I. And this is to be first, and truly understood, an old age of any sort, is the result of the life I have lived, whatever that has been. That above all outward seeming, or even inward feeling, is that solid, solemn sentence, "Whatsover a man soweth, that shall he also reap." I can live so well, that at seventy earth and heaven together shall say, "I am such an one as Paul the aged." Yet from exceeding self-distrust, and want of the instant power to trust in God, I may not feel this at all, but look back on the way I have come, and say, "Better had I never been born than to live to so little purpose." Or I may shake at the impending change, at that other life into which the young may go soon, and say, "I toil beneath the curse; but knowing not the universe, I fear to slide from this to worse." It is no matter what I feel, any more than it matters that a fruitful summer day shall gather a curtain of thick cloud about it as it sinks to rest, shutting out the shining heavens, and veil all things in the mist. It has been a fruitful day all the same, and now the substance of it is in every grain of wheat, and in the heart of every apple within the zone, and its incense has gone into the heavens before it,, so the fruitfulness abides, and its blessing rises, and the sun and moon would stand still, sooner than that should be lost.

On the other hand, my life may have been worthless as withered leaves, selfish and self-seeking since the day when I cheated my small schoolmate swapping marbles: hard to man, base

woman, abject to power, haughty to weakness, earthly, sensual, devilish. Yet, in my last days, the very selfishness that has been the ruling passion of my life, may lead me to grasp the delusion that another can bear my sin, and then instantly lift me into Paradise; and the good of feeling that the last bargain I have made, and the last advantage I have gained, is the best, may make me pass out of life, in the euthanasia of self-deception, into the pit It is no matter what I feel, what I have done, if my life has been like that, it determines what I shall be. Angels, no more than men, "gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles; " and when they come to gathering because the harvest is ripe, they will gather what there is.

MASONRY does not call upon its members to sacrifice princip le in any respect, to live up to her laws and requirements.

EDITORIAL.

THE GRAND LODGE OF QUEBEC.

In Mackey's National Freemanson for May we find the editor setting forth some strange Masonic doctrine. He thinks that Bro. Gauley's remedy for the difficulties between the Grand Lodge of Canada, and the one in Quebec cannot be healed by the Grand Lodges recalling their recognition of the Grand Lodge of Quebec. He thinks that it will be much easier for Canada to "submit," than for thirty-four Grand Lodges out of forty-three to recall the right hand of fellowship that has been extended to Quebec. It may be easier and more agreeable to their feelings, but will it be more honorable, or Masonic? It appears to us that the justice of the case should be considered above all things else.

Bro. Machey says, "If the Grand Lodge of Canada is illegal, so are nearly all the Grand Lodges of the United States, for they were framed under precisely the same conditions--we mean as to Masonic law and usage. Every Convention that organized a Grand Lodge in a newly created State or Territory having consisted of the representations of Subordinate Lodges which at the time owed allegiance to another Grand Lodge. It is too late now to retrace our steps and to repeal that law. To sustain the Grand Lodge o Canada in its effort to crush the Grand Lodge of Quebec, would be to unsettle the whole Masonic fabric of this country.

We are surprised to see one of the ablest Masonic jurists of our country make such a blunder. It seems that no man with his Masonic knowledge could make such decision. The conventions were composed of representatives of Lodges who had received charters from various Grand Lodges. But the Territory did not belong to any Grand Lodge jurisdiction. Therefore they had a right to commune the Masons and organize a Grand Lodge. When three Lodges or more were legally chartered, perhaps by as many legally Grand Lodges, they organized a convention and resolve to create a Grand Lodge. But the Territory out of which they make this new Grand Lodge, did not belong to any one of these Grand Lodges. The Masonic law, or practice has ever been, that any

Grand Lodge has a right to charter a Lodge in any unoccupied Territory, but cannot go into the jurisdiction of a sister Grand Lodge. Neither can a part of the Territory which belongs to a Grand Lodge, break off, and organize a new Grand Lodge, without the consent of the old Grand Lodge to whom the Territory actually belongs. The Territory that the Grand Lodge of Quebec claims was included in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Canada. A new political division of the country, has nothing to do with Masonic matters whatever. Politics cannot shape the destiny of Masonry. Political changes cannot make or unmake Grand Lodges, or have any voice directly or indirectly in fixing boundary lines. Because thirty-four Grand Lodges out of forty-three have consented to assist Quebec Grand Lodge to rob, cheat and defraud Canada Lodge out of her rights, is no reason why Canada should "submit." Suppose that thirty-four of Bro. Mackey's neighbors out of forty-three should consent that a notorious robber might leave him penniless. He must submit, rather than put the thirtyfour to the inconvenience to retrace their steps. Singular Masonic logic this.

