Silence, Or A Tongue Of Good Report.

SILENCE , OR A TONGUE OF GOOD REPORT .

W " E have no intention of inflicting a sermon on our readers , but it is meet for ns occasionally to advert to one of the Masonic Virtues , which brethren are not always careful to observe . We do not know how it would have fared with some of TIS moderns had we lived in the Sonth of Italy in the days of Pythagoras , and sought admission

into the school of philosophy , which that venerable saa"e established at Croton . It strikes us that a very respectable majority would have experienced almost insuperable difficulties in obeying the prescriptions of that learned man during the first period of their novitiate , which lasted two

years , and during the whole of which they were bound to observe the strictest silence . True , wo have in these degenerate days , a most wise precept which enunciates emphatically a most obvious truth , namely , that " Speech is silvern , silence is golden . " Unhappily we do not always

exhibit that respect which it has a right to look for from men in general , and from Masons in particular . We recognise its merits , but only as it were , through a glnss darklv . We quote it freely , but do we obey it always , and unhesitatingly ? There are cases , also , which come under our

observation from time to time , and require ns , in very truth , to answer this formidable question in the negative . We are not obedient to this invaluable maxim , and we purpose glancing on this occasion , and in general terms , at the more prominent illustrations of this disobedience .

One of the first and most important lessons we are taught at our entrance into Freemasonry is to speak well of a brother both in his absence and in his presence ; and if , unfortunately , that cannot be done honestly and truthfully , we are enjoined to observe that special virtue of the

Craft—SILENCE . If we cannot honourably speak well in praise of a brother , we must say nothing to his dispraise . This is a charming precept , but how fares it when it comes to be reduced to practice ? In what is Masonically known as the profane world , there prevails very commonly the habit

of talking scandal . This , it is needless to say , is a most pernicious habit , and one to which much evil is directly traceable . Is it asking too much of those who join our ranks that they should cast it aside when they come among ns , not in theory only , but likewise in practice , and that the

solemn obligation they contract at their initiation should be reverently observed , not flung to the winds when their purpose is gained , and they have received the honours of the first degree ? We are very far from expecting that a man will become perfect simply by reason of his Masonry ,

but it is not unreasonable we should require of him to be as diligent in the fulfilment of his Masonic duties as he is in satisfying the claims of society in his ordinary avocations . There are times when it is necessary that a man should present himself for admission into the society of his

acquaintance in the full dress of the day . He obeys this law , because he knows that admission in any other garb would be impossible . A man is charged to fulfil certain duties at particular hours of the day . He does so , because he knows that any dereliction of his duty will be visited

with condign punishment . To put the matter plainly , his services will be dispensed with after repeated trials and disapprobations , oftentimes , indeed , after one only , and those of one willing to fulfil snch duties punctually will be engaged instead . But if it is de rigueur to attend a ball or the opera in the conventional white tie and swallow-tail ; if when we enter upon the duties of a certain post , we so

Silence, Or A Tongue Of Good Report.

far worship prescription and morality as to do what is required , c \ fortiori is it incumbent on na to observe the obligations imposed upon us by Freemasonry , seem ? that it is we who go to Freemasonry , not Freemasonry which comes to us . Society says white ties and swallow-tails at certain

seasons , or we forbid your presence . Business obligation says , duty at certain times of a given quality , or wo need you not . Freemasonry says nothing in the way of invitation . It is wo who seek admission . It warns us , before entrance , that wo aro about contractins' certain solemn

obligations . Query , are wo not equally in duty bound to fulfil them , just as we are the obligations of business or of fashion ? Fashion prescribes a blue coat and brass buttons

or nankeen inexpressibles , or the afore-mentioned tie , and swallow-tail coat , and we obey the prescription in fear and trembling , lest the tie or inexpressibles , or buttons , should differ to the extent of a hair ' s breadth from the size and

shape required . In this matter we aro tho most despicable of slaves ; yet in a matter of plain Masonio honour we aresruilty of every kind of prevarication , equivocation , and mental reservation , in order to shirk a duty voluntarily undertaken , not undertaken of necessity . There are those

brethren who do speak differently behind a brother ' s back , than when they are in his presence ; who do not observe silence as to his faults , when Masonry prescribes they should be silent . Many there are who enlarge on the infirmities of a brother ' s nature , who talk scandal of him

when occasion offers , and who create a scandal where there is none . There is no doubt that Masonry , which includes charity , covers a multitude of sins ; but that is no reason for making the multitude more multitudinous . Let us cultivate a tongue of good report , or let us , in the name of

all we hold sacred , have a tongue of no report at . all . We have our wits about us , and we trust a sense of honour . Let us exercise our wit and satisfy our sense of honour , when both alike forbid us violating our duty . It ia

surely uo hardship to be discreetly silent . Let us drop scandal at the portals of the Lodge . There is no room for it in pure and unadulterated Freemasonry . If men have not the courage to commit themselves unreservedl y to the dictates of honour , let them forbear seeking admission to our temples . Neither the backbiter nor the scandalmonger has any appointed place within these .

The Craft And The High Grades

THE CRAFT AND THE HIGH GRADES

WE adduce the two following cases in which Craft and Arch Masonry took part together in the consecration of a Craft Lodge . In the first in order of date it will be noticed further that members of the Order of Masonic Knights Templar were present wearing their regalia . It is clear then there was not the same strict observance in

those days as now , and that in the commingling of different Masonic bodies in a Craft ceremonial pure and simple , our United States brethren adhere more closel y to the practice of last century than we do in England . R . A . jewels are

very properly worn in Craft Lodges , for the Arch is recognised of Grand Lodge ; but it would be a departure from the law if on the occasion of the consecration of a new Lodge aud the installation of its W . M ., brethren appeared

in any other capacity than as Craft Masons . As to Templarism , it is , doubtless , not unknown to our readers that some years since one of our Provincial Grand Masters was summarily dismissed from his office by the late Earl of Zetland for attending P . G . Lodge clothed in the habili-