Masonic Libraries.

wanting to stamp tho entire revelation with a tone of perfect veracity . So much is connected wifch the science of Ereemasonry , that other than a passing notice of many of its most important doctrines and examples is precluded , by the length of time ifc would occupy to recount and explain them thoroughly , not to mention that in but few instances would the expounder of our tenets be ecpial to the task . The

newly raised Master Mason ought to enjoy every facility for rendering himself thoroughly conversant with these ancient records , and it is attempted to be proved that for this purpose onr existing arrangements are insufficient . Ifc is an indisputable fact that the system of oral instruction is by far the most agreeable and impressive onebrethren

; will listen with delight to the impassioned oratory ancl vivid declamation of an able lecturer , whereas tho same matter placed before their eyes in print would excite little or no attention . This is a pardonable weakness and is most strongly exemplified amongst the poorer classes of society , many members of whom will travel miles to listen to an ex tempore

sermon , whilst the matured and written pleadings of the most eloquent preacher in the immediate vicinit y of their abodes fall unheeded on their ears . A . rim voce discourse , by the uneducated , is considered as little less than direct inspiration , ancl however the more erudite amongst us may ridicule the fancy , we are nearly all more or less imbued with a like

notion : in reality an . unpremeditated oration , from its want of connection , must appear iu unfavourable contrast to the cai-efully prepared ancl written opinions of the same author , though the excellence of ex tempore preaching or lecturing is determined in a majority of instances by the amount of time

devoted to its consideration . A good , practical , and well blended address , however spontaneousl y it may appear to flow , has generally been attentively composed and laboriousl y committed to memory ; to speak and lecture well , without fche aid of notes , a man . must of necessity be endowed with an extremely retentive memory ; scholastic and other

adventitious props are mere adjuncts to this great essential . It books are to lie disregarded by Ereemasons , then annoyances are multiplied , it 1 icing then imperative that a quanfci fcy of our learning should be handed down to posterit y in its original purity of diction with the sole aid of the willing and capable possessors of reti-ntive memories . Without the slightest wish

or intention to derogate from that inherent veneration which should always be folk for the royal art , by a comparison with pursuits of a- profane nature , ifc may be observed parenthetically that the lovers of chess , draughts , cricket , whist , billiards , and other amusements , sedentary as well as ambulatory , learn first the moves or the nature of tho game they admire , and then perfecfc themselves in it by laborious studv . Surely the votaries of Evecmasoiivy , that great and glorious science , coeval with man ' s appearance , upon the world when

divinely formed from chaos , will nofc any longer allow the adepts in profane pastimes to exceed them in tho impetus afforded to the objects of their solicitude . Masonry lias a higher mission than the increase of convivial assemblies and the prosclytism of unheeding persons ; let it be shown b y our acts that a state of chronic apathy has given place fco one of

determined vigour . 'Here and there , at wide aud well marked intervals , a Lodge may bo met with possessing amongst its members one who . from a great exactness of memory and repeated service in all and every office , as well , as former access to Masonic recordsis regarded by his less favoured brethren as

, little less than an oracle , and imparts cheerfull y and effectively the knowledge he has acquired to the rising generation . Under such tutelage the Lodge advances , ancl looking through a vista of years , numerous are the brethren who " therein graduating , have reflected iu after times the greatestpossible credit , upon their parent Lodge ; but such cases arc of

sufficiently rare occurrence to awaken , when brought to onr notice , the warmest feelings of respect and congratulation . It is nofc saying loo much , fco assert that in b y far the

majority of instances , a comparative ignorance—or occasionally even worse—a perverted notion of those parts of our Masonic system , attainable only by deep research , prevails : as all things are in their nature liable , to decay and corruption , so the knowledge of Masonic tradition , restricted to a few , must tend to misconception and confusionwhen by them revealed

, in infinitesimal doses to greedy listeners . Johnson says , " The mass of every people must be barbarous where there is no printing ; " an insufficient or unobtainable supply must conduce to a calamity of a similar nature , though perhaps in a mitigated form . The golden age of Masonry is yet looming in the future , ancl as the votaries of the ancient and universal

art increase in number and wisdom , so will its blots and defects become more ancl more apparent ; it will be a glorious time for enthusiasts when every Mason has ready access to a goodly supply of Masonic records and literature , and is dependent upon nought ; but his own ability and application for a perfect insight into the advanced learning ofthe Order . Judging from the numerous quotations in the Freemasons '

Magazine purporting to be derived from various American Masonic publications , our Transatlantic brethren are entitled to liberal commendation ancl congratulation , both on account ofthe unvarying excellence of the choice extracts culled for our benefit by the unwearying staff of our accredited English organ , and the number of periodicals that the Craft

supports iu America . The frequenters of Masonic libraries , ( if such there be ) , would reap considerable benefit from a regular perusal of these publications in their natural and uncurtailod form , ancl the visionary societies , whose claims are now being advocated , in the event of future existence , should possess , as speedily as is consistent with funds and

opportunity , some one or more of these periodicals for the information of their supporters . It is a doubtful point whether or nofc the generality of our colonies are capable of maintaining Masonic journals of their own ; two adverse circumstances militate against so desirable a state of affairs—a paucity of subscribers and an insufficiency of matter , mere local gossip

being inadequate to the task of supplying this latter want ; the columns of tho journal jniblishcd afc Masonic head quarters must of necessity bo their chief dependence . The experiment has been tried ou a small scale iu India , but with what success is unknown , the mutiny of 1857 reducing all things to a chaotic state , and unfortunately not sparing the literary efforts of Calcutta enthusiasts , but completely annihilating them in its ruthless path of destruction .

Although ifc may have been desirable in the remote periods of antiquity and subsequently in the days of monkish domination , when the arts of reading ancl writing were greatly circumscribed , to restrict the knowledge of our more advanced mysteries to a select few , who were at liberty to reveal such , points as they deemed suitable to the clouded understandings of their then less fortunate brethren , in these days of rapid progress aud extended civilization Masonic records and jieriodical literature should be scaled books to no member of the

Order . That all are 1 n a position to reap benefit from these advantages may bo reasonably concluded ; the Constitutions enjoining , as a sine qua non , that every candidate for admission info the Order shall previously read a certain , formula , and sign his name in token of approval—grossly illiterate persons being thereby effectually debarred from participation in our secrets . Ifc cannot bo maintained wifch the . faintest

semblance of credibility , that brethren are justified in remaining in a state of passive indifference with regard to so important and neglected a feature in Masonic progress ; many there are , who , whilst acquiescing in the expediency of the general establishment of Masonic libraries , will be loth to further so desirable au end hy personal endeavours , entertaining no objection to the formation of a library in connection with the

Loclge or hall of their belonging , bufc extremel y averse to anything like individual toil in tho mutter ; should such , be the general feeling , what a lamontuhle prospect for these visionary institutions ! But it is suggested that every