Masonic Material.

MASONIC MATERIAL .

A lecture delivered by V . W . Bro . J . B . Trivett , Grand Inspector Workings , at the New South Wales Masonic Club Sydney , 28 th August . ( Continued from page 2 ) . I HAVE no desire to unduly reproach our N . S . W . Brethren with a want of caution , or with indiscretion , but I think they

will agree with me that many who are now able to claim Masonic privileges in this colony would never have been endowed with such if the proper enquiries had been made , and due weight given to their original proposals . I shall conclude

the consideration of this aspect of the question of propositions , by observing that all the United States Grand Lodges , some fiftysix in number , and having jurisdiction over three-quarters of a million Masons , have adopted the strict regulation that no man can bemade a Mason unless he has resided in fche State over which

the Grand Lodge has Masonic control , during a period ranging up to twelve months . And if the experience gained during a term extending over some 160 years ( as in the case of Pennsylvania ) has resulted in this rule being adopted and enforced , is it not wisdom for . the young Grand Lodge of New

South Wales , with less than 8 , 000 Masons , to pause before it ignores the example thus afforded ? As an example of tbe strict requirements insisted upon in the United States Grand Lodges , I now quote Article 109 of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York , in whichjurisdiction thereare 734 private

Lodges , with 88 , 000 members . The article enacts thafc no proposition shall be received unless the petitioner shall have answered the following questions : —What is your full name ? What is your age ? Where were you born ? Where do you reside ? What is your occupation ? Have you resided in the

State of New York the twelve months last past ? Have you ever , to your knowledge or belief , presented a petition to any Masonic Lodge ? If so , when , and in what Lodge ? Have you ever , to your knowledge or belief , been rejected in any Masonic Lodge ? If so , when , and in what Lodge ? Do you believe in

the existence of one ever living and true God ? Do you know of any physical , legal , or moral reason which should prevent you from becoming a Freemason ? Personally , I should prefer the conservative condition precedent of residence ; but without bringing into force so extreme a

regulation with respect to persons trading locally in the colonies , the demands of caution might be met by a rule requiring , at any rate , a certain period of acquaintanceship by the proposer , or that testimony as to character , based on a sufficient period of observation shall have been obtained and

submitted to the Lodge . It should be remembered when considering a candidate ' s application for membership , that if he be once admitted he is ever afterwards a Mason , and , as such , is entitled to all the rights and privileges of Freemasonry . As regards the Craft , he has the right , subject to one proviso of

personal acceptableness , and to another of financial fitness , to visit all other Lodges , to participate in their Masonic functions , and to expect their consideration under circumstances which need not be detailed in this paper . As regards the outside world , we would always earnestly wish him to be one to whom

the burthened heart might pour forth its sorrows , a reliever of distress , and who , in his actions , would testify to the beneficence and probity of Masons generally . He should be respectable in the grandest sense of the word . In deciding as to a candidate ' s fitness , we should put to ourselves the question : " Is he a

desirable person to be admitted to tbe friendship of our wives , our sisters , our daughters , in the family circle ? " If the answer be at all doubtful , our duty is apparent , and should be sternly performed . If any proof were required as to past remissness in our decisions regarding candidates it could be

readily furnished on perusing the Grand Secretary ' s periodical lists of exclusions for non-paymenc of dues . Clause 113 , B . C ., requires that every candidate must be iu reputable circumstances at the time of his initiation ; and we often find that within a very short period after admission our new members

have lapsed into a state of indebtedness to the Lodge , necessitating the unpleasant application of the provisions of our bye-laws . Hence we should carefully ascertain the general circumstances of those we would propose , and learn whether they are likely to be able to support their share of the Masonic

burden . In this connection , I have heard ifc stated that it was useless to be too squeamish in respect of the candidate ' s financial status , because other Lodges will not be so nice in their sentiments in that particular . In reply I would observe that the

probability of neglect of duty by others is no excuse for similar error on our part . I submit these few observations , not in a spirit of carping , but of warning . Happily a vast majority of the members exhibit the mosfc earnest desire to sustain the dignity and moral tone of the Craft , and are zealous in their action to

Masonic Material.

observe the utmost discretion ; but a few Lodges , or a small proportion of members in a body of men , can cause a grievous and disastrous depreciation in the character of the Institution generally ; and it is highly desirable that we should be on the alert against any possible tendency towards retrogession . I appeal to the Masters and members of the old , wealthy , and

influential Lodges , to aid in the important duty of discountenancing the reception of doubtful and crude material into our Institution . By their careful selection of new' members they can maintain their reputation for honourable and dignified Masonic working ; and , at the same time , instil into younger Lodges the caution of not being greedy in the acceptance of whatever candidates may offer , no matter whence they come .

