Apathy Of The Craft.

APATHY OF THE CRAFT .

WE are asked by a correspondent to draw attention to the lack of interest in Masonic matters everywhere displayed by members of the Masonic Order , and to make a systematic endeavour to arouse them from the general apathetic condition which seems

to be universal among them . The writer says that in spite of the fact that the Freemasons of England can be numbered by thousands , he thinks even by hundreds of thousands , and that they are spread over every

part of the country , one seldom or ever hears of them displaying public interest in any work— -either of a Masonic or outside character . Once or twice in the lifetime of a Brother he may take part in a Church

Service , a Foundation-stone ceremony , or the inauguration of some public building , but the occasions are so very rare as to really emphasise the charge he lays against the Craft of doing little or nothing-for the benefit of themselves or their fellow creatures . He

says he has met Masons in his travels , and has discussed the subject with them , only' to find that the apathy is widespread and general . Brethren , appear to know little of their fellow members outside the doors

of their Lodge , and absolutely nothing of what is going on in Freemasonry beyond their own little circle . He is surprised to find that nearly every Mason he speaks to is entirely ignorant of anything appertaining to the

literature of the Craft , and generally makes out a very dismal account of what his Brother Freemasons are doing , concluding , as we have said , with a request that we will endeavour to arouse the members of the

Craft from the general apathetic condition into which they have fallen . Our correspondent sets us no light task , ' but to a certain extent we have been engaged on it for upwards

of twenty-five years , although we hardly regard the subject in quite the same light as does our correspondent . It may . be apparent to the ordinary observer that Freemasons are apathetic , not only in

matters of outside interest ,, but in works that particularly concern themselves ; yet we think the record of the Craft , and what has been and is being done under its auspices , is sufficient to prove that this

apathy is more apparent than real ; or , at least , that if members of the Craft are indifferent to most of . what goes on around them , there are occasions when they are aroused to activity , and take a real interest in the

affairs of life . Were it otherwise it would be impossible for the Craft to raise year after year the immense amounts that are contributed to its three Central Charitable Institutions , to the many Provincial and other local Funds that exist for the relief of distress

among members of the Order or their families , or to the numberless other purposes to . which the Craft of Freemasonry is no mean contributor—in fact , the amounts annuall y expended by the Craft in works of benevolence are alone sufficient to prove that the

Apathy Of The Craft.

Freemasons of England are not the apathetic body our correspondent seeks to prove them . But while this is true in the abstract a verypeculiar condition of apathy can be proved to exist on

the very same basis by which we have just attempted to demonstrate the contrary , and unless our experience is peculiar our correspondent and probably many others have a surprise in store for themselves by

putting the point to the test . It will be found that many Brethren who have subscribed to one or other of the great Masonic Charities know little or nothing of the work that is being done by those Funds ; in fact

are often wholly ignorant of their constitution , mode of working , or general management ; and the arrangement by which the majority of votes are now sent to Provincial or other organising Committees goes to

increase this ; peculiarity . An appeal is made to a Brother' for support of one or other of the Funds ; he qualifies as a Subscriber or a' Governor , and then virtually dismisses the whole question from his mind ,

and it is probable this fact alone accounts for the majority of unused votes we hear so much about after each of the periodical elections to the Schools or the Benevolent Institution . We do not wish to imply that

the Brother who contributes say ten guineas to one of the Funds is for ever after to make his interest felt by those who have the management of the Institutions ; yet even too rnuch activity in that direction would be

more beneficial than the general apathy which seems to now prevail , as a real live interest in the work would ensure further support , either by a personal donation or by . personal influence . What we urge in this

direction may seem incredible to our readers ; all we can do is to urge them to put the matter to the test . Let them question the ordinary Life Subscriber or Life Governor of one or other of the Masonic Institutions ,

as to what is being done by the Craft for its widows and orphans , and if they are not surprised at the general apathy and lack of knowledge on the part of

those who have actually subscribed to the Institutions we shall be very much surprised—their experience will certainly be very different to our own .

Looking at the matter from another point of view , we do not know if it is any . drawback that the ordinary Mason shows such a lack of interest in the affairs of

Freemasonry going on around him . Freemasonry is essentially a secret Society , and it is quite in keeping with its principles for the affairs of the Brotherhood to

be also kept secret . The ordinary English Freemason takes his Masonry seriously , and may be relied upon to give a very good account of himself should an actual emergency arise , but it generally happens that

the work of the Order goes smoothly along , and it is carried out with such regularity and lack of display as

to render any ostentatious show on the part of individuals really out of character and wholly unnecessary . There can be no question that there is a

considerable amount of " stand-offishness" among