Improper Material.

of the applicant for membership musfc be investigated fully to determine if he is fit for those relations with his Brethren as such relations demand . They are peculiar . The mental character is first to be

known , so that the applicant possesses the intelligence fully to comprehend what these relations are and what is expected in their practical application . A defective mental condition would not justify the admission into a Loclge of one lacking mental capacity in healthful action .

The moral character must be tested , thafc ifc may be known if the applicant ; is reliable , honest , and regards the performance of a direct and implied duty as paramount to the devices of evasions which a lack of high moral principles might tolerate under any circumstances .

The physical character must be examined that no bodil y defects exist , that he is a perfect youth , nofc maimed in any of his members , but is free from those disabilities that in themselves preclude his membership .

These are essential in Freemasonry . The Mason must be intelligent , honest , of good report , free from those vices which taint the moral constitution , and among the profane are nofc infrequently classed as smart , sharp , tricky , if exhibited in dealings with people at large .

It will be observed thafc these prerequisites for admission of an applicant into Freemasonry are based on the principles which underlie the foundation of the Fraternity . They are absolutely necessary to its perpetuity .

These are the characteristics of the material out of which the Craft must be composed as the generations pass away . To maintain tho inheritance which comes to us of this day the historic rule must be continued in tbe integrity which adopted it .

Therefore when applicants offer themselves in any Lodge for membership ifc is the solemn and imperative dnty of the Brethren to see to ifc thafc improper material is not selected . If ifc is known to ' any Freemason that a person applying to any Lodge is not under that good report which

qualifies him for admission , he is required to let ifc be known . If in his own Lodge , tho member has the means to prevent it . If in any other Lodge ho is required to let the members , or some of them , know that the admission of the applicant is not permissable because of the fact that he

is improper material to be united to the whole Craffc whicb would follow his admission into any Lodge of the Craffc . To preserve the character of the Fraternit y ifc is needed to be known that such an applicant is nofc worthy of being

made a member of the Craft . All Lodges have the same interest in preserving the whole Craft from the injury thafc would arise from the introduction of an unworthy Mason into the Brotherhood .

The effect ot the use of improper material is not manifest until the defects in bis character are demonstrated by his life and conduct . Then it is too late , unless he has

brought discredit on fche Craffc by actions thafc are in contravention of Masonic law , and triable therefore under Masonic jurisprudence . Then he can be expelled . Bufc much mischief has occurred which affects the entire

Fraternity . Ifc needs no argument to prove the utmost importance of thorough investigation of the character of all applicants

for admission into each and every Lodge of Freemasons wherever located . Improper material , if accepted anywhere , brings discredit everywhere . It is fche duty of every true Mason to perform a ctuty to prevent it .

The landmarks and fche regulations of Freemasonry give to every Mason the means to enforce prohibition . The black ball is the right of every honest , true Mason to use , to reject improper material . It is not aright to be exercised except for one object , the protection of the Craft from the

direful results of accepting men unworthy of Masonic Fraternity . A member of a Lodge , though it may not be the Lodge to which application is made , has the right , and ifc is his duty , to prevent any other Lodge from admitting improper material , by giving notice of the true character

of the applicant . He may give information of the fact to anyjmember of that Lodge , or an officer , and especially to the Worshipfnl Master . This information , if it is based on known facts , without personal animosity , or malice , or pique , or enmity , is lawful notice thafc the applicant is not

" under good report . " That is a disqualification per se . Every well-instructed Mason knows this is a landmark" Good report "—must be established . Can it be maintained that any Freemason knowing the applicant to be unworthy , is not bound to give notice that he is improper material which is about to be used in the moral Masonic structure ?

Improper Material.

True , he may not be a member of the Lodge , but he is a member of the Fraternity . The whole Fraternity is directly interested in preventing the introduction of improper material into Masonry . Whatsoever brings discredit , by the action of one Mason ,

is felfc by the entire Brotherhood . This needs to be emphasized . It is nofc always duly considered . The disgrace occasioned by the reprehensible conduct of a member of any Lodge extends lo the Fraternity . The stone , small as it may be , thrown into the placid waters , agitates its entire surface .

