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Secularising Dangerous.
whose higher meanings are revealed at every stage of his development . ^ The reception of this rich inheritance is conditional . If the Tyler does not keep the self-seeker out of the Lodge , the Almighty blinds bis eyes so that be sees nothing but
empty forms and meaningless symbols . Only he who seeks his own good , through the good of tbo whole , finds his own true life in his fraternal relations . Tho mystic law of fraternal life was exemplified for us most clearly by the Nazarino convict who becamo tho redeemer of the
world through His perfect obedience to the law of our common nature . He who sprang from the most exclusive of people exemplified tho brotherhood of man by preferring the welfare of all to His own , and thereby became the highest manifestation of the life of God in the
race . He who seemed fated by his ancestry and environment to be au insignificant fragment of a remote people has become the Lord of all , by living for all . And all
that He wrought was effected by no exceptional powe * or genius , but by the exercise of that miraculous power which resides in every loving heart , is felt in every throb of brotherly love , and is seen in every fraternal act .
The deeper lessons of the moral life which we are here to live , are begun in the family and carried up aud on by the Lodge . The Masonic Lodge ia a home and a school . Freemasonry teaches in the oldest and most effective ways
—the deepest and highest moral lessons—how to identify ourselves with the lifo and interests by which wo are limited , that we may be universal and free , doing by choice what flowers do by structure and planets by law .
If time had been given , I should have reviewed the history of the Craft , and expounded allegories and symbols to point the samo lesson . But my object will be accomplished if I can make you feel tho ever-present danger of being content with the gorgeous beauty of
our ceremonials and the surface meaning of our symbols . Do you again need to be reminded of tbe fact that the strength and worth of this Institution does not depend upon tho number , but on the quality of its membership ? Better surrender a charter than admit
an unworthy member . Self seeking and ambitious men will desire to ally themselves with great institutions , which they would warp to their low purposes . Our first duty , therefore , is to keep Freemasonry a brotherhood of noble souls , whoso duty it is to leaven the world with fraternal ideals .
Freemasonry is not only a brotherhood , but a church . It is the moral interpretation of that religion which was implanted in tho mind and inwoven in the very constitution of man by a wise and benevolent Creator . Masonic
scholars show that Masonry is related to , oven if it has not sprung from , the " Ancient Mysteries . " In every age and every land a chosen few have held and guarded the esoteric doctrine of a self-existent God , who is One and Holy .
It is a significant fact that no Atheist may be made a Mason . At the threshold be must confess faith in a Supreme being . Without religious services he may not be made a Mason . No true Mason will speak lightly the Ineffable Name .
One of the highest lessons taught in Masonry is the dignity and nobility of work . Interwoven with our work is worship . Indeed , " Work may become , and should become a kind of worship . " But how shall this desirable
end be reached if the secularising tendencies are not checked ? I fail to find any justification of tbe prevalent practice of waiving signs and ceremonies and ignoring prayer and praise . It becomes absolutely farcical to be
engaged iu rearing a spiritual temple , symbolised by King Solomon ' s temple , while at the same time separating man from God . " The Operative Mason was engaged in tho construction of a material temple at Jerusalem , to be dedicated to the service and worship of Goda house in
, which Jehovah was to dwell visibly . " As Speculative Masons we are engaged in constructing a spiritual temple m our hearts , where God may dwell , and whence His oracles may speak for our guidance in the way of life . Do we need no instruction from Him who is wisdom—no
inspiration , no counsel from Him in whom are all the sources of onr lives ? Do not misunderstand me . I do not want to encourage
pious cant . I would not have Masonry anything more tnan a moral expression of natural religion . Ib is an essential part of our ceremonial to joyfully recognise our relationshi p to God , our dependence upon Him , and to
Secularising Dangerous.
express our sense of need . A Masonic temple is a religious temple . The very word " temple " implies worship . Our Lodges are dedicated to the Supreme . Only a vicious , unjustifiable habit of waiving signs and ceremonies cou'd have led to the too prevalent custom of ignoring religious observances .
