Inanition.

A few practical words , in conclusion , upon the best methods for promoting a healthy stir and noise in the Lodge . If you have a friend who openly manifests an interest in Masonry , and seeks information concerning it , give it to him , in the interest of your own Lodge . Not to do so is

not to fulfil your duty to yourself , to him , and to your branch of the Craft . Freemasonry seeks no members , has no propaganda , but is ever ready to welcome and receive within its mystic circle those of good repute in the outer world , whose character can bear the preliminary test of examination .

In the absence of technical work , let some of the wideawake Brethren propose and discuss some Masonic subject of general interest to the members . In a season of . general dullness there is nothing like sensible debate to awaken new life , and lead to work . The more modest members will be

stimulated to express their opinions , and the chronic talkers will have full opportunity to exhibit their gifts . Plave anything but continual silence in the Lodge , for it is deadening . It often is useful to invite other Brethren to visit your Lodge , during a period of inaction , and deliver a brief address

upon some topic of importance to the Fraternity . There is nothing that the average American or Englishman enjoys more than a good speech , be it before or after dinner . I he comedy of wit , the play of fancy , the stroke of rhetoric , the sound common sense that the best addresses contain , are

calculated to promote that reaction in the Lodge which so often is desirable . Brethren , see to it that you never lack , in your Masonic bodies , one , or other , or all , of these enlivening processes , so that there may never be lacking a healthy stir in Masonic life . — " Keystone . ''

Obligations And The "Fourth Degree."

OBLIGATIONS AND THE "FOURTH DEGREE . "

AT a recent meeting of a leading metropolitan Lodge an old member objected to a vote of ^ 20 for a forthcoming installation banquet on the ground that no such expenditure

should take place so long as the sick and suffering were to be found in our midst , and he said he had left the Lodge on a former occasion on that ground . The vote was carried without one hand being held up against it , and the objector then withdrew . Now the question arises , was this objection a

proper one or tnat ot a faddist ? We feel that so long as a Lodge does its duty in charitable work , does its proportionate share of requisite help to the needy and destitute , all of whom have the sheltering care of the Board of Benevolence to look to , it cannot be blamed for spending a proportion of

its funds in such celebrations . That indeed is an established custom amongst us which can only be called in question where a proper use of the custom is departed from . In the case under review the Lodge has a substantial reserve fund and a Benevolent Fund for the benefit of its own members of

considerably over £ 100 , and there is no Lodge in the State which is more frugal in its banquet provision than it is . It is wisely said " That it is a poor heart which never rejoices , " and annual celebrations in Lodges are particularly adapted for the interchange of social courtesies . The objection taken then

was unfounded , for recently , at least , this Lodge has dealt liberally with every petition for assistance . The broader question is , however , suggested , and that is whether for such social gatherings any of the funds of a Lodge should be paid away , and in this respect we think every Freemason in

Australia is deeply interested . We have frequently urged that in every instance in which Lodges are found to be in financial trouble , that trouble can be traced to unpaid bills for refreshments , and for refreshments ordered and consumed when it was well known that the funds of the Lodge were insufficient

to discharge claims . In other words , the suppers have been run " on tick" on the prospect of collecting unpaid dues , which , as most Secretaries and Treasurers know , are extremely doubtful assets . Anything of this nature is a source of reproach to the Craft , and there need be little wonder when

that exists if honourable men stay away and refuse to countenance such proceedings . Instances have occurred in one State where Grand Lod ge has had to remit an amount of unpaid dues , because the money which ought to have been

paid to it by the Lodges , and which was essentially trust money and the sole property of the Grand Lodge , had been spent in extravagant suppers , payment for which was even then only partially effected . The members of the Maryborough Mark Lodge contribute one shilling each at the

Obligations And The "Fourth Degree."

supper table , Bro . Avison , the Secretary , making no tick here" the guiding principle of these transactions , and consequently the Lodge is in an independent position . The query is—Why should Lodges themselves cater and really follow a credit system in Australia when it is contrary to the practice

of older States and of Lodges under the G . L . of England ? There , those who desire to attend the banquet , as is the case here after the installation of the Grand Master , have to pay for their tickets of admission , and if they invite a friend they do likewise for him , as they would do if he were

invited to luncheon , dinner , or the theatre . If it is desired to < banquet any well-known citizen , politician , or other person of renown , the citizens appoint a Committee to supervise arrangements , and every man pays for his seat at the festive board aria thereby confers a compliment to the person whom

it is , desired to honour . Why should colonial Freemasons in their social customs depart from the safe example set in the old world by Freemasons and by other associations , and also in the profane world , seeing that that departure almost invariably means discredit , trouble and anxiety ? There is

scarcely a Lodge m the metropolitan area which can accumulate any substantial balance , and consequently they are unable to provide themselves with suitable meeting places and other necessary accessories . The fees need not be so high as now , and the effect of the change would soon be apparent ; a

large and very undesirable class who nightly patronise supper tables would entirely disappear from our midst and no Lodges would be heard of which could not promptly pay Grand Lodge dues , give to the sick and destitute , and pay every just account as soon as it was presented . Men are weak and

Freemasons are only men after all , and out of their desire to be hospitable difficulties very often arise which do much to depress their Lodges and estrange members who properly have no desire to be troubled with financial difficulties when

they assemble to spend a social hour . We think that it is a very great pity that a few strong men amongst us do not meet to discuss the advisability of changing dangerous customs and initiating newer and safer methods which are more likely to preserve the credit of our Order . — " Masonry . "

Why Lodges Are Dormant.

WHY LODGES ARE DORMANT .

THE continual chatter and din about unpaid dues that is kept up in some Lodges year in and year out , cannot be otherwise than detrimental to the interests of any Lodge .

Members grow tired of hearing the same thing at every meeting , and because they cannot close their ears to it , remain away . Then again , those who feel other than a languid interest in the subject , are apt to become sordid and fall into

the habit of regarding dues and assessments as a price for charitable deeds and fraternal privileges generally . Such a view of Fraternity makes a $ mark a more appropriate emblem than the square and compasses or the three links .

While , of course , funds are required to pay running expenses of a Lodge , and it is the duty of the members to share the expense pro rata , there is a right way to collect

these funds , and there can be no excuse for lecturing a room full of Brethren , and starting a free-for-all discussion because certain members , who may not even be present , have been slow in squaring their accounts .

Very often during these discussions remarks are made that are so pointed and flavoured with gall that only a very obtuse Brother would not understand who was the object of attack ; names might just as well have been mentioned . Idealists may expect that every member of a Fraternal

society will pay his just debts and faithfully perform every other plain duty , but such expectations will never be realised . The carelessly negligent member has always been a thorn in the flesh and always will be . Sometimes he may be persuaded to do the right thing but more often it is impossible to move

him . Friendly interviews are alike disregarded , and presently it is whispered around that he and several other delinquents are in danger of being stricken from the roll . Extreme measures are not often taken , however , until the Treasurer

and Secretary have had an opportunity to descant upon the growing evil of unaffiliation for non-payment of dues and incidentally to remind the members ( who have perhaps paid everything they owe ) that if all the money due the Lodge was forthcoming there would be a full treasury instead of an empty one . Such talk is unnecessary , and often is merely clap-trap ,