Earnestness In Freemasonry.

It has often been remarked that Christianity embraces these principles of Masonry , and that , therefore , our institution is superfluous , and , by implication , a censure on Christianity . On the supposition that we receive into our Order only those who profess Christianity , this objection is manifestly unjust , or , at least , invidious , for the same objection should hold good as regards Hospitals , Infirmaries ,

Alms-houses , and institutions of like character , ancl which , as with us , embrace concentrated efforts for practically carrying out in tho most efficient manner possible , certain good and benevolent designs . But the objection becomes infinitely more unjust , when it is considered that wc receive Into our Order all races , sects , and creeds , provided only than they are worth } - men , and acknowledge the existence of

a Supremo Being ; and this consideration is of a vast importance to us who arc residents of India , where there exist so many opposing- races and prejudices , and amongst whom the infusion of " Brotherly Love , " may , with the assistance of tho G-. A . O . T . U \ , be tho happy means of creating a better aud warmer feeling between the conquerors and the conquered . It has been in our thoughts for years , aud our most anxious desire , to see the portals of Masonry less exclusivelv open to the natives of this vast continent , for

is not our principle of brotherly love based upon the fact of our springing from one common ancestor , and that each of use made our entrance into this world naked , poor , and penniless ? But let us pass from the general to a nearer view of the principle of"Brotherly Love" as professed by Masons , and examine ourselves as to whether wo arc exercising it in our daily intercourse with our brethren . Tho

leading feature of brotherly love is charity—that charity which covereth a multitude of sins , and enables us to view the failings and weakness of our fellow creatures with a consciousness that we , too , are weak aud erring mortals , — that charity which , promots us to give an offending brother though ho offend us seventy times seven , —that charity which leads us to sympathise with his sorrows , and to wipe away

the tears of his affliction by words and deeds of consolation . Brethren do we live in the exercise of this brotherly love ? Arc we prone rashly to resent an unguarded word or mithoughtful action when they touch us unpleasantly ? Arc we inclined to criticise too closely the failings of those who surround us ? Arc wc backward with the kind word and cheering encouragement in the hour of affliction ? If so , we are not doing that which , wo have solemnly pledged ourselves to do .

" Relief" is a principle which we arc happy to think is exercised almost universally by Masons throughout the world . Wc are taught at our entrance into Masonry , that '" 'it is twice blessed , it biesseth him that gives as well as him that receives . " Danger and difficulty should not retard our steps in hastening to relieve a brother in distress , and ho should ever be rememheved in our daily supplications to the

GA . O . T . D . WC should not wait for applications , but seek our distress wherever it may be found ; and when wo give we should give cheerfully , and with every consideration for the feelings of the recipient , whom wc should look upon as entitled to the superfluity with which God Las endowed us . We hope it is scarcely necessary to remind you of the state in which you entered Masonry— "poor aud penniless "—and

the obligation you arc under to relieve the necessities , and succour the distress of a brother who maybe in want . " Truth" is well illustrated in the life and death of our Grand Master , who preferred death to a sacrifice of this grand principle ; and we , his descendants in Masonry , should ever strive to copy his glorious example , not only in preserving the secrets of our Order within the " sacred depository

of our hearts , " but in fulfilling those solemn obligations to which we have bound ourselves in tho various degrees through which we have passed . We view with horror the brother who should divulge any of the secrets of our Order . He would be shunned as a " wilfully perjured individual , devoid of ah moral worth , and totally unfit to be received into the society of Masonswho prize truth and virtue

, above all tho externa : advantages of rank and fortune . " But on what grounds should we 7 hold this abhorrence of tho perjured individual ? We answer , —because he has violated one of the sacred obligations of a Mason ; and we should , consider that there are many other obligations to which we

Earnestness In Freemasonry.

are solemnly and as sacredly bound , and inquire from our own hearts if we view with the same abhorrence the Mason who , in the absence of his brother , traduces his good name , or suffers others to do so , as we do him who betrays out-Masonic secrets . Brethren , this is a subject of great importance . Our allegiance aud regard to truth should prompt us to consider that a violation of its principles should not

be subject to a mental sliding scale ; yet , alas ! how often is this done ! We deem contact with the breaker of tho sixth commandment as something horrible , at the same time we admit to our friendship tho breaker of the seventh ; and so with reference to our obligations in Masonry , we attach au importance to one or two , and , in many instances , disregard all the rest .

We have thus briefly endeavoured to point out the dangers that exist to young Masons on entering the Order , and glanced at the duties which are incumbent ou us to perform . In conclusion , brethren , let us be in earnest in Masonry . Believing it to be a reality , aud seeing iu it a practical means of doing good to our fellow creatures , let us show to the world , by our words and actions , that Masonry has a mission no

less noble than that of alleviating the sorrows of humanity , creating a genial sociality , and breaking down conventional prejudices that exist between opposing classes . So mote it be .

Architecture And Archæology.

ARCHITECTURE AND ARCH ? OLOGY .

COLOUR ON STATUES . *

In March of the year before last , the subject of coloringstatues was brought before tho notice of this society by a paper read in this room by Professor Westmacott . This paper went carefully over a large portion of the subject . It treated of the degree in which there were evidences of the old Greek sculptors having added color to their statues . It also argued the subject , whether or no this w as an

improvement to sculpture . It also registered the professor ' s valuable opinion that it was not . The Dean of St . Paul ' s presided , and gave the weight of his learning and testimony to the view that there was no proof of the Greek statues having being colored , except when forming parts of architecture . Professor Donaldson and Mr . Crace , however , who took part in the discussion , inclined to the coloring of statues .

Even with the chance thereby of leaving my argument incomplete , I would avoid recapitulating what passed ; all which also is to be found duly reported in the Society ' s Journal for March 2 nd , 1859 . In what follows , indeed , I wish , as much as possible , to avoid going over the same ground , coutent rather to supplement than to cover the whole subject . My remarks , therefore , will be chiefly addressed to considering , firstly , with what object the

Greeks coloured their statues , when they did so—which was by no means their constant practice—and secondly , to submit the only way in which I conceive that colour can be suitably associated with statues at the present day ; thirdly , with a few words as respects the joint exhibition of paintings ' and sculpture ( as being part of the subject of colour associated with statues ) , these notes will conclude .

In order , however , to attach them to Mr . Westmacott ' s address , I must go back a little to make them overlap and unite , but will repeat as little as possible . On the occasion I speak of , the Dean of St . Paul's remarked that there was a passage in Plato which was a stronghold of Mr . Westmacott ' s antagonists , to which however the professor had not alluded . With your leave I

will quote this now ; it is from "Plato do Repub . " lib . iv ., and is contained in a rejoinder of Socrates . We may remark , by the way , as this gives more authority to the point of the passage , that this revered Greek philosopher was not only the son of a sculptor , but for some time himself wrought at the profession . This is the passage : Socrates speaks— "Just as if , " he says , " when painting statues , a person should blame us for not placing the most