Performing The Work.

of the voice ! These little things tell . You may utter every required word , and yet because a single one of them is spoken carelessly , thoughtlessly , or with no proper appreciation of its power , the work falls dead upon the Initiate and Brethren .

( 3 ) By acting , as well as speaking the part . A W . M . is an actor , and a star one at thafc . He is the hero of the play . He must be the character he assumes to be , and cause the Initiate to feel tbat he is another hero , and a most important factor in the Masonic drama .

Suppose that in every Lodge the work were rendered correctly by every Officer , thafc each of them spoke audibly , naturally , emphatically and feelingly , and acted as well as spoke his part , would there ever be a dull Lodge , a thin Lodge , an uninteresting Lodge , or a dead Loige ? Brethren , let us invoke the advent of that Masonic millennium , when the work shall be rendered as it was designed to be in every Lodge of the Craft . — " Keystone . "

Line Of Promotion Theory.

LINE OF PROMOTION THEORY .

THERE is nothing at the present time that is so disastrous to the Fraternity and gradually sapping the life-blood of Masonry as advancement by " line of promotion . " It is a gradual poison to the vitals of the Order , and will surely end in death to the bodies wbich strictly adhere to the practice . Just how aud

where it was introduced , we know not , but we do know that it has had quite a long run , and is now , we hope , gradually approaching its end , and , when it dies , may it be buried so deep in the labyrinths of the dead past that it may pass for ever out of the minds of surviving Masons , is our prayer . It is a bane

to the Order and a cankering sore upon the Masonic body ; ifc defies good men and withers the ambition of bright intellects ; it stifles free speech and places in position numbskulls ; it is the source from whence less blessings flow than all other catastrophes which could possibly befall a body ; it places ' " good fellows " in position , " irrespective of capacity , and makes Masters of those

totally incompetent to fill the position . And all this is brought about just because " they are in line . " Better far that they had never been made Masons than to be complimented by an office and then advanced through the line of promotion without merit . In long years gone by ifc was the custom to make two new Wardens every year , so that the Lodge would have a sufficient amount of material from which to select a Master . It was also

the custom in " ye olden time" for members never to seek position . It was the Lodge that requested them " to allow the use of their name . " And even then oftentimes it was declined , for fear they " were not capacitated , and could not fill the position acceptably . "

But since that time , how things have changed ! Why , it is no trick at all now for a Brother who has only been a Mason two years to aspire to the position of Master . The first year after his making he seeks a Warden ' s chair , and then he makes a break for the " East , " and if he does not get there he goes off and pouts ,

and works up a large-sized disgust because his " merit is not properly recognised . " Then , again , he wants to break the record . " Why Bro . So-and-So made it in three years , and I want to make it in two "—the earliest possible time . And when he makes it , what has the Lodge got ? Why , perhaps , a Brother

that was appointed Steward , but from various causes those above him in the line could not or would not be promoted , and he , being next in line , had to go ahead . From a Steward he was made Warden , and from a Warden , Master ; and this , too , without the knowledge of the first scintilla of Masonic law and total ignorance

of the constitution and edicts of the Grand Lodge . But the lino of promotion did it , and , therefore , we must " take our medicine . " Oufc with the line of promotion , say we , and let us come back to the good old way , when merit alone was the standard of promotion .

This same line of thought leads us to remark that Grand Lodges are , in a great measure , responsible for this state of things . It is their custom , generally , to elect some one from some particular part of the state , according fco geographical lines , and advance him regularly until he is elected Grand Master , and it is not considered exactly the handsome thing to presume to

run any one against the " liner . " By this process we have seen the dignity of the Grand East degraded , and the intellect that should reign supreme in such positions cast aside . Let the reformation , therefore , begin at the fountain head , wipe out all geographical lines and the " promotion theory , " and let absolute merit be the test of office .

