Masonic Musings.

mysteries are so recondite and so affecting , has always seemed to me , I con fess a great mistake , a serious mistake , a prejudicial misunderstanding both of the organization ancl aims , the value , the good , the need , the mission of Freemasonry . If sociality be all we require , the " Harmonious Dilettanti , " or the " Kindly Goslings , " or the " Beans and Peas " will surely suffice us . We all of us can recall friendly gatherings of the pastlittle cliques and clubs wliich have

, " perished Avith the using , " and whose genial ancl friendl y ghosts still seem to linger with us , as old ancl valetudinarian , dyspeptic ancl gouty , querulous ancl lonely , as we sigh over those " tiempi passati " of more buxom life , which recall to ns all still most viA'idly many warm hearts , many smiling faces , many pleasant hours , and many silvery strains . But those of us make a grave mistake who make " society " the " be all" the scopethe theoryancl the

, , , practice of their Masonic sympathies ancl fellowship . Secondly—Another mistake is which looks on Freemasonry as a sort of " passport to respectability . " No doubt our order is a highly respectable body , but I doubt very much if anyone who enters Freemasonry with any such idea will find Avhat he is seeking . Just HOAV a great tide of prosperity , of worldl y reputation

ancl good opinion , is rushing along with our fraternity . We are well spoken of ; perhaps too Avell Lingering fanaticism or malevolent ignorance may indulge every noiv ancl then in a fling at Freemasons and Freemasonry ; but on the whole Freemasonry stands better in the opinion of the many than it has ever done since 1717 . Its charities are great and useful , its benefits are greater ancl more . The hi ghest in the land claim its association , and few societies can shew such an array of royaltynobilitrankand respectabilitas can our

, y , , y often abused , ancl yet most useful , and loyal , and intelligent sodality . If then to-day any are encouraging others to join the order ( which we ought neA er to do ) , and some are seeking it because it is so respectable , ancl in this way raises its members in the social scale , let them beware of any such hurtful blunder , for Freemasonry is only useful for worth y men ancl good Freemasons , and as abstractedly it ignores all mere earthly rankand lacesin one sense

, p , , iu tbe lodge all brethren on a leA ^ el , so in the concrete equally-recognizing the needful gradations of society it would undoubtedly eschew all who would seek to make use of its respectabilit y for their OAVH purposes . Let us hope that Ave shall all see more ancl more the wisdom of contracting rather than expanding' the process of admission to Freemasonry .

Ancl once more , too many are looking on Freemasonry as a benefit order . It certainly possesses materiall y many great and invaluable privileges , and each year as it passes adds to its means , its development , and its " good things . " We cannot shut our eyes to the someAvhat unpalatable truth that too often Masonic relief of one kind or another is given to the brother who has clone little for Freemasonry , but who after a long absence comes forward , if not b y himself by others , to claim the full benefits of that order he did so little for while living-.

There is an " abuse " in all things here , more or less , which however never takes away the " use " of them after all . I do not wish to indulge in a longtirade on the misuses of our Charities , but I do say there are lax views afloat , and there is laser practice in our midst , on these most important points , which , if not checked or counteracted somehow , may work much mischief for the future prospects ancl outcome of Freemasonry amongst us . And now I have done for to-clay . I have not said a good deal I have

wanted to say , as often happens , and what I have written is , I fear , feebly conceived and ineffectively stated . But I venture to think there is some little truth in these " musings " of mine , for which , if airy nothings at the best , Bro . George Kenning ancl the editor have kindl y given a " local habitation ancl a name . " They are conceived ancl expressed , I think , in a Masonic spirit , and as such can do no harm , and may , probably , do some little good . So mote it be .