Audi Vide Tace.

AUDI VIDE TACE .

THIS well-known Masonie device is , of late years , either not generally understood , or wilfully disregarded . In times gone by silence or secrecy was regarded as an essential attachment to Freemasonry ; that whatever else became public property , the transactions of the Lodge were confined in the breast of every Mason , and their lips sealed to silence . Dr . Oliver , in a lecture on the " Various Eituals of Freemasonry , " thus refers to the subject : —

" This was a primitive observance among the Graft , for in the Constitution of Athelstane the E . A . P . was solemnly enjoined :

His Master s Counsel to keep close . Lest he his confidence should lose ; The secrets of Brethren tell to none , Nor out of the Lodgo what there is dono . Whatever you hear the Master say ,

Be sure you never do betray , Lest it cause in thee much blame , And bring the Craft to public shame . " And in the course of a categorical examination of what is known as the " Presfconian Eifcual , " our learned Brother has the following : —

" Of all the arts whieh Masons possess silence or secrecy is thafc which particularly recommends them . Taciturnity is a proof of wisdom , and is allowed to be of the utmost importance in the different transactions of life . The best writers have declared it to be an art of inestimable value ; and that it is

agreeable to the Deity himself may easily be conceived from the glorious example which he gives in concealing from mankind the secrets of his providence . The wisest of men cannot pry into the arcana of Heaven ; nor can they devise to-day what to-morrow may bring forth . "

What apparently was a prominent and distinguishing characteristic of our Antient Brethren , gives some promise of falling into disuse , and becoming a lost art wifch many modern Masons , viewed in the light of some recent occurrences , which , if nofc amended , will , in the words of Athelstane ... " Cause in thee much blame and bring the Craft to shame . "

The device , Audi Vide Tace , as of old , should still teach Masons to hear , see , and be silent . The principle inculcated in the Lodge has not changed , and the last Charge , solemnly given by the I . P . M . before closing , specifically refers fco fche manner in which the proceedings are to be treated . The Latin motto may be unintelligible to many , but all else is unmistakably plain , and

should be patent to all . And yefc we hear only too frequently of the affairs of the Lodge being publicly discussed , in some instances the day following the meeting . In more than one instance brought prominently under our notice , not only has the rejection of candidates been freely canvassed , but fche names of the presumed objectors have been circulated and their action

subjected to the adverse criticism of public opinion , or to quote our informant in a specific case , it formed the topic of general discussion on the street , in the hotel , and even with the ladies at afternoon tea . This admission of a member of the Lodge was corroborated by others , each of whom admitted the " disgrace to Freemasonry . " The pernicious practice , too often allowed to

grow unchecked , thrives best in small country districts , but much of the blame and all the responsibility rests with the W . M . Those Masons who have so little regard for Freemasonry or their own pledges , as to make public traffic of its concerns , cannot disguise their identity , especially in small communities , and it is the bounden duty of the Master to take cognizance of the offence ,

and bring the transgressors to justice . It is a duty he owes to the Lodge and himself in particular , and the Craffc in general . Failure in performing this duty is evidence of unfitness for his position , and merits the interference of a higher power . W . M . s must recognise that their functions do not cease with the monthly meeting , but are continuous , and much of the peace ,

harmony and prosperity of fche Lodge will depend on the skill and ability , tact and discretion , wifch whieh fchey deal wifch the many complex questions which constantly arise outside the Lodge . We hope ifc may nofc be necessary to recur to this subject , and that those to whom this article may be specially applicable will accept the warning it contains . — " New Zealand Craftsman . "

Expulsion From The Craft.

EXPULSION FROM THE CRAFT .

AT the March Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Victoria it was moved and seconded , " That Bro . F . Gray P . M . be expelled from the Craft , he having been convicted of a misdemeanour , he having been summoned before Grand Lodge in accordance with constitutional law . " The resolution

provoked considerable discussion and two amendments . The first , " Thafc he be suspended from the privileges of Masonry for five years ; " and the second , " That we postpone dealing with the case until Bro . Gray ' s sentence has expired . " Bro . T . P .

Expulsion From The Craft.

