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Gleanings.
GLEANINGS .
Freemasonry ia by many regarded as ono of the many delusions of the wioked Ono to lure men on to destruction and perdition . Hence the attitude of somo sections of the Christian Church is hostile , only hostile , and that continually . But the brethren of tho Craft themselves profess to bo animated by a desire to aoarch into the hidden
mysteries of natnro and science , and to be in the regular Apostolic Snccessiou of tbe wise men who camo f roin the oast to Jerusalem in the infanoy of Christianity . Nay , thoy claim to be predecessors of thoso wise men as well as tho successors . In the time of Solomon they wero employed in building the Temple , but since then they have
been , aa a rule , not operative , bnt rather speculative , or froe aud accepted Masons , and apply all the principles of the Craft to the enforcement of moral precepts . Certainly there is no sign of the cloven foot in any of tho proceedings of the Grand Lodge , which met recently in Owen Sound . Abont four hundred and fifty dolegatea
from all parta of the Province assembled , for the transaction of business . Among theae are some of tho most prominent men in tho r ' erical , legal , and medical professions , as well aa the most successful businesa men in all walks of life . The Order certainly is not lacking in respectability , if the social status of its membership counts for
anything . Some figures gleaned from tho address of the Grand Master may bo of interest . They havo a Benevolent Fund with a c ipital of 69 , 000 dollars , of which 60 , 000 is invested , and the remainder in the bank . They have paid out in aid to tho needy among thoir members , including their widows and orphans , over 150 , 000 dollars
during the last twenty-five years . The average annual disbursements daring the last few years have been 11 , 000 dols . They have now upou their list of pensioners threo hundred and fifty-five widows , fifty-five orphans , and thirty-one needy brethren . Their receipts during the past year amounted to over 17 , 000 dollars . They contemplate having
a big centennial demonstration in 1892 , when delegates will be present from all parts of the continent . Their next annual meeting will be held in the city of Kingaton . What ia the matter with the Craft in Orillia ? They do not appear to have been represented at tho Grand Lodge . —Orillia Vaclcet .
Don ' t go to tho Lodge to find fault , to raise a row , to talk of friendship when you mean hate , determined to set yourself on edge with any that come near yon . Try the antithesis of this . Speak kindly to all . If you disagree with a brother , do so in such a
charitable spirit that your worda will influence your hearers , and perchance you may bring a flood of harmony where diBcord abounded . Courtesy ooata nothing . Cheap , is it not ? Try it . The elixir of life ia not half aa palatable .
In love for one another let us be real—not hollow . The curse of onr fraternity is the brother who grasps your band , utters pleasant Boutonces , aud winds np by some remark that savours so much of business that yon feel like either castiug your apron from you or pitching the so-called brother from tho dormer window .
A live , trne , worthy Masou , is one who regularly attends his Lodge , discharging all the duties incumbent upon him aa a member of the Craft , stndieB to understand tho living principles of , and remembers every point in , his coveuant . Ho thinks enough of Masonry to make some sacrifices in its interest .
Keep clear of the brother who blasphemes . It ia tho curses heard in Lodge ante-rooms that sicken many a man who thonght that Masou ry was free from such muck .
We aro somctimos on the keen edge of discontent with our brother . VVe snap and snarl at evory word , forgetting tho hour when we bonded our lifo to his iu tho woven strauds of good-will and charity .
Ihe sunlight of friendship should gladden us as we moot in our Lodge rooms . Life is so mingled with joy and sorrow that wo ought to make the most of tho happy hours when wo meet upou tho
checkered floor . A gcod name , when deserved , givoa a atreugth and mild courage , quiet boldness und modest assurance , which are worth all that thoy cost .
A man , to be of any account iu this world , must stand up for truth , and back his opinions by integrity . A skulking , deceptive , self-seeking man is devoid of these potent elements of character and ,
alter a time , is lost iu the fog of worldly contempt , and is forgotten while the man of truth and integrity , though for a moment he forfeit popular applause , ia sure to command universal respect and to win at last .
