Reviews.

Coming from the pen of a pious ancl learned divine , to Avhom anything of an irreligious or anarchical character AVOUIC ! be particularly distasteful , Brother Woodford ' s book is one Avhich must command attention , both among the initiated ancl the outer world

Avho are not Freemasons . There is a clear and serene ability runs through the AA'hole Avork which is seldom displayed in controversial publications . The most virulent enemy of the Craft must at least admit that our Reverend brother has kept his

temper . But his book is all the more cutting to corruption ancl falsehood for its calm and unflinching exposure of the enemies tactics . " The spirit of Dominic , " says he , " surviA'es the fleeting centuries of time , and reappears in successive cycles ,

if perhaps in a neAV form , ancl under specious disguises , yet practically still the same animus , unaltered and unaffected , Avhether it be manifested to-day by a church , or a state , by a community , or by individuals . Indeed , the eagerness to persecute one another for difference of

opinion , or divergency of creed , is a very startling fact in itself , and a most difficult one to explain satisfactorily , either in the annals or struggles of man . " And this spirit of intolerance , he , as a Christian minister , A'ery properly denounces as an " aAvful parody , painful commentary , on

the words and acts of that only divine Teacher Avho came into this world of ours , speaking to all men words of peace and love ; offering to all men a blessed message of healing and reconciliation ; at whose gentle bidding the SAVorcUvas to be sheathed ,

ancl angry passions , like elemental strife , Avere to be stilled ; at Avhose benign intervention , all that separates man from his felloAV man here , or renders man harsh , uncharitable , ancl intolerant to his fellow creatures , Avas to be abolished and obliterated , ancl pass utterly away . "

To the foolish objection that the Craft is not exclusively Christian , Brother Woodford replies : — "Let us all in our several lots and positions be as earnest reli gionists as Ave think right ; but let us not overlook the fact , that tAVO-thirds of the habitable Avorld areas yet Non-christian

, ancl to refuse to associate in active labours with others , because they are Non-christian , especially in Avorks of general utility and benevolence , reflects little credit on the spirit Avith Avhich Ave seek to develop our

OAVU profession of true religion . Depend upon it , in this as in many other points , Freemasons are quite right in thus making their test of admission as large and universal , Avith tivo notable exceptions , as are the Masonic message of philanthropy ,

ancl the Masonic sympathies of brotherhood . Freemasonry knoAvs nothing of distinction , dogmas or conflicting creeds , whetherof Christian or Non-christian bodies , and Avelcomesthemall , onlysternly excluding the avoAved atheist , or the openly immoral

man . " Bro . Woodford does not deny , that even this excellent and most distinctive trait of Freemasonry " may ahvays form an insuperable bar to some earnest minds . " But zeal and knowledge , Ave all knoAV , may not always go together . " I think" says

, our reverend defender , " it is the experience of all—it is my own after thirty-four years of Masonic membership - that the special charm of Freemasonry consists in this , that there is a spot where we forget the tumults aud the troubles of the

outer world , and Avhere , retaining our OAvn opinions , modestly , and manfully , we meet ever as brethren , and part ever as brethren ,, despite the differences Avhich divide us , and the contentions which agitate us in social and public and religious life . No doubt it may be saidsuch is also true of a church

, , or house of God in our land , Avhere his people can assemble together , and forget alike earthly SOITOAV aud Avorldly distractions ; and such certainly is so . But while those Avho meet in the church are mostly of the same creedoutAvardly at

, any rate , in a lodge-room the utmost diversity prevails ever , both of reli gious belief , and of political party . Yet is it not often a strange metamorphosis which our Masonic Lodge gatherings can effect on us antagonistic mortals noAV ? Outside

its portals Ave are members of the community , supporters of the church , members of a denominational body , citizens of the world , each Avith our own pet theories , and probably discordant opinions . Inside that roomhoAvever humble a spell has

, come over us , we are all one , one in peaceful unity and brotherly concord , one in good-will to our fellow men , one in giving glory to our common Father in Heaven . " The brother AVIIO could pen the folloAving

truly Masonic passages , is Avell fitted to be Chaplain to the Grand Lodge of England ,