TAUGHT to BE CAUTIOUS.' - Matters That Might Be Likely to Affect Its Welfare and » Prosperity
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urging them to a diligent watchfulness over any TAUGHT TO BE CAUTIOUS.' - matters that might be likely to affect its welfare and » prosperity. This teaching may indeed be proclaimed HOW often , with feelings of mingled vexation and as lost when we find as a result the work undertaken , regret, have we heard some of our younger in a slip-shod way, and want of punctuality, com- brethren make the remark, without even a moment's the , I have bined with lack of interest, the rule instead of consideration as to its importance,—" Oh exception . been taught to be cautious." True, they may have In considering this subject, however, we need not been taught, but have they profited by the lessons confine ourselves to individuals. Let us take a case that those who have advised them have striven to of the day that presents itself ; it affects a Lodge in inculcate ? We fear not. They should at all times its corporate capacity. A well-known London Mason remember that the mere utterance of a catchy phrase is in a country town, where a Lodge is about to hold does not denote they have grasped the importance of one of its regular meetings. As we understand the the meaning attached to the words. One of the facts submitted to us, lie is a stranger to his Masonic chief features of our teaching undoubtedly is, that brethren where he is temporarily sojourning, but he the neophyte should at all times, by his conduct and ge in question. As we have le, let the world know that he hopes to become a desires to visit the Lod examp already said, the brother referred to is a London better citizen from his association with the Masonic Mason, and to Londoners he is well known. He is a Order. Thismuch to be desired result cannot be achieved and for the last twenty years has ren- unless a guard be set around his daily actions, and a Past Master, hold dered good service to the younger members of the strict determination at all times enforced to up Craft in the capacity of Preceptor. At the present the principles and tenets he has voluntarily under - taken to see carried out. At the same time, while we time he is associated with ft prominent Metropolitan we Lodge, wherein, for something like ten or twelve are jotting down these somewhat crude remarks, years, he has fulfilled the duties of Secretary. With do not wish it to be understood that the young Mason these credentials we need hardly urge that this brother should take up with too tenacious a grip the mantle of had in due course been taught and we trust he has the .evangelist. By all means let him strive to instil , into the minds of all with whom he may be brought profited by the experience he has thus acquired. into contact the full benefits he may recognise as Be this, however, as it may ;—let us continue our belonging to his new association, but let him exercise story. On the night of meeting our brother presents the discretion that has been so strongly recommended himself at the Lodge in question, stating that his for his consideration. desire is to take part in the proceedings. We may It is not only with the younger class of our brethren state here that the details of this case are ex parte ; that, on the present occasion, we desire to treat. We we should be pleased to receive any counter-statement have found jfche same laxity displayed by our advanced that may be forthcoming. Our informant now tells fellows. What can be more painful to the earnest us that the applicant undergoes an examination, and Craftsman than to hear in mixed assemblies such the verdict of the brethren who have undertaken to phrases as " On my honour as a Mason ;" "On my prove him is given as " all right." The Lodge, how- Masonic word." &c. What is the intrinsic value of ever, refuses admittance, and we are told the applicant such windy expressions ? Does the conscientious exhibits his jewels, &c. [We attach no importance to Mason attach any value-to their utterance, or do the this.] He also shows his Membership Card, on which promulgators commend themselves to the uninitiated his name appears as a P.M., as a Secretary, and as by such a proclamation a Member. Our friend , however, has not with him , which many look upon as a his Certificate, ready way of claiming relationship with the Craft ? and this irregularity in the eyes of the Unless made use of for some ulterior purpose we fear Lodge referred to was voted an insuperable objection , the use of these and such like expressions denote that and he was refused admission. those who indulge in them have not understood what We will readily admit the right of the Lodge in was being enforced on them when they were taught question to refuse admission to a stranger, but we to be cautions. urge they went too far, and would not accept fair And now let us deal with the brethren who under- evidence they had themselves asked for. Why did take work in the control and management of the they go so far as to prove this brother ? We know him ; Lodge. From such we have a right to look for a and are convinced he is competent to " work " him- sound and practical enforcement of the precepts so self into any Lodge where competency is recognised. earnestly and continuously brought under their notice. Why then was he refused admission ; why did the Any brother who has attended his Lodge on an brethren go so far, and proclaim " all right " when they, to all intents and installation night has heard the Worshipful Master, purposes, seem to have on investing his Officers, address them on the respon- decided that the stranger should not be allowed to sibilities they were undertaking ; how he looked to join them ? They had been taught to be cautious ; them, as men of experience, to aid and assist him in had they benefited by the teaching ? any work that might present itself, and particularly life—they are so many Pharoses which a kind Provi- A TYPE OP GREAT REFORM. dence has kindled upon the sea of time, to show the rocks and quicksands we aro to avoid, and to direct us to the WHY MASONS HONOUR ST. JOHN THE haven of security and peace ; and high in this category BAPTIST. of saints, in honour of whom the Church appointed public our progress through the festivals, and conspicuous by his stern rigid virtue and the IN graud circle of the seasons we bave passed once more that interesting point majestic authori ty of his words, appears St. Joh n the which the piety of the Church has consecrated to the Baptist, whose memory Masons delight to honour ; and memory of St. John the Baptist—a saint whom worthy is he of our reverence, as well by the force of his Christianity reverences as its first hero, and Freemasonry character as by the wonderful circumstances in which ho honours as it patron genius. It is fitting, therefore, that was placed. we should pause here a little and contemplate this He [stood upon a point of time between two grand imposing fi gure, which occupies so large a space in sacred epochs, and belonged himself to neither, behind him were history and Masonic tradition. I am the more disposed to the judicial systems of religion and politics founded by dwell on this subject because, first, I believe it is good for Moses, and the Polytheistic systems which divided the us frequently to meditate on the virtues, and invoke the rest of the civilised world. Both of these systems had presence of tbe wise and good who have preceded us; and grown old, were struck with mortal decay ; had fulfilled because, second, I see a remarkable analogy between tho their respective missions, and were destined to fall. The mission of John tbe Baptist and that of the Masonic spirit had departed from the body of Moses, and the glory Fraternity; and the development of the ono will help us to of the oracle had faded ; tho votaries of the law—Pharisees understand the other. and Sadducees—were only whited sepulchres—hypocrites First : All festivals which commemorate the virtues of —and the temples and altars of . Paganism were nearly historical characters are a kind of worship that a grateful deserted ; and one day a voice was heard crying, " Como, world offers to their genius—a recompense awarded them let us go hence!" It was the religious sentiment bidding for their toil and suffering on earth. The significance, adieu to the ancient world. indeed, of all such festivities is, that the saints, and all thc At this period of religious indifference, scepticism and good and great who have been tho benefactors of their cormp tion , n new prophet appeared in Judea, proclaiming race, are still, though unseen, intelligently present in spirit, the advent of a new age, and announcing a new revelation observing all our thoughts and deeds, and presiding over of truth and duty; loud and stern, and with supernatural and carrying forward all those benevolent enterprises which powers, like a republication of the laws of Sinai—his words tend to improve the condition of mankind. fell upon the hearts of the multitudes who followed him, Death does not affect any of the relations which God and they bowed before him as the forests bend before the has established between man and man.