The Inactive Mason.

there we set an example of strict obedience to the civil power , and the utmost respect for all forms of religion . As we have said , therefore , in countries where Freemasonry has established a home for itself , both the civil and religious governments may reckon on our loyalty . It is

not , then , from outside attacks that we need have any fears , so much as from the laxity and indifference of our own people . The inactive Mason , especially , who is a Mason in little more than name , is a serious detriment to our Society . In many cases , he is of those who enrol

themselves in our ranks because his friends before him have done so , or because ifc happens , for the timo being , to be the fashion for people to become Masons . He may , perhaps , be able to assert , most conscientiously , that he has never been improperly solicited to join , that no personal

hope of gain has actuated him in his desire to become one of us . He finds the circle in Avhich he moves are mostly brethren of tho mystic tie . Ho hears that men of standing in society are daily entering our ranks . Therefore he seeks and obtains admission , and then his ambition is satisfied .

In a very short time attendance in his Lodge becomes a trouble . Ifc never occurred to him , at the time of his candidature , that an occasional sacrifice of time to the duties of Freemasonry would be expected of him . He had , indeed , no other motive than a wish to

follow in the groove of fashion . That accomplished , he recognises ifc as no part of his business to be an active , much less an energetic , member of his Lodge .

He attends only when he has no other engagement—we do not mean a business engagement , bnt an engagement to some dinner party , to the theatre , or the opera . The Lodge of Instruction knows him not . He takes no interest in onr

ceremonies . He evinces no desire to gain a knowledge of our ritual . He may occasionally contribute his mite towards one or other of our Charities , but he does so because he hears it is " good form , " not from any interest he feels in the cause of charity . As for extending his support to

Masonic literature or Masonic journalism , is it not enough that he has obeyed tho laws of fashion , and enrolled himself a Craftsman ? When ifc becomes fashionable to buy a Masonic Cyclopaedia , or a Masonic journal , he will not bo behind his fellows in the performance of his duty . We may

even venture to think that if a study of our literature become the order of the day , he may muster up courage to read occasionally . All this , however , he will do only when ho can no longer help himself . He will buy book or paper , and even go the length of reading it , when society

tells him it is the right thing to do . The only part of our Masonic labour which he thinks in any wise endurable , is , funnily enough , our Masonic refreshment . We have said the Lodge room hardly knows the inactive Mason , but in the banqueting hall he is very far from being

a stranger . Men , and most assuredly men who are likewise brothers , have afc least one important dut y in the day ' s work that cannot be neglected . They must dine , and if , as is often the case , the Lodge subscription covers the cost of banquet , then all the greater reason why attendance at

refreshment should punctually be observed . Such as these are of no use to us , but a hindrance rather . They swell our numbers , but they bring to us no commensurate strength . They are , indeed , a source of weakness . As the strength of a chain is in its weakest link , so in Masonry ;

its strength must be governed by the character of those who join its ranks . If men are admitted who are sincere in their desire to learn our beautiful doctrines , who will think it no hardship to take part in the duties of our Lodges , who will strive , on all suitable occasions , to carry

out the principles we profess , then it requires no prescience to foretell that in such case Freemasonry will go on flourishing like a green bay-tree . On the other hand , if men are admitted , as it were , indiscriminately , because it is the fashion for people to become Masons , then we do not hesitate to say

the Craft must suffer sooner or later . The faineant Mason -will never do good yeoman service . He may , indeed , df much harm , directly as well as indirectly . The indirect harm he does may be summed up in very few words . He is only nominally a Mason . The direct harm he may

inflict is well nigh incalculable . Though ignorant , irregular in his attendence , indifferent to our principles , he may still claim to exercise his rights and

privileges on all occasions , provided , of course , he pay . ' up all his dues . To mention one case onl y in which he may be of disservice to his Lodge , and therefore to the whoh Craft . The ballot box gives him great power , as well to inflict harm if he abuse it , as to do good if he uso it .

The Inactive Mason.

Therefore it is that so great care should be exercised in admitting candidates . It will happen , of course , in spite of all precautions , that some indifferent persons will find their way into our Society . But it is our duty to try and keep the number of such at a minimum . Ifc is possible , by

learning something of a candidate ' s antecedents , to judge whether he is likely ' to prove a serviceable addition to our numbers . In many , let us hope in the majority of cases , the introduction of known brethren is a guarantee of the candidate ' s fitness , but there is too often a laxity on the part of

members m proposing and seconding the election of new men . Thus it is our members are swelled by the inclusion in our ranks of men who , once they are elected , trouble themselves no further about Freemasonry . We are better without

such inactive Masons . If we are to fulfil our duties properly , the short time at our disposal leaves no room for indifference and irregularity . We must do our work , as we solemnly engaged to do at our initiation , and to this end we must be as careful as we can to exclude those who are at all likely to become inactive members ,

Cheshire Masonic Educational Institution.

CHESHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .

THIS Institution was founded in the year 1863 , for the education and advancement in life of the children of distressed and deceased Freemasons , and we take this opportunity of congratulating , as we do most heartily , our brethren of the Province of Chester on the very excellent services they have been rendering , during the past thirteen

years , in the cause of Masonic Charity . The report for the year 1875 is now before us , and though the Committee express it as their opinion " that there is much laxity on the part of some Lodges and Chapters in forwarding their annual returns , and in collecting subscriptions from the

brethren , " the facts and figures recorded m it disclose a very gratifying state of things . The account for the year is very favourable . There was an opening balance of £ 370 ls . The sum of £ 268 5 s 6 d was received in the way of fees , subscriptions and donations from the different Lodges ,

Chapters , and brethren in the Province . The invested funds of the Institution yielded £ 101 5 s . Bro . Charles Duval was instrumental in augmenting the year ' s receipts , to the extent of £ 24 , by his entertainments at Birkenhead , & c , and one half the collection at Hyde Church ; when the

P . G . L . attended , yielded over £ 12 . Prov . Grand Chapter contributed five and twenty guineas , and other smaller donations , from the P . G . M . and Lady de Tabley , and other sources , helped to raise the receipt side of the account to £ 818 16 s lOd . The expenditure included

among other items , an outlay for the education of twentyone pupils , £ 128 13 s 4 d , and the advancement of one Four Guineas ; invested in Liverpool Gas Company ' s Stock £ 265 17 s 10 , with a balance at bank of £ 348 5 s , and in treasurer's hands £ 40 6 s 7 d . The funds of the Institution

which , at the close of 1874 , amounted to £ 2 , 216 lis 2 d are now increased to £ 2 , 500 19 s 5 d , including the two balances already mentioned . Thus there is every prospect that with continued , and even , we may hope , increased support , this Masonic Educational Institution may go on

prospering more and more from year to year , and so be enabled to extend the field of its operations , and to assist , to an even greater degree than it does now , in helping the children of distressed or deceased brethren . We notice in the list of patrons and governors the names of nearly all

the prominent members of the Province , R . W . Bro . Lord de Tabley P . G . M . heading the list , and being energeticall y seconded by Bros . Lord Combermere , Lord Richard Grosvenor , Sir G . Greenall , the Hon . W . Graham Egerton , M . P . and others , while not a few ladies , Viscountess

Combermere and Lady de Tabley being of the number , lend their encouragement , both moral and material , likewise . We repeat our hearty good wishes to the brethren of Cheshire . We trust the good "work they have so long fostered may go on yielding fruit more and more abundantly with each successive year !

The installation meeting of the Addiscombe Lodge , No . 1556 , will take place this day ( Saturday ) at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon .