Freemasonry And The Press.

FREEMASONRY AND THE PRESS .

THE BE are many Brethren yet among us who regard press comments as being wholly out of place in connection with Freemasonry , and would

enforce the strict letter of the law against publication of Masonic doings , in the hope of stopping all public references to the work of the Craft , thereby , so to speak , re-consigning its members to those dark ages when knowledge of what was being done outside their

particular sphere was denied to all but the favoured few .

We are of opinion that with a large majority of such objectors the opposition is the result of imperfect knowledge of what is going on , or a failure to appreciate the part that judicious press references may play in

furthering the objects ancl principles of the Craft , rather than the discovery of any just cause of objection against the discussion of Masonic questions in the public press

—in other words , the objectors find fault through ignorance , rather than from any knowledge of evil resulting from publicity . It must not be imagined , however , that we are in favour of entire freedom in this respect . It is both

necessary and desirable that there should be an authority

to check excess , armed with power to prevent undue license and punish those who , through ignorance or indiscretion , exceed the limits of prudent discussion , and

we think those who are at the head of the Craft—not only iu this country , but in many other Jurisdictionsfully appreciate the propriety of allowing , and even

encouraging , the judicious publication of reports showing what Freemasonry is doing . As an instance of the advantages that may accrue from publicity , we may instance the discussion now going

on in Scotland , as to the charge made against that Constitution of being particularly careless in allowing the " rushing" of candidates , who in many cases are not

fully qualified for admission into Freemasonry , and very shortly after their initiation prove to be a drain on the resources of the Craft . We lately referred to this matter , and then condemned the system which allowed such laxity in the admission of persons not properly

qualified to participate in the benefits of Freemasonry , and we are pleased to know that other writers have adopted a similar course , and that as a consequence attention has been directed to the evil , with results

which it is hoped will speedily prove beneficial to all concerned .

Here is direct evidence of the benefit of publicity , for this is by no means the first time that attention has been directed to the evil , but , as a consequence of the comparative secresy of the agitation , no very great benefit has resulted . Probably the same fate may

Freemasonry And The Press.

follow at the present time , but we think there are evidences of greater interest in the question than has hitherto been shown , and that being so we may hope for

better results than those formerly achieved , especially if the press , now aroused to activity over the matter , will continue its influence in the direction of reform .

It may be urged that this is a question by no means suited for discussion in the public prints , but we differ , as we believe it is publicity alone that will lead to reform in this direction , as the attention of the better class of Brethren will thereby be attracted , and pressure

will be brought to bear upon those who are now the offenders . For this reason we hope our Scottish contemporaries will continue the crusade , and that they will enlist the support of the majority of their fellow Masons , who , we firmly believe , are desirous of making

the necessary reform , but have hitherto lacked the necessary incentive to urge them to action . If the press supplies this it will at least have scored one point , and that , too , in a direction where it is sure to do good for the Craft as a whole .

Essex.

ESSEX .

THE Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Essex was held at the Corn Exchange , Chelmsford , on Wednesday , the 8 th inst ., under the banner of the Essex Chapter , No . 276 . Early in the afternoon several driving parties were organised , the Companions

availing themselves of the opportunity of seeing the surrounding country . The Provincial Grand Chapter was opened by the Grand Superintendent Comp . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C

supported by many Provincial Grand Officers . The minutes were read and confirmed , and letters expressing regret for non-attendance were announced from the Grand Superintendents of Suffolk and Sussex , the Grand Scribe E ., Comp . Bobt . Grey and others . The roll of Chapters was called , all being represented . The report of the Board of General Purposes—which

included recommendations that ten guineas should be voted to the Boyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and ten guineas to the entertaining Chapter—was received and unanimously adopted . Comps . G . H . Finch P . P . G . J ., J . J . C . Turner P . P . G . J ., and F . A . White P . P . G . J . were elected members of the Board of General Purposes . The Grand Superintendent , in addressing the

Companions , expressed his pleasure at being greeted by the presence of so many whose names and work were well known in Masonry . He was sure he struck a responsive chord in their hearts when he alluded to those who were

with them on the last occasion , and who had been removed by the inscrutable decrees of the Most High . One of those Companions , who occupied a chair in

Provincial Grand Chapter , and delivered an oration which made a great impression upon them , met with his end in a manner which would elicit the deepest sympathy . Comp . Welsh fell under the blows of a