Imitations Of Freemasonry.

IMITATIONS OF FREEMASONRY .

IT is nofc necessary for ns to give evidence . ' ? of thai imitation which is the sincerest form of flattery to prove the high , opinion in which Freemasonry is held by the world in general ; if it were , we might point to almost

every society or brotherhood established for the purpose of relieving the necessities of its members , and claim each of them as imitators of Freemasonry , for in nearly every instance can we find traces of either the ritual , the forms

or the ceremonies of Freemasonry , while in some the similarity is so strong as to induce the belief that the one is but a clumsy copy of the other . Bufc while all , or nearly all of these societies , may be termed imitators of

Freemasonry many of them have extended the sphere of their operations far beyond the scope of Freemasonry , with results more or less beneficial or disastrous in different instances . In England it is the boast of a very large

section of the Masonic brethren that Freemasonry is nofc a benefit society . Admission to its rants is open to all free men of good character , but it has no advantages of a pecuniary nature to offer to those who seek a participation

in its mysteries . Its labours are directed rather to the improvement of a man ' s moral character , than the state of his finances , but this is not the case with some of the imitations of Freemasonry , the advocates of which appear

to vie with each other in offering inducements to attract new members . We have before us an instance in the " Chosen Friends , " a " Fraternal Society , 30 , 000 strong , " which is being advertised in some of the American papers

as " organised on tbe basis of Masonry ancl Odd Fellowship . " Really we ai * e inclined to think that Free and Accepted Masonry is nofc only old in point of age , but is also old fashioned in the way its affairs are conducted ,

when we read of the benefits this new Society is able to offer its members , but we will let our readers judge for themselves . This imitation of Freemasonry offers " 3 , 000 dollars secured ! A safe investment for Merchants ,

Professional Men , Clerks , Employers , ancl Employes , as soon as a person becomes a Chosen Friend . " This snm , says the advertisement , being " as securely invested as if it was in a Trust Company . " What do English

Craftsmen think of this ? Is it desirable , in face of snch counter attractions , to continue Freemasonry as a non-benefit Society ? Is it not rather desirable that we should discover on what basis these " Chosen

Friends " work , and inaugurate a similar system among Freemasons , to entitle each member to " 3 , 000 dollars , as securely invested as if in a Trust Company ? " Are we acting up to the principles of Freemasonry if we allow

such an opportunity of benefiting our fellow creatures—ancl ourselves—to pass ? If a comparatively new society , only 30 , 000 strong , can offer 3 , 000 dollars fully secured to each of its members , how much could Freemasonry offer , with

its hundreds of years existence , and its branches spread over the four quarters of the Globe . We almost imagine ourselves rich , all we want to know is , how is it done ? Must we become a " Chosen Friend" to find out , and if so , where shall we find the nearest " Council ?"

Do such imitations as this have any effect on Freemasonry ?—is a question which might naturally be put by any one reading of this scheme , ancl in reply we should say , Yes . The effect may be very insignificant , but ifc is doubtless existent . Just as surely as there are fools in the world

Imitations Of Freemasonry.

to be caught by such absurd promises , so are there men who will believe that such societies as the one referred to are ** organised on the basis of Masonry , " and they wi'l carry their belief so far as to actually associate the Society

with Freemasonry . When they are duped by some Chosen or unchosen Friend they will blame Masonry for it—because the Society they joined made use of the name of Freemasonry—without authority it is unnecessary to

sayand so we get a bad reputation . This , however does not materially affect . us . Freemasonry can boast a career of usefulness for ages past ; it has dono good work in days gone by , and is doing a good work now , bufc ifc teaches that

Truth is one of the grandest of principles , and if associated with Brotherly Love and Relief is sufficient to keep together a Fraternal Society more than 3 , 000 strong , without any such nonsense as offering to each of its members

3 , 000 dollars fully secured . If our imitators would copy our great principles of Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth , and act up to them , they would do us no harm , while they would greatly benefit themselves .

Freemasonry.

FREEMASONRY .

rf lHE student of the Science of Masonry , who is desirous JL of elucidating the reason of its existence , its history , its objects , its mysteries and its works , will naturally bo attracted at first to a consideration of its name and title .

The designation of this Brothei-hood , the title so proudly owned by all its members , is " The Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons . "

A critical disquisition on the component parts of this title would involve years of labour . Hundreds and thousands of volumes have been written on the various

subjects of which it would be found necessary to treat , but the salient points may perhaps be briefly indicated , so as to awaken thoughtful consideration and a desire for further information rep / ardinp * our world-wide and

worldfamed Institution . * It is " ancient , " as having existed from time immemorial . There can be no doubt about its antiquity . A great number of theories have been advanced at ono time or

another as to the origin of Freemasonry , but none of them have been entirely satisfactory , from the simple fact that the Order is so Ancient that ifc is impossible to trace its

beginning . Certain writers have traced it somewhat clearly to the Associations of Builders of the Middle Ages , those wondrous architects whoso Cathedrals and Churches

and public edifices are the most astonishing erections thafc the whole history of mankind has ever exhibited . These great works are marvels of beauty and solemnity , with a magnificence of thouerht and decoration entirelv

unapproached by all the improvements of modern times and to an appreciative beholder they convey an impression that can never be effaced from the memory . Other writers have traced a connection of Freemasonry

with the Roman Goller / ia Fabronim , or Colleges of Builders , which were instituted by TTuma Pompilius in the year 715 B . C . These colleges were really

Fraternities . They had their own laws and their own judiciary . They were free of all contributions to the city or state . They had lodges , and their labours in the lodges were alwavs preceded by religions ceremonies . They had