The Social Features Of Masonry.

made the scene of improper festivity , or to seek to engraft npon Masonry the features that have brought discredit npon Lodges elsewhere . I only recommend , with all the earnestness in my power , that a united effort be made to

render the Lodge meetings more attractive . An inexpen sive dinner or supper would be a pleasant addition in many instances . The stomach and not the heart is the real seat of the affections . In country Lodges , after the

conclusion of the proceedings , an informal farmers club and general discussion upon agricultural matters might well be held , and it would do no harm to havo good men in the neighbourhood , who were not Masons , to attend these . The result would be that most of them would soon

be in tbe Lodge . In towns and villages a lecture or talk upon some topic of contemporary interest , a recitation , a song , or story , might well be given , either in connection with or as a

substitute for a supper . Tho amount of interest , amusement or instructiou which may be dug out of the material of any fairly representative Lodge in North Carolina would really surprise its own members .

If there be one noticeable want in the social system of North Carolina , it is a want of proper relaxationand amusement : and so true is this that I am sure the

recommendation just given will seem to many as a useless innovation upon the serious observance of Masonry , because even the capacity for social enjoyment in many has become atrophied and withered from lack of use . —G . M . of North Carolina .

The Universality Of Freemasonry.

THE UNIVERSALITY OF FREEMASONRY .

IT is no exaggeration to say that in every civilised nation on the face of the earth , and in almost every part of the dominions of each , remote as well as near , a Masonic Lodge may be found . The language spoken

therein may be English , German , Spanish , French , Italian , Norwegian , or , perchance , that of some other tongue , and yet there is Freemasonry , and there are Freemasons . Of course , ignorance of the spoken language in

the very nature of things is a hindrance to the speedy acceptance and acknowledgment of a visiting brother , but snot necessarily an insuperable one . Freemasonry itself possesses a universal language , which every

Craftsman knows . In this language he may communicate in any nation , with any brother . A Freemason may always and everywhere prove himself to be a Freemason . Not only in time of dire peril , but during the hours of social

enjoyment , one may readily discover himself to a brother , or discover a brother in a stranger . Freemasonry thus possesses the quality of universality in the most important particulars—it is everywhere practised , and a skilled brother may make himself everywhere " at home . "

It is not to be inferred that because a Freemason may always and everywhere , at pleasure , disclose his Masonic

character to another brother , that Freemasonry is everywhere and always precisely the same . Just as St . Paul said to the Corinthians , " Now there are diversities of gifts , but the same Spirit . And there are differences of

administration , but the same Lord "—so the experienced brother knows that in Masonry there are differences of administration and of ritual ; but these are not so different as to be unrelated and distinct . All Freemasonry is one , whether

authoritatively recognised as such or not . The travelling brother discovers this to his joy . It may be that his mother jurisdiction fails to accord to the foreign body the fraternal recognition that is customary among equals in

the Craft , and yet the individual Masons of all obediences are usually more liberal than their parent bodies . It is fortunate for the wandering brother that it is so , since , if it were not , a Freemason might not find in every country a brother , and in every land a home .

In connection with the admitted fact of differences of administration and of ritual in the several Masonic jurisdictions , we may recall to the reader ' s mind a related fact , which he cannot have failed to note in visiting different

Lodges in the same jurisdiction—to wit , that while exact uniformity of work is greatly to be desired , and always to be sought , it is rarely found . In the same city , in different Lodges , you may find variations of Masonic work True , they are not material , bnt they are really discerned . Every Grand Lodge and Grand Master aims to eradicate

The Universality Of Freemasonry.

these differences , but only measurably succeeds , and yet this success is proportionate to the labour spent in the effort to unify the work . The purpose is laudable , and

because it is not crowned with complete success , is no reason why we should doubt the universality of Freemasonry . There aro differences of administration and of forms in the same Masonry .

We do not anticipate that the time will ever arrive when in all nations speaking the same language , much less in nations speaking different languages , Freemasonry will be administered after precisely the same method . There will

bo " uses ' in Masonry as there are in the Church . It could not be otherwise in a cosmopolitan institution . Its very comprehensiveness compels it . Freemasons are , after all , but men . Even Freemasons cannot agree in

everything . The thoughtful Freemason does not expect it . He recognises the fact that it is far better that we should agree in material matters , and disagree in subordinate ones , and still constitute one Body , the constituent members

of which fraternally recognise each other , than that their should be schisms in the Craft , through frequent nonrecognition of one Body by another , and it may be even the publication of an edict of non-intercourse with another .

Those who are of the " household of faith " of Freemasonry are our Brethren , and in accordance with the universal law of Brotherhood should be covered by the mantle of Masonic love . —Keystone .

The Royal Jubilee Lodge of Instruction , No . 72 , will resume its meetings at the Mitre , Chancery Lane , on Wednesday next , the 21 st inst ., at 8 o ' clock .

Bro . John Lane P . M . 1402 installed the W . M . elect , Brother Thomas Prust , as Master of the Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 , Torquay , on Tuesday , the 13 th inst . There was a large Board of Installed Masters , all of whom were much pleased with the excellent and perfect manner in which Bro . Lane discharged his duty . He also conferred the second degree on a candidate .

The members of the Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 , unanimously re-elected Bro . John Lane as Charity Steward of the Lodge , and representative of the Committee of Petitions for Devon , and ifc was announced in the cource of the

proceedings that our gifted brother intended to serve as Steward for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys for 1888 , in which year the R . W . Bro . Lord Ebrington Prov . Grand Master of Devon is to be the Chairman .

A unique feature in the way of a menu card and toast list was produced at the Jubilee banquet of this Lodge , held at the Royal Hotel , Torquay , on Tuesday last . The several toasts were interspersed by " sentiments" in verse ,

all of which are singularly appropriate , and show that Bro . John Lane P . M . is no less an expert in poesy than in the dry compilation of " Masonic Records . " Probably the " best of the bunch " is that associated with the Tyler ' s toast , which runs thus : —

" All health to our brethren , of every degree , Dispersed round the globe , or by land or by sea ; Preserve them , ye powers , their virtues improve ; When we part from this world may we all meet above . "

MISTAKEN IDEAS OF MASONKY . —The following incident is related of a widow in the State of Michigan , whose husband was a member of a Lodge up the lake shore , who moved away farther up , and for some years paid no does to his Lodge . He finally took sick , and died , and was buried by the Masonic Lodge in the town where he

died , and the Lodge sent the bill for the expense to the Lodge where the deceased brother belonged , and they paid it , never having suspended the brother for non-payment of his dues . A short time after this the widow moved back to their former home , and applied to the Lodge for assistance . A committee waited on the lady and inquired

what she wanted . She informed them that she thought about 500 dollars would do her with what she had from the sale of some property left her by her late husband , which amounted to abont 4 , 500 dols ., and she was much surprised when informed the Lodge

could not comply with her request . She said she supposed the Lodge would set her up in business . No Lodge will refuse to help the needy , but they are no building society or national banks . — Detroit Freemason .