MASONRY A PURE INSTITUTION.

Masonry of old was a pure philanthropic institution; but as in every denomination, that the people who compose it, as a modern thing, are not admired by the mass, who expect from its members what is formerly expressed. Its tainted members taints the ordeals of its mission, and men, as individuals, who are corrupt, are no better as a mass or a society. It is true that love begets love, and hate, hate; so evil, evil; and if a majority of an institution are depraved, who profess good by uniting with a moral institution, and not practice it, they are a detriment to it, and such members should be suspended, the quicker the better, without any compulsion from any member thereof. Purity of conduct should be the only recommendation to Masonry, and unless a person can give positive testimony to that, they should be refused, and teach such a man that to be good he must depend upon himself and not on society, for unless he can command himself, no power on earth can, do it, unless his liberty be taken from him, which should be, unless he can appreciate freedom and not abuse it.

REV. DR. FORRESTER.

We clip the following from an exchange. Brother Forrester has of late taken up his residence in Chicago. He is well known as being one of the finest orators in the West. A reformer in all things, and a devoted Mason. If he is ever tempted to run for Congress, and is so unfortunate as to be elected, we doubt not he will withstand all Credit Mobiler temptation.

Dr. Forrester delivered his lecture as announced. The large and commodious house was filled long before the time. Extra seats had to be brought in in order to accommodate the people. He was listened to with interest, while he gave them one of his able lectures. The speaker drew a parallel between the church and Free Masonry. The same arguments used by the enemies of the order to destroy it, would, in like manner destroy all the churches. The Dr. reminded me, in is delivery and appearance, of Stephen A. Douglas. His scholarly attainments and thoroughly genteel address, place him at once among the great men of the Northwest. Do not be surprised if Dr. Forrester should represent the Second District in Congress before many years. His unflinching loyalty, christian character, and thorough qualifications, make him a suitable man for the place.

THE MASONIC MUTUAL BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONS.

It is somewhat strange why some of the Grand Lodges are so reluctant in giving aid, strength and encouragement to measures that enabled the Fraternity to fulfill one of the most sacred obligations of Masonry. We learn that the Grand Lodge of Michigan, rather gave the cold shoulder to the subject at its last communication. Why not every Grand Lodge follow the noble, and praiseworthy example of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. It is one of the noblest acts, and the brightest page of our Indiana Brotherhood.

B. W. Walker of Holly, Michigan has been appointed as traveling Agent of the Association in Michigan, whose head office is in Detroit. We bespeak a good word for brother Walker. Every Mason in Michigan should give aid and succor to this institution of Benevolence and Love. The system provides a method by which Masons can with a trifling expense provide for their own families. And it enables members of the Fraternity to take care of the widows and orphans of Masons. It is an insurance on the lowest possible rates. The old system of life insurance, is one of the popular modes of swindling. The Mutual Benefit Association of Indiana pays to the widows and orphans money and the cost is about one fourth as much as the old life insurance system.

We have heretofore spoken upon this subject in "THE MYSTIC STAR," and we believe that our Grand Lodges could do no nobler act than to foster and mature into perfection this system.

R. W. BRO. JAMES FENTON, of Michigan is well known to the Masonic Craft throughout the world. Over one quarter of a century he has served the Fraternity in his jurisdiction as Grand Secretary most faithfully. He has given good satisfaction, and no one can find any fault with the work that he has done. He has been truly a model scribe and kept his books in such a form as feared no inspection. He retires with the entire good will and wishes of the brotherhood. The brothers at Owosso, expressed their good feelings by presenting him a silver service. Grand Master Mc Curdy honored the occasion by presiding at the presentation.

IF IT be difficult to rule thy anger, it is wise to prevent it; avoid all occasions of falling into wrath, or guard thyself against them whenever they occur.

THE MYSTIC STAR.

May--1873.

BROTHERLY LOVE.

BY REV. J. C. PATTEE.

In those days when John the Evangelist is said to have presided over the Masonic Fraternity, there was very little or no difference between Christianity and Masonry. But they were troublous times to the church. Its members had much to encounter, and much to endure. If we except the Masonic or Essenean Fraternity, which appears from the first to have succored and shielded them, they were hated of men. "Christ crucified," in the power of whose life they trusted, and by the light of whose teachings they sought to regulate and rule their own, was to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness." By artifice and cunning, by lying and intrigue and contumely these strove to create and keep up an evil prejudice against them, and by the strong arm of force to oppress them, and bring them to naught.

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Thus they were called to "wrestle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places-not more in advancing their sentiments, than to preserve their very existence.

