Can Roman Catholics Be Masons?

and invariable laws . The Mason knows that man is at liberty to render cult to God in the manner he considers best , while the Catholics proscribe liberty of cult as though the rules established by them to render adoration to the Divinity were immutable and eternal . As it will be seen from tbe foregoing , the Mason and the Catholic profess very diverse ideas and pursue a distinct end ,

and it is , therefore , impossible for them to associate in their labours . But there is still more , the voice of the Eoman pontiff has been heard anathematising Masonry , and for that reason the Catholic is prohibited from joining our Lodges . "Why , then , do many Catholics venture to solicit Masonic light ? Because , perfidious ancl artful , they desire to know our secrets to

immediately divulge them ; because astute hypocrites , not being able to overcome us on the grounds of legality and justice , they come to offer us their aid , pretending to introduce into Masonry dissolvent elements that later will end by debilitating its power , without considering that if at the expense of their machinations they manage to extinguish a Lodge , to-morrow it will re-open full of" life , because Masonry is the phcenix which rises fromTits

own ashes . We should not , therefore , admit Catholics to our meetings , and the Lodge that allows them to enter will only be harbouring the viper that will subsequently poison it with its morsure . Thus , when a Catholic seeks Masonic light , we should give the alarming voice , because treason calls at the doors of our temple , and its precinct is going to be profaned . — . NICOLAS PBBEZ MOBALES .

Improper Use Of The Ballot.

IMPROPER USE OF THE BALLOT .

npHE secrecy of the ballot is one of the landmarks of I Freemasonry . It is a sacred privilege entrusted to every Mason , and should be regarded , in its silent power , witb solemnity . It carries with it the gravest responsibility , and its wrongful exercise may put an ineffaceable stain upon a human soul . It is a flaming sword that guards the entrance to our mystic temple .

He who wields ifc should do so in the light of honour , truth and justice . "Who knocks for admission into our ranks must be of upright character , of good report , and in every moral aspect worthy to be a Mason . Shall petty jealousies , then ; private piques , a fancied wrong , find expression in the ballot and thus

disturb the peace and harmony of the Lodge ? Bather let love rule in your hearts that the grandeur and loftiness alone of human character may sway your actions and keep in subjection your baser passions . Let your hearts beat responsive to the teachings of Freemasonry , in all their glory and heaven-born influence , so

that every question which comes before the tribunal of the ballot may be disposed of justly and honourably , although ifc be done in the exercise cf an inalienable right ; a landmark upon which no law can trench . I speak with earnestness of heart upon this

subject , knowing the irailties oi our poor human nature , but appealing alone to its highest and noblest impulses , and asking you to ever keep in remembrance that golden rule , " Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you ; do ye even so to them . "Ex .

Masons are bound to observe the moral law , and are pledged to walk uprightly before God and Man . The Masonic standard of individual honour and honesty is an exalted one , and Brethren who conform thereto will certainly express the graces and virtues which belong to manly character and useful living . A licentious life is an ignoble vice especially opposed to both the letter and

the spirit of Freemasonry . That it is better to lose one ' s life than to sacrifice virtue is the lesson of the Third Degree . Life is but a book given to us at birth , filled up with pure white pages without spot or blemish , in which fco record our every act , and as the days come and go the pages are turned and the book closed ,

and whatsoever is inscribed therein will stand unrevealed until eternity discloses it , and , if defaced by any blot of unfaithfulness , it cannot be recalled . How cautious , then , should be every act of ours tbat is recorded in this book of life , whose pages are exposed to the scrutiny of the world!— " Masonic Sun . "

Unworthy Masons.

UNWORTHY MASONS .

rjlHE following letter appeared iu a recent issue of our J _ contemporary the " New Zealand Craftsman . " DEAR SIR AND BKOXHEB , —I am not a shareholder in the Masonio Newspaper Company , but I read with shame and regret that the Company at its last balance had to write off as bad the sum of £ 105 19 s 9 d of unpaid

sufcseriptions . I can only come to the conclusion that these Brethren are so far lost to a sense of the principles of common honesty and morality that tbey never have , and never will , comprehend the principles of Freemasonry . They are neither true to themselves nor to tbe Craft , and never should have teen Masons . This brings us face to face with a very important question : How is the

Unworthy Masons.

