Freemasonry In San Francisco.

lodge is opened in the Third Degree . No Mason can be a member of more than one lodge . He must procure a "demit" from his old lodge before joining a new one . The ceremonies are more elaborate and dramatic than in English lodges ,

and require more study and practice on the part of the officers , who are expected to be smart and prompt'in all they do . I have admired very much the careful and correct way in which all the officers of the Caltornian lodges it has been my privilege to visit have done their work ; but I think the English ritual is more dignified and impressive .

It was a surprise to me to find that the " clothing" and regalia of American Craft Masons is singularly simple and modest . The officers while at work wore blue collars and the jewels of their respective offices . The members wore plain white linen aprons . A lambskin apron is presented to

each Entered Apprentice , but it is usually put away with his family relics , where it is perhaps joined some day by the P . M . ' s jewel , which most lodges present to their Master at the end of his year of office . Neither Past Masters or Past Officers of Grand Lodge wear any distinctive clothing or jewel , or anything more than the plain white apron .

There are many secret Societies in America , nearly all of which have been organised for social purposes or to provide certain contingent pecuniary benefits on their members . As a rule , these Societies make a very showy display of uniforms in all their public appearances , and I am told that , to

avoid any appearance of competing with other societies , the Masons decided to adopt only the very simplest distinctions . One of the branches ( to which about one-third of the members belong ) of the Odd ; Fellows' Society wear a uniform that costs 75 dollars each .

Where there are so many well to-do Societies , it is not difficult , by combination or otherwise , to build or lease convenient buildings , and , as a rule , Californian lodges meet in rooms most suitable for the purpose . The Masonic Temple in San Francisco is built on one of the best sites in the

city , and has accommodation for several lodges , besides the central offices of the Order , and a good library . The building and site are valued at 400 , 000 dollars . The lodge rooms are well furnished , and the Temple is adorned with the portraits of all the Past Grand Masters and other worthy officers . The following notice in the ante-room is peculiar to

America;" NOTICE . It is particularly requested by the Trustees of the Masonic Hall Assn . of the City of San Francisco , that there be No SMOKING in the within Hall or its adjoining apartments , and it is mildly suggested to those who indulge in the solacing habit of

CHEWING TOBACCO that the Spittoons placed therein are really intended for use , and that the carpets do not require any sprinkling of tobacco juice either for their preservation or adornment . "

Californian lodges are not permitted to spend any part of their funds in " refreshment . " In some lodges the officers will occasionally provide a modest repast , and a candidate will sometimes invite the members to supper on the night he takes the Third Degree . In England there is , perhaps , too

much attention paid to the social side of Freemasonry , but in California I think there is too little , for I am one of those who believe that reasonable opportunities of friendly ^ intercourse are beneficial to the Society and its members .

Temperance is one of the motives inculcated by Freemasonry , and a few American Grand Lodges have decided that keepers of saloons are not eligible as candidates . This may be just in Maine , where the business is not allowed by the State law , for Masons are enjoined to obey the law , but it seems rather illiberal in States where the business is a lawful one .

Another question which is discussed in American lodges , of which we hear little at home , is that of the " perfect man . " In Georgia it has been decided that "a man with half-front of his foot cut off , does not possess the physical qualifications necessary to make him a Mason . " In Mississippi it has been decided that " a candidate with the index finger of the

right hand dislocated backwards of the ' metacarps-phalongal articulation , ' and shortened about three eights of an inch , still capable of same motion , and with some stiffness of the second finger , is eligible to the Degrees of Masonry . " There must be some very knotty points to settle occasionally . Someone has asked how it would be in the case of false teeth or a bald head .

Another Masonic difficulty in America is the " coloured man . " I am told that no objection would be made here to the admission of a coloured man as a visitor if he was initiated in any orthodox foreign Iodge , but , for the sake of the harmony of the lodge , the petition of a coloured man for initiation would be denied , There is a so-called Grand Lodge of A . F . and

A . M . which consists entirely of these men , but it is considered clandestine , and is not recognised by the Grand Lodge of California . They claim that they work under an old charter , granted to Prince Hall and others by the G . L . of England during last century . It would be interesting to read what Bro . Hughan has to say on this . point .

While I was in Los Angeles , I received a hand-bill announcing the " Public Installation of Officers of the St . John ' s Lodge of A . F . and A . M . by the Grand Master of California . " I should say here that the orthodox Grand Lodges in the United States are styled "of F . and A . M . " On attending at the appointed place , I found three or four white Masons

drawn like myself by curiosity ; the rest of the audience were coloured people—ladies and gentlemen , and of these there were a few who had none of the characteristics of the negro voice . The " ceremony" consisted of a procession into the hall of about thirty Masons , an address by the " Giand Master " and another official , and the nomination of officers . The rest of the evening was given up to music and " having a good time . " This was

considered by those concerned to be sufficient to consecrate the lodge and install the officers , for there was no previous ceremony , nor would there be any in the future towards those ends . The Grand Master , who was a fullblooded negro , made a good speech , and seemed a genial , pleasant man , with good tact ; his daily occupation is in some position on one of the ferry boats of San Francisco Bay .

