Orange And Ribbon.

ORANGE AND RIBBON .

( Continued- from page 22 . ) Having given a resume of the article in " All the Year Round , " it now remains for us to offer a feAV remarks on these tAvo societies , and we do so , after considerable experience of the working

of these systems , derived from a lengthened residence in the country which has develojoed them . In the minds of most Englishmen , Orangeism and Ribbonism are classed together ; and are considered to be equally pernicious and wicked .

Against this view , we must emphatically protest . Whilst at once admitting that the Orange Society has acted rashly and injudiciously , insomuch as to alienate from it some who were once its most ardent friends , yet there is nothing whatever in its

constitution or aims to which a loyal , Protestant Englishman could possibly object . It seeks to defend the Throne and Church of the nation against the hostile attacks of a people Avho are notoriously haters of England , and everything English ; and

who would , at all hazards , gladly cast themselves loose from our sway , even though doing so would involve the most fearful bloodshed . Orangemen are faithful even unto death to England ' s Crown and Church ; and have cheerfully shed their blood in defence of both .

Moreover , Orangemen as a body are a highly respectable class of men . In their ranks are enrolled great numbers of the nobility , the clergy , the gentry , the yeomen , and mechanics of the north of Ireland , as well as a considerable

-sprinkling of the same classes in the south . And what are Ribbonmen ? Midnight assassins and cut-throats , Irish Thugs , \ vkose organisation is so wicked , as to preclude anyone of respectability , character , or morality from entering their

ranks . Further , a great many Orangemen are also Free and Accepted Masons , and worthily exemplify the principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth in their lives and conversation . We have hacl the

privilege of being acquainted ivith many such . It should also be borne in mind that there are a great many Orangemen in England and Canada . In the latter countiy , three out of the small number who perished in the encounter with the

Fenians , ivere Orangemen , Everything- favourable to Orangeism has been suppressed by the writer in "All the Year Round , " and no distinction whatever has been made between it and Ribbonism .

Orange And Ribbon.

In the interests therefore of truth , and in defence of many of our brethren both in Ireland and Canada , Ave have been induced to make the above remarks , which , we trust , will not be considered to have transgressed the bounds of Masonic Charity , and our Craft ' s well-known love of truth and justice .

Qualifications For Membership.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP .

By AUG . C . L . ARNOLD , LL . D . " If , in the circle of your acquaintance , you find apei-son desirous of being initiated into Masonry , be particularly careful not to recommend him unless you are convinced lie will conform to our rules ; and that the honour , glory , and reputation of the institution be firmly established . " —CHARGE TO AX ENTERED APPRENTICE .

We are more ancl more convinced , every day , that our Order has grown too rapidly , and that its beauty and usefulness are very much impaired by the unworthy conduct of those among us who have a name to live , but are dead . The time has now

come when a check should be put to this excessive increase , and efforts should be made to elevate the standard of moral and theological qualification .

Those should be for ever kept out of the Order who have only selfish views in seeking its membership . We have known some men who were the bitterest opposers of Freemasonry , so long as they could make cajiital out of it ; but when

circumstances changed , so they could drive a lucrative trade by jumping- to the other side of the question , they have done it with a facility which would make one believe that there \ vas no more any such thing as conscience .

Freemasonry can gain nothing by such acquisitions . It has no need of such supports , and will at length cast them aivay Avith indignation . There is another class of men who will do us no good , if alloAved to come among us . They are

rebellious , ambitious , fault-finding , mischiefmaking spirits , Avho are ever restless , and appear to have no enjoyment but in a storm . Persons of this description do great injury to our lodgesthey Avill either rule or destroy . They love the

Order , it may be , but they love themselves more ; ancl Avhen the Order no longer flatters their foolish pride , they are ready to engage in the opposition and denounce it . These men we do not Avant . Again , the Order is based npon religious ideas .

It does not claim to be a religion , but it recognises and accepts reverently all the facts of religion , the sanctity of the Scriptures , and the everlasting