Freemasonry As A Peacemaker.

FREEMASONRY AS A PEACEMAKER .

AMONG the thousands ranged nnder the banner of Freemasonry there are few who have not at one time or other been asked if there really are any secrets connected with the Order ? and although some of these may unaoie to

nave oeen satisty tneir interrogators on tne subject , there are many who have contented themselves with an off-hand answer in the affirmative , without for one moment giving themselves the trouble to consider the

importance ot the secrecy which does , and always should , surround the doings of the Craft . Even those who have long been associated with the inner working of Freemasonry , and might be considered to be in a position to

fully appreciate the necessity for secrecy , sometimes fail to grasp the subject in its fullest extent , and although they do not go so far as to divulge any of the signs or tokens with which they have been entrusted , they occasionally

seek to deprive Freemasonry of a part of that secrecy which should surround the actions of its members , and the maintenance of which may be described as of far greater importance than the mere keeping of a knowledge of certain

grips and words from those who have not been regularly initiated in the several degrees . In this light we may look upon the rule which forbids the discussion of religious , political and outside subjects at Masonic meetings as part

of a restrictive code intended to ensure the secrecy of Freemasonry . The doings of the outside world should be as little mixed up with the affairs of the Lodge , as should the acts of the brethren be published to those not interested in

their work . If once general subjects were meddled with by Freemasons at their stated gatherings the basis of secrecy on which the Order rests would disappear , and the

rum of Freemasonry as a purely free Institution would speedily follow . Every decision arrived at on general subjects would have to be defended on general grounds , and could only be maintained by a disclosure of the why and

wherefore of the Masonic ruling , and the special features and arguments which led to it ; without these a Masonic ruling would be valueless in the sight of the general public . In our last issue we inserted an extract from the New York Dispatch , in which it is advised that Freemasonry

should be called in to act the part of a peacemaker between

the conflicting representatives of capital and labour , or , as our contemporary puts it , " the Masons in the ' Knights of Labour' and the Masons in the ' Knights of Money ' can meet upon a level , and , forgetting the difference in a

worldly point , can settle the troubles between them . " We

should be sorry to see any such mediation undertaken by Freemasons as Freemasons . So far as those who belong to the two sections referred to , and who may be associated

with the Order of Freemasonry are concerned , there is no

difference existing which should prevent them meeting on the level , as Freemasons ; but if once they import outside distinctions into Freemasonry it will speedily be found that as wide a gulf can separate them in the Lodge as ever

existed in their mercantile relations . This must necessaril y be the case . The equality of Freemasonry can only exist so long as all are equal on the floor of the Lodge . If

one member takes up an independent position , and attempts to force others to do the same , he immediately creates an inequality , and must abide its consequences . Questions between "Knights of Labour" and "Knights ot Capita ! " are outside the province of the Masonic Lodge ,

Freemasonry As A Peacemaker.

and it would be unwise to force their discussion on the members of the Order , for reasons already given . A decision one way or other would , in all probability , be binding only on those who were satisfied with it , and how would it be possible to enforce obedienco

from those who did not choose to adopt it r The mere publication of a decision of public interest by a secret society would be an anomaly ; those outside the Order

might urge , as a just cause of complaint , the tact that they had not been heard in snpport of their particular views ; while they might further argue—and reasonably

sothat undue influence had been brought to bear m securing the decision . Whatever Freemasonry may accomplish as a means of securing peace and goodwill among

its individual members , it certainly is not possible for it to occupy a prominent place among the peacemakers of the world at large , and we hope that whenever a suggestion ia

put forward which is likely to bring the Order into conflict with any particular section of the community , there may be found brethren able and willing to direct their fellows

in the right course—which , to our mind , is to Keep entirely clear of all discussions other than those associated with Freemasonry .

Looking further into the subject , as treated by our coritemporary , we find other points on which a few words may be written . He saya , " there are Masons among the

Capitalists ; there are Masons among the labourers . These Masons ought to be brought together , for Masonry place ' s

all men on a level . All Masons , rich and poor , meet upon the level . " This is trne in theory and also in practice—but only so far as concerns Freemasonry . The prince and the peasant , the rich and the poor , are equal in Freemasonry ,

but the equality ceases immediately they leave the work of the Craft , just as it was non-existent previous to their admission to the Order . It is not correct to say there are Masons among the capitalists and Masons among the labourers who can meet upon the level of Freemasonry for the discusssion of their private business concerns ; once import Freemasonry into the matter , and they are no longer capitalists or labourers , but each and all are Brother Masons—on a level as regards their having all received the light of Freemasonry in a similar state—and all bound by the same laws to discuss outside any subject likely to disturb the peace and harmony of the Lodge . Who will say that such subjects as disagreements between employers

and employed are not likely to disturb peace and harmony , more especially if they are discussed by the employers and employes themselves ? It is certainly no part of the work of Freemasonry to fix the hours of labour , or the price

which shall be paid for an hour's work ; therefore it is impossible for Masons to decide the question of " yielding to what is right on both sides , " or to " stand as a mediator between these two mighty forces . " The question is one

weightier perhaps than Freemasonry itself , at all events it is one far removed from the action of the Craft , aud while it is true that Masonic toleration might be beneficially preached among those who have to decide the question , it

would be unwise to treat the matter from a purely Masonic point of view . This is essentially a subject which should not be forced upon the functions of Freemasonry , and when a brother is so far led away by his desire to benefit his fellow creatures as to propose Masonic interference , he may

truly be said to have acted unwisely , as we think our con temporary will admit on further consideration of the sub ject in all its bearings ,