Trading On Freemasonry.

TRADING ON FREEMASONRY .

IT is not often we have so clear a case of attempting to trade on the reputation and ceremonies of Freemasonry as one which has come under our notice , as having recently occurred -within a-few hours journey of the great metropolis . It appears an application was made on behalf of the proprietor of a local inn " for an extension of time till 6 p . m . on Sunday afternoon , on the occasion of a Masonic funeral , a part of which , it was stated , is attendance at church by the Freemasons . The

Bench refused the application on the ground that bond fide visitors could get refreshment by the law , but granting the application would open the house to the village generally . " We are very pleased the application was refused , and sorry the occurrence of a " Masonic funeral" should ever have been made the pretext for such an application as that referred to in the above extract from a contemporary .

It is some gratification to think that in this case no member of the Masonic Order appears - to be primarily interested in the proposed "trading , " but the facts as they are recounted above are of such a nature as to make us ask whether the work of Freemasonry is not sometimes made too much display of , and whether it is wise to continue to allow even the small amount of ceremonial it is now possible to perform in public to be so worked . It may be urged that the

Masonic funeral referred to was likely to cause a large gathering of the members of the Order , but are we to understand that even under such conditions it should be necessary to open the village inn , on a Sunday afternoon , for the purpose of giving them refreshment ? This is certainly carrying the principle of " refreshment after labour " to an excess , and we should like to know , for the sake of the reputation of the local Craftsmen , if they were party to the

application , or approved of its being made ? We can now understand the disfavour shown by Grand Lodge against members of the Order attending funerals of deceased Craftsmen in Masonic clothing . We do not know if in the case referred to regalia was to be worn ; we should almost think not , the funeral being on a Sunday , but if it was it would be well for the local authorities to bear in mind this application for an extended license , before again granting the necessary permit .

We have not thought it worth while to give full particulars as to the locality where the funeral took place , but we assure our readers our information is obtained from a reliable source , and although the matter may not be said to concern any member of the Craft personally , it yet shows the feeling entertained towards us by outsiders , and as such it opens

up a wide field for reflection . The Masonic Order is well known for its charity and its fraternal assistance , but it also has the reputation of being a first class patron of the enjoyments

Trading On Freemasonry.

of this life . If we should ever be forced to recognise that its work required the granting of such requests as the one referred to , we should consider it more than a misfortune—the good name of Freemasonry would be forfeited , and it would no longer be an honour to

be ranked as one of its members . It is , then , matter for congratulation that the application was refused , but similar results may not always attend similar requests , and on that account the members of the Order will do well to guard , as far as possible , against their being made . If a Lodge should happen to hear of such a proposal being entertained , the

members would do no more than their duty in strenuously opposing it , and thus prove to the world that all attempts at trading on Freemasonry are abhorred by the Order itself , even if they are occasionally recognised or practised by individual members .

Freemasonry At Present.

FREEMASONRY AT PRESENT .

" Of every tongue on earth's extended bound , In every land our brotherhood ia found ; Rising to labour with the awakening East , Sinking to slumber with the darkening West ; Leading our sons as we ourselves were led ; Laying in honoured graves our quiet dead . "

NEVER before ia tho history of the ages has Freemasonry occupied so important a position as at the

present time . Never was its influence so marked , its membership so extensive , its teaching so revered . It is to-day the greatest of all earth-born' societies , the handmaiden of religion and civilisation , the promoter of virtue

and benevolence , the adherent to the grandest principles ever evolved from the active brain of man , Its standard ia to be seen in every land and beneath every sun . It is

the pioneer in all good works , and before the steady march of its pure , unadulterated principles , ignorance and bigotry flee away , and peace and prosperity make " the desert blossom as the rose . " No one can mark the progress of Freemasonry without being impressed with its influence upon society . It is now

respected by church and state . In its quiet , unobtrusive work , it propagates tenets that permeate every walk of life . Freemasonry is not confined to the four walls of the Lodge-room , neither to the actions of the members oi the Fraternity alone .

Whether we admit it or not , we are influenced by the things that surround us , and do many things because our neighbour sets the example . Circumstances make men more than men make circumstances . We cannot separate

ourselves and be singular m all our doings . Without our knowledge or effort we will be drawn into some current that sweeps with irresistible force through society . The hermit , seeking seclusion and solitude in the lonesomeness

of the desert , will there find incentive to devotion in the pure air of heaven and the singing birds of the wild wood . Thus does the physical world as well as the world of our fellows about us inspire us , and moro or less mould our actions .

The tenets of Freemasonry are to be found in every good word and work , giving form and beauty to the highest order of morality . The golden rule of the Great Teacher