Ho who does most to make membora enter a Lodge as they do a church , and conduct themselves therein in a liko reverent manner , will deepen , strengthen and enrich tho sources of Masonic influence . Long ago that noble Mason , George Washington , said , in substance this : " It becomes
us to beware how wo entertain the delusion that tho sanctities of the home , and the moralities of public life can long survive the fervours of religion . " It were a blinding superstition to imagine that oven Freemasonry could long survive a severance from tho chief source of its power and influence . He is tbe worst foe of our Order who does most
to secularise it . My last word is : You cannot separate man from God and keep man . We can be brothers to each other only as incarnations of God . It is the manifestation of tbe grace and truth of God in the flesh that makes ono a helpful
brother . If we were but cunning animals even Freomasonry would be but a vulgar partnership—an association which mankind would do well to fear .- It would bo but another phase of " The Struggle for Existence "—not that which it is , " A Struggle for Moral Excellence , " n
passion to effectively serve our common lifo . Freemasonry separates us from the world only to identify us more closoly with the dearer and higher interests of mankind . We aro invested with real power only as we use it for the good of all , and no glory is onduring but that which we help to create .
At tho meeting of the Rural Philanthropic Lodge , 291 , held at the Railway Hotel , Highbridge , on Friday , the 16 th insb ., Bro . Dr . Peskett S . W . was unanimously eleoted , by ballot , the W . M . of the Lodge for the ensuing year , as successor to Bro . T . H . Railton . Bro . J . Burnett P . M . was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Woodwaid Tyler .
A new edition is about to be published by Messrs . Dean and SOP , of "The Illustrated Book of Wonders , Events nnd Discoveries , " by John Timbs , author of " Things not Generally Known . " Chapters are inoluded on " Tho Submarine Telegraph , " which has been revised and extended by Mr . Peter Lund-Simmonds , F . L . S ., and on the Raged School movement , whioh has been revised by the Secretary of the Ragged School Union , and extended to the present date .
Mr . and Mrs . Tom Kelly ' s handsome presentation volume , entitled " Those were the Days , " published last winter , at half a guinea , having met with such an unlooked for reception , tbe publishers ( Messrs . Dean and Son ) have decided to issue the same magnificent reproductions of Mr . Kelly ' s original pencil drawings in exactly the same style , but bound in cloth , small quarto , at about fire shillings .
" The Masonio Guide of New South Wale » , " compiled by G . S . Jacobs , W . M . 977 , is a copyright , and is stated to be issued under the patronage of the M . W . Grand Master Bro . His Excellency the Right Hon . Charles Robert Lord Carrington , G . C . M . G ., & o . & o . The hook , which is in a small compass , is published by Messrs . Gibbs , Shallard ,
and Co ., printers , 84 A Pitt-street , Sydney , and contains a complete record of all Lodges , Chapters , & c , with their places and times of meeting , names of Officers , and other useful information . This little book will be of great value to all of those who are connected with Masonry .
At the annual meeting at St . George s Hall , Stonehonse , on Monday , the 9 th inst ., of the brethren of the Sincerity Lodge , No . 189 , Bro . Dr . J . Harrison was unanimously elected as the W . M . for the ensuing year . The installation of the W . M . elect and the annunl banquet will take place on the seoond Monday in July . In . oompliment to Bro . Harrison , the banquet will be held at Devonport .
At the regular meeting of the Eldon Lodge , No . 1755 , held at the Royal Hotel , Portishead , on Saturday last , Bro . W . Glasspole , tho Worshipful Master , on behalf of the Lodge , made a presentation to Bro . A . J . Tonkin . Tbe gift took the form of a baodsorue carved oak cuckoo clock , and was accompanied by a few well-chosen remarks
from the W . M ., expressive of the hearty good wishes of himself aud the brethren . The present wns made to commemorate the rocent marriage of Bro . Tonkin , who holds the office of I . G . of the Lodge , and was suitably acknowledged by him . The gathering was rendered attractive by a fraternal visit of the W . M . ( Bro . Britt ) and the Officers and members of tho Canynge Lodge , No . 1388 .
,. The Freemasons of Scarborough will present the Duko of Clarence and Avondale with an address on the occasion of bis visit to the town to open the new Marine Promenade on Friday , the 27 th inst . The Duke , who will travel by special train from York to Scarborough , will be met at the Btation by the Mayor and Corporation .
