Ye Olde Friends.

Blr . Browning , in reply , said that the success of these concerts was not ensured by any ono individual , bufc all helped , and so the satisfactory result was achieved . He could not help referring to the loss fchey had sustained by the death of Messrs . Cross and Schmidt since their last meeting ; they were both good men , and worthy of all respect . assisted

The concert was arranged by Mr . Percy Fitzgerald , by Messrs . Percy Gough , John Sandbrook , Samuel Masters , Wingrove Ives , McCall Chambers , W . H . Noel , Fred Russell ' , and many others , and was a most enjoyable one . The principal item was , perhaps , a marvellous thought transmission by Blr . Sydney Gandy and Miss Inglefield , which was ce rtainly wonderful .

The Democracy Of Freemasonry.

THE DEMOCRACY OF FREEMASONRY .

THE Masonio form of government is democratic , taking the large sense of the word ; but ib is not mobocratic . It is based on wise laws and regulations for the permanent good of the whole Fraternity , and not ,. to subserve selfish , ambitious or mercenary purposes . These laws inculcate allegiance and subordination to the lawful authorities constituted over the Craft , and are enforced by the infliction of appropriate penalties on all

conspirators , disorganisers , and fomenters of discord . Any form of government without such laws being put into execution , when necessary , would soon lose its independence , and even its existence . The liberty of those living under it would be perverted into licentiousness , and the government itself become a " Gour du roi Petaud ! " where everyone would seek to be master , and the utmost disorder and confusion prevail .

As is most appropriately said of Freemasonry itself , so of its empire—it is a unity ; yet in each different department , which does not or should not interfere the one with the other , there are constitutional and legal provisions established , regulating the prerequisites for admission within its pale , and defining the rights and prerogatives , privileges and duties of each department .

These being adapted to the peculiar character of the orders and degrees it embraces within its province , and the object of their institution , are necessarily somewhat diverse . Brethren not members of any particular department , who from whatever motive or cause do not fully approve of these provisions , are under no obligations to give in their submission to them . Even if

possessed of the requisite qualifications , and the vote for their admission is favourable , it-is still an universal rule , applicable to any and every department , that the door of admission can only be entered " of their own free will and accord . " None but the turbulently disposed will seek for admission in a surreptitious manner ; none but unworthy ' . ' Cowans " will seek to appropriate unlawfully the rights and privileges earned by " the accepted and

true ' brother . Any attempt to change the essential organic laws of a department , and convert into a " petaudiere" a branch of a society " where freedom , harmony , and love" unite its members in the grand design of its institution , may be fitting work for factious demagogues in Freemasonry , but can never receive the approbation of the good and faithful , and true lovers of our Order and of its time-honoured principles and laws .

The royal titles and regal forms which characterise some of the so-called higher degrees in Freemasonry , have been regarded by the designing , as well as the ignorant , as proof positive of the anti-republican character of the Masonic system . Those disposed to give credence to such an assumption lose sight of the fact that our " royal art" is symbolical , and that even our clothing and jewels are intended to inspire us with far worthier sentiments than those which regard earthly honours and distinctions .

Another sophistical argument is drawn from the ancient custom still kept up in England and other foreign lands , of selecting noblemen and princes for Grand Masters . Those thus selected are believed to be wise and accomplished Masons , and their social station , in the countries referred to , counts as a help to the Institution .

Honour may be done to the Craft by the example and countenance of Brethren of commanding influence , in high civil stations , and they may guarantee to our Freemasonic associations that political protection they require , especially in countries not republican ; but the " ribands and stars " of the aristocracy are of course no indication of rank or power in any department of the Masonic empire in which their wearers may be rulers or subjects in a Masonic as well as in a civil community : —

" An honest man , though e ' er so poor , Is King of men for a' thafc , Man to man the world o ' er , Shall Brothers be for a' that . " In this republican land there are no class distinctions . There is with us no aristocracy such as exists in England and other

portions of Europe . The nearest legitimate approach to what would be recognised among the mass of the people of this land as giving rank to a man , will be found in public stations and offices of the State and general government . But these alas ! are sometimes awarded to those who have little to recommend them save servile adherence and services rendered to some partypolitcal clique . High places are " like the tops of pyramids ,

The Democracy Of Freemasonry.

which reptiles may reach as well as eagles . ' In . nine cases out of ten , where the office holder is capable and honest , the engrossing nature of his public duties , or his turn of mind and tastes render him indisposed and unfit to cultivate our unobtrusive moral order and science . Wifch us , the selection , as governors of our Order , of men in high stations in civil life , may

result in a temporary eclat , but it will not necessarily offer any lasting good or advantage . Brethren who by their " works " and their worth can contribute to the edification of our Order , alone merit the Masonic crown , sceptre and mallet . " The rank is but a guinea stamp , The man's the gowd for a' that The pith o' sense and pride o' worth

. Are higher ranks than a' that . " Birth is an accident . A title of nobility does not adorn the man : but the man who has the title may adorn it by his talents and character . With the wise and fche good ifc is nofc the aristocracy of wealth nor of birth , but of mind and worth that is appreciated . In the words of an old Masonic

song" Ensigns of State that feed . the pride , Distinctions troublesome and vain , By Blasons true are laid aside ; Art's freeborn sons such toys disdain , Distinguished by tbe badge they wear , Ennobled by the name they bear . " —Masonic Selections .

The use of the word " profane " is sometimes criticised by non-Masons as though it implied a stigma upon those not members of the Fraternity . This is solely due to a misunderstanding of the original meaning of the word . It is derived from " pro , " before , and " fanum , " temple , and denotes one before or

outside the temple . In a Masonic sense it denotes simply an outsider , one that does not belong to the Fraternity . The sense of irreverence , as in the expression " profane language , " is secondary and later than the original meaning . Much of the

language of Masonry is old , and to some extent peculiar to itself . Efforts to modernise it , which we sometimes note , show a lack of appreciation of one of its distinctive features . Innovations in the body of Masonry are nofc allowed , bufc ifc ia permitted to tell what its language means . — " Exchange "

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