Correspondence

CORRESPONDENCE

TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMASONS MONTHLY MAGAZINE . Sir , ¦ 2 —There is an evil I have seen , and it is common among Masons—a hideous ulcer in the body of our Graft which perils our existence , whilst ignored or merelyskinned over , and which will be only effectually cured by excision or cautery—I allude to the practice too common among London Lodges , of spending nearly the whole of their income in feasting . I can fancy your readers holding up the hands of astonishment , and uttering the "Oh !" . of repudiation , because I have seen and

[ The Editor does not hold Mmself responsible for any opinions entertained by Correspondents ^

heard such signs of denial on the .. part of men estimable enough in their private and business life , but culpable as supine Masons . Dare any of my Brethren , who may be horrified at this sweeping charge , procure the audit-sheet of their Lodge , and place in juxfca position in your pages the amount of their dinner bills and the sum given in charity ? How many Lodges are there in London which have in hand a sum equal to a year ' s subscription , wherewith to succour the distressed , and relieve the children of the widow ?

The expression italicised above—swpine Masons—points to the cause of this state of things . It is a too common case to find a Lodge led into expenses by a few—sometimes a very few—individuals ; the majority following quietly in goosestep the leading of their interested or rash brethren ; admiring the spirit of their officers in ordering new collars and jewels—for themselves ; admiring the splendid

banquet in the " Sussex" or the " Cambridge ; " admiring the liberality of the W . M . in providing a fire of Moet , and the suavity of the Wardens in allowing the table to be dotted with claret jugs , washing down the qualms of conscience which might arise on the reflection of increased distresses both in the Craft and in the outer

world" Quis post vina gravem militiam , aut pauperiem crepat 1 but not admiring the inevitable tendency of such profusion—a shortening of the arm of charity , and an ugly balance-sheet from the Audit Committee . But , sir , as I am not writing merely querulously , but with a sincere desire to see an amendment in this matter , let me suggest one or two things which seem to lead to evil . 1 st . Lodges meeting in taverns , the proprietors of which are Lodge members . 2 ndly . The want of a specific clause in most Lodge Bye-laws , directing a certain amount to be set apart for charity .

With regard to the first of these evils , I am aware of the difficulty of coming to any general and stringent rule . The best plan for a small Lodge is undoubtedly to meet in a private house . There are many Masons , householders in London , with a room sufficiently capacious to accommodate some thirty persons , and possessing the requisite internal arrangements of ante-room , so as to ensure privacy . The expense of thus meeting would not be a fifth of that incurred , collectively or individually , by meeting in a tavern . When a banquet is desirable , the greater accommodation of a tavern is a desideratum : but why , unless the Fourth Degree

is to be paramount , should we fetter ourselves with needless expenses for the sake of one or two dinners in the year ? Besides , on the score of moral status , I feel convinced—and that conviction is continually being strengthened by the remarks of many worthy Brethren—that Masonry will take a higher stand , and occupy ground of more extensive usefulness , could it emerge altogether from the tavern connection , with which , alas ! it is too much interwoven . The temptations on the part of the tavern-keeper Brother to bend the Lodge to his own advantage are too obvious to require detailing . I could name a Lodge which has been ruined by the YOTi . I . 4 TJ