Lodge Finances.

LODGE FINANCES .

IN dealing with the affairs of an Association like English Freemasonry—which is not a Benefit or Friendly Society in the general acceptation of the term—the authorities have

many difficulties to contend with , from the fact that what is done is voluntarily and freely undertaken by the individual Lodges and their members , and as a consequence hard and fast regulations on matters of detail are all but impossible .

Grand Lodge may " suggest" this , that , or the other , but there are very few matters outside those which really concern the ritual and the ceremonial observances of the Craft , in which it has power to " command , " and afterwards enforce obedience

from its subordinates ; and it is probably on this account that , comparatively speaking , so little is undertaken by the authorities in the way of directing the affairs of Private Lodges , or " ordering how they shall be conducted .

Grand Lodge might direct that certain conditions should be observed , but what could be done if its edicts were disregarded—edicts , we mean , concerning the management of a Lodge ' s private affairs , rather than matters generally

affecting the welfare of the whole of the Brotherhood ? The same argument equally applies to many of the affairs of the outside world , and even in dealing with the requirements of different Acts of Parliament those who are best informed

draw a marked distinction between regulations or orders to which penalties are attached for non-fulfilment , and those which are not made so exacting—in the one case the orders have to be acted upon , in the other they may be , and generally are , treated as mere " suggestions . "

The question of the financial arrangements of our Private Lodges may be cited as a case in point . We have dealt with this subject on previous occasions , and are still of opinion it would be far better for Freemasons and Freemasonry if some

stringent regulations could be enforced , putting this subject on a proper basis ; for we are afraid the happy-go-lucky way in which it is now often treated hardly deserves such a

designation . Yet , we suppose the general opinion will be , this is a matter which only concerns the individual Lodges , and is one quice outside official interference .

In a large number of cases we fear the Treasurers of Private Lodges , which are not actually in debt outside , have to find funds rather than , mind them on behalf of their fellow members ; that is to say , there are very many Lodges which

are-actually in debt ; or at least working on balances which exist on paper , rather than in hard cash . We do not mean that this latter course is actually wrong , but it is particularly difficult to dictate what a Treasurer should do , when he is

acting as banker to his Lodge , and regularly advances money out of his own pocket , on the security of unpaid subscriptions and other possible futures . It would be absurd in such cases to argue that a separate banking account should be

opened on behalf of the Lodge , while on the other hand it is almost equally out of place to do so directly the balance is on the credit side and the Lodge begins to accumulate a cash surplus- —yet that is the only correct method , and the only course which complies with the dictates and requirements of

Lodge Finances.

sound finance . But what would be thought of Grand Lodge if it ordered some such course to be adopted by its subordinate Lodges ? It would be impossible to enforce the order , and SO' things would virtually remain as they were . On the other hand , however , we think Grand Lodge

might do well if it promulgated official suggestions ' on such a point , and urged on Private Lodges the desirability of placing their finances on a firm and uniform basis . If this had been done , and acted upon , we know of more than one scandal that would have been prevented and more than

one defalcation that would probably have been impossible . Our Lodge Treasurers , as a body , are worthy of our greatest respect and confidence , but misfortunes and mistakes happen in the most unexpected quarters , and we do not think it is a

wise course to leave the financial affairs of our Lodges where they can be adversely affected by troubles which may come upon individual members , no matter what position those members may occupy , or however much they may be regarded as wnolly above suspicion .

At Labour Again.

AT LABOUR AGAIN .

JOHANN CHRISTIAN GAEDECKE , of Berlin , borri 1763 , who was made a Mason in 1804 , says : " Labour is an important word in Freemasonry ; indeed , we might say the

most important . For this and this alone does a man become a Freemason . Every other object is secondary or incidental . Labour is the accustomed design of every Lodge meeting . But do such meetings always furnish evidence of industry ? The labour of an Operative Mason will be visible and he will

receive his reward for it , even though the building he has constructed may , in the next 'hour , be overthrown by the tempest . He knows that . he has done his labour . And so must the Freemason . labour . His labour must be visible to himself and his Brethren , or at least it must conduce to his

own internal satisfaction . As we build neither a visible Solomonic Temple nor an Egyptian Pyramid , our industry must become visible in works that are imperishable , so that when we vanish from the eyes of mortals it may be said of us that our labour was well done . "

The opening of the Lodge , the work , the business of the Lodge is labour . Its work may be divided into business , labour and refreshment . The reading of minutes , reports of Committees , balloting for applicants , the examination of

visitors , may be said to belong exclusively to the business of the Lodge . Initiation is actually Masonic labour—the working on the rough ashlar , to which the candidate may be likened , as the completion of the finished piece of work which he represents as a Master ' Mason . '

It is said that " Laborare est orare " was the saying of the mediaeval monks , and they merit close meditation . Mackey says " there is no other human Institution under the sun which has set forth this great principle in such bold relief . We hear constantly of Freemasonry as an Institution that

inculcates morality , that fosters the social feelings , that teaches Brotherly Love ; and all this is well because it is true , but we must never forget that from its foundation stone to its pinnacle , all over its vast Temple , is inscribed in symbols of living light the great truth tnat labour is worship . "

During the past few months the majority of the Lodges have been closed for rest . We trust the Brethren have enjoyed this permitted rest . After a restful night ' s rest , one is prepared to perform a day ' s labour . Rest is the sweet source of labour . In long work , sleep will sometimes surprise ,