When we meet a man who never changes any of his opinions , never corrects any of his mistakes , aud ia not wise enough to discover any miatakea in himself , we at once makeup our mind that he is a poor judge of human nature , that ho is destitute of charity , and has
Pastured upon selfishness based npon conceit . Such men arc of no accoun t in the mart whore goodness and truth are dealt out . Members of our fraternity will do well to try " to see themsel's as ithers see them . "
THE SOCIAL TIE . —Freomasonry in all its branches is a social brotherhood , and while teaching a " beautiful system of morality , veiled in allegory and illustiated by symbols , " it will fail if tho social element is neglected . The social tie iB the tie which biuds , and these 0 , 'ganizations havo originated to supply a social necessity . Man
Was created a helpless aud dependent being , and it is a natural heaven-born impulse that compels him to seek companionship with "is fellow man , aud if ho finds it not among those he was taught to recognize by the endearing title of brother , ho will leave Masonry .
-I'he ritual with all its beauties will in time fail to attract , iudependout of any thing else . The following old Latin maxim is a good one , and applies to Musoury as woll aa dome othor societies : " Ridoulotn dicere verum , quid retat . "
Gleanings.
WnAT is A SQUARE ?—Thia queatiou is often asked iu our Lodge rooma and readily answered . But beyond lines of meaaurement , it haa a meaning of far deeper import iu its relations to human aotion .
1 . It ia to avoid intemperance and excess . 2 . It ia to bo humane in our treatment of our follow-men . 3 . If wo obey tho above , wo ahall treat our dumb animals with kindnoHP .
4 . It is to give good weight and moasuve , and tell tho truth at all times about tho wares wo may sell . 5 . It is to avoid evil speaking and slander . Wo are brothers , and it is unbecoming in brothers to speak evil of each other .
6 . It is to try by all tho means within our power , to do all we cau to aid our brother man , by worda of good cheer and deeds of love and mercy . Such ig our answer as to what ia a squaro . —Masonic Journal .
It ia well to keop in view the dutiea that Freemasonry enjoins . Tbey will never be changed , and require self-denial . When a profane makes up hia mind to seek onr mysteries he ought to be told plainly
that tbe good he will receive from them will be what happiness one gives by performing acta of charity from notions wholly unselfish . To do good without hopo of fee or reward ia the motive whioh shonld aotuate seekers aftor light in Masonry .
How many of the bitter animosities of the Lodge room might be allayed , and bow much happier would we feel with our- brethren if beforo we uttered tho harsh word in debate wo gave but a thought to the principlo io tho koystouo of that arch which binds as in sweet charity with all , be he brother or frieud .
A GOOD DEFINITION . —In the coarse of a Masonic sermon , delivered in New Kothesay Established Chnrob , the Rev . W . W . Tnllock , of Glasgow , said he rejoiced to bring Freemasonry prominently before the people of the country , seeiug that the Order was a great moral force , which largely helped on the redemption of the world
from evil . In its Lodges the peer waa on a level with tbe peasant , and the peasant oould take precedence of the peer , if he were a better Mason . Masonry was subservient to no creed or colour , but was at work all over the world for the moral and spiritual welfare of mankind .
TRUE CONCEPTION or MASONRV . —How infinitely removed from the trne conception of the Masouic essence are those who see or expect in Masonry nothing but a society for ameliorations and benefits ? These are temporal concerns ; material objects sought according to convenience and circumstances ' . Far be it from my thoughts to
detract , by remotest insinuation or inference , from the merit of those institutions whioh men have organised for mutual benefit . They aro praiseworthy ; they are useful ; they relievo distress , aud shelter against poverty aud want . But they are neither a substitute nor an equivalent for Freemasonry . Thoy are as far removed from
it as the image of some partial superstition is removed from the One Infinite . Masonry is moro than " a beautiful system of morality . " No definition can lay down its scope or measure its exteut . Its soul is truth ; its mission , tho brotherhood of man ; a vague generality , perhaps , to tho superficial mind , but n
welldefined substance to tho thoughtful and tho earnest . Ordina y morality , uprightness of life , charitable impulse , these nro the common attributes of all good men , bu they Masons or no . But Fifemasonry combines them into higher u ^ es nnd nobler purposes . It teaches not only morality , bnt also equality ; not only charity , but
also toleration ; the fraternity , not of Ma ? ons , only ns such , but the fraternity of the human raop . When wo speak of tho " universality of Masonry , " wo assume something mr > ro than a mere historic or geographical fact . We do not mean only that Masonry cun and does flourish everywhere ; bnt that , in its essence , it is universal ;
in its nature , benevolent ; m its objects , ideal ; striving to lib man for a condition of perfect moral and social communism , where geography traco 8 no boundaries and history erects no boastful tuonuments ; where we are content to forgot and forgive , remembering only the points of fellowship , our fears , onr hopes , our common struggle and our common destiny . —Charles F . Buck Q . M . La .
