Social Problems And Their Peaceful Solution.

All these institutions could be as well supported by the rates as the existing ones , whilst they would be ten thousand times better managed by neighbours resident in the place , than by a central " Board " chosen , but too often solely for their board-like qualities .

On the question of privately bestoived alms ive dare hardly venture to lay down a rule , for we have known an instance Avhere the reception by " a tramp " of a casually bestowed coin was the very last action performed in this Avorld by the poor dying

Avretch Avho sought and obtained it . If , however , we dare not venture to give advice of ourselves , we may quote the ivords of one far wiser than

ourselves" Never turn thy face from any poor man ; and then the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee . " Nor let the mite be despised , for" Blessed are they who from great gain Give thousands ivith a reasoning brain , But holier still shall be his part AVho gives one coin Avith pitying heart . "

Nor need Ave , for our lack of resources whereAvith to carry out our charity , despair of recognition and reward ; for if not here , we shall there , where intentions , not results , are Aveisrhed , find

that" Having done good by stealth AVe shall rise to find it fame . '' So much for relieving the ivants of our poorer neighbours , which Ave but too often consider not as a , but the , Charity demanded of us by our Universal Father . No 1 charity has a wider scope than this , great though this

be" The Heart , the Heart ! Oh ! let it spare A sigh for other ' s pain ; The breath that sooths a brother ' s care Is neA'er spent in vain . " Indeed , it matters little what task is taken up by our neighbourly hand , for

any and every action intended to benefit our neighbour is a manifestation of that reflexion in our OAvn souls of the greatest attribute of our Almighty Father , who Himself ia Love . Jeremy Taylor says" He who gives alms to the poor takes Jesus by the hand ; he who patiently

endures insult ancl injury , helps Him to bear His Cross ; he who comforts his brother in affliction gives a kiss of peace to Jesus ; he AVIIO bathes his own and his nei ghbour ' s sinsin tears of penitence ancl piety , washes his Master ' s feet . AVe enter into his heart when we express Him in our actions . "

In this ivay , then , should every talent committed to us be pressed into this gentle service and , band as heart , brain as breast , pen as purse , be utilised in the great cause of Charity . In this way , and to this end , have these few papers been written , and

Ave trust that our brethren will see that every subject that can possibly concern us here can , equally Avith the few that haA'e been thus slightly touched upon , be viewed from the Masonic standpoint of Moderation and Charity . Let every Mason then , as time ancl opportunity offers , apjply himself to the humanizing task , remembering the injunction to the

Craft" If man s warm passions you can guide and bind , Ancl plant the virtues in the wayward mind ; If you can wake to Christian-love the heart , — In mercy , something of your poivers

impart . " Should seeming failures at first attend our efforts for good , let us not be disheartened , but examining ourselves , prove " Avhat manner of spirit we are of : " calling to mind the beautiful picture of progression in the

work of Love , presented to us by Eliza Cook in her " Address to the Freemasons , " ( delivered at the festival of the Royal Benevolent Institution , 1848 ) Avhere she shoivs us the striving of a man , - rich but good , to enter

Paradise" His ivealth was read y , and his hand ivas kind , When friends mi ght sue , or rigid duty bind .

And coldly good , he measured out his span , An honest , moral , true , and prudent man . " But this ivas not enough , and he was bidden—

" Good as thou art , go back to human dust ; Man , to be Godlike , must be more than just"