The Fraternal Congress.

THE FRATERNAL CONGRESS .

THB principal Masonic event of the present month will be the Fraternal Congress of Masons , whicb will assemble in Chicago on Monday , 14 th August , at ten o ' clock a . m . Tho proposition to bold such a Congress originated in the Grand Lodge of Kentucky at the annual

meeting in 1891 , and we believe Bro . H . B . Grant , Grand Secretary , is responsible for it . The idea was received favourably in nearly all of the Grand Lodges in the United States , as their annual meetings severally occurred , and delegates from most of them have been appointed to attend

this Congress . So far as having authority to act for the Grand Lodge they represent , none has been given any set of delegates , so far as we have noticed ; none are authorised to draw on the Grand Treasurer for their expenses , or to

incur any expense witb the expectation tbat it will be paid by their Grand Lodge . Several Grand Lodges have stipulated in the appointment of delegates tbat they shall take uo action looking to the organisation of a General Grand Lodge .

Under such conditions the Congress will necessarily be a harmless one . " What are we here for ? " will be the first

most important question to consider . A half-dozen or more of representative Masons from nearly every Grand Lodge in the United States , selected because of their experience and reputed Masonic knowledge , will bring together many of tbe best informed Masons in this country , and will

compose a body competent to consider the most intricate Masonic questions . It is a well-known fact that at the present day , under our present system of Masonio Government , there are many points of difference in Masonic law and usage , and in the ritual of Freemasonry as practiced

in different States . A programme arranged with a . view of having a general discussion of these matters of difference , comparing one system with another , wonld probably be as profitable for the formal sessions as any that can bo

suggested . Every Grand Lodge , to a greater or less extent , is run in its own particular rut . Sons follow in the footsteps of tbeir fathers , often without stopping to consider whether there may not be some other better way . Another class of Masons were made to believe that the

way they were initiated and instructed was the only correct method , just as it was done in the days of Solomon , and that it had come down in its pristine purity from mouth to ear through all intervening generations . Anything else to them is an innovation in the body of Masonry and a

violation of Masonic obligations . The Mason who reads , studies and reflects on these things soon abandons all suck ideas . He learns that Masonry is a progressive science , and may in many ways be improved without removing its landmarks or violating the spirit of any ancient law

and usage . The discussion of those matters by such able brethren as will gather at Chicago must surely open the eyes of some , and enlarge their understanding of the grand underlying principles which should govern in the

practice of Masonry as it exists to-day . Shonld ifc result in producing greater uniformity of practice within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodges represented some good will be accomplished .

We have noticed in several of our exchanges a series of preliminary rules that have been proposed to govern in organising the Congress , providing that the Grand Master of Illinois shall preside aa temporary President , and for the appointment of committees on permanent organisation ,

rules and credentials , which shall meet on the 12 th inst ., the same to be appointed by the temporary President . All this seems right and proper and will meet no objections . It is also proposed " any motion or paper looking to the formation

of a general Grand Lodge , or other body akin to it , will not be in order , and shall be promptly ruled out by the chair . " So there seems to be no danger in that direction . From a circular letter issued by M . W . Monroe 0 . Crawford Grand Master of Masons in Illinois , it is evident that

every preparation will be made by the Executive Committee of the Grand Lodge of Illinois to entertain the delegates in a royal manner . Whatever may be the outcome of this Congress otherwise , there will be no lack in the enjoyment delegates will have in a social way and in

becoming acquainted with each other . Most of those who will thus come together are already known to each other throngh the printed proceedings of the various Grand Lodges , and the meeting will be much like tbat of old and dear friends . It will be worth whilo to make tho trip to

The Fraternal Congress.

Chicago , even from Maine and Oregon , to enjoy these meetings . Many veteran Past Grand Masters will grasp hands for the first time , look in each other ' s eyes ,

and rejoice that this privilege has been afforded them . We are anticipating great pleasure in thus greeting many whom we havo long held ia highest esteem as co-labourers in the great Masonic vineyard . —Masonic Advocate ,

Gleanings.

GLEANINGS .