MASONRV MULTIPLIES FRIENDSHIPS . —Man ' s greatest need on earth is friendship , constant , true aud helpful . Masonry multiplies friendships . The quality of sweet friendship , like that of her sister , mercy , is not strained . It blesses him who gives , aud him who takes , aud bo on to the end . Let our aim and offjrta ever be to establish
and maintain true and abuhug friendships , and he will teem with richer blessings . —P . G . M . Congdun , of New fork . COMPANION . —It was not until near the close of the last century that the word Companion was used to designate a Royal Arch Mason . Iu the records of St . Andrew ' s Chapter the term is first applied
October 20 , 1795 , on which date Thomas S . Wobb , of Toinplo Chapter , Albany , N . T ., was present as a guest of St . Andrew ' s Chapter . It was about this time that considerable changes in tho Royal Arch Ritual and system took plaoe—changes largely due to the fashioning baud of Webb—and most likely tho word Companion was thou
introduced to distinguish Royal Arch Brethren from Master Masons Companion is a word of less general use aud application than Brother Dr . Mackey , in pointing out the difference in the moaning of tho two terms , says : " Tho latter refers to the universal Fatherhood of God and tho universal brotherhood of man ; but thu former represents u
companionship or common pursuit of an object—the commou ondnranceor suffering or thu common enjoyment of happiness . Companion represents a closer tio than Brother . Tho one is a natural relation sh > red by all men ; the other a connection , the rosult of choice , and confined to a few . All men are our brethren , bnt not all ; ire onr Companions . "
Ad01102
"VTO MORE DEAF . —Nichulsou's Patented Artificial Eur Drums ± \ cure Deafness iinil Nutsus in the l ! c ; i < l iu sill atagrw . l' ! 2 p ;< . ' , ' » : illustrate ! UoMk , with full lUwcriptiou freo . Address J . H . Nicu'it .. Jo : f , Ul Bedfoulsquiue , London , W . U .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Gleanings.
GLEANINGS .
Freemasonry ia by many regarded as ono of the many delusions of the wioked Ono to lure men on to destruction and perdition . Hence the attitude of somo sections of the Christian Church is hostile , only hostile , and that continually . But the brethren of tho Craft themselves profess to bo animated by a desire to aoarch into the hidden
mysteries of natnro and science , and to be in the regular Apostolic Snccessiou of tbe wise men who camo f roin the oast to Jerusalem in the infanoy of Christianity . Nay , thoy claim to be predecessors of thoso wise men as well as tho successors . In the time of Solomon they wero employed in building the Temple , but since then they have
been , aa a rule , not operative , bnt rather speculative , or froe aud accepted Masons , and apply all the principles of the Craft to the enforcement of moral precepts . Certainly there is no sign of the cloven foot in any of tho proceedings of the Grand Lodge , which met recently in Owen Sound . Abont four hundred and fifty dolegatea
from all parta of the Province assembled , for the transaction of business . Among theae are some of tho most prominent men in tho r ' erical , legal , and medical professions , as well aa the most successful businesa men in all walks of life . The Order certainly is not lacking in respectability , if the social status of its membership counts for
anything . Some figures gleaned from tho address of the Grand Master may bo of interest . They havo a Benevolent Fund with a c ipital of 69 , 000 dollars , of which 60 , 000 is invested , and the remainder in the bank . They have paid out in aid to tho needy among thoir members , including their widows and orphans , over 150 , 000 dollars
during the last twenty-five years . The average annual disbursements daring the last few years have been 11 , 000 dols . They have now upou their list of pensioners threo hundred and fifty-five widows , fifty-five orphans , and thirty-one needy brethren . Their receipts during the past year amounted to over 17 , 000 dollars . They contemplate having
a big centennial demonstration in 1892 , when delegates will be present from all parts of the continent . Their next annual meeting will be held in the city of Kingaton . What ia the matter with the Craft in Orillia ? They do not appear to have been represented at tho Grand Lodge . —Orillia Vaclcet .
