Ye Olden And Ye Modern.

established where the unfortunate Mason can receive the tenderest care , and the helpless orphan can be educated and fitted for a useful life . These changes have been the product of necessity as the world has grown older and its needs have increased . Modernised Masonry is as much grander than that of ye olden times as the

world is bigger and greater than it ever was before . The evolution of the Fraternity from its crudeness of two centuries ago to its present imperial importance has only been the natural result of the increase of education and ' refinement , and the necessities arising from these changed conditions . And this

evolution must continue as long as science , research and discovery create changes in the world . Men's ideas change with advanced education and enlightenment , and that would be a strange institution that would stand still amid such irresistible progress . — " Masonic Standard . "

What Is Masonry?

WHAT IS MASONRY ?

MASONEY is intenselv religious and its foundation principles a belief in God . Masonry has no mysticism that can be understood only by the learned . The unlearned and untutored can comprehend its precepts and enjoy its blessings .

Masonry is known and read in the cheerfulness of disposition and in its forbearance for others . Masonry is willing to help those in need and speaks a word of comfort in time of trouble . Masonry burns with glowing fires of love , fidelity and righteousness .

Masonry rekindles personal zeal and faith in God the Father , who is the light of Masonry . Masonry is love , love toward man , love for the beautiful ; brotherly love , love for the good , the honest and the true .

Masonry teaches genuine sentiments of friendship and inspires a determination to be happy and to promote the happiness of others .

Masonry is not dollars and cents , neither has it selfish ends to attain , but is a field of action for those who seek to benefit his fellows and cultivate his own highest nature . Masonry is not written on the sand or the oak , or even the solid rock , bufc upon the hearts of men . It is written in characters of living light thafc shall live immortal as thought .

Masonry is hope ; hope that the mists which darken loving natures may soon be rolled away . Masonry is faith in God that wherever his bark is driven he rules and stills the tempest .

Masonry is charity that angereth not , but gives place to wrath , " for ifc is written vengenceis mine ; I will repay , sayefch the Lord . " It feeds the enemy , clothes the naked , gives drink to the thirsty , is not puffed up . It reaches beyond the grave through the boundless realms of eternity . — " Indian Mason . "

Masonic Impostors.

MASONIC IMPOSTORS .

SUPPLEMENTARY to the report we reprinted last week , of the meeting recently held at Leeds , we now give a copy of the confession written by the impostor Charles Rennie , which was referred to by Bro . J . Morton ( Huddersfield ) , as being in possession of Bro . J . H . Roach P . M ., Master of the Strand Union Workhouse . It is as follows : —

CONFESSION OF AN IMPOSTOR IN FREEMASONRY , GOOD TEMPLARY , AND BUFFALOISM . Article I . —FHEEMASOURY . SUCCESS in my calling requires tact and perseverance . The intimate knowledge which I possess of tbe Ritual and workings of the above

mentioned secret societies was not obtained without much study and persistent application of the tests belonging to each , but , link by link , a perfect acquaintance with them was reached , and would never have been employed by me for a living had Dame Fortune kindly left me in the position in society I once held .

Thirty years ago , in India , I was at the sale of an officer ' s effects , and amongst other books there I saw one entitled " A Manual of Freemasonry . " This I purchased , and read carefully . It impressed me that if not a correct " expos 6 " of the Order , it was at least founded on fact . Being shortly afterwards in the company of two Freemasons , I detected a sign in their salutations when drinking together . This sign I subsequently made use of to another person whom I knew to be a Mason . He immediately responded , and gripped

my hand in precisely the manner indicated in the manual . This convinced me of the genuine character of the book , which I read until posted up in the First , Second , and Third Degrees ; wearing a ring with a Masonic device which attracted the notice of other Masons , with tho result that I was frequentl y challenged , and invariably acknowledged a veritable Mason . Even when the Pass Words have been demanded , which I gave in tho manner prescribed in the manual , I successfully imposed on the Fraternity .

My next step was to gain admission into a Lod ge . Not being in possession of a Masonic Certificate , and not knowing then how to obtain one , I did not effect entrance into a Lodge in India , but ultimately I did in America . ' '

Masonic Impostors.

Meeting with a reverse of fortune , I returned to England , eventually drifting into pecuniary embarrassments , when chance brought me into contact with a young Scotch Mason who confided to me the fact that he was existing on the cash obtained from the Britisher at Masonio meetings in the metropolis , and proposed that he and I should unite in the same effort to replenish our exchequers , each visiting a different Lodge . Neither of us had a certificate , but we worked the oracle with so muoh success that we had no thought of seeking employment in the labour market .

