What Is A Bright Mason?

WHAT IS A BRIGHT MASON ?

W HAT are the requisite qualifications that should be possessed by a member of the Masonic Fraternity to entitle him rightfully to be considered by his Brethren as a " bright Mason ? " An appellation of which every Mason justly entitled thereto may well accept with satisfaction and which he may look upon with pride , as being a recognition of abilities

acquired by long years of faithful service and untiring study , not merely of its ritual and work , which though one of the necessary qualifications , is of secondary importance when compared with the symbols adopted and the importance of the lessons they are intended to convey , and of which the ritual is but the exponent ,

the language adopted for their correct presentation and proper explanation . This title is , however , more generally applied to those who though well skilled in the ritual and accurate it may be , yet have but little appreciation of the lessons or of the objects and designs of the Institution , and know less of its laws

and regulations . Sometimes it is used , and with considerable gusto , by those who themselves are but occasional attendants upon the Lodge ; whose knowledge of the ritual is meagre , and without reputation as workers . By them it is more often applied to those who , in their occasional visits to the Lodge , they may

chance to hear confer some one or more of our beautiful degrees in a dramatic manner and with an attempt at oratory uncalled for and not in keeping with the subject matter . presented . Having , it may be , a knowledge of the language to be used , but lacking an appreciation of the sentiments therein expressed ,

their rendition of the degree fails to convey the true sentiment , and their elocutionary efforts pleasing only to those who are alike superficial . To be so well skilled in the ritual as to be considered " bright" is most commendable . We wish there were more such . But while it is an essential qualification for

the Master of a Lodge , yet it is by no means the only one . Not every bright ritualist will make a good Master , nor can all such rightfully be considered as bright Masons . To be such requires a thorough knowledge of the philosophy of Masonry , its objects

and aims , and especially of its laws and regulations and the landmark upon which they are grounded . The more a Mason studies , the more thorough his investigation , the more , he finds to study . With too many such investigation is considered of but little account in the making up of a bright Mason .

To be a bright ritualist , as we have before said , is commendable ; to be a bright Mason is by far the more so , but to live up to the truths of Masonry and exemplify them in daily

life will alone qualify him to be called a good Mason , which should be the aim of every one who would claim the moral title of a Mason that needeth not to be ashamed . — " Masonic Tidings . "

Why Are Corner-Stones Laid In The N.E.?

WHY ARE CORNER-STONES LAID IN THE N . E . ?

THE question was y a young one of our city Lodge meetings a few evenings since , and there was not a Brother present who would venture an answer . You have been kind , or unkind enough to propound the same interrogatory to me , and ask an answer for publication .

I must confess that I am unable to give any substantial reason for the custom .

It seems , however , to have been a custom handed down from time immemorial , and has been observed by both , fraternal organisations and by Jews and Christians in laying the cornerstones of houses of worship and Lodge buildings .

Masonic tradition tells us that Mount Moriah , on which the foundations of the Temple were laid , was a lofty hill , situated almost in the very norfch-east corner of the city of Jerusalem , having Mount Zion on the south-west , with the city of David and king ' s palace on its summit , and Mount Acra on the west , whereon the lower city was built .

The summit of the mountain on which the Temple was built , which although not very high , was exceedingly steep , especially that part on which the north-east corner of the Temple rested . To secure a firm foundation and bring that part of it up to a level with the other portions of the foundation , required the construction of immense walls composed of mammoth blocks of stone .

In consequence of the location of the Temple it could not be reached by approaches from the north-east ; therefore that locality became what is known in Masonic parlance , " a place of darkness . "

If this tradition be true , no doubt this isolated or private portion of the Temple , as well as its adaptability for the purpose , suggested it a 3 a proper location for the safe deposit of those Masonic relics that were brought to light when the children of Israel returned from their Persian captivity and commenced the erection of the second Temple .

Why Are Corner-Stones Laid In The N.E.?

As every intelligent Mason knows , our forms and ceremonies are tradition , almost exclusively , of history . My opinion is that the custom of laying corner-stones of public buildings in the north-east corner is one of tradition , and that it had its origin in the construction of King Solomon ' s Temple at Jerusalem .

It was doubtless from this custom that the practice of placing the young Entered Apprentice in the north-east corner of the Lodge originated . As the north-east corner of the Temple was regarded as a place of darkness , the young apprentice is therefore placed in that position while his mind is in Masonic darkness , to receive his first instructions on which to erect his future Masonic edifice . —" Eose Croix , " in the " Minstrel . "

A correspondent of the " American Tyler" advocates the formation of a Grand Lodge for the city of Detroit . As we gather from his communication the Lodges in Detroit , ten in all , feel that they are " snubbed at each successive annual meeting " of the Grand Lodge , while the majority of the Grand Lodge think that " Detroit considers herself a little better than the

rest of the State . " It is not the first time that Lodges in the largest city within a Grand Lodge jurisdiction have been made to feel the jealousy of what are termed the country Lodges . Indiana ^ had a little experience of that sort some years back , but Indianapolis made no kick , bub stood true uo the Grand Lodge , and perfect unanimity and harmony was soon restored between

all the Lodges in Indiana . It will be wisdom on the part of the Detroit Lodges to pursue the same course . If they should decide to act on the suggestions of this correspondent , it would be an act of rebellion against the Grand Lodge of Michigan that would cost them their charters and wipe them out of existence . Other Lodges would soon take their places , and the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Michigan over Detroit would be recognised and

upheld by all other Grand Lodges . Such being the case , should the Grand Lodge of Detroit be organised , it would fail in securing the recognition of any regular Grand Lodge , and all Masons recognising its authority would be denied , fraternal recognition in every legitimate Lodge in the world . Their only friend and ally would be the Cerneau Grand Lodge of Ohio . — " Masonic Advocate . "

Ad00503

GAIETY "RESTAURANT , STiEo ^ -: r > r : D . LUNCHEONS ( HOT and COLD)—At Popular Prices , in BUFFET and EESTAUEANT ( on 1 st floor ) . Also Chops , Steaks , Joints , Entrees , & c , in the GEILL EOOM . AFTERNOON TEAConsisting of Tea or Coffee , Cut Bread and Butter , Jam , Cake , Pastry , ad lib , at 1 / - per head ; served from 4 till 6 in EESTAUEANT ( 1 st floor ) . DINNERS IN RESTAURANTFrom 5 * 30 till 9 at Fixed Prices ( 3 / 6 and 5 / - ) and a la Carte . In this room the Viennese Band performs from 6 till 8 . Smoking after 7 * 45 . AMERICAN BAR . THE GRILL ROOM is open till 12 * 30 . PRIVATE DINING E 00 MS FOR LARGE AND SMALL PARTIES . SPIERS AND POND , Ltd ., Proprietors .