Over Production.

OVER PRODUCTION .

QUALITY , NOT QUANTITY , IS WHAT WE SEEK .

THE effect of over production is depressing . If the supply of cotton or sugar is moro than the demand , the prices of sugar and cotton fall and the whole business community feels an enfeebled pulsation caused b y tho stagnation in the sugar and cotton markets . If there are

more shoes and prints than the people need there is a gorge in the river of trade , and shoes and prints are piled up on the shelves to accumulate dust and gnaw away at the profit that should be realised and reinvested , until the whole commercial world is feverish in sympathy with the shoe and calico branches .

Over production causes " hard times , " more pinching in many instances to somo classes of people than scarcity of supply . Of course the comparison must not be carried to the extreme of famine , for that is a complete failure of crops and an entire suspension of labour , which affects

every one alike . But a lack of supply is felt more b y the poor than the rich , for prices aro advanced and he is compelled to buy less , or to cut off entirely some of the very necessaries of life . The manufacturer makes tip in price for his goods what he loses in volume of businessat least , as far as be can .

Every one who manufactures a good and useful article deserves the thanks of the community . He adds to the comfort of mankind and gives employment to those who need it . As long as he keeps the supply of his article within the requirements of those for whom it is intended

he is a blessing to himself and his fellows , but when he " stocks up" with too many goods , both he and his employes must suffer . If everybody is supplied with gridirons , no matter how useful gridirons may be nobody will want to buy , and he would be foolish to keep on piling

up gridirons to the depletion of his ready cash . Over production is caused by a desire to increase one ' s wealth , and a mistaken belief or calculation that the world needs or demands the goods . If the price of corn is good this year , next year every farmer will plant a new field .

The result is the " visible supply " will not diminish at the right time , for corn cribs will be discovered where wheat bins were last year . The whole commercial world is as ono body , with its arteries and veins leading to tho heart

of trade . Stop the flow in one artery , or send it rushing feverishly through another , and there is a trembling of the whole frame , and unless a remed y is speedily applied the entire body becomes deceased .

Thus over production works harm in many ways . The desire to have a big stock leads to a deception that is dishonest and acts that are damag ing to character . There is an over production of Masons sometimes , at least one would think so from the number that is ground

out on some occasions , and all that is said above will apply to this over production . The demand for good men in Masonry can never be fully supplied , because morality and virtue , which ought to characterise every one who passes the threshold of tbe Lodge , is needed more and more to

counteract influence of evil . The trouble is , some Lodges think the only thing needed to recommend a man to membership in the Fraternity is tbe possession of physical qualifications . If he has two feet , two hand . " , one or two

eyes , is not too lame , or totally blind , be is all right . He may be morally lame , halt , blind , deaf and dumb , but he has the shape of a man and will add one more name to the roll of members .

The result of this wholesome manufacture of Masons is an over production of a class of members who are totally unfit for association with the Fraternity . They have hearts of adamant and moral natures as unimprcssible ns the flinty rock .

They forget the lesson of the compasses before they go out into the ante-room , and blaspheme the name of the God in whom they trust before they pass the Light in

the East . For " a spread , " their purses will open freely * , for the relief of a Brother ' s necessities they have nothing to give . Temperance is unknown to them and fortitude means ability to stay out all night .

The Masonic Fraternity is composed of men whose ] obligation . " bind them together as Brethren , whose lessons aro elevating , and the very great mass of the members of the Fraternity are mindful of their obligations and obey tbe lessons taught ; the over production is a small class of

Over Production.

unworthy men who are permitted to enter bscauso those who ought to guard tho inner door are careless . It is this over production that brings whatever of depression of

moral reputation that ever attaches to Masonry . It is tlio over production that oozes out and is seen by tho world , and by the " ooze " does tho world wrongfully judge . —Dispatch .

Why ?

WHY ?

IT is often that Masons ask why is it necessary lo give special attention to tho study of Masonry ? Wo havo the " Work " in the Lodge , see it , aud hear what is said ; that is all which is necessary for us to know . Really there must bo a sort of complacent satisfaction in this reasoning for those who accept it , else it would not be regarded as conclusive in thoir minds .

But if these Brethren would reflect on the effect of those suggestions , might it not occur to them how erroneous such views or conclusions must be if tested by a reasonable

criticism . It is best illustrated by an example of every day life in what is called the science of physics . This is taken only as an example of a method of comparative reasoning . Tho

inventor of a machine , if it has complex combinations of its parts , could not make it available fdr use unless its combinations and their operations were thoroughly known to those who are to use it .

Could those who undertood to manage it be content with seeing it work , seeing it in operation over and over again , learn to master its working , to know the relations of the parts to each other , learn to comprehend the direct

effect of its action , seek to know the effect of each part , those exposed to observation and those which are especially important but not exposed to the sight of the examiner , nnd thus understand the whole scope , the purpose , and utility

of the mechanism . Surely not . The whole lesson is taught in every manufactory , every machine shop , to every ono who desires to be a successful mechanical engineer . This example will suffice to show that the Mason who

only sees the " Work " of a Lodge , and asks why special knowledge of tho essential principle i of Masonry is necessary fully to understand what these essential

principles are , their character , their effect , their direct influence on the Masonic institution , its teachings , its fundamental foundation laws , is answered by this citation given of an every day example in physics .

So then it becomes a question of importance to tho maintenance of the old Landmarks of Masonry to inculcate the high appreciation of its implanted character , as it has ever been understood , that teachers should come to answer this " Why " of those who ask tho question .

This can be explained to the satisfaction of thoughtful Masons , easily explained , if teachers who can gUe the substantial reasons would agree to undertake the task .

So long as " why" is not met with a full reply , by competent instructors , the fact that those who seek knowledge on Masonry have not opportunity to learn is

a reproach on the intelligence of the Craft . There are Masons fully endowed with all the capicitics required to instruct those who seek to be taught . Then it is only some easily removed obstacle which prevents them .

In presenting this subject to the consideration o £ earnest Masons , in the form adopted , the " Why " may revive au interest to try and secure an intelligent answer , then ifc may come to pass that advantages will result to Lodges especially , and to our Fraternity generally , that will bo

appreciated , as these are developed . Thus advantages , and indeed benefits , will become assured , and Lodges will most likely bo the first to realise them . The Lod"e will become the attraction to those who

seek knowledge , and Lodge meetings at proper times will be animated b y the spirit which is embodied iu the secrecy , and obedience , and the reciprocal duties which the Brethren will then fully comprehend . —Keystone .

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FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended , in London and Country , by Bro . G . A . HTJTTON , 17 Newcastle Streett Strand . W . C Monuments procted . Valuations made .