Don ' t go to tho Lodge to find fault , to raise a row , to talk of friendship when you mean hate , determined to set yourself on edge with any that come near yon . Try the antithesis of this . Speak kindly to all . If you disagree with a brother , do so in such a
charitable spirit that your worda will influence your hearers , and perchance you may bring a flood of harmony where diBcord abounded . Courtesy ooata nothing . Cheap , is it not ? Try it . The elixir of life ia not half aa palatable .
In love for one another let us be real—not hollow . The curse of onr fraternity is the brother who grasps your band , utters pleasant Boutonces , aud winds np by some remark that savours so much of business that yon feel like either castiug your apron from you or pitching the so-called brother from tho dormer window .
A live , trne , worthy Masou , is one who regularly attends his Lodge , discharging all the duties incumbent upon him aa a member of the Craft , stndieB to understand tho living principles of , and remembers every point in , his coveuant . Ho thinks enough of Masonry to make some sacrifices in its interest .
Keep clear of the brother who blasphemes . It ia tho curses heard in Lodge ante-rooms that sicken many a man who thonght that Masou ry was free from such muck .
We aro somctimos on the keen edge of discontent with our brother . VVe snap and snarl at evory word , forgetting tho hour when we bonded our lifo to his iu tho woven strauds of good-will and charity .
Ihe sunlight of friendship should gladden us as we moot in our Lodge rooms . Life is so mingled with joy and sorrow that wo ought to make the most of tho happy hours when wo meet upou tho
checkered floor . A gcod name , when deserved , givoa a atreugth and mild courage , quiet boldness und modest assurance , which are worth all that thoy cost .
A man , to be of any account iu this world , must stand up for truth , and back his opinions by integrity . A skulking , deceptive , self-seeking man is devoid of these potent elements of character and ,
alter a time , is lost iu the fog of worldly contempt , and is forgotten while the man of truth and integrity , though for a moment he forfeit popular applause , ia sure to command universal respect and to win at last .
When we meet a man who never changes any of his opinions , never corrects any of his mistakes , aud ia not wise enough to discover any miatakea in himself , we at once makeup our mind that he is a poor judge of human nature , that ho is destitute of charity , and has
Pastured upon selfishness based npon conceit . Such men arc of no accoun t in the mart whore goodness and truth are dealt out . Members of our fraternity will do well to try " to see themsel's as ithers see them . "
THE SOCIAL TIE . —Freomasonry in all its branches is a social brotherhood , and while teaching a " beautiful system of morality , veiled in allegory and illustiated by symbols , " it will fail if tho social element is neglected . The social tie iB the tie which biuds , and these 0 , 'ganizations havo originated to supply a social necessity . Man
Was created a helpless aud dependent being , and it is a natural heaven-born impulse that compels him to seek companionship with "is fellow man , aud if ho finds it not among those he was taught to recognize by the endearing title of brother , ho will leave Masonry .
-I'he ritual with all its beauties will in time fail to attract , iudependout of any thing else . The following old Latin maxim is a good one , and applies to Musoury as woll aa dome othor societies : " Ridoulotn dicere verum , quid retat . "
Gleanings.
WnAT is A SQUARE ?—Thia queatiou is often asked iu our Lodge rooma and readily answered . But beyond lines of meaaurement , it haa a meaning of far deeper import iu its relations to human aotion .
1 . It ia to avoid intemperance and excess . 2 . It ia to bo humane in our treatment of our follow-men . 3 . If wo obey tho above , wo ahall treat our dumb animals with kindnoHP .
4 . It is to give good weight and moasuve , and tell tho truth at all times about tho wares wo may sell . 5 . It is to avoid evil speaking and slander . Wo are brothers , and it is unbecoming in brothers to speak evil of each other .
6 . It is to try by all tho means within our power , to do all we cau to aid our brother man , by worda of good cheer and deeds of love and mercy . Such ig our answer as to what ia a squaro . —Masonic Journal .
It ia well to keop in view the dutiea that Freemasonry enjoins . Tbey will never be changed , and require self-denial . When a profane makes up hia mind to seek onr mysteries he ought to be told plainly
that tbe good he will receive from them will be what happiness one gives by performing acta of charity from notions wholly unselfish . To do good without hopo of fee or reward ia the motive whioh shonld aotuate seekers aftor light in Masonry .
How many of the bitter animosities of the Lodge room might be allayed , and bow much happier would we feel with our- brethren if beforo we uttered tho harsh word in debate wo gave but a thought to the principlo io tho koystouo of that arch which binds as in sweet charity with all , be he brother or frieud .
