Apathy Of The Craft.

members of the Craft ; but at the same time no one with a knowledge of the case can deny that many of the warmest and most sincere friendships among men have been the result of Masonic intercourse one with

another . The " open-sesame" of Freemasonry removes class barriers far easier than any other human agency , and possibly it is the quiet influence it brings to bear upon its members—and which is sometimes mistaken

for apathy—that is in great measure answerable for its peculiar powers . However it may be , it is very certain that , in England at least , Freemasonry is a power which makes itself felt far and near , despite the fact that so very little interest is publicly shown .

In regard to what our correspondent says about the apathy displayed by English Masons towards the literature of the Craft— -that it is a world wide complaint , and one which it is very difficult to account for . There

used to be a legend that Freemasons , like the ordinary run of individuals , were vain , and liked to see their names in print ; if that were really the case then the class papers of Freemasonry should have immense

circulations , for it is no stretch of imagination to say that in some quarters the art of reporting a meeting seems to be to compile as long a list of those present

as possible , a complete record of the hundreds attending a Provincial Grand Lodge meeting , for instance , being regarded as essential . Personally , we have long since come to the conclusion that such " muster rolls " are

neither useful nor ornamental , and that there are very few occasions when the trouble of compiling a list of those present at a Masonic function is compensated for by the interest displayed in its being printed ; and we

believe our experience in this direction is by no means exceptional . We may even go further , and express a belief that in many cases those most intimately

associated with a Lodge or other Masonic meeting are apparently so indifferent to what is going on that they will not take the trouble to read an account of the

proceedings , even if a report is brought under their notice , and in saying this it will be understood that we regard the charge of literary apathy laid by our correspondent against the majority of English

Freemasons as well founded ; but at the same time we may here repeat our opinion that this apparent apathy is rather the expression of a sense of security . The ordinary Mason is so content with what is done in

Freemasonry that he does not seethe need or necessity to put himself to the trouble of showing an active interest in its work ; but the heart is there , and we are

confident the response would be satisfactory if any special appeal or call were made upon the general body of the Craft .

The memorial stone of the restoration of Brechin Cathedral is to be laid with Masonic honours on Saturday the 22 nd September , by the Grand Master of Scotland the Hon . James Hozier , M . P . * * * Bro . Sir Alfred Newton , Lord Mayor of Londonand

, Lady Newton were expected at Gourock on Monday , en route for Inveraray , ana a reception in his honour had been arranged by the local authorities . On the arrival of the

train , however , it became known that Sir Alfred had become unwell , and had decided to rest in Edinburgh for a few days . Our distinguished Brother and Lady Newton duly reached Gourock on Wednesday .

* * * The West Smithfield Lodge of Instruction , No . 1623 has arranged to hold an inauguration Supper of the Winter

Session , on Wednesday , 26 th September , at 7 pm Bro T C . Pratt W . M . of the Mother Lodge in the chair The supper will take place at the regular quarters of the Lodge the City Scotch Stores ( of which Bro . J . R . L . Daish is the

Apathy Of The Craft.

host ) , 27 Knightrider Street , St . Paul ' s Churchyard , E . G ., and the price of tickets is 3 s dd each . Further particulars may be had of the Secretary , Bro . j . A . Hoffmann D . C . 1623 , 30 and 31 Queen Street , E . G .

# * * The ceremony of installation will be rehearsed by Bro . Herbert Clinch l . P . M . 1623 on Wednesday next , 29 m inst , at the West Smithheld Lodge of Instruction , No . 1623 , at the City Scotch Stores , 27 Knightrider Street , St . Paul ' s

Churchyard , E . G ., commencing at 7 p . m . precisely . This Lodge of instruction has been newly furnished throughout , and every effort will be made to make its weekly meetings interesting and instructive . 'Ihe Lodge meets every

Wednesday , at 7 p . m ., Bro . F . P . Weinel P . M . 1828 J . W . 1745 M . E . Z . 1745 being the Preceptor , Bro . J . J . Howes P . M . 1627 the ' . treasurer , and Bro . J . A . Holfmann D . C . 1623 the Secretary . * * *

We have previously had occasion to refer to the zeal displayed by tne . brethren of Scotland in the matter of providing independent Halls tor Lodge purposes . It is no uncommon thing to read of Bazaars and other entertainments being arranged . for this object , and some very great

successes have come under our notice . We may point to a record elsewhere of one such , recently held in . Rothesay and opened on the first day by the Lord Advocate for Scotland , and on the second by Sir Charles Dalrymple , Bart .,

M . P ., Past . Grand Master of Scotland . Ihe receipts on the first day are set down at ^ , 280 , not a bad amount with which to start a project for a Masonic Hall . How few English Lodges could point to such a record—more ' s the pity !

# * * It is astonishing the power Ereemasonry possesses on the continent—or is credited with possessing oy some of those who seek to discredit it by laying preposueruus cliarges at its doors . An instance of this is found at the moment 111

a story which is being circulated in i-ranee to the ettect that a resolution of the Masonic Lodges of that country prevented a French General being selected to take command of the international Allied forces in China . The teller or the tale , says the " Westminster Gazette , " genially remarks that " there are tvventy-hve thousand microcephalous fanatics "

—by whom he means Preemasons—" who constitute , with the Jewish rabbis and Protestant pastors imported from London and Geneva , the backbone of the Republican or Dreyfusard party . "

Every Masonic Lodge can , by a proper management of its finances , secure a home of its own . . i here is an idea prevalent in many quarters that a surplus is a bad thing , and some way is immediately found whereby it may be scattered . Banquets , picnics , expensive paraphernalia are all right in

their proper places . JBut to a Lodge without a home of its own such things should be avoided . The first duty of every assemblage of Masons is to provide a permanent Masonic home , it should be the one lixed purpose in view , and the Masons of the Lodge should be so interested as to make

the realisation a fact and not a fancy . It is noticeable that with those Lodges owning Temples of their own , dues are less and the general condition of the Fraternity better . There is a feeling of pride and security on the part of every member of that Lodge , and its perpetuity is assured . — " Sun . "

The ambition to be the Master of a Lodge is a most laudable one . But no Mason should try . to force himself to that position . His selection to fill that office should be the choice of his Brethren freely expressed . There are not a

few Masons who start out with an inspiration to be Master and proceed to use every means , legitimate or otherwise , to that end . Should they succeed in securing votes enough to elect them , trouble usually follows . Such a course of conduct has worked the ruin of not a few Lodges . The

selection of a JBrother to fill any particular office in the Lodge should be on account of his peculiar fitness for that position . If , in the opinion of the best men in the Lodge , he is not considered the proper person , and he has the spirit

of Masonry in him , he will not try to force himself upon his Brethren , but will be contented to fill a minor station and do what he can to promote the glory and welfare of our institution . —" Masonic Sun . "