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FURTHER LIGHT DEMANDED .

( Continued from p . 116 ) . 4 NOTHER plan for teaching Masonry was attempted f \_ by that earnest student whom I have just quoted ; although he declared that it ended in failure , it may be reverted to as continuing the view I have just expressed . It may surprise some present to know that the great

rite , to which Albert Pike devoted a third of a century , was to him but an instrument , not an end . But he himself tells us , " 1 very seriously doubted , thirty-two years ago , whether the ordinary Masonry had in it the essential requisites for perpetuity . ... It was

in the hope of doing something to give it vitality and save it from decrepitude and dotage , decay and decadence , by endeavouring throuph the degrees of a higher branch of it , to elevate the Blue or Symbolic Masonry , that I

engaged in the work which has chiefly occupied me during these thirty-two years ; and now I see that , so far as the Blue Masonry is concerned , I have effected nothing . "

He saw that while he had aimed to establish a school iu which the wisest and most earnest Masons would pursue a graduate curriculum of Masonic study , few cf his disciples sought to learn what 1 e had to teach ; that many of those who did , doubted his conclusions ; that the great majority cared little for anything but the

outward marks of distinction ; and , worst of all , that thousands of profanes , who had never been first prepared in their hearts , attracted by tinsel and titles , became identified with our Fraternity . From this experiment perhaps we may draw the conclusion that , though we

may build up societies preat and valuable in themselves , they can render Craft Masonry little service if they lead even the thoughless to suppose that any badge of distinction exists among men more honourable than the lambskin apron .

I think the most important step ever taken towards the diffusion of Masonic knowledge was the founding in London , in 1884 , of the Lodge Quatuor Coronati . That Lodge , which numbers among its members such men as Gould , Hughan , Speth , Rylands and Lane , and in its

correspndence circle most of the leading Masonic students in the world , devotes itself exclusively to Masonic study . It is no exaggeration to say that its publications , and those of its members , are of more Masonic value than all else that has been printed in English for a century .

The work of that Lodgo is general in its character ; but other associations have been formed , less ambitious in aim , and quite capable of imitation by us in all our larger cities . For example , the Wakefield Masonic Literary Society , foimed in Yorkshire , England , in 1889 ,

declares its aim to be " to take Masonry out of its rutty and dry routine of the formal ritualism of the various degrees ; to stimulate a desire to enquire into the history , archaeology and essence of Masrnry , and to solve or explain tbe many anachronisms and difficulties

which are constantly presetting themselves to the minds of thoughtful Masonic students and seaichers after light and truth , " to enable Worshipful Masteis " to get out of . the crabbed and narrow text books , which are the

bane of Masonry , " and qualify them to perfoim " their boucden duty" of satisfying tbe minds of those who enter our Lodges expecting to obtain knowledge and intellectual development .

But it is within our Lodges that the most effective work cau be done ; and to the live Worshipful Master who wants to begin practical work , I would make two suggestions : First , start a Masonic library in your Lodge . Do not wait for the " mossbacks " to approve , or stop

to conciliate the chronic giumbler , but persuade the Biethren to buy a few books . You can make a fair start even with twenty-five dollars . For about fifty dollais you can secure books ( seventeen volumes ) , which perhaps the best living authority has prescribed

as constituting a " Masonic curriculum " for the student who wishes to put himself abreast oi the Masonic knowledge of the day . Then a few volumes added annually will make Masonic ignorance , in your Lodge , no longer a necessary evil , hut a wilful offence .

Next , restore the social element in your Lodge , and have no moiemeetings at which " nothing was done . " To this by having seme kii . d of Matcuic instii'cticn , with

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music , if possible , and a bite to eat , at every meeting which is not occupied by work . Of course you will stir up opposition . Brethren will denounce yon as " a violator of the landmarks . " Masons will declare that you have no right to use Lodge funds to bnv refreshments .

But let not ignorance dismay you . Let them appeal to the Grand Lodge , if they refuse to be enlightened otherwise , and we will jiile up Masonic precedents for you higher than the Grand Master ' s head ; for most of the Lodges in Europe , and hundreds in America , usually

have a banquet at every regular meeting . But let Masonic instruction be the chief purpose of these meetings . Let Masonic problems be discussed b y appointed Brethren . Let well informed Masons , educated or uneducated , deliver written or oral addresses

on any Masonic subject ; or , when such addresses cannot be secured , let something be read from a Masonic book . The old " Charges of a Freemason , " or an extract from Preston or Hutchinson , will be new to many , and interesting to all . It will surprise you what interest

will be taken in these meetings . They are but a return to the ancient practice . Masonry was taught by symbols , because these appeal to the eye , and Masons will always respond if you appeal to their senses , especially seeing , hearing or . tasting . You

cannot make a horse drink , and , perhaps , you cannot make the majority of men or Masons read . But universal experience shows that they will listen . Every Mason has an attentive ear . Supply the instructive tongue , and you will find them quick and eager to learn . We have

tried this during the last year in the Lodge to which I have the pleasure of belonging , and success is so great , and its benefits so marked , that I do not hesitate to say that were I to be Master during the next year—as I shall not be—I should make it a feature second in prominence

not even to degree work . Interest is awakened , knowledge of the deep meaning of our mystery is imparted , appreciation of the design of our Institution is engendered , Masonic light is diffused , Lodge meetings become attractive , and dormant members awaken and join in our labours .

I have offered these disconnected but , I hope , practical suggestions , because I conceive an American Grand Lodge , in this generation , to be a practical body , met for the purpose of considering the needs of the Craft , rather than to listen to fine rhetoric or word

painting ; and because I believe we ought , as did our ancient Brethren , to do something more for newly made Masons than to turn them loose with hardly a hint of the deep meaning , true value and real purpose of our mysteries . " Universal benevolence , brotherly love and

truth , acting by the square and living within compass , are indeed most vital tenets of Masonry ; but they are not the limits of our duty . These include preserving , and passing to our successors unimpaired , a knowledge

oi the sublime teachings and symbolism which are our heritage from time immemorial , and which give our beloved Institution a value infinitely above that of all other organised bodies .

Let us ever be faithful to this high and sacred trust , that we may merit the blessing of the Grand Architect of the Universe , and be worthy to be addressed as true " S ONS OF LIGHT . "—Bro . W . H . Upton , at Grand Lodge in Washington , from the " Voice of Masonry . "

It is expected there will be an exceptionally large attendance of Brethren on the occasion of the Installation of Lord Llangattock as Provincial Grand Master of South Wales , which is fixed for the 27 th inst ., as applications for banquet tickets are pouring in , and the accommodation , ample though it was deemed , is already nearly exhausted .

o o o The Grand Master of Scotland , accompanied by several of his Officers , recently paid an official visit to the Shetland Isles , and in recording the fact " The Mallet , "

in " Glasgow Evening News , " says the journey was a trying one for the Grand Master and his deputation , who , with a single exception , succumbed to Father Neptune ' s power . The passage being a rough one caused the steamer to be six hours behind time .