Cheap Masonry.

CHEAP MASONRY .

IT is difficult to determine just what should be the pecuniary requirement for the conferring of the degrees and orders which appertain to the Masonic system . No exact money equivalent can be named . A sum that might properly be charged in one locality would

be too much or too little in another section where different conditions prevail . Obviously the cost of becoming a Mason , and of taking the various steps that mark its advancing ways , must vary a good deal according

to local condition , which ought to be considered in passing upon the question of fees ; bufc there are certain principles which everywhere should be recognised and have governing force .

The proposition may be laid down afc the very outset that the fees for initiation , and for advancement through each and every grade , should be ample to provide-for pleasant , well furnished , and carefully kept halls and

other apartments , together with all the accessories essential to the conferring of degrees in an impressive and attractive manner . If too small a sum is charged there will need to be a restriction made in the work and

ceremony . The instruction given will nofc be complete ; or it will lack the accessories of music and of such surroundings and ministries as are specially helpful to the work .

If Freemasonry is to be dignified in its organic life provision must be made for fche conferring of degrees on a liberal basis . If the best is to be sought for there must be a generous expenditure to make the work of the Lodge attractive as well as instructive , while the social

and festival side of the institution must likewise be recognised . The fees must be kept sufficiently high to allow of these arrangements and provisions which seem every way desirable . It is said , indeed , that

Freemasonry would live and flourish if shorn of all these aids and accessories ; and the argument is sometimes advanced that it would be just as well for the Fraternity if everything was made much plainer in ceremony and

work , halls left undecorated , music and other aids to the exemplification of the ritual discarded , and banquets and festivals put one side . The essentials of the Masonic system might be preserved under such restrictions ; but it would be a barren and comparatively unattractive Freemasonry that would be thus expressed . The organisation would surely deteriorate under such a rule of procedure . A half century or more ago there were unauthorised assemblages of men who called themselves Masons , and who pretended to confer the Craft degrees on ignorant candidates , from whom a small fee was required . The work done was of the rudest character , and the Masons thus irregularly made could have no standing in the Craft . They might have been instructed in signs , grips , and words , but they were not taught the

principles of Freemasonry , and not only on technical grounds but for other reasons they were justly kepfc outside the lines of the legitimate and well ordered Craft institution . Ifc was cheap Masonry thus represented for a time in the unauthorised associations of Anti-Masonic

times ; and even the pittance required for the conferring of degrees under such conditions was more than fchey were worth .

The fees charged for Masonic initiation and advancement , ^ while not made so exorbitant as to bar out deserving applicants of moderate means , ought to be fixed at a sufficiently high rate to furnish the means for

a liberal expenditure in the ways already noted , and also to signify to the public that the institution holds its instructions and its membership to be of value according to the money standards of the world . Just now our attention is called to the action taken by the Grand Chapter of Canada , at its recent

Convocation , in reducing the fees to be required by the subordinate Chapters to the sum of ten dollars . This reduction seems to imply a cheapening of Freemasonry . Ten dollars is certainly too low a fee for the conferring

of the degrees of Capitular Masonry , whether in Canada or the United States . The result of fixing the rate at so low a figure can hardly be otherwise than detrimental to

the best interests of the Craft . The Toronto Freemason takes this view . It says : " Capitular Masonry at present enjoys a boom , consequent upon the recent reduction of fees . Chapters report from 10 to 30 applications for

Cheap Masonry.

exaltation afc each meeting , and this state of affairs is likely to continue until the novelty wears off . We are opposed to cheap Masonry , and feel now fimly convinced that in a year or two Royal Arch Masonry will be looked upon by the Craft as a 'job lot . ' This is ' bargain

day' in Capitular Masonry in Canada , and reducing the fees must ultimately result in the wiping out of tho Capitular branch . The subordinate degrees will be eliminated , and the Royal Arch incorporated with the M . M . degree in fche Blue system . "

It would not be altogether an evil , in the opinion of the present writer , if the result hinted at in the closing sentence of the foregoing excerpt should be brought about . The Royal Arch degree belongs to the Blue system . It might well be incorporated therein ; but we do not believe in doing evil that good may come . The reduction

of fees by the Grand Chapter of Canada , as looked at from our point of view , seems both an unwise and an inexpedient measure . — " Freemasons Repository . "

Bro . Dr . Lemon was last week the recipient of a pair of handsome silver entree dishes and covers as a wedding gift from the Friendship Lodge and Chapter , No . 202 ,

and the Friendship Mark Lodge , No . 16 , all of Devonport . Bro . John Leonard P . M . and Treasurer of the Lodge made the presentation . o o o Ifc may interest many visitors to Heme Bay to know

that there is a Lodge of Instruction held at the Masonic Rooms every Tuesday evening at eight o ' clock , where Brethren from other Lodges would be most heartily welcomed .

o o o IN 1893 tho Grand Master of Kentucky " in all cases refused dispensations to confer degrees before the lapse of the required time , although in many cases it appeared a hardsliip to do so . "

Ad00502

CRITERION RESTAURANT . EAST BOOM , DINNERS & SUPPERS A LA CARTE . WEST BOOM , FROM 12 TO 3 , Academy Luncheon at 2 / 9 per Head , "Le Diner Parisien , " 5 / - ; Supper , 4 / - Instrumental Music . GEAND HALL , The Popular 3 / 6 Dinner Is Served at SEPABATE TABLES , 6 to 8 p m ., During which the Celebrated ' " SPIERPON" ORCHESTRA WILL PERFORM .