Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

PAGE T HE FUTURE OF FREEMASONRY IN IRELAND 691 & . CJ 92 THE RITE OF MEMPHIS 692 & 693 G RAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND 693

FRATERNAL COMPLIMENTS FROM THE UNITED STATES 693 THE S ECOND DEGREE 694 MULTAM IN PARVO 694 & C 95 ORIGINAL

CORRESPONDENCEThe Purple in West Lancashire C 95 MASONIC LITERATURE 6 95 THE CRAFTMetropolitan ... ... ... ... ... 696 Provincial ... ... ... ... ... 696 & 697

ROYAL ARCHMetropolitan ... ... ... 697 Provincial ... ... ... ... ... 697 MARK MASONRY 697 ORDERS OK

CHIVALRYRed Cross of Constantine ; 697 & 698 MASONIC MEETINGS FOR NEXT WEEK . 69 S ADVERTISEMENTS 6 S 9 , 690 , 69 S , 6 99 , & 700

The Future Of Freemasonry In Ireland.

THE FUTURE OF FREEMASONRY IN IRELAND .

FIRST ARTICLE . Our esteemed Bro . W . J . Hughan has -aided materially , in his various contributions to THE FREEMASON , those who are disposed to attain to some knowledge as to the past

of Freemasonry in this country . The past throws some light on the present , and it might be useful , both to ourselves here , and to the Craft at large , if some effort at divining the probable future of the Order

In Ireland were now made , seeing that we are fast approaching a crisis , on the issue of which will very much depend the well-being and prosperity of our " Ancient and Honourable Society . "

I therefore purpose bringing before my brethren here , and also under the notice of our English and foreign brethren , who have no small interest in the position and prospects of Irish Masonry , a few thoughts

and suggestions that can be taken for whatever they may be worth . I make no pretensions to superior wisdom , and dogmatism is one of the last things I would wish to be guilty of in such matters ; but I have given

the subject a good deal of attention , and I believe that in much that I have to say I express , not merely my own views and

convictions , but also those of many other brethren , whose opinion , collectively , will have more weight when the various matters in question come to be " fought out "

I think the time has come when it is imperatively necessary to speak out , plainly and fearlessly . I think there are dangers threatening the usefulness and influence of our Society , which those who love its

principles and submit to its teachings should , if possible , lend a hand to avert . So , at the risk of my being possibly thought egotistical and presumptuous , I propose to consider some of the tendencies and consequences

of the influences that are brought to bear on Freemasonry in Ireland , and to suggest what , to my mind , appears to be , perhaps , the only course calculated to save our Order from future injury and final disintegration and decay .

In approaching the consideration of the subject , I would wish to avoid any transgression of the laws of the Order , as proclaimed in Ireland . I believe I have always kept "within due bounds , " and I trust I

always shall submit cheerfully to any rules and regulations laid down by the Grand Lodge for the government of those under its authority , even though I might , in some cases , be disposed to question their wisdom

The Future Of Freemasonry In Ireland.

or expediency . I am not unmindful of t fact that one of the rules ol our " Abut -.. » Rezon " prohibitsthe publication of Masonic intelligence here , and , going still further , forbids " comment " on , or "' reference " to ,

certain Masonic proceedings ; but I consider that that rule does not apply to articles such as I propose to contribute to THE FREEMASON , and in explanation of that view I give the rule as it at present stands

" Rule 33 . The transactions or proceedings which shall occur at any meeting of the Grand Lodge , or of any private lodge , or of any Masonic committee , or any comment

thereon , or reference thereto , shall not be printed or published without the permission of the Grand Lodge , or of the Grand Master , or of the Deputy Grand Master . "

I think it is quite clear that this rule applies only to the publishing " the transactions or proceedings " of lodges , or committees , and to comments on , or references to , such "transactions or proceedings . " It

cannot be intended to place under a tyranical restriction all contributions to Masonic literature dealing with general principles , or exposing and attacking abuses

or corruptions in any branch of the great Masonic body of which the Grand Lodgeof Ireland is the governing power of a section , and I do think that a full and free

discussion of such general principles , legitimately conducted , with careful avoidance of any unwise trespassing . 011 the " secrets and mysteries" of the Craft , is useful to the order at large , and well calculated to repress

the tendency to abuse or corruption , if it exists , and to uproot it , should it unfortunatelyhave become to any extent developed . Holding that view , I have not applied for " the permission of the Grand Lodge , or of

the Grand Master , or the Deputy Grand Master , " to sanction the articles I propose to pen . ; but as I have no desire to shelter myself , if mistaken , behind a nom deplume , I append my signature , and am , of course ,

amenable to the judgment of the Grand Lodge . The present is a peculiarly favourable time for us to look about us , and sec what we have been doing , and what we are about to do . A new edition of our " Ahiman

