Is Freemasonry Progressive?

IS FREEMASONRY PROGRESSIVE ?

WHAT is progress ? "To move forward , " "to advance , " " to make improvement . " An acceptance of this literal interpretation will almost be tacit admission that Freemasonry does not come within the category of the conditions . True , the numerical strength of the Craft has largely increased , and its system of philanthropy greatly extended . And while we do not

cavil at tlie latter , we may be permitted to doubt whether indiscriminate numbers constitute additional strength , or an element of weakuess . As the strength of the chain is determined by the value of its weakest link , so the general lax tendency of late years , on the question of admissions , serves to demonstrate that there is a small weak link in tbe apparently strong cable of Freemasonry .

It is customary in other institutions to vary and regulate the internal system and administration to meet the requirements of the spirit of the age . No sane man would start and attempt to run an insurance company to-day on the lines in vogue fifty years ago . Friendly societies have advanced year by year , till now

they have but little semblance of their former selves bub in name . And a critical review of political , business , or social organisations during the past four or five decades , will make it patent that progiession has been a necessary factor in their advancement and well-being , whether natural in operation or forced by circumstances .

Fairly then the questions may be asked—What has the Institution of Freemasonry done during the same period ? Are its laws more liberal—has its elaborate ritual ceremonial been passed through the refining hie , leaving its errors , crudities , and incongruities behind , and presenting as a result what might reasonably be anticipated from the combined talent and intellectual abilities of its known leaders ? Have its members as a

body become more enlightened—and do they practice the inculcated principle of Fraternity by preferring each othei- in all their dealings ? A very cursory analysis must lead to a negative reply . The statutes of Freemasonry are most crude and singularly incomplete . Too much reliance is placed on lex non seripta , and every member has his own interpretation of " unwritten law . "

With regard to ritual ceremonial , we are unable to note any material change or evidence of " marked progress . " Ou the contrary , the anomalies of the historical incidents and traditions still remain , and the absurdity of Scriptural mis-quotations is uncorrected , while the sublimely ridiculous , and highly illogical

relies of barbarism known as " penalties" still form part of the philosophical teachings of our great Institution , and yet we have the audacity to declaim constantly on our " progressiveness . " Clearly we assume a virtue though we have it not . It is somewhat humiliating to have to admit that Masons en masse have no

literary aspirations , or spirit of Masonic research . Speaking generally , the Freemason zealous for office reaches the acme of his literary ambition in the acquision of ritual ceremonial on attaining the W . M . chair . To the majority the perusal of

Masonic literature is a waste of time , and scientific research about as useful as the provision of warming pans to African negroes . But still the farce goes oa , and the same Brethren month after month urge the necessity of making a daily advance in Masonic knowledge .

The fraternal aspect of the Craft in " days of old , " and even quite within the' memory of many living members , was a concomitant part , a tangible reality , a thing to swear by , and largely constituted much of the power and influence of Freemasonry . To-day , outside the few enthusiastic , real live Masons ,

to be found and easily located in every community , how many are there who will make sacrifice for his Brother Mason , eleven prefer him in Ins dealings ? Individual and collective experience can sadly answer the question aud quickly figure up such reply .

Of course we quite recognise that iu auy attempt at progressive reform the old cry of " innovation " and " landmarks ' " will be raised as an argument against the house of Freemasonry being set in order . An English writer and Masonic authority tersely sets forth the position in the following lines :

" Of a truth these Landmarks [ falsely so-called ) are great stumbling blocks in the way of progressive improvement . Brethren who endeavour to eliminate from our ceremonies the mistatements , the anachronisms , and the solecisms , which in the course of time have crept into our working ; or to correct misquotations ,

or errors of grammar , are constantly met by the alarm-cry , ' The Landmarks are in danger , ' in any rectification of error which they may advocate , yet the very men who raise this cry will , in performing the ceremony of the Second Degree , gravely assure the candidate that ' Freemasonry is a progressive science . ' "

