The Ballot In Masonic Lodges.

to our inmost pleadings . As men , AA'e have great duties to perform in this life ; as members of a social brotherhood that binds us mystically Avhere first Ave were unknoAvn , Ave have still further obligations , which have been imposed

upon us " of our OAATI free Avill and accord . " When we knelt upon that cushion before that Sacred Volume , Ave Avere taught Avhat is " natural equality aud mutual dependence" —but , above all , our duty to God , our neighbours , and ourselves . There Ave

saAV CHARITY , supported by her tAvin confiding sisters , FAITH and HOPE . If we perform our duties as men , we shall never forget our duties as Masons . There is no reason why a non-Mason may not be the best of men . There are , we knoAV ,

many such ; and God grant that the day may never arrive when it will be requisite that a man should be a Mason before he can be good . On the other hand , the Craft reposes on us extra duties ancl responsibilities ; and just as the study

of the dead languages facilitates the comprehension of the mother tongue , so Masonry assists us in the contemplation of religion , and of our " living in due bounds with all mankind . "

Let us not belie ourselves as men , but , as Masons with increased responsibilities , let us never forget that Justice should be the " guide of all our actions . " Let us , then , be mindful IIOAV Ave exclude a candidate for Masonry . The ballot is good ,

and the ballot should be unanimous for election as a prudential method , i . e ., one black ball should exclude . But woe to the brother AVIIO makes use of that fatal instrument improperly , from unworthy motives , his conscience dissenting . Great

power nrvolves great responsibilities . Socrates says it intoxicates the stoutest hearts , as Avine the strongest heads . Let the great power , then , which this system of voting gives , remind us how we use it . Temper justice with mercy . Let us

place ourselves in the position of a candidate for Masonry Avho lias been excluded without due reason , as in the picture we have just painted , and be careful of our future conduct in this respect towards onr neighbours and ourselves . What Benevolence teaches Charity upholds .

West Yorkshire.

WEST YORKSHIRE .

We have received a copy of the proposed new by-laAvs of the Provincial Grand Loclge of West Yorkshire , AAdiich appear to have been very carefully drawn , and numerous references are made to the " Book of Constitutions . " One part of that

West Yorkshire.

book , hoAA'ever , appears to have been overlooked , inasmuch as Ave find under the fees of honour—¦ ProAnncial Grand Standard Bearer , £ 1 Is . If our Yorkshire brethren will refer to the "Book of Constitutions" they Avill find that though Standard

Bearers may be appointed , they take no rank and are not permitted to wear any distinctive clothing , and it cannot be proposed to charge a fee of honour for a position which does not even give as much distinction as that of Provincial Grand Tyler . We

cannot see any reason either for a Provincial Grand Officer , Avho is to receive a salary—the Provincial Grand Secretary , to Avit—being called upon to pay a " fee of honour . "

Liability Op Mason's.

LIABILITY OP MASON'S .

SUPREME COURT OP CALCUTTA . —CUTLER & Co . v . W . G . BAXTBE . Plaintiffs claimed from the defendant Es . 107 for goods sold and delivered . Defendant admitted his liability to a portion of

the debt—namely , Rs . 24 ; ancl in respect of the rest he said that the goods had been purchased by him for St . John's Loclge . The Judge asked the defendant if he Avas a member of the lodge . Defendant said that he was .

The Judge said that each individual member of the lodge Avas liable to be sued for the debts contracted bj ^ the lodge ; and that being so , defendant WAS liable for the debt . Captain Baxter observed that Mr . Folkard , one

of the plaintiffs , Avas himself a member of the same lodge . The Judge : Is that so ? Mr . Folkard : Yes ; but I have paid up all the bills the lodge had against me . Captain Baxter

never refused to pay this bill , but had repeatedly told ' my peon , Avho called at his house , to come on such a date and he Avould pay it . Captain Baxter said that he called the man in the hope of paying the money if he had collected

the subscriptions . He did not see AA hy an individual member of a lodge should be made liable for the debts due by the lodge . The Judge did not think Mr . Folkard could sue as a member of the lodge : he Avas just as liable as Captain Baxter . Mr . Folkard said that he Avas not a member of

the firm , but was suing under power of attorney . The Judge said that certainly altered the case , and there must be a decree for the fall amount .