Rezon" is in course of preparation , and from the time when it shall take effect , "all other general laws and rules , whether contained in the ' Ahiman Rezon ' hitherto published , or in the Grand Lodge Books ,

shall b <_ considered to be abolished , except as regards any proceeding of the Grand Lodge hitherto taken . " We are , therefore , as regards our rules , practically in the

position of a new society about to adopt regulations for its government , and we should be very careful to adopt such regulations as shall be most in accordance with

the spirit of Freemasonry , and most calculated to dcvelopc and extend its principles and influence . Much of the cohesiveness of Irish Masonry may be attributed to the prestige

attaching to the name of our universallyrespected and beloved Grand Master , whose wisdom and sound judgment have largely contributed to the present prosperous condition of our Order . But when he shall

have passed from amongst us , and his more than half a century of guidance shall be for the Craft in Ireland but a proud memory , when the sceptre passes into , possibly , Jess able or less trusted hands , it is difficult to

predicate what course events may take . It is for us now , while his hand is still on the helm , so to arrange our rules and settle our position , that we can look forward with confidence to the future , knowing that , as the principles on which Freemasonry is

The Future Of Freemasonry In Ireland.

founded ' < uncbargenble and eternal , if we make our rules in accordance with those principles , our Society has nothing to fear from within or from without . But if we depart in any particular from those

principles , if we perpetuate in the future any mistakes or perversions of the present or the past , we must expect that those mistakes and perversions will , indue time , bear bitter fruit . If we sow the wind , we may

expect to reap the whirlwind . The adoption of our new laws has been , for a season , postponed , and we cannot do better , both as individuals and as lodges , than ihoroughly sift and examine them , see their

meaningand bearing , and be prepared to discuss them fully when the proper time arrives . If a reasonably large number of lodges , after due deliberation , were united in their views as to the advisability of either

exDungingcertain existing statutes , or of adding others conducive to the well-being of the Craft , an influence would be brought to bear on those who are technically the framers of the rules which they could not well resist ,

and much otherwise necessary unpleasant discussion in Grand Lodge might be avoided . What is wanted by those who wish to reform certain existing defects and disfigurements is proper organisation .

Organisation exists amongst those who have , from their standpoint , an interest in maintaining " things as they are . " It is true that such organisation is rather felt than seen ; but it is well understood that ,

when required , brethren holding particular views come down in force to Grand Lodge , and until such action is met by a countersystem on the part of those who differ with them , it is almost hopeless to expect any

great improvement in the matter . The apathy of the Past Masters of the various lodges is the principal difficulty with which those who would gladly help to inaugurate a better state of affairs than now exists ,

have to contend . Unfortunately , very many brethren , when they have attained to the honour of the chair , seem to think that , as no further honours are to be conferred upon them , their duty of attendance is

relaxed or ceases , and if they do not drop out of actual membership , they no longer take that active interest in Masonic affairs which should actuate every member of the Craft . There is a rule which

debars from the privileges of membership of the Grand Lodge all Past Masters who do not take out a P . M . certificate , the fee for which , being only 5 s ., can hardly be considered the cause why so few comparatively

qualify themselves for taking their proper place among the legislators of the Order . It is a matter of regret to earnest Masons who prize their rights and privileges in

the Order , to see the practical indifference with which those rights and privileges seem to be regarded by others , and an effort should at once be made to arouse those

apathetic brethren to a proper sense of their duty to themselves and to the Society . I would suggest that some of the lodges should , during the interval between the

present time and the beginning of the discussion of the laws in May next , hold special meetings for their consideration , and invite the brethren of other lodges to meet them , and take part in such consideration .

By this means a wide spread understanding of the new rules and their probable effects would be secured , and possibly a common course of action might he arranged

It would be most desirable that the country lodges should also be roused to a full investigation into the subject . They will be under the rules when passed , and they have nearly as great an interest as those in the