Hurrying Candidates Through The Degrees.

HURRYING CANDIDATES THROUGH THE DEGREES .

Tins is an unpardonable offence to Masonry . It is a wrong to tho institution and a wrong to the brother that is introduced in such manner . It is a wrong to the institution because a manifest violation of one of its plainest and most often repeated requisitions . It cannot be done without stamping the requisition with falsehood , or offering a presumptive ancl lame apology for its violation . No candidate can be properly advanced to a higher degree in Masonryunless he understands well the preceding degree . He is not

, prepared for the reception of the one until he has a fair understanding of the other , If he is not able to comprehend and appreciate what he has received , how is it possible for him to enter with proper views and feelings upon higher mysteries , the least shadow of which has not been revealed to him ? The wrong to the institution appears as a glaring absurdity when it is known that the deed places a novice in tho position of a matured Mason .

And the wrong to the candidate appears in thrusting him through a process of mystery which it is impossible for him to apprehend and understand without study and reflection , while the time for that study and reflection is not allowed him . Curiosity impels the desire of the candidate to be

hurried through the degrees , so that he may the sooner have that curiosity gratified . He is in darkness . He knows not the consequences of his haste . But his enlightened brethren know of the process , and they know that instead of gratifying , it is their duty to suppress his curiosity . The mere gratification of his curiosity is a poor plea for a man to give for his admission into degrees which are known and believed , by those who have received -them , to be sublime . To pass a candidate through the second aud third degrees of Masonrywithout a proper apprehension of the firstis to lead

, , the blind into darkness , and frequently the effect is to render that darkness so visible that the light is never after seen through it . - In this , if in any part of the performance of Masonic duty , the Masonic law ought to be peremptorily obeyed . Light is ivhat is required . Instruction is what is absolutely necessary . Let , then , the candidate be properly instructed and enlightened in the first degree before he is passed to the secondand let him well understand the first and second before he is

-, per mitted to behold the sublimity of the third . Then , indeed , will that sublimity be not obscured , but its beauty and attractions will bo so presented as to make the best impression , and the satisfaction will be enjoj ^ ed of havinw made a better Mason than any process of machinery could produce . —Committee of Correspondence , Grand lodge of Maryland ,

MAXIMS . —The first thoughts may be confident , tho second are wiser . Servo honesty ever , though without apparent wages : she ivill pay sure , if slow . As in apparel , so in actions , know not what is good , but what becomes you . How ftftiny warrantable acts have misshapen the authors ? Excuse not your own ill , aggravate not others : and if you love peace , avoid censures , comparisons , contradictions . Out of good men choose acquaintance ; of acquaintance , friends ; of friends familiars ; after probation admit them ; and after admittance , change them not . Age commeudetli friendship . —Bishop Hall . 3 E 2