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SDotttents . PAGE . Let Brotherly Love Prevail ; 261 Old Documents , recently Discovered , compared with the Massachusets Records of 1733 263 History of Masonic Imitations 264 Jlasonit Jottings—No . 13 266 Masonic Notes and Queries 267

Correspondence 268 Masonic Mems 270 Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 270 CBAJET LODGE MEETIKGS : — Metropolitan 273 Provincial 274 Scotland 275 India 276

South Australia 278 Royal Arch 278 Mark Masonry 279 Poetry ... 279 Obituary 279 Scientific Meetings 280 List of Lodge , Ac , Meetings for ensuing- week 280 To Correspondents 280

Let Brotherly Love Prevail.

LET BROTHERLY LOVE PREVAIL .

LONDON , SATURDAY , APRIL 2 , 1870 .

We gladly give place to the following , which says , the editor of the ( New York ) Land-marl ; , " lias been sent by a brother whose superior accomplish merits as a Masonic officer , are only exceeded by his warmth of heart , and true

gentleness of manner , when writing , speaking , or acting in . behalf of the Masonic family . " The remarks are well worth the thoughtful

consideration of our readers , and , indeed , of every member of the Masonic Fraternity : — We are now drawing near the close of another Masonic year , and before many days shall have passed , many of our brethren who now hold positions as Masters and Wardens will step asideand

, their places will be occupied by others whose duty it will be to maintain and perpetuate the great fundamental principles of our time-honoured institution . Having for the past nine years devoted most of my leisure moments to the interest and welfare of Masonry , and being at this

time an active member and officer in my own lodge , I can , with some consistency , claim to know what is requisite to perpetuate the harmony that

should exist within the portals of every lodge . It has been my privilege , as well as pleasure , to visit many sister lodges , not only in our own jurisdiction , but in others ; and while it affords me unbounded pleasure to say that as a general rule I have found peace and harmony to prevail ,

yet there are exceptions , and 1 regret to say we sometimes find Masonic families differing in opinions a . s to who shall rule -and govern in their midst . Now , Mr . Editor , this is the very point I wish to touch , and in doing so let us ask ourselves what is the proper course to pursue in order to prevent this growing evil .

Let Brotherly Love Prevail.

First , let us remember that all preferment among Masons should be grounded upon real worth and personal merit only . Let this principle be adopted by every lodge , and the corner-stone of our success as a Masonic body is at once securely laid . We are tau ght by the ancient charges that

"politics never conduce to the welfare of the lodge / ' Therefore , brethren , let us strive to prevent the introduction of anything that tends to prejudice the mind of any brother , or that may induce him to cast his ballot for the promotion of anotherwhich in his own judgment might , appear

, wrong . Rather let every brother ( prompted by his own conscience of right and wrong ) deposit his ballot without fear of reproach , with his mind unbiassed and freed from the advice and persuasion of others . Having accomplished this , we at once overcome the eviland have taken up hy the very

, root the great trunk which at first was but a twig , and which , if left to grow , would sooner or later spread its branches far and wide , and finally crush out the very existence of all that tends to a pure and healthy growth .

Unity and concert of action are essential in building up and sustaining the character and reputation of any lodge . Let us not therefore tolerate a spirit of dissension , but in every case submit with cheerfulness to the will of the majority , and , if there should unhappily exist a feeling- of

disappointment on the part of any individual member after an election is held , let him not sink under his disappointment , but with a true Masonic spirit go forth and sustain with dignity and honour the good reputation which his lodge may have enjoyed in the past . I have learned by close observation ,

that in nine cases out of ten where discord is known to exist in any Masonic family , the true cause of all their troubles may be traced to some previous annual communication , when , p . ; rlia . ps , three or four brethren conspired for the pu ^ joseot ' placing one of their number as a ruler and g vernor over them . Being disappointed in the result , they

at once array themselves iu opposition i . ; o their Master , thus introducing a spirit of evil in their midst , and where fragrant flowers were wont to bloom foul weeds spring ancl choke up out the existence of all that is lovely and beautiful . Tims are the hopes of many thriving lodges crushed , their

prosperity and happiness snatched from them by the hands of some two or three evil thinkers , who , to gratify their own selfish wishes , have so done ac the expense and sacrifice of their lodge . In conclusion , let me ask , is not this a subject worthy of consideration , and one that should claim the attention

of every Mason within the limits of our wide-spread jurisdiction ? Let me urge upon all brethren the necessity of strict obedience to the will ol' a majority . " Let brotherly love prevail , " and all past difficulties will soon vanish and pass away , loavino * them purified and respected by all goon Masons , ancl holy in the sight of God .