Impelling Motives.

IMPELLING MOTIVES

filHE question is often asked , why do so many men seek to L become Masons ? There is no appeal to them to enter the lines of the Fraternity . They are not importuned by their acquaintances and friends to unite with the Masouic organisation . And yet , while Freemasonry as an institution maintains this

independent and dignified attitude , the streams of supply to its organic life always seem to be ample . It makes a constant increase to its membership . What are some of the impelling motives which prompt the " multitude of candidates to knock at the doors of Freemasonry ?

1 . There is the glamour of secrecy veiling the Masonic institution . It holds secrets in its possession which can only be revealed to a select ciicle . The truths , the lessons , the obligations , the signs and ceremonies , which are thus guarded and

concea ' ed from public notice , may not be of the utmost importance , but somehow or other they attract . A young man says to himself I would liko to gain information of these things sacredly kept secret by Masons , and the motive of curiosity is one of the forces that impel him to send in his application .

2 . Another motive which affects some minds , more or less consciously is the antiquity of the institution . Freemasonry has great age . It has been evolved from societies and systems

which bear the stamp of the remote past . It seems to represent something more of' worth and interest as it is identified with personages and events of former times ; as thus its ancient character is brought into view .

3 . Its universality attracts . In every part of the civilised world Freemasonry is known . It is a bond of communion between men of every nation and clime . The fact of its vastness —of its application to such diverse conditions of human life and

society—moves men of far-reaching thoughts and sympathies to seek entrance within its lines . They act under a prompting to put themselves in touch with a society that is indeed cosmopolitan , which practically seems to recognise the unity of the human

race . 4 . Its philosophy as suggested by chance reading may attract some thoughtful minds . Freemasonry has great stores of wisdom locked up in its system and in the moral enclosures to

which its rich and varied symbolism points . A few studious and enquiring souls are drawn towards Freemasonry , having an idea that there is much to learn of highest wisdom by its helps—by delving in its mysteries which to the world at large may appear of but little worth .

5 . Tbe average man is no doubt wrought upon by motives of a more practical , even if of a more selfish character . Thus the desire to make friends comes into play as an actuating force . He desires companionship , fellowship , and true friends , and he

believes that he will gain these by entering into the Masonic organisation . It is justifiable to find an inducement for connecting one ' s self with Freemasonry in this desire to cultivate the social nature , and to profit by a close and sympathetic fellowship as Brethren of the mystic tie are privileged to do . 6 . It is a still lower order of motives when the inducement

takes on the form of a mercenary purpose—when a candidate is led to seek entrance to a Masonic Lodge by his belief that it will help him in his * business or his profession to be identified with so strong and reputable a society . Some may be actuated , at least

in part , by this motive of undue selfishness , and yet under the formative influences of Freemasonry they develop into exemplary and faithful Craftsmen , finding out by experience how much larger the Masonic institution is than they had supposed—how much more benign and far-reaching are its gifts .

7 . It is hoped that a few at least of the candidates for Freemasonry find an impelling motive in a just thought of what they may be the better helped to do in the ways and walks of related life by becoming Masons . They who join the Fraternity that they may render a better service for truth and for humanity

constitute a royal band of supporters to the institution . Brethren who may thus be classified are the ones who point to the heights—who lead the way thither , —and who , by their unselfish services , contribute most largely to the productiveness and the glory of Freemasonry . — " Freemasons Repository . "

Once A Mason, Always A Mason.

ONCE A MASONALWAYS A MASON

IHORMERLY , no doubt , there was more of meaning in this phrase than now attaches to the words . In the ancient tunes when no dues were imposed , and when no such number of specific requisitions were made upon Craftsmen as are now recognised iu bye-laws and rules touching membership , it was

generall y held that when one had lawfully received the Masonic degrees he had attained a life tenure of connection with the Masonic Fraternity . It did not matter whether he were poor or rich , whether he contributed much or nothing to support the ¦•UEtitution , whether he attended Masonic meetings or kept away ,

Once A Mason, Always A Mason.

he was still a Mason . It was only occasionally and for grave offences that sentence of expulsion was passed upon an offending Brother . Times have changed ; new rules have been adopted , and now Craftsmen may withdraw from the organisation whenever they so desire , and they are liable to be shut out from the

privileges of the institution by the non-payment of dues or by the commission of some technical fault . The phrase still has force , however ; for the suspended or expelled Mason cannot forget the ceremonies through which he has passed , or the obligations he has taken in a Masonic Lodge . He is always a

Mason , as another has said , in the obligation which rests upon him to " preserve inviolate the mysteries unfolded to him . " This obligation rests with just as binding force upon one who is suspended or expelled , as upon one who has of his own accord withdrawn from the Order . — " Freemasons Repository . "

The Cuban Masons.

THE CUBAN MASONS .

A RECENT letter from Havana contains the following item of interest to Masons : Gov . Gen . Martinez Campos , acting on the supposition that the people of Havana were secretly in sympathy with the revolutionists , issued a general order when he first came here prohibiting private meetings under severe penalties . Not even the Masons were exempted , but powerful influence was

brought to bear upon him in their behalf , and he at length consented to modify the proclamation so that it would not affect them . The Grand Lodge of the Island of Cuba , situated in this city , was overjoyed at this , and the Masons showed their gratitude to Campos in many ways . All this joy , however , was short lived , for tho Governor General issued another order specifically prohibiting meetings of Masonio Lodges , and as a result trouble is feared in many quarters .

There is no probability that the interests of Spain were jeopardised by the Masonic meetings . It is far more likely that the new order waa due to the machinations of the enemies of Masonry in Havana . However , Masonry is in Cuba to stay , whatever obstacles the Government may throw in its way . — " Masonic Home Journal . "

Bro . Emra Holmes has received the thanks of H . R . H . the Duchess of York for his birthday verses addressed to the little Prince Edward , and which appeared in our columns and in those of leading provincial journals in England , Scotland and elsewhere .

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