We have not space in this article to detail the many discrepancies and errors , which permeate the ceremonv of the three degrees , neither need we reler to the perpetuation of the abominable penalty business , further than by saying , the Craft puts

Is Freemasonry Progressive?

admirable weapons into the hands of its opponents , who are not slow to use them , to its manifest disadvantage . An American writer has truly said : " Our Brethren will admit that human work cau never be perfect , but ifcs crowning glory is contained in its progressive spirit . " AU thinking Freemasons deplore the fact that the " progressive spirit" of Freemasonry is not more in

evidence . Non-progression can only have one ultimate resultthe decadence of the Institution . Intellect will not always good humouredly suffer the infliction of traditional fairy tales , or be insulted by solicitation to subscribe to barbaric impossibilities ; a reaction must inevitably supervene , when the Graft of Freemasonry will have to submit to a forced reformation in place of natural

progressive development . # The initiative remedy lies with the older and powerful jvmsdictions , from whom we have little hope at present . In the meantime we trust prominent Masonic writers may be induced to take up the question , with the view of bringing it more generally under the notice of members of the Craft . — " New Zealand Craftsman . "

Proper Treatment.

PROPER TREATMENT .

MAN Y years since a , stranger came to reside in Brunswick and represented himself to be a Freemason and wished to be admitted as a member of the Lodge in the village , but those to whom he applied soon found him to be an impostor . Some of

the young men thought they would have some sport with him , and told him they were to hold a meeting at Bro . Schworthin ' s room that evening , and if he would come in they would test him and if they found him versed in the mysteries of the Order they would be much pleased to admit him into their Lodge .

He was punctual to meet them , and taken into the room they had previously prepared by placing on one side of the room four chairs and for want of more chairs had placed pieces of board from one chair to its opposite , and between the chairs a half hogshead filled with water . On the entrance of the applicant to the Lodge they conducted him to a seat , which was the half hogshead covered with a blanket , and told him to be seated . He complied , and found himself immersed in cold water .

After assisting him from his cold bath they only asked him if that was the way he was made a Mason . His reply was that " There was not quite so much water about it . " Two of the young chaps then approached him , one having a long knife and the other a line with which he took the applicant ' s height , and told him that all the Masons in Brunswick were on

an equality , and they found he was a little too high and they would have to take from the top of his head about an inch . Fearing he would lose his scalp he bolted for the door and made his escape , and told his acquaintances that Masonry in Maine was not like Masonry in Connecticut , and he had concluded he would not unite with the Lodge in Brunswick . — " Bath ( Me . ) Independent . "

The Masonic Press.

THE MASONIC PRESS .

f THE Masonic press is under no compliment for invitations to JL " At-Hoaies , " Past Masters' nights , and official visits of Grand Lodge Officers . On the contrary , it is the Lodge that is indebted for even a notice of such gatherings . It is only in exceptional cases that the daily papers chronicle Masonic events ,

and even in these exceptional cases the practice is not general . So far as we are concerned , we have no cause of complaint in this particular , but we raise our voice on behalf of our contempor tries who are equally deserving of recognition , and arc entitle 1 to all the courtesy generally extended on such

occasions . The Masonic Press of Canada is able fco make or unmake ambitious Brethren , and the sooner Lodges and would-be Qrand Officers understand this the better it will be for themselves : once realising this they will recognise the . power

and influence of a Masonic paper . There are two other Craft journals in this city , and it only requires united action by the editors to bring both Lodges and Brethren that ignore them to a realising sense of their Masonic insignificance . — " Toronto F'reemason . "

[ We hardly think it wise of our contemporary to thus threaten , and further we doubt the power of the Canadian Press , or any other , to do ail that is here claimed . —Bd . F . C ]

In the jurisdiction of the Three Globes Grand Lodge of Berlin , Germany , when a black ball is cast on a ballot for degrees the Master calls on those casting said black balls to justify their act to him privately within eight days , and if the balloter is silent , or , if in the opinion of the Worshipful Master , he is not justified in his objections , the candidate is declared elected and the degrees conferred .