There is another evil , also , that needs correcting , soliciting appointment for your friend or relative . Scarcely is the announcement ; made that " Bro . Next-in-Line has been elected " before his close friends make a rush for him and almost pull his

ears off in their endeavours to " speak a good word" for Bros . ^ rabition , Johnny With a-Pull-at-Home , Wise Acre , Smart Aleck , ^ u-st Appearance , and Old Bro . Hayseed , " who has been comin to this ' ere Grand Lodge for nigh outer thirty years , and never

Line Of Promotion Theory.

got a job yet . " Until the appointments are announced , after fche election , life is a burden to the Grand Master-elect , and in the wind-up he is bound to make somebody mad because he did not have places enough to go ' round . This state of electioneering has found its way into our subordinate Lodges , also . Newly elected Masters are importuned to start Bro . So-and-So " in line " just as soon as their election is announced , and the influence of

the Wardens are solicited also in behalf of their favourites . Ifc may be that the Brothers who are being urged for appointment have never seen but one election in the Lodge , and are totally ignorant of the duties of the office for which they are being coached , but one in " line " seems to be all that is necessary , as they will have time enough to qualify for the " East" before they get there . Oh , what a fallacy !

We tell you , Brothers , this " line of promotion theory " must be abandoned , and the quicker it is done the better it will be for Masonry . Merit will then have a chance , —Bun F . Price P . G . M . of Tennessee .

The Democracy Of Freemasonry.

THE DEMOCRACY OF FREEMASONRY .

I ^ HE Masonic form of government is democratic , taking the large sense of the word ; but it is nofc mobocratic . It is based ou wise laws and regulations for the permanent good of the whole Fraternity , and not to subserve selfish , ambitious or mercenary purposes . These laws inculcate allegiance and subordination to the lawful authorities constituted over the Craft

and are enforced by the infliction of appropriate penalties on all conspirators , disorganisers and fermenters of discord . Any form of government without such laws being put into execution , when necessary , would soon lose its independence , and even its existence . There is with us no aristocracy such as exists in

England and portions of Europe . The nearest legitimate approach to what would be recognised among the mass of the people of this land as giving rank to a man , will be found in public stations and offices of the State and general government . But these , alas ! are sometimes awarded to those who have , little to recommend them save servile adherence and services rendered

to some party-political clique . High places are " like the tops of pyramids , which reptiles may reach as well as eagles . " In nine cases out of ten , where the office holder is capable and honest , the engrossing nature of his public duties , or his turn of mind and taste render him indisposed and unfit to cultivate our

unobtrusive moral Order and Science . With us , the selection , as governors of our Order , of men iu high stations in civil life , may result in a temporary ec ' afc , bufc it will not necessarily offer any lasting good or advantage . Brethren who by their " works " and their worth can contribute to the edification of our Order , alone merit the Masonic crown , sceptre and mallet .

Birth is an accident . A title of nobility does not adorn the man ; but the man who has the title may adorn it by his talents aud character . With the wise and the good it is not the aristocracy of wealth nor of birth , bufc of mind and worth thafc is appreciated . —" Freemason ' s Chronicle" ( Sydney ) .

Legitimate Negro Lodges.

LEGITIMATE NEGRO LODGES .

MANY of our Masonic contemporaries talk as if a Negro could by no possibility become a Freemason . They ignore all the professions , principles and practices of the Fraternity the world over , and treat the black man as outside the pale of humanity . The Committee of the Grand Lodge of

Pennsylvania which considered the action of our Grand Lodge on the question of Negro Masonry , and whose report was adverse thereto , evidently had its eye on those who deny all human rights to the African , for in its report ifc says : " Returning to fche matter of the colour of individuals , it is well to remember thafc

there are legitimate Lodges composed of coloured persons , and Lodges composed of white and coloured persons , lawfully warranted by legitimate Grand Lodges . In Massachusetts , New Jersey , England , and perhaps other States and foreign countries ,

there are such Lodges . Hence there are genuine coloured Masons , and if the Grand Lodge of Washington desires to warrant ; Lodges for coloured persons , or initiate such persons , no other Grand Lodge will have a right to object . "— " Pacific Mason . "

THE time-table of Summer Train Service published by the Midland Eailway , with special reference to the Peak District and the Lancashire cities aud seaside places , shows a continuance and extension of the progressive policy which has long been a distinguishing feature of this Company . Matlock Bath , Kaddou Hall , Buxton , and tlie Derbyshire dales aro brought

within short and comfortable journey from St . Pancras , and business passengers to Manchester and Liverpool , or pleasure seekers on route to Southport and Blcakpool each find their special wants catered for . Tho express trains aro now largely composed of new rolling stock , of which luncheon and dining cars by day and sleeping cars on the night service occupy a full share .