Masonry In Public.

MASONRY IN PUBLIC .

| T is a healthy sign of the times—Masonically * speaking—when we find the masses as well as the classes of the Craft displaying an active interest in maintaining the secrecy of the Order , not only secrecy in regard to its signs and ritual , but a discreet reserve

as to the doings of its members when assembled together for Masonic purposes ; and we think there are unmistakable evidences at the present time that such is the case . The action taken by the Board of

General Purposes , as reported to the last Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , to the effect that the Board has been under the necessity of summoning two Lodges to answer charges of permitting toasts of a

Masonic character to be proposed and responded to in the presence and hearing of Ladies and other non-Masons at Masonic banquets held after Lodge meetings ; and that the Board deemed it its duty

seriously to admonish the several Lodges for the irregularity they had committed , and desires to point out that at recreation banquets , when Lodges entertain Ladies and others who are not Masons , it is most

improper and irregular to introduce anything whatever of a Masonic character into the speeches or proceedings ; is proof of activity towards maintaining Masonic secrecy in high quarters ; while the utterances of

individual Brethren applauding the action of the Board and recognising the wisdom of the step , is so general , as to prove that the governing body has the support of its constituents in this matter .

We do not by any means wish to appear discourteous to the fair sex ; on the contrary , we take some little credit to ourselves for having advocated Masonic pic-nics , dances , and ladies' nights , at a time

when there was a very strong feeling against the admission of ladies to any meetings of a Masonic or semi-Masonic character , and it may be that we are in a measure answerable for the ill-effects which have

followed the innovation that has grown so rapidly in recent years ; but if we are guilty of causing the evil to which attention has been lately devoted by the Board of General Purposes of Grand Lodge we must

attempt to excuse ourselves by the plea that we had no idea there would be so much difficulty in keeping Freemasonry itself distinct from proceedings at the festive board in the presence of ladies . We should be

sorry to _ find it were necessary to wholly prohibit Ladies' nights , and other Masonic entertainments to which the fair sex might be invited , but we would rather

that than run any risk of Freemasonry being brought into discredit , or that its secrets , or even its prominent characteristics , should become the common property of the popular or outside world .

We have heard Church Services and such like displays recently disapproved of by the Grand Master , and now we know that it is recognised at head quarters as most undesirable that Masonry should be associated

Masonry In Public.

with mixed assemblies of Ladies and Brethren . We can but rejoice at the knowledge , and hope the latest expression of opinion in this direction may go far to check , if it does not wholly stop , displays of Freemasonry in public .

A board of examiners has wisely decided that the admission of Brethren into the Lodge in groups , without giving the names , where they are not members , but visitors , is not only irregular , but has a tendency to interfere with the rights of objection . Masters should instruct their Tylers

along this line and should see that the names of all who seek admission , and who are not members of the Lodge , are announced . In the case of Brethren who are members it is proper to announce that " five Brethren members of this

Lodge desire admission . " The right to objection is absolute , and when Brethren are admitted into the Lodge room without the name and Lodge given , it is impossible to exclude those against whom an objection may be pending . — " Illinois Freemason . "

* * * Freemasonry , which has already invaded' Law , Physic , University , Army , Navy , Stock Exchange , and Trade in many branches , has now turned its attention to Banking , says the " Daily Telegraph . " The Capital and Counties Lodge

( the Chairman of the bank of that name as its first Master ) has been just consecrated by the Grand Secretary Bro . Letchworth , assisted by Sir John Monckton and Sir Prior Goldney as his Wardens , and Brother Richardson as Director of

Ceremonies . Bro . E . B . Merriman , having been installed as Worshipful Master , appointed his Officers from among a numerous list of Brethren connected with the bank . A banquet at the Hotel Cecil followed .

Bro . George Sharland S . W . of the Erasmus Wilson Lodge , No . 1464 , has been appointed by the Bench of Magistrates as Clerk of the Peace for the Borough of Gravesend , in succession to his father the late Bro . George

Edward Sharland P . M . of the Lodge of Freedom , No . 77 and Past Provincial Senior Grand Warlen of Kent , whose lamented decease we recently announced in these columns . Bro . George Sharland has been Deputy Clerk for several years , and his appointment has given general satisfaction in the Borough .

At a large meeting of the Sutherland Lodge of Unity , No . 4 60 , held at the Castle Hotel , Newcastle-under-Lyme , on Saturday , 16 th inst , a presentation of an illuminated

china tablet was made to the Lodge as a memorial of a previous presentation to Bro . E . Turner , the oldest Freemason in Staffordshire , on his attaining his jubilee as a member of the Sutherland Lodge .

# * # The members of the Peace and Harmony Lodge , St , Austell , who have long suffered considerable inconvenience

from inadequate accommodation , are erecting new and commodious premises in South Street , the corner stones of which were to be laid on Wednesday afternoon , with Masonic ceremonial .

# * * The Egyptian Lodge of Instruction , No . 27 , has been removed to the King ' s Arms , Beech Street , Barbican , where meetings will be held on Monday evenings , at / o ' clock .