Lights And Shadows Of Scottish Freemasonry.

LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF SCOTTISH FREEMASONRY .

ARTICLE EIFTH . WE bave in our short series of papers under our present heading glanced hastily at a few of those more prominent features in connection Avith the Freemasonry of

Scotland , Avhich , in our opinion , were calculated to have upon it an effect the opposite of beneficial , ancl Avhich , if by any means they could be abolished , Avould certainly tend to raise it in the public estimation , and endear it still more to those Avho live under its

banner . Since writing our first paper , one or tAVO events have occurred , a slight notice of Avhich Avould not be out of place in this our last paper . First , then , there has been set a-going in GlasgOAv , a city which boasts of tAventy-nine Lodges , a real bona

fide Masonic Club , and from all accounts it seems likely to become a most successful venture on the part of its promoters . Some of the most prominent Freemasons in Lanarkshire have become connected with it , and the directors are determined to spare no efforts to make it fullfil its mission , that of being a spot Avhere the

brethren can meet as Freemasons , and in a social , not a business , capacity . Relative to the Benevolent Fund as connected Avith the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow , it is certainly cheering to know that during the year Avhich has just passed , the not

inconsiderable sum of £ 200 has been added to it . This is , however , not owing to personal or Lodge subscription , but to a capita tax of 5 s . upon every intrant enrolled on the books of . the Province , and of these there have been something like 790 ,

or thereby . The fund seems to have now a fair prospect of reacMng the sum of £ 1000 , Avhich to reach is assuredly the most cherished aim of its custodier , who is one of the largest hearted and most kindly disposed men in the whole kingdom .

Then , three Lodges in the country have made an alteration in their fees , Avhich , though small , is still in the right direction ; and there is presently in the Avestern district , some talk of organizing a committee , to look after making such arrangements as Avill be necessary towards the formation of Lodges of Instruction . But

the most noteworthy fact is one in connection with the subject of our last paper—Refreshment . This question has been mooted abroad , and there is a stir in in the camp . AVe select one instance of the hold it has upon some of our brethren .

About the beginning of the month of March , the rulers of one of the two Lodges in Greenock , resolved to make an effort to have the practice discontinued . They had strong grounds for doing so . For why ? At every meeting of tbe Lodge , immediately

after the business . was concluded , it was called to harmony and refreshment , and every brother Avho was present , had , free of all charge , as much of the latter , spiced Avith the former , as he chose to ask for . Till about 9 . 30 on the eA'ening of its meeting , the Lodge was almost deserted , but then the members began to pour in , till tbey mustered at a very fair average ,

severity or eighty . Tbe cause of this kind of attendance is so apparent , that no further comment is required upon it . The result Avas , as the Master put it to ourselves : — " A stranger would have thought our only object was hard drinking , and to

ourselves , as a Lodge , the liquor bill was the heaviest of all our annual accounts . " Something was wrong , and it must be set right . Accordingly a deputation visited a number of those gentlemen in the district , best qualified to give an opinion and advice

upon the matter . Their opinion was decidedly against tbe custom , and their advice Avas by all means to get rid of it . The deputation returned home , advised the Lodge to act an heroic part , and by its example , cheer others Avho labour under a like burden , and it did . To that Lodge and its members , let there be paid the honour due .

There is a feature , Avhich , though it is by no means confined to Scotland , we cannot pass by without noticing , and that is the using , or rather the abusing , of our Freemasonry for trade purposes . Surely this can be done Avithout . We do not know of anything Avhich tends so much to

lower us from that high stand-point which we have ever boasted of , than this most abominable custom . It is by no means to be Avondered at , that men of standing hesitate to join our ranks , Avhen every quack must advertise himself a Freemason , by painting on his sign or printing on his