Theory And Practice.

THEORY AND PRACTICE .

TN theory , Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth are the ¦ ¦ three great principles of the Order of Freemasonry ; but if we come to actual practice it is by no means a rarity to find something very different . Envy , hatred and

all uncharitableness are as likely to be found among sections of the Craft as among any class of the community , or body of men who have not had the advantage of learning the lessons of Freemasonry , but when we find this

inconsistency repeatedly practiced by those high in the Craft , Brethren who should be a pattern for the imitation of their fellows , surprise and indignation result , and we are led to ask whether the time has not arrived for the creation

of a Masonic tribunal , with powers to deal with Brethren who openly violate the best principles of Freemasonry , in the ordinary course of their Masonic career ? We are led to these remarks by the receipt of further

particulars as to the action of the rival Masonic bodies in New Zealand , and may at once regret the scandal of having to introduce the word rival in speaking of any two sections of the Masonic Brotherhood , but it not only appears necessary , but seems to be the only applicable

term to apply to those who are continuing their contemptible conduct—alike defying authority , decency , and all the teachings of the Craft in this particular . The esteemed correspondent whose previous letters on

this subject have been read with so much interest by those members of the Fraternity who regret with us the delay in the official recognition of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand , has favoured us with a further communication upon -the question .

After drawing attention to articles on Masonic matters in the New Zealand papers , especially the " Evening Star , " of Dunedin , our Brother proceeds : "I am anxious that you should see how our quondam

Brothers still treat us . They had a Masonic Banquet , after an Installation , to commemorate 'the Record Reign , 'but only members of the English , Irish and Scotch Constitutions were invited . —Opportunity No . i lost .

Although the Grand Lodge of New Zealand is said . by so high an authority as the Grand Registrar Wor . Bro . Philbrick to have been fully recognised by the Grand Lodge of England , their District Grand Master here instigates the Lodges still under the English Constitution— -there are only

three Lodges now left to them—to hold aloof from us , and still treat us as though we were pariahs . Again , on a recent Sunday , they invited the public to attend a special Masonic Service to be held in the New Agricultural Hall , and those who specially gave the invitations were the English , Irish

and Scotch Lodges of the different Constitutions . The aforesaid three English Lodges , with one Irish and six Scotch Lodges made up the total . The Hall was crowded , over 3 , 000 being . present , and hundreds could not get in .

This was professedly given as a Thanksgiving Service for our Gracious Queen ' s Record Reign . We were left out . — Opportunity No . 2 lost . It was an opportunity that might have had most beneficial results , but it was neglected . Do they think that we have no feeling ? and that when

Theory And Practice.

they please they may say Heigh , Presto ! fly and begone ? and are we to turn round and say Thank you ? This ( Dunedin ) is the worst place we have against us , but they are laying up a rod in pickle for themselves , and which will fall on them some day . These two instances will give you some idea of

what we have to put up with . " Can any of our readers , after perusing these comments —the truth of which we think is unquestionable—accuse us of harshness when we draw such a strong picture of

the difference between theory and practice in Freemasonry ? Who is to blame for the disgraceful exhibition of un-Masonic Freemasonry in New Zealand that is fast becoming a disgrace to the Brotherhood ? We do not

know whether the authorities in this country are responsible , or whether it is the result of pique or jealously in the colony , but the Grand Lodge of England is , in a manner , answerable for the actions of its subordinates , and cannot

passively allow its authority to be disregarded without being saddled with the results of its apathy . There is such a thirig as criminal negligence , and if our rulers stand

quietly by and see Masonic crimes committed without raising a voice against them they must not complain if they are regarded as being as bad as those who are the actual offenders .

Girls School Candidates.

GIRLS SCHOOL CANDIDATES .

'"IIHE point we briefly touched upon last week , in regard - * - to the apparent dearth of candidates for the benefits of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , is one on which very wide differences of opinion are likely to exist ,

and one that may possibly create most erroneous ideas in the minds of those who give it little more than a passing consideration . We are of opinion the question is one that

requires attention at the present time , and in proof of our contention we may quote the report , of the Charity Committee of the Province of Essex , wherein it was recorded that the last election of the Girls School was

very flat , there being no demand for votes at all , those that could be exchanged for Boys votes being sacrificed at the rate of four to one ; while from other sources we are told that even that ruinous exchange was not possible

in every case , numbers of votes actually going a-begging , because there was so little competition among those who seemed to regard their cases as secure , and no one was at

hand to manipulate one of the outside candidates at the last moment , or was unprepared to take the responsibility of repaying the votes in the future .

There are some who regard such a condition of affairs as direct evidence of the success of the Institution , which , they say , is able to keep well abreast of the claims made

upon it ; and some even go so far as to argue that with a little extra care in the selection of candidates , elections and their great expense would be unnecessary , as the