Dangerous Tendencies.

virfcue is raised , and the only sure source of hope in time of adversity . The evils of prosperity are alike manifest in individuals , nations , and institutions , and no wonder need be felt tbat Freemasonry shares in the common sin . Responsibility varies according to the light that is given ,

and it is great in the case of members of fche Craffc , who are blessed witb such teaching and guidance that , while they make them heirs of a noble inheritance , they entail upon them duties and obligations which cannot be neglected without danger .

Leaving general principles for tbe time being , and proceeding to particular subjects , ifc cannot be denied that there is much in the present condition of Freemasonry tbat needs amendment . There is a wonderful amount of

vitality among the brethren , the outcome of the instinctive recognition of tbe charitable qualities of the Craft ; there is also a great deal of self-indulgence and waste of time ; an inordinate love of show , and a prodigal display of hospitality . Nothing can be said against the moderate

indulgence of the pleasures of the table . Social enjoyment is one of the elements of the Order—subservient to , and nofc distinct from nor above , its higher teaching . It ia only when banquets become too frequent and costly , and when the time consumed in their service is too great , tbat

evils arise . These , however , are so serious , that the period has come to consider whether a change cannot be brought about . The comparison between old and modern tavern bills , for instance , opens up a question of great importance . Our forefathers were content with modes , fare , altogether

unlike the feasting of to-day . It is no exaggeration to say tbat the cost of banquets at the present time is double what ifc was within the memory of some of the brethren still living , while the time consumed in partaking of them is a waste and a scandal . A modern custom has led to the

introduction of professional music on special occasions , as elaborate and artistic as thafc provided at a public concert , which serves to unduly prolong the time of gatherings . Individuals are chiefly responsible for this late extravagant addition to the pleasures of the table , and they defend it

upon the ground that they pay for it themselves . Apart from the objections that are urged upon general principles , ifc should be remembered thafc no Worshipful Master is altogether free to indulge in costly show , even though he pays for it himself . He is under a moral obligation to set

an example of prudence and modesty , and ought nofc to fix a standard which , in a vast majority of cases , cannot be followed by his successors . The Lodge should , or does , determine the character of its pleasures , and no single brother , however rich and generous , ought to exceed the

limit that is ordered by usage . The social position and circumstances of a Master of a Lodge , in the abstract , make distinctions impossible ; but in practice they are the cause of inequalities which are painful to those who are not blessed with an adundance of worldly wealth .

The brother with money makes a show and gains popularity , wbicb may or may not be deserved . Hia other qualifications may be excellent , but then they may not , and he thus arrives at a spurious fame , which is alike inimical to the Craffc at large and to his successor . The

loss oi time which elaborate ceremonies at banquets entail is not so great as their cost ; it is , nevertheless , a serious evil , and altogether unnecessary . In venturing to express this view in a recent issue , we gave offence to a brother for whom we have every respect . He questioned our

right to " reporfcorial " criticism , and assumed the privilege to do as . he pleased with his own . So he has in his private capacity ; but even here that right is often limited by law and custom . As we have shown , he stands in a different position as Master of a Lodge of Freemasons . His first

duty is to the genius of the Craffc , which is opposed to excessive indulgence in social pleasures ; and his next duty is to those who , for the time being , are subordinate to him , but who will follow him in the exalted position he holds . Tbey ought nofc to be tempted to imitate an example that

would be ruinous to them , and it is cruel to expose them to comparisons which have been instituted without their consent , and in defiance of the true principles of the Craft . Music is one of the most beautiful adjuncts of Masonry . The ceremonies , ennobling as they are , gather force when

accompanied with the strains of the organ . Here music is in its right place , and performs functions which , if not indispensable , are at least in harmony with the main object , and exceedingly beautiful and impressive . There is no objection to music afc banquets either , provided the cost comes out of the Lodge funds , and the brethren have a

Dangerous Tendencies.

voice in controlling expenditure . It should not be allowed to interfere with the complimentary business of the evening , which should always be of a pleasing character . But it is often so late before the toast list is half exhausted thafc many brethren are compelled to leave

without receiving honour or witnessing honour done to others . Confusion and disgust ensue , and many regret such wanton waste of generosity and time . The real business—and a well-arranged toast list is the most important part of the ceremonies of a banquet—should be

got through witb decency and order , witb a due regard to time and convenience . When this has been done , it is competent for those who desire further social intercourse fo prolong their stay , as was done recently at Reading , by instituting a smoking concert . This was a happy

arrangement , and satisfied the necessary conditions of respect and enjoyment . Guests were honoured , and they reciprocated the feeling by remaining and taking part in all tbe official proceedings , and the enjoyment and convenience of all were ensured .

