Brotherly Love.

believers , for the propagation of the Gospel at home and abroad , but comparatively little for the relief of the destitute in the Church itself or for the assistance of those -who have fallen into difficulties and are struggling to keep themselves from ntter poverty . It does not pertain to our

present subject to enlarge upon this point , and we therefore pass from it to remark , as we may with all confidence , that far more is done amongst Freemasons for the relief of the distressed , and the help of the struggling , than in any section of the

Church in this or any other land . The practical exhibition of the law of brotherly love is to be . seen in the records of every Lodge or Grand Lodge . By the laws of Freemasonry the members of the Order are taught to regard each other as brethren ,

and that they do so appears by their contributions to those who have fallen into poverty , and to the widows and families of : deceased brethren . Strangers from the most distant parts of the world receive their aid , as readily as those best known to them , upon proper evidence of their belonging to the Masonic Brotherhood , and many a . poor foreigner has been delivered from

want , and enabled to return to his own land , by the bounty of the brethren in this country . That this has been the practice of Freemasons , and that much has been given in private charity over and above the contributions from the general funds of Lodges and Grand Lod is one of the

ges , things most worthy of commendatory notice in regard to the fraternity , and shows that its members have not forgotten the obligations under which they have come , nor their relation to all who have been admitted into it in whatever part of the

world . The brotherly love of Masons knows no distinctions of country or of creed . A brother is equally welcomed , whether he has been made a Mason in a British Lodge , or in one of a foreign country , and if in distress , he is on due inquiry relieved , and aid

. is given him to return home or to prosecute any purpose which he may have for the improvement of his circumstances . It . may be said , that in all the kindness which they show to brethren in distress , Freemasons do nothing more than their dut

y , nothing more than by their Masonic obligations they , are bound to do . Let this at once be admitted' ; but let it not for a moment beregarded , as detracting , from the credit due

Brotherly Love.

to them for their deeds of charity . For who ever does any good tiling more than it was his duty to do , more than he was bound to do by the law of God ? Nay , in all things we offend , and in all things come short of the perfect discharge of our duty . E

Every true and worthy Freemason must be continually stirring himself up to greater earnestness in every good work , to . a more perfect discharge of every duty . Who does not feel that , without detriment to himself and his familyhe coidd do far

, more for his brethren than he has ever done yet ? It may he hi the way of giving , to relieve their wants and to hel p them in the time of distress ? it may be in seeking out those who are in need of relief , and bringing their cases under the notice , of

others more able to relieve them ; it may be in showing sympathy ,, which often cheers the fainting heart and encourages the man ready to succumb in . despondence , to fresh and hopeful , and successful exertion ; it may be in any one of a thousand various waysfor there is . no end to the

, variety of ways in which brotherly love may be displayed . But let us see that it dwells in our hearts , , and that we cherish it , and are governed by it , giving it free course to go forth towards all our brethren , and in all our words and actions . And

well may we rejoice that we are members of an Order whose . laws . enjoin it so strongly , whose teachings do so much to cherish and promote it , and whose arrange-, ments and working afford so much opportunity for its practice ... ,

The New " United Orders."

THE NEW " UNITED ORDERS . "

As the new organization of the Templar Body is now an " accomplished fact , " it-is not only useful but incumbent on us as Freemasons , to consider our position towards the Order in its re-constitution , " and to ascertain how it bears on , or is likely to affect

our " ancient and honourable Society . " "The United Reli gious and Military - Orders of the Temple , and of St . John of Jerusalem , Palestine , Rhodes and Malta , " may claim to be an " honourable societ "

y in the Masonic sense . .-It must , however , ' defer its title to- bo considered " ancient " for a few centuries , dating as it does from the year of grace , 1872 , .