Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

A SILENT TONGUE . A member was not long ago expelled from his lodge for divulging the proceedings of the lodge to one not entitled to such knowledge . The action was sustained by the Grand Lodge on the ground that it was of such common occurrence for the

proceedings of lodges to be known almost immediately by the outside world , that the expulsion Avas deemed just . It Avould be Avell for every lodge to adopt such stringent measures that would prevent this divulging of transactions which should

be kept entirely secret . Many brethren are , perhaps thoughtlessly , too apt to speak in the presence of those Avho are not members , of things that occur in the lodge . We have known instances where an applicant has been rejected and in a short time afterwards the fact Avas known among

all his acquaintances . This practice is reprehensible , and no doubt if the lodges could fasten the guilt upon the delinquent he Avould be expelled , as he Avould richly deserve . One of the inculcations of masonry is a silent tongue , and if the brethren

Avere more guarded there Avould be less trouble . The neAvly admitted brother is admonished to be silent , but at times we find the admonition is not heeded . —Landmarlc .

DESTRUCTION OF GENERAL AA'ASHINGTON'S LODGE ROOM . Among the old colonial houses consumed in the conflagration at Alexandria , Virginia , in May last , Avere the Masonic lodge of which George Washington was the Master , and the old colonial Court

House , in which Washington ' s provincial troops Avere quartered in 1754 , and from the door of Avhich Braddock marched to his defeat in 1775 , and in which ex-President Washington gave his last vote in 1760 .

WHY MASONIC HISTORY IS SO BRIEF . The fact has not escaped the observation of any intelligent reader that very little , comparatively , has been written of Freemasonry . All that is authentically historic of the institution would

make a very small volume- This is certainly not for lack of age . It dates an antiquity of origin that runs far back into the centuries that precede the Christian era . It is not because it has been confined to obscure and unimportant individuals , for it has in all ages been patronized and promoted

Masonic Notes And Queries.

by persons of the most consequence , and of the highest distinction , of whom mention is made in history . It is thus accounted for . It has been a grand charity . Its spirit has been benevolence , — its deeds benificence , —its march has been

peaceful , nnobstrusive , —going on the principle that the left hand shall not know Avhat the right hand dooth . Then again , I think I shall keep within the limits of truth in asserting that two-thirds of the history of this world is a record of blood , or

or of diplomacy and intrigues that have led to the effusion of blood . No wonder , then , that an institution , characterised as this has been , should find so little ' room on these blood-stained pages . That its friends have not Avritten its history , more

complete , is to be accounted for from the fact , as ail the initiated know , that masons are not much given to writing—that its essential features are traditional , and if I may be allowed to say so , it has ever inculcated a modesty Avhich forbade going

on the housetops to herald its deeds , or sounding a trumpet before it on its missions of love . —BKO . N . P . BEID .

Masonic Sayings And Doings Abroad.

MASONIC SAYINGS AND DOINGS ABROAD .

The triennial convocation of the General Grand Chapter of the United States Avas held at Baltimore last month . It was decided that hereafter the use of substitutes iu conferring the E . A . degree in chapters may be laAv fully used .

An amendment to the constitution , makmg the Past Grand High Priests of the different States represented in that body , life members , was adopted . An amendoient to the constitution Avas offerred ,

Avhich lies over under the rule , making the first four General Grand Officers life members ofthe General Grand Chapter . The decision of the General Grand IT . P . in relation to the work , and also that relative to his

decision for the continuance and perpetuity of the General Grand Chapter from its organisation to the present time , were adopted . The next convocation of the General Grand Chapter will be held at Nashville , Tennessee , in November , 137-4 .