Freemasonry In France.

of being remedied . What Freemasonry requires is , men who , on entering its portals , throw aside all

considerations of self ; men whose aim m life is to be happy and communicate happiness to others ; ancl , above all , men who , on finding themselves members

oi such a time-honoured and influential an institution as English Freemasonry , make it their especial business to add to the lustre already secured by the Order , by maintaining and upholding its teachings

and principles . If English Freemasonry is fortunate enough to admit only such men , its future will far excel its present or any past position , and as years

roll on the name of the Craft will come to be regarded with even greater veneration than it at present enjoys . If , on the contrary , the Masons of to-day are careless or unconcerned as to the views and objects of their

candidates , a few years may see the English Order degraded as it has been in France , where its present position is described by the correspondent of one of in tutluiiuwin wuiua

me xjonuuii uauy papers * ^ ; " French Lodges are now ostentatiously divided into Onnortunist . Badical . Boulaneist . Socialist , and — \ j

x JL ' ' * * Bevolutionary . Nothing probably could be conceived more alien from the spirit of the great and worldrenowned humanitarian Craft than such a string of political signboards . "

In conclusion , we can but express a word of regret that snch evil times should have fallen upon Freemasonry in France . We are convinced there are yet many members of the Craft in that country who would

give much to have the Order restored to its proper position , and would rejoice at any steps being taken

to rid it of its present political tendencies . With such desires urging them to action it is probable a change may ere long be attempted , ancl if attempted there is a hope of its resulting satisfactorily . It is a great pity that Freemasonry should be used as it is being used

in France , as it leads to the impression that the Order is founded on a wrong basis ; for , it may be urged , what is possible and is actually going on in one country is equally possible and probable in others . Under such circumstances , then , would it not be wise for the

Grand Bodies of the world to combine , and address a communication to the Grand Orient of France on the subject , asking that body to see if steps could not be taken to restore the Craft in France to its original

purity . If something of this nature were done we feel that the Craft outside France would not be regarded as quite so guilty as it must now appear in the eyes

oi an ordinary observer , and we even go so lar as to express a belief that a protest might lead to ultimate improvement . As it is , the proceedings of some of

those who call themselves French Freemasons are a scandal to the world at large , and a reproach to the fair name and reputation of the Masonic Order .

Voting Thoughts.

VOTING THOUGHTS .

IN Pennsylvania , and other jurisdictions , the Craft are now in the midst of tho Masonic elections . The present , in consequence , is a period of special interest to Freemasons . It apparently enlarges the boundaries of the

Craft , and multiplies the number of Masons by awakening to action many brethren who were before merely sleeping partners in the Fraternity . The average attendance on election night is probably double that on ordinary

occasions . The additional one hundred per cent , is composed of those who are more or less burdened with years ; of those who after bearing the heat and burden of the day are now resting from their labours ; of the life-members

so many of "whom have not only nothing to pay , but nothing to say in and nothing to do with the Lodge ; and of the careless and inattentive brethren who require to be

drummed up by ambitious candidates for office , in order to be induced to come up to the Lodge . Often , on election night , introductions are in order , so many strange brethren appear . Sometimes even the Tyler fails to re-

Voting Thoughts.

cognise the " member , " but the brother who expects to receive his vote easily recognises him , and smooths his way into the Lodge . It is not a motley scene , but it is one which excites attention , since it is distinguished by many elements of peculiar interest to Freemasons .

A Masonic election is governed by no ordinary rules or regulations , but is a law unto itself . Political methods are not permissible . Advertising , circularising , personal solicitation , and all similar forms of electioneering , are forbidden .

If a brother should adopt them he would defeat himself . There is amply sufficient sense of propriety in the Craft to relegate to the rear any one who seeks to lower Freemasonry to the level of the profane by practising their sinister

methods . Now and then , when professional or would-be politicians in the Craft dally with these methods , they speedily find that they " do not pay , " and by force of circumstances abandom them .

From the earliest period of which any record remains , ifc is apparent that the law of Masonry has been that merit is the only fraternal ground for advancement , either to degree or to office . In tbe ' * Lansdowne MS . " ( British Museum ) ,

of about A . D . 1600 , entitled " Free Masons' Orders and Constitutions , " it is provided , that the Masons " should ordaine the most wise and cunninge man to be Master of the

King or Lord's worke , that was among them , and neither for love , riches nor favour , to sett another that had little cunninge to be Master of that worke , whereby the Lord should bee ill served and tbe science ill-defamed . " So in

Anderson ' s " Charges of a Freemason , " of A . D . 1723 , compiled for and approved by the Grand Lodge of England , it is asserted that : — " All preferment among Masons is grounded upon real

worth and personal merit only ; thafc so tbe Lords may be well served , the brethren nofc put to shame , nor the Royal Craffc despised ; therefore no Master or Warden is chosen by senioiity , but for merit . "

This language deserves to be written in letters of gold in all of our Lodges and to be engraved on the memory of every Freemason .

But the difficulty with all laws and rules of conduct lies in their administration . How shall the regulation thafc " all preferment among Masons is grounded upon real worth and personal merit only , " be applied ? The individual conscience and judgment of tbe Freemason is the court having

primary jurisdiction in this matter ; every brother is a ruler and a judge . Hence a weighty responsibility rests with every voter in the Fraternity . He is not to vote for a personal friend who has no merit , nor even for any brother

of inferior merit . If he rightly apprehends his duty , he will vote only for that brother who in the highest * degreo possesses the qualifications which an able administration of the office demands . He will select him who possesses moral ,

intellectual , administrative and social abilities , and perhaps in the order named . He must be a cultured man , of sound judgment ; an accomplished Freemason ; one who stands well in the community , and is respected and loved ; one who can

confer honour on Masonry , and not merely receive honour from it ; and last , but not least , one who is not diligently seeking the office for himself . The self-seeker should be left severely alone . In Lodge and Chapter , in Grand

Lodge and Grand Chapter , let ; these rules of conduct prevail , and only the besfc brethren will be selected to adorn Masonic station , and only the best results will follow the Masonic elections . The various bodies will be governed with justice and equity ; prosperity will attend them , the

interest of Freemasons in Masonry will be increased , and the Craffc will maintain its prestige of being not only ancient but also honourable . The world judges ns largely by our office bearers , and since fche profane must apply to us

before we can approve them , it is important that tho very best classes of fche profane should be seekers after Masonic light . If our leaders and rulers are those who are eminent for their virtues , their abilities , and their achievements , the

world will respect us , and the best citizens of the world will be knocking afc our portals for admission . Freemasonry courts no man , but it does admire virtue , hononr , intelligence and ability , and wherever men distinguished

for these characteristics petition for initiation aud membership , our doors are thrown wide open to receive them . Brethren , whether you wield the ballot for the approval or rejection of a candidate for Masonry , or a candidate

for Masonic office , remember thafc " real worth and personal merit " are the only qualifications for either reception into fche Fraternity , or advancement to any of its stations of honour .