The Identity Of Freemasonry.

"Masonic unity does not consist in mere ritual uniformity , or a perfect agreement in opinion among Freemasons , for , while alike to every thing external in the ceremonies of the Order , the spirit of bitter , unrelenting faction may rage within , and with insensate fury rend every vital bond in sunder .

" To expect to realize Masonic union by insisting on perfect uniformity of opinion in every matter , is vain . The minds of men are very differently constituted ?* and their opinions are modified not merely by peculiar mental conformation , but by the influence of prejudice ,

education , health , aud a thousand associations and circumstances which give a certain colouring to the truth peculiar to every individual mind , though by all it may be substantially received and firmly believed . In fact , wherever there is liberty of conscience there

must be difference of opinion . ' All colours , ' says Lord Bacon , ' will agree in the dark , ' and so all minds will accord in a state of total ignorance . They who gloiw in their Freemasonry because it attempts unity

in opinion , glory in their shame . ' As Ave cannot have light Avithout variety of colour , so we cannot have freedom of thought Avithout difference of opinion . The rainbow , the creature of light , presents the loveliest picture of unity , and yet its varying constitutes its peculiar charm . Suppose , in

compliance Avith the taste of some iron-hearted Masonic bigot , it Avere possible to decompose that crescent of hope , aud abstract from it colour after colour till it Avas reduced to a uniform Avhiteness—Avouicl not the bow itself vanish in the process , leaving the operator to gaze on the cloud on Avhose dark

bosom it rested ? Thus vanishes the faith of Freemasonry from the rude analysis of the narrow-minded inquisitor .

' In following- life through hodies we dissect , AVe lose it in the moment we detect . ' '' . This endless di \ ersity among the minds of men was to be expected . If no two leaves in the forest are exactly alike ; if in the human family , notwithstanding the general resemblance , each individual has

something in the form or feature peculiar to himself ; and if this Avonderful variousness marks all the material works of the creation , shall Ave expect to find it wanting or attempt to destroy it in the mind of man , the most delicate , and complicated , and mysterious of all

the works of God Avith which Ave are acquainted ? HOAV preposterous is the thought ? and how replete with evil to Freemasonry has been the effort to reach this result in our Fraternity ? Tet there is a sense in Avhich Masons are of one heart and mind . The great truths of our Fraternit y

and the landmarks of our Institution are received Avith more or less clearness by all of them , embraced in the love of them and faithfully observed . It is by

The Identity Of Freemasonry.

these Freemasonry has been preseiwed in the earth , aud has been a great blessing to the whole human race . These are of the essence of Freemasonry , and must be preserved everywhere intact . All else is not Masonic faith , but Masonic opinion , ancl why should opinion ever be allowed to produce discord ? Are not

all Masons agreed in things necessary ? This is supposed in the very fact that they are Masons . They are one in principle , hoAvever in minor things their judgments vary . For , iu matters of Freemasonry , where charity reigns , there may be difference Avithout opposition , variety without discord , and shades of opinion .

Avithout diversity of sentiment . An ancient brother said , ' It is not the differing opinions that aro the cause of the ruptures , but want of charity ; it is not variety of understandings , but the disunion of wills

and affections ; it is not the several principles , but the several ends , that cause our miseries ; our opinionscommence ancl are upheld according as our turns are served and our interests are preserved , and there is nocure for us but charity . ' Is it not to the heart and not to the understanding we are mainly to trace our

differences and dissensions ; for however we may differin opinion , are Ave not one , as the stones in the templeone , as the branches in the vine—one , as members in the body ? Do Ave not believe in common whatever is necessary to unite the soul to ' love , relief , ancl truth , '

and render that union perpetual ? Let us all pursue Avith fidelity tho path marked out by the primitive Freemasons . Though separated into lodges , Avith a trifling variousness in non-essentials , Ave all unfurl the same banner of fraternity , charity , and truth .

The Nemesis : A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

THE NEMESIS : A TALE OF THE DAYS OF TRAJAN .

By Bco . A . OXEAL HAVE , KM ., K . Cal ., Corresponding Member of the German Society , Leipsig , Knight Templar , Scot . ; A alitor of " Tho History of the Knights Templars ;" "Vara Queer ; " " Gatherings in Wanderings ; " "Songs and Ballads ; " "Poemata ; " "Legends of Edinburgh , '' ' i jc , ! fc ., ijx . ; Poet Laureate of the Canongate , Kilwinning ; P . M . St . Stephens ; P . P . Z . of St . Andreivs , B ' . A .

Ciuip . ; § 'C . ; < J-e . ( Continued from page 287 . ) CHAPTER VI . A HEATHEN PHILOSOPHER ON HEATHEN MYTHOLOGY

" How wcary / jstale , flat and unprofitable , Seem to me all the uses of tho world , i'ic oii'fc ! Otie ! 'tis an iimreeded garden That grows to seed , things rank and gross ia nature . Possess it merely . "—Shakespeare . A . nd Adrian returned to Rome , back once more

to the proud mistress of the world , to find his father dead , and his cousin Caius the young poetsoldier croAvned Avith the civic Avreath , a reAA arcl