MASONIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 839, 30 March 1888, Page 7

MASONIC.

Having re-opened the Masonic column in the Mail, under the supervision of a Master in the Graft, we shall ha glad to receive from Secretaries of Lodges, and brethren generally, short reports of Lodge meetings and Masonic events of all kinds likely to be of interest to members of the craft. All correspondence for this column to be addressed to the Masonic Editor, New Zealand Mail. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. A. F. (Leeaton). —There would te no advantage in publishing your letter. Mason. —The paper you mention is now defunct. Inquirer.—The date has not yet been definitely fixed. J.B.P.M. (Wanganui). The Chevalier Ramsay introduced his Royal Arch and other Degrees in 1725. The meetings in connection with his rite took place in the Rue de Boucheries at Paris. Vide Landmarks, vol. 11., Lect. XXV. Arch.—You cannot procure a Ritual, as it has never been in print. FAVORS RECEIVED. London Freemason, El Taller (Madrid), Masonio Notes (New York), Sydney Free mason, Chaine d'Union (Paris), and Eivista Masonioa del Peru (Lima). WATERLOO ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER. A special meeting of tho Mark Lodge, iu connection with this Chapter, took place on Monday, 19th inst. The attendance was not so good as usual, owing to the short notice given to the members. Tho Mark Degree was ably conferred on a candidate by the Bro. Greig, who was assisted by his officers. No fnrther business having to be transacted, the Lodge was closed at 9.30 p.m. ST. ANDREW’S LODGE. A very successful meeting of the above Lodge was held on Thursday. 22nd inst., there being a large number of members and visitors present. This was Brother Bovis’ first appearance since his officers were installed, and he conferred the Third Degree on a candidate in a most efficient manner. In fact all the officers were thoroughly, nr home in their important duties, and Lodge St. Andrew may be congratulated on the notable change which has already taken place in the working; The Treasurer also made bis report and stated that the financial condition of the Lodge was most satisfactory. Some further business was afterward attended to and the Lodge closed in accordance with ancisnt custom at 9.45 p.m. BROTHERHOOD. The word Brotherhood sounds the key-note of all true Freemasonry. When a lodge realises that it is a family of brothers, bound to each other by a common tie, having unity of interest in all that pertains to moral culture, material prosperity, and unblemished good name, it will find little difficulty in performing fully all its covenants, for they all grow out of the spirit of Brotherhood —the spirit of mutual protection and charity. A spirit of devotion to our institution will be increased and ennobled if members of the order conform to a just conception of it, for white it is adapted to meet the needs of all, there is nothing narrow or bigoted in its character. It ha 3 come down to ns from the dim past, venerable with age and honor ; it stretches out its wide embrace to enclose men of every country and clime. In its catholic charity it excludes no creed, no political opinions, rank, or condition. Making common cause with all that tends to elevate,

digDify and purify humanity, it is the rival of no institution that has those objects in view.

Religion, above all, finds in true Masonry its warmest friend. Its leading truths lie at the foundation of our institution, and its system of morals is tho same as that which is inculcated by all creeds. Its sacred oracle is the accepted rule by which we piofess to guide and amend our lives. Hebrew and Christian brethren alike find the page they revere spread ever opon upon our altar. Every rite points to the holy volume as its source and every covenant is sanctioned by invocation to the Great Architect of the Universe.

Our institution recognises the mutual dependence of one upon the other, through the varied vicissitudes of life, and for all the kind offices which justice aud mercy require, its members should aid, sustain and uplift each other by mutual assistance and acts of kindness, for good deeds need no other praise than the acts themselves. IMPOR CANT DISCOVERY. Freemasons will be glad to learn of the recent discovery in Egypt, by Professor Maspero, of a tomb in which a square, level, compasses, and other implements have been found alongside a mummy. The dead man was an architect builder, and carver of inscriptions, having control of one-quarter of the cemetery at Thebes. I LOVE TO THINK. I love to think that those who wrought Within our quarries, long ago, Still keep and love the lessons taught In vanished years we may not know ;

That, though the cities that they piled Be only ruins aud decay ; Though desert sands, or oceans wild, Have swept e’en ruins quite away ;

That, though the language that they spoke, Unwritten and forgotten be, Tho songs, that from their glad lips broke, Lost in a drear antiquity ;

That though historians know them not, Though legends'be but vague and dim, — Their only records—points which dot Tradition’s far horizon rim;

They know ns still, and love us yet, And love the lodge to which we go, Nor ever can that love forget, While endless years eternal flow.

I love to think, what'time we meet In lodge, with brethren gathered there, That unseen forms and unheard feet Came slowly with us, stair by stair ;

That hands touch ours, unfelt, unknown ; That words speak—voiceless and unheard; That men who laid our corner-stone Go past the tyler and his sword;

That Masons, scores of centuries dead, Around the eager searcher press,— Glad, as each well known truth is said, — Anxious to comfort, aid, and bless.

I love to think that to tho least Is kingliest Mason’s honor done, — He, steadfast-souled, to face the East, And tell his faith to Solomon !

I love to think that each has stood Before the Temple's every gate,— So near with outstretched hand ho could Have reached the Temple-builder great !

The truth I No dream ! The time draws on When wsßhall know and feel aud see, — Free and Accepted ! by the One Whose 'lodge is Immortality !