Masonry Classified.

for reasons , which if they will view as their natura goodness will teach them , are wholly out of place . We refer to those who have been wronged by a brother Mason , or have known of some member who does not come up to the standard of Masonry ,

will stay away from the Lodge , or will take no interest in its proceedings because such and such men are members , and will say to themselves 41 while such are members I do not wish to be . " These brethren who are good and true , who live

up to every tenet taught , cast the interest which tkey once had in the lodge lightly aside , because they find some particular member , who may come under the head of the second class . These , naturally good Masons , after a time , become rusty , and not

only forget all they ever knew , but in many instances are not even known by many members of their own lodge . Could not these brethren read with propriety the following lines , from the pen of Bro . P . H . Taylor , which we find in the " Kentucky Freemason " -.

Once on a time I sought to know The mysteries of Masonry , aud seeking Knocked , and knocking found the door wide open for me And when I looked within I saw a band of men all clothed in white , Around an altar , and on the altar

Lay the Word of God with square and compasses . Of that kind of men , I saw one more kingly than the rest , For on a throne he sat , and gave to each And all , lessons of wisdom . He came and gave to me

A lamb . skin , pure and white , and Told its meaning . He told me , too , that kings and princes Long had worn it , and how free it was Prom stain , or spot , or blemish .

He gave me tools to wovk with , A guage , a gavel , level , plumb and square , And last of all , a trowel that had no spot Of rust upon it , for earth ' s noblest sons Had used it ages long upon the Mystic Temple , He told me , too , I stood an upright

Mason—He spoke to me of Temperance , Fortitude , Of Prudence , and of Justice . I listened still with wondering ears To learn a Mason ' s tenets , And when they sang of Faith , of Hope , And Charity , the true steps that lead

From the level of time to the Grand Lodge on high . I pledged myself then , that the tools to me given , Should never find ' rest , till the cap-stone was laid ; And my lamb-skin , if spotted , should know hut the stain Of Masonic cement , while on life ' s rugged road , This pledge was freely given , For I mean to act as Masons act ;

And if my memory serves me right , I started for the voik , but found the world All cold and selfish , and then I feared To make the effort . I never used my tools one hour , And all are lost , save this , this rusty trowel

It seemed to me it might have kept its brightness , If never used , but as I laid it by The rust began to gather , and now It has no affinity for any save Hntempered mortar . And after reading , reflect and view in the mirror

of thought , and then let his soul repeat with the poet .: I hope some Craftsman true has found My guage , my gavel , level , plumb , and square , And laid them by for better workmen . Inactive as I was

My lamb-skin gathered dust , And with gathering dust , It lost its whiteness , and now that too is gone .

If I remember rightly , they gave me Passes , signs , and grips , whereby To know my brethren . Though they were truly given , They were not safely lodged , And now to tell the summing

Of this matter , this much I know , I once was a Mason . Now these are the kind of brethren that we

are talking to . To the brethren who are in every sense Masons , and have worked and acted in the real spirit in the lodge , and for some reason best known to themselves—perhaps the one to which we have alluded—have left , or have it in

contemplation , we would say , these are the kind that the lodge needs . Backle on your armour and fight the good fight . The presence of one such member is worth a dozen , yes , one hundred of those indifferent brethren who remain , and

because they do remain , determine to leave the lodge . We repeat , these are the kind of members we need to build up and sustain the Institution of Freemasonry . Never mind what others may do or say , it is your duty to remain and act , that the

example set by you may be initiated . If you know a brother who is delinquent in his work , speak to him as one brother would speak to another . Perhaps your known standing may have an effect , and your advice heeded . Such brethren

as these can support and strengthen the pillars through all adversity ; not only strengthen , but be the pillars themselves . Brethren try it ; the lodge needs you ; the Institution needs you ; and those brethren who continue firm , also need your aid and presence . — Landmark .