SOME REASONS WHY I LOVE FREEMASONRY.*

I LOVE Freemasonry because it is unsectarian in all its teachings. To him who has considered the evil effects of the wearisome war about trifles, forever waging between those who profess to follow the same Master, and who, tired of the unprofitable controversy, would seek a calm retreat far removed above all such strife, Freemasonry offers a sure refuge. In its peaceful Temple no jarring word of difference in religious opinion is heard, but all united in the exercise of the theological virtues, Faith, Hope and Charity, work together for the glory of God. Faith and Hope may assume different degrees, yea, different manner of degrees, in different minds, according to the diversity of gifts the Father has bestowed on each; but Charity, the greatest of them, as declared by the apostle, is one and the same in all. It matters not so much that there be shades of diversity among Brethren in the two former, for Faith, lost in sight, and Hope in fruition, they will be no longer needed in the celestial Lodge above, while Charity will accompany us thither, increasing in lustre throughout eternity.

In the exercise of this Charity here, undisturbed by the distracting contentions of the sects, I enjoy a foretaste of that peace which reigns in the Lodge above. My mind is relieved from the fever that accompanies all such wretched controversy, and feels invigorated as I tread the Courts of our Temple, where no sound of hostile implement is heard, as "no sound of axe or hammer or any iron tool was heard" at the building of the first Temple.

We have not sufficiently estimated the value of Freemasonry in this regard. Some, indeed, there doubtless are who would not value it for this. They live and love to live in an atmosphere of strife. But if there is one thing more dear to the contemplative mind than another, it is the hope of rest. For they rest from their labors," is the blessing of those who die in the faith of the Gospel. And even here, while faithfully fulfilling all the sacred obligations of labor, and by no means wishing unlawfully to evade it, it is most refreshing to the heart that has grown sick at the buffetings of a most unscrupulous world, to have some dear spot of retirement, in which it may in peace divest itself for a time of the harness, and recruit for the renewal and continuance of the battle of life. But it is not a selfish retiracy that can do this. That is the mistake of those who "make a solitude and call it peace."

*From the Signet and Journal.

I find in Freemasonry the retirement I long for and need. In its Temple, removed from the strife and commotion of the outer world, forgetting all its troubles and all its cares, I peacefully repose in the bracing atmosphere of congenial sentiment, amid fraternal hearts and ministering fraternal hands. And though I find among my Brethren "a diversity of gifts," this only adds zest to our intercourse, for indeed among all true Freemasons there is "the same spirit." Incalculable is the evil of sectarianism. No humble, earnest follower of the Divine Master, can think of His body, rent as it is by the contending sects, and not feel sick at heart, and sigh for some place whither to withdraw from the sight. I find it here in Freemasonry. Let it not be urged that Freemasonry is not religion, and even if religion is not bound to any special creed, for that makes for the repose I seek, and not against it. It draws me gently within its vast fold, and pointing me to the One True God, tenderly whispers" Son of Light, thou art required to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Give unto Him thy heart, and let it not concern thee that thy Brother's thoughts are not precisely the same as thy thoughts, as to the mode in which you severally render Him your service, for it is He, who in His own good pleasure, hath bestowed on the children of men diversity of gifts, and all that He requires is that you all have His spirit. As the Father is love and loveth all things, so are ye bound to love all things the work of His hands, but more especially to love one another." But if I live among the sects, I am deprived of this repose, for I am distracted with the noise of their contentions, as one exclaims, "Here He is, and only here," and another, "He is here," and another, "Here." But, lo, the Great Light of Freemasonry teaches me that He is everywhere! and that none can escape His ALL-SEEING EYE. And according to the gift bestowed on me-I hope I am not presumptuous-I derive this further lesson from that Great Light, that in heaven there are no

sects.

Who is there will deny that this is a great advantage possessed by Freemasonry? In the erection of that rational Temple unto God in the heart, which Freemasonry directs every Brother sincerely to engage in, each being responsible for his own work, which must bear his individual mark, altercations among the workmen who are all together engaged on the Great Spiritual Temple, are surely ill calculated to advance the work. But Freemasonry forever precludes such altercations, and leaves each Brother in undisturbed, peaceful quiet, a quiet unbroken save by the ready proffer of fraternal assistance when needed,

to prepare himself after the designs laid down on his moral and spiritual trestleboard, the Great Light itself, "a living Stone for that Temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." And this is another reason why I love Freemasonry.

THE RIGHT OF BALLOT.-An instance has recently come to our knowledge, having taken place in a Lodge not far distant, deserving severe rebuke. A candidate had been balloted for upon a stated communication, at which there was barely a constitutional number present, and the records did not even show so much. At a subsequent stated communication, the reading of the records showed the fact that a favorable ballot had been had upon the case of the petitioner (who was waiting near by to receive the degree), when a brother member of the Lodge, who had been absent from the jurisdiction when the ballot was spread, rose and objected to the reception of the candidate, remarking (as the records show) his absence, and demanding a new ballot. This the Master refused, stating that one ballot had been had, and that was sufficient.

