Restrictions On The Extension Of Lodges.

RESTRICTIONS ON THE EXTENSION OF LODGES .

TjlEEEMASONRY presents many peculiar features JD -which it must he very difficult for the uninitiated to understand , and one of the principal of these is the way in -which our chiefs continually congratulate themselves that so few new Lodges are established . In most societies progress is marked by the growth or extension of subordinate bodies ; in Freemasonry there seems to be an opinion that progress is best marked by standing still , and although we are very sorry to have to admit our inability to

follow the reasoning of our superiors , we must own we are unable to see things as they do . The Earl of Lathom , Pro Grand Master of England , presiding this week at his Provincial Grand Lodge meeting , congratulated the brethren on the very excellent report as to the state of the Province . " He thought it was a good thing that only one Lodge had been

added to the roll during the year , because he believed there had been rather- too rapid an increase in the number of Lodges . He considered " there were plenty of Lodges in the Province , if they were only well supported and kept up . " The question which at once strikes us on reading such remarks as these is , whether there should be any restraint imposed hy the authorities as to the number of new Lodges ,

provided an actual need can , be proved for the issue of a warrant ? If there is any good at all in Freemasonry why keep its benefits for the few ? is a query which might reasonably be asked , and one which would be extremely difficult-to answer logically . Despite the oft-expressed opinion of those in power , we are of opinion that quality is > not improved by prohibition . We go further ; we fail to see on what

ground the prayer for a new warrant can be refused , provided the proper number of signatures are attached to the petition , and there is no cause for complaint against any of the brethren making application . We have often heard it remarked by those whom we regard as being in a position to express an opinion , that applications for new Lodges were often refused by those in authority , but we must

admit we considered such utterances rather as figures of speech than as actually representing the state of the case , and we know that this opinion is shared by many others , who regard the matter in the same light as we do , and fail to see the policy of restrictive measures so long preached by some of our leaders ; but it seems we have all along been labouring under

a delusion , and what we regarded as mere empty words have had an actual existence in fact ; petitions for new Lodges being systematically refused , and worthy Craftsmen being thereby subjected to disappointment , and , in many cases , far worse ; for there is no disowning the fact that the refusal to grant the prayer of a petition in such a case is a personal reflection on the brethren who sign it ,

Restrictions On The Extension Of Lodges.

and would seem to imply—although it maybe no such implication is intended—that they are unfit for the trust they desire to have reposed in them . We admit it is a very difficult matter to decide whether a new Lodge is actually wanted in a town , or otherwise ; but if a number of members of the Craft

join together in petitioning for a warrant , then there is prima facie evidence of a need existing , and the urgency or otherwise of the need can only be determined by considering local surroundings . But there should be something far beyond mere sentiment on which to base a refusal to grant the prayer of the petitioners . It was recently stated that three

petitions had been presented within a few months in one district , the Provincial Grand Master of which d } d not consider there was any need of extension , and as a consequence the petitions were kept back from Grand Lodge . Of course we must not question the decision of the distinguished Craftsman concerned in these refusals , but has he considered the effects of

the feeling he must nave created m the minds of the twenty , thirty , or perhaps more members of the Order who , as petitioners for those three warrants , he has personally reproved ? They , in good faith , have urged the necessity for an extension of Freemasonry ; he , as their superior , has told them they are not in a position to judge for themselves as to what they want ,

and they are lelfc to make the beat shift they can without the Lodges they considered necessary . We do not wish to preach sedition in taking the stand we dp on this subject , but we do think the matter is a fair subject for public comment , and we would even go so far as to suggest the necessity for reform .

One of the pet arguments of those who urge restrictive measures in Freemasonry—restrictions both in regard to extension of Lodges and extension of membership—is that greater care is needed in . the selection of candidates , for , they urge , men are attracted only in the hope of benefiting from it in the hour of misfortune . Here again we must differ .

Our firm conviction is that few , if any , are initiated into English Freemasonry with any idea of reaping pecuniary reward in the hour of adversity . If there are any who do so act , we can only pity them for their ignorance ; or if they do not desire pity on that score , then we can sympathise with them in their inability to find a more profitable investment for

their , money . The financial benefit to be derived from Freemasonry , even in the event of disaster causing the most greivous need , is of so doubtful a character as to be almost unworthy of consideration . What man in his senses would pay the initiation fee and continue his annual subscription to a Lodge merely

on tne on chance ot some day Jailing into adversity , and having an opportunity of qualifying as an applicant for help , either from the Board of Benevolence of Grand Lodge , or from one or other of the Funds connected with the Order ? We certainly regard such ideas of the advantages of Freemasonry as existing only in the imagination of those who