Objects Of Masonic Reform.

Accepting the above definition in its Avidcst and best sense , it ought not to be forgotten that there used to be a very common saying , respecting the majority of the clauses of Acts of Parliament , to the effect , that they Avere frequently so loosely framed that a coach and four might be driven through them without running the risk , of coming into collision Avith their provisions . This , of course , Avas in

the old days of the road , IIOAV , hoAvever , AVC travel by steam , and if the original description held good in some cases it may as safely be asserted IIOAV , that the most extensive railway train ever sot in motion could travel , Avith a greater share of impunity , through the majority of the Avrittcn , and customary , laws of Freemasonry , some of Avhich , under both heads , deserve consideration .

At certain stated periods ivithiii the lodge , brethren are called upon to assent , and submit , to a number of abstract propositions having the properties of huvs , although there are no penalties attached to their infraction , and these admissions may bo made either Avith a full reliance on their being Avhat they are usually termed , or in a non-natural sense . It ought to bo a source of no small gratification to eA ery ardent

Freemason to believe that there are enrolled in the order thousands of good men and true , AVIIO strictly obey the moral laAV , and are a credit and honor to the craft . But it is no less a fact , to be deplored , that there arc quite as many , if not more—some of them holding high stations and honorable dignities in the craft—Avhose moral code appears to be framed so as , specially , to exclude roA e-

rencc , chastity , and sobriety . HoAvever painful such an admission is , yet it is an incontrovertible fact , Avidely known and , Avith questionable taste , made a joke by their companions . Favor alone , not Avorth or real merit , has been the instrument by Avhich their elevation lias been gained ; and because they arc punctual in the discharge of their lodge duos—not a A ery great example of moral

A'irtuc—and always appear as subscribers to everything , in Aidiich their charity finds a record in print , they arc cmphaticalty pronounced good masons . No Ai arning . no reproof , is ever administered to them , but they sit in judgment and mete out punishment to small offenders . Notwithstanding the notoriety of such cases , men are required to assert and swallow the good man and true , as AVCII as the strict morality , theories , both of Avhich are byAVords and delusions , making many recognize

that" Every day and hour we encounter objects oi scorn . To see the vile adulation " paid to wealth , even when it has been notoriously acquired by the basest means" Is not this an object of it ? To see the insolent abuse of power and impei'tinonce " of office , —Are not these the same ? To see artifice , manoauvre , corruption , prevail " everywhere , instead of worth and strength ; to see words overcome deeds , " and hypocrisy supplant virtue ; to sec frankness always sacrificed , and deception " uniformly successful , —Arc not these fit objects of scorn ? " —Slit EGEIITOX BIVIDGES . Veneration is a state of mind nearly akin to adoration . By the former AVC express the highest sense of human approbation of our