The Masonic New Year.

the fact that it was Ms Craft that in early and media . val times led the way in the noble science of architecture . Tha European traveller who is a Freemason derives treble the enjoyment from his tour than one of the profane does , simply from a recognition of this truth , in the enhanced

pleasure he receives from a view of the mediaeval abbeys , cathedrals and castles . Act IV . —Impart your Masonry , on request to your Brethren—freely ye havo received , freely give . We owe it to our Fraternity to be teachers whenever we have

opportunity . Do unto others as others havo dono unto you . Yon owe much of your Masonry to the individual communication of your Brethren . We are all learners one of another —let us also be teachers . No Freemason has a right to

deny instruction to another—always being sure that that other is entitled to receive instruction ; that he himself is capable of giving instruction , and that it is imparted at the proper time and in the proper place .

Act V . —The closing act of all , be faithful to your obligations until death . It is easy to have an appearance of enthusiasm for Masonry for a few months or years , but it is a different thing to have both your head ancl heart

initiated , to be a Mason all over , to have the root of the matter in you so that only death shall separate you from participation in active fellowship with your brethren here below . Think over these suggestions at the beginning of

this Masonic New Year . Re-dedicate yourself to Freemasonry , assured that it is a noble Science , a royal Art , worthy of the life-long enthusiasm of every Brother who is connected with the Fraternity . —Keystone .

Extravagance.

EXTRAVAGANCE .

IN scanning our exchanges , and they " are sent us from all parts , we have frequently found of late many earnest protests against what the protestors consider the extravagant expenditure for Lodge refreshments . Condensed , the arguments are , that the spending of so large

a per centage of the Lodge funds upon laid suppers and alcoholic beverages is repugnant to the principles of true Masonry , has a demoralising tendency , and is a thriftless and unwise expenditure , utterly unjustifiable when the

Charities of the Order are m a languishing ancl inoperative condition . No true Mason can gainsay one word of this , and those protests strike home to Australian Lodges

in which the expenditure referred to is so absurdly lavish as to cripple the finances of many Lodges , and offer the censurable inducement to convivial brethren to look

forward to " refreshment after labour " as the real cause for their attendance . Applying the arguments of these protests to ourselves ( and by ourselves we mean the Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of

New South Wales ) , we find too much truth in them to be pleasant or flattering . Our Charities are on the most limited scale , for though 3 , 000 strong we have no refuge for indigent Masons , in which the weary brother can

find a soothing substitute for home . The relief afforded by Lodges is limited and unreliable , solely because the funds available for relief are reduced by the expense of the selfish pleasures of the table , thus , when the call is made ,

the help given is dispiriting to the recipient , and is controlled by the paltry balance in hand to the credit of the Lodge . In some Lodges the expenditure on refreshments is so great , that though intrants are numerous and

dues are paid promptly , yet the Treasurer has rarely a ten pound note in hand for the relief of unfortunate brethren seeking help or to contribute to the " widow and orphans' fund / ' so sadly in need of help . We know

of one Lodge that exceeds its monthly receipts by the expenses of its elaborate monthly supper , at which a variety and a profusion of intoxicants is provided and freely indulged in . We know of other Lodges in which

a debt actually exists solely through the cost of the supper table . This is an undesirable state of affairs , and demands the serious consideration of the Worshi pful Masters , with whom mainly lies the remedy . If they were to put the

matter clearly before the brethren , and appeal to their pride in the soul-stirring traditions of the Order , to the history of its magnificent Charities , to its elevating moral

teachings , its world-wide fame as a haven for the weary and the loyal protector of the widow and the fatherless . If this were loyally done , we are confident that a welcome-all-rounci reform would soon spread like an

Extravagance.

