Freemasonry In Scotland.

of means , then , is in this respect , a want of vitality , and an obvious clog upon healthy action , and it is clear , that to bring individuals into an institution , who are cither unable or unwilling to do something for the promotion of the objects of the institution , savs vety little for the wisdom of

their sponsors , and is a fatal thing for the institution itself . This suggests , then , the prime evil from which the Craft in Scotland appears to be suffering , and if a tree is to be judged of by its fruit , it is abundantly evident that Freemasonry in Scotland is too cheap .

This prime evil bring other evils m its tram . What is cheaply had , is cheaply held , and under the absurdly low minimum fee permitted by the laws of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , many , very many , are admitted to the Order who have no desire , no intention , beyond the

gratification of their curiosity , or their mere love of social intercourse , and in regard of whom Freemasonry may apply to itself the consolation to be obtained from this quotation " blessed are they that expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed . " Thus also the grandeur and dignity

inherent in all the ceremonials of Freemasonry , are sadly marred , if not even reduced to the level of burlesque in the hands of men , who either have not the ability to understand and work them as they ought to be understood and worked , or who fail to appreciate their teachings .

Again , in not one out of every ten lodges in Scotland , 'is there such a thing as an annual subscription levied , and in many cases where provision is made for such , so little do the members care for the objects of Freemasonry that they either fail or refuse to pay them .

Indeed , I have known of cases m which the rights of membership have been deliberately forfeited in preference to paying a fee . The annual fees of membership , where they do exist , are , in correspondence with the fees for initiation , ? cc ., miserably inadequate to any useful purpose ,

and the lodges in which it amounts to ios . a year , and is regularly paid , may be easily counted on the di g its . In such circumstances the majority of lodges are dependent upon the initiation fees for their support , and what wonder that they are frequently induced to forget the dignity

of the Order , in getting up emergent meetings to suit the convenience of some wished-for candidate , and in being in too great a hurry to snatch the fees , such as they are , to be very searching in their enquiries as to the character of their candidates . Hence it is

that not only is Scotland itself , but England and Ireland also , plagued , by begging Masons on the tramp , hailing from Scotch lodges , until the term " Scotch Mason" has become a bye word and a reproach , and stinks in the nostrils of our brethren in sister countries .

It would be unjust to ignore the fact , that many small acts of charity are done amongst us which do not find their way to the public notice . In some lodges a certain proportion of the fees go to form a benevolent fund , and some Prov . Grand Lodges have benevolent funds , subscribed

to by the daughter lodges , but these cases are the exception , and the sums dispensed are trifling , ranging from a few shillings to perhaps a couple of pounds , and as a necessary consequence , there is no system in it ; indeed the only real good ever done , is done through the personal

exertions of individuals without reference to any organized fund . I am nearly forgetting that there is a Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund , out of which sometimes as much as sS ^ is dispensed at one time . The operations on that fund appear however to be rather restricted , so far as

charity is concerned , as I find the total amount dispensed from it for the nineteen months ending 30 th Nov ., 1873 , was ^ 45 0 to 109 applicants , or about E £ ? 4 45 . each , besides the handsome sum of sSn or about 3 s . per week dispensed in casual charity . Indeed the principal

use of this Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund seems to be to keep the Grand Lodge itself out of the Bankruptcy Court , ^ £ 3 , 6 ^ 0 out of a total of *^ 4 » ° 39 being at present sunk in the debts of that august body .

There are many men in the Craft in Scotland , both able and willing to make Freemasonry there something more than it is , if they would only put their shoulders to the wheel , and I am certain that there are many others who could easily be

Freemasonry In Scotland.

brought to take a more broad and comprehensive view of their duties as Freemasons , were they placed under a wholesome system , and it is to these two classes I address my arguments in the present paper , viz : —Raise the Grand Lodge

mininum to at least £ 3 3 s . In daughter lodges insist upon an annual subscription to correspond , and to be paid regularly by all recognized members . Let every Master and member of a lodge exercise due care and caution in their

admissions , and rigorously use the right of excluding in all cases , where the results of their enquiry are not satisfactory . Let emergent meetings and the conferring of degrees at others than the intervals laid down by the laws of the Grand Lodge be vetoed , excepting under special

permission from the Grand Lodge . These things done systematically the inert mass of dead matter , which at present oppresses the body politic and obstructs healthy growth would soon be quickened into life or would fall away altogether . We have in Scotland , a saying , pithy though

slightly vulgar , that " its an ill bird that fouls its ain nest , " and probably , some of my brethren in Scotland may be tempted to apply that saying to me ; if so , I shall sincerely regret it . I know I have spoken fearlessly , because I feel strongly , but I have " nothing extenuate nor set down

aught in malice , " and if I have exposed a sore , it is with a view to its cure . I earnestly wish to be in sympathy with all who honestl y and sincerely desire to place our Order in Scotland upon a higher platform than it cccupies at present , and although they may not agree with me exactly as

to the means to be adopted to that end , I ask them to remember that it is not in the multiplication of lodges , nor the increase of membership that our strength lies , but rather in the beauty of our work and the wisdom of our rulers ; and that in these days , when we are attacked

from without , however ignorant and unmeaning those attacks may be , it behoves us to put our house in order and to have something to show as the results of our organization . In conclusion , 1 cannot do better than quote the words of our Past Grand Master , Earl of

Rosslyn , addressed to the Grand Lodge Committee on a memorable occasion , viz . — " I hope you will do your best to make Freemasonry appear not merely a mysterious collection of phrases and no action , but a positive good that will be understood by the outer world—that

will redound to the credit of Scotland , as well as to the . credit of ourselves , as Masons , ( Cheers . ) Let us be able to point to our schools and to our orphanages , and to say that we had so much money which we have spent , and have so much money that we are spending , in the benefit

of our fellow creatures . ( Loud Applause . ) If you help me in this , I ass'irc you that you will make me a happy man ; and you wi only be helping me to put Masonry on that pinnacle which I and I am sure the whole of you would wish to see it . " SCOTICUS MASONICUS .

