No More Harmony!

NO MORE HARMONY !

THE faithful Lords and Commons of the time of George II . were , no doubt , capable law makers in their way , and perhaps we have to thank them for many of the benefits we enjoy at the present time ,

but it seems we are also indebted to them lor a law which prohibits piano-playing and singing at our Masonic gatherings . Although they may have been innocent of any desire to cause the present generation inconvenience in this particular , the law they framed is none the less effective now , and the Mason of to-day has to face the alternative of dispensing with harmony or running the risk of police persecution , backed up with a fossilated enactment still remaining on the Statute Book .

When we say the modern Freemason has to choose between lawlessness and quietude , we should explain that only those who meet on licensed premises are amenable to the law of the second George ' s time . Hence we have at once a strong argument in favour of Masonic Halls , or other private buildings , in which

to hold our meetings—that is , if the venerable edict was strictly enforced or was likely to be made capital of by those in authority over us . But , as the Home Secretary said , when recently questioned on the subject in the House of Commons , the police do not in

practice interfere unless there is proof of actual disorderly conduct , immorality , or real mischief . The answer of Mr . Matthews was elicited in response to a question by Mr . Isaacson , who , after the Home Secretary ' s reply , put a further query as to whether the Minister was aware ' that the police had summoned members of a Lodge for the playing of a piano and

singing . Mr . Matthews was not aware of it , and so the matter dropped , for the time being ; but , as we stated last week , it is not to be allowed to rest in its present form , a Bill being proposed for the purpose of nullifying the enactment referred to .

lhe ordinary Mason will be inclined to laugh at the risk he may be supposed to run from this particular chapter of England ' s law book ; but the question has two sides , and although there may be little chance of any of us being called to account by the police officials , because we listen to a musical selection , or sing a song after the labours of our Lodge are concluded—for matter of that we imagine music during

Lodge would equally bring us within the clutches of the law—it is unpleasant to know that in the exercise of what has long been regarded as a perfect right , we we transgressing the law , and rendering ourselves liable to police prosecution , a risk which , without intending anv libel on the guardians of the neace . is

2 o desirable weapon to leave in their hands , guilty as they often are supposed to be of petty actions of s pite and occasional blackmailing . The proposal of Mr . Isaacson is to introduce a short bill , "To amend the law relating to meetings of Masonic and other Friendly Societies in licensed

No More Harmony!

houses , " and it is stated the Government have already promised their support , so that we may reasonably hope for a better state of affairs at no very distant date . Wo venture to think Mr . Isaacson will have the support and co-operation of the Masonic brotherhood throughout the country , while the many other societies affected by this law will no doubt take

some steps to render aid , if any be needed , for it is most undesirable that the old fashioned law to which reference has been made should be allowed to remain in force , to the terror and perhaps annoyance of peaceable , law-abiding members of the Masonic Order .

Grand Treasurership Nightmare.

GRAND TREASURERSHIP NIGHTMARE .

fTIHE man who could introduce any novel feature into - the after-dinner speeches usually listened to at Masonic gatherings would bo worthy of substantial recognition at the hands of his follows , for in spite of differences among the speakers , novelties of position , and a hundred and one other eloments which should combino to make a

change at our festive board , there is no getting away from the fact that one series of speeches is much tho same as another , and the Mason who frequently dines out has to listen to tho samo rigmarole uight after night .

Recognising then , tho benefit of novelty , or of " anything for a change , " tho question of an annual contest for the office oF Grand Treasurer seemed to opon up possibilities for a healthy departure from the routino

which had so long existed . For a few weeks before tho annual day of election it seemed we should have the opportunity of listening to an account of the Masonic and general capabilities of this or that brother , proposed as a

candidate for the appointment . At first the novelty was charming—as novelties often are ; and if the annual election brought into use a little more of the spirit of flattery which seems to bo so necessary in connection with

afterdinner speeches , it also opened up possibilities for some of those bright little outbursts which only seem possible in the heat of an electioneering campaign . Very many pleasant things were said by the friends of

one or other of the candidates , and unpleasant remarks also found utterance at times , —as they will do on such occasions , —but all was forgotten and forgiven as soon as the election was over , and for a time—more or less

extended on different occasions—the matter was allowed to rest ; there was , in fact , an annual interregnum , and on that account the subject when it was brought up for the succeeding election was , in a manner of speaking , fresh ,

and offered further chances for change and variety . All this seems to be threatened ; and just now it would seem that a severe attack of Treasurership Nightmare is to be forced upon the Craft , the members of which will

do well to protest against the innovation , and at once cry out— "Hold , enough !" When at last month ' s meeting of Grand Lodge Brother

George Everett was tho only nominee for the office for the year 1891-2 , there were many who breathed a sigh of relief at the prospect of hearing nothing more about the annual contest for a few months to come—the feature of novelty had already worn away from the topic j but alas they seem