Freemasonry In Scotland. No. I.

FREEMASONRY IN SCOTLAND . No . I .

A prejudice against Scotch-made Masons exists to a considerable extent amongst English Brethren . This arises from the unfavourable circumstances under Avhich

very many of our southern friends have been introduced to our lodges , and have first Avitnessed our administration of Masonic rites . Its " emergent meetings " and its close association with inns , taverns ,

and the lite are the bane of Scotch Masonry . By far the greater number of lodge communications hi Scotland are held for the purpose of conferring degrees at sight upon parties Avhose names have never

previously been before a stated meeting as applicants for admission , and in regard to Avhose character nothing is known beyond Avhat is stated by the brother bringing him

as . a candidate , and whose knoAvledge in this respect is often based on a casual acquaintanceshi p . While it cannot be denied that many Avorthy persons have been " made" at meetings of emergency ,

it is also true that others have been admitted Avho should have been rejected . The system , Avhile enriching their funds , deprives lodges of the right to say who shall and who shall not he admitted under their

charter . I have known of a couple of returned convicts being initiated at a meeting of emergency . Their true character was discovered after their admission , in fame to prevent the issue of their diplomas .

Through the facdities for admission that are afforded by lodges , chapters and encampments , it is not unusual for a person to be entered , passed and raised at one sederunt ;

marked , chaired and arched at another ; ancl dubbed at a third—all within the space of forty-eight horns . The holding of Masonic conmmnicatioiis in places of public entertainment is

objectionable upon several grounds . The privacy essential to the observance of Masonic customs cannot in ordinary circumstances be preserved in public-houses , where in the majority of cases lodges have tAvo drinking

apartments temporarily assigned to them for their use . These being hi many instances flanked by other rooms open to

the public , ancl Avithin ear-shot of the signals peculiar to the institution , the aid of a curtain is resorted to , to alloAV of a communication between lodge-room and adjacent being carried on unobserved from

the passages leading to other parts of the house . Here the tyler has , sword in hand ancl bedecked with the regalia of the Craft , to keep watch and ward alternatel y on either side of the curtain , and be the

butt of ridicule to any outsider who may choose to indul ge in a joke at the expense of the Order . As to the accessories to Masonic ceremonies , the merest novice

cannot but note IIOAV incongruous is the association of these with the common-place furniture of an ordinary drihking-rooin in a public-house . As a rule . no rent is paid for lodge-rooms hi taverns ; it is , therefore

, to the drinking Avhich hi Scotland is the usual adjunct to Masonic meetings that landlords look for their remuneration . We refrain from depicting the bacchanalian , scenes to Avhich this system gives rise .

It is to these circumstances chiefl y that Ave attribute the prejudice against Scotchmade Masons . E