It was therefore necessary that there should exist among themselves, some strong bond of union, something that should hold them firmly together, and enable them to endure the reproach and the enmity and the opposition that came from the outside, without being severely injured or weakened by it. And such bond of union they possessed in a pre-eminent degree:--It was Love-love of the brotherhood:-the only perfect bond that ever did or ever will 1. VOL. XVIII-NO. V-MAY, 1873.

hold any fraternity or society together and give it prosperity and a healthy growth, for any considerable length of time. This was the evidence by which they knew that they were truly born of God and had passed from death unto life. It was their watchword, and the talismanic sign by which they knew one another and made themselves known. Nor was it altogether a secret sign;-others saw it and recognized it as a virtue among them;-and the more thoughtful, but not ill-disposed, who had been prejudiced against them through the scandal of those that hated them, began to say among themselves, "Behold! how these love one another: Is not love, of God?"--and the prejudices of such gave way. Love won them to the fellowship of the hated band that loved one another. Thus the church was held together, built up, and prospered-the weak became strong-because its members had love one towards another.

Brethren of the Masonic Fraternity,-love is just as necessary to-day-and with us-as it ever was. It has not lost an iota of its power. It is just as strong to preserve and to build up societies, to weaken and destroy the power of enemies, and to triumph over prejudices and opposition as it ever was. Brotherly Love is one of the tenets of our profession. Let us but maintain this, and we never need fear for the rest. We know not how much our fraternity shall do-how much it shall accomplish for each one of us who are its members, nor for the profane who know not its worth -we know not how much time shall be consumed while it is doing its work; but we know that its results shall be good-we shall not labor in vain-God's blessing will be upon our endeavors. Let us then have love one toward another. Let us love, not in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. As often as we gather in our Lodges and bow around our sacred altars, and feel the presence of Almighty God among us, let us remember and renew our pledges of love-first, to God, and secondly, to one another. Let us enlarge our sympathies and our charities; forget and forgive if aught has been amiss in the past as we hope to be forgiven by our Common Father; and, in the future, more resolutely watch over ourselves and encourage one another to love and to good works. Let us be, and feel that we are one family in the Lord, having a common interest and possessing a common spirit, among whom no contentions may arise but that noble emulation, of who best can work and best agree." In love let us speak good counsel one to another, and with thankfulness receive it to our profit; and, if any occasion shall arise, stretch forth our hand to sustain a falling brother, bear him up, and if possible set him in a more safe place among us. Let us not forget that we are none of us above the reach of temptation, and that all we have our

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weaknesses; for thus shall we be exercised with the greater measure of Charity.

This is an observing world;-the hearts of liberal men would soon be divested of prejudice, and the good would be drawn towards us-they would come of their own free-will and accordwhen they see us as "good men and true" walking uprightly, keeping our tenet of Brotherly Love and having all of our working tools well polished with use.

But one thing is needful to insure, to perfect, and to preserve this love among us. It is that we be worthy to be loved. For this each one of us must exercise himself. It is of no use that we pledge ourselves-though we do it in the presence of God, with united voice around our altar-unless we are individually resolved, that God helping us, and the brethren helping us, we will be worthy to be loved.

None of us can love that which is unlovely. This is not possible in the very nature of things. Those who love virtue and religion,-cardinal features of Masonry-and are desirous to " grow in grace cannot feel their hearts strongly drawn towards those whose daily life and constant habits evince that they care not for religion and virtue, and have no such desire. They may love them for all their good qualities, but in spite of themselves there will be a tie lacking, that can only be supplied by the other party. We must all then exert ourselves to be better men, to handle with more skill our working-tools, using the gavel to divest our hearts and consciences of the vices and superfluities of life, squaring our actions by the square of virtue, and so polishing our hearts with all Christian and Masonic graces that we shall reflect beauty from our place in the temple of souls. We must be masters of ourselvesat least we must try for this, and try earnestly, and persistently.

Whatever is of bad influence in community; whatever is of bad influence at home, or in anyway, directly or indirectly mars the quiet, the peace and the trust of home; whatever is an example in us which we would not wish to see followed, even by our wives and children, is an evil; and we ought to exert ourselves to overcome it, to rise superior to it and plant our feet upon a higher plane, a nobler level. Such effort on our part will ensure us what is needed among us,--the love of the brethren. It will be the warrant of our worthiness. I care not how low a brother may have fallen; I care not how many vices he may have had, and still has to contend against, if he be but contending; I care not if the world has cast him off, I will not cast him off; I will love him; I will own him for my brother; I will meet him on the level; I will draw him to my bosom; I will help him to rise. Such we can love; such the good will always love; such God's pure angels love; and such are loved and helped of God.

BURNETT STATION, MO.