Membership Of Grand Lodge.

especially when that body is already so numerous that it would be well if ifc should be limited to its present number . Limited it must be , as all thinking members will admit , so that if we go back to the old practice of making Masters permanent members after one year ' s ' service , we must then

ex-necessilalo , adopt some other means of accomplishing that which the present two years' service , in part at least accomplishes . What shall it be ? Shall the Wardens in service we cut off from membership , or shall Past Masters , or both ? Or shall all of these alternates be avoiding by adhering to our present two years' regulation ? — Keystone .

Masonic Novelties.

MASONIC NOVELTIES .

HUMAN nature presents many of the same distinguishing features inj all ages and among all nations . The love of the new and strange , appears to be a fundamental element of human character . Man is always an inquirer ; lie seeks to get outside the beaten paths and make discoveries which shall help him to a wider range of

thought , vision , and experience . His curiosity , his ambition , not less tlan the imagination and mercurial forces of his nature , impel him to make many new departures , some of whioh are to he counted as helps , and others as hindrances , to his progressive career .

There are people , and classes of people , in whom this tendency shows itself as having more than ordinary influence . The dwellers in Athens two thousand years ago were a very curious people . There congregated the philosophers from all of the then civilized world . There flourished innumerable systems and associations that indicated the ardent search of the Athenians after wisdom . It was commendable that there should have been so much of mental activity displayed , and such abundant provision

made to satisfy the investigating temper of the age ; but tho old Athenians aro not to be commended that they wero such ardent seekers after new things . Many of the Athenian writers , Demosthenes and Thucydides among the

number , censure their countrymen because they wero so unsettled in their thought and determinations , and because they were so quickly attracted to novelties of one sort and another . St . Luke , in the Christian Scriptures , makes

mention of tho fact that curiosity and love of new and strange things were characteristics of the people of Athens ; " For they spent their time in nothing else , but either to tell or to hear , some new thing . "

One modern society is infected by the same passion , and consequently there is a tremendous rush for new systems theories , forms , and schemes , in business undertakings , the departments of related life , and in the varied departments of ethics , morals , and religion . Tho old system does not

satisfy , the former method does not please , while that which is presented in the form of novelty seems to he invested with a peculiar charm . Members of the Masonic Fraternity , sharing in the common feeling , are attracted to what they deem to be some new and better expression of

tho system in which they have been instructed , and turn greedily to some organisation , denominated Masonic , that is supposed to far outrank the old Craft institution . Imaginative and curious brethren , looking always for

novelties that may be labelled Masonic , are quickly attracted to fanciful schemes and newly formed

associations , often manifesting an enthusiasm in their support not shown to the old organisation . " On what basis does your new society rest , and what are its special recommendations ? " was the question addressed

not long since to a zealous brother who was advocating a modern association notable for its high sounding titles and large pretensions . " 0 , it is the best kind of Masonry , " was the reply . " Every Craftsman will be sure to like it ; I tell yon , tbe Lodge will seem a tamo affair after you have

entered our new society . " Thus extolled by its forwarders and leaders , claiming to be in some way Masonic , but to be a more select and attractive organisation , the pretentious organisation gets a start and flourishes for a time to the satisfaction of all concerned , though it happens , not infrequently , that credulous brethren , who have given their time and money to foster the interests of the new rite , are brought ere long by an unwelcome experience to

consider thafc " All is nofc gold thafc glitters . " The present is not the first period in the history of Freemasonry , when systems , rites , and orders , holding a more

Masonic Novelties.

or less closely defined relation to the Craft , have been put forth in its name and under its auspices . A hundred years ago Continental Europe was filled with societies claiming a descent from or an alliance with the Masonio institution . Then new rites were instituted , elaborate rituals put

forth , systems and organisations being established on a basis of fanciful , often ridiculous , representations , which proved , ere long , to be too great a load for the newly formed societies to carry , and consequently they toppled into ruins , or became merely the adjuncts of a political or selfish crusade . Count Cagliostro projected several such organisations , giving to them special interest and attraction by the Egyptian and Oriental features made conspicuous

in their forms and ceremonies . Only Masons wero admitted , and they were made to believe thafc fche new society was the latest and highest evolution of their own institution . It was not long , however , before the new movement received a severe check , and soon it was

regarded as in no proper sense connected with Freemasonry . From Cagliosfcro ' s day until now there have been seen tho flashing of many new lights upon the Masonic firmament . Zealous brethren have sought to originate

now schemes and systems for social and beneficial purposes , and calling the new rites or orders by the Masonic name they have found plenty of curious Craftsmen to follow them into the seemingly attractive paths of progress .

Legitimate Masonry has suffered sometimes by reason of such new schemes and organisations , and sufficient warning , it would seem , has been given against the misleading lights that from time to time shine out upon tho

Masonic way . The ancient and well defined system " of Freemasonry , as understood and practised by the fathers , may well claim our warmest devotion and best offices . It cannot be greatly improved upon ; nor does it require the

addition of any new and fantastic forms of expression to commend its principles to those who are first made Masons in their hearts , or to augment the scope of its practical usefulness . Brethren , let us " Prove all things , and hold fast to that which is good . " —Freemasons' Hepository ,

The Fifteen Sections

THE FIFTEEN SECTIONS

WILL BE WORKED At the Joppa Lodge of Instruction , No . 188 , hold at tho Man-Chester Hotel , Aldersgate-street , B . C ., on Tuesday evening , 21 st of Jaouary 1890 , afc 7 o ' clock p . m . Bro . S . Dancyger S . D . No . 205 will preside , supported by Bro ? , B . Da Costa J . W . 1349 S . W ., J . Dancyger

205 J . W ., W . Richardson S . W . 174 I . P . M . First Lecture—Bros . H . Saqui , J . W . Goodinge , Emanuel , A . J . M ^ rks , S . Lichtenfeld , W . Richardson , H . Lichtenfeld . Second Lecture—Bros . Garrard , J . Daucyger , N . Isaacs , L . Simmons , Speller . Third Lecture — Bros . Shnrmur , B . Da Costa , H . Harris .

Bro . tbe Bev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., P . P . G . J . W . of Devon , Provincial Prior , & c , of Hertford College , Oxford , lato Vicar of Buckerell , Devon , having performed tho statutable exercises , has by decree of the Convocation of his University , been admitted to the Degrees of Bachelor and Doctor of Divinity , by acclamation .

Bro . 0 . Woods , No . 1869 , P . Soj . elect No . 1275 , has been selected by tbe Evening Class Committee of the London School Board as Organizer and Correspondent * for Evening Classes for Chelsea and Westminster .

We learn that with Numbers 327 and 328 of Oassell ' s Saturday Journal , published on the 1 st and 8 th of January respectively , a complete copyright novel of incident and adventure , entitled " Mauloverer ' a Millions , " by Mr . T . Wemyss Reid , author of " Gladys Fane , " will be given in addition to the ordinary contents of tho Journal .

HO - LOWAT ' OIHIJIENT AND Puis . —During every break of wintry weather exertiOLS should be made by tho afflicted to recover health before unremitting cold and trying storms set in . Throat ailments , coughs , wheozings , asthraatical affections , shortness of breath , morning nausea , and accumulations of phlegm can readily be removed by rubbing this fine derivative Ointment twice

a day upon the chest and neck . Holloway ' s treatment is strongly recommended with the view of giving immediate ease , preventing prospective danger , and effecting permanent relief . These all-important ends his Ointment and Pills can accomplish , and will surely prevent insidious diseases from fastening on the constitution to display themselves afterwards in those disastrous forms that will probably embitter life till death itself is almost prayed for .