The candidate was received, and the objecter withdrew. The Ancient Regulations upon this subject, read as follows: "No man can be entered a Brother in any particular Lodge, without the unanimous consent of all the members of the Lodge, then present," etc.

Would it not be well for the officers of this Lodge to study this old work a little and abide by its law, in this instance so flagrantly violated and the rights of the objecting Brother trampled upon? His only recourse now is (save an appeal to the Grand Lodge for redress) to reject the candidate for the second degree, which is certain to be done. Then the candidate's new position is far worse than the first: better be out, than with one foot on the threshold and denied to advance farther.-Western Freemason.

EXTRACT FROM A MASONIC ADDREES,

Delivered "before St. John's Lodge, No. II, of Newburn, in America, on the Festival of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1789.”

"In Europe; over the Masons in that part of the world presided a Frederick.*

'In America, in the hour of trial, when God afflicted us with the Scourge of war, there appeared in the East a Warren!† the Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. He fought and nobly fell, the first martyr to Columbian freedom! In Pennsylvania, the enlightened sage of whom it has been said, Erepuit cælo fulmen, sceptrumque tyrannis. His services in the cabinet, and at foreign courts, have evinced his wisdom and patrotism. Were it necessary to produce an instance of one who united a Warren's bravery, and a Franklin's wisdom, the Lodges of Virginia can boast of him, who needs not be named! God in his mercy gave him to this land, to defend it in war -to govern it in peace.

'Having examined what Masonry is, we find it to be a chosen assemblage of worthy persons, united for the most philanthropic purposes, and cannot but conclude as I have advanced in the beginning of this discourse, that it is the most ancient and useful of all sublunary institutions. May we not conjecture from its present flourishing state, that it will be the most lasting? It bids fair to endure till time shall be no more.'

"But in vain is an institution holy, if the members be profane. Let not the foregoing observations produce in us a sterile admiration; but let them stimulate us to be operative, as we are speculative Masons. Let the apprentice cherish the practice of the lessons they receive. Let an heroic fortitude distinguish the Craftsmen. May those who have presumed to make further advancements endeavor to attain that degree of perfection of which human nature is capable, so that when our work shall be examined by our Supreme Master, the Architect of all Worlds, the square of his probation fitting easy thereupon, we may receive the reward which this world giveth not."

* Frederick, King of Prussia.

↑ Dr. Joseph Warren, the celebrated Orator, slain upon the Heights of Charlestown, June 17th, 1775.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin.

"Who snatched celestial fire, and broke the oppressor's spear."

George Washington.

THE SAILOR FREEMASON.*

A TALE OF REAL LIFE.

IT was in the winter of 18-, when the "Cherokee sloop of war dropped anchor in Leith Roads, after a very stormy cruise. Having for some time labored under a pulmonary disease, from cold, I was sent ashore to recruit my health; and from the long-boat I made my way to a Leith stage-coach-one of the most lubberly conveyances I ever travelled by, for the horses had scarcely anything like legs to stand on, and fairly came to anchor once or twice in ascending the steep called Leith Walk, the connecting link between the port and city of Edinburgh, whither I was bound.

On my arrival in the city, a Highland porter assisted me to alight, and preceded me to my dear home, where I was cordially received by my mother, brothers and sisters; and here my shattered hulk was laid up for repair; and, thanks to my kind family, I soon found myself in ship-shape order to move about, and re-visit the scenes so dear to my boyish days.

It was one night, during my stay at home, that I accompanied my brother and sister to the ball of the Celtic Lodge of Freemasons, in the Calton Convening Rooms. The company consisted chiefly of Masons, their wives and relatives-many of them dressed in the Highland garb, or sporting ribbons and sashes of the clan tartan. On entering the hall, my brother and party were received, with every welcome demonstration, by one of the strangest looking characters I ever beheld. My brother, perceiving that I was preparing for a good laugh, frowningly informed me that this was Mr. Richard Simpson, the W. M. of the Celtic Lodge; and I therefore struggled hard to contain myself in the presence of the worshipful figure now before me.

He was a man about five feet six inches high, very lame, and short on one leg, which required the sustentation of a hand-crutch. His outward man was clad in a rich Highland costume, bedizened with Masonic emblems, which strangely contrasted with his ungraceful gait. But his head-and such a head!-was inexpressibly ludicrous. He had lost the sight of one eye, the sightless orb protruding far beyond the socket, which ever and anon rolled about as he addressed his guests; but to complete the picture, on his head he wore a 42d Highland bonnet, with a huge plume of black feathers, on one side of which was stuck a colossal red feather, which, towering over the whole, was

*From the Masonic Journal.