Masonic Duties.

MASONIC DUTIES .

TO THE EDITOE OE THE EBEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEBOE . Dear Sir ancl Brother , —As time progresses and institutions either advance or gradually die out on . the completion of their mission , according to their objects , whether only of temporary interest or of permanent utility , aud the energy and skill with which their operations are conducted , it is well occasionally to take a

retrospect to ascertain whether there have been any hindrances to complete success , which may be prevented in the future ; and if not , then to push forward by greater efforts the circumstances which have hitherto been favourable , iu order to secure still greater advantages as the result . Such is my object on the present occasion , by reference to own experienceand especiallb

my , y y laying before your readers a few statistics extracted from the published Annual Calendar . Allow me first to make a few preliminary observations on other points of importance as affecting the prosperity of cur institution . Nearly twenty-one years have now elapsed since I was initiated into Preemasonry—about twenty years after I had reached the at which I was entitled to receive

age this privilege , therefore I cannot expect to be able . to continue active efforts much longer . Though I joined the Order rather late in life , I can safely say that , notwithstanding previous misgivings , I never had to do with any other institution which so completely enlisted my sympathies , and commanded and obtained my continuous efforts for its promotion as Preemasonry . I was

admitted to the light under favourable circumstances by a Master who was thoroughly acquainted with his work , one whose habits and dispositions are such as to qualify Mm for his position , by the practice and enforcement of its principles , and who has proved it by a continuance of Iiis efforts to the present time , which have been and are highly valued in the locality in which he has for many years been the guiding spirit . I refer to Bro . T , C . Roden , M . D ., who , soon after his settlement in North

Wales , founded a lodge at Llandudno more than ten years ago , and has carried it prosperously through occasionally adverse times to a condition of prosperity , being the parent also of other lodges in the district . I am glad to have this opportunity of bearing testimony to his Masonic worth , and of expressing my personal obligations to him . Truly it would have been strange if I had

not been imbued with a desire to follow in his footsteps ; and I can conscientiously say that I have at lerst endeavoured to profit by his example , and have never relaxed in my efforts , even when oppressed by circumstances of a trying and discouraging nature , such as ought not to exist among the craft . I believe I have not in a single instance allowed myself to be absent from a lodge

meeting which I had been summoned to attend , whether for the performance of active duty , or as a spectator of tho labours of others , more than half-a-dozen times , and then only when prevented by such illness as would render exposure unsafe . This is the first point I wish especially to urgeon all young Masons , that they should not permit a violation of an obligation solemnly taken , "to obey

all signs and summonses , " particularly when the temptation to it arises merely from indolence or tho pursuit of pleasure . If this pledge were acted upon , wo should not have snob , scanty meetings as those I have been pained to witness in the district in which I am now located . This is a view of pledge and obligation which I fear is not generally taken , or we should not have

thousands of Masons in this country unattached , and probably as many more who rarely attend their lodges , having attained all the honours they could receive . They then fall into a state of apathy and indifference , showing themselves only on grand occasions , and thon assuming a position of rule and command , to tho neglect and annoyance of those who have been the actual workers . Another fertile source of the disregard of Masonic duties is . the partiality of some Masters in tho appointments of

their officers by tbe elevation of personal friends , to the prejudice of those who , by former efforts in subordinate ) positions , have deserved well but havo been pushed aside . I havo now in my mind two recent cases where brethren had worked up to S . W . without attaining it , and then , had to make way for others who had no such claim . The result in both cases was the withdrawal from the

lodge of active and intelligent men- Though I cannot approve of such a course , it is but a natural result with some dispositions . In the early part of my career in one instance I suffered in this way , but did not allow it to influence my conduct . A good safeguard against such an abuse of power is for a W . M . elect to call the existing officers together before the installation , and to consult ;

them on his future official arrangements , a plan I al waysadopt , and thus avoid dissatisfaction , at the same timesecuring unity of action . One of the first matters which perplexed mo after my reception into the Order was the difficulty in obtaining exact knowledge of the rituals , which were then understood by only a very few in my district—and even among

them great variations existed ; but what was worse , was an unwillingness on their part to communicate to others the knowledge they possessed , lest their own influence might be diminished thereby , a circumstance which farther experience has shown to be not confined to one locality . Happily the excellent brother I have mentioned was

not one of this class , for he cheerfully assisted me to theutmost of his power in Craft Masonry , of the ceremonies of which I was thus made master within my first twelve months . About the same time effective means were taken to obtain correctness and uniformity , by procuring the aid of a skilled member of the Emulation Lodge of Instruction in London for some months , and after his departure forming a local Lodge of Instruction to keepup and communicate the knowledge thus gained . So far as I have been able I have repaid my teacher for his

kindness , by extending to brethren in all the districts in which I have resided the Masonic Rituals I had myself acquired . The real remedy for the difficulties which a young Mason encounters in this respect is a Lodge of Instruction in every town , and periodical visits from Superintendents paid by Grand Lodge to examine and report to head-quarters , a plan advantageously pursued in Americaon which I enlarged in some

, your pages time ago . The wonder is that under present arrangements the landmarks are so well maintained as they are , which it may be feared is due in some cases to information from dubious and illicit sources . Will the Grand Lodge ever be inclined to adopt efficient measures on these points for tho general advantage of the craft ? I imagine that much new blood must be infused

beforeanything can be accomplished on this and other important matters now evaded and disregarded by our authorities . Though so recently published , a few remarks of your own in the last number will bear repetition , for they cannot be too emphatically enforced . " Matters of this kind will not stand shirking for ever . It is better to look them straiht in the faceand deal with them according to the

g , altered condition of things , remembering that whilst the world moves on and all things change , the administration of Masonic affairs must march with the general progress . " The next point which struck me on examination of the Masonic Calendar , which I procured at once , and have continued to have annually ever since , finding it a very

valuable Masonic companion , was the anomaly of holding the meetings of a society based on the inculcation of moral principles at hotels , taverns , & c , which offer peculiar temptations adverse to our objects ancl precepts . Even if all were able to withstand them after lodge hourswhich we know is not universally the case—the association is not a desirable one , and exposes us to hostile remarks and insinuations . There is something repulsive in a refined and sensitive mind to the utterance of our solemn