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Random Notes And Reflections.

RANDOM NOTES AND REFLECTIONS .

THERE is a spirit of reserve in English Freemasonry , which tends to preserve its dignity , to enhance its claims to admiration . There are times when displays are

tolerated , even welcomed . These are special occasions , when some great event is about tn take place , such as the laying of the foundation stone of some important structure or the funeral of some exalted brother . . Then reserve

melts before the dawn of rejoicing or the afternoon of lamenting , and the brethren discharge some of their symbolical functions in public . In London , beyond the attendance of the brethren at the grave of a departed

brother , wearing a simple sprig of acaoia , outward Masonic display is very seldom witnessed . In the provinces the Craft are more prone to demonstrations , which sometimes assume a very pleasing character . At Norwichfor

, instance , where the Provincial Grand Lodge usually hold their annual meeting , it is customary for the brethren to assemble in a building abutting on the cloisters of the Cathedral , dress , take their places in the nave and in due

order , wearing regalia , march into the choir where service is performed . The si ght is interesting and mi ght vei y easily be made more imposing . The whole thing " is done in a hum-drum hnsty fashion , withont any of that spirit

and enthusiasm so characteristic of our northern brethren . The Provincial Grand Lodge of Chester have just held their annual meeting at Stalybridge , and we read that after the close of their labours , the brethren , headed b y

the Stalybridge Borough Band , went in procession to St . Paul ' s Church , where a sermon was preached . There is no canon against such displays , and so long as they are not carried to the verge of extravagance or tawclryness they may be permitted if not officially sanctioned .

Here is another instanee . The Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland , and Westmoreland , when they met on the 28 th ult ., at Egremont , after the conclusion of labour , mosfc of which was devoted to charitable work ,

formed in procession , and accompanied by the Whitehaven Artillery Band , marched to the Parish Church , where they were extorted to take firm hold of "Faith , Hope , and

Chavity . " The brethren were not content wifch walking ¦ n procession to the church , but they returned in a sim ^ ar manner , and then sat down to that reward which good work honestl y done should always command .

There was a good deal of looting during the Amei lean War , Freemasons' Lodges sharing the fate of other places offering a chance of plunder . One event happened during the war which reads more like a romance than , a reality .

The battle of Fredericksburg took place in December 1862 , and afforded an opportunity for despo ; i ing the enemy . Brother W . L . Young , then a captain , after the battle , found in the possession of a private of artillery , a silver

level , which he retained . He subsequentl y became acquainted with Bro . J . B . Spotswood . who was a member r'r the Fredericksburg Lodge , No . i , who informed him *• "' " ¦ t ( he Lodge Room . had been broke ?' , into a . ** . d pfciipr . cd of its valuable contents , inclmlin'v sonu * . relics of tho Ctrl v

^* ;< 0 "y ol' I : ic Lodge , the jewels which lud hciu worn ) . )• / ; Ji' 0- George Washington , v . du » \ vn : ; ; meuibsr of Lite ¦ uod ge . He said no doubt the level produced ' was ono of the

stolen jewels . Bro . Young win- ml ) ; fied of the eorreeir . e ^; ¦ "• f'hc statoracnt , and L-eut a let ' . ¦ ' cont ; m ^; g the whole facts , together with the jewel , to lntcf .-rlfc y Lodge , No . 137 , filing them to hold ; ' i \> iv ^ - : ;•; . < ;!' ' tl : e vn . \ -.. vw eiteV ' . I bo

^ hen the jewel could returned la it .- * rightful own . er .-: ! J J'c trust wns accepted , a , 'id 'ho ! e * el w'i ; : p i a ' . v-d , , r ? t . i ^ fchoi- property of the Lodge , iu s . r . ~ nco : >? sxu > 'ily ; * ' . " * d ! i ! on forgotten . A change OL' Secre m ios recently tuuii P'f ' -ce in the hiLegnty Lodge , when Bro . David llittorkoujj e , after tiiu Ly-eigai yea ? d service , retired , aud Brother

Random Notes And Reflections.

L . Matthews took his place . Tho latter , upon assuming the duties of his office , examined the property of the Lodge , and discovered the stolen level . The matter , thus revived , was pursued , and after some correspondence , the level was duly handed over to tho Fredericksburg Lodge , after having

been missing for twenty-one years . Tho brethren of tho latter Lodge were unprepared for restoration of the prized jewel , and when , therefore , thov received it at tho

hands of a deputation from Integrity Lodge , great was their rejoicing . We need hardl y state that the visitors were welcomed with enthusiasm , and a very pleasant social evening was spent in fraternal intercourse .

