Ignorance And Enlightenment.

him the most learned Mason who could best recite by rote the stereotyped catechism he had acquired by constant repetition . But this condition was not satisfactory to Brethren of intelligence . There were those who believed that the ritual

was a mere skeleton , which to make it presentable to men of cultured intellects required to be clothed with lofty thoughts ; that there was a system of profound philosophy in Masonry which could only be developed by research ; that of this system the ritual was only the index pointing out the objects

that were to be investigated ; and finally , that to give these investigations any value it was absolutely necessary that they should be given to the world like the investigations of any

other science , or philosophy , by means of publications which Masons could read , and thus enlarge within their homes the ideas , the sentiments of which they had first acquired in the Lodge .

The cloud of ignorance seeking to obscure the rays of intellectual light was not confined to England ; it extended its baneful influence also to other countries .

In France , Clavel published a Masonic history in 1842 , and commenced a Masonic Journal in 1844 . In neither case had he sought the sanction of the Grand Orient , and for this offence a sentence of perpetual exclusion from that Body was pronounced .

In Germany , Kraus and Mossdorf , two of the most learned Masons that the Fraternity in any country can boast of , suffered a similar punishment for their valuable contributions to our Masonic literature .

In the United States the antagonism to Masonic publications had been less , owing to the indifference of the Craft to the cultivation of the literature of the Fraternity ; and none have opposed its dissemination . A great change in this respect within the last half

century has taken place in the internal and external relations of Freemasonry . Years ago , the Grand Lodge of Delaware expressed its opinion that Masonic literature was doing more harm than good to the Institution . But this illiterate view has long since been abandoned . From the character of a

mere social club , or a benevolent association , it has become a school of philosophy . Books on its history and science , once so rare , are abundant . 6 , 000 of them have been printed alone in the English language , and these being added to those published in other languages , their number cannot fall much

short of 15 , 000 . Every country where there is a congregation of Masons , has its scholars investigating the character , the aim , the design of the Institution , and its periodical works , conducted for the most part with ability , in which the results of these investigations are given to the Craft .

The means of acquiring Masonic knowledge are within the reach of every Mason . lie who is ignorant must attribute his ignorance to his own indifference . He who contents himself with the acquisition of the ritual as given in the Lodge , may be in possession of all the forms of

initiation , and call himself a " bright" Mason , but his brightness will be utter darkness compared with the knowledge of him who from books has learned the true meaning and significance of that ritual and the real philosophy of that Institution . — " Freemason ' s Journal . "

Getting Acquainted.

GETTING ACQUAINTED .

A LITTLE item has been going the round , that a Grand Master visiting a certain Lodge , in which little work had been done in the course of the year , upon inquiring how they had spent their time at the meetings , received the naive reply : "We tried to get acquainted with one another . " The full stress of this little item , from frequent reading

of it , impressed our mind more and more with each reading , and the suggestiveness of the inquiry and the pertinency of the reply seem worthy of a more extended consideration . The thought of the Grand Master , in making the inquiry how they had spent their time at the meetings , was evidently that

so many meetings without work could hardly be made profitable or attractive . This is not an uncommon opinion among a large class of Masons , and accounts for many vacant seats usuall y at stated meetings . Such Brethren evidently do not

understand and appreciate the full import and purpose of Freemasonry . There are many important matters requiring the attention of Lodges beside the making of Masons , and the Brethren who take an interest in them never find stated

meetings dull and uninteresting . They realise that the

Getting Acquainted.

prosperity of the Lodge and the good of Masonry within its jurisdiction depends upon a careful and intelligent consideration of its business affairs . They are always on hand to attend to this most important duty . If there was but little business to transact , as is often the case , especially in small

Lodges , an hour can be spent pleasantly and profitably under the head of— " Good of the Order . " There are many ways in which this can be done . One of these , which we have seen tried with good effect , is to have some Brother , appointed at the previous meeting , prepare and read a short paper on a

Masonic subject , of his own selection , . to be followed by comments and criticism by the Brethren . It will not only create great interest among the Brethren , but will add greatly to their fund of Masonic knowledge , and thus increase the usefulness of many in the Lodge who before were only silent members .

There are many other ways to interest and entertain the members which an intelligent Worshipful Master will find always at his command . Music , recitations , and schools for instruction may be suggested . Much depends on circumstances and surroundings , but the proper method will readily

suggest itself . When other resources have been exhausted there is always left the one of trying to get acquainted with one another . Let the Lodge be " called off " and have a social time , while all strangers are introduced and the warm grasp of Fraternal recognition given . Bring the members

thus into closer companionship and make them feel that they are indeed " Brothers of the mystic tie , " and are recognised and honoured as such . It will bring the rarely-attending members oftener to the Lodge room and influence them to become more active in the work of the Lodge . It may not

be inappropriate in this connection to speak of another class of Masons , who very seldom if ever attend meetings of their Lodge . They appear to be willing to let others transact its business and do all the work so long as they are left free to attend on festive occasions or at any other time when it may

please them to do so . They seem impressed with the idea that their connection with Masonry is solely for their own amusement and enjoyment . So far as duties or obligations rest on them , they give but little thought or attention . They do not seem to realise the fact that if all were as indifferent

as themselves there would soon be no Lodge and but very little Masonry . Many of this same class are ambitious to be known as " High Masons , " and go on taking degrees so long as they can find any in sight ahead of them that have any relation to

Masonry , by name or otherwise , until they have captured the entire list . As a rule their interest in the Lodge and in timehonoured Antient Craft Masonry decreases in geometrical progression with each additional degree , until it becomes so infinitesimal as to be invisible to the naked eye . The insignia

of their rank , however , is visible to all , prominently displayed on watchguard and lapel , and their Masonic ambition is fully satisfied . It is , perhaps , just as well that way as any other . There is no law of compulsion in Masonry to make it different . — " Masonic Advocate . "

What Makes A Mason.

WHAT MAKES A MASON .

IF a Brother should be asked by a qualified member of the Craft " What makes you a Mason ? " he might be able to give such an answer as would satisfy the inquiry , and yet not tell the actual fact as to what makes a Mason . Some think that after going through certain forms and

ceremonies they are full-fledged Masons ; nay , they believe that such is the case when their names are affixed to the Lodge roll . But it requires a great deal more than this to make a man a Mason . Fie may become a member of a

Lodge ; he may attend the meetings and even take part in the work , and yet be no more of a Mason-than if he had never joined the Fraternity . It is not membership that makes a man a Mason any more than the mere attendance at a church will make a person religious .

What , then , makes a Mason ? It is the following out of the principles taught by Masonry . It is the throwing off of those selfish instincts which actuatt the " man of the world . "

and becoming one of a society of friends and Brothers . It is to set aside self-interest and to devote the heart and soul to the true teachings of Masonry . It is to be charitable to all , not only in action , but in word and thought . It is to do unto

others as would be wished for from , them , It is to pay a