A ''Jolly Good Fellow.''

A ''JOLLY GOOD FELLOW . ''

I T may perhaps be necessary at some functions—such as a festive gathering of footballers—to impress on those assembled the fact that some particular person whose health is toasted is a " jolly good fellow , "' and to announce it in a boisterous musical jingie . But the same procedure is not only out of place in the Lodge refectory , but it is also un-Masonic .

In the case of the footballer , the principal qualification necessary for admission to the club is a knowledge of the game , and other members may know nothing of his personal or other characteristics . Hence any particular evidence of his qualities as a player would be sufficient excuse for proclaiming him a

" good fellow - at festive gatherings . But Freemasons stand upon an entirely different tooting , and if they are not all " good fellows " from a far broader standpoint than that usually implied when this wretched refrain is bellowed forth , then the fault is with the Lodge .

Freemasonry not only provides for the proper conduct of ceremonies in the Lodge , but also that everything at the refreshment board shall be done decently and in order . There are proper honours ordained after toasts , and if it is

desired to add others of a musical character fitting words and music are provided—not an idiotic iteration—but words of meaning , wishing prosperity to the Brother honoured , his Lodge , and the Cratt , le is not

The substitution of the * ' good fellow " jing complimentary , so far as Freemasonry is concerned , as it impliesif anything—a tardy recognition of qualities , which should , if accepted at their true meaning , be acknowledged prior to the admission of any person into the Lodge . In the ordinary way

the howling of this stupidity closely borders on license , and as well as the low comic song , or the questionable recitation , should be immediately repressed by the W . M ., who is as directly responsible for the proper conduct at refreshments as he is when the Brethren are at labour . — " New Zealand Craftsman . "

Intelligent Masons.

INTELLIGENT MASONS .

THE Masonic Fraternity holds a deservedly high rank by reason of the general intelligence of its members , it includes men of thought and understanding , whose intellectual grasp on the various matters of social , public , and scientific interest is clearly shown . In its ranks are prominent citizens

of every occupation , active and successful business men , scholarly men who adorn the several professions—and it is Brethren of this stamp , possessed of strong and well-stored minds , who help the Institution to hold the advanced position it occupies as a force of intelligence and knowledge .

There is no question that the main body of our Fraternity is composed of men who think and read , and thus are prepared to form wise conclusions regarding all matters of general interest . In matters pertaining to their respective occupations —their business in professional undertakings—they apply

themselves diligently , making use of books , magazines , papers , and all the various special publications within their reach , that they may keep in touch with what their associates are doing in similar lines of activity , and acquire the knowledge and suggestions by which they shall be aided to the best possible accomplishments .

The Masonic Fraternity may well be proud of the mind activity and attainments of its members . It is intelligence , not stupidity , which is the distinguishing sign of the Craft ; and so long as this class form the majority and exercise the influence they may be expected to exert , the progress of

Freemasonry is well assured . And yet , in some respects , a-goodly number , even the class referred to , neglect thought and study respecting subjects which seemingly should interest intelligent Craftsmen . They are not well posted concerning the . history of

Freemasonry , its jurisprudence , its symbolism , its relations with other philosophies and systems ; nor are they any better acquainted with what is being done in different parts of the world , under Masonic auspices , for the expression of the principles of the institution and the accomplishment of its

works of practical usefulness . With all the general intelligence that pervades the Fraternity , there is yet a sad lack , of thought and study respecting matters that are vital to the system , respecting movements and undertakings that mark the way of its progress and true service in the world .

Many Craftsmen declare they have no care or concern for what is outside the Lodge , or other organisations , in the

Intelligent Masons.

expression of Freemasonry . They sneer , perhaps , at " reading Masons , " and regard their " bookish Brethren" with little favour . But the trend of things is away from such a class , who appreciate Freemasonry only in its social side and in sjme way of ministry to the material nature . It has been well

said that '" a Mason in . these days of great and increasing light , who knows of our institution only by what he sees and hears as an occasional visitor to the Lodge , when an election is pending , a degree conferred , or a banquet spread , knows very little of the institution , and needs a new initiation . " It

is an excellent thing to attend Masonic meetings , more or less frequently as circumstances may allow ; to cultivate the social features of the institution ; to acquire the esoteric and

ritualistic work of the institution ; but there is a wider range ot thought and interest , worthy the attention of every intelligent Craftsman who desires to know what Freemasonry is—and what it is doing at home and abroad .

Grand Master W . P . Innes of Michigan , in his recent address to Grand Lodge , presents this matter in forcible and suggestive words . He says : " In the Craft to-day the bright Mason is the Mason who reads , and who is able to answer satisfactorily the question , ' What is Freemasonry ?'

To-day we have in our ranks the brightest minds and most sublime intellects the world boasts . To-day the ethics of Freemasonry are being placed one by one in the crucible and subjected to the intense heat of a knowledge which has burned brighter and more fiercely as the ages have rolled into the

eternity of the past . To-day the philosophy upon which the institution ot Masonry rests is being purified of the dross and sediment of past ignorance , coming out brighter , better , clearer , fairer , and more adaptable to human needs . " After

showing how inviting and glorious the Masonic situation now is , he asks the question , " What has caused this mighty leap in Masonic progress ? " He responds to the question in this wise : " Because the Mason of to-day reads , thinks and digests , ' l he tenets of our Order stand dressed in the best culture and

refinement of the age . The ancient landmarks have been adorned and decorated with the jewels of intelligence , in full fruition . Masonic literature stands pre-eminently -high in the world of letters , because the ablest minds and the wisest pens of the age are engaged in giving to men a clear solution of

the question , What is Masonry ? We ought to glory in the progress made by our beloved Fraternity in this direction . " It is a cause of congratulation that progress is noticeable in the direction of more thought , more study , and more reading on the part of Craftsmen . Masonic papers and magazines ,

and all the various publications of the Craft , obtain a more general regard than was formerly the case , and this increase of appreciation enforces the demand for a Masonic literature of the best quality and broadest range possible . — " Freemasons Repository . "

A Mistaken Estimate.

A MISTAKEN ESTIMATE .

I KNOW what Masonry is from beginning to end , said a young man in the presence of the writer of this paper , and he added to his statement by saying , " I went through it all at as rapid a pace as possible , for 1 wanted to finish the whole thing and have as good standing in the Order as anybody

else . ' Less than two years ago he was initiated an Entered Apprentice , and now he is entitled to write K . T . and 32 nd degree after his name . He has gone forward at a flying pace

and is to be congratulated at the proficiency so quickly attained . He has gratified what seems to his friends a laudable ambition and obtained the right to sit in almost any Masonic assembly that may be convened .

In the nature of things , however , such an one cannot have mastered the whole system of Masonry , and if he entertains the idea that he has come to fulness of knowledge respecting the Institution , he is sadly in error . . There must be some confusion in his mind , we assume , even as regards technicalities , and for

some time yet he will need to be careful as regards words and siras , passes and their explanations , lest he confound the one with the other . The work and lectures of the different degrees and orders so rapidly passed though must be differentiated in the thought , else there will be no clear understanding o £ the

ceremonial in any one of the departments . At the best the knowledge gathered with such rapidity will consist very largely ot words , and thess will be retained with some difficulty . Thus the story is told of a boy sent on an errand to the grocer ^ store and charged not to forget his commission . To ensure correctness he was bidden to keep repeating his errand all the time he was going to the store . Thus the lad started