Coming back to the regular Californian lodges , the W . M ., Wardens , Treasurer , and Secretary are elected by the members , the Junior Deacon is appointed by the Senior Warden > and the rest of the officers are appointed

Freemasonry In San Francisco.

by the W . M . There is no Inner Guard ; the duties performed by that officer in English lodges is here discharged by the Junior Deacon . California is divided into 38 districts , to each of which an Inspector is appointed , his duty being to visit lodges and see that the ceremonies are correctly performed , and to satisfy himself of the proficiency of the Masters and Wardens . Before a Master is installed , he must produce a certificate from

a P . M . that he is capable of performing the duties of his office ; so it must be very difficult for an incompetent man to become Master of a lodge here . No one ought to say anything about Californian Masons without telling of the noble way in which they respond to appeals for Charity . It seems to me they do sometimes more than they ought to do , at any rate I am sure no Insurance Society would bind themselves to do so much for the

payments made . The Grand Lodge pays 5000 dollars a year to the " Boards of Relief , " and to the same Committees is paid 2 dollars 50 cents out of each initiation fee , and 10 cents per month for each subscribing member of a subordinate lodge . Out of these contributions 16 , 000 dollars were furnished on account of Charity in 1887 , all of this expenditure it should be borne in

mind , being applied to the relief of members from other jurisdictions . Every lodge in California is obliged to assist its own distressed members or their families , and they seem to construe their obligations in the most generous manner . In case of illness a necessitous foreign Mason will be visited by a brother , assisted financially , and if death should ensue , he will be buried with respect and reverence in the Masonic Cemetery .

In going through the cemeteries of this country , one is struck by seeing large portions reserved for the different Societies , Knights of Pythias , Ancient Order of United Workmen , Oddfellows , Freemasons , and so on . I suppose there is a financial advantage in this arrangement , but sometimes , I have thought it was due to the love Americans have for demonstrations .

Some of the Californian lodges are very large . I have visited one with 404 members . It has 24 , 000 dollars in hand accumulated with a view to purchase suitable premises for a hall ; it has paid this year 2100 in assisting members and their dependants besides paying over 500 dollars to the Board of Relief . There are rarely three weeks in any one year in which meetings are not held , so it wili be seen that an officer's position is no sinecure . There are about 240 lodges in the States with a membership of about 15 , 000 . J . C ROBINSON , P . M . 425 , Chester , England .

Review.

REVIEW .

THE SYMBOLS AND LEGENDS OF FREEMASONRY . 188 9 . * This neat and interesting volume by Bro . J . Finlay Finlayson will prove a boon to many who desire a small treatise on the subject of Masonic symbolism written in a popular style . ' . and withal accurate and as comprehensive as possible ; so that Craftsmen have now a trusty guide at hand to consult , and a key to unlock the treasures hidden within the symbols and legends of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons . All this will be found in the

work by our Bro . Finlayson , and we feel quite certain that it has only to be read to be appreciated . It deserves a large sale , as it is just the sort of book wanted to put in the hands of newly-initiated members , with their copies of the Constitutions , so as to enable them to rightly estimate the character of the sources from which the Fraternity has obtained many of its symbols ( which are not strictly operative ) , and likewise the origin of its curious laws and ceremonies which savour of antiquity and mystery .

Although the work does not exceed some 170 pages in all , its scope is most extensive , and the subjects treated of are both varied and most suggestive . Beginning with a definition of Freemasonry , in its speculative branch , as a Society which " teaches the existence of the Great Architect of the Universe , suggests the probability of an inner principle of life that survives the death of the body , and seeks to unite its members in the great

brotherhood of man , " Bro . Finlayson proceeds to consider these doctrines , peculiar now to the Society , which are conveyed in symbols and legends , and then seeks to trace these legends to their source , and to give an account of the history of the symbols . Our Aryan forefathers , Chaldea ( the land between two waters ) , Egypt , Judea , Greece , Italy , and Germany have

separate chapters devoted to their special treasures , and thus the " wisdom of ages " is elucidated and described , in proof of the vast labours of the Magi , thus embodied in " the great Masonic shrine , " the result of " the efforts of the wisest and best men in the world to solve the great problem of life , death , and a hereafter . "

1 he capital illustrations which adorn the volume ( by Mr . Walter Willis , A . K . C . ) are most effective aids , and are of great assistance to the author in describing the symbols of antiquity , and cannot fail to please as well as instruct the reader . The fact is , the book is issued to promote study , communicate instruction , and render the Masonic neophyte fairly informed as

to the nature and history of symbolism , so that , avoiding credulity on the one hand , and ignorance on the other , newly-admitted brethren may become prepared to grasp and appreciate the sublime principles and teachings which underlie the whole Masonic fabric , and be fully informed as to the antiquity and honourable character of the Society of Freemasons .

A larger volume might deter some from entering on the study , but this handy sized , well printed , and ably illustrated book , carefully written , Masonically treated , and interestingly presented , appears to us to meet a pressing need , and doubtless many will be led to continue their researches , and to peruse more ambitious and elaborate volumes relating to the fascinating study of Freemasonry , and all that concerns its eventful past .

The chapters relating to England more especially , and to " Modern Freemasonry , " are , of course , but hints to guide the enquirer , and in no sense intended as authoritative and exhaustive comments on the development of Grand Lodges under the Modern regime . The work has gone deeper into the matter than Bro . E . Macbean ' s attractive pamphlet " On

Symbolism , " but both are useful contributions in that department , and possibly will lead the latter brother to do something more ere long in the same direction . Bro . Finlayson has dedicated his handsomely got up little book to the W . M ., officers , and members of " Quatuor Coronati" Lodge , No . 2076 , London , to mark his hearty approval of the services rendered the Craft by this—the students' lodge .

BERKELEY HOTEL ( late St . James ' s ) , 1 , Berkeley-street and 77 , Piccadilly , London , W . First class accommodation for residents , with a Restaurant newlyjittached for high class luncheons and dinners , at fixed prices and a la carte , C ; DIETTE , Maoager . —[ ADVT . ]