We are not among those who admire tho martinets of Freemasonry , who frequently contend most ardently for the letter of tho Craft , bufc who most grossly violate its spirit . We have seen some strange examples of this genus , these lovers of externals , and have not been surprised afc

the contradiction their actions often suggested . For instance , we knew a Provincial Grand Secretary who was shocked at a brother publishing notices of Lodge meetings in bis paper without first seeking the authority of the Provincial G . Master , but who turned his back upon a brother in

the rndest and most un gentlemanly manner when tho sard brother temperately asked for information upon a matter affecting himself , and which might have been unfairly

pressed againsfc him . Wc need scarcely add that the Province referred to was not remarkable for its activity or charitable impulses under the management of such a Secretary .

Liberty is rather an expensive article in fche United States , especially among Freemasons . Every State must have its rights independent of other States , and , of course , where three Lodges exist there and then must arise a Grand Lodge , with all the honours , cares aud

responsibilites of the oldest body in the Order . In America there is very little honorary service , aud therefore not much of that personal responsibility which is the life and soul of true charity , the essence of friendship , and the great prompter of action . Men are paid for everything they do ,

with the result of tbe development of corruption and selfishness to an enormous extent . We have given some examples of self-sacrifice and noble deeds of succour and relief that occasionally occur in America , bnt these only serve to heighten the general contrast , and to show that

the heart of the brethren is sound and only needs the abolition of the paying practices to fully bring out fche better elements of their nature . There is a pride in the consciousness of doing good , which far exceeds any gratification that money can give , and there are dutiesto . be

performed which no money payment can command . This theory is the soul of Freemasonry , bufc our brethren across the Atlantic have covered it with sordid dross and tinsel , so that its brig htness is concealed and its glory tarnished . The evil of paying brethren for services that ought to be

cheerfull y rendered , that should be counted an honour to be permitted to discharge , is forcing itself upon the Craft in America . The pocket is too severely taxed , and now the demand is for economy , and with ifc arises the question : Is this enormous outlay necessary ? One illustration of

the expenditure of a Grand Lodge will suffice for our purpose . The annual revenue amounted to twelve or fourteen thousand dollars , and the expenditure of one session

was something like eleven thousand dollars , besides exfcra for the expenses of the Grand Secretary , in addition to his salary of more than threo dollars per day . Says the late Bro . Cornel in ? Moore :

Mo'v tu 2 n t'ir . ilioniia . 'iti uuiir . ra svero paid for mileage and per "ijiTi fi , i- njeuibcrs la ati , or ; d iKc ;¦?;;; : iou of the Graud Lodge . Thoso mm < vir < e ovpoiu'lit'irc . " ' , fYnui . viii'jli tlio Fraternity derives bat little ¦ t ' . i . f ' . \ . r . ; ' \ - \ ¦ : ' : fv . i-- ,-.. { ' : ; =. ol' >' -i P \ i , !' , T . v , - 'y .: Hcf ! which will woil-: an

! injip-y to the JnatifcutiyiJ . T '; o sinenses incurred by tho Craft in : Oiiiciiiimi , tun ! oi '; er po ' ii ' s , iu reUuvc-. iaaliiug c : iuscd by tbo kite ! iffKiiIn , "/ I !! tu Mj . oro fcu JWU ' .-J t 'e ho .-ionr of Freemasonry than will 1 I've ; limes ih >; iimo" - } i . o . nei ^ 'lr . ) to hold a " IMSIOU of fj-mel Loclw .

Alan , lor the needed re town i Lrc . rlooro no longer wields l ho v > eri , still he Mia ieH . i . ; . - * iiuon ^ li uj ou record ,

laud itiaaoiiic joiu'ii . ' iiisU , especially in . America , . iliuma taite ; care bhc-. i tliey do no : die uut . il toe nobler conscience of the ¦ ¦ brv ) -: ht * en ujei beeu pnvgod > A the grossness of filthy lucre , I fhe ( eve ot which i .-i tee e ^ . ' oC of evevv poop !;; "o . ader tue !> su : i , bnt n t . - infold currjc -a i ! ,,: Oraft . it lias been sags ' gesfced that the meetings ox Grand Lodges should ho