Random Remarks Of A Rough Ashler.

darkness , Avithout a scintillation of light to shoAv something of Avhat it consists . Timid and jealous concealment is sure to lead to a suspicion of evil ; and principles and practices that require to be carefully secreted to live and flourish , cannot be supposed capable of bearing the test of free

enquiry . For this reason the greatest friends of Freemasonry encourage the publication of learned and philosophical disquisitions ancl discourses on Masonic subjects ; and he Avho possesses the ability to treat these subjects in a popular and pleasingstyle , Avill do more for Masonry by the exercise of

that talent than by subscribing to many lodges , or even being a subordinate office-bearer in them , though these are legitimate means to gratify his laudable ambition . The very periodical in which I write is doing an immense amount of good in teaching the world what true Masonry is . Is is an unworthy object to endeavour to present

ourselves to the outer Avorld in a light that shall not be suspicious or revolting ? There is no necessity to beg for popular favour , but a course of procedure that may disclose to the world the character , the genius , the principles of our Institution , the prevailing motives of our actions , and the

natural effects of their actions on the members of the Craft and on the Avorld at large , is a tribute Avhich the advancement of mind and the spirit of fair enquiry exacts from us as citizens of the Avorld , and it , or a penalty in some form , must be paid . Say we are not of the world , Ave are both as

individuals and as an institution in the world ; and though Ave may preserve our vitality ancl a mens conicia recti in seclusion , we , like the rest of mankind , owe no small measure of our personal happiness and self-respect to the estimation in which Ave are held by each integral particle of the swelling masses of intelligent beings around and about us .

There is another means by Avhich we may lay the good opinion of society under just tribute to Masonry , and that is by relaxing the rigid rules by AA'hich the world is debarred from every sort of association with the brethren . There seems to be no sufficient reason for denying admission , so

strictly as we do , to our supper tables of all Avho are not Masons . It must not be supposed that I advocate the principle that Masonry should play the sycophant to the world , put itself out of the way to court popular praise , and yield undue deference to society to win its good opinion ; or that

I wish to see the present rule of exclusiveness so far relaxed as to turn our Masonic suppers into mixed festive assemblies , in which the un-Masonic element might possibly predominate ; but I do consider that the occasional and limited admission of those who are not Masons to a participation in our refreshments after labour would lead to the

happiest results . There Avas a time when such association Avas , from the nature of things , impossible ; Avhen tables were furnished within the lodge rooms , and Avhen , in more strict adherence , perhaps , to natural laws than is at present observed ,

a season during the hours of labour was set apart for refreshment , after which labour was resumed . "The sun rises in the East , and summonses to labour ; it gains its meridian , and invites to refreshment ; and it sets at length in the West , to remind us that repose is necessary to restore

exhausted strength for another day of toil . " It was in this idea that lodges were originally conducted ; " and the removal of the tables at the Unions , in 1813 , was intended to supersede the custom of taking refreshment during lodge hours . " The wisdom of this innovation has been questioned ;

but , hoAvever that may be , since all essentially Masonic labour ends with the closing of the lodge , and all the practices and ceremonies of Masonry , and even conversation on Masonic subjects , are carefully excluded from our refreshment tables , I think these are the fittest occasions for the

uninitiated to see Masonry in its hours of unrestraint , ease , and relaxation , and learn something of its true characteristics and principles , and how the brethren are united to and love one another . It

cannot be questioned that the popular feeling is more in antagonism to than in favour of our noble Institution . Our proceedings in lodge cannot be supposed to be very praiseworthy , whilst it is believed that our festive hours are spent in revelry and excess , ending in obscenity and intoxication . Is not this stupendous error our own fault ; and can it not be traced directly to the jealousy with which we seclude ourselves from our best friends

who are not Masons , and thus create a spirit of suspicion , AA'hich is the prolific origin of misrepresentation ? In public Masonic meetings in England , ladies are admitted in the galleries to hear the speeches . How would such a practice stimulate the flagging oratory of the leaders of the

Order in these sultry and wasting latitudes ? And how many Avorthy accessions might we not hope to have to our Order , if men who , well disposed towards Masonry , had the option of occasionally joining * the festive board , invited by the Master of a lodge at the request of a Masonic friend and

member , in order to ascertain for himself Avhat in A'ery truth the spirit of Masonry was . I will conclude by hoping that this question will not be alloAved to drop Avith the perusal of these remarks , and that some brother Avill agitate the question until he succeeds in having a favourable opinion on the subject authoritatively expressed by the Provincial Grand Master of Bengal . —Indian Freemasons' Friend .

[ In England it is only on occasions of our Festivals for Chai * ities or Grand Lodges that ladies are admitted to the gallery , and then because , with the exception of the clothing * , we are out of Masonry . The admission of gentlemen who are not Masons to the table ishoweverquite another

, , matter , and we trust that it will ever be discountenanced both by our English and Indian friends . By such a course men are thi-OAvn off their guard ; and one injudicious brother ( and such will occa-