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doubtedly , from these different sources considerable funds yearly arise . Yet , when we think of the thousands ranged under the banner of Masonry , what does all this amount to ? The question is , Are the Masonic charities supported as they ought to be ? Do they speak trumpet-tongued in our favour , as they should speak ? May it not in some cases be said that practice is opposed to professed principle ? If this be so , to what cause may be attributed the languid progress of our great charities ? My Brethren , we fear that our weak side may be seen in

our too great love of luxury and self-indulgence : hence , then , the abuse of things lawful in themselves . We would not limit you , on occasion of an annual festival or otherwise , to a Spartan banquet—to black broth and barley bread ; but may we not suggest to your better judgment , that too much in many Lodges is expended on rich wines and costly dishes ? May we not throw out as a hint , that if every . Lodge would strike off from its list but one dinner annually , and give the amount it would have cost to the Masonic charities , it would vastly increase their means of usefulness , and we should find the poor widow taking courage , and the poor child , the offspring ' of a parent who , perhaps , as a working Mason , spent much time and

large sums in our Order , instead of pining in want and ignorance because there was no room for him in our school , looking up and feeling confidence in his speedy protection ? And again , claimants upon our bounty would meet with speedier answer to their appeals , because there would be more funds available for their relief : the effects of "the long pull and the strong pull , and the pull altogether , " would be everywhere visible ; satisfaction of mind would arise from the consciousness of some real sacrifices made , of true charity exhibited ; and a wondrous peace would bedew with its balmy influences many hearts once not fully alive to the luxury of doing good .

We may pass on now , Brethren , to another topic , which we must call by its proper name , —an abuse in Masonry ; and that is , the admission into our Order of ignorant and improper persons . With the true Mason poverty is no crime . But ignorance wilfully persisted in , should be an effectual barrier against advancement in the Order . It is provided by our very constitutions , that the candidate should be " a lover of the liberal arts and sciences , and have made some progress in one or other oi them . " A want of attention to this rule induces other irregularities ,

productive of great evil—oftentimes ultimate ruin to individual Lodges . Let us quote a passage bearing on this point , from a work of authority amongst us : — " It is an obvious truth , that the privileges of Masonry have long been abused for unworthy considerations ; and hence their good effects have been less conspicuous . Many have enrolled their names in our records for the mere purpose of conviviality , without inquiring into the nature of the particular engagements to which they are subjected by becoming Masons . Several have been prompted by motives of interest , and many introduced to gratify an idle curiosity , or to please , as jolly

companions . A general odium , or at least a careless indifference , must be the result of such conduct . But the evil stops not here . Bersoiis of this description , ignorant of the true nature of the institution , probably without any real defect in their own morals , are induced to recommend others of the same caste to join the Society for the same purpose . Hence the true knowledge of the art decreases with the increase of its members , and the most valuable part of the institution is turned into ridicule , while the dissipations of luxury and intemperance bury in

oblivion principles which might have dignified the most exalted characters . " Brethren , we commend those thoughts to your attentive consideration , and we ask you to take them as suggestions for your own minds , to be digested and elaborated by yourselves , far better than any puny attempts on our part could do ; and so we pass on to the third and last abuse- —one by no means of very rare occurrence : and that is , promotion by favour , and not desert . Our degrees ,

according to Masonic law , should be conferred according " to merit and ability . " But do we not find candidates passed forward from one step to another , totally ignorant even of the formal stereotyped catechism in use amongst ua ? Do we not often see Brethren in office very incapable , from sheer idleness and inattention , to fulfil their posts ? Passing through the usual formalities , they consider themselves authorized to rank as masters of the art , solicit and accept offices , and even assume the government of the Lodge , equally unacquainted with the rules of the