The Present Influence And Future Mission Of Masonry.

m Him a moral and religious test of admission into its lodges . It teaches morality , friendship , brotherly loA e , " faith in God , hope in immortality , and charity to all , " but it does not assume to usurp the prerogative of the Church or the offices of the Ministry . It has no sympathy Avith that

spirit that opposes or ridicules the Church , or seeks to exalt any society or system of philanthropy above religion . Our LIAVS contemplate that no Atheist , either practical 01 speculative , should ever cross the threshold of a lodge . While our

Order can hold no affiliation Avith sects , and Avhile Ave accord to every man , of Avhatever creed , freedom of opinion , Masonic toleration can < ro no further . That

man is not fit material for a Masonic edifice who denies the existence of God , of a personal God , Avho created all things , ancl who reigns the Sovereign Ruler of all created things . It is impossible for such a man to become a true Mason , because he Avould not be bound b y moral obligations

, or subject to moral restraints . The Fraternity would have no adequate guarantee that he Avould keep the moral law , or perform the obligation or duties assumed by Masons . The great incentive to rectitude would be lacking , moral principle Avauting

, and his conduct dictated by convenience , self-interest , passion , prejudice , or fear . His attachment to the Order Avould be a pretence ; his participation in its Avork a form , and his daily life a reproach upon the Order . Such a man Avould lack the

true mcentiA'e to eflorts to promote the common good or general happiness , and Avould be unworthy of the confidence of his brethren , ivithout which there could be no true union , no real fraternity . The true Mason is taught to reverence God and to look upon the duties enjoined

upon him by Masonry as such , because they are enjoined by His revealed will , or are plainly in accord Avith His moral Government . He is taught that neither convenience , pleasure , self-interest , passion , or prejudice is to SAverve him from the path

of duty . Masonry thus becomes a mi ghty poiver for the improvement of the human race . It aggregates the influence , contributions , and labours of its numerous votaries in systematic eiiorts to teach the Avorld the great lessons of charity , spread the light of knowledge , and in short to bring mankind up to that position of social

excellence demanded by the 2 > u _ est morality . " It Avields the great moral forces of Faith , Hope , and Charity for the regeneration of the race . " Another no less important qualification for a candidate for Masonry is a belief in the immortality of the soul . Without this belief the moral LIAV

would possess no adequate . sanction , and the most beautiful allegories and symbols of our Order Avould be meaningless . Masonry Avrites over her portals not the infidel motto , placed over the entrance to the cemeteries of France during the Revolution , " Death is an eternal sleep ; " but the

motto of Masonry is , " The soul is immortal . " She consigns the mortal part of a deceased brother to the grave , but plants there the emblem of immortality , in faith that that which "is sown , in corruption " Avill be " raisedin corruption , " and that the

soul , the immortal part , Avill shine forth a living stone in that temple " not made Avith hands , eternal in the heavens . " But not only must a candidate for Masonry believe in the existence of God and the immortality of the soul , but every candidate for admission into the Fraternity must be obedient to the moral law ; not simply to the decalogue , but to that laAV of good and

evil inscribed upon man s conscience by the Creator—a rule alike binding upon every man by divine authority , and of universal obligation among all nations , tongues , and creeds . Masonry has been Avell defined to be the " universal morality Avhich is suited to the inhabitants of every

clime , to the men of eA eiy creed . " The Masonic standard of moralit y is as comprehensive as " the eternal immutable law of good and eA il ivhich the Creator himself in all his dispensations conforms . " It is the law of Avhich an eminent jurist

says : — " This law of nature being coeval Avith mankind , and dictated by God Himself , is , of course , superior in obligation to any other . It is binding over the globe , in all countries and at all times . No human laws are of any A alidity if contrary to

this , and such of them as are valid derive their force and their authority mediately and immediately from this original . "

It is scarcely possible but that with the utmost care some unworthy persons should be admitted into the Order . Actual moral purity or fitness , as contradistinguished from character or reputation , like