The Way To Do The Work

him . But nature would be his indicator and he would speak in a low , earnest key , that would not attract attention from the passers by , but which would be audible to those to whom it was addressed . We g ive this illustration as a specimen

which may be applied to a great number of points in the " work of Masonry . The work should always be performed in a manner that would be appropriate to the subject were the transactions delineated real . Hence ,

anything incongruous introduced in the ceremony , detracts from its influence and impression . Masonry is essentially dramatic . Thus we must not only observe the ** unities" of the play , but

the " proprieties" also . What would we think of a murderer , who , after he had throttled his victim , should carry his body to the hastily-scooped grave by torchlight ? And yet we have witnessed scenes in the lodge-room quite as incongruous ,

not to say ridiculous , as this . Such lodges are wise above the traditions of Masonry . They sacrifice sense to effect , and then spoil the effect , by the perfect absurdity of the proprieties . " A jewel in a swine ' s snout" is a scriptural figure to

illustrate a lack of discretion . There are many beautiful things and pretty ceremonies intrinsically , that are wholly out of place in the work of a lodge of Masons .

To prevent falling into these follies we must study the work . The accomplished actor does something more than commit his lines tomemoiy . He studies the meaning of the author ; he strives TO ascertain and enter into the train of thought

that led to the expression of the beautiful ideas which it is his duty and pleasure to render in the best possible manner . The good lodge officer is , in a degree , an accomplished actor . He must strive to comprehend the thoughts which passed

through the brains of those ancient worthies when the present work of Freemasonry was embodied into a perfect system . And he who most thoroughly studies these old forms and expressions , these old symbols and emblems , these ancient

ceremonies and rites , will be best qualified to administer them . He who applies himself the closest to the study will discover the most beauties and the most good in the Institution , arid will be the best able to perform the duties of his station . In choosing men to do the work of the lodge , we must never forget that there are countless numbers

The Way To Do The Work

of good Masons who can by no means make good officers . We must look beyond the mere tenets of a Mason ' s profession—brotherly love , relief , and truth . These the good officer must have , but he must have more . One of the great obstacles

in the way of Masonic progress is to be found right here . We elect those to office that we love without regard to capability . The result is that we often have good Masons who are very bad officers in the chairs of the lodge . The work is

ill-done , the interest in Masonry flags , the attendance becomes small , the lodge dwindles down to a determined few , and well for it , if that few does not become weary . We close this paper with a remark that ought

to be an axiom : No lodge was ever prosperous when the work was ill-done ; no lodge long declines when the work is well performed . From this fact the importance to Masonry of good work may be inferred . —Masonic Trowel .

Masonic Jottings, No. 82.

MASONIC JOTTINGS , No . 82 .

BY A PAST PROVINCIAL GBAND MASTER , CHRISTIANS , JEWS , PARSEES AND MAHOMEDAMS MEETING IN LODGE . Christians , Jews , Parsees aud Mahomedams ,

meeting in lodge , preserve so much only of their respective religions as comprises natural theology . OUR FREEMASONRY , WITH AND WITHOUT ITS MYTHS AND LEGENDS . Our Freemasonry , with its myths and legends , is

a fruit garden and an ornamental flower garden also ; without its myths and legends [ it is a fruit garden only . TOLERATION . The English Constitution and English

Freemasonry were changed by toleration , so far only as they were liberalised . ENGLISH FREEMASONRY AT THE UNION . English Freemasonry at the union , 1813 , was a particular Freemasonry , and an universal

Freemasonry . The religion , as a particular Preemasonry , was Christianity . The religion , as a universal Freemasonry , was natural theology . MASONRY . Masonry is natural to man ; but it is not true Masonry , unless made so by the right exercise of his reason .