions vanish , and all men meet on the level . The prince and the peasant stand alike in his presence . Whatever is common to man is not foreign to her regard . She provides for the physical wants of the body and the yearning needs of the soul .

Masonry stands as man ' s instructor and guide , his protector and friend . And so it is that Masonry points to its monuments of usefulness , not among the feAV Avho attain greatness and renoAvn , but among the quiet and peaceful crowd unknown to fame . Her beneficial influence is not so conspicuous in the seats

of Avealth and power , where rights seek not for protection , and affluence craves not sympathy and aid ; but with the masses of maukind , who need defence and sympathy , and whose wants demand relief . The chief element of strength in Masonry is its princile of association . Man bnature is formed

p y for society . It is impossible for him to live Avithout it , without degenerating . The law of attraction in the material universe is not more necessary than the law of attraction in the social Avorld .

And as the one produces its mighty effects in sustaining systems of Avorlds and the cohesion oE their parts , so the other by its combining energy supports and uuites society in indissoluble bonds . But while it is absolutely true that union is strength , yet it is also true that the character of the

objects of human association and the nature of the means of obtaining them determine the degree o £ its efficiency and the length of its duration . History and experience bear unmistakable testimony to the fact that any society , not based on virtuous principles , ba natural laAV must inevitablperishThe Avant

y y . of moral cohesion ensures its rupture and decay . On the other hand , the threefold cord of association , woven of high moral principles , is not easily broken . Its strength is in proportion to the elevation of its aim , and its vitality is commensurate with the extent of its scope .

Now , Masonry stands on a higher vantage ground iu both these respects than any other human insti 1 tution . No aim can be higher than that which she professes to accomplish—the physical , mental , and moral improvement of her members ; and the circle iu Avhich her operations extend embraces the race .

In making this declaration , it is not pretended that her primary object is an undistinguishing and unbounded benevolence . Masonry AAMS instituted to promote the immediate good of her members , whereever they may he , and does not claim to sacrifice that good for the benefit of the uninitiated . She provides

for her owu in the first instance , and the peculiarity of her association , ensuring the performance of this obligation , is the grand element of her continued life . She is necessarily a propagandist , and furnishes within herself the motive for a perpetual and universal increase . It is her interest to enlarge her means of

usefulness , and her doors turn on ready binges to all applicants for her benefits not disqualified by irreligiou or vice . Brotherly love contributes essentially to the strength of Masonry . The fraternal feeling Avhich is characteristic of Freemasonry does not originate in a mere

congeniality of sentiment or similarity of disposition . It is a principle incorporated in the framework of her system . It is not dependant on personal preferences , nor left to grow out of frequent and agreeable intercourse .

Social companionship develops a kindly feeling m Masonry , as elseAvhere , and often ripens into friendship , which gives a zest to the enjoyment of life . This form of brotherly love , however , is the effect of circumstances ; desirable and profitable , and promoted iu our Order as much or more than iu any other institution . But in a more enlarged and

comprehensive sense , brotherly love is obligatory on all Masons , aud extends its regards to the Avhole fraternity , wherever dispersed . Thus universal in its relations , it secures a unity and harmony which render our Order not only invincible to external assaultsbut precludes the possibility of disruption

, and ruin from internal causes . This tie of brotherly loA'e , regarded not as a sentiment , but as an obligation , is the glory of Masonry , and clothes it Avith a universal power . Overlapping all geographical divisions , rising above all religious and political differences , and ignoring

all diversities of race , it establishes a common bond of kindly intercourse among the Craft . Over all the world , Avherever a Mason discovers another Mason , he finds a brother and a friend . If he is in Avant he can claim relief , which will not be denied . If he is a stranger , he can demand and

receive hospitality . If in danger , he can command succour . On the tented field , the stroke which would have fallen in death has often been arrested by this mysterious power , and the claims of brotherhood have been recognised in savage warfare . The Masonic sigu of distress is poteut in all calamities Avhich affect

life or fortune , wherever the fraternal eye may discern it . Such effects are produced only by Masonry . She alone speaks that universal language whose whispers may be heard amid the thunders of war , in the crash of shipwreck , and in the roar of violence , and whose words , like Pentecostal utterances , are intelligible among all peoples and tongues .