A Caricature Or A Likeness.

A CARICATURE OR A LIKENESS .

IT is here aud there that some who call themselves Freemasons desire that the fundamental law of Masonry should be relaxed in its strictness and immemorial steadfastness "as to keep pace with the progress of the times . " This is the modern phrase of Masonic infidelity . Ifc is

specious . The physical Mason who knows only tho muscular exposition of the ceremonial is capivated by this phrase . Why nofc "keep step with modern progress ?" ,

be asks . The profane , having no knowledge of Freemasonry , call it a " worn-out institution , " it is " of a past age . " In this day all is fresh , new , exciting , attractive , theatrical , pleasing to the eye , in its ceremonies .

Then why is it that the old-fashioned , secret , undemonstrative , quiet Lodge business is conducted without the admission of anybody , or everybody , who " would like " to go in and see . This is the talk of the flippant folk who never learn , never think , have no understanding of

else than what attracts their curiosity . To see , that is the end and aim of their desire to know . They see , oh , yes , they see , but they do not , cannot understand . A monkey on a handorgan is to these people their greafc delight . Tbey see . Their curiosity is alive .

Ifc is this class of Masons , and few tbey be , who want to turn a Lodge into a sort of " variety show . " These are fche advocates of recognizing "Orients , " and any other body calling itself Masonic . Ifc is to them an opportunity to pass away their time in seeing .

If these people , calling themielvea Masons , can thus go into a sort of " free to all " exhibition , they are puffed up with the notion they are Freemasons , keeping up " with the spirit of the times . " What matters it to them if they are trampling in fche

mud the unalterable law of Freemasonry . They never knew what this law was , what ifc meant , how is was first ordained , or why it was made indestructible , and by whom and when it was declared to be the immovable landmark of Freemasonry .

These untaught , ignorant members of Lodges , who float about in the wind of loquacious corner loungers , feel they are in this wise competent to talk on subjects on which they are not capable either to understand or to think .

Hear them . They are tired of the Lodge , ifc has no life in ifc , nothing to see , it is out of date , it belongs to some ancient tribe long ago dead . They prefer a minstrel show , a theatre , a prize fight , or a football game . They are all up " to the progress of the times . "

Well now , Brethren of our ancient and honourable Fraternity , is not this in some sort a photograph of those few in the Craffc who are " wise in their own conceit . "

It is not surprising , to the true Mason . These people were brought into tbe Lodge by that careless neglect of the recommenders , and even the Committee of Inquiry , and , sad as it is to say so , the sometimes haste of the Worshipful Master " to get through the work . "

These people were subjected to the muscular work , and that in a hurry . It may have been , and that was all they saw , and were taught nothing of Freemasonry .

They mosfc likely bothered a friend to have fchem " made a Mason . " They were " clever fellows , " a " good sort of a man / ' and there was that only , and it seems to have been also their chief recommendation .

They conld come to the Lodge refreshments , talk all the time , "tell stories , " and were "hail fellows . " Ifc is any wonder then that out of sucb material the working tools of tbe true , enlightened Mason could make nothing better ?

In the Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of Pcnnysylvania there are none such as we describe . No , not in Pennsylvania . Masonry is taught in the Lodges of this jurisdiction by the best teachers . But it is sorrowful to discover that in other places thoy are nofc free from fche influences wbich como

from this source . Those who are familiar with the eructations now and then taking voice in localities , will observe , thafc they ephemerally make a noise . So little , of ttimei , is enough to agitate . Tbe thinking , sensible , thoroughly instructed Masons pay no beed to this noise thereabouts .

But some hear it . ftot knowing its origin thoy stop to listen . They agree as they hear , for tbey cannot think , that a new departure , " a keeping up to tho progress of tbe age , " is else than very fine , indeed . Some ono of these listeners goes to his Lodge , surprising the members as be

A Caricature Or A Likeness.

enters , as he is a sort of stranger there , and wants the Lodge to set up a show , to get visitors or members , or something fine , to attract the curious . Then comes an effort to put fche

. j Lodge Officers in robes , to dress up those who hold the sta-) tions , introduce brass bands , let anybody in at " public in-! stallations , " and anything that keeps " step with the proi , gress of the age . "

j This may seem a highly overdrawn picture to tbe solid , 1 1 serious , enlightened , thoughtful Mason . j But a greafc artist has said , a caricature is oft a likeness , ' and hence if a delineation is here given ifc may nofc be with-I ont a lesson . —Keystone .

Professor Loisette is a Freemason , wo hear . Members of the Craft wonld do well to give his system of memory-training a trial . Many persons bave , by its adoption , being enabled to learn long recitations . The great advantage of the system is that while pupils are learning what they wish to , they are also aoientiGaally perfecting their natural memory and concentration .

The Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction has removed from " The Navarino " to " The Lord Stanley , " Paragon Boad , Hackney , and will meet there each Saturday evening , at 8 o ' clock .

The ninth annual North London Masonic Benevolent Ball will be held afc fche Freemasons' Tavern on the evening of 25 th January next . The ball , which has always been a great success , promises to be no less so on this occasion . As fche attendance will be strictl y limited early application for tickets is advisable .

All Freemasons will wish many happy returns to the Earl of Lathom , who to-dayentersupon hisfifty-seventhyear . His life is commensurate with the Queen ' s reign . He haa held all sorts and conditions of office in and abont the Court . In the memorable Jubilee year he was Lord

Chamberlain , and looked every inch a lord . The old Masonic days saw him often with fche President ofthe Board of Benevolence , Bro . Robert Grey , and the striking contrast between his beard and the President ' s jet black beard made them to be named in Masonry , when they appeared together

as Eouge et Noir . He is a brother-in-law of the Earl of Clarendon , and father-in-law of Lord Salisbury ' s son , and one of tbe Wilbrabams , who head the famous Lancashire " Ormskirk Gingerbreads , " of which every lad in the County

Palatine is proud . He owns in Lancashire , where fche Wilbrabams bave been since the days of the first of the Tudors , some seven thousand acres of land , which produce over twenty thousand pounds a year . —Evening News and Post , 12 th December .

A good deal of interest is being taken among Freemasons in the impending appointment to the Grand Treasurersbip . Of the four candidates Alderman Dimsdale , Mr . Stile ? , Mr . Hudson , and Mr . Shurmur , tbe choice is generally considered to lie between the first two . Mr .

Hudson has been for years a pillar of Freemasonry in Sussex , and be is much respected throughout the county by members of the Craft . Mr . Stiles and Alderman Dimsdale , however , are , better known at headquarters . The former has been a most efficient Steward of various Masonic

Charities . The latter is the present Sheriff of the City of London , and he has proved his interest in general philanthrophy by acting as Treasurer of the Royal Hnmane Society , the Royal Fever Hospital , and other Charitable Institutions . Nevertheless the facfc that Mr . Stiles has been moro intimately connected wifch Freemasonry will operate very powerfully in bis favour . —Manchester Courier .

ILVUK TO THE Gun SOUNI ) , of goodwill and peace among men . It is a period of general rejoicing when friends delight to meet and wish each other the compliments of tlie joyous Christmas season . "Unfortunately , there are many amongst us to whom the sounds of rejoicing must seem but a cruel mockery . Tossing restlessly

upon a bed of pain they bitterly realize that they are not able to enjoy even tbe most homely kind of domestic happiness . HOLLOWAY ' S PILLS and OINTMENT when given a fair trial have been tho means of bestowing health and strength upon many a hopeless invalid . They are invaluable for all complaints incidental to tbe winter . They never fail to give almost immediate relief .