We know we shall give offence to some by these remarks , but were we not conscious of a high sense of duty in the matter , the letters that have reached us , and the concurrence of opinion we have beard expressed , would be sufficient justification . We are nofc mawworms j we have

no quarrel with the pleasures of the table ; we are not at war with the tavern keeper . We desire that all things should be done in moderation , and with a reverent regard for the high and noble character of the Craft . If Masonry be

a solemn institution , as all acknowledge it to be , then our first care ought to be its moral , intellectual , and spiritual development , and social pleasures should be subordinate to the full discharge of duty .

Eminent Men Who Were Masons.

EMINENT MEN WHO WERE MASONS .

FBOM THE KETSTONB .

MAJOR-GENERAL Sir Robert R . Gillespie , K . C . B ., was made in the Lodge at Cromter , County Down , Ireland , in 1783 . Major-Gen . Thomas Proctor was made in Lodge No . 3 , Philadelphia , in 1766 , receiving all the degrees from E . A . to K . T . He was' W . M . of No . 3 , and afterwards also of Military ( now Montgomery ) Lodge , No . 19 , Philadelphia . Rev . Canon Duckworth was made in the Lodge of Antiqnitv , London , as was also Prince Leopold . General

Rufus Putnam was made in American Union ( Army ) Lodge , near West Point , N . Y ., and was elected the first Grand Master of Ohio . Herman Blannerhassetfc ( the victim of Aaron Burr ) was Secretary of American Union Lodge , No . 1 , of Marietta , Ohio , in 1798 . James T . Brady , the eminent lawyer , was made in New York , in 1866 . The remains of Admiral Farragnt were interred with Masonio honours at

Portsmouth , N . H . General and President Andrew Jackson was Grand Master of Tennessee in 1822 and 1823 . Wm . King , the firsfc Governor and first Grand Master of Maine , is honoured by having his statue placed in the national statuary hall in the capitol at Washington . Colonel Augustus Stone waa made 5 th October 1807 , in American Union Lodge , No . 1 , Ohio ,

Gen . Rufus Pataara being W . M . when he received the F . C . degree ; and at the time of his death , aged 98 years , he was the oldest affiliated . Mason , Secretary and Royal Arch Mason in the United States . George M . Dallas , Grand Master of Pennsylvania and Vice-President of the United States , was made in Franklin Lodge , No . 134 , Philadelphia , in March 1818 , and in 1820 was elected W . M . Wm . James

Hughan , author of the " Masonio Memorials , & o ., was made in 1862 , in St . Anbyn Lodge , Devonport , England . Robert Freke Gould , the author of "The Four Old Lodges , " & c , was made in Royal Naval Lodge , No . 429 , Ramsgate , England , in 1855 , Dr . A . G . Mackey author of the " Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry , " & c , was made in St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 10 , Charlestown , S . C , in 1841 . A . T . C .

Pierson P . G . M . P . G . H . P ., and P . G . Capfc .-Gen . Grand Encampment , author of "The Traditions of Freemasonry , " was also made in 1841 . The Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , M . A ., P . G . Chap , of the Grand Lodge , of Eng ., editor of the London Freemason , and author of " Kenning ' s Cyclopcedia of Freemasonry , " is a Past Officer and member of the Lodge of Antiquity , No . 2 , London . D . Murray Lyon Grand

Secretary , and author of " Freemasonry in . Scotland , " was made in June 1854 , in Lodge Ayr and Renfrew Malitia St . Paul , No 204 , Scotland . George F . Fort , author of " The Early History and Antiquities of Freemasonry , " was made in Camden Lodge , No . 15 . Camden , N . J ., in 1868 . Leon Hyneman , compiler of the "Masonio

Library , " and one of the founders of Shekinah Lodge , JNO . _ « o , Philadelphia , was made in La Fayette Lodge , No . 71 , Philadelphia . Robert Morris , LL . D ., P . G . M . of Kentucky , the author of " The Level and the Square , " was made 5 th March 1849 , in Gathright Lodge , No . 33 , Oxford , Miss . Theodore S . Parviu was made in Nova Csasarea Lodge , No . 2 , Cincinnati , 0 ., 14 th March 1838 . Enoch T . Carson was Pleasant

made Sth November 1845 , in Marion Lodge , No . 120 , Mt . , O . Charles W . Moore was made in Kennebec Lodge , Hallowell , Me ., in May 1822 . Chief Justice J , Banister Gibson , in 1852 , was elected Grand Master of Pennsylvania , from the floor of the Grand Lodge . Lieufc .. Com . Henry H . Gorringe is a member of Anglo-Saxon Lodge , No . 137 , of New York city . Three recent Lord Mayors ot London are Freemasons—Aldermen Knight , J . Whittaker Ellis , ana