Freemasonry And Politics.

FREEMASONRY AND POLITICS .

SEVERAL of the Provincial newspapers have lately made comments under the above heading , in regard to the result of some of the bye-elections which have recently taken place , and we think the

general opinion expressed is a high tribute to the Craft , association with which is regarded by the writers here referred to as anything but an advantage to a parliamentary candidate . This is as it should be , for

as is known throughout the world English Freemasonry takes no cognisance of political or other controversial matters , and it would be very unfortunate if it could ever be pointed out that the best means of securing

political advancement was through the portals of a Masonic Lodge , not but what we have known more than one embryonic , legislator who has sought admission to Freemasonry , not perhaps wholly with the

intention of securing its assistance in a parliamentary candidature , but certainly with a slight hope that it might be the means of securing a few extra votes when the day of polling came round . But it is seldom

such convincing evidence is adduced by outside journals as the arguments now available in support of the theory of the writers , that Freemasonry is no assistance in connection with political or similar

preferment , and we thmk the thanks of the Craft are certainly due to those who have taken the opportunity of saying a word in defence of Freemasonry , which in this direction has long been regarded with a certain amount of suspicion in some quarters .

From among other comments we extract the following from the " Birmingham Daily Gazette , " no mean authority throughout the midlands : " Freemasons , it is known , are not permitted as a body to take an

active part m politics on any side . Nevertheless one would suppose that Freemasons would support at the poll a Brother who happened to be a Parliamentary

candidate . It does not appear , however , that Freemasonry is any advantage to a candidate . The two last seats lost to the Conservatives were contested

by candidates who had distinguished connection with Masonry . Mr . Keyser , who lost Reading , is a leading man in the Craft , and the Earl of Lathom , the father

of Lord Skelmersdale , who lost Southport , stands next to the Prince of Wales as head of the English Masons . Southport , too , is unusually strong in the Craft . Yet this did not help Lord Skelmersdale . "

As we have said , we regard all this as matter for satisfaction , and consider such comments in a leading provincial daily paper a compliment to the Craft , and evidence that members do not forget the principles of

the Order , even when leading Freemasons seek their suffrages as Parliamentary candidates , but it would seem our view is not the universally accepted one , as

proved by a letter which appeared in the " Birmingham Daily "Gazette , " in reference to the paragraph we have quoted . The writer , who signs himself " Walsall , "

Freemasonry And Politics.

thinks it would have been better had the paragraph never seen the light , and continues : " Were the political element introduced into the . Craft , the very foundation of Freemasonry would be shaken , and what is now one of the most Charitable Institutions in the

world would become a mere wreck . " We agree with " Walsall " in what he says , but fail to see in our contemporary's comments any invitation or desire that the political element should be

introduced into the Craft . On the contrary , the writer , it seems to us , warns candidates of the futility of relying on Freemasonry as a stepping stone to Parliamentary honours . Surely if such well known

and popular Masons as C . E . Keyser and Lord Skelmersdale fail to reap any benefit from the fact of being associated with Freemasonry there would be very little chance of less popular Brethren being supported

for Masonic reasons alone . We hope the Craft will ever show as much freedom from politics as is proved existed at Reading and Southport on the occasions

in question , and we also hope that the comments to which we have referred may be brought to the notice of those who would seek preferment through association with Freemasonry .

Berkshire.

BERKSHIRE .

npHE Prince of Wales having appointed the Right Hon . _ L Baron Wantage , V . C ., K . C . B ., Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire , as Provincial Grand Master for that county , arrangements have been made for the installation of his lordship at a Provincial Grand Lodge to be held in the Town

Hall , Reading , on Friday , the 14 th prox . It has not yet been decided who will perform the ceremony . The Grand Mastership of this Province has been vacant since the lamented decease of the Duke of Clarence .

Worcestershire.

WORCESTERSHIRE .

THE annual Provincial Grand Lodge was held on the 14 th inst ., under the banner of the Hope and Charity Lodge , at Kidderminster Town Hall . Sir A . F . Gobson , M . P . Provincial Grand Master presided , supported by Colonel Warner Ottley P . P . G . D . C . Deputy Prov . Grand Master .

In the morning there was a meeting of the Provincial Charities Committee , and in the afternoon the Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Town Hall . The Brethren

then attended Divine Service at the parish church , and a sermon was preached by the Dean of St . Asaph Grand Chaplain of . England . In the evening there was a banquet in the Corn Exchange .

The Lord Mayor Of London.

THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON .

T T ^ HE Lord Mayor , with a determination to make his circle I of hospitality complete , says the " City Press , " intends giving yet another special banquet at the Mansion House . An entertainment to the members of the Masonic Craft will

take place on Wednesday , 26 th October . Invitations will be issued to meet the Grand Officers of the year , the Provincial Grand Masters , and other distinguished representatives of the Craft .