The Advantages Of Freemasonry.

THE ADVANTAGES OF FREEMASONRY .

LONDON , SATURDAY , SEPTEMBER 28 , 1861 .

It is at all times gratifying to a jom-nalist to find that Ms exertions—however imperfect they may he—to inform his readers on any point upon which he may he eonsultedare appreciated hy his correspondents , and , thereforewe have gratefully to acknowledge the receipt of a

, second letter from a Freemason ' s "Wife , in Avhich she frankly admits fchat we have shown that there is a " bn ' ght side" to the p icture of Freemasonry , she having only hitherto seen the " dark side "¦—and which " dark side " would never exist were Freemasons true to their

obligations—for if we have secrets to he strictly preserved from the knowledge of all who are not Masons , even of those nearest and dearest to us in the domestic circle , there is no necessity to envelope our thoughts and actions in such abstract mystery as to make the world doubtful

of our objects and acts . There is nothing in Masonry that should prevent us from explaining to om- familiesand to such friends Avho may voluntarily seek the information—the grand principles upon which our Order is founded—and to point with pride to the practical steps we have taken to carry our professions of charity into effect—not that we mean to insinuate that charity

consists alone in providing for the aged and the young—there being a still higher charity- —that which , looking with leniency on the failings of a brother , should induce us kindly , and with all due consideration for his feelings , to endeavour to lead him from his errors—to render him a better man—and teach him that all human

enjoyments are but transitory ; that real happiness is only to be found in a humble reliance on the promises contained in that volume on whieh all our candidates for Freemasonry are obligated—and which is continually referred to as the unerring standard of truth and virtue throughout the whole of our ceremonies—the volume of

the Sacred Law . That too many Freemasons are so only in name we have already admitted , and we repeat , with our correspondent that if Freemasonry is not better understood and appreciated by those who are not members of our Order , it is the fault of Freemasons themselves , whose

duty it is in all their words and actions to show the good resulting from a steady adherence to the princi ples of our Order , and a well spent life . But before making any further observations , we will let the lady speak for herself :- —¦

SIR , —Ton have answered my letter nofc only "fully but satisfactorily , " and I beg that for so doing you will at once accept my sincere thanks ; nay , so politely is it clone , that I am ready to exclaim" No mortals can more the ladies adore , Than a free and accepted Mason , " Hitherto , I have seen only the dark side of the picture , but you have shown me that ifc has a bright side also , and

again I thank you ; bufc you a little misconstrue my words when you talk of the unhappy day " in which I " became a Mason's Wife . " Permit me to say I have been a proud ancl happy wife for many years , and that my husband has not long joined your body , his doing so afc all has only made me more anxious to learn all I could about tho matter ; your

remarks upon my dress and its expense I pass by , as they do not at all apply to me ; neither am I a frequenter of "the matinees and soirees provided for the ladies . " I havo ever sought and found my highest happiness iu my home ; a home , let me sajr , to which my husband's friends are , at all times , welcome ; and though I may sometimes have been

compelled to place before them even " a cold shoulder of mutton , " yefc I think there is not one but would be ready to acknowledge that , though the fare was homely , the hearty good will with whifih it was offered , and the . ldndly welcomo they ever receiveci , made them feel" That better is a dinner of herbs where love is , than a stalled ox and hatred

therewith . " Then as to wishing in any way to curtail my husband ' s pleasures or trying to " keep him tied to my apron-strings , " this also I leave , well content with knowing that he does nofc thus judgo me . After all , Masons have only themselves to thank for the prejudice that I know exists in the minds of many against them ; let it but be seen that they are better

husbands , better fathers , and better sons for becoming Masons , ancl wives ancl mothers will soon cease their opposition . And -now as I am not " one of those ladies who can

never admit that they are wrong , " I will frankly confess that I have judged you harshly , and that I have been wrong in so hastily " finding the defondeut guilty , and having him hanged and buried , " , without giving him . full credit for the good that is in him ; I rejoice to find that you can " clear away so much of the odium resting upon his name "" And

now trusting that you will pardon mo for again troubling you , I will only , in conclusion say , let but Masons act u ] i to the principles which I now find that they profess , and they will have no greater admirer than one who hopes yefc to Ibe proud to sign herself , September 23 . A PUUEMIASONS WISE . '

"We are gratified that our correspondent does not rank amongst those whose homes have been made unhappy hy the neglect of the husband through Freemasonry , and as it appeal's that that gentleman has only recently joined our Order , we can assure the Freemason ' s Wife

that he will find nothing in our teachings which will make him less considerate towards his famil y than he has hitherto been , whilst if he can but appreciate those teachings he will find much that should lead to his improvement , both physically and morally , —strict justice

—tempered with mercy , —fortitude under all difficulties , —prudence in every action , —and temperance both in his living , and in his conduct , being most strongly impressed upon him . We are glad that our fair correspondent has taken

our badinage in good part , and , we admit , she fairl y replies . "When she states that her husband ' s friends have always receiveci a hearty -welcome at her table , and that if she has had occasionally to place only " the cold shoulder of mutton before them , " she believes

that there is not one of those friends but " would be ready to acknowledge that though the fare was homely , the hearty good-will with which it was offered , and the