What Is The Good Of Freemasonry ?

Lodge are taken . The present Grand Master of English Freemasons , the Earl of Zetland , who succeeded the late Duke of Sussex , is so widely and deservedly popular , that he has held this position for more than t * venty years . The

propriety of limiting the Grand Master's eligibility for office , and electing him for four or six years and no longer , is a point upon which there is some difference of opinion , and one which it is unnecessary to do more than allude to here . The Grand

Master is aided by a council , and supported by Grand Officers , who may be termed the upper house of the Masonic parliament . These dignitaries are appointed by the Grand Master , hold office for a year , have permanent past rank , and

wear distinguishing insignia for life . All questions of Masonic laAv—and problems affecting these are of constant occurrence—all difficulties of administration , all disputes and dissensions—and , despite

their brotherly love , even Masons occasionally quarrel—can be brought before Grand Lodge as the final authority . Committees of its members sit regularly to adjudicate and present periodical reports , advise on the bestowal of money gifts to

necessitous brethren , and on the answers to be given to those asking for interference or advice . The time devoted to the subject , by those who take a leading part in these councils ; the patient umvearying attention given to minute and

frequently tedious details ; the constant sacrifice of private interests to the common good ; and the careful and laborious discussion Avhich precedes every decision—all this Avould astonish those AVIIO regard Freemasonry as a mere plea for conviviality .

Ifc is a simple fact that busy professional men habitually devote a considerable portion of their time to business drudgery ; that boards and committees meet to debate and divide ; that in no case is remuneration or reAvard looked for .

This voluntary self-absorption is not the least striking part of Freemasonry , for , at the meetings I speak of , neither convivial pleasures nor indirect personal advantage can be hoped for . It is sheer dogged hard work , performed gratuitously and

cheerfully by men upon Avhom the rules ancl precepts I have hinted at , have made full impression . Let it be borne in mind that ten thousand initiations took place last year ; that the income of

the Craft exceeds that of many a principality ; that its members subscribe to their three charitable Institutions—the Freemosons' Girls' School , the

Freemasons' Boys' School , and the Asylum for Aged Freemasons and their Widows , some twenty thousand pounds anuall y ¦ that the cares of administration and distribution devolve upon the busy men forming the committees and sub-committees

named ; and it AA'ill be readily seen that , apart from its " secrets , " this time honoured Institution has worked , and is working , substantial and undeniable good . Its hold on earnest members is the best pi-oof I can advance of the reality of its tie .

But it is time yon saAv one of the institutions Ave are so proud of . Let us take a railway ticket from either Waterloo or Victoria station , and after a twenty minutes' riin alight at Clapham Junction . A feAV minutes' bewilderment in the dreary

subterranean caverns of that mighty maze ; a feAV abortive ascents up steps Avhichare so ingeniously placed at the sides of the tubular dungeon we traverse as to lure us upon wrong platforms , whence-Ave are sent beloAv again ignominiously ; a

short game at question and ausAver Avith the old crone selling oranges at the corner ; and , crossing another railway bridge , Ave are in front of a

spacious red brick building , on the lofty tower of Avhich , besides the clock , are a pair of compasses ancl a blazing sun . We will not stop to talk further about symbols UOAV . After admiring the spacious , Avell-kepfc garden of this place , and

enjoying the SAveet scents rising up from every flowerbed , Ave make for the front door , when the sharp click of a croquet-mallet reaches us from the right , and , turning a corner , we come upon a thoroughly happy party . Some twenty girls , frofh

twelve to fifteen years old , are laughing merrily at the vigour AA'ith which one of their number has just sent the ball rattling through the little croquet hoops . The healthy , happy , laughing group

framed in by foliage , and relieved by the bright green of the velvety turf upon which they play ; the frankly modest confidence with Avhich we , as strangers , are received ; the courteous offer to accompany us round the grounds and the house ]

the revelation that , as this is the matron ' s birthday , every one is making merry in her honour—¦ are all a capital commentary upon the Masonic virtues I have vaunted . Next , Ave learn that some ladies and gentlemen are playing in another

portion of the grounds , and in a feAV paces we are in their midst , being Avelcomed by house-cominitteemen , are hearing that our chance . visit has happened on a red-letter day , and that other brethren are expected doAvn . The speaker is an