Authority.

AUTHORITY .

WE cannot help feeling amused Avhen we glance at the different attacks that have from time to timo been made against Freemasonry , or when Ave watch the varioxis ruses that are practised in order to obtain a knowledge of the secrets of the Brotherhood . Wo are led to reflect that , notwithstanding them all , tho Craft continues to add to its

numbers , and Las the gratification of retaining in its foremost ranks some of tho most enlightened men of the day . To the class who plan such attacks these facts must ho a sore trouble , as they tend to prove that outside slander and threat do not affect the inner working of the Craft , but

rather , it would seem , tend to its popularity , and produce the very opposite effect to that desired . How these persons would like to find a vulnerable point in our system ! But in this , so far , they have been unsuccessful , although we think they have called every known device to their aid , and

have not shrunk from outraging the laws of truth , morality , or justice , in order to produce tho result they aimed at . One day we are startled by an edict of the Bomish Church , which recounts the awful consequences which await men if they continue to carry on the iniquitous

proceedings of the Lodge ; at another , the Craft is accused of being the prime mover in every plot , crime , or conspiracy which may arise ; and , finally , after the credit has been awarded it of being 1 tho cause of

, _ _« __ __ _ O nil the ills that trouble the world , the Masonic Brotherhood is held up to ridicule . Thus , after trying every means where argument could decide the question , its calumniators start on a course which will allow of neither sense nor

reason bemg heard . Tho best answer to these scareswhich frighten a few undecided men who have not quite made up their minds whether they shall seek a knowledge of Freemasonry or not—is , perhaps , to treat these

arguments with indifference , as nothing will displease the slanderer so much as to find that his personalities are ignored . If that course be adopted , it also shows how little importance is attached to outside attacks , but can the same be said of assaults from within ? There it is that dano-ni

awaits the Craft , and there it is that continued care must be exercised , and even the slightest sign of abuse wiped out . The established ordinances of the Craft provide safeguards against this danger , but it is necessary that these precautionary measures should be known ancl supported

by individual members of the Order , without whose assistance the efficiency of preliminary measures — however wisel y planned—is materially decreased , whereas , with a little friendly co-operation the members of a Lodge themselves form a tower of strength , which powerful opposition

cannot hope to destroy . Taking our personal experience as a guide , we are pleased to think that occasions of actual rupture seldom occur in Masonic Lodges , but the few cases ^ vo are cognisant of prove how necessary it is to present a - ^^ -- ' — - r- — -- _ . » - ^ , _ — ^_ , . , _ . _ wv ^* a-r »^» -v _ j - _ V IU % f \^ f \ * " ¦— 'AJ vA-- V \* i

"" Id front at tho outset , when combined action on the part of a few members will serve to stamp out the threatened revolt . The Master should be looked upon as t'le standard of the Lodge , and those present who do not rall y round him when called upon should be treated as £ ? — ..- _ .-. * . » ,. _ w w . „ wm u W _ .- h _ S-. * Vl . « - —^ b IW V * VLi ( . * J ^ 1 . UU

°° s . There can bo no half measures on such occasions , nor should indecision be tolerated for an instant . If a qmet explanation will not suffice to settle a difference , the gavel of authority , backed by influential members , should always secure silence , and then the decision of the uaster can be asked for , and must be treated

Authority.

as final . If , however , a Master once allows his call to order to bo disregarded , his authority is lost , and then , when tho critical moment arrives , the whole fabric of tho Lodge is plunged into chaos . Ono of tho earliest siij'ns of loss of authoritv is exhibited when tho Master ' s

voice is disregarded at tho banquet table , whore it is very difficult to rale without appearing to govern . Tt is hero that the greatest liberality consistent with discipline is necessary , and although the discipline may be so temperate as almost to amount to equality , it is absolutely necessary

that it should exist , and that it should bo as much recognised as during tho working- of a ceremony in open Lodge . Very many members seem to disregard this fact , and if the Master finds it necessary to sound the call to order , they leave him to secure it single-handed , as best he can ,

whereas their assistance , even in tho form of silent support , would tend immediately to secure a satisfactory result . Authority is necessary , and in helping to maintain it the brethren aro but securing their own comfort ; if once

authority is lost , confusion and disturbance must follow , and then scenes will occur which if recounted to tho ontei world would do more harm to the good name of the Craft than all its outside enemies can bring about by so-called exposures , ridicule , or venomous attacks .

Our Scholars In After Life.

OUR SCHOLARS IN AFTER LIFE .

THE few days that have elapsed since tho issue of our last number have been made good use of by Bro . Dick Badclyffe , in furthering the cause he has undertaken to support , and we are gratified to learn that his efforts thus far point to a successful issue . By the time these

lines are in print all who havo expressed a desire to take part in the foundation of the fund will have received a proof copy of the first circular of the proposed scheme , together with a request to make any suggestions that may occur to

them , and Bro . Badclyffe informs us that he hopes to send particulars to every Lodge on tho English roll within tho next week , although of course that will depend on tho naturo of the replies he receives to his first application .

From Bro . Jacobs , the proposer of the " Shrewsbury Memorial Fund , " wc likewise havo good news . He expresses his desire to co-operate with the brethren who are working out what may bo termed Lord Bosslyn ' s idea , and Bro . Jacobs goes so far as to say that after tho next meeting of the Grand Lodsre of Staffordshire the "

Shrewsbury Fund" will doubtless be an established fact . We hope this will be the case , and that a satisfactory arrangement may be forthcoming to enable the founders of the two schemes to unite in their endeavours . As AVC pointed

out last Aveck , the fund must embrace tho Avholc of the country , and not be split up into sections , or Provincial charities , Avhich could not fail to clash , aud Avould lead to invidious comparisons .

It seems strange that so large a portion of the business transacted at the last meeting of the General Committee of the Boys' School should have reference to the advancement of old pupils . This supplies further CA'idence that some sort of organised aid is necessary , as by the rules of

the School the Committee have no power to expend more than £ 20 on the advancement of a pupil hoAvcver deserving he may prove himself to be . This sum , it is well known , is far short of the amount required to start a boy in tho higher class of mercantile or government appointments ,