— : o : — The Masonio press is one of Masonry ' s great helps and merit ! the Fraternity ' s friendship aud liberal patronage . The late destrnotion by fire of the Masonio Hall in Camden , N . J ., is to bo followed by the erection of a mnoh more substantial and elaborate building .

The Mason ' s dnties are those of peace ; bnt in a faithful service , one who ia true of heart and firm of purpose , working in an ample field of dnty , relieving the destitute , the widow and the fatherless , comforting the sick , enconraging the despairing , reconciling enemies , strengthening the weak , reclaiming the erring and lifting np tha

fallen , may well deserve the encomiums so richly merited . The service of Masonry is an hononrable service ; nothing will make it more so and the Mason the prouder , than for him to know that he has consoientionsly performed his dnty , and that his Brethren of their own knowledge proclaim his work and worth . —Keystone .

ST . JOHN S DAY . —Now that it has long gone and past with more or less observance by the Craft , a word or two regarding it may be in place . When the writer was made a Mason the two St . John ' s Days were considered to be the most important Regulations in tbe whole year . In later years it is becoming neglected to a great

extent . Formerly it was made obligatory to meet in Lodge with the brethren on those days ; now bat a small minority of the Lodges observe the simi . annual feasts and but few as occasions for the regular transactions of business . Where an anti-Christian constitutes the membership the observance of these feasts go by default . This shonld be remedied in the interests of Masonry . —American Tyler .

THE SHOCK or ENTRANCE . —This ceremony was practiced in the Lodges in the latter part of the last century in this country . It gradually fell into desuetude , and is now a thing entirely of the past . It consisted of a sodden and forcible impression made npon tbe candidate , while in the entered apprentice degree , passing over the

threshold into the Lodge , symbolizing the idea of his severance from the ties of the profane world and his entrance into the new life of Masonry . This observance was in imitation of a similar ceremony practiced in the ancient mysterias to impress npon the intrant the passing throngh the throes of death from an impure life to tbe birth into a new moral world . —Freema'ons' Journal .

ARTS , PAKTS AND POINTS . —To the initiate these terms sound ambiguous and seem to be only a euphonious alliteration . But each contains a whole volume when dessicated . These three words contain all the rules and regulations of anoient Freemasonry . Points exposed are the leading features of the ritualistic and esoteric of the

work . A point is a mark in the centre of a circle . As one ' e ^ of the compasses make the point , so the other leg describes the circle . Thus , by tbe lesser symbol of Freemasonry we are tanght the value of the circle and the point . The Lodge is a circle , the Master a

point . The altar is a circle , the great light a point . The conduct of the individual member is a circle , the voice of conscience a point . And so throngh all the arts , parts and points of Masonry its philosophy carries ns from circle to circle and from point to point .

BENEFITS or ATTENDING LODGE MEETINGS . —Long separations are prejudicial to continned friendships . When they happen , eaoh friend contracts new relations , forma new associations , takes np new habits of thought and acquires new opinions . And when the two coma , together again , who have been travelling diverging roads , eaoh finds

that the other is changed , is in teres ' ed by other things than he is , has other tastes and sympathies and prejudices ; so that being together wearies eaoh . We do not come together often enough . Eaoh so lives to himself tbat it is muoh if , after a time , we know the faces of eaoh other . How many familiar acquaintances , and even

friendships , formed in the Lodge , have died out , never to be quickened into life again by these long separations . When the absent ones return , they frequently find it easier to form new friendships than to revive the old genial companionships of former years , they have drifted too far apart in their diverging ways . The minds of those

who rarely meet become strangers to each other . There is no mutual commune of thoughts and opinions . Eaoh travels on its own path , and ont of sight and hearing of each other , it is but natural to grow out of mind , for old fi lends have drifted from us , new

associations are fbroned . Tbe great value of regularly meeting in tlu Lodge is that it helps to prevent our ceasing to think of eaoh other , whether one is well or ill , is prosperous or unfortunate ; it materially aids in keeping alive those fraternal relations which should ever characterise members of the mystical Brotherhood . —Kejstone .

The Freemasons of Quetta have opened a subscription list to establish scholarships for boys and girls at the Punjab Masonic Institutions , as a Whymper Memorial . — Allahabad Morning Post .