Masonic Halls And Masonic Clubs.

MASONIC HALLS AND MASONIC CLUBS .

THE inauguration of the handsome building which has just been erected by the Brethren of Northampton for the purposes of Freemasonry , and which was consecrated on Thursday , must havo aroused feelings in the minds of many of those present that tlav . if not of actual envv . at least of something nearlv

aldn to it ; and no doubt exists in our mind that many members of the large company who assembled , under the presidency of the Earl of Euston , to formally dedicate the Hall , must have gone away imbued with the desire that the number of such Masonic buildings would ere lon

. U _ ^ 0 the country . Without question the practice of Freemasonry can be made much more attractive , and its lessons can be far more strongly impressed on those who witness them , amid such surroundings as are to be found in the new Hall at Northampton than is

possible in the ordinary quarters of a country Lodge , or , for matter of that , of a metropolitan one either ; and we cannot but express the wish that as years go on it will be found possible for nearly every town to have a recognised home for Freemasonry , where greater solemnity will be attainable , and where the ceremonies of the Order will be worked to greater

advantage than is now possible in a large number of cases . In considering this matter , however , we must not be led too far away by our desire to possess handsome

and commodioits buildings , for in face of actual experience we fear the verdict to be given in the matter is that Masonic Halls do not succeed—except in exceptional cases : and the reason is to he found in

the fact that Masonic meetings in most provincial towns are few and far between . A building which is only used two or three times a month stands a poor chance of being maintained in proper order except at excessive cost , and minor difficulties arise which tend to lessen the enthusiasm of those who establish a

hall , and conduct it through its early existence . Repairs are a fruitful source of trouble , and many cases could be cited of Masonic Halls which had been conducted for some years with moderate success , hut which succumbed to the first serious need for

repair , which , m the natural course of events , presented itself . Then again we may go further , and tracing the cause which led to the establishment of ^ a local Masonic building , we shall nnd that its erection created excitement , and led to + 1 . __ . _ ¦ •__ . _ __ ' i

we removal ol the actual reason lor the change . In many pases Masonic Halls are promoted because the town in which they are proposed does not possess suitable accommodation for the purposes of Freemasonry . The principal hotels may be old-fashioned windings , with no rooms available for the holding of a Lodge at which forty or more brethren usually attend , and as it seems impossible to adapt the old 'JUildmgs to modern requirements the brethren look

Masonic Halls And Masonic Clubs.

elsewhere , and decide to construct a hall of their own . As soon as they havo done this , the hotel proprietors see what they have lost , and , too late in the day , set to work to remove the difficulties that forced their natrons to leave them . They , or one among them ,

succeeds , and when , in the natural course of events , the Masons get somewhat tired of their new quarters , the superior accommodation available elsewhere is pointed out , many advantages are discovered , and in some eases they make another change , apparently

quite happy in doing so . But in the meantime what becomes of the Masonic Hall ? If it had beon mortgaged—and here , be it mentioned , lies the prime cause of disaster in most cases—foreclosure follows ,

and dissatisfaction results all round , with the effect of producing an unfavourable impression in the town in regard to the business capabilities and general behaviour of the members of the Order primarily interested . Taking the matter into consideration under all its bearings , it must be conceded that

thoso who promote a Masonic Hall m small towns accept a great responsibility , and from actual observation of the many failures that have taken place it would seem safe to advise the greatest caution ; even to urge the abandonment of all idea of a separate

building , unless three or more Lodges , with other bodies—high degrees , & c . —unite , and among them guarantee the success which is all but impossible with small numbers . Even then the Lodges should assume the financial responsibility in connection with tho

building , not leaving it to individual members or outside capitalists , for by the latter course they open the way for future complications , and perhaps ultimate failure . Becpgnising that there is not always enough

Masonry m a town to support a Masonic Hall , the attempt has been mado in various quarters to unite a Masonic Club with the former , and we think it safe to say that in most cases success has resulted . The action of the Northampton Brethren is the latest example in this respect , but of course it is far too

early to say what will be the result ol their efforts . It is certain they have splendid accommodation , both for social and Masonic purposes , and we feel we are but echoing the wish of the Craft when we say Ave hope that unqualified success will attend their operations , but it is well to point out that very much

depends on their own efforts , and the way in which they manage their affairs . This view of the matter seems to have supplied our esteemed Brother Dr . Sanders , Past Grand Chaplain , who delivered the oration at the consecration on Thursday , with one of

his principal themes . He discoursed fluently on the early history of Freemasonry , and its similarity to systems of mystery of ancient times ; on the work of benevolence and charity its members were carrying

on , and concluded a splendid address by asking if the Club they were that day inaugurating should be looked upon as a mere social Institution , or whether it should prove a grand medium for illustrating the