Masonry—Its Aims And Its Failures.

MASONRY—ITS AIMS AND ITS FAILURES .

BY LEON HYNEMAN . It is not often , very seldom indeed , that a Freemason imbued with the spirit of Masonry , and a sincere love for the Institution , has the courage to write lor the public eye and truly ponrfcray "the

failures " of Masonry , although so plainly visible to the reflecting mind in the life expression of a very large number of those who claim to be Masons . And it is equally rare that either the highest officials in their Addresses , or the "Masonic

Press , " allude to , or notice the plague spots which tarnish the purest and best Institutions founded for the improvement and elevation of mankind . Authors , lecturers , and writers generally , are content to speak only of the excellent principles

of Freemasonry , of its moral ethics , of its charities , of brotherly love and good will , in rose coloured sentences , fanciful ideal imagery of Freemasonry as ifc should be , and as it would be if Masonic charlatans had not diverted ifc from its

original aims . It was quite refreshing , therefore , to read the essay with the above caption , by the Rev . J . H . Sanford , in the July number "The Mystic Star . " Ifc is true the Rev . Bro . alludes briefl y to tbe

subject , and makes the following plain candid statement : " Ifc is now world-widely known , that so far as the heart-work of the Order is concerned

at the present day , they ( the higher aims of our noble Order ) are a great moral failure . " There is truth in this , as well as in every statement on this subject the Rev . Bro . has made , and we call attention to the brave , bold sentiments of

the writer . We miss , however , any reference from his pen as to the cause or causes of so many immoral men and low grade of character , having been and are now being accepted and received into our Mystic Institution . As our Bro . has

stated , "Quite too much regard is paid to wealth . In more than one sense , can this be seen ; " we opine the causes roust be apparent to him , and it would have pleased us to have had his views . The subject is of vast importance , and the issues

involved , materially affect the integrity of our Institution . The main cause affecting the interests of Freemasonry , is a departure from ori ginal principles in Grand Lodges , gradually absorbing the powers and rights of the subordinate Lodges . They are gradually centralizing all power within

themselves , and consider the subordinates as mere workers , "hewei-i of wood and drawers of water , " to supply the Grand Lodges with means , material and labour to build up large monied aristocracies . The subordinates have been compelled by Grand

Lodge dictum , to advance the fees' for the degrees to an extravagant amount , so that the poor , but good and true , are debarred the association . Our Rev . Bro . only too truthfully remarks , " Too little good is dispensed by the opulent ( he should have

added , members and Lodges ) to poor and distressed brothers , their widows and orphans , no matter how worthy they may be , " and that is by no means local in its application . Grand Lodges make rules and regulations for

the government of their subordinates , each one according to its ambitions and high aristocratic views . The subordinates are feeble instruments

and must obey their masters . Large fees are paid the Grand Lodge for warrants for the privilege of making Masons , a portion of the amount received for such makings , and an annual sum also for each member , and in every possible way

Grand Lodges add to their revenue , and what for ? Some Grand Lodges are becoming a monied power , and build costly , extravagant temples , not for dispensing the charities of the Institution , not for the relief of the famishing needy poor , the

helpless , the aged Masons , their widows and orphans ; not for educational purposes , but only and solely to gratify a vain ambition , and as sources to increass their already redundant wealth . But there is one thing to which Grand Lodges generally are indifferent , and that involves the

life , the very existence of the Masonic Institution , and chat is the character of the Masons made by the subordinates . There is occasionally a great ; clamour made about " physical qualifications , " " intemperance , " and " profanity , " if a Lodge

makes a Mason of one not physically perfecfc , if brought to the notice of the Grand Master or Grand Lodge , but as to the moral fitness of app . i- - cants , the subordinate Lodges are not always particular , and Grand Lodges indifferent , so that the

subordinates pay promptly and keep square on the books . Indeed , very often the subordinates cannot be choice in the selection of their material . If they do not pay their dues to the Grand -Lodge , their warrants are taken away , and the entire membership declai * ed suspended and outlawed as Masons . Thus the causes of the failures