Random Notes On Freemasonry.

able members of the most powerful of these institutions , and I know that you will admit that Orange Lodges and Oddfellows' lodges were founded by Freemasons , and bear a certain Masonic character ; indeed , I am told that there

are traces of the second degree in both ; but I think it is a pity that these societies should imitate our titles and usurp our dignities . The Orangemen , particularly , have formed lodges of Black Knights , and the Temperance people an

Order of Templars , which are only stupid imitations of our Knight Templar degree . They say that imitation is the sinceresfc flattery , and so we must not quarrel with our neig hbours for testifying to our worth .

One word more , and I have done . I want to remind you , brethren , of your privileges and obligations . Whilst I would strongly insist upon

the declaration that the candidate for initiation into our mysteries is unbiassed by any mercenary or other unworthy motive , and whilst one cannot help regretting that many have sought for admission within our portals simply for what they could

get out of masonry , still I will say that we ought all of us to serve our brother first , and the world outside afterwards . I am a great advocate for the " clannishness" of Masonry . If I am in a town where there are half a dozen tradesmen , merchants ,

and professional men whose assistance I required , and one was a Mason and the other was not , I would go to the Mason , as to a friend , in preference to him who was not one of us , for all I wanted . And this I think we ought to do—serve

our brother first , and then our neighbour or friend . I think we are often too careless as to those

whom we admit to our Order . A whole article might be written on the right use of the ballot in excluding unworthy persons from the benefit of the Order . The importance of this has been recognised recently in the Grand Conclave of

Knights Templar , which has now passed a wise and salutary law , requiring the names of all candidates for admission to that distinguished Order to be first submitted to the Grand Commander or

his Deputy , without whose sanction no one can be installed as a member of the chivalric body . The ballot is used too sparingly in our lodges , and men are admitted in this country and Scotland who would not be admitted elsewhere . Another matter is the election of Worshipful Master .

Random Notes On Freemasonry.

Masters of lodges should be men of some position and character . I cannot too strongly insist upon this . The disgust which many intellectual men have felt towards the Craft has often arisen from the impotence and low position of its rulers .

A man who would be scouted if he offered himself for any public office , on the ground of incapacity , is thought good enough for tho government of a lodge . The remedy is in the hands of Masons themselves , and with them rests the blame when improper persons intrude themselves into office . We should be careful also not

to be too ready to exhibit ourselves to strangers as Freemasons . Many people now-a-days go about with Masonic rings and pins , and so forth , who are not of us , and lead the unwary to speak of matters which should only be mentioned

within a tyled lodge . Remember that the simplicity of Masonry and Masonic signs , whilst ifc constitutes one of its greatest charms , also renders the young Mason liable to be imposed upon . Remember that a very small portion of Masoniy

is learnt in the lodge . One must diligently read the Masonic papers to know anything of the progress of Masonry , and one must not forg-efc thai ; we sought initiation from a desire for knowledge , and to render ourselves more extensively

serviceable to our fellow-creatures . Finally , brethren , remember that what we first asked for , ancl what were Goethe's last words— " Light ! more light \" I beg to thank you for your kind attention to my poor attempt at a lecture . It is given with a

view to make you more curious about and more interested in our great institution , and if I have succeeded in suggesting one thought which may bear fruit and benefit our noble Order I am amply repaid .

Vanity Of Lodge Officials.

VANITY OF LODGE OFFICIALS .

Some brothers , as soon as elected to any prominent official position , to use a common expression , " know it all . " All the laws , rules , regulations , and customs of Masonic bodies come to them by intuition or installation , and every one

departs from the faith , in their estimation , if not fully impressed with their wisdom and greatness , ancl who do not fully coincide with all their rulings