Too Rapid Progress In Masonry.

TOO RAPID PROGRESS IN MASONRY .

MASONRY is an allegorical science . It presents to the inquiring mind a broad field for study and investigation . The ceremonies of initiation simply open to the neophyte the way to enter this field , and confer upon

him the right and privilege of acquiring a knowledge which he could not otherwise obtain . He is required to pay a stipulated sum for this privilege , and in return has a right to demand all that is imolied in the contract . He

enters in good faith , after having paid his money , and is informed that he will always find well-informed brethren as ready to give as he is ready to receive instruction . With only a smattering of the firsfc degree he is rushed

onward through succeeding degrees , gaining about as much knowledge of them as a passenger on a lightning express train does of the towns through which he passes . Directly there is seen dangling on his watch guard a

beautiful gold double-headed eagle . He writes 32 ° after his name ( sometimes 33 ° ) , and is recognised as a * ' high Mason . " It took only a few months , and only about one hundred and fifty dollars to complete the metamorphosis .

When a college or university graduates a man , and he writes after his name , A . B ., LL . D ., M . D ., or whatever rank is conferred upon him , it is an evidence to the world that his knowledge is such as will entitle him to the

honourable distinction thus conferred . He receives his diploma and in honest pride exhibits it to show that he is nofc a quaclc . A Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret , 32 ° ,

also receives a diploma , certified bj an officer of the Supreme Council , designating the high rank to which , he has attained . If put to the test , how many such could prove by their own knowledge that they are indeed

Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret ? The answer will not

look well in print . Operative Masons were employed in building that magnificent Temple of Solomon at Jerusalem . They were divided into classes ( or degrees ) , and wrought diligently in

the work assigned them in their respective grades . There was no advancing from one degree to another without a full knowledge of the firsfc . The skill of the Operative

Mason was shown in the fact that when the Temple was completed it had more the appearance of being the handiwork of the Supreme Architect of the Universe than of human hands .

Speculative Masons are also engaged in erecting a Temple . The Architect ' s design presents it as a grancl and magnificent edifice . As of old , the idea of classes of workmen , or degrees , is still maintained , but here the

similitude ends . At the start , some Lodges require a little show of proficiency before advancement , but very many do not , and after that none whatever is required . The lightning train takes them throngh in quick time , as fast and

as far as their fare is paid . Even some who write 33 ° after their names are not competent to instruct an Entered Apprentice in his work . What sort of builders are these ,

and what kind of a Temple are they erecting . Will ifc have the appearance of being the handiwork of the Supreme Architect of the Universe ? No man can build a house

simply by looking at the picture of one , or walking through one already erected . He must firsfc know * every piece of timber that is to go into ifc , its use in the building , and how to frame and put them together . Nofc onlthisbut

y , lie must firsfc learn how to handle the various tools required to do the work . Even more than that and hardest to learn , he must understand all the many linesmarks aud

, fi gures upon the plans of the Architect , and the names applied to fche different parts of the work . Then , and not ¦ until then , is he entitled to rank as a Master Builder .

It may be said that Speculative Masonry of fche present day does nofc require or expect its votaries to attain such a degree of proficiency as we have above indicated . We

shall not insist that ifc does , bufc we do insist thafc ifc would oe much better for Masonry , and for all who become members , if thev would take time to acciuiro a more thornno-h

knowled ge of each degree before advancing to another , ¦ Jpsciall y in the York Rifce , and moro especially in fcho first hree degrees . We insist that ifc is wrong to commence eJ ectioneering a man to take tho Scottish Rite degrees as

| ° on as it is known that his petition is in a Lodge , as has ' fluently been done . Give them time afc least to qualify "emselves so as to be able to prove themselves Master J-asong , should they have occasion to do so . We have ac « n men with a 32 ° certificate in their pockets debarred

Too Rapid Progress In Masonry.

from visiting a Consistory because they could not even prove themselves Master Masons . We felfc sorry and humiliated thafc they had nothing to show for their high rank aud fche money paid for ifc that would give them the

privileges of a visitor . We could not but feel that the great lack of interest in Masonry , on the part of so many Masons , was the direct result of their having only been made one in name . —Masonic Advocate .

Advantages Of Masonry

ADVANTAGES OF MASONRY

ARE there no peculiar advantages , no valuable instructions imparted in modern Masonry ? I address not those who fail to appreciate what they do not understand ; nor those who , armed with an impenetrable panoply of vain

self-sufficiency , idly deride where they have nofc candour enough to examine . Let such men close a deaf ear to the voice of reproof , and as we require nofc their countenance , we ask not their favourable construction of the principles

and operation of our Fraternity . But if others listen in the spirit of ingenuous inquiry , I point them to the besfc names on the rolls of modern philanthropy and moral improvement , and triumphantly demand whether such

men could have lent themselves to what did nofc merit their support ? To seek no further than fche limits of our land , for the noblest examples of Masonic virtue , could Warren , the generous hero of the great

prologue to our Revolutionary drama , have cherished the institution without sufficient cause ? Could Washington , whose every quality was a virtue deserving of the herald ' s blazon ?—Washington ,, the saviour of hie country , the

" tyrant-tamer , " the founder of the first of the free nations of the age ! Could Franklin , the stern republican , the sage counsellor , the stoic companion for princes , and the instructor of the instructors of civilized Europe ? Could

La Fayette , the noble-hearted and chivalrous defender of freedom , in whatsoever clime its rallying cry is sounded , or its brazen eagles upraised to lead the battle ?—Oh , no ; he must be skeptic indeed , who , unenlightened , will deny the utility of an object which such

" Lights of the world and demigods of fame " have been proud to sanction . The fundamental principle of Freemasonry , the keystone of its beautiful arch is philantrophy . It gives the

iniated brother a passport in every land ; for where has not the Fraternity taken root , what soil in the civilized world is not overshadowed with its branches ? Its symbols area species of universal tongue , the utility of which they

alone can duly appreciate , who , in foreign climes , have appealed to tlie Masonic name for friendship , sympathy and assistance , ancl appealed not in vain . Whoever can syllable its Delphic language , and sign its mystic signs , is

sure tbat , whatsoever region he may traverse , his hand will be pressed wifch the hearty responding grip of a brother , and he be welcome to the full enjoyment of a liberal hospitality . Though " a stranger in a strange land , " he knows

that he possesses the secret of which sages and knights and professors of the polished arts have availed themselves hafore him , in their pilgrimages in quest

of wisdom , in defence of virtue , or in the practice of skill ; and that , guided by ifc to the bosom of tho Lodge , he shall be cheered there by willing friends , prompt to succour and consfcanfc fco uphold . —Texas Masonic Joitrnal .

Tho monthly meeting * of the Board of Benevolence was hold on Wednesday , afc Freemasons' Hail , under fche presidency of tho regular officials . The recommeudafcions of tho previous Board having been confirmed , the new

petitions wero considered . Two of tho cases were dismissed , seyen deferred , ancl fche remainder relieved with a total of - £ 760 , made up of ono sum of £ 150 , five of - £ 50 each , two of £ 40 , five of £ 30 , four of £ 20 , one of £ 15 , three of £ 10 , and one of £ 5 .

Ad01103

FUNERALS properly cai-ried out and personally attended , in London or Country by Bro . G . A , HTJTTOJTsr , 17 Newcastle Street , Straud , W . G ' i Monuments erected , Valuations made .