Conduct Of Lodge Finances.

of a Treasurer who mingles the Lodge ' s funds with his own , thereby possibly causing the Lodge inconvenience by his death , or loss through his pecuniary misfortune . [ The above is copied from the address of the late Clifford P . MacCalla , on his retiring from the Orient Chair as M . W . Grand Master . ]— " Keystone . "

Consistency.

CONSISTENCY .

IN whatever manner certain members of the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons may see fit to carry themselves , the institution itself is a grave , dignified and purposeful organisation . This purpose does not manifest itself through any published tenets ; but rather through the worthy lives of those that best represent its spirit .

Non-proselyting and non-aggressive , the Fraternity , as a whole , pursues the even tenor of its way . It frowns on the vulgarism of display . It deprecates political methods as adopted by many who are ambitious for Masonic office . The circular of the ward politician , the button-holing of officious friends and

partisans , in fact , any mode of soliciting votes by the candidates themselves , is deemed un-Masonic . Its charities are bestowed modestly and in strict accord wifch thafc Biblical injunction which teaches—let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth . It exalts physical and moral manhood , teaches self-reliance in health and the tenderest sympathy in misfortune or distress .

There is nothing of the humourous in Freemasonry . Seriously and earnestly , Freemasonry is no joke . We have in mind a now valued and valuable member of the Fraternity who looks back with sorrow to the date of his initiation . He does not regret his initiation . He has no sorrow because he has entered the tyled door , but he does regret the manner of his admission . The Master of the Lodge in which he was brought

to light was a joker ; the Wardens were ] okers . As to the makeup of the other Officers , under these conditions , comment is unnecessary . So imbued was he with the impression gained from contact with these people that Masonry was a huge joke , and that somewhere in the initiation the laugh would come in , tbat the beautiful ritual and forceful teachings of its symbolism had no effect . A direct injury was done to this Brother that took years to heal .

Brother—you who are tempted , in the exuberance of youth , to have fun with the candidate—pause and think ! There is nothing trivial or unimportant in Freemasonry . Will the fun you may have compensate for the injury you may do ? Suppose you do lead him to think that he is about to take a cold plunge ; do you imagine that his mind is thus better fitted to grasp the

lesson to be taught by his mode of preparation ? Suppose that you succeed in making him believe that the road is rough and the walk long ; will that help him to realise his responsibility to his Maker and his duty to his Brethren ? If you impress upon him the danger to himself and the amusement to others from his

riding the goat , and that is the reason he must " go it blind , " can he then fully comprehend what he sees when he is brought to light ? You may win your bet that he cannot stand the initiation in the third degree ; but have you helped him to imbibe the lesson taught in the fate of Hiram the builder ?

A Mason should at all times be honourable , courteous and dignified . His outward life should mirror his inner soul . As one who has mastered the secrets of Freemasonry , he should be self-contained , kindly and dispassionate . When a profane seeks admission to the mysteries of the Fraternity his character should be subjected to the crucible of thorough investigation . If satisfied

of his fitness to be made a Mason he should be carefully divested of all notions of frivolity and be Jed to look forward to his initiation as laying the foundation of his future Masonic life . Politeness and kindly and thoughtful consideration should actuate all Brethren who are brought into contact with him . His committee should seek him immediately after his election , inform him of the

fact and introduce him to the Brother who is to conduct him through the preliminary ceremonies of initiation . This Brother should be of great experience and fraternal disposition . "Unnecessary fears should be allayed and the candidate assured that he is entering upon a course of instruction , not one of endurance . Rude and boisterous demands are out of place .

The candidate should be made to realise that no personal indignity will be suffered , and that if he will but attend carefully he will learn in due time the purpose of each step he is asked to take . One so inducted into the Fraternity will gratefully appreciate the attentions shown , and he will be launched upon his Masonic life under auspices that will tend to make him a better man and Brother . — "Keystone . "

That a Masonic degree should never be turned into a concert is a proposition too obvious to need stating . There are several facts equally self-evident ; that the time available for a

Consistency.

degree does not give an opportunity for much addition to the prescribed ritual ; that vocal music , as often introduced , interpolates words into fche ritual which are not prescribed and are often incongruous ; that many Brethren aro so indifferent to music that its frequent or protracted infliction becomes a positive

discomfort , a misfortune in a meeting intended for the supreme content of all ; and finally , thafc the introduction of music at all possible points , and in forms dependent upon the taste and musical experience of irresponsible performers , becomes at once

the subject of the same inevitable criticism which has been the apple of discord in so many congregations , and , so far from producing its desired effect , is destructive of the harmony which is our chief tenet . —From a report on the subject of ritual , presented to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts .

Several of the Lodges under the New South Wales Constitution have altered their Bye-Laws so as to admit Joining Members on payment of the amount of Grand Lodge dues only . Such a course widely extended would go far towards reducing the large number of non-affiliates we read so much about .

Lodge Meetings Next Week.

LODGE MEETINGS NEXT WEEK .

