Small Lodges.

are not the only Lodges that have suffered a diminution of membership , and well worked assemblies of our Bethren have , in the number of attendants , become less and less . To the healthy Lodge these apparent drawbacks have but proved thrusts forward in the commendable path of securing good men and true

to form the foundation of our beautiful symbolism . The finality of the matter is that it is in the direction of thorough investigation of prospective members and officers that the remedy lies , and Brethren who rashly speak of amalgamation should first think of the fact that the increase of our Craft , not as regards

numbers , for this is the natural result of its principles to which all good men must hasten , depends upon the examples set by its individual members , and that the best way of ensuring an observance of these principles and an energy in their propagation is by making each man feel that upon him rests the responsibility

of being in the van . We have not a few instances in which the larger Lodges in the metropolitan cities have been making members at any cost , and the course pursued even leading to charges being laid before the Board of General Purposes . When Lodges also initiate , by

tbe half-dozen at a time , men who cannot repeat , let alone understand , the obligation they take , we have not far to seek for the thirst which is too apparent to obtain office at any price , and for which small Lodges , hoodwinked into blind trust , are too often used as the mediums for advancement , and are then either

trampled upon—if they will stand it—or deserted as soon as those honours have been obtained ; and it is in the admission of such men without weighing all the pros and cons of their merits or possible demerits that the evils of small Lodges begin and end . Upon the quality of the material they use depends the stability and beauty of the superstructure . — " Masonry . "

Heroic Treatment.

HEROIC TREATMENT .

AT tbe recent annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of New York , Grand Master Stewart , in his annual address , reported his action in arresting the charter of a Lodge , and causing charges to be preferred against the Master , Junior Warden and three members , which resulted in their expulsion . The Grand Lodge approved his action and forfeited the charter of the Lodge . The following is the case as presented :

" Shortly after the close of the last Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge , information came to me that Zerrubbabel Lodge was admitting to membership persons of questionable reputation , that its communications were conducted m a manner inconsistent with the landmarks and laws of the Fraternity , and

that many of its right-minded Brethren , for these reasons , absented themselves . from its communications . I communicated the information imparted to R . W . George W . White District Deputy Grand Master of the 6 th Masonic District , in which said Lodge is located , with instructions to make a thorough

investigation , and to prefer charges , if necessary , to arrest the evil . I regret to say the . investigation disclosed a condition of affairs so entirely foreign to the usages of Masonry , and so absolute a violation of the Constitution and Statutes , that it became necessary , in order to preserve the good name of our

Craft , to act promptly . Accordingly , I arrested the warrant of the Lodge , and , on presentation of charges , appointed commissioners to try the Master , Junior Warden , and three other Brethren , one of whom was the last candidate initiated . I need not enter into a detail of the trial further than to mention

the fact that on the evening the last candidate was initiated the disreputable place kept by him was raided by the police . All against whom charges were preferred were found guilty , and promptly expelled from the rights and privileges of Masonry .

While those in charge of the affairs of the Lodge were responsible for its wrong-doing , the fact remains that the great majority of its membership was composed of Brethren , good men and true , who , rather than be participants in scenes of wrangling and discord , remained away from the Lodge meetings .

Recognising the stigma placed upon these Brethren by the disgrace of suspended warrant and the expulsion of the Master and others , and not believing it either right or just that it should remain upon them , I directed the Grand Secretary to receive , from the Brethren of that Lodge whose reputation and

standing could not be questioned , the amount of dues charged against them , and thereupon issue a certificate enabling them to affiliate with other Lodges . Fifty-four of these Brethren , to whom such certificates were issued , petitioned for a dispensation to establish a new Lodge , which I granted , and fifty Brethren affiliated with other Lodges .

I believe the duty of the Grand Lodge is to forfeit the warrant of Zerrubbabel Lodge , and thereby close a chapter in the history of the Craft which , let us trust , is never to be repeated . — " Masonic Advocate . "

Heroic Treatment.

The weekly meetings of the Royal Jubilee Lodge of Instruction , No . 72 , were resumed at the Crown , Lambeth Road , S . E ., on Wednesday , and will be continued each Wednesday , at 8 p . m . o o o Local members of the Masonic Craft will join in offering

their congratulations to Bro . Robert Case , the veteran Secretary of the Province , and who at the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Wimborne on Thursday was the recipient of an honour unique in the history of Dorsetshire Freemasonry . Only Freemasons know the invaluable services which Bro . Case has

rendered to their society , and they , perhaps , will alone appreciate the full value of the honour , which consists of the special distinction of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden , authorised by the Grand Lodge of England to be given in commemoration of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales' 21 st anniversary as Grand Master .

Bro . R . Case , it is interesting to note , has held office either as Secretary or Treasurer in this Province for the same period as the Prince of Wales has presided over the destines of the Craft , so that the honour conferred is specially interesting and valuable — " Southern Times . "

A Fraternity whose affairs are conducted with secrecy ia naturally an object of jealously ; and although we can discern abundant reason for preserving that veil of concealment which covers its transactions , it is not so easy to satisfy those who are without . What , then , is the criterion of their judgment

respecting it ? They may learn something of its principles from books , and from conversation with its members on points where secrecy is not enjoined . But is not the rule of their judgment more often found in the lives and practices of its votaries , especially those called upon to preside over its affairs ? Will it

be denied that , in proportion as they exhibit a combination of talent and of goodness , they commend the Fraternity to the notice and acceptance of the virtuous and the wise ? But if the respectability of Officers and members have an external influence ,

how much more do their capability and good conduct conduce to the well . -ordering of internal affairs ? The difficulty of effecting so desirable an object as this is of itself sufficient to show the absurdity of any other passport , than that of merit , to the highest offices of the Craft . — " Keystone . "

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