admission of unworthy Masons into our Order to be avoided ? I am glad to see that our present M . W . Grand Master , at his installation in Christchurch , referred to it in very decided terms , and I hope . Sir , that you will employ your able pen to keep the subject before the Brethren and instruct them in their duty in the matter . Past Grand Master W . Barron made some pertinent remarks at his installation in Dunedin on this question , and asked why we found so few of our legislators , judges , lawyers , doctors , clergymen ,

merchants , and others of the better educated classes of colonists in our ranks , and questioned whether it might not be attributable to the presence of some members of our Lodges who only act as Masons when they put their aprons on . This is not the case in the Home Country , nor yet in the other colonies , but the reverse , as is well known to most o £ us . I know several worthy and intelligent Brethren in my own district who do not belong to any Lodge , and never enter one , simply on account of certain members who have

been admitted without due oare _ and caution , who are no credit to the Craft or to any Lodge , but are in the ' position of the black sheep which spoils the whole flock . No doubt it is impossible to avoid mistakes , and some fall from virtue after admission , which no one can forsee , but I have known cases where the fall has been so sudden that it was self-evident sufficient care and caution bad not been exercised . A fertile source of this mistake occurs in weak country Lodges , who accept and oven seek candidates to strengthen

and keep the Lodge alive , and m many cases shut their eyes to their qualifications . This fact should be remembered by Grand Lodge when granting Warrants to new Lodges , especially in country districts , and to sea that they are sufficiently strong to enable them to live and to excerise due caution and independent discrimination in the choice of candidates . Too often candidates are accepted in our Lodges of whom very little is known ,

and I have often heard the remark made , " Well , I don't know much about him , but I never heard anything against him . " Plainly , this is not as it should be , and all such cases should be delayed for further inquiry . Some individuals seek to enter Masonry with the idea of obtaining business and social benefits , but where any suspicions of such motives exist the application should be promptly and decidedly rejected .

A person once said to an old and worthy Brother of my acquaintance , " I would like to join Freemasonry , but I want to know what benefit I would receive from it . " Prompt and quick came the reply , " Tell me first what benefits or credit is Freemasonry likely to receive from you . " Here , in my opinion , lies tbe crux of tbe whole question . When a candidate is brought forward in a Lodge every Brother should put to himself the following questions , and according as he can answer them so should we act on them : —

( lst ) Is this man one who , from his past life and conduct , is likely to reflect credit or discredit on Masonry ? ( 2 ) Is he a man that I can associate with and introduce to my friends as worthy of their respect and esteem ? ( 3 ) Is he a man I could trust as a friend , and if occasion arise , introduce with confidence to my family circle ? If this standard was acted on , I am sure we would not have many " Unworthy Masons . " Apologising for occupying so much of your space . I am , yours fraternally , PLUMB-RULE .

PIC-NIC TO THE DUKERIES . A PIC-NIC arranged in connection with the Etruscan Lodge , of which Bro . A . L . Harber is Worshipful Master for the present year , took place on Tuesday , 30 th ult ., when a party of fifty visited Derby , Haddon Hall , Bakewell , Chatsworth House , and Matlock . Every arrangement had been made for the comfort of the party , who travelled in saloons placed at their disposal by the North Staffordshire Railway Company . Luncheon was served at the Rutland Arms , Bakewell , and tea was provided at the Royal Hotel , Matlock .

Occasion was taken to drink the health of the Cjueen , and H . R . H . the Grand Master . . Councillor G . H . Frewer proposed the health of the Master of the Lodge , which was drunk with the greatest cordiality , and responded to by Bro . Harber . The Mayor of Longton ( Bro . A . Edwards ) was present , and his health was duly honoured . The health of the Ladies accompanying the party was proposed by Bro . J . Lewis Webberley .

Bro . Hewitt thanked the Etruscan Lodge , on behalf of the Visiting Brethren , for the kind invitation which had been extended to them . Much interest centered in the sight of Haddon Hall , where are five distinct architectural styles—viz : Norman ( dating from 1070 to 1250 ) , Early English , Decorated , Perpendicular , and Jacobean . At the present time the great tower by the entrance of the Hall is in danger . The large over-hanging turret has caused tbe wall to lean forward . Steps will be taken to arrest the movement . The day was beautifully fine and the excursion was greatly enjoyed .

LUXURIOUS TRAVELLING . THE Great Eastern Railway are making strenuous efforts to keep well to the fore in the modern race for luxury in travelling , and it must be a source of gratification to them to know that their efforts in this direction are so generally appreciated . They have just issued an annotated time table of their " Cromer Express , " one of the trains made famous throughout the railway world in the matter of speed and general appointment . Tho journey

of 13 S miles to Cromer is made in 5 minutes under the three hours , the only stop being at North Walsham , 130 miles from Liverpool Street . The train is of the now popular corridor pattern , and is so splendidly equipped that tho greatest comfort is ensured during the journey , and the vibration caused by the high rate of speed of about 60 miles an hour , maintained the greater part of the time , is hardly noticeable . We hope to have something further to say in regard to this service in a later issue .

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

BBO . BriekwelFs Anglo-American Company will commence a Provincial tour , with " Too much Johnson " and * ' Sue , " with all the original scenery and effects as when at the Garrick , on Monday next , at tho Grand Theatre , Islington . The Company includes the following Artistes : Miss Elsie Chester , Miss Margaret Calvert , Miss Nellie Welling ; Messrs . Charles Weir , Arthur Herbert , Havard Arnold , Littledale Power , S . W . Ashworth , Hawley Francks , H . Thomas , and G . W . Anson .