More Restrictions For " Free " Masonry.

MORE RESTRICTIONS FOR " FREE " MASONRY .

WHEN we last wrote , a fortnight since , on the subject of Class Masonry , and pointed out that its continuation in individual Lodges would prove merely the stepping stone to a huge system of cliquism , of combinations , and of sectionism , we little thought a few days would bring us full confirmation of our arguments , or that the freedom of Freemasonry was then being rudely assailed as an

indirect outcome of the obnoxious feature . Yet such was the case . At the time our remarks were published a paragraph was being circulated throughout the English press , with a sensational heading associating the so-called Temperance cause with Freemasonry , and referring to two resolutions which have recently been passed by the Grand Lodge of the State of Wisconsin . There is nothin g contrarv to —

CJ u the principles of Freemasonry in holding up Temperance as a Masonic virtue—on the contrary , temperance has been taught as long as Freemasonry has existed , but the " total abstinence " craze of the present day is not " temperance , " and its introducinto the Masonic system is an innovation and a mistake .

The resolutions passed by the Masons of Wisconsin are to the following effect : —( 1 ) " That hereafter no person who is engaged in keeping a Saloon , or selling intoxicating liquors , to be used as a beverage , shall be initiated into any subordinate Lodge in this Jurisdiction , nor shall any Mason who is so engaged be received in any Lodge by affiliation , " and ( 2 )

" That it is hereby made the imperative duty of all Lodges in this Jurisdiction to exclude from Lodge and ante-rooms all intoxicating liquors . " These resolutions may be very well in their way , perhaps the inhabitants of Wisconsin need stringent measures , but they are not Masonic , and however much power a Grand Lodge may possess in matters concerning its

members , it can have no right to upset the first principles of Freemasonry , which enjoin that all are free to be received into its ranks , provided they are just , upright , and good men . We see here a direct result of one Grand Lodge introducing class considerations—others follow the bad example and do worse ! While the one allows

restrictions for an individual Lodge , another excludes a certain class altogether from Freemasonry , and so matters progress . If the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin excludes all who deal in intoxicating liquors , it is equally possible some other Grand Lodge will exclude some other section of the community , and after a while the chance of becoming a member of the

Masonic Order will largely depend on the fads and prejudices of the particular section of the world where one resides . Is this Freemasonry ? Is it not rather a return to the bigotry of ages long past , and which , '

More Restrictions For " Free " Masonry.

with the enlightenment of the present day , it was hoped would never return ? Let us suppose , for the sake of argument , that another Grand Lodge decides to exclude chapel goers , another section puts a ban on those who go to church , while a third will have nothing to do with Jews , and

so forth . Would those who support the total abstinence faddists be equally in accord with all these others ? and , if not , on what ground would they support their objection ? If it is right for Wisconsin to exclude one section of the community it would be

equally right for other Grand Lodges to exclude those whose views were not quite in accord with those of the local majority , and instead of Freemasonry being recognised as one universal system throughout the world , it would become disunited , and , as a consequence , thoroughly disorganised .

There is another and an equally important matter to be considered in regard to Class Masonry—how long are the fads of to-day likely to last ? In a few years time fresh ideas will take the place of existing ones , and these strangely unmasonic restrictions will have to be removed . Then we shall see the absurdity of making class regulations ; and some of the rules of to-day will appear more like the edicts of the dark ages , than the work of the latter part of the

nineteenth century . But we imagine our protests will be in vain , the Masonic authorities do not appear now-adays to take much , if any interest in upholding the old fashioned ideas of Freemasonry , which , like everything else , seems to change year by year in various parts of the world , in sympathy with the

changes of local feeling and local sentiment . In many ways this is most desirable , but when a Grand Lodge passes such sweeping resolutions as those just agreed to in Wisconsin it is going too far , and it is quite time other ruling powers asked themselves the question whether the action is in accordance with the principles of Freemasonry .

Reaction.

REACTION .

HE would indeed be a bold man who attempted to predict the ultimate outcome of the agitation which has disturbed the Masonic Charity World during the last few months—that system of Benevolence which has at its head the three Institutions of the Craft , and which has

deservedly become the boast and the pride of the English Brotherhood . Statements have been circulated , charges have been made , and altogether a most reckless line of proceeding has been indulged in . Still , we think the day is

not far distant when we shall be in a position to show that much of what has taken place has been the outcome of side influence , if not actual underhand practice . There

has been a rude awakening in the minds of some as to the way in which charity funds have been distributed , while those whose object seemed to be to create a disturbance have not been slow to seize upon any point likely to tell in

their favour , and against those they have so ruthlessly attacked . Shall we ever know how much of this opposition