Chit-Chat About Freemasonry, From The " Times."

CHIT-CHAT ABOUT FREEMASONRY , FROM THE " TIMES . "

It is not yet known whether the Prince of Wales will accept or refuse the Grand Matership . But on his return the deputation nominated by Grand Lodge last Wednesday will

wait upon him to ask his acceptance of the office . If he should consent to take it—and it is generally expected that he will—a Pro-Grand Master will no doubt be appointed , as is usually the case whenever Royalty is on the throne of

the English Freemasons . Lord Carnarvon , the present Deputy Grand Master , will , it is expected , be appointed to the office , and the Duke of St . Albans or the Earl of Shrewsbury to the Deputy Grand Mastership , The other officers

in Grand Lodge will remain as they are now , except that the Prince of Wales might introduce his brother , the Duke of Connaught , as Past Grand Master , in place of himself . If the Prince of Wales should not accept the Grand

Mastership , he will hold that office by virtue of his position as Past Grand Master , till Grand Lodges can be called for the nomination , election , and installation . In this case , Lord Carnarvon would be unanimousl y elected , as he is very

Chit-Chat About Freemasonry, From The " Times."

popular among Freemasons . The Marquis of Ripon , as it is understood that he entirely withdraws from all Masonry , will , of course , resign his Provincial Grand Mastership of West Yorkshire and his Grand First Principalship in Grand

Chapter of Royal Arch Freemasons . This latter office is always held by the Grand Master for the time being , but the Prince of Wales is not a Royal Arch Freemason , though if he accepts the Grand Mastership there will be no

difficulty in exalting him to that branch of the Craft . The three principal Chairs in Grand Chapter are now held by the Marquis of Ripon , Lord Carnarvon , and Lord de Tabley ; but if the Prince of Wales refused the Grand

Mastership , and Lord Carnarvon were elected in the Marquis of Rlpon ' s stead , he would take the First Principal ' s Chair , leaving either Lord de Tabley to be promoted to the second , and the third to be filled , or some other Freemason to be appointed to the second chair .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The General Committee of the Masonic Boys School met on Saturday hist at Freemasons ' Hall . Bro . Henry Browse , V . P ., presided . The other brethren present were H . C . Levander ,

Thomas W . White , Jesse Turner , Hyde Pullen . Collard Montrie , Richard Spencer , F . Adlard , H . Massey ( Freemason ) , and F . Binckes , Secretary . A letter was read from the Marquis of Ripon , concerning Bro . ClulFs bequest , and

regretting that his lordship could not meet Bros . Binckes and Little on the subject . Another letter was read from his lordship , authorising the alteration of the day for holding the anniversary festival of the Boys' School from the second

Wednesday in March to the last Wednesday in June . The Committee deferred the consideration of Bro . ClulFs bequest till counsel ' s advice had been taken , and afterwards resolved that the annual festival should be held on the last

Wednesday in June . Bro . Binckes announcedjliat the Earl of Carnarvon , Deputy Grand Master , had , on Friday evening , most readily and cheerfully consented to take the chair at the next festival , which will be held on the 30 th of June ,

1875 . General regret and astonishment were expressed at the Marquis of Ripon ' s retirement from the office of M . W . G . M ., but at the same time no doubt was entertained that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales would accept it . The Committee , having sat an hour , adjourned .

Bro . William Worrell , W . M . 766 , P . M . 1339 , M . E . Z . 766 , and W . M . Mark Lodge 104 , has been appointed Secretary to the Royal Albert Orphan Asylum .

We regret to have to record the death of the son of our able Bro . D . M . Lyon , who perished with the ship "Mohawk , " of Troon , supposed to have foundered in a cyclone between the American continent and the Bermuda Islands earl y in F ' ebruary last , on his voyage from Pensacola ( Gulf of Florida ) to the Cl y de .

HONORARY DISTINCTION . —Bro . R . Woof ' F . S . A ., of Malvern , Worcestershire , has received the French decoration of the Bronze Cross , for honorary services in the cause of the sick and wounded during the Franco-Prussian War .

SALK oi'ARTISTIC J LWKLLERY , & C . —Amongst the metropolitan jewellers of the highest class , the name of Mr . Richard Green , of 8 a , Strand , has long maintained a pre-eminence , which has been fairly gained by the beauty and artistic

merits of his workmanship and originality of design . Purchasers have now an excellent opportunity of becoming possessors of some of these beautiful goods ; the premises adjoining Mr . Green ' s are about to be rebuilt , and

therefore he has resolved to sell oil his admirable stock at the great reduction ofao per cent . In addition to the stock of bracelets , brooches ,

rings , necklaces , necklets , & c , there is a large stock of plated goods , consisting of tea-services , centre-pieces , claret jugs , and inkstands , upon which the same great reduction will be made ,