Masonic Conviviality.

MASONIC CONVIVIALITY .

THERE can be no greater misconception , and it is one which prevails to a greater extent than wo , as Masons , know—not that it is a more common fallacy of the outei world than many others wo could name—than that Freemasonry is nothing more or less than a huge social club .

It is perfectly true that in the old primitive days , when Masonic Lodges were less numerous , and their members perhaps less circumspect , there were roysterings and bouts , the notoriety of which found an echo even beyond the sacred precincts . But even these were shrouded in a veil

of mystery , and those who prated about the oon-vivant-ism of which they heard a little , and would like to have experienced more , could entertain but a shadowy idea of the real causes and circumstances of these mystic orgies . The merry makings , and perhaps excesses , of the Fourth

Degree—or such part of them as could be overheard by the eaves-dropper—were retailed with as profound a show of solemnity as that which invariably envelopes a ghost story . Yet , for all that , the shrewd uninitiated was wont to attach it in some way with the practice and principles of the

Craft , and to classify its members in the rollicking category of carousers in conclave . Mrs . Caudle , in all her industrious inquisitiveness to extract the " secrets " of the Order , was forced to come to the conclusion , that there really

was no secret at all worth knowing , and the sole object and aim of Masonry was to provide undutiful husbands with excuses for excess in eating and drinking , smoking and singing , and for remaining ionger than honest folk should do from the bosom of their families . So much for the

popular idea of Masonic conviviality . But then comes the point , of which we of the Craft are more intimately cognisant , and that is , apart from the high and glorious distinctions which divide labour from refreshment , there is , and must of necessity be , an

atmosphere of geniality and high-minded friendliness wherever the brethren of the mystic tie are assembled . The very tendencies of Freemasonry are to cement men together in the bonds of social amenity and good fellowship , and the only natural outcome is an effervescence and

buoyancy of temperament which forms a pleasing relief to the more serious and engaging business of the day . "As iron sharpeneth iron , so doth the countenance of man his friend ; " and it is next to impossible for a body of Masons to meet , either before or after labour , without the

tendency to that flow of joviality and becoming mirth which , in the eyes of the outside world , have formed a great measure of disparagement , simply from the fact that , not being participators , they cannot enter into the spirit of the scene . We can well afford to leave such thinkers

to their own fertile imaginations . To those who can appreciate the grip of a friendly hand , and the interchange of fraternal greeting , the meaning of our purpose is sufficiently clear . The natural tendency of that brotherly love , which draws men into the closest bonds of friendship , is to

kindle a flame of wholesome hilarity and those generous sentiments which go far to make up the sum of human happiness . And thus there is nothing anomalous in the fact that brethren , indissolubly cemented in those fraternal bonds , should , after intervals of separation , bend to those

generous impulses which stir their hearts , and mingle in the amenities of congratulatory and renewed friendship . Thus , when labour has been well and worthily completed , and the secrets locked up in the " safe and sacred repository , " the most natural thing in the world is

that they should gather around the festive board whereat are concentrated all the elements for the cultivation of deeper and nearer affinities . It is so in all other communities , and why not in ours ? We have it on authorit y that Englishmen when entering upon any enterprise ,

whether of speculation or philanthropy , regard it as part and parcel of their scheme , and as an ingredient of success , that the event shall be celebrated by a dinner . And it might with force be argued that inasmuch as Masons are continually engaged in works of usefulness and beneficence , and that moreover as their aims are so unselfish and

disinterested , they should be entitled to a perpetual feast . But it must be borne in mind that of late years a vast and laudable change has taken place in the character of the

entertainments with which Masons are wont to terminate their periodical assemblages . Let those who will cling to the old and exploded notions of drinking bouts and freeand-easies . We know that the enormous spread of

Masonic Conviviality.

