The Masonic Mission.

meat" in the United States , its objects , its organization , the prodigious though ephemeral extension which it attained , until the " Anti-Masonic ticket" for President , for Governors of States , ancl for all high offices , created serious uneasiness to two great parties which usually divide the political suffrages of the people of the United States . * Still more astounding , still more ignominious , was the origin of this

insane " movement , " the growth , progress , culmination ancl catastrophe of which ive may hereafter shorhly sketch , forming , as it does , one of the most sad and shameful chapters iu the annals of human infatuation . For the present we refer to it , merely as an illustration of the nature of the difficulties , misconceptions , ancl irrational calumny and prejudice with which Freemasonry , in common with all other institutions of high

purpose , has had , ancl , peradventure , may yet have , to contend . ' Now , the experience of all ages lias manifestly proved , that nothing tends more effectually to dissipate prejudice , than that healthy collision of intellect which teaches men to think as well as to act , ancl to let thought take precedence of action . Therefore , one of the objects which on issuing- our first number we proposed to ourselves , in the course

of a career which the support of OUT brethren will , ive trust , make a long and prosperous one , was to grapple , from time to time , with every one of the impediments which the Order may encounter in pursuing its ennobling mission . The nature of some of these impediments , whether arising from active malice or stolid indolence , ive have already indicated . Of courseive address ourselves more especially

, to the existing Brotherhood of English , Scottish , and Irish Masonrywithout aid from them , any isolated labours of ours must prove futile . But we do trust , that through their co-operation ive may reach the eyes , and by and bye touch the convictions , of thousands on thousands of honest men amongst the general public , whose initiation would strengthen and promote the common cause .

Our own knowledge of society in various parts of the kingdom , inspires us with the belief that nothing but a little effort , such as men are wont to bestow on the most trivial affairs of every day life , is required at this moment , in order to elevate Masonry to a position of power , credit , ancl popularity , which would bring into operation , on a majestic scale , those capacities for beneficent working , in the results

of which the world would participate . The effort to which AVC allude is at this time eminently necessary and ours be the task to stimulate every member of the Fraternity , be his position or influence what they may , to do his part , in his own sphere , towards the success of that effort .

An important branch of our duties , too , is to establish , between Masons , a medium of cordial ancl facile intercourse , so that no one need in future remain , month after month , in ignorance of the movements which occur in the general body , or in any of the important local Lodges . Every Mason , however isolated'he may happen to be , * William M'ii-t was the Anti-Masonic- candidate lot fclia ottiee of President at tiie election of 1832 , iu opposition to the Democratic' find AVliig candidates , General Jackson aud Mr , Clav .