Let us suppose another case. When the State of Texas was admitted into the union, one item in the contract was, that at some future time, the State might divide into three. The present Grand Lodge of Texas occupies the whole as its legitimate Masonic jurisdiction. If the State should be divided, could that effect the power and Masonic rights of the present Grand Lodge of Texas? Not in the least. For Masonry can not be controlled or shaped by the political arrangements or changes that may take place. The Grand Lodge of Quebec was not created out of unoccupied territory. Therefore her relations were quite different from Lodges in unoccupied territory, receiving charters from the several Grand Lodges, and calling a convention to organize a Grand Lodge.

WE must apologise to our patrons for the delay in the appearance the June number. We hoped to have been "on time" but delay in the receipt of copy interfered. We can confidently promise that the July number will not be delayed farther than the 10th, and that we shall thereafter be prompt. We are projecting some material improvements in the character of the magazine, and hope it will be greeted with the appauling verdict Higher yet that Star ascends.” Meanwhile we are sending bills to all of subscribers and hope to receive prompt remittance of all arrears that having the "sinews of war" we may be able to carry out our designed improvements.

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ON THE SQUARE.

It is quite often the above expression is uttered by one Mason to another. Sometimes boys use it for the purpose of giving a bond and mortagage to their promise. And the many places, and occasions where it is used, makes it a disgusting vulgarism to everv honest, judicious, upright member of the craft. The profane utter it, with the idea, that it is a sacred Mason phrase. Every well imformed Mason knows that it has no more relation to Masonry than the stories of Gulivars, or the history of little Tom Thumb

Whenever it is spoken by a Mason, you may, ninety-nine in a hundred-look at one with distrust. We had that sentence uttered by one, who, at the time was supposed to a true friend, he then confessed a notorious crime of which he was guilty, which surprised us. Since that time gradually he has become our bitterest enemy, and utters his vile slanders and falsehoods at every corner. He volunteered to put us in possession of one of his secrets "on the square," and then, knowing that we knew from his own lips, that he was a guilty culprit, he had his reptile fangs upon us, We let him alone, for we are sure that his own bite will eventually end his career. Ever since we have discarded the common phrase, as it has been used. The time might have been when this saying has a sacred significance. But it has become a disgusting vulga

rism, and very distasteful to a true Mason.

SOME virtues there are, which, like health, are only valued when lost; they are never mentioned but when they are wanted; their existence is generally presumed, and they are of no use tĉ him who has them, because they are passive and consist in patience They seemingly denote the absence of energy and activity, but they are, in fact, the highest energy acting upon the mind, and merely reacting against insult from without. To be a hammer, appears more laudable and creditable than to be an anvil. But what strength does it not require to resist blows falling thick, fast and without interruption?

The Regalia House of A. S. WADHAMS & CO., have removed to new and larger quarters 190 and 192 Clark street, one block north of the grand Pacific Hotel.

They have elegant rooms and will at once put in the largest and most complete stock of goods in their line in the West.

THE MYSTIC STAR.

JULY, 1873.

NON-AFFILIATION-THE RIGHT OF DIMISSION.

The subjoined article, from the pen of one of the most accomplished writers connected with the Masonic press, is accorded the place of honor, in order that it may receive such attention that the grave interest involved in the discussion merits. We regard the ground taken as impregnable, at the same time nothing will afford us greater pleasure than to give a hearing to the other side:

There has been no subject within the past few years which has given rise to more attempts at legislation by certain Masonic Grand Lodges on this continent than that of non-affiliation, including with it the right of dimission. That there was no ancient law of compulsory nature regarding non-affiliation is evident from this variety of modes suggested by the one or the other Grand Lodge to enforce their desires. Had there been, it would undoubtedly have been made the basis for proper Masonic legislation. No such law, however, can be found in the Ancient Charges, which are the fundamental laws of the society, for in the 3d Charge the language used is, "and every brother ought to belong to one, and to be subject to its by-laws and the general regulations," but it does not say that he shall belong to an "organized society of Masons," "called a lodge."

These preliminary remarks are called forth after a perusal of the "proposed Amended Constitution of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York," thrown together after four days consultation at Syracuse, in this State, commencing December 10th, 1872, and then published and printed for the use of the fraternity in the jurisdiction.

In Title I., Art. III., Sec. 27, Sub. 5, the old and wholesome law is acknowledged without limitation "That charity is the right of the Mason, his widow and orphans, when poor and destitute, to request, and the duty of the prosperous brother to bestow." But this genuine principle in Freemasonry is neutralized by Title II., Art.