Fuller particulars as to place of meeting of the undermentioned Lodges are given in the Freemasons' Calendar and Pocket Book ( published by Grand Lodge for the benefit of the Charity Fund ) .

Monday . 26 Castle Harmony , Savoy Hotel 1910 Shadwell Gierke , M'kmasons ' -h . 2397 Columbia , Criterion

491 Royal Sussex , Jersey 557 Loyal Victoria , Callington 999 Robert Burns , Manchester 1110 Tyrian , Eastbourne 1177 Tenby , Tenby 1258 Kennard , Pontypool 1325 Stanley , Liverpool 1399 . Marlborough , Woodstock 1688 Buxton , Buxton 1752 Ogmore , Bridgend

1753 Obedience , Okehampton 1861 Claremont , Croydon 1991 Agricola , York 2068 Portsmouth Temperance , L'd p ' t . 22 / 9 Thornham , Thornham 2363 Minnehaha Minstrel , M'Chester . 2547 Llangattock , Cardiff 2553 Rufford , Nottingham 2582 Lewisham , Smethwick

Tuesday . 299 Emulation , Dartford 335 lle-stitude , Oorsham 1007 Howe & Charnwood , Loughboro 1358 Torbay , Paignton 1650 Rose of Kaby , Staindrop 1779 Ivanhoe , Sheffield 1942 Minerva , Fenton 2414 Wychwood , Burford 2549 Benevolentia , Woodford

Wednesday . Festival of the Boyal Masonic Institution lor Boys , Hotel Cecil , Strand . 898 Temperance in East , Poplar 163 Integrity , Manchester 187 Rl . Sussex Hospitality , Bristol 304 Philanthropic , Leeds 321 Unity , Crewe 439 Scientific . Binelev

461 Fortitude , Newton 1083 Townley Parker , Manchester 1219 Strangeways , Manchester 1283 R yburn , Sowerby Bridge 1775 Leopold , Church 1989 Stirling , Cleator Moor 2064 Smith Child , Tunstall 2186 Striguil , Chepstow 2330 St . Lawrence , Pudsey 2571 Holmes , Newcastle-on-Tyne

Thursday . 10 W'minster & Keystone , F . M . H . 1288 Finsbury Park , Highbury 1383 Friends in C'ncil , 33 , G'den S < j . 1445 Prince Leopold , Aldgate 1724 Kais ' ar-i-Hind , Cafe Boyal

1790 Old England , Thornton Heath 1950 Southgate , Beale ' s , Holloway 1963 Duke of Albany , Camberwell 24 Newcastle O . T ., Newcastle

110 Loyal Obrian , Merthyr-Tydvil 123 Lennox , Bichmond , Yorks 195 Hengist , Bournemouth 219 Prudence , Todmorden 249 Mariner , Liverpool 266 Naphtali , Heywood 269 Fidelity , Blackburn

289 Fidelity , Leeds 294 Constitutional , Beverley 300 Minerva , Ashton-under-Lyne 305 Apollo , Beccles 317 Affability , Manchester 462 Bank Terrace , Accrington 509 Tees , Stockton 531 St . Helen , Hartlepool 637 Portland , Stoke-upon-Trent 703 Clifton , Blackpool 792 Pelham Pillar , Grimsbv

866 Restormel , Lostwithiel 913 Pattison , Plumstead 1231 Savile , Elland 1284 Brent , Topsham 1324 Okeover , Ripley 1384 Equity , Widnes 1500 Walpole , Norwich 1513 Friendly , Barnsley 1565 Earl of Chester , Lymm

1829 Burrell , Brighton 1899 Wellesley , Sandhurst 2255 Philbrick , Chingford 2261 Arrnitage , Milnsbridge 2317 Bisley , Woking 2321 Acacia , Bradford 2342 Easterford , Kelvedon 2496 Wirral , Birkenhead

Friday . 2511 St . John at Hackney , Hackney 242 St . George , Doncaster 291 Boyal Philanthropic , Highbridge 306 Alfred , Leeds 375 Lambton , Durham 521 Truth , Huddersfleld

837 De Grey and Ripon , Ripon 936 Adair , Aldeburgh 1230 Barnard , Barnard Castle 1648 Prince of Wales , Bradford 1664 Gosforth , Gosforth 1754 Windsor , Penarth 2433 Minerva , Birkenhead

Saturday . 1928 Gallery , Anderton's 2182 Sterndale Bennett , Camberwell 1223 Amherst , Riverhead 1460 Thames Valley , Hampton Ct . 1550 Prudence , Plymouth 1567 Elliot , Feltham 1929 Mozart , Croydon 2054 Wilson lies , Rickmansworth

2077 Epping , Chingford 2148 Walsingham , Wilmington 2205 Pegasus , Gravesend 2323 Bushey Hall , Bushey 2331 Ravencroft , Barnet 2442 St . Clement , Leigh 2473 Molesey , East Molesey 2541 St . Andrew , Avonmouth