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eCantentg . SAGS FMEMASOITS' MAGAZINE : — The Political Influence of Masonry 41 Notes on American Freemasonry 43 Concerning the Bearing : of Burdens 45 Masonic Jottings—No 53 -. 46

. Masonic Notes and Queries 46 Correspondence 47 Masonic Sayings and Doings Abroad 48 The Wedding of Bro . George Washington 48 RevieAvs 49 MASONIC MIEEOE : — Masonic Metas SO Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ..... ' 50

Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 50 CRAFT LODGE MEETINGS : — Metropolitan SO Provincial 65 Mark Masonry 57 Freemasonry—Past and Present 58 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 60 Notice to Correspondents 60

Political Influences Of Masonry.

POLITICAL INFLUENCES OF MASONRY .

LONDON , SATURDAY , JANUARY 21 , 1871 ,

BY BRO . WILLIAM EODNSEVILLB . There is no man who is acquainted with , the structure and organization of Masonry , who does not knoAV that it is morally impossible for the Institution to be used for political party purposes .

Por twenty years past the writer has been a constant attendant on the meetings of the Society , and not once , during that time—even while political feeling was at fever heat , has he heard the subject introduced in any body of the Order .

Once a member , without rising from his seat , or addressing the chair , made a remark in derogation from the character of a brother because of Ms political opinions , but he was promptly rebuked by his oAvn party friends near enough to hear him ,

and a private reproof convinced him that he could not give vent to his partisan feelings in the conclave where he had sworn to do his utmost to have brotherly love prevail . And yet , this is one of the most common

objections to Masonry—that it is a political agent , powerful enough to be feared , and wicked enough to be crushed , when prevailing in a free government like ours . This , and the objection founded upon religious grounds , cover pretty much all the

positions taken by the opponents of the Institution . A few moments spent in a candid consideration of the matter , cannot be much misapplied . We pass by the fact that a solemn assurance and pledge is given to , and made by , every initiate into the

secrets of Masonry , that he will not be a party to political discussions or conspiracies' , and that the Society into which he is entering guarantees that he shall never be called upon to forego his politics ' opinions or take part in any political movement .

Though this would , of itself , neutralize all objection or fealty to the Order which the initiate mig ht owe it , should political and partisan measures be adopted , yet we prefer not now to insist upon its force .

This is the ground we take . As the Masonic Institution is organised iu this country , it cannot be prostituted to partisan purposes and ends , except it becomes entirely revolutionized , and perverted in spirit , intention , character and

principles , and then it would no longer be Masonry . But this revolution is impossible . The public is already advised that every Master of a lodge , when he takes upon himself the duties of that responsible office , is bound to acknoAvleclge that it

is not in the power of any men , or body of men , to make innovations iu Masonry . As it h now , so it must remain—a non-partisan institution .

Suppose a single lodge should endeavour to pass a resolution to support a certain individual or party at an election ? That lodge Avould be liable to have its charter arrested ,. and all those who did not concur in the resolution , would unite in

carrying out the spirit of Masonry , by reporting the surviving - members to the Grand Lodge , when swift and sure rebuke would follow . Or should a Grand Lodge attempt a political coup d'etat in favour of a favourite member , its condition AVOUM

be far Avorse than that of a subordinate lodge . Every other Grand Lodge would at once Avithdraw fraternal intercourse , aud the offending body would find itself outside of the pale of the Order . Any such formal recoguiton of political parties

would be the destruction of the body which should so far forget the object for which it WLIS formed , as to commit an act so suicidal . Nothing but destruction could follow a course of that nature , and it Avould be contrary to the

dictates of common sense and reason , for any one to make an attempt of the kind . "Whether made by an individual , a lodge , or a Grand Lodge , it would be sure destruction to the party inaugurating it .

But the objection lias been made , that though the formal establishment of a political creed , and the securing of political action among Masons ,