Ad00702

ROYAL Masonic Institution for Girls . The 112 th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY , THE I 6 TH MAY 1900 , THE RIGHT HON . THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH , E . W . PROY . GRAND MASTER STAFFORDSHIRE , IN THE CHAIR . Brethren willing to act as Stewards are earnestly solicited to send in their names to the Secretary , as early as convenient . Stewards are much needed , and their services will be gratefully received . F . E . W . HEDGES , Secretary . Office—5 Freemasons' Hall , London , W . O .

Ad00703

The Freemason ' s Chronicle . A Weekly Record of Masonic Intelligence . Published every Saturday , price 8 d . 13 s 6 d per annum , post free . THE FKEEMASON'S CHBONICLE will be forwarded direct from the Office , Fleet Works , Bulwer Boad , New Barnet , on receipt of remittance fer the amount . — : o : — Scale of Charges for Advertisements . Page ... ... ... ... ... £ 10 10 0 Births , Marriages , and Deaths Is per line . General Advertisements , Trade Announcements , & c , narrow column , 5 B per inch . News column Advertisements Is per line , Special terms for a series of insertions or particular positions on application ,

Ad00704

D . ROSENBERG , India Rubber Manufacturer , 89 A BOW COMMON LANE , LONDON , E . Buyer- of all kinds of India Rubber Coat Cuttings , and also Diving Dresses and Pneumatic Tyres , and Hose Pipes , and all kinds of second-hand India Rubber .

Ad00705

Just published , Grown 8 vo ., Cloth , 5 s . MILITARY LODGES . The Apron and the Sword , or Freemasonry under Arms ; being an account of Lodges in Regiments and Ships of War , and of famous soldiers and sailors ( of all countries ) , who have belonged to the Society , together with biographies of distinguished Military and Naval Brethren , and anecdotes showing the influence of Masonry in warfare . By Robert Freke Gould ( late 31 st Foot , barrister-at-law ) Past Senior Grand Deacon of England , P . M . Nos . 92 end 2076 London , 153 Gibraltar , 570 Shanghai , and 743 1 st Batt . East Surrey Begiment , & c . Author of " The History of Freemasonry , " and other Works . Gale and Polden , Ltd ., 2 Amen Corner , London ; and Aldershot .

Ad00706

^ O g ^ ^^ ^ SATUEDAY , 31 ST MAECH 1900 .

Ups And Downs Of Lodges.

UPS AND DOWNS OF LODGES .

WE have been very much interested while studying the histories of Lodges and writing their stories , to note their fluctuations in membership . They frequently start out with a "boom . " The members who form a new Lodge are full of enthusiasm and they work together in an effort to build it up . Petitions for the first few years are many and

the numbers increase rapidly . This would seem to suggest that some "influence" was brought to bear upon the men outside of Masonry , and they were induced by other than a

mere high regard for the Institution to fill out an application for membership . This perhaps accounts for the rapid growth of ^ the Lodge in its earlier years , and for the wholesale unaffiliations that occur a few years later .

The history of all Lodges is much the same . Those who form the new body are actuated to do so from various causes . Some , from disappointed ambition , set . up another Lodge , where they can be leaders and direct things to suit themselves . They desire to make a success of their new project and work vigorously for the accomplishment of their

Ups And Downs Of Lodges.

ends . Had they put forth the same energy in their old home they would doubtless have had their ambition rewarded . In the new Lodge they labour assiduously until some time when their pet schemes are not carried out , and they either find another home or endeavour to set up another Lodge . In the

petition to form a new Lodge the statement is made that those who propose to establish it are actuated by a desire to advance and promote the cause of Masonry , and disseminate Masonic principles . These motives are certainly commendable and ought to be at all times encouraged . It may be truthfully

said that in most instances the formation of a new Lodge has been beneficial to the Fraternity . Even though other motives than a simple desire to advance the cause of Masonry may have actuated the Brethren at the beginning , yet the true principles of the Institution have always asserted themselves and the Lodge has become established upon a sound basis .

The question naturally arises , Why is this spasmodic growth ? this great increase in numbers during the early years of the history of the Lodge , and the sudden change and , in many instances , the equally rapid decline ? The answer is found in the spirit of enthusiasm that generally fills the hearts

of those who found a new enterprise . They labour to obtain members and frequently they are not so particular as they should be in their selection . The result is the seed sown falls

upon shallow ground and soon springs up , but having no root as quickly withers and dies . The sun of adversity scorches the leaves of interest of the older plants and the result is a blasting influence .

The seasons of depression seem to come periodically . There are very few Lodges that can claim an uninterrupted prosperity from the beginning . Men are influenced by others . They catch energy and interest from contact with one another , precisely as a child is affected by the contagion of the measles . '

, lt is in the atmosphere surrounding the one who has it . They breathe it , and become imbued with the spirit of zeal , and it breaks out in active effort in behalf of the Lodge . One man can and does influence the actions of many others . The periods of activity in Lodges can be as clearly traced as the

Gulf Stream in mid ocean . They follow the course marked out by the zealous and energetic men who , realising the importance of their positions as leaders , exert an influence which is irresistible . And times of adversity are equally as

clearly defined by a carelessness in admmstration , a lack of interest on the part of Officers , which with its baleful influence . stagnates the life blood of the Lodge . Members lose interest in the meetings , absent themselves , fall behind in their dues and end by joining the great army of unaffiliates .

This is but the natural result of such leadership . When men are once unaffiliated , whether at their own request or for cause , the statistics show that not one in four are ever

restored to membership . And restorations are in most cases the result of some new element in the Lodge that sets to work to look after its interest , to find out why this good Brother or that dropped out , and endeavour to revive his zeal .

Such careless and indifferent adminstrations naturally lead to lack of funds , and with a depleted treasury the Lodge is powerless to do its work properly . There is nothing to attract good material , for where there is known to be danger

of bankruptcy men are sure to avoid it . Nothing succeeds like success , and nothing depresses like depression . Everyone feels it , and war against it as you will you cannot escape its effect .

Another cause of these depressions in Lodge life is a spirit of contention that sometimes creeps in . Although foreign to the teachings of the Fraternity , yet Masons being human in nature cannot divorce themselves from their natural propensities . How often have we heard , and very recently

too , of troubles among Brethren , of difficulties in Lodges , of the work being stopped by the black ball fiend , and the Master and better element becoming discouraged . But these

seasons of contention pass awa )' , and a better and brighter day appears . Then by a united effort , under able leadership , the Lodge begins to rise again , and so long as the spirit of concord and unity prevails will the prosperity continue .

And so the ups and downs of Lodges come and go , like the waves of the sea , influenced by the winds which blow , fresh and strong , filling the sails with power to carry the good ship safely on ; or with adverse gales that toss the bark upon tempestuous billows , threatening its very existence . But in

nearly all cases there is an element of strength and a feeling of hopefulness that leads the true friends of the Lodge , filled with the genuine spirit of Masonry , to battle against the odds that seem to threaten destruction , until the clouds pass away and the calm , prosperous sea is reached , —• " Masonic Standard . "