HOT WATER instantly , night or day . Entire safety . Revised prices inclado fixing in bath-room -with proper vent pipe , ensuring safety in nso . BWAET ' S " lightning " Goyser , 340 Euaton Boad , London , N . W . Any one possessing a Geyser of our manufacture , fixed without vent pipe , may have proper vent pipe fixed for 5 s , by applying tons before 30 th June 1890 After that date the value will be charged .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Secularising Dangerous.
whose higher meanings are revealed at every stage of his development . ^ The reception of this rich inheritance is conditional . If the Tyler does not keep the self-seeker out of the Lodge , the Almighty blinds bis eyes so that be sees nothing but
empty forms and meaningless symbols . Only he who seeks his own good , through the good of tbo whole , finds his own true life in his fraternal relations . Tho mystic law of fraternal life was exemplified for us most clearly by the Nazarino convict who becamo tho redeemer of the
world through His perfect obedience to the law of our common nature . He who sprang from the most exclusive of people exemplified tho brotherhood of man by preferring the welfare of all to His own , and thereby became the highest manifestation of the life of God in the
race . He who seemed fated by his ancestry and environment to be au insignificant fragment of a remote people has become the Lord of all , by living for all . And all
that He wrought was effected by no exceptional powe * or genius , but by the exercise of that miraculous power which resides in every loving heart , is felt in every throb of brotherly love , and is seen in every fraternal act .
The deeper lessons of the moral life which we are here to live , are begun in the family and carried up aud on by the Lodge . The Masonic Lodge ia a home and a school . Freemasonry teaches in the oldest and most effective ways
—the deepest and highest moral lessons—how to identify ourselves with the lifo and interests by which wo are limited , that we may be universal and free , doing by choice what flowers do by structure and planets by law .
If time had been given , I should have reviewed the history of the Craft , and expounded allegories and symbols to point the samo lesson . But my object will be accomplished if I can make you feel tho ever-present danger of being content with the gorgeous beauty of
our ceremonials and the surface meaning of our symbols . Do you again need to be reminded of tbe fact that the strength and worth of this Institution does not depend upon tho number , but on the quality of its membership ? Better surrender a charter than admit
an unworthy member . Self seeking and ambitious men will desire to ally themselves with great institutions , which they would warp to their low purposes . Our first duty , therefore , is to keep Freemasonry a brotherhood of noble souls , whoso duty it is to leaven the world with fraternal ideals .
Freemasonry is not only a brotherhood , but a church . It is the moral interpretation of that religion which was implanted in tho mind and inwoven in the very constitution of man by a wise and benevolent Creator . Masonic
scholars show that Masonry is related to , oven if it has not sprung from , the " Ancient Mysteries . " In every age and every land a chosen few have held and guarded the esoteric doctrine of a self-existent God , who is One and Holy .
It is a significant fact that no Atheist may be made a Mason . At the threshold be must confess faith in a Supreme being . Without religious services he may not be made a Mason . No true Mason will speak lightly the Ineffable Name .
One of the highest lessons taught in Masonry is the dignity and nobility of work . Interwoven with our work is worship . Indeed , " Work may become , and should become a kind of worship . " But how shall this desirable
end be reached if the secularising tendencies are not checked ? I fail to find any justification of tbe prevalent practice of waiving signs and ceremonies and ignoring prayer and praise . It becomes absolutely farcical to be
engaged iu rearing a spiritual temple , symbolised by King Solomon ' s temple , while at the same time separating man from God . " The Operative Mason was engaged in tho construction of a material temple at Jerusalem , to be dedicated to the service and worship of Goda house in
, which Jehovah was to dwell visibly . " As Speculative Masons we are engaged in constructing a spiritual temple m our hearts , where God may dwell , and whence His oracles may speak for our guidance in the way of life . Do we need no instruction from Him who is wisdom—no
inspiration , no counsel from Him in whom are all the sources of onr lives ? Do not misunderstand me . I do not want to encourage
pious cant . I would not have Masonry anything more tnan a moral expression of natural religion . Ib is an essential part of our ceremonial to joyfully recognise our relationshi p to God , our dependence upon Him , and to
Secularising Dangerous.
express our sense of need . A Masonic temple is a religious temple . The very word " temple " implies worship . Our Lodges are dedicated to the Supreme . Only a vicious , unjustifiable habit of waiving signs and ceremonies cou'd have led to the too prevalent custom of ignoring religious observances .