A Lodge ' s prosperity or success is not to be measured by the number of Degrees it has conferred . Having so effectually tyled the portals of Masonry that suitable material alone can obtain admission , our duty as to the future disposition of the neophyte is readily discernible ; and , if faithfully observed , can

only result ia a gradual evolution of the initiate to fche status of a Master Mason , possessing the privileges and responsibility of full membership of our old and honourable Institution . His progress through the Degrees should not be unduly hastened . If he shows signs of having but imperfectly realised the duties

and beauties of the First Degree , the Lodge should patiently await till he has shown the necessary proficiency . It has been my lot , as Inspector of Workings , to witness , on several occasions , farcical results iu the attempts of a candidate to give rational replies to the questioning by the Worshipful Master ;

and when the usual enquiry has been made as to the proficiency exhibited by the candidate , he has been readily accepted as a competent ; exponent of the principles of the previous Degree . This should not be ; a Worshipful Master , attentive to his obligations , should be prepared to postpone the passing or raising

of a candidate indefinitely unless he can prove an adequate appreciation of his position as a seeker after knowledge . Anything that is easily evaded is apt to be lightly regarded , and it would tend more to a right conception of principles if the path leading to the attainment of a knowledge of Masonic truths ' were

rendered approachable only after a successful test' of merit . It would be wise to exercise clue regard to the compliment of this course of action . Just as we should observe strict rule to ensure proficiency in the Degree on the part of the newly fledged Mason , so it is also true that the latest product of our art . who

is proficient m his acquired knowledge , should not be permitted fco airily and prematurely assume the functions of a teacher ; and , in an attitude of ludicrous assurance , lay down lines and define plans to one who is but a little more youthful than himself as a Mason .

The young Mason , having studied the principles of moral truth and virtue , having drunk more or less deeply at the fountains of speculative science , and having learnt the lesson that worth in death can only be attained by the avenue of a beautiful life , has now arrived at the end of his apprenticeship

, and has developed into the correctly trained M . M ., when ,. if his ambition has been stirred into activity , he will cast longing eyes to one or other of the positions necessary in the working of the Lodge . It is essential , as a first principle , that modesty and obedience should be exemplified in an aspirant for the honours

of official position , modesty in aiming at a moderate honour as a preliminary to higher honours , and obedience to the expression of opinion of the Lodge members as to his claims for preferment . A Brother should not scorn to occupy a Steward ' s post any more than he would delight in the dignified and responsible position

of Worshipful Master . In each position certain requirements are demanded , and must be satisfactorily supplied to ensure the proper working of the Lodge ; and if a brother has been faithful and competent in the performance of his duty in the subordinate office , he may safely be entrusted with the onerous duties of more exalted positions . Hence it is a good token of future

possibilities in an aspirant for office , when he contentedly accepts a minor post and patiently awaits preferment ; He who would rule must first learn to obey . Having acceded to office , let him carefully ascertain what are its duties , either explicitly laid down in the ritual , demanded by usage , or by manifest necessities of the office . ( To be continued ) .

Certainly , says an American contemporary , the most novel lodge-room over occupied by any fraternal order will be the one where fche Masonic Grand Lodge of Arizona meets one year hence , in the great cave at Bisbee , the most beautiful cavern ever

discovered , and one which the wealth of Croesus and Mark Hanna ' s entire millionaire finance committee could not duplicate in splendour , architectural beauty , or acoustics . It is situated several hundred feet below the surface , in the Copper Queen Mine , the greatest copper mine in Arizona .