A Dearth Of Candidates.

a « those who make up their minds to seek admission to Freemasonrv dnring the summer find ample opportunities of gratifving their desire , insfead of waiting as they otherwise would do until the resumption of the winter

meetings . Freemasons will be delighted if the fourth cause of the anticipated dearth of candidates given above is to be realised , and from our experience we think such a desideratum , if not to be expected , is certainly possible .

One " mercenary " candidate who retires from Freemasonry in disgust will do more to stop others of his class asking for Masonic light than all the sermonising of the advisers of caution in the selection of candidates . No

doubt there are several disgusted Masons about at the present time , telling all their friends that Masonry was a disappointment to them , and no good as a paying speculation . If this is to be the cause of a dearth of

candidates we shall be truly p leased , and no doubt the Lodges which for a time may feel the effect of the falling off , will in course join in the rejoicings which such a state must call forth , while the ultimate benefit to the Order will be incalculable .

As we have said , we do not endorse any of the reasons given above , nor are we sure the approaching season will be less productive than past ones have been in the matter

of Masonic candidates . We have heard the opinions above expressed referred to in various quarters , and have endeavoured to place them in a connected form before our readers .

Consolidation Of Lodges.

CONSOLIDATION OF LODGES .

THE Grand Lodge of Kentucky has appointed a committee to prepare and present a constitutional amendment for the consolidation of weak Lodges in that jurisdiction . Past Grand Master Rob Morris , chairman of the committee , in a printed letter of inquiry designed to

call out the views of Masonic writers upon some of the questions involved in the proposed movement , clearly shows the need of consolidation in Kentucky . He says : " We have upon our rolls more than five hundred Lodges ,

but so reduced are they in strength , that the average in membershi p is less than thirty . In some counties reporting five or six Lodges , the aggregate of Master Masons is scarcely a hundred . This state of things is

attributable to the bad custom that prevailed in former years of granting Dispensations for new Lodges in sparesly settled nei ghbourhoods . The fact that so many of our young men emigrate to other states also has a bearing upon the subject . "

With this the condition there would seem to be no

question as to what the remedy should be . The feeble Lodges should be consolidated . But in attempting to take this step practical difficulties come in . It may be altogether desirable to effect a union among two or three

Lodges not far apart , each of which has but few members and is greatly troubled to maintain a separate existence , but difficulties arise as soon as the consolidation is undertaken . What name shall be given to the new body

formed by the merging of several Lodges in one ? Shall the name of the oldest Lodge or the one having the largest number of members be preserved ? Very likely , also , in some cases , there will be complicated property interests to

consider , and tho adjustment of these may not be easy . A greater difficulty is liable to arise in regard to the determination of membershi p in the consolidated organization . The Kentuck y committee , assuming that no consolidation

is possible except on the basis of a close hallot for members , refer to this stumbling block in the following words : " There are few Lodges that do not contain at least one black sheep , who , however his own Mother Lodge may

consent to retain him , could not gain membership in another Lodge . To illustrate , take the case of two neighboring Lodges A and B . It is proposed to unite the latter with the former ; upon a viva voce vote , the majority

of both Lodges favour the union ; but the secret ballot being spread in A upon the general question of consolidation , black balls appear . The ballot being then taken separately upon each of the seventeen members of B

fourteen are accepted and threo rejected . Now in Lodo-e B , by a similar process , thirty-two of the members of A are accepted , two rejected . How can a consolidation be effected between those two Lodges ? Such , we apprehend ,

Consolidation Of Lodges.

will be the result in nearly every instance where the question of organic union comes up . " Many things are desirable which are difficult of accomplishment . Where there is a will there is generall y

a wav found to reach a desired result , or escape from a troublesome dilemma . So it will be , we think , in this case . If the Grand Lodge of Kentucky has power to decree consolidation it must also have authoi'ity to carry out the

details of the required union . It may be unable to force a member of one Lodge into the membership of another Lodge against the protest of a single Brother belonging to the last named bodv , but there can be no doubt that , for

the general interest and the largest good , the Grand Lodge may call in the charter of any of its subordinates , making provision that the members of the organization may be

eligible to membership in other Lodges . Of course if any Brethren belonging to the Lodges whose organic life is thus terminated fail to gain admission to other bodies they will stand as unaffiliated Masons . Consolidation carried

out on this basis might somewhat swell the ranks of those who are already on the outside of Lodge membership , but this would seem to be every way better than to maintain the existence of so manv Lodges that have a name to live

by and yet are practically dead . In pursuing the course indicated , there can be no conflict with fundamental principles and vested rights . A legitimate authority may be exercised to close up certain

feeble Lodges . The Grand Lodge may give discretionary authority to the Grand Master , or a committee , to take such action , and there can be no question , we think , as to its absolute , binding force . There will undoubtedly be

difficulties in proceeding on this line ; there will be individual cases of hardship where a deserving Brother may be forced into the ranks of the unaffliated class ; but perhaps there is no better course of procedure if consolidation is to be secured .

We have written the foregoing without any reference to authorities or precedents that may have been made in Grand Lodge legislation . Possibly the inherent power remains with a Grand Body to unite the membership of

two or more subordinates , without subjecting the individual members to the test of a close ballot . In equity this would seem a proper course . The case is not as when a Brother presents his dimit and asks to be received by a Lodge ; it

is rather a matter which affects Lodges in their organic being and relations ; and may not the Grand Lodge decree that two of its subordinates , neither of which has strength to stand alone , shall come together , and have

their rights and prerogatives merged in one organization . Tn the common sense application of consolidation such a union would seem to be possible ; and we are by no means sure that the Grand Lodge may not by its new legislation bring about such a result . —Freemasons' Repository .

So-Called " Cryptic Masonry."

SO-CALLED " CRYPTIC MASONRY . "

BY BRO . JACOB NORTON . OUR American Masonic luminaries have not only distinguished themselves as Masonio degree manufacturers , but also in grouping their degrees under different names . Thus , we have "York Masonry , "

" Scotch Rite Masonry , " " Egyptian Masonry , " " Capitular Masonry , " Cryptic Masonry , " " Concilor Masonry , " " Chivalric Masonry , " and I believe other kinds of Masonry besides . I have already given an account of

Jeremy L . Cross in connection with the " Royal and Select" degrees . I have , however , obtained a number of tracts , containing Proceedings of the Councils held at New York from 1810 to 1874 . In one of these , printed in 1861 , I find the following report , viz . :

" To the Most Puissant the Grand Council of the

Royal and Select Masters of the State of New York . " Thrice Illustrious and Illustrious Companions , " Having been selected by you at your last Annual Assembly to collate the History of your Illustrious Body ,

I beg leave to hand , you the manuscript , which I think will afford you sufficient matter whereby you and your sister Grand Councils oi the United States may intelligently trace yonr relationship and origin . Although much more

matter might have been interpolated , to have lengthened the production , an d given it more seeming importance , I have deemed it nnnecessary to tire the attention of the reader , or to add unnecessary expense by burdening your