Masonry of late years has infused into the ranks men of the highest culture , intelligence and refinement , to whom the boisterous revelry of the tap-room would not only be a scandal , but an abomination . The celebrations of the Fourth Degree are now , almost without exception , such as may

well tend to inspire the mind with an elevating and refining influence . Here others find expressions of sentiment which , put into practice , exert a most beneficial effect upon the real work in which Masons are engaged . In the flow of genial intercourse hints are thrown out , and suggestions

made , which result in substantial benefit to those classes of the brotherhood who deserve our consideration , for Masons , like the fine old English gentleman of the song , while they themselves enter heartily into the spirit of conviviality , " ne ' er forget the small . " To deprive our regular

gatherings , therefore , of this essential would , in a great measure , reduce the working of our Lodges to a species of humdrum monotony . The banquet , in addition to being a relief to the weary workman after toil , engenders a benevolence of thought and action which cannot fail to be productive of

practical good ; and his must be a mean , and narrow soul indeed that would withdraw so powerful an agency for the promotion of social intercourse , binding affection , and emulation in good works . In spite of all the ignorant prejudices that prevail on the subject , it is a matter for sincere

congratulation and satisfaction that an overstraining of the privileges and pleasures of the Fourth Degree is a thing almost unknown . Of course amongst even the best regulated communities undue exuberance is occasionally manifested , hut such a practice as excess at a Masonic

feast would be as indignantly scouted as the idea of a cowan forcing his way within the portals of a Lodge . Our experience of gay and festive scenes amongst various institutions of men leads us to the conviction that nowhere are the courtesies of society , and the temperate enjoyment of

friendly intercourse , more rigidly and naturally observed than in the Masonic circle , while , on the other hand , the outflow of conviviality which must always appear on the surface , wherever " friends in jolliest friendship meet , " are not selfish , but conduce to the ulterior happiness and

comfort of thousands more . Thus , whilst conviviality is an inseparable element of our occasional gatherings—and in our opinion very properly so—it is always of that nature which must commend itself to the sober and intelligent appreciation of all who value the sources from which flow a stream of disinterested charity and gererosity .

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS .

AS announced in our last issue , a special meeting of this Grand Lodge was held on Tuesday , at the Masonic Hall , Red [ Lion-square , Holborn , under the presidency of the M . W . Grand Mark Master Mason , Right Hon . Lord

Henniker , who was supported by a considerable number of Grand Officers of the Order . Grand Lodge having been opened and the usual formalities observed , an address from the Starkie Lodge of Mark Masters , which Brother F . Binckes Grand Secretary stated he had just received , was read . It was to the following effect : —

" Startie Lodge of Mark Master Masons , Ho . 159 , Sed Lion Hotel , Acerington , 20 th March , 1882 . "To the Most Worshipful Grand Mark Master of England , the Right Hon . Lord Henniker , and the Officers and Brethren assembled in Grand Mark Lodge on the 21 st day of March , 1882 .

" Most Worshipful Sir and Brethren , " We , the Master , Past Masters , Wardens , and other brethren of the above Lodge of Mark Master Masons , in the county of Lancaster , have observed , with a deep sense of satisfaction , that it is the intention of Grand Lodge to convey to Her Most Gracious

Majesty the Queen , on behalf of the Mark Masons of England , their horror and indignation at the atrocious attempt on the life of Her Majesty , and their sense of deep and lasting gratitude at Her Majesty ' s happy escape under Divine Providence .

" We , therefore , are desirous to record our deep satisfaction at the proposal of the Grand Lodge , and to endorse , with thankful hearts , the sentiments of the address , and to express onr humble thanks to the Grand Overseer of the Universe for His merciful preservation of one so near and dear to the hearts of her subject .

" Signed on behalf of the above Lodge , CHRISTOPHER FURNESS W . M . M . P . G J . O ., Lane .

It was announced that several other letters of sympathy , and regret at inability to attend , had been received . The M . W . G . M . M . M . then rose and proposed the following motion , of which notice had been given : — That an address be respectfully presented to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Q aeon by ; this Grand Lodge , which shall express the