A Register Of Masons.

A REGISTER OF MASONS .

IT appears that some time since an official of the Grand Lodge of Victoria obtained permission from the Board of General Purposes of that colony to purchase a book and compile an alphabetical list of

all Members registered since the foundation of the Grand Lodge . The book is now complete , says our contemporary , " Masonry , " and the Oraft of that Jurisdiction can boast of the possession of a most

complete record of every person registered . Our contemporary believes this is the only case in the colonies of a Grand Lodge possessing such a register

and we think the matter might be carried much further , as in all probability there is no other Grand Lodge in the world that can boast a similar compilation .

We have often wondered that nothing in fche form of an alphabetical register of Masons is in existence in this country , as we should have thought such a work would long ere this have been regarded as indispensible for purposes of reference or otherwise . Of course there would be little , if any , use in now

starting such a compilation with the idea of posting up the records of the past , or so much of them as would be available for the purpose , but it seems to us that a Register of Masons now returnable to

Grand Lodge . might be attempted , and when once compiled could be easily kept posted up to date , easy , that is to say , in that it would entail mere clerical labour .

The magnitude of such a work may be imagined when we consider the figures than have been arrived at in the colony of Victoria , where 13 , 270 names have been indexed , with particulars of each Brother ' s

Lodge , and marginal notes as to resignation or death where either has occurred . England would probably require a register five or six times the size of the Victorian one for the outset , and the work of keeping

it posted up would entail no small labour on the Grand Secretary ' s office , but it seems to us it would be very useful to possess such a record of membership , and if that was the popular opinion considerations of trouble or expense would be of quite secondary importance .

Questions have arisen from time to time in years gone by , and have been considered in our pages , in connection with which such a record as is here proposed would have been very useful , but in such a

matter as this it is , of course , necessary to show a general demand for an alteration , or , as it would be in this case , an addition to the work of the executive

of Grand Lodge , before it would be seriously considered , and when that arises we have no doubt the subject will be regularly discussed and decided upon .

What Is Needed.

WHAT IS NEEDED .

WE are sometimes led to ask what is the use of Masonry ? Wherein does it do any good ? Is

not the time spent in Lodge meetings just so many hours wasted ? Is not the money spent to maintain the institution thrown away ? Wherein is any man profited by being a Mason ? And in trying to answer these queries we fall back upon the condition of all earthly organisations , and find the same may be asked of any

and all of them . Even the church itself does not present to the world that strong , bold , and invincible opposition to wrong , and standing up for right that it should . Everything good in this world is glossed over with evil , and the purest and best are only seen through a glass darkly . The line of demarkation between good

and evil is so faintly drawn that it is difficult to discover on which side you are . Right is right and wrong is wrong , and no amount of white-washing or varnishing can make wrong right . We are apt to make excuses for

wrong-doers , and plead the circumstantial environments as palliating an offence . In these times a man that calls a spade a spade is considered a crank , but it is a spade all the same .

Masonry is a noble science of morality , and Masonry is pure . It is worthy of the careful attention of every man , and ought to create in the heart of every s"tudent a reverence for Deity , a love for his fellow-man and a

devotion to right dealing . The time spent in the study of Masonic truth is not wasted if that truth is permitted to do its perfect work . The money spent in maintaining Masonic Lodges is not wasted if those who become

members are made better by the lessons they are taught . But we plead the weakness of human nature , and do not require those who wear the emblem of innocence to keep it spotless . The Lodges of Masonry fche world over fail to fulfill

their mission , and all because of the " weakness of human nature . " Of course , we cannot change our humanity . Its weakness is an inheritance , and we must do the best we can . But our Lodges can help , if they will , to make humanity stronger , by requiring those who

are admitted to live up to the teachings of the Fraternity . The " broad mantle of Masonic charity " is beautiful in sentiment , but it is not always charity to permit a member to violate with impunity the tenets of our profession . If " Brotherly love" is such a virtue , why

not require that it be practised ? If " relief " is a duty incumbent upon all men , why not require that it be exercised ? If " truth " is a " divine attribute , and the foundation of every virtue , " why permit it to be disregarded wifch impunity ?

What is needed in Masonry to-day is a practice of its teachings , and not continual excuses for infraction of its principles ; true men , who will regard their obligations as binding , who will not try to hide behind the great ,

black tower of human weakness ; noble men who , when they strike hands with a friend or a Brother , will stand by him in adversity as well as in prosperity ; men who will be fearless in the advocacy of right principles .

It is un-Masomc to try to take advantage of a Brother and " trick" him into any action that could be construed against him , should the " scheme" not work . It is un-Masonic to profess great friendship for a Brother

before his face , and stab him in the back . It is