Reports Of Lodge Meetings.

The following capital story is taken from the Voice of Masonry . It has been reproduced in one of our Masonic Journals , but , "being too good to be lost , Ave present it to the readers of the "M ASONIC STAR . "

TOM'S MASONIC LESSON .

SWHOMAS BEAUCHAMP was a " good fellow . " and , like many £ / 1 I . V _ , ano * ner sucn nmm was a Mason , or supposed lie was . He had £ j ^ s > been regularly proposed and elected , and had taken his degrees in due and ancient form . Nor had he stopped with the Lodge , but had had the pleasure of becoming a Royal Arch Mason , in name at least , and proudly wore on his watch chain the cross which is the commonly accepted emblem of a Knight Templar . Had anyone

asserted in the hearing of Mr . Thomas Beattchamp , that he was not a Mason , that gentleman would have deeply resented the statement , and regarded it as a deliberate insult , yet there were some of the lessons of Fraternity which he had not learned , but which , fortunately for him and for the world , there was to be a way provided for him to learn .

Thomas Beauchamp was a lawyer ; an excellently educated man , full of energy and vigour , and attentive to business . He had been so fortunate as to win in several cases of great importance : had given advice of much worth to two or three men who were rich , influential and appreciative , and by the harmonious actions of all these causes , had been rapidly Manning his way to both fame and

fortune . However pleasant and self-satisfying this had been to him , it was not to continue , so far as his supposition as to Masonry was concerned . One afternoon , when Tom had been unusually busy , and was somewhat worried and annoyed , his friend James Jones entered the office . He was not a Mason , though he had a high and very just and accurate opinion of the Fraternity . He was a Member of the

church where Tom attended , not as a Member , but merely as a hearer . " I want your subscription to help us purchase an organ for the church , " said Mr . Jones , getting straight to the reason for his call , for he knew how busy Tom usually was , and how valuable his time must be . "How much do you wish . ' " demanded Tom , equally as brief and business-like as his friend .

' I think you should give fifty dollars , at least , " replied Mr . Jones " I cannot afford it , " said Tom , shortly and rather curtly . " I'd like to know why not . You can afford a fine house , fine horses books , amusements , and—"

" Yes , " interrupted Tom ; " I know all that , but one must have those things in order to move in the circle in society to which I belong . Really , the bills I got last month would astound you . I'll give twenty-five dollars , and it is , as circumstances are , absolutely all I can afford . "

" You used to be more liberal , Mr . Beauchamp , " said Jones . " I know it , and I know , too , that in those days I had fewer ways in which to spend my money . Besides I go to church so seldom now that—" "I wish you came oftener , much oftener , as you would be welcomeand—"

" Freemasonry is good enough religion for me , " stoutly said Tom . " Is it ? I do not think that Masonry is religion at all . Are you sure it is ! " Jones replied . " I am sure that any man who lives up to the teachings of Free-

Reports Of Lodge Meetings.

masonry will be as nearly perfect as it is possible for a man to be . " " I'll not dispute that . I am not a Mason , not because I am not heartily in accord with the jirinciples I believe it inculcates , but simply because I have never yet found myself so situated financially that I thought I had the right to take the monej r for the purpose of joining . Not being a Mason , I am in no situation to warrant me in giving an opinion regarding what you have just said ; but how many of you live up to the principles you mention ' /"

"I don't know . No one , I suppose , quite does , but that isn't the question . I ' m very busy to-day . and cannot devote time to such a discussion . I'll subscribe the sum I mentioned , and , some time when I am not quite so busy , I'll consider the whole matter thoroughly and answer you fully . " He put his name on the subscription list , wrote his cheque for twenty-five dollars , and handed it to Jones , who

then withdrew . Tom tired himself over one legal document , worried over another , nodded over a third , and was just thinking to himself how close the room was , and how sleei _ y and stupid he was getting , when something strange happened . A gentleman entered his otiico noiselessly , crossed the floor silently , and had seated himself at the table , just

opposite Tom , before the latter observed him . The now comer was one of the most remarkable men Tom had ever seen . His face was long and sallow . His eyes were black as coal , but seemed full of strange and shifting light , as though there were fire in them . He had a huge moustache , as dark as hair ever was . waxed fine to a couple of upturned points . A long tuft of hair , deepening from his

pointed chin . lengthened out his face more than anything else could possibly have done . He wore a tall silk hat . which he did not remove dnrino - ' the entire interview , yet beneath its brim Tom could not fail to see that the luxuriant growth of hair was combed into two curious little hillocks just over the temples . He was dressed in sombre black , from head to foot , and wore a long ulster , which

must have swept the floor when he walked He had on fine black kid gloves , which he retained on his hands during his call . Remarkable looking in every respect , there was nothing which one could well have honestly criticised in his appearance unless it were his feet , which , judging by the size and shape of his boots , it seemed must be deformed . The stranger placed a small valise upon Tom ' s

table , and looked at the lawyer as though waiting for him to speak . So Tom began : ' To whom am I indebted for the honour of this call ?" "Call me D . " replied the visitor very gruffly . "And may I ask , Mr . D ., what your business with me is . ' I am very busy and have no time to spare just now . " " Are you a Mason . '" asked the gentleman in black , in a very doubtful tone .

"I am . " replied Tom , proudly , and he caught at his showy watch charm , and jingled it , though I suppose he did that unconsciously . Mr . D . drew back a little from the table , and seemed nervous and excited . " Please don't do that , " he muttered : " that thing would burn me if it touched me ; don ' t you know that . ' I wonder that it don't bum you . "

" I don't understand you , Mr . D . " Tom replied , questioningly . " Exactly , and I don't understand you either . I came in this afternoon to see if it was riossible to do so . You say you are a Mason ? I am going to see whether you have lied to me or—" " I don't believe I ' m very well posted , " interrupted Tom , anxiously , and a little shamefacedly . " The fact is . I have not attended Lodge very often , and—"

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