Denham Grand Eegistrar is reported to have made the following —to us—extraordinary statement : —" Masonry did not mock any man . It was no use summoning a man to attend who could not attend . A man locked up had nofc tbe opportunity of obeying fche summons until he was let out . No one could suffer any injury , as the man could nofc impose his presence on the Grand

Lodge in the meantime , and surely they could have enough patience to wait until he was released . The rule gave him the option of a personal appearance or a . reply by letter , as he might prefer . " Which we assume to mean that no action should be taken until the person is released . But the acceptance of such dictum would surely involve endless complication . Assuming the

sentence to be one of long duration , would not the Lodge be compelled to pay Grand Lodge dues on his account ? On being in arrear of contribution could his Lodge take the usual action for exclusion for non-payment , without being liable to future action ? And again , he still being a member , would not he and his family be entitled to any rights and privileges pertaining to

such membership ? We are of opinion the Grand Lodge showed sound discretion in carrying the motion by 108 to 19 . The Grand Lodge of New Zealand has lately decided thafc ifc is a mockery to summon a person to appear under such circumstances , and that conviction for crime in the law courts of the colony constitutes " prima facie" evidence of guilt . — "New Zealand Craftsman . "

Freemasonry And Masonic Templarism.

FREEMASONRY AND MASONIC TEMPLARISM .

THE Masonic Institution is designed for all nations and climes—for worthy men attracted to every faith and form of worship . Ib has but one unvarying fcesfc , a recognition of Deity ; and beyond fchis declaration of religious belief ifc does not ask the novitiate to pledge himself . Freemasonry , therefore , is a grand cosmopolitan society , established on the principles of Brotherly Love , Belief and Truth . It has a fitness for univeral acceptance .

Templary , on fche other hand , is limited . By its definitions , formulas , and ceremonies , it requires faith in the crucified and risen Saviour , aud demands that each of its members shall avow himself to be a disciple of Christ the Lord . As another has well said : " A man goes beyond Freemasonry when he enters an

Order into which any one of his Masonic Brethren is debarred from being admitted on account of his religious belief . Let us then , once and for ever , put from our minds the idea that we form an essential part of Freemasonry . Attached to the Grand Order of Freemasonry we certainly are , and it is in our Province either to become an ornament or a blemish to the noble

institution . Ifc must naturally follow , therefore , that , our Order being essentially religious , we must nofc expect that it will extend with the same rapidity as the purely Masonic Orders . But there is one consolation that in this our Temple we are in a position to keep excellent guard over the admission of candidates , and we can feel fairly assured that , if a man can pass with honour through the Masonic degrees , with all their tests and trials—is

thought worthy of being elected for installation as a Knight Templar—and can , moreover , conscientiously declare his belief coincident with our requirements , he will be able to sustain and perpetuate an Order composed of men to whom the moral teachings of Freemasonry have been of the greatest benefit , and in so doing will become truly an ornament to Freemasonry , and will be enabled , with the greatest possible effect , to promulgate the teachings of the Great Captain of our Salvation . "

The foregoing statement not only points out a line of distinction between the Masonic Institution and the Templar Order , but ifc also indicates in what way fche members of the last named organisation shall be promoters of the true life of Freemasonry . They ought to exemplify the graces and virtues of manly character , and thus exert a personal influence whieh shall be a lifting power to the Fraternity , They ought , because of

preferment , because of the special lessons taught them in the Templar system , - to be more ready to show sympathy with and regard for their Masonic Brethren , and to aid them more generously in every time of need . If Knights Templar become imbued with the wholesome teachings of the Order they will become more zealous as Craftsmen , and thus furnish the best evidence of the close and helpful relation which exists between Freemasonry and Templarism . — " Freemasons Repository . "

Those Bad Freemasons.

THOSE BAD FREEMASONS .

UNDEE the heading , " Tbe end of a Crisis , " fche " Verite , " the clerical organ of Quebec , rejoices over the withdrawal of the proposals regarding uniformity of text-books , certificates from teachers , & c , & c , which were before fche Catholic Committee of the Council of Public Instruction . It adds : — "Everyone must remember the letter written by Canon Ouelleifc , of the