How To Overcome Apathy.

tables , and thero all the business and affairs of the Lodge are discussed and transacted . Annually a collection is taken up for charitable purposes . At tho last annual dinner tho subscriptions were over ono hundred thousand

dollars . * He assured me amongst its members the strongest personal friendship exists ; the well being of every one oi them is cherished and guarded by the others wifch the kindliest care .

On our continent , in the slow progress of time , moralists of a higher plane have gradually taken possession of the Order . Under their guidance the social feature has gradually and slowly heen expunged . No more are social dinners or festivals permitted at the expense of the Lodge .

No more do tho Stewards perform their olden duty ; they go through a recital of what their duties are , but the main duty , which brought them into existence , is now considered but rudimentary and useless , and when the Lodge is called from labour to refreshment , the word " refreshment" is a

misnomer . " The idealists have declared the moral principles are too pare to be mingled or debased by fellowship wifch the sentiments of the stomach . They do not believe the feasfc of reason or flow of soul , brought into play around the

dining table , is anything but an indication of the gratification of the animal parfc , and , they cry , cannot at all tend to uphold , cement or strengthen any idea of morality . They declare the funds of the Lodge shall not be used for Lodge expenses , if such expenses include any

refreshments , however frugal those refreshments may be ; that such things have generally a demoralizing effect , and should not be favoured , but if countenanced at all , the members alone who desire them -must pay the caterer . They believe a recitation of the tenets and principles of the

Order , as found in the ritual , and the grand descriptive and explanatory addresses , should have attractive force enough to draw men from pursuits of pleasure or business to listen to their repetition fifty-two times a year , and that , too , though these same men may have heard the same thing

over a hundred times , delivered with all the grace and charm which an eloquent and instructive speaker could give it . They in effect declare all that is necessary to make men fast friends is to bring them together in the

Lodge-room , while the sublime principles of our Order are being annunciated , for the gratification of the hearers and the mystification of the candidate . Is this not asking too much of human nature ? Is ifc nofc expecting too much of the average mortal ?

Suppose we were to select a speaker in all respects the equal of Beecher or Spurgeon , two of the most eloquent divines who have appeared on fche earth during fche present century , and such speaker should announce ho had selected three of the best considered sermons which had ever been

written , and those sermons he would deliver at a given place , once a week every week dnring the year , on condition that only the same audience should be permitted to attend on each and every occasion . . After the first two or three deliveries how many do you suppose would be in the

audience ? Would ifc not materially diminish , and before the year was over would nofc fche sparseness of the attendance put you in mind of the average attendance at an ordinary Lodge meeting ? Yet on this plan are the Lodges

being conducted to-day . At each meeting the usual routine of opening the Lodge is gone through with , a degree is conferred , and then in the same routine way , the Lodge is closed and the members are dismissed . Each member can

almost repeat by heart exactly what will be s ' aid and done before be goes there . There is nothing nerr , nothing novel , nothing interesting , except a repetition of the morals and dogmas of the Order , all of which he had heard oftener and is more familiar with than he is wifch his

catechism . Perhaps between tho opening aud tho closing a member from somo other Lodge is introduced . How is he received ? Welcomed by tbe Master , who says he is glad to see him ; hopes that he will honour them wifch a visit as

often as he remains in the city and requests that ho be seated with the brethren . That done , the business goes on . The stranger does take a seat and there he remains until the close . Perhaps one or two members may speak to him—only that and nothing moro ; when the end comes he walks out into the darkness and tho world , kuow-

How To Overcome Apathy.

ing as littlo about tho members of the Lodge as any stranger ho meets upon the street . This , I say , is the usual manner in which strangers are received . — Voice of Masonry .

( To bo continued ) .

Obituary.

Obituary .

— : o : — BRO . CHARLES COOKE .

IT is with profound regret that we record the death of Brother Charles Cooke , P . M . and W . M . of tho Swell Lodge , No . 1857 ; he was also'S . W . of the now Epsom Lodge , Ebbisham , one of its founder- - -, and a liberal contributor to tho furniture , & c . Brother Cooke was also a P . Z . and a member of one or more Chapters .

Bro. Peter Ball.

BRO . PETER BALL .

OK Saturday afternoon , the 11 th inst ., at Anfield Cemetery , Liverpool , were laid at rest the remains of a well-known member of the Fraternity , Bro . Peter Ball , at the age of seventy-seven years , who was for many years Prov . Grand

Tyler of Wesfc Lancashire , and Tyler to the Ancient Union Lodge , No . 203 , for over thirty years . The coffin , which was of polished oak , was covered with beautiful wreaths . The funeral arrangements were satisfactorily carried out by Bro . Joseph Croxton .

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The installation meeting in connection with the Loyal Cambrain Lodge , No . 110 , was held on Thursday evening , the 5 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Merthyr . The brethren were honoured with the presence of fche D . P . G . M ., Brother

Marmaduke Tennanfc , and there was a large attendance . Bro . Duncan Macdonald was installed W . M . for the ensuing year , the installation ceremony being performed by Brother G . F . Harris .

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