A GOOD DEFINITION . —In the coarse of a Masonic sermon , delivered in New Kothesay Established Chnrob , the Rev . W . W . Tnllock , of Glasgow , said he rejoiced to bring Freemasonry prominently before the people of the country , seeiug that the Order was a great moral force , which largely helped on the redemption of the world
from evil . In its Lodges the peer waa on a level with tbe peasant , and the peasant oould take precedence of the peer , if he were a better Mason . Masonry was subservient to no creed or colour , but was at work all over the world for the moral and spiritual welfare of mankind .
TRUE CONCEPTION or MASONRV . —How infinitely removed from the trne conception of the Masouic essence are those who see or expect in Masonry nothing but a society for ameliorations and benefits ? These are temporal concerns ; material objects sought according to convenience and circumstances ' . Far be it from my thoughts to
detract , by remotest insinuation or inference , from the merit of those institutions whioh men have organised for mutual benefit . They aro praiseworthy ; they are useful ; they relievo distress , aud shelter against poverty aud want . But they are neither a substitute nor an equivalent for Freemasonry . Thoy are as far removed from
it as the image of some partial superstition is removed from the One Infinite . Masonry is moro than " a beautiful system of morality . " No definition can lay down its scope or measure its exteut . Its soul is truth ; its mission , tho brotherhood of man ; a vague generality , perhaps , to tho superficial mind , but n
welldefined substance to tho thoughtful and tho earnest . Ordina y morality , uprightness of life , charitable impulse , these nro the common attributes of all good men , bu they Masons or no . But Fifemasonry combines them into higher u ^ es nnd nobler purposes . It teaches not only morality , bnt also equality ; not only charity , but
also toleration ; the fraternity , not of Ma ? ons , only ns such , but the fraternity of the human raop . When wo speak of tho " universality of Masonry , " wo assume something mr > ro than a mere historic or geographical fact . We do not mean only that Masonry cun and does flourish everywhere ; bnt that , in its essence , it is universal ;
in its nature , benevolent ; m its objects , ideal ; striving to lib man for a condition of perfect moral and social communism , where geography traco 8 no boundaries and history erects no boastful tuonuments ; where we are content to forgot and forgive , remembering only the points of fellowship , our fears , onr hopes , our common struggle and our common destiny . —Charles F . Buck Q . M . La .
MASONRV MULTIPLIES FRIENDSHIPS . —Man ' s greatest need on earth is friendship , constant , true aud helpful . Masonry multiplies friendships . The quality of sweet friendship , like that of her sister , mercy , is not strained . It blesses him who gives , aud him who takes , aud bo on to the end . Let our aim and offjrta ever be to establish
and maintain true and abuhug friendships , and he will teem with richer blessings . —P . G . M . Congdun , of New fork . COMPANION . —It was not until near the close of the last century that the word Companion was used to designate a Royal Arch Mason . Iu the records of St . Andrew ' s Chapter the term is first applied
October 20 , 1795 , on which date Thomas S . Wobb , of Toinplo Chapter , Albany , N . T ., was present as a guest of St . Andrew ' s Chapter . It was about this time that considerable changes in tho Royal Arch Ritual and system took plaoe—changes largely due to the fashioning baud of Webb—and most likely tho word Companion was thou
introduced to distinguish Royal Arch Brethren from Master Masons Companion is a word of less general use aud application than Brother Dr . Mackey , in pointing out the difference in the moaning of tho two terms , says : " Tho latter refers to the universal Fatherhood of God and tho universal brotherhood of man ; but thu former represents u
companionship or common pursuit of an object—the commou ondnranceor suffering or thu common enjoyment of happiness . Companion represents a closer tio than Brother . Tho one is a natural relation sh > red by all men ; the other a connection , the rosult of choice , and confined to a few . All men are our brethren , bnt not all ; ire onr Companions . "
Ad01102
"VTO MORE DEAF . —Nichulsou's Patented Artificial Eur Drums ± \ cure Deafness iinil Nutsus in the l ! c ; i < l iu sill atagrw . l' ! 2 p ;< . ' , ' » : illustrate ! UoMk , with full lUwcriptiou freo . Address J . H . Nicu'it .. Jo : f , Ul Bedfoulsquiue , London , W . U .