What Is The Good Of Freemasonry ?

a churlish Mason , a conscientious man a conscientious Mason , to the end of time . It is wiser to disclaim all legerdemain , and freely confess that no purifying or awakening talisman is given to the Masonic neophyte . The knowledge imparted is

moderate in extent , and the man obtaining ifc finds that he has but learnt the rudiments of an elaborate system , the true bearing of which is veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . Those whq , sneer at Masonic symbols , Avho ask with

conventional irony why Masons cannot accomplish the good they profess to seek Avithout donning aprons and bedecking themselves with glittering baubles , should , to be consistent , denounce symbolism altogether . Take the House of Commons , and

note the precise formality with which old rites and customs are observed there , and say whether the solemn speaker would look as wise and dignified in a shooting-jacket or a dressing-gown , and whether the quaintly wigged and black-gowned

figures beloAv him are not more appropriately attired than if they Avore the paletot and wideaAvake of country life . Regard the throne with

its surroundings of velvet and ermine and jewels and gold ; the pulpit with its conventional black and white ; the bench with its time-honoured robes ; the bar with its wigs and gowns ! or , turning to private life , remark how the symbolism

of dress and ornament attends us from the cradle to the grave . The white draperies of the christening ceremony , the orange-flowers and favours of the wedding , the ghastly mockery of the nodding black feathers on the hearse , are surely as open to

criticism as our Masonic blue and Avhite aprons , or our gay ornament ' s . Freemasons , let it be remembered , rarely intrude their finery on the outer world . There are other excellent societies , the

members of which periodically | break out m buff boots and green tunics , or march with linked fingers through the town , to the clashing of Avind instruments , and behind banners bearing copybook axioms of approved molality . But with

Freemasons it is a point of honour not to wear the costume of their Graf :, or any adornment pertaining to it , save in their own lodges . To do otherwise—to flaunt collar , apron , or jewel in other places—is a serious Masonic offence , and one

censured with severity by the authorities . The sole exception to this rule is some important public occasion , when a dispensation is granted by the Grand Master of the Order , and the first stone of some great building is laid , or the remains of

some distinguished brother is conveyed to the earth . The exceptional character of these occurrences entitles us to the boast that our symbols are only worn for the benefit of those who understand them , and to whose technical knowledge

they appeal . In some cases they mark the rank of the wearer , like the soldier ' s uniform in others , the practical good he has effected , likeshall we say , the bishop ' s mitre ? Each division of the Order , called a lodge , is

rnled over by certain officers , who . are appointed hy its Master . To be eligible for this high post , you must have served in one of tAvo subordinate offices for twelve months , ancl must be efficiently skilled in Avhat is called the " working , " to

conduct the elaborate rites creditably . The first condition is imperative ; the second is sometimes evaded , though neither the Master accepting office , nor the lodge electing him , acts up to the bounden obligation when this is the case . The

cost of Freemasonry depends almost entirely upon the lodge you join , and is governed by the habits of the brethren composing it , and the by-laws

they have themselves agreed on . The broad rules controlling all lodges , and all Masons owing allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England , are things apart from these by-laws , though the latter have to be formally sanctioned as containing nothing

opposed to the " Book of Constisutions" or the leading principles of the Graft . Each lodge meets several times a year , and in London the members usuallp dine or sup together at the conclusion of their " Avork . " The Masters ,

the Past Masters , and the two Wardens are all members of the Masonic parliament ; in this way every Freemason has directly or indirectly a voice in the-government of the Order . Each Past Master

has been Master of a loclge for tAvelve months , and both Master Wardens are elected by their felloAvs . The Masonic parliament meets four times a year , and is called Grand Loclge . Its debates are held in the really magnificent temple in Great

Queenstreet , London , which has just been rebuilt under auspices of the Grand Supt . of Works , Bro . Frederick Cockerel ] , and is the property of the Graft . It is presided over by a Grand Master , who is nominally elected every year , but who is ebgible

for re-election , and who is , as some Masons think unwisely , virtually appointed for life . Once in every year , some one is proposed and seconded as a fit and proper person to fill the position of Grand Master , and the votes of those assembled in Grand