epidemic , and that , as a result , the charity funds under the control of the Grand Lodge would show a substantial increase , and soon become sufficient to justify an attempt being made to erect a Masonic almshouse or orphanage , as the tangible outcome of the self-denial of the brethren collectively . The reform we advocate is worthy of the

gravest attention of the Grand Lodge with a view to an appeal being made . —Sydney Freemason .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHHONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Your readers must havo been sfcrnck with some surprise at tbe extraordinary resolntion whioh was submitted to the last meeting of the Provincial Grand Ledge of Devonshire , held at Exeter , to the effect " that no publication of the meetings of Free

masons or the business transacted therein shall be permitted without the sanction of the Provincial Grand Master for the time being in writing , and that no publication of the business of a private Lodge be allowed unless with the approval of the majority of the brethren in open Lodge assembled . " The narrow majority by which this motion

was carried was sufficient to show that a diversity of opinion certainly exists as to the publication or otherwise of the proceedings which take place within the Lodge room or at the banquet table . For my own part , I consider the day has long since passed away when the popular idea of Freemasonry is that it is a mere huge social olnb , or

boinething more , and that its doings are such as Masons would be ashamed of the world knowing . We all know the insidious attacks that are even in these enlightened times made upon the actions of the Crafthow that it is condemned and maligned as a secret society , in the same sense as the appellation is applied to the Fenian , Dynamite ,

and other * ' brotherhoods , " whose aim is to excite evil passions , and to revolutionise society . This tendency to regard the ancient and honourable Order of Freemasonry as hostile to the well-being of the community would be only stimulated and increased if any such resolution as above quoted were made general , and thafc a gag should

be placed on all the records of Masonic gatherings . In my humble opinion Freemasonry has attained its present true reputation , of being a respectable order-loving and benevolent institution , mainly , in the first instance , through tbe instrumentality of the Masonio Press , and afterwards by the judicious efforts of brethren attached to

respectable journals in the provinces , who have discreetly opened their columns to matters of interest to the sections of the Craffc in their respective districts . I know thafc some fossilised brethren stand aghast at even the mention of their Lodge doings finding its way into a newspaper , but the same foolish conservatism existed afc one time

among Boards of Guardians and other public bodies , who had hitherto transacted their business in solemn fionclave . Such obsolete ideas were , however , demolished by the voice of public opinion , and repre . sentatives of the Press are now almost invariably admitted at meetings of snch institutions .

It may be argued that Freemasonry is nofc a public institution , and in a sense this is true . But it is positively absurd to imagine that the proceedings of so representative a body should be kept a sealed book . If so , what becomes of the interchange of thafc opinion amongst Lodges at home and abroad , and in various parts of our own country ,

which has been of such benefit to the Craft , and which has gone so far to cement and adorn the Order with thafc spirit of cosmopolitan brotherly love which we now find in its ranks ? The onl y thing which , in my view , is required is , thafc proper care should be exercised by those who undertake the duty of furnishing Masonic reports

to the Press . And if , as is too frequently the case , a member of the Lodge makes the journal with which he is associated the medium of saying spiteful or personal things of a brother Mason , ifc is a proceeding which should at once draw down upon him such a salutary rebuke that a repetition of the offence is seldom possible .

It is notorious that in many country towns there is considerable friction between those who belong to the Craffc and those who do nofc , and the smaller the place the more bitter the feud becomes . There is an idea thafc Masons ruin trade , and thafc the brethren use their connection with the Order to " favour " each other in business . But

it is equally certain that the very men who raise such an outcry against this " trading on Masonry , " simply becanse a rival tradesman might display the Masonic emblems on his shop-front or in his trade card , are the very ones who would force their way into the charmed circle if their presence could be tolerated , or if fchey could do ifc " on

the cheap . " There are very few " gentlemen of fche Press , " I imagine , who , when they join a Lodge , do so actuated by " mercenary or other unworthy motives , " and when they publish the proceedings of their own Lodges they do so in a spirit of loyalty and brotherly love , and would

scorn to say anything in their columns which would detract from fche interest and welfare of the body into which they have been admitted . Public opinion and " freedom of discussion , " which you recently

spake about , are the best means of keeping alive the present enviable prestige of Freemasonry , whereas coercion as to silence would only revive the calumnies which have for so many years rested npon one of the besfc and most lofty and beneficent of human institutions .

I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , A COUNTRY EDITOR .

[ We fully endorse the opinion expressed by our correpondent , and may have occasion to refer more fully to

the matter at some future time . Meanwhile , we shall be pleased to receive the views of others who may have given the subject serious consideration . —ED , F . C . ]