Reasons For Masonic Progress.

REASONS FOR MASONIC PROGRESS .

THE growth of the Fraternity is remarkable from the fact that it has depended solely on its intrinsic worth for commendation . The proselyting spirit is wholly wanting . It has not hawked its wares on the street . Genuine Freemasonry has

had no drummers to drum up recruits . It has not sought to attract public attention or win public applause . It has not gone out among the highways and hedges to bid the halt , the lame and the blind to the feast , nor has it sought the stalely and palatial residences of the rich to invite the silken clad .

It has stood upon its merits and practiced secrecy . and silence ; but when a man , good and true , has of his own free will and accord knocked for admission , the portals have opened to receive him . Its attitude is that of the high-minded , honourable professional man , who , conscious of his own strength , refuses to advertise himself and relies on his skill to win favour .

It admits to Masonic citizenship only those who seek the honour . The reason for its development are to be found largely within itself . It believes in a secret ballot , and line ; politicians turned to Freemasonry they would have learned at the very

founding of the government that the surest means of securing a free and unrestricted expression of opinion is by the use of a secret ballot . It practices the merit system and civil

service , and had the politicians borrowed its practice they would have long since learned that official positions should be awarded on account of service and the worth of the man , rather than on account of his zeal in pursuing an office .

It has enforced the federal plan of government , and the study of its laws and constitutions ought to have suggested the advisability of a responsible head in government . Subject to the approval or disapproval of the Grand Lodge and of his

Brethren at the annual elections , the Master of the Lodge is the final arbiter of all questions arising in the Lodge Room . Freemasonry enforces the doctrine of the supreme sovereignity of the ruling powers within their respective jurisdictions , as fully as the strongest of earth ' s nations .

The doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction of the Grand bodies within their respective states is a fundamental principle of the Order , and any individual or body that ignores this principle is treated as a ; rebel and infringer . It grants the greatest freedom of thought and discussion , but deals vigorously with sedition and rebellion .

Freemasonry is a patriotic but not a political organisation . Obedience to lawfully constituted civil authority is one of the first duties of a Mason . The Fraternity is distinctively

conservative of existing institutions , and yet sufficiently elastic to adapt itself to changing conditions . No organisation has ever taught more vigorously the sacredness of contracts or the inviolability of private rights .

While it extends its charity to the needy and is ever ready to aid the weak , it enforces the doctrine that what a man legitimately owns or earns is absolutely his , and that to take it

from him without his consent or due pro-x ss of law is robbery . Although Freemasonry is non-partisan , yet when its political and patriotic duties coincide , it has never failed to act promptly .

But the elements which have doubtless contributed most to the growth of the Order are its good fellowship , its broad charity , its teaching of sound morals and the brotherhood of man . —John E . Sater , of Ohio , in " Masonic Home Journal "

How To Win Non-Affiliates.

HOW TO WIN NON - AFFILIATES .

L IKE the poor , we have non-affiliates always with us : That there are many , is to an extent the fault of Lodges . A corps of incompetent Officers blundering over our beautiful ritual ( and I blush to say , we have some ) does not draw men

together , and I do not wonder that some withdraw from such association . Wrong ? Yes , they are wrong ; they should stay with their Lodge and do their . part in securing comfortable halls and learning the esoteric work of the Fraternity .

But I am speaking of conditions , not theories . They do ¦ withdraw . How shall we stop it ? Answer : Make our Lodges attractive ; good , nice carpets and chairs , and pictures on the walls ; elect Officers who are acquainted with English grammar

and rhetoric , ' who can impart the ritual in an impressive ¦ manner . Cultivate the solid virtues , and remember always these words of the Divine Teacher .- " A new commandment I giv § unto you , that ye love one another . "

How To Win Non-Affiliates.

How shall we win them back ? Before answering , let ua ask in each case , Why did he withdraw ? If because the Lodge , twenty years ago , did not elect him Master , he asked for a demit , why , you had as well let him stay out . The chances are he will not do much , if anything , if he returns . If on account of

pressing business duties , inability to attend meetings at night , or any similar cause , just tell about our Widows and Orphans Home , explain that for a dollar or two annually he may be a

partner in the grand charity . If there is a spark of Masonry in him this will bring him back . Pardon a bit of local history : Twenty or more members of my own Lodge , who from various causes have withdrawn have re-affiliated , all because of a desire

to contribute to the Home . Brethren , try the argument on your worthy un-affiliated Brethren . —Joseph H . Bullock , G . M . of Tennessee .

Only One Object.

ONLY ONE OBJECT .

A MEMBER should have only one object in view in all his doings in connection with his Lodge , and that for the good of his Lodge and the Craft at large . His own personal ambition should sink below the surface of the general good . He should not set up his pet notions against the opinions of others , many , perhaps , better qualified to judge of what is

best than he himself is . Lodges are suffering to-day from lack of appreciation by the members of their proper position in relation to the Fraternity . The member is only one of thousands , and the interests of the thousands are paramount

over those of the individual . If each had only this one object m view , the success in every way of the Lodge , there would be much greater results than with persistent personal ambitions . — " New York Despatch . "

The reading of Masonic periodicals broadens a Mason ' s conception of the grand institution , putting him in touch with the whole Masonic world , and saves him from turning into a mere fossil , limited to his own Lodge , or at farthest his Grand Lodge . In other words , it furnishes him extended Masonic light , and should make him a much wiser , better and therefore happier man . — " The Royal Craftsman . "

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