Defective Accommodation.

DEFECTIVE ACCOMMODATION .

ONE of the first lessons taught to every aspirant for the benefits of Freemasonry , is that which enjoins on him the necessity for care in all his Masonic doings , lest any of the secrets or mysteries of the Order improperly

become known . This cantion is repeated more than once ere an initiate is entitled to take his place as a Master Mason . The injunctions on this point may be said to be regarded to almost the fullest extent so far as individual

brethren are concerned , but not always so thoroughly when regular Lodge meetings are being held . It is sometimes astonishing to notice the carelessness of brethren on such occasions , although we should perhaps be more correct

were we to attach the blame to those whose duty it is to see that the apartments set aside for the meetings are so arranged as to prevent outsiders hearing or seeing what is going on within the Lodge . It is the duty of each brother

to see that all knowledge of the inner working of a Masonic Lodge is kept from the outer world , but in spite of this it occasionally happens that the place of meeting is so arranged as to render it possible for outsiders to learn much

of what is going on within . It would , no doubt , be a somewhat difficult matter to render every Masonic habitation proof against inquiring eyes and ears , but much could be done which is at present neglected .

English Masonry does not appear to be alone in this respect , as a recently issued report of the Grand Lodge of New York proves . We learn from that source that it has been resolved to request the Grand Master to appoint a

Board of three Examiners , whose powers shall extend over the cities of New York and Brooklyn , and whoso duty it shall be to make a thorough examination of every apartment and structure used for Masonic purposes by the

Lodges in the said cities . The Grand Master being further authorized to exercise all such powers as may be necessary , in his discretion , to enforce a compliance with the

instructions of such Board of Examiners in effecting needed alterations , and in accomplishing the purposes of security mentioned in the report .

If the Lodges of New York and Brooklyn meet , as a large number of those in this country do , in hired halls or public rooms , we fail to see how it would be possible for the Lodges to comply with all the instructions which

might be expected from such a Board as it is proposed to establish , but if they all have quarters of their own , reform would be somewhat easier , although even then we are afraid suggestions would resolve themselves into wordy

wars between the architect of the building on the one hand , and the examiners and those in authority on the other j while considerations of position , expense and

numerous other matters , would sometimes render compli . ance with the recommendations of the Board impossible , 01 dearl y so .

Reform on this point must be looked for from within ; brethren must be taught to adapt themselves to the accommodation provided , or so arrange their gatherings as to overcome any difficulty which presents itself ; in doing so

it may happen that they will reap a benefit from having quarters more suited to their requirements . Our American cousins recognize this , as may be gathered from another solution which in the

^ appears Report already referred to . * his resolution is to the effect that . ; the Masters and Wardens of Lodges be earnestly requested and directed to gvve due attention , while in session , to the safety of the

Defective Accommodation.

rooms in which they assemble , and to instruct their subordinates to be continually on the alert while in the discharge of their duties as to the security of the apartments used for Masonic purposes .

These resolutions , ancl the thoughts they occasion , impress us with the advantages enjoyed by those Lodges which own a Hall of their own , or which meet in a building

entirely devoted to the purposes of Freemasonry , but the cost of such privacy precludes the possibility of its ever becoming really popular . It therefore behoves us to make the best use of the materials we have at hand . No doubt

many suggestions might be made by a Board of Examiners , either in this country or in America , which would prove beneficial to Freemasonry , and among the points to which such a Board might profitably devote attention is that of

rendering Masonic gatherings more dignified . One of the greatest evils arising from defective accommodation is that of bringing down on the Order and its members the

contempt of those who object to the display of emblems and insignia which , to those who are not acquainted with their particular meaning , mnst frequently appear childish and ridiculous . If brethren would bear this in

mind when outside their actual Lodge quarters they could do much to remove the cause for contempt . Brethren should make a rule to remove their aprons and jewels if they find it necessary to journey outside the precincts of

the Lodge , and not appear , as is often done , with all their jewels and other insignia displayed to public gaze . They should be as jealous of their emblems as they are of their signs and tokens , and then much of the labour which would otherwise fall on a Board of Examiners would be unnecessary .

A Touch Of Nature

A TOUCH OF NATURE

WHILE Freemasons are emphatically votaries of both nature and art—deriving their descent from architects who , as builders of the greatest temples and cathedrals in all civilised countries , were par excellence artists

and scientists—after all the one touch of nature which makes all the members of the Fraternity kin , is the spirit of brotherly love which permeates ancl distinguishes the Craft .

Art and nature are often set in opposition , placed in contradistinction to each other , and the advocates of each have waxed ardent in supporting their favourite . A certain writer , in Byron ' s time , argued that even in

literature , all images drawn from what is beautiful or sublime in the works of nature are more beautiful and sublime than any images drawn from art ; to which Byron replied , that a ship in the wind with all sail set is a more

poetical object than a hog in the wind , thongh the hog is all nature and the ship is all art ! Freemasons escape all possible dilemma by being students of both nature ancl art . Natural affection is the cement that binds us into one

society , or band of friends or brothers , and artistic aspiration , an admiration for the sublime and beautiful in art , was the foundation stone of the Fraternity , and will also be the capstone of its completed edifice .

At the present midsummer season EVee masons are practically disciples of nature . The Lodges are generally closed , Masonic labour is intermitted , and the brethren are scattered far and wide , seeking rest ancl recreation , each for a period , amid the haunts of nature—at the sea-side