Masonic Notes And Queries.

and widest exercise , is our distinguished characteristic . A Mason ' s disposition should be mild as the autumnal breeze , open as the air , and genial as the sun , cheering and comforting all around him ; his deeds should be pleasant as the clear shining after rain , and diffusive as a dewy cloud upon a harvest day . " If we have truly and sincerely at heart a real love

for the honour and dignity of Masonry—if we square our lives and actions by the unerring laws transmitted to us—if in our dealings with mankind we act strictly on the level—if , in our deportment through life we walk humbly before God , upright as the plumbline , and Avithin compass , then shall we merit the distinguished character of good men and true , as also that of wise and experienced Free and Accepted Masons .

" W . C , P . M . B . C . of the H . R . A . C . " North Brixton . " STATUEALISM AOT EREE 11 A . SOHK . Y . " An individual , during a recent visit to the French metropolis , whither he had gone in search of a religion (!) became a convert to Naturalism . " Thus

writes a brother ; and he aftenvards asks , "Is it fitting that such individual should be received into Freemasonry ? " My correspondent should procure Monsieur Cara's book , " L'ldee de Dieu et ses nouveaux Critiques , " and read the chapter entitled " La Renaissance du Naturalism . " The ensuing are the

concluding lines of that chapter : — "Tel est ce systcme qui demonte successivement tous les rouages de l ' uuiversel mecauisme , pour qui la cause supreme n'est qu'un ressort aveugle , Thornine une pure machine , dependant du reste de 1 ' engrenage . Il ' y manque deux motsimportants il est vraiqui resument toute vraie

, , ciA'ilisation et toute vraie philosophic-. Dieu et la liberte . " It is plain that the individual to whom my correspondent alludes ought not to be admitted into our Craft . —CHABLES PUETOI 7 COOPEE .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . 10 THE EDITOR Or InB ' FEEEMASONS' MAGAZIKE AND HAS 03 JIC lURROn . DEAE SIE AXU BEOTHEE ,- —I haA'e often heard it remarked that the government of the Masonic body is a pure despotism , and that passive and blind

obedience to the constituted authorities is a primary duty . To neither of these opinions , as it appears to me , can unqualified assent be given . In several respects , free election , even vote by ballot , is exercised , as in the appointment of a Master of a lodge , choice

being limited only by certain very proper qualifications and restrictions , namely , ju-esumed competency to fulfil the duties , as indicated hy previous occupation of the chair of Warden , which is rarely attained till after an experience of several years in the Craft .

Here , then , what in politics is called a " radical system" prevails amongst us . Again , in the appointment of Grand Master , every member of Grand Lodge has a vote , if he choose to attend and exercise

it , most of such members having , as before stated * been elected by ballot in the several lodges , with the exception of the Wardens , who have seats only temporarily during tenure of office . Under these circumstances it is quite right that perfect obedience should be exacted from the members of the Craft to

regulations and orders from authorities so constituted . In the appointment of Deputy Grand Master , Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy , on the contrary , a despotic system is carried out , since these may be , and frequently are , chosen for life , and in the case of

one of them , the Provincial Grand Master , although there is a power of appeal against his decisions on certain subjects , the difficulties of such a step are so great that practically unlimited and almost irresponsible powers are conferred and exercised . This does ,

in fact , constitute , a despotism , and though in the main perhaps it does not often Avork badly , still the power exists , and instances may be pointed out where obedience becomes next to impossible on the part of brethren who desire to carry out the principles of

honour , truth , ancl virtue , by which the Craft ought to be distinguished . One cause of frequent dissatisfaction may be especially pointed out , which is capable of being easily obviated , namely , the appointment to Provincial Grand office , which is in the hands of the Provincial Grand Master , without check or control . Every one who has had any Masonic

experience knows that there is no more common cause of discontent among us on the part of brethren , whose efforts to gain honour hy their merit and services have been thwarted by caprice or favouritism . Those who have occupied the first chair of lodges with judgment , talent , and success have found others

clothed with the purple immediately on their taking the third degree , and placed on high rank , while they themselves have continued for j'ears to hold no , or only subordinate , provincial rank . As scarcely any duties devolve on officers of Provincial Grand Lodge ,

it appears to myself and to many others that such posts ought to be considered as the rewards of past services and of eminent merit . With a view to this end , it might be generally acknowledged that no one should be raised to such a position who has not filled

the chair of a lodge , so long as any Avho are thus qualified by the choice of their brethren remain without the dignity . That is to say , tlie limitation contained in article 3 , on page 51 of the " Book of Constitutions , " might he beneficially extended to all the offices

when possible ; aud , further , that every one should first take the lowest provincial office , and rise annually by a regular gradation to that of S . W ., unless his conduct or irregularity of attendance be such as to shoAV at any point that he is unworthy to make further progress . Such a regulation , would , I believe , be eminently popular Avith the leading Masons in the