Conserving The Secrets Of Masonry.

CONSERVING THE SECRETS OF MASONRY .

THE Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire is reported as having come to a decision in regard to displays of Masonic regalia , outside the doors of our Lodges , that will doubtless set Brethren thinking , and will probably give rise to

varied expressions of opinion for and against what has long been regarded as a recognised order of things—the wearing of Masonic clothing and jewels at what are termed Masonic balls , of course with the sanction of those at the head of the Craft

of the Province or District . The " Sheffield Independent" is our authority for stating that an order has been issued by the local Provincial Grand Lodge , that no regalia shall be worn at any ball or similar function in the future , and we may at once

say we are not at all surprised at such an edict , as it is well known many of the leaders of the Graft are averse to the practice , and sanction to wear Masonic regalia at public meetings is very often only given because it has been the

custom to allow it in the past , and those in authority are unable to supply sufficient evidence- to warrant their departing from established usage—at heart they object to the custom , but they do not wish to make themselves unpopular by asserting their authority in opposition to the wishes of their subordinates .

Our readers may remember that some time back we devoted attention to this subject in connection with the action of a West of England Provincial Grand Master who , apparently opposed to the public display of Masonic regalia and jewellery ,

issued his dispensation allowing it , on condition that a certain sum was contributed to the Masonic Charities . We condemned such a compromise at the time , and are still of opinion that the official who made such a bargain did so contrary to what he felt

was best for the interests of Freemasonry , and in opposition to "what he considered right—he would have liked to have forbidden the public display of Masonic regalia , but had not the heart to refuse the request of his Brethren ; still , we question , as we did

then , the desirability of selling such dispensations , even though the proceeds are devoted to the best of all good objects—the furtherance of Masonic Charity : and the action of such a

distinguished Craftsman as the Provincial Grand Master of Derbyshire in definitely objecting to these public displays may have wide and marked influence in the future .

While we recognise that no particular harm may arise from these public displays of Masonic emblems , we feel that the secrecy of Freemasonry is very apt to be violated by their adoption , for the reason that the responsibility of seeing that

all is right does not rest upon any particular individual—it is everybody ' s business to have the laws obeyed , and consequently nobody does it , and our reason for forming this opinion goes back to a very early date in our Masonic career , when we were

asked by a business friend , who was not a member of the Order , to lend him our apron , collar aud jewels . Explaining that as a Master Mason we only possessed the former , and asking what

he wanted it for , we were answered that he was invited to a Masonic ball which be had attended for several years past , and that he had always managed to borrow regalia enough to make

Conserving The Secrets Of Masonry.

himself appear a dignitary in the Craft . We doubted the truth of his boast at the time , but after subsequent inquiry found he had not exaggerated much upon what he had done on more than one occasion in the past , and probably repeated afterwards .

Are we to believe this was an exceptional case , or would it not rather be better to regard it as proof that it is as possible for a non-Mason to masquerade in the guise of a Freemason as in any other " fancy" dress he may be disposed to procure for a special occasion ?

We should be very sorry to say anything likely to curtail the enjoyment of our Brethren , or cut short any of the legitimate work of the Craft , but remembering what we have heard in our official capacity—often mentioned after exacting

a promise of secrecy—we see no reason to object to the course adopted by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire , in refusing to allow Masonic emblems to be worn at public meetings , and we even hope other heads of the Craft may

consider the desirability of adopting a similar policy , so long as it is desired to admit gentlemen who are not Masons to such assemblies . There may not be any great danger in the wearing of Masonic regalia at assemblies limited to

Brethren of the Craft and their ladies , but a hard and fast line should be drawn when it is intended to allow gentlemen who are not Masons to be also present . If for no other reason

it should be prohibitive because it savours too much of touting for candidates , to allow non-Masons to participate in a public gathering where the insignia of the Craft is freely displayed .

The Police And Masonic Meetings.

THE POLICE AND MASONIC MEETINGS .

IT will be remembered attention has lately been directed to the very great power possessed by the police , to enter Masonic and other secret society meetings when held on licensed premises , and although the authorities of the Masonic

Order do not appear to think the question worthy of official notice , it seems the Oddfellows , at least , are more alive to what they regard as unnecessary interference . Accordingly Mr . J . Diprose P . G . M . of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows .

recently attended before the Royal Commission on the Licensing Laws , to submit that the Commission should embody in its report a recommendation that the police should not have the power to enter the society ' s club-rooms in public houses .

Business meetings had often been interrupted , he argued , and although lecture halls and schoolrooms were used by the Oddfellows when possible , public-houses had generally to be resorted to .

Now that attention has been so prominently directed to this question it is probable we shall hear of more frequent interference on the parfc of the police , who may at least be excused if the natural inquisitiveness of humanity prompts

them to exercise the power they possess , to look inside what are really closed doors to ordinary individuals . At a time when the whole subject of the Licensing Laws is being inquired into by a Eoyal Commission it seems to us the