Why Brethren Cease To Take Ant Interest In The Order.

WHY BRETHREN CEASE TO TAKE ANT INTEREST IN THE ORDER .

. _ ¦ — LONDON , SATURDAY , SEPTEMBER 8 , 1866 .

That a great number of our brethren AYIIO once were zealous in the cause of Freemasonry , who took an active part in everything belonging to the Craft , ancl who were constant in their attendance at lodge duties , now no longer take any

interest in our Order , no longer join in our assemblies , is but too patent . This is , indeed , a subject of regret—a regret which is frequently deepened by the reflection that these are the very men Avhom we can least afford to lose .

They are , in many instances , good men and true , pious , benevolent—the very men whom we should be glad to hold up to the uninitiated as examples of Masonic virtue . It , therefore , becomes an inquiry of considerable

moment as to why these men have deserted us , and as to how they are to be brought back , and retained in the Masonic fold .

In numerous cases the causes of the withdrawal of brethren from taking any active part in Freemasonry , and their ceasing their lodge membership , are so obvious as to need merely a passing allusion . They are such as are caused by

straitened circumstances , increased domestic responsibilities , removal to a distance from the place of lodge meeting . Much though we may regret that worthy brethren should be obliged to Avithdraw from us for reasons such , as these , which are , of

course , too often ine \ dtable , yet we cannot blame them . Every man is best acquainted with the state of his OAVU resources , what he can afford , Avhat accomplish , and there the matter must rest .

But are there not too many members of the Order who retire from the activity [ of Masonic life in positive disgust , excited either by misapprehensions as to several portions of it , which at first sight may prove stumbling blocks , but

from which a further acquaintance and more earnest research Avould remove all difficulties , or from the inconsistencies of their brethren , or faultiness or slovenliness in the Avorking of the degrees , and the transaction of the general

business of the lodge ? To these queries a decided " Yes" must be uttered . We have ourselves knoAvn many Masons who Avere perfectly horrified by the OB , and who objected to the Order as being a secret one .

Others , again , look on the Avhole thing as cant and hypocrisy . They say , "At our last lodge meeting our W . M . pronounced an admirable charge , inculcating morality , reverence for God and His word , and universal philanthropy . Now ,

Avhat is the life of that man , and of several others who joined in the ceremony on that occasion ? Is it not a lie to the very principles which they are -constantly propounding in open lodge ? Are they not immoral men , profane , living in malice

and hatred , hateful , and hating each other ? I cannot countenance such a ' humbug / and I shall use any influence that I may possess in dissuading others from being deceived by it . " It is not long since the writer of this paper

received a letter from an author of distinction , who in early life was admitted into the Craft , but Avho Avas so disgusted by the blasphemous and profane tenets which were upheld by members of his lodge , that he withdrew from all connection

with the Order , and in that letter he gave it as his solemn conviction that Masonry was an exceedingly dangerous thing , and quite beneath the notice of a Christian man .

NOAV , what is the remedy for all this ? The above-named misapprehension as to the OB and the secrecy of the Craft would all be dissipated by a slight acquaintance Avith the aim and objects of Freemasonry . Hence the cultivation of Masonic

literature is one great remedy for the Avide-spread secession that prevails . The apathy that exists on this point is , surely , disgraceful to us . What proportion of the brethren in this country , or any other , subscribe for and peruse the organs of the

Craft ? We fear only an infinitesimal portion . In fact , so callous are a great many on the subject , as positively not to be aware of the existence of the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE at all . For the disgust occasioned by the inconsistent

lives of some Avho occupy elevated positions in Masonry , the simple and obvious remedy which must be preached over and over again , whether offence be thereby given or not , is to be careful as to the selection of candidates for initiation .

Blackball determinedly ancl unceasingly those whom you believe in your heart to be unworth y of participation in the mysterious secrets of

Freemasonry . Let these tAvo remedies—the diffusion of our literature , ancl strictness as to the initiation of candidates , and the appointment of officers—be applied to the bleeding body of our Order ; and .