Giving London a pretty fair scouring , we went for a provincial tour and separated . Tho relief in tho provinces is invariably obtained from one individual of tho Lodge , termed the Almoner , and varies from 2 / 6 to 10 / -, according to the wealth of the funds set apart for sojourning Brethren . The Certificate is in most cases demanded , but some excuse for the want of it is generally accepted . The examination , if any , is so superficial thafc any

intelligent man who has studied' "The Manual'' can pass it successfully . I have visited nearly all the towns in England where Masonic Lodges are held , and can count the refusals for relief on the fingers of one hand . Tho force of circumstances ( and a steamboat ) subsequently took me to America . Shortly after my arrival in New York I presented myself at the Grand Lodge premises as an applicant for Masonic relief , and was told where

to meet a Committee assembled to deal with such cases , when , by questions that were put to me , I became aware that the American Ritual differed from tho English , though the landmarks were tho same . In the first place , I had to take my oath on the Bible that I was a Mason in good standing , neither suspended or expelled , & c . This rather staggered me , but being dead broke pecuniarily , I swore to it unblushingly , and , after several Masonio tests , I obtained five dollars as a donation .

One evening in Philadelphia , being in a chronic state of "hard up , I thought I would apply for relief at a Masonic Lodge . The Committee , of Past Masters sent to examine me commenced by administering the oath , but when it came to declaring that I was neither suspended or expelled , I hesitated , and said that I had not been in communication with my Lodge for over a year , and was not certain as to the fact . They complimented me on

my conscientiousness , telling me I should not be a loser for ifc , and asked me to wait in the ante-room while they reported to the Lodge . Very shortly , one of the Brethren returned , and presented me with five dollars , advising me to get straight with my Lodge as speedily as possible . Nest day I purchased an American Ritual for twenty-five cents , and very quickly made acquaintance with its contents .

Presenting myself on the same premises where a different Lodge was meeting , and applying for examination , the Tyler , who recognised me as having got the five dollars a few evenings previously , said there was no necessity for it , as he would vouch for me , and as there was a Lodge just about to open I might enter the room , which I accordingly did . The Senior

Deacon went round to ascertain if all present were Masons ; I gave him the grip as I had seen those do before he came to me , and the Pass Word from the Second to the Third Degree , when down went his wand in front of me , attracting the notice of the Worshipful Master , who sent for the Tyler . He said " I vouch for that Brother , " and the Senior Deacon passed on .

During the evening I witnessed the ceremonies of Initiation , Passing and Raising , and , better still , I saw the mode of procedure of Brethren who entered after the Lodge was open . This is a point not to bo obtained from any book . However well posted an impostor may be , even provided with a defunct Mason ' s Certificate , having passed the examination of the Pasfc Masters and admitted into the Lodge , he will not know how to proceed , then woe betide him . .

This secret I will not divulge , purposely refraining from adding to already published information . The most concise pamphlet on B reeinasonry I met with was in a reference library , at Wigan , Lancashire , the only place in England where I

found an assortment of books on Freemasonry . It is entitled " Three Knocks . " In it I noticed that the pass word of a Past Master is wrongly given . For many years I have made a living from the cash contributions by the Masonic Fraternity . My experience is at least unique , and I conclude this part of my confession with " Hearty good wishes to the Craft . " ( Signed ) CHARLES RENNIE , 6 th April 1899 .

WE also add the proposed "Code of Instructions to Almoners , " which Bro . Morton had prepared for discussion at the meeting : — ( 1 . ) The Almoner of any Lodge duly constituted and enrolled on the Register of the Grand Lodge of England shall , before distributing any

alms from the Sojourners' Fund of his Lodge , cause the applicant to prove himself in the three Established Degrees of the Order , and shall also require tho production of his Grand Lodge Certificate . A memorandum of tbo relief extended must be immediately endorsed on tho Certificate and signed by the Almoner .

( 2 . ) When a Brother has lost his Grand Lodge Certificate , and satisfies tho Secretary of the Lodge in which ho was initiated that he has lost it , or that it has accidentally been destroyed , the Secretary may , if he considers it advisable , obtain from tho Provincial Grand Secretary a Certificate to be called " The Secretary ' s Certificate " in the following form : —

" Ancient , Free and Accepted Masons . Province of This is to certify that Bro . A . B . was initiated into Freemasonry in the Lodge of being number on the Register of the Grand Lodge of England , on the day of and that ho remained a subscribing member of the Lodge until the day of when he ( Signed ) Secretary . "

Fill in dates in words , not figures . Say whether resigned or struck off . And this " Secretary's Certificate " must be accepted by all Almoners in lieu of tho Graud Lodge Certificate when presented by an applicant . ( 3 . ) Without tho production ] of his Grand Lodge Certificate , or the " Secretary ' s Certificate , " by auv applicant proEessing to be a member or

a past member of any Lodge , duly numbered on the Register of the Grand Lodge of England , for relief from the Sojourners' Fund , Almoners are directed to refuse assistance , and the Almouer dispensing any money in contravention of these Rules , or who fails or omits to endorse the Certificate as provided , shall forfeit the amount given , aud shall not be entitled to charge it to the Sojourners' Fund . ( i . ) A Provincial Grand Secretary shall , upon application from the