Masonic Halls.

conviction that this practice is the one great hindrance to the more extensive spread of the principles of the Order in the provinces ; and Avhile itkeeps many a worthy man from joining onr ranks , it is , unhappily , the means of doing incalculable injury to many young men AVIIO become Freemasons . This should not be so . if Freemasonry is by any man suffered to become an excuse for mere eating and deep drinking , it is to him a sham

and a delusion ; and instead of making him a better ancl more virtuous man , it Avill have just the opposite effect , and will sink him lower in the depths of immorality and sin . I knoAV several Freemasons , good and consistent ones too , who are teetotallers—ancl all honour to an honest teetotaller ; and I find by the Mayarine , that in one Lodge in my OAVU country two members of the Society of Friends have recently been made Masons . Could these menin a small townwhere the eye of jealousy and

suspi-, , cion is ever upon them , consistently with their profession attend tAi'o or three nights a week at an hotel , and escape scathless ? I say—and I think you Avill echo— " decidedly not . " Their intentions may be good , and their motives pure , but the tongue of scandal will surely blast their fair fame ; ancl , sir , it is this that keeps hundreds of men , who would be bright and shining lights amongst us , from ranging themselves beneath the Masonic banner .

In the next place , as to the temptation to ivhich Masons , young Masons especially , arc subjected by attending Lodges held at taverns . The duties of their Lodge arc ended ; everything has passed off in a most agreeable and satisfactory manner ; the Brethren arc all pleased and elated ; Ave must have one glass and one cigar before wc part , to talk over matters and for the good of the house ; supper follows—then another glass ancl another cigar ; oh , sir , it is the old talc—and poor Freemasonry gets all the blame .

Yonder brother surely has forgotten that he has to be up and at his work to-morrow ( or rather this ) morning by seven , or perhaps six o ' clock , and that , his trade , or it may be his profession , demands a clear head and a steady hand . Yonder other Brother cannot be aware that it is well nigh two o ' clock , and that there is waiting up for him at home , pale , and shivering over the expiring fire , one who ought to be nearer and dearer to him than Freemasonryor even life itself . Both must have utterlforgotten wliat

, y they heard so lately , that Freemasonry is not a selfish system of eating and drinking and smoking and carousing , but a pure system of morality . For my OAA ' part I am no teetotaller , neither do I in moderation shun the pleasures of the festive board , or of convivial , society , but I do maintain that no drunkard or swearer , or neglectcr of his home and family , is or can be a true Freemason .

Well , now Sir , briefly to point the moral , let those Lodges which have their OATO halls , lend their surplus funds on proper security to those Lodges which have none ; let the Lodges which now meet at inns , make an effort to get a home and a house of their own—and they will find themselves much happier and more comfortable , far more prosperous , and much more respected . I find I am trespassing too much on your space . I ii-anted to say something . about the Freemasons' Hall and the proposed alterations , but I must defer that- to a future opportunity . I am , Sir and Brother , your obedient servant , A YORKSHIRE MASON ,