Contents.

CONTENTS .

E DITORIAL : "LIGHT" .. .. ... Frontpage LODGE OFFICERS : "LABOUR AND REFRESHAIENT " .. 12-THE M ASONIC POET ' S CORNER .. .. .. .. 125 MINORS IN FREEJIASONRY .. .. .. .. 125 N OTIFICATIONS .. ... .. .. .. 125 OUR TRESTLE BOARD .. .. .. .. .. 12 G

OUR E XCHANGES .. .. .. .. .. 126 REPORTS OF LODGE AND CHAPTER MEETINGS .. .. 127 ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE AND ANSWERS .. .. 12 !) MASONIC EXCHANGE AND MART .. .. .. 130 METROPOLITAN LODGE , kc . MEETINGS FOP . PRESENT WEEK 130

HIGH TWELVE . THEATRICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS .. 132 DRAMATIC NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS .. .. 132 PROVINCIAL LODGE MEETINGS FORTHCOMING .. 131 & 133 METROPOLITAN LODGES OF INSTRUCTION FORTHCOMING 131 ADVERTISEMENTS .. .. Front cover . 122 . 12 S . 135 . 13 ( i

"Light."

"Light . "

HAT a strange subject for an Editorial ! " Ave hear many of our readers exclaim . Perhaps not quite so curious as it may at the first glance seem . HaA'e Ave all

thoughtfully considered the application of this , the greatest material blessing Avhich the Almighty has A'ouchsafed us . At the verv commencement of this Avorld ' s

history it was tiie primary consideration before any other creative act , for Ave are told " that darkness Avas upon the face of the deep . " God said , " Let there be light !" '' Nothing in this great creation , impressed as it

every-Avhere is with miracles of wisdom and excellence , is more beautiful and marvellous than light , the elder Avork of the Deity , the masterpiece of His material phenomena , and

the original communication of Himself when he opened the treasures of His bounty . Light Avas the commencement of our Avorld , and it continues to be the soul ol every beauty Avhich it contains . " Thus writes BASELEY .

On the very threshold of our Masonic existence this is the blessing Avhich Ave are taught to crave . Practically , material light by Avhich to guide our steps ; morally , light to guide our thoughts and actions .

Here is an analogy Avorthy our readers' most serious consideration . Without the material light there Avould never have been any life on this globe ; Avithout the

moral light the state of humanity—poor as it is always called—Avould be something too awful to contemplate , and the condition of the primeval savage would be comparativel y the acme of civilisation .

"e , as members of the mystic tie , in virtue of the doctrine s inculcated by Freemasonry , ought to SIIOAV to the world that moral light obtains Avith us in a superlative degree , beyond obedience to . all . laws ,-Divine or human , it is our

"Light."

duty as good craftsmen to practise all the virtues , obey the dictates of conscience , and generally so to act ever on the square in our relations Avith all mankind as * to cause the titular designation of Master Mason to be accepted

throughout the universe as a synonym for all that is best and purest , loyal , brave and true . The symbolic meaning of our working tools ought ever to be present Avith us , and assist us in our daily life , and in our conduct towards all with Avhom Ave may be brought in contact .

Unless by practising in our lives the sublime truths taught us by our craft Ave have not the true light , but an ignis fatmts , an imitation bearing about as much resemblance to it as the glimmer of a rushlight does to the glorious effulgence of the God of day .

It behoves the brethren one and all to carefully consider Avhether they really have gained moral light in its most ample sense—not laying the flattering unction to their souls that "Ave are as good as our fellows . " but asking

rather " why are Ave not better ? " The A-oIuine of the sacred htAV tells us that " God saAv the light that it was good . " No qualification but " good . " Our moral light ought to bear being described as tersely .

Much as is done by our body to alleviate distress in its many and varied shapes , great as are the monetary aids we accord in the cause of charity , docs there not remain much to be done in the Avay of assisting each other along

the stony path oi life' ? Is there not a Avider sphere oi action ? The cheering , kindly word ; the Avarning voice ; the truthful assistance in time of need ; the helping hand

to drag from the mire before it becomes a slough of despond ;—are not these important factors also ' ? Yes ;

and Ave—•• ' Must still believe , for still we hope .

That in a world of larger scope . What here is faithfully begun , "Will be completed , not undone . "

These are some of the qualities Ave must possess and practise before Ave can lay claim to symbolic " 'light . ' ' In the race for Avealth , and the struggle for the good things of this world , it becomes more and more difficult to

maintain even a low standard of commercial morality , still less to raise it . Each for himself seems to be growing more and more the rule . " Quite right too , " Ave hear some one say . Reader , haA'o you thoroughly grasped the

light : ' "Each for himself" is quite right , but it is possible for every one to carry this axiom out in its integrity and yet be able to extend to others , Avithout any detriment to

himself , his family , or connections , services and assistance Avhich may be of the utmost import to them . Thoughtlessness is often a prominent cause for the non-performance of a kindly action . HOAV . often do Ave hear around us ,