Ho who does most to make membora enter a Lodge as they do a church , and conduct themselves therein in a liko reverent manner , will deepen , strengthen and enrich tho sources of Masonic influence . Long ago that noble Mason , George Washington , said , in substance this : " It becomes
us to beware how wo entertain the delusion that tho sanctities of the home , and the moralities of public life can long survive the fervours of religion . " It were a blinding superstition to imagine that oven Freemasonry could long survive a severance from tho chief source of its power and influence . He is tbe worst foe of our Order who does most
to secularise it . My last word is : You cannot separate man from God and keep man . We can be brothers to each other only as incarnations of God . It is the manifestation of tbe grace and truth of God in the flesh that makes ono a helpful
brother . If we were but cunning animals even Freomasonry would be but a vulgar partnership—an association which mankind would do well to fear .- It would bo but another phase of " The Struggle for Existence "—not that which it is , " A Struggle for Moral Excellence , " n
passion to effectively serve our common lifo . Freemasonry separates us from the world only to identify us more closoly with the dearer and higher interests of mankind . We aro invested with real power only as we use it for the good of all , and no glory is onduring but that which we help to create .
At tho meeting of the Rural Philanthropic Lodge , 291 , held at the Railway Hotel , Highbridge , on Friday , the 16 th insb ., Bro . Dr . Peskett S . W . was unanimously eleoted , by ballot , the W . M . of the Lodge for the ensuing year , as successor to Bro . T . H . Railton . Bro . J . Burnett P . M . was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Woodwaid Tyler .
A new edition is about to be published by Messrs . Dean and SOP , of "The Illustrated Book of Wonders , Events nnd Discoveries , " by John Timbs , author of " Things not Generally Known . " Chapters are inoluded on " Tho Submarine Telegraph , " which has been revised and extended by Mr . Peter Lund-Simmonds , F . L . S ., and on the Raged School movement , whioh has been revised by the Secretary of the Ragged School Union , and extended to the present date .
Mr . and Mrs . Tom Kelly ' s handsome presentation volume , entitled " Those were the Days , " published last winter , at half a guinea , having met with such an unlooked for reception , tbe publishers ( Messrs . Dean and Son ) have decided to issue the same magnificent reproductions of Mr . Kelly ' s original pencil drawings in exactly the same style , but bound in cloth , small quarto , at about fire shillings .
" The Masonio Guide of New South Wale » , " compiled by G . S . Jacobs , W . M . 977 , is a copyright , and is stated to be issued under the patronage of the M . W . Grand Master Bro . His Excellency the Right Hon . Charles Robert Lord Carrington , G . C . M . G ., & o . & o . The hook , which is in a small compass , is published by Messrs . Gibbs , Shallard ,
and Co ., printers , 84 A Pitt-street , Sydney , and contains a complete record of all Lodges , Chapters , & c , with their places and times of meeting , names of Officers , and other useful information . This little book will be of great value to all of those who are connected with Masonry .
At the annual meeting at St . George s Hall , Stonehonse , on Monday , the 9 th inst ., of the brethren of the Sincerity Lodge , No . 189 , Bro . Dr . J . Harrison was unanimously elected as the W . M . for the ensuing year . The installation of the W . M . elect and the annunl banquet will take place on the seoond Monday in July . In . oompliment to Bro . Harrison , the banquet will be held at Devonport .
At the regular meeting of the Eldon Lodge , No . 1755 , held at the Royal Hotel , Portishead , on Saturday last , Bro . W . Glasspole , tho Worshipful Master , on behalf of the Lodge , made a presentation to Bro . A . J . Tonkin . Tbe gift took the form of a baodsorue carved oak cuckoo clock , and was accompanied by a few well-chosen remarks
from the W . M ., expressive of the hearty good wishes of himself aud the brethren . The present wns made to commemorate the rocent marriage of Bro . Tonkin , who holds the office of I . G . of the Lodge , and was suitably acknowledged by him . The gathering was rendered attractive by a fraternal visit of the W . M . ( Bro . Britt ) and the Officers and members of tho Canynge Lodge , No . 1388 .
,. The Freemasons of Scarborough will present the Duko of Clarence and Avondale with an address on the occasion of bis visit to the town to open the new Marine Promenade on Friday , the 27 th inst . The Duke , who will travel by special train from York to Scarborough , will be met at the Btation by the Mayor and Corporation .
HOT WATER instantly , night or day . Entire safety . Revised prices inclado fixing in bath-room -with proper vent pipe , ensuring safety in nso . BWAET ' S " lightning " Goyser , 340 Euaton Boad , London , N . W . Any one possessing a Geyser of our manufacture , fixed without vent pipe , may have proper vent pipe fixed for 5 s , by applying tons before 30 th June 1890 After that date the value will be charged .