Thoughts On Masonry.

they can destroy Freemasonry by their puny efforts . It is like the onslaught of the army of Lilliputians on Gulliver , ancl will meet with the same results . All we have to do is to go about with the performance of our Masonic duties as if the heavens wero calm and still , and tho squall will soon

expend itself and pass over without having produced any baneful effect , but rather clearing off all the noxious vapours . Masonry ' s battlements are impregnable , and though the waves of opposition may bo hurled against her

foundation and tho missiles of destruction may beat against tho structure , its banner will triumphantly wave from its battlements , with its glorious motto , " Peace on earth and good will among men . "—Masonic lieview .

Elocution In Freemasonry.

ELOCUTION IN FREEMASONRY .

MHOO much cannot be made of correct elocution as one of JL the minor adjuncts to good Masonry . By " minor " we , of course , mean that it cannot be classed amongst the cardinal virtues of the Craft , nor even as taking other than a secondary position to such points as a correct

knowledge of the ritual , punctuality at meetings , or reverence during the ceremonies . But it is of very great importance all tho same , and too often utterly neglected . On thc way in which the ceremonies of admission to the different degrees of the Craft are performed depends moro

perhaps than upon anything else the extent to which the candidate will understand , appreciate , and practise the lessons of those degrees , and this being admitted , it cannot be denied that ono great factor in the impressiveness of a ceremony is the tone of voice in which tho oral part of it is

delivered . The words of tho spoken ritual in most of the degrees are exquisitely beautiful , they aro indeed prose poetry of the highest class , and , we have said on some previous occasion , it is this characteristic which accounts for the comparative facility with which these lengthy

compositions are retained in tho memory . But the different portions of the rituals are exceedingly varied in character . Sometimes they rise fco dramatic intensity , forming part almost of a histrionic scene . Sometimes the officiating Master is giving a calm historic narration , sometimes a

logical exposition of somo Masonic theory or fact , sometimes delivering a charge destined fco impress upon his hearers certain truths after fche manner of a sermon , sometimes an explanation piece by piece of some tracing board or working tool , sometimes putting a question , sometimes

offering up a prayer , and again on occasion taking part in a colloquy involving displays of grief , anger , commendation , reproof , surprise , or what not . Now , it is obvious that however letter-perfecfc a Master may be , the effect of his words are lost if a charge is delivered in tbe same tone as

a mere narration , or a prayer witb the same vocal inflections as a tracing board . Some elocutionary variations are necessary , or the whole has the appearance of a lesson recited by a schoolboy . Surely , then , it is the paramount

duty not only of every Master , but of every Officer , to endeavour to acquire some grasp of the elocutionary requirements of his parts . And we need nofc be daunted by fche difficulties of the task . It is not expected by the Craffc that its Officers should all attain tbe level of a

dramatic artist in their ^ work . Only the favoured few with natural gifts and special training can do that . But any man with an ordinary education can , by dint of a little application , learn to say his words with such au amount of elocutionary effect as will give point to their implied

meanings . All that is required is for a man to picture to himself the design and "drift " of each sentence , and then to represent that design in such a tone of voice and with such a manner as he would himself unconsciously adopt

were he using his own words in a similar sense . A little thoug ht and less private rehearsal is all thafc is required to attain a sufficiently high level of elocution for practical Masonic purposes . How is ifc thafc this little is so often wanting ?—Sonth African Freemason .

The Committee On A Petition

THE COMMITTEE ON A PETITION

THERE is an old saying that familiarity breeds contempt . It may therefore well be , that a perfunctory discharge of a constantly recurring duty causes inattention to , or neglect of , the demands of somo duty .

The Committee On A Petition

When a Lodge meets onco or twice a month , and " petitions " for the rights ancl privileges of Masonry are frequently presented , the routine proceedings on tho petition aro accepted as right , because thoy are customarily so regarded .

There is great danger in this view , if it is to be adopted without a watchful supervision . Thero can be no greater peril to the Craft than tho injudicious admission of an unworthy profane into Lodgo

membership . Men of bad character , of doubtful reputation , of disagreeable temperament , of contentious dispositions , of evil habits and associates , are not fit fco bo made Masons .

Tbe demands of the principles of Masonry on all such would be utterly disregarded . If any one of these objectionable men are initiated thoy first deride the lessons taught , and then to show their independence , violate thc laws and care nothing for the punishment .

The Lodge finds out , by and by , that a great mistake was made when this profane was made a Mason . Trouble , confusion , inbarmony , come into tho Lodge , and when it is too late , tho Lodge can only get rid of one who ought never to have been admitted .

To prevent all this—and prevention is far better than cure—the committee ou the petition of this profane are to be censured . True , the W . M . is first liable to just rebuke , for ho ought to have known thathe makes the " committeo on inquiry . " He is , therefore , primarily responsible for tho

admission of an unworthy member . It is the duty of tho W . M . to appoint on these committees on petitions wolltried ancl trusty members . He should consider all the facts and circumstances attending the presentation of tho petition to the Lodge . If to get candidates for the fees ,

and funds of the Lodge is the lust of the Lodge , then the sooner the charter is sequestrated the better for the Craft in the grand jurisdiction . Lodges are not money-making

societies . If a Lodge cannot support itself without taking every petition , and " right off " initiate the petitioner for the initiation fees , then theLodge ought never to have been constituted .

It is not the number of Lodges in a Grand Lodge that gives character to the jurisdiction , but the character and worth and intelligence of the members . Work best done and Lodges whose members best agree are the symbols of true Masouic influence .

The W . M . should be well informed as to the environments of the petitioner . Then it is his duty to protect tho Lodge by appointing a committee on the petition that will thoroughly do its whole duty in ascertaining if the petitioner is proper material . Every member of the committeo has his duty to perform .

It will nofc be permitted for one of the committee to be satisfied with the examination of either , or both his colleagues . Each must know for himself . There is no hurry , there ought never to be any hurry in making a report on so important a subject as the introduction of a profane into a Lodge of Freemasons .

If one member of a committee does not agree with both his colleagues the W . M . ought not to receive the report unless full and satisfactory explanations is made why all the members do not sign the report . When the report is made it then requires to bo followed

by unanimous agreement . All the members present must vote , so that if an unworthy profane is admitted all sharo in the shame of the Lodge . Here again each member of the Lodge has his duty to perform . It is necessary and obligatory .

Perchance the W . M . may have been deceived as to the character of the petitioner . It may be that some members of a Lodge known the profane , and think he is a " good fellow , " a " first rate fellow , " " he ought to be one of us . " They tell him something and he , without any qualifications ,

petitions for membership . Then these kind friends go to the W . M . and tell him the petitioner is known to them , ho is all right , and the W . M . appoints probably two , or , indeed , all of these kind friends on the committee if they are not his recommenders . They , of course , report . The W . M .

did not perform his duty . The members , satisfied that if the W . M . and the committee agreed , " it was all ri ght , " and tho members took for granted it was all right . The great protection of a Lodge was ignored , and the petitioner

was initiated . Later most likely , trouble will show itself . The Lodge door was opened by improper agencies , Every member was responsible if he did not inquire for himself . Thc W . M . was culpable ; he did not do his duty .