Uniformity Of Masonic Practice.

UNIFORMITY OF MASONIC PRACTICE .

OUR esteemed correspondent Bro . Jacob Norton , whose contributions we are pleased to publish from time to time in our pages , is not a universal

favourite with the luminaries of the Masonic World . He is far too plain spoken to suit the mass of goodygoody Craftsmen whose chief aim seems to be to sing the praises of each other , and bring the best

principles of the Craft into ridicule by their absurd and fulsome flattery . His special delight is to look things fairly and squarely in the face , divest ancient traditions of their false outside carb , and reallv seek

to discover how far claims for veneration can be maintained in the light of common sense and modern enlightenment . Much as we may profess to love the truth , and dislike all sham and false pretences , there

is no denying the fact that we are often terribly disappointed when wo find idois shattered , and ideas upset which have been accepted as truths for years and vears . Indeed , in such cases we have ample

illustration that the truth is not always palatable . Yet we should have no false scruples ; we should rather hail with delight the labours of those who seek to put matters straight , no matter at what cost , or

how much we may suffer in the process . The surgical operation may be painful , and very risky to the patient , yet it is often the only chance of saving life , and is resorted to without hesitation when the

actual need arises ; so . it should be with , our every surrounding , in Freemasonry and outside of it . If the Craft is suffering from maladies which can be cured , then the cure should be attempted , no matter

to what extent it may be necessary to go to prove the case , and bring about the desired alterations . Yet there are many among us who regard all attempts iii this direction as out of place , and loudly condemn

tnose wno dare to raise a voice against the accepted traditionsand practices of the Craft ., This opposition would be justifiable if there Ayas anything like iinifbrihity existing among the various sections of tn ' e

iVlasonic Order . ; but there is no uniformity , or anything approacning thereto , and on that account the opposition is certainly out of places and displays a cowardice which to our mind goes far to prove the

weakness of the position taken up by the " sticklers , " as our friend Jacob Norton occasionally terms that section of the Craft to whom we are now

reiernng . yvny not at once acknowledge the need for reorganisation , and endeavour to . bring about something like a recognised system of practice , ere it be too late , even if that period has noi already been reached ?

. Freemasonry has suffered , like most other bodies , from the spirit of reform and advancement which is one of the characteristics of the age , and it is certainly to be regretted , that an organisation such as Freemasonry professes to bo should so frequently be amended" and altered , to suit the whims and

Uniformity Of Masonic Practice.

fancies of its members . English Freemasonry is , happily , an exception in this respect ; the alterations we do carry out in this country being of a very minor character , so far as the actual system of Freemasonry

is concerned ; usually matters of detail in . regard to the laws framed for the governance of the Order , rather than anything affecting its rites or ceremonies . In America and other parts this is not the case , and •1 J » XI / "I i » A •Al - " - "I _ •- J .-01 tne uraitin xneir uesire 10

energetic memoers , bring Freemasonry up to their standard of perfection—as gauged by outside surrounding objectsoften make considerable changes in the actual fabric ,

which alterations , by repeated revision and reform , ultimately lead to such practices as can only be described as wholly unconstitutional , and utterly opposed to the spirit of Freemasonry as we are taught

to believe it was handed over to us by past generations . In face of these practices it is well we have men like Bro . Jacob Norton among us ; men who aro riot afraid to speak their mind , even though by

so doing they may raise a host of enemies , but more often than not call around them a number of friends who , if they cannot admire the actions of the man , can at least reverence and respect the man himself , for the bold front displayed , and the apparent

sincerity with which his work is undertaken . As wo have said , Bro . Norton is not a favourite with the luminaries of the Masonic world , because of his tendency to shatter the idols they have learned to worship , but there is probably no man who has a

more extended circle of friends among the members of the Masonic Order , or one who is more heartily welcomed by those who know him . The leading lights among our historians dread to think

wnere lie will next assail tne practices ot the Crait , yet they will help him in his researches as far as lies in their power , and perhaps actually lay bare the material with which he in time to come will assail

some of their pet fancies or ideas ; but for all this his writings are not regarded with favour , or publicly tolerated by those who should be most interested . , The remarks which appeared in our last issue from

the pen of our correspondent have doubtless been studied by many of our readers , but we know there are others who , when once they caught sight of the writer ' s name , immediately passed over to the next

page , ignoring , as wholly unworthy of notice , the arguments used in support of the title " So-called " Masonic Jurisprudence . Yet we venture to think there are few who would not agree with the spirit of Bro .

JNortons comments it once they read them , although they might object to some of the colouring he has introduced into his picture . That they should regard in its proper light , as the peculiarity of the enthusiast . Having read what Bro . Norton tells us , the opinion must certainly be that there is ample room for some

energetic action in the way ot securing a greater uniformity of practice ^ in the Masonic world ; yet we must , at the same time , recognise the futility of even hoping for any great reform . Grand Lodges in far-off