A candid , calm consideration of the principle and its administration is most likely to convince the intelligent Mason that this is the strict construction of the duty every Brother owes to the whole Craft . Therefore it is a subject

which is worthy of thafc judicial spirit of investigation and consideration , which gives to all conclusions on the interpretation of principles authoritative sanction , free from a just ground for animadversion . —Keystone .

Obituary.

Obituary .

——iUi — BRO . FREDERICK B . NETTLEINGHAM .

AGAIN we have to increase our mournful list of deceased brethren by the announcement of fche death of Brother Frederick B . Netfcleinghara , J . P ., who died suddenly at his residence Beckley , Overcliffe , Gravesend , on 3 rd inst ., at the age of sixty-eight . The deceased gentleman was a

P . P . G . Assistant Secretary of Kent and P . M . of the Lodge of Freedom , No . 77 . He was elected a member of the Town Council of the Borough of Gravesend in November 1862 , and was raised to the Aldermanic Bench in 1884 . He twice filled the office of Mayor , and was connected with

nearly every local charity and association . The great respect entertained towards Bro . Nettleingbam was evinced at his funeral last Saturday , which was attended by all the

principal inhabitants , including the Mayor and Corporation . His brethren of the Masonic Lodges not being able to wear their regalia had sprigs of acacia in their buttonholes , thoughtfully supplied by Bro . Biggs P . P . G . D . C .

Farewell Banquet To Brother Stocks Hammond, Mus. Doc.

FAREWELL BANQUET TO BROTHER STOCKS HAMMOND , MUS . DOC .

ON Friday evening , the 5 th inst ., some thirty gentlemen assembled in Lencbter's Restaurant , Bradford , to entertain Bro . Stocks Hammond r ) dinner and present to him as a token of respect a handsome clock and side ornaments , subscribed for by upwards of a hundred of the leading gentlemen of the town , prior to his departure to fill a three years mnsical engagement in America . Alderman Hardaker , J . P ., presided , and was supported by Bros . Dr . Stocks

Hammond 24 ( S . C ) , Chas . F . Forshaw , LL . D ., 1214 , W . J . Kaye , M . A ., P . M . 1522 , Councillor James Freeman P . M . 1648 , Rev . Dr . Strauss , M . A ., late Chaplain 600 , J . Watson Treasurer 1018 , J . Dawson 387 , E . Dawsou 387 , A . V . Hammond 302 , F . C . Galloway 2417 , and Messrs . Addy , Law , Benn , Chaplin , Soruton , Wood , Taylor , Crabtree , Wilson Silccck , Sobrumph , Pullan , Rigg , and others .

Bros . Dr . Forshaw and Galloway acted as President and Treasurer of the Committee of the presentation fund . The menu card was the choicest we have seen for some time ; the front page contained Brother Forshaw ' s sonnet , which appeared in tbe FEEEJUSON ' S CHKONICLE last week , and appropriate motto ' s from the works of

Dickens and Shakespeare had been selected by Bro . Forshaw to intersperse the toasts and menn . In addition to the presentation of tbe clock , & c , Bro . W . J . Kaye , M . A ., Principal of Ilkley College , handed to Bro . Hammond , on bebalf of tbe Vice Chancellor of Church Musicians of the State of Kansas , tbeir honorary degree of Doctor in Music .

Afc a meeting of the Duke of Edinborough Lodge , No . 1259 , held last week , Mr . William Berry , Master of the ship " Maggie Warrington , " was initiated , and Brothers Sankey and Penrose were passed to the second degree by the W . M ., Bro . J . W . Trappett .

HOLLOWAV ' PIILS . —All our Faculties . — Almost all disorders of tha human bodv aro distinctly to bo traced to impure blood . Tlie purification of that tluid is thc first step towards health . Holloway ' s Pills recommend themselves to the intention of all sufferers ; no injurious consequences cm result from their use , no mistake can be made in their administration . In indigesr . 'on , confirmed dyspepsia , and chronic constipation tho most beneficial effects havo been , and always must be , obtained from the wholesome power exerted by these purifying Pills over tho indigestion . Persons whose Pves have heeu restored to ease , strenj ? th and perfect , health by Holloway ' s Pills after fruitless trial of the whole pharraacopaccia of Physic , attest this factg