We have not yet been definitely informed as to the result of an irresistible force coming into contact with an immovable body, and any experiments in that direction are fraught with considerable danger. Finding our Worshipful Master and our Worshipful Brother Thorp, the Secretary of this Lodge, an irresistible force, I could not remain an immovable body, so I am occupying this unsought position to-night; and if the reading of this Paper by so young a Brother in Masonry as myself, induces other Brothers in the same state of chrysalis in our Order, to enter into a discussion, (and to create a discussion is more particularly the object of my Paper), and to take a part, other than that of the "silent member," in the Meetings of this Lodge, I shall hope to have done something towards what I understand is the desire of our Secretary and the members of the Lodge; in any other direction I cannot hope my Paper will possess any merit.

I have purposely selected the title of my remarks as affording a theme that is capable of being treated from a purely sentimental point of view, rather than to take what, in my case, would be a presumptuous attempt to treat the subject from its academical side; this is only to be expected from Brothers more learned and advanced in our Order.

In the first place, it is to be remembered that a good thing establishes its claim to virtue in the minds of men, from the stringent and never-failing test of Time, and Masonry may surely claim that it has stood such a test, and though there may be differences of opinion as to the extent of its antiquity, it is not to be disputed that it has continued through several centuries, and nourishes more abundantly with its increasing age. As far as I am personally concerned, that it should have stood even only a tithe of the ages we have positive knowledge of, is evidence of its qualities for good, to some extent at least, and since my initiation, the beauty of which ceremony will, I hope, never be effaced from my memory, I have learned that Masonry not only has qualities for some good, but that it is wholly good in its influences, in its spiritual elevation, in its education and broadening of the mind, and finally in its development of Brotherhood. It is a prostitution of Masonry to limit the conception of it to what we term the "fourth degree," though here there are to be found some of its humanizing influences. I can conceive nothing better calculated to give one a general, if brief, conception of what true Masonry is, than the beautifully written Charge after the Initiation, a Charge that I cannot imagine, under any, circumstances, should fail to be given to every newly initiated Brother. I go further and unhesitatingly assert, that if acted up to in both the spirit and the letter by any man or body of men, it would make such men proof against all evil, and potential factors for nothing but good. It was this Charge that made the deepest impression on my mind, and I firmly believe was the originating influence towards a higher and nobler conception of my duty in Life, and particularly as regards my relations to my fellow-men.

Masonry teaches man's duty to himself, and the first law in Nature is Self-Preservation. I have been led to think why, if we are not each and all possessed of the ability to do some good, this law should be — for it is not good to preserve evil — and taking this deduction, it is uncharitable, and an offence to Masonry, to assume a single soul to be without this Spirit of Good, no matter how kept down it may be by adverse influences ; and personally conscious of my many wants, I believe, and have faith, in the Masonic Spirit of Brotherhood having the inherent qualities of leading men on to diffuse this Spirit of Brotherhood amongst our fellow-men without distinction, and, by the exercise of all that the Brotherhood means, in its Charity, Education and Helpfulness, to reap for those that so exercise themselves, the natural reward of increased, and increasing, self-effacement, and the attainment, as a consequence, of true happiness in Life.

Masonry teaches us the respect due to merit and ability, respect to those in authority over us, and, above all, respect for ourselves; this must of necessity influence, and should influence us in relation to our fellows, to pay respect where respect is due, which, in turn, commands respect from others to ourselves. Masonry teaches us fidelity, and without fidelity, the guarding of trust reposed, the having faith in one another's honourableness, even our daily business transactions could have no solid basis, and such a basis as this is solid indeed. There is no Ceremony in Masonry that has not its meaning, that does not stand as a meaning for good; the signs and symbols that remind us of solemn obligations, and the working-tools that we apply to our morals, each and every one is a signpost to the best path to take in Life, and all, if properly read, influencing us for good in our interrelations to our fellow-men ; and, finally, when we remember that Masonry not only teaches us how to live but also how to die, how can a true man, much less a Mason, make sport of this, or indeed any of these.

Masonry further appeals to me, as showing the possibilities of its power and influence, in teaching us to extend our research into nature and science by using the abilities in us to the utmost of our power of attainment. This is an educating influence, one of the greatest and most benign of this, our many-sided Order, and no one will dispute the spirit of Brotherhood that is inherent in education, for even as we educate ourselves we are diffusing knowledge.

Masonry further directs our attention to the beauties of nature and science, and as, in our study of the same, we see and enjoy in varying degrees, according to the measure of our abilities, the inducement becomes strong within us to bring in our fellows to share with us the pleasures both nature and science are ever abundantly and continually unfolding to our view, in the wonderful works of the Almighty.

Masonry and its magnificent ritual can only have an elevating influence on the mind, and so must be unconsciously leading us to a kindlier view of our fellows, and varying though it may be, the power for good that is in us must be strengthened by Masonry, while collectively the power for good vested in the Brotherhood is enormous and increasing, and will be made even more manifest as Time goes on.