Chips From A Masonic Workshop.

initiated or affiliated Brother the fundamental rule , that we meet on the level ancl part on the square , ancl that this timehonoured figure of speech means perfect equality amongst all Masons . " Not such equality as the Communists and Socialists ivoro clamouring for in Paris

, Avhere every man Avas as good as another , and a great deal hotter—an ignorant mob , led by unscrupulous demagogues—but genuine Masonic equality , counterbalanced by subordination to the ' Antient Charges , Laws and Landmarks ' of our constitution ,

and obedience to lawful commands . If this nicely adjusted equilibrium is not disturbed by overbearing despotism on the part of the Rulers , nor by wilful disobedience on the part of tho Ruled , we shall not only meet on the levelbutwhat

, , is of much greater importance , Ave shall always be able to part on the square . As harmony in music is regulated by the science of Thorough Bass , so must the harmony in our Craft be regulated by THOROUGH MASONRY .

" To effect this great desideratum , every Brother on entering this sanctum sanctorum of fraternal equality , no matter whether he be a General or a Corporal , - will haA'e to divest himself of his profane rank , titles and dignities—for they are but tho guinea ' s stamp , the man is the gold for all

that—and none of us ought ever to lose sight of the leading dogma in Masonry : THE MASTER RULES THE LODGE AND THE MAJORITIES RULE THE MASTER ; or , in other Avoids , the Blaster is bound to act in conformity with our constitution , which

distinctly provides that ' All questions are to be decided by Majorities , each Brother having one A'otc ; ' I therefore pledge my word and honour as a Mason ancl as a faithful and trusted servant of this Lod ge , that I shall ahvays consider it my most sacred duty to execute honestly all the decrees ancl resolutions when carried , no matter whether I haA'e voted with tho

majority or minority . " I also consider it incumbent on me and the Seniors to instruct our younger Brethren ' that for waist of judgment they may not spoil good material , but it must bo done ivith a view of ' maintaining and increasing of brotherly lore ; ' that is to say gently , and iu a truly fraternal spirit , so that wo can at all times endorse tho

sentiments of the sage Tarastro , the High-Priest of the Egyptian Mysteries , Avith a clear conscience . " I give you a translation of his address to the esoteric initiates in solemn conclave assembled :

" Li these our sacred halls Love reigns in glorious beauty , And if a Brother falls She guides him back to duty . Then ho is led by friendship ' s ties To eternal realms beyond the skies . "

" In conclusion , I have only one word more to say . Brother Senior Warden , you openly profess , every time AVO meet , that it is your special duty to see that every Brother has his clue . I have selected you to be my principal Officer under the firm conviction that you always practice what

you profess , and I am sure my confidence Avill not be misplaced ; I can therefore , after again thanking all the Brethren , give them the pleasant assurance that their rights and privileges as Masons will be scrupulously respected and maintained . "

NOAV , my dear Ned , you will no doubt perceive that our Master-elect is a paragon amongst tho Rulers and Governors , supreme and subordinate , or as Bro . Jonathan would forcibly express it , " he is real grit . "

I greatly admire his sentiments regarding the teaching of tho younger Brothers ; he ei'idently does not approve of their heads being punched by the Masonic Schoolmaster , nor would he allow them to be treated as the Drill-Sergeant treats the

awkward squad , kicking their shins to make them heel up and putting them through their facings : " Eyes r-r-r-r-right ! Attention !"

Surely every free ancl enlightened Briton , if he wants subordination and discipline pure and simple , can haA'e enough of it , and to spare , by accepting that powerful talisman called the Queen ' s Shilling ; but I strongly object having the

system promulgated by the Articles of War , Jamieson ' s Code , Queen ' s Regulations and G . O . ' s introduced into our fraternity . I am very sorry I can not give an equally favourable account of the other Lodges in our town . In one of them , called "Der Felsen , " tho Brethren aro fighting like cats and dogs . Their habitat