MASONIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 913, 30 August 1889, Page 7

MASONIC.

Having re-opened the Masonic column in he Mail, under the supervision of a Master in the Craft, we shall he glad to receive from Secretaries of Lodges, and, brethren generally, short reports of Lodge meetings and Masonic fvents of all kinds likely to he of interest to nembers of the craft. All correspondence for this column to he addressed to the Masonic Editor, New Zealand Mail. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. M.L.G. —Many thanks ; we were, however, aware of the fact. Inquirer.—There are 49 Grand Lodgeß in the United States of America. FAVOURS REOEIVED. London Freemason, Masonic Star, Masonic Chronicle, Chaine d’Union, and South Australian Freemason. influence'oF SECRECY. Profanes have often spoken disparagingly of Freemasonry, simply because it wasT a ‘ Secret Society,’ they taking the ground that secrecy necessarily means dark deeds, or a screen for work that would not bear the light. Masonry is, in one sense, a secret society, but its withdrawal from publicity in nowise condemns it.

* Full many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear.’ There is a pure crystal stream whose spring is buried deep in the fastness of Masonic truths and principles, which, like the influence of a pure heart, bubbles and forces its way out through many obstacles, quenching the thirst and laving the tired, perplexed brain of many a wayfarer. Although the outer door is well guarded, that the world may not penetrate the veil which preserves the sanctity of the inner chamber, still the unbounded influence which emanates from the secret work cannot be estimated from Equator to Pole 3. The philanthropy of Masonry is a living reality. The guarding of secrets has, in a great measure, much to do with the success of most, if not all good institutions. What to. day is the foundations of the world’s most flourishing government ? Is it not the secret society called Home ? ‘ There where vows are truly plighted, There where hearts are so united.’ But what would this stronghold of nations be if the home trust was not shielded from the stranger’s gaze ? Each member of the family brings his hopes, his ambitions, his joys and his disappointments, and lays them cn the home

altar, knowing that they are safe from the unsympathetic approach of a stranger, and each individual around that mystic shrine is truer and stronger for sharing that secret, and the incense of the dear home love burns constantly, wafting its perfume out upon mankind. The influence is felt, but the source is hiddefn. deep. The world does not condemn the home because of its secret life, this strength of Church and State. No ! The loyalty to home inspires a loyalty to the larger trusts ; the private affairs entrusted to the few is secure against all foreign intrusion.

Again, how betutifully the value of a guarded secret is illustrated during ths time of war. A vast army of brave men will lie down to rest by the cheerful camp fire, with no fears of surprise from the enemy ; one word has been whispered from tent to tent and binds into one, no foe can pass the outer guard, he has the secret countersign, and the ceaseless tread of the sentinel hurries on ; the blessed * all’s well ’ brings a sense of rest and safety to the weary soldier, and he sleeps deep and long. A brother walks without, proud and strong with the magni tude of his responsibility ; one falße act from him, one word spoken to the enemy, death and disaster follow, the plans and secret manoeuvres are discovered and the battle is lost. The sign of a Mason secures him a brother's protection throughout the world, each plighted vow welds together thousands of brave hearts, each remembering he carries the weight of a brother’s character • he must guard and shield him from the merciless weapons of the hard, indifferent world. Let the secret work go on, it is the strong, hold of our Fraternity. May the silent deed of charity toward a brother strengthen the unity between them—the gift bestowed is sweeter for the world not having known it. The kindly admonition sinks deeper in the heart of an erring one, when spoken heart to heart and lip to ear. Let the lodge be the universal home altar of a Mason, where he may lay bare his heart and feel secure against the outside world.

THE INFLUENCE OF FREEMASONRY. It is well-known that William 1. was originally of most arbitrary and despotic spirit and temperament. His accession to the throne was received with trepidation and alarm. History knows how just and humane a monarch he became. It is my belief, easy to prove from his Masonio record, that the principles of Freemasonry and the fraternal intercaurse with his brethren softened the rigour-of his natural temper and made him generous, sympathetic, and humane. Frederick 111. was every inch a Freemason. The tenets and philosophy of Freemasonry filled every part of his bein». In his iife and by his death he exhibited its grandest virtues and illustrated its most beautiful lessons. 1 Iu sorrow fidelity proves itself and fidelity is the core of honour,’ he said at a Masonic gathering, responding’ to a toast in honour of the dead. Frederick received the symbolic degrees in presence of his royal father, then grand protector of the three Grand Lodges of Prussia, who addressed him in the following words : ‘ Be and .remain thou a protector of the order, then will not only your future welfare be

assured, but you will carry with you the noble consciousness of having striven to develop around you the beneficent influences of goodness and truth,’ to which the prince responded : ‘So long as I live I shall be devoted to the order, provided that it remains true to its fundamental principles.’ In 1886, while in Strasburg, Alsace, he closed a lengthy Masonic address at a banquet tendered him by the brethren of Erwin Lodge of that city, with these, for the heir to the most powerful throne in Europe, certainly remarkable words : ‘Two principles, however, above all others, distinguished the field of Masonic work—freedom of conscience and toleration. To these let us cling with all our might. That in these we may become perfect let us strive forever. And let us not only praise these virtues, but practice them industriously. If we strive towards these ends, it will be well with us and well with Freemasonry. Herein may the Great Architect of the universe aid us.’ FREEMASONRY. F ull of kindly thought and feeling, R ich in sympathy and love, E ver willing to befriend, E arnest of the life above ; M asons Free and Masons true, A rchifcects with noble ain, S triving oft to help a brother, O r protect his name and fame ; N ear and far its praises waft, R ight gladly welcome—everywhere— Y eoman of this glorious Craft,