Our English Freemasonry.

dress and show is our great rallying point . Formerly it was that Ave loA'ed a good dinner ; now it is that Ave are victims to a mania for personal decoration . In my humble opinion , these various attacks prove that Freemasonry is really a more stable institutionand more popularthan

, , many like to admit , or to realize . There is still a good deal of latent , if not open opposition to Freemasonry " per se . " AVe are too tolerant for many , too unsectarian for more . I for one full y admit that Freemasonry , in its AA'orld-wide

p latform , may be a stumbling-block to many most conscientious men , but so it is , and alter it Ave cannot , and alter it we will not . Freemasonry possesses then one great happy privilege , of being absolutely neutral ground amid the noisy combats and

angry combatants in the great arena of this Avorld ' s disputes , and controversies , and "ologies , " and "isms . " It is like a " tabula rasa " for many AVIIO seek to find

a standing place there for favourite dogmas and special hobbies . Our English Freemasonry knows nothing of such hurtful amusements , they are not permitted to intrude on its quiet peaceful patliAvay of philanthropic progress , and tolerating

comprehensiveness . And I , therefore , am glad to remember that the Prince of AVales is at the head of our' fraternity , as it is an omen of good for us and for it . I believe that Ave have much prosperity before us all , as the good ship glides gentl

y on amid faA-ouring currents and fair Avinds . So long as Ave remain true to the great landmarks and lessons of our Order , despite the excommunication , despite the shallow sneer , we shall move on , each day " strengthening our stakes" each

, year adding to our numbers , because our principles are such as commend them to the age in Avhich we live , conducing alike , as I believe they do , to the honour of God and the Avelfare of man .

Origin And Beauty Of Masonic Symbolism.

ORIGIN AND BEAUTY OF MASONIC SYMBOLISM .

An eloquent and A'ery instructive oration delivered before the Grand Lod ge A . F . and A . M ., of Colorado , September 29 th , 1 S 74 , by the Grand Orator , M . \ W . \ H . P . H . BroniAvell , Past Grand Master of Masons of Illinois .

ORATION . Behold , Most AVorshipful Grand Master , the sun at high meridian when the noontide bathes the mountain heights , and floods valley and p lain and forest , with allrenewing Avarmth and light and life . HOAV the eye seems to go out and expatiate in the boundless expanse , and dwells enchanted in the infinite distances .

and amid the scenes of beauty which spread and mingle their charms both far and near ! Not beauty and splendour only HOAV from the presence of the regal sun— the lifegiving beams , which fill all space , pervade , alsoall forms and substances hoAvever

, minute , —all agencies and operations however imperceptible , —the teeming earth grows Avarm , and the marvellous chemistry of nature puts forth its energies in countless and complicated modes ; the mineral substances are alh'e Avith incessant change

and transmutation ; the Avaters , atmospheres and vapours are quick with modulations and undulations of nascent life ; the A'eins and arteries of all plants throb with the secret impulses of the universal soul , and the juiceslife-blood of the vegetable

, Avorld , floAv and ebb in their invisible channel , preparing and furnishing substance to the bud , gloss and colour to the leaf , tints and odours to the blossom , and energy and nutriment to the seed and fruit .

The oak toAvers , the pine buorgeons , the elm spreads its SAveeping drapery , the vine flings out its stars and bugles , the berries ripen aud glow with auroral colours , the grasses wave their tiny swords and plumes , the flowers spread the tesselated carpet all abroad ; the grape and olive prepai-e their

wine and oil , and harvest-fields their corn , for the blessing and consecration of the Sabbath of the year . All this and move upon the earth , but in the fields of air the life goes on ; the cloudy canopy spreads its gold and silver

and crimson banners with ever-changing magnificence ; the winds go forth upon their circuits , the singing breezes , with their psalms and incense , and the Avalking storm with its aAvful hosts .

AA' ell did they say in the olden time , that " the sun is the beauty and glory of the da }' , " for without the sun , all Avould be still and cold and dumb and dead . AVho wonders that men in all ages haA'e hailed