A Few Words On American Masonry.

wonderful advantages and beautiful workings of " the mystic tie " brought so prominently and forcibly to public attention as during the great civil Avar , since when the popularity of Masonry has caused it to be flooded with new members , and the immense influx of neophytes has

consequently created a multiplication of Masonic bodies . The question is , has there been a proportionate amount of zeal , devotion , or true Masonic culture ? The great need of the hour , in addition to that of reform , is the substitution of

thorough and efficient measures for the education of the brethren . True , the literature of Masonry has been enriched by the learning and labours of a few devoted Craftsmen . American contributions to Masonic literature are too

valuable and important to be passed unheeded . America is entitled to as high a rank for her Mackey , Pike , Simons and a score of others , as can be claimed by Masonic literati of any other nation or time . But , to use the words of an eminent P . G . M ., " while the fountains have been full and

ample , can it be said that the river has swollen and broadened as it should have done ? " Foremost among the Masonic students and writers of the century is Dr . Albert G . Mackey , who has devoted his life and learning—his wonderful knowledge of ancient historical and Eastern

lore—to the elucidation of Masonry ; and yet , after three years of unrequited labour , recent advices from America state that he has been compelled to abandon the publication of the National Freemason , a journal universally acknowledged to be one of the most scholarly and useful periodicals

the Craft has ever had the opportunity of sustaining . Dr . Mackey will be best known to posterity as the author and compiler of HacJcey ' s Masonic Encyclopaedia , the most thoroughly reliable and exhaustive work of its kind in existence , and the result of fifty years' experience , study and research .

There are many sides from which to consider American Masonry , and undoubtedly , while arrogating to ourselves a more discreet and careful carrying out of the precepts and sublime teachings of the great Order , we see much in the labour of our Transatlantic brethren to disapprove and

condemn ; they have many belongings which might with profib be expatiated on for our benefit and example . There is one point , however , we would like to see light thrown upon . No country is more lavish of outlay on Masonic architecture , witness the magnificent Temples of Bosbon ,

Philadelphia and New York ; in fact , in nine-tenths of American towns and cities the Masonic Hall is , < par excellence , the hall . No country is more ostentatious of parade , glitter , show , and extravagance , vide accounts of Masonic

inaugurations , processions , and celebrations . Yet , where are the Masonic Charities , Benevolent Institutions , Widows' Fund , Orphans' Home , and Schools ? Echo answers—would it be possible for an echo to reach us from across the Atlantic ?

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

THE MASONIC CHARITIES .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR . SIR , —It was with feelings of pleasure that I perused the circular announcing the publication of your paper , for I feel sure there aro many things in the Masonic World ( as in most others ) , which will bear modification , if not improvement .

One point to which I would direct attention is , the disposal of funds collected at tho several Lodges amongst the threo charities connected with the Order . I have in many instances noticed what might almost be termed jealousies on this matter , and , as a remedy , would suggest that the subscriptions from the members should be

divided according to some previously arranged rat" , which might I think , be settled by the officers of the threo char , s themselves . I feel sure that the adoption of somo such scheme would meet with the approbation of tho majority of the Masons of this country .

Of course I intend that tho above remarks shall not in any way interfere with private donations , but only with funds collected generally in the various Lodges . Wishing you success , I am , yours , & Q , M , J ,

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

Oliver ' s Masonic Jurisprudence ; a New Edition . Edited by Walter Spencer , Esq ., F . K . G . S . London : Spencer . 1874 . THIS admirable work , which has become an indispensable handbook of Freemasonary to those who desire to acquire a knowledge of the

Craft , has just undergone a thorough revision , under the editorial care of Mr . Spencer , than whom no one is more qualified for tho task of seeing it through the press . The information contained in the volume has been brought down to the present time , and much valuable assistance has been obtained from eminent Masons learned in tho laws

and customs of the Craft . No young aspirant for Masonic honours should be without a copy of the work . In its pages tho neophyte will find ample tuition in the principles and laws of Masonry , and if he supplements tho Lodge instruction ho receives with a course of reading in Mr . Oliver ' s agreeable pages , he will soon qualify himself

for office . The author spared no pains to make the work a perfect reflex of the principles of Masonry . His legal knowledge will scarcely be questioned by any brother , however experienced he may be in the Craft , and the remarks on ceremonials are as full of hints and suggestions as possible . Tho first portion of the work , which

deals with Craft Lodges , will enable the young and inexperienced Mason to obtain a clear idea of the nature of the vast aud complex organization of the institution of which ho has become a member . He will find that Masonry is based upon Science ; that its principles are im . mutable , but that within itself it has infinite capacity for growth and

progress . He will learn that he is an apprentice to a Craft , the mysteries of which have been handed down through long ages of the storied past by the Master Minds who built the world ' s greatest monuments . Nor is it the novice only who may obtain valuable hints from these learned pages . Many of our brethren who have long been memberf

of the Craft may glean much useful information from them . Too many amongst ns , wo fear , are content to settle down into a condition of apathy after they have ouco passed the mysterious portals of the Lodge . They have gratified an ambition , laudable , indeed , as far as it goes , and , having been enrolled in tho ranks of Masonry , they care

little for its responsibilities or its honours . Such men might , with advantage , spend an occasional leisure hour in the society of Mr . Oliver , and if his manifest enthusiasm in the cause cannot inspire something of a like kind in the breast of the apathetic brother , his case is desperate indeed . Some of our Lodge jurists , too , would

probably be tho better for an occasional refresher of the memory . We do not mean to say that onr advisors are ever incompetent , but tho best Masonic lawyer may sometimes make a slip , and it would be

better for his credit that he should have Oliver ' s Jurisprudence at his fingers' ends rather than run the risk of being tripped up by tho Lodge Instructor , who is sure to spring our author , like a mine , npon the blunderer .

Tho various sections of tho work aro set out with great clearness and caro , and tho necessary stops , from the creation of a new Lodge to the office and privileges of the Worshipful Master , are carefully traced . Tho ceremonial is judiciously sketched , leaving , of course , much unsaid which can only be learned in tho Temple of Masonry . The laws

relating to candidates are fully discussed , aud the rules to be observed at initiations are thoroughly sound and practical . Every apprentice , who is worth his salt , naturally desires to acquire the status of a Fellow Craft , and our author gives full information relative to degrees of Masonic progress ; judicious hints upon the qualification questions ,

and the passing of tho novice to the supremo grade . The same may be said of the remarks concerning the status of a Master Mason , and on costume he is luminous in a high degree . Lodge discipline and instruction are dwelt upon as fully as their importance deserves , and the status and privileges of each of the officers , from the T yler to

tho Worshipful Master , are carefully laid down . Nor are the laws of debate forgotten , and these , which are in principle the same as thoso which govern all well conducted deliberative assemblies , are full and accurate . Indeed , as we said at starting , tho work is a complete

handbook of Masonry , and it our space permitted we might dwell at length upon any of tho important sections of the work at which we have only had time to glance . In a few days we may again return to tho subject , and follow the author through tho various glides of the Purple and Crimson Lodges .

Magazines Of The Month.

MAGAZINES OF THE MONTH .

FIKST NOTICE . Blackwood , perhaps as a token of respect for the gay and festive season of Christinas , eschews politics , and wisely confines itself to matters of a less serious character . The first contribution is tho

'poning portion of a story entitled Giannetto . The hero is a mute , wfc " , in some mysterious way , gains power of speech . Biul soon after e-f . ppears on the scene as Signor Giovanni , the de .-crvsdly popular prima tenore . There is a somewhat quaint ( in style , at least ) effusion entitled . " Idas . an Extravaganza , " the chief merit oj' which