St. John's Masonry And The High Degrees.

brethren are taught the necessity of moral practice . In the second , the acquisition of knowledge and practice , in all which may refine and elevate the intellect , through the teachings of literature , science , and art ; and in the third , to impress upon the initiate that all things are secondary to the preparation for a higher and holier state ; surely such a structure is complete

in itself ; for even were some of its sublime and poetical traditions only parables such as the wise in ancient times instructed their disciples , on a form of these ceremonies , which many think were typical in the earliest ages of civilisation , and symbolical in the latter of the copestone of an edificeso perfect as to

, require no embellishment from pretended discoveries , Marks , which in these days " signifieth nothing , " on the attempt to revive Orders whose dignities arose from active duties , called for by the necessities of times which have for centuries passed away . Tours fraternally ,

Masonic Reporting.

MASONIC REPORTING .

T 9 THE EDITOR OB THE FBEEMASONS MAGAZINE AST ) MASONIC JIIBBOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —A question of some importance to ritualistic Masons has been raised by a few of the brethren in my neighbonrhood , which I would like to see treated by some of the able contributors to your Magazine , viz ., how much of what passes in a Masonic lod during initiations & cis

ge , , intended to be held from the world by the candidates ' obligation ? Are the forms of opening and closing lodges—the rules to be observed in open lodge—the ends and objects of the Order—the beautiful lectures deducible from the ancient symbols of the Craft , and all the moral teachings so well known to every good

Mason to be for ever sealed within the heart of the initiate ? Or , on the other hand , does the Masonic secrets consist merely of the signs , words , and grips . The want of a uniform system of Masonic formula has been very greatly felt in Scotland , and in one county at least an attempt has been made by the

lodges to overcome this difficulty , but scruples in regard to the nature of our O . B . have to some extent retarded its progress . It would be gratifying , therefore , to have the opinion of some of our able English brethren on the point referred to at the beginning of my letter . Tours fraternally , P . M .

The Good Templars.

THE GOOD TEMPLARS .

TO TEE FDITOB OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIBHOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —I notice a few words of banter in your last number , from Bro . Harris , in reply to a call from Bro . Hughan , in reference to the alleged habits of members of our Craft , springing from previous observations on the " Good Templars . " I hope that they will not be misunderstood by any as

confirmatory of an opinion which has been too commonly held , that the chief duties of Freemasons consist in eating and drinking , and that to wage war with excess and drunkenness is " anti-Masonic . " Undoubtedly there was a time when such a charge was wellfounded , but it must be borne in mind that half a century or more ago such was the custom at almost all social meetings , and that among certain classes

The Good Templars.

no man was esteemed who could not consume two or three bottles of wine at a sitting . Those times have happily passed , as well as the habits by which they were marked ; but from some inexplicable cause , perhaps the secrecy with which our proceedings are conducted , the stigma has continued to be attached to

us . The substitution of private rooms and Masonic halls for holding our assemblies in many towns , instead of taverns and public houses , has done much to correct this and other errors , and will , I hope , continue to do so to a much greater extent . As an instance of the prevalence of wrong impressions on

this score , I may mention that a few days ago I was very innocently asked by a lady , not if the Masons would assemble , but i ? our feast would occur this week . My reply was , no , accompanied by the explanation that the lodge would meet , but that thereis only one meeting in the year at which any refreshout

ment is introduced . This is perhaps carrying the principle of abstinence rather too severely ; for I do think that after lodge duties a kindly feeling may be advantageously promoted by very moderate refreshment and an hour ' s social intercourse , when matters connected with the Craft may be discussed in

a friendly colloquial manner , free from the formalities of the lodge room , where definite regulations must beenforced , in order to preserve discipline , and all observations must be addressed to the chair ; besides , in the absence of these restraints , a better opportunity occurs of becoming acquainted with each other , for , entering a lodge as a member in a strange place nine months ago , where we separate as soon as we

take off our clothing , I do not yet know all the brethren . In the lodges at another place , where , till lately , I resided for eight years , it was the custom to adjourn to another room for an hour or more , and I can speak confidently , from experience , of its salutary effect in encouraging intimate personal

friendships between Masons . But a week or two ago I attended the annual banquet of a lodge , when about seventy brethren sat down , and though we were together at table for nearly four hours after the lodge was closed , I think I am safe in asserting that scarcely more than a dozen bottles of wine were

consumed by the whole party , but plenty of lemonade , soda water , & c . Many who give us credit for over-indulgence in eating and drinking assume it as a fact that we are thus employed ,, probably because they are ignorant of the nature of our operationsceremonial or otherwise ; they have

, no idea of the great mental labour which all those must go through who accept office in the different branches of our Order , much more those who aspire to the government of a lodge , and who are determined to become thoroughly capable of discharging all their duties with skill and efficiency . As an

instructor I am often amused at the surprise expressed by non-Masonic members of the families of those whom I teach , that we are thus almost daily engaged for an hour or two during many successive weeks . Lastly , our depredators are little aware of the substantial aid afforded to the distressedthe widowand

, , the fatherless , not only in our extensive and valuable public institutions , but in more private acts of beneficence and charity . Tours fraternally , H . H .