Lights And Shadows Of Scottish Freemasonry.

we feel convinced , but , saving the Grand Lodge buildings in Edinburgh , there are none such . Place a stranger , let us say in Glasgow . Where can he gain any information as to the movements of the craft ] He finds the whereabouts of the lodge rooms duly set

clown in the Directory , and he proceeds to the place , but what does he find . A closed door . Nothing more , not even the resemblance of a Masonic character . Build such an institution as they have in Belfast , and we have our feet on the first rounds of the

ladder ot fortune . And surely if Belfast , with its Masonic proportion of a population of 170 , 000 inhabitants , can support such a noble edifice , Glasgovv with its proportion of halfamillion ought to do it much more easily .

Centralization , Centralization , that is what we want ; and that of itself would greatly aid in removing those petty jealousies , not among us as individuals , but as the representatives of our respective lodges . We want common ground to meet each other uponand it will be upon that common

, ground that the true nature of our fraternity will be the more apt to reveal itself . Where can the young Mason gain that information , ivhich in many cases is most eagerly sought for . Not in the lodge room , because all the spare time is required for ordinary

business matters ; not from those two or three brethren who may have been appointed to instruct him , and whose knowledge in craft matters , is in very many cases limited indeed ; nowhere so well as in the Masonic club room where the

craftsman meet , not to transact any business , but to discuss the various matters pertaining to the craft . There not one solitary opinion is heard , but the opinions and the experiences of the many , and depend upon it the weightiest and most profound will carry the dayand

, the Masonic character of the initiate will take altogether a superior mould . And ought we not to feel m duty bound to have some place wherein we could set clown a visitor ] Not every stranger cares about going to lodge meeting ; there are many

who would infinitely prefer to have a social chat , and the friendly exchange of opinions with those of our well informed brethren who would be the most likely to be met at such a place . And such a proceeding would be of great use to us ; it would enlarge our ideas , which on many points are very

Lights And Shadows Of Scottish Freemasonry.

narrow , and g ive us an insight into the social character and workings of the fraternity in other countries . As we are we have got to be " cribbed , cabined , and confined "; we have got to be too much among our own particular set and are necessarily constrained to think and act ,

as it were in sections , each separate and quite distinct from the other . Throughout England there are many neat little club rooms where the brethren are to bo met with in a social capacity , and ive , ourselves , have a most pleasing recollection of

spending a most agreeable evening in one of them only a few months ago in the quiet little town of Bury St . Edmund ' s . In our next paper under the present heading , we will endeavour to take up other two points : —the Fees , and Masonic instruction as regards the ritual . X . Y . Z .

Ode.

ODE .

To His ROVAL HIGHNESS ALBERT EDWARD , PRINCE OP WALES , & C . < fec , PATRON OF SCOTTISH FREEMASONRY ; GRAND MASTER MASON OF ENGLAND .

By Rt . Wor . Bro . J . G REEN , Grand Bard , Grand Lodge of Scottish Freemasonry in India , P . M . 351 , 18 ° , c & c . All HailIllustrious Head of Masonry ;

, Grand Right-hand p illar of our Sovereign ' s throne , Ten thousand welcomes to our Eastern shores ! Accept our homage , this auspicious day , WeLoyal Brethren , true , who own thy

, sway , Wish thee a happy sojourn in the East . We would convey , through thee , our gratitude To our loved Queen , for freedom we enjoy 'Neath her benignant sceptre and just rule .

And here we pray , that He who rules on high May grant her yet full many happy years , In peace , and health , and wealth , o ' er us to reign ; For what people had more cause to pray God save and bless our Queen , than we , the sons