The Festival.

amounts of money poured out continually in procuring the erection of buildings , or paying extravagant rents , and in the purchase of goods and trappings which are made to sell . In how few instances can a Lodge Committee find

in Masonic structures any examples of the stately and beautiful forms and composition of parts and ornaments , which should distinguish tho work of a Fraternity whose principal art is the noblest of all , architecture ? Where is

anything truly Masonic iu design or execution to be found in or about a Masonic Lodgo ? What of the fixtures or furnishings of the rooms or their approaches ? What can be seen on the persons of Officers or members , or

borne in the procession of a Lodge or Grand Lodge , even on the most important occasions , which would show that Masons as a body care aught for ancient Masonic usages , or the memory of Masonic achievements of any

description ? It is . not meant by this that they do not care for decency of appearance as a body of citizens , or for personal attire , but that they show little or no regard for that

which is Masonic ; a disregard which has gone on until a majority of Masons do not even know what were the usages fifty years ago .

Many are warmly in favour of display ; but , labouring under the impression that the "Blue Lodge , " as they term it , is destitute of materials and modes of embellishment , and has nothing to . offer in the way of appearances , they

regard every protest against the increase of tinsel and shabby makeshifts as though it were a fulmination against orderly decoration and tasteful art , and in favour of bare benches , sawdust floors , tallow-dip candles and greasy

aprons ; and feel aggrieved that any one should try to rob the Lodge of the lew novelties for which it has spent perhaps its last dollar . Indignation naturally sets in with more or less violence and the Craft are called upon to stand up for their rights .

How has it been during the last twenty-five years or so in this respect ? Indeed , long before that , " the lambskin , the badge of a Mason , " had given p lace to a p iece of white sheepskin leather , of the size and somewhat in the shape of

a Masonic apron ; and that to a flap of white cotton called by way of euphemism " a white linen apron ; " and that to keep up the degeneration , has finally come to be worn , not

over the dress , where ib belongs , but tucked in under the coat to represent tbe latter clause of a cheap shirt , instead of the " badge more ancient than the golden fleece , " & c .

The three principal stations of the Lodge having been deprived of their characteristic form , can no longer be distinguished from those introduced in modern societies , and have lost their place in such a way that no Masonic

circumambulation can be performed , except such as takes place within the Lodge ( not Lodge room ) , as at installation ; . •nid the two great pillars are represented by a couple of broom-1 andle effigies , the mockery of all architecture .

Because there was nothing else left to throw away , the distinctive and symbolic sash , without which no Mason , even as late as thirty years ago , thought of going into a

procession , has been cast aside ; together with the emblematic banners borne on two flagstaves , which emblazoned the march ; and so on with everything else which b . lomred to the occasion .

I \ uw , as one after another , the insignia of the Craft have been thrown entirel y aside , or have given place to some mean substitute , invented and furnished by the ever prcicut dealer in " hand-me-down " regalia , until nothing

was left but the collars , which of course had a special signification , and were very important in preserving the knowledge of the celestial forms of the Lodge and its floors ; a drummer has come round with a miserable novelty

and palmed it on to the Lodges as a subtitute—a " modern improvement " - — consisting of a blue string with a lot of the common emblems , miniatures of things alread y iu the Lodgo , and huddled together without an atom of sense ;

and iu sne . h a way interested outsiders have come to be the designers and fabricators of the ever-changing toggery which is putting out of sight and out of mind the unique and significant appliances and adornments of the Craft .

As to the mosaic floor itself , with vs visible representatives and all the lore connected with it , by which its peculiar form and complication of parts were made to show

knowledge of celestial and terrestrial order involved in the construction of the Symbolic Lodge ( not the Lodge mom ) ; there is nothing left of it but the caricature of its surface , still found on the Master ' s carpet . While these things are so , it is no wonder that some or many should be dissatisfied with the actual appearance of

The Festival.

things in and about the Lodge , contrasted with the glowing picture of the greatness and splendour of the Institution set forth in our oratory and wherever mere " talk" is all that is supposed to be necessary . And considering everything ,

it is not strange that three different notions as to propriety should be entertained . First , that mole-eyed view which discerns no difference betwoen simplicity and shabby meanness , between elegance and finery , and prefers the latter ,

that is , coarse , ill-adapted and slovenly surroundings and modes . Second , that which sees nothing as ornamental and beautiful except redundancy and flash and novelty , aud being coupled with a desire for something more lively than

squalor and scantiness and discomfort , wishes to enjoy a raree show at tho least expenso for the timo being . In neither of these cases is any account taken of what is

worthy and valuable or what is appropriate and becoming in such an Institution as Ancient Craft Masonry . The third view is that of those who esteem the dignity and honour of the Masonic Institution and of its noble

Fraternity throughout the world , as demanding more because entitled to more consideration on the part of those who are admitted to enjoy its rights , li ghts and benefits , than can possibly be the case in any other fellowship ; and hence

desire to maintain intact the high estate of dignity , simplicity , elegance and beauty of the entire Masonic system , internal and external ; and so to manifest this in every way

as to testify their appreciation of its excellence . Which of these views should prevail let all worthy Masons judge , and act accordingly .

Notwithstanding the discouraging aspect of much which appears in the neglect and indifference of Lodges and members , and the constaut lapse from former Masonic ideas and conduct , and the loss of Masonic lore so much to

be deplored , there is one great source of encouragement continually growing and strengthening . This is , that every voice and utterance put forth , come from whom it may or from which side in any controversy , joins with all

others in concluding on the same urgent appeal to the Craft to maintain in every way , and by all means attainable , as the supreme object and end of Masonry , those sublime virtues , truth and uprightness , and more than all ,

the God-born principle of charity in all its forms , and especially in that most angelic , which is the keystone of the Masonic arch and the key of heaven . Nor are these vain and empt y utterances , for the works of the Craft in

all its organisations nnd rites exhibit to-day more efficient and wide-spread efforts , organised and unorganised , in furthering every scheme of benevolence and mercy , and show more liberality and generosity than ever before .

With such a motive power all things are possible , and we can well hope that advancement in the attainment of great ends will impel a movement towards securing those next in importance , and so the work of the Craft be crowned with glory as well as honour . — Voice of Masonry .

The Secretary's Minutes.

THE SECRETARY'S MINUTES .

fllHE Secretary of a Lodge is a high and important A Officer—for some purposes the most important in the Lodge . Although nominally the servant of the Lodge , he is often its master . Although the W . M . is supreme , and the

Secretary is the scribe , the latter not infrequentl y coutrols the action of tbe former . If the Master ho the mind , tho Secretary is the hand that wields the pen , which is the index of the mind . Frequently the Secretary is a Past

Master , and he should always be so . The duties of his office are so responsible that he requires all the knowledge which experience in the Master ' s chair can give . He cannot know too much , or be too expert . What tho Lodgo

is , depends to a considerable degree upon his action ; whether tbe Lodge shall be praised or blamed by the Grand Master , when he comes to make a Grand Visitation to tho Lodge , is determined very much by his adherence to the

usages and customs of tho Craft in engrossing the Minutes , aud in formulating tho action on various matters coming officially before tho Lodge . The most experienced and skilful Brother in the Lodge , who will accept the office , i 3 the one who should be elected Secretary .

We wish we had the considerate attention of every Secretary iu this jurisdiction , and in all jurisdictions , to the present article—not that we can say anything especially new with regard to their duties , but because wc believe wc can say much that is