Notes On American Freemasonry.

He subsequently returned to California , ancl the Master of Lodge Columbia claims , through the Grand Lodge of California , that the Mount Hollis Lodge has violated the provisions of the Book of Constitutions .

The committee Avho are called upon to decide the vexed question did not feel themselves capable of settling the question of fact , Avhether the residence of the brother was in California or Massachusetts . They say that if the former were

the case , then Mount Hollis Lodge had violated the law ; but if , on the other hand , it could be considered that the home of the brother was in Massachusetts , the lodge had not broken the rules in such cases provided . Should it be found

that they had done so the lodge would be held to a rigid accountability . It seems that a question on some former occasion had been raised as to the expediency of the system of exchanging Grand Lodge

representatives , "which it is said originated with the Grand Lodge of New York in 1840 , aud which now obtains to some considerable extent in tho United

States . The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts seem to have regarded it as a modern innovation no . calculated to promote either its own interests or that of the sister lodges . It involves the appointment of some 40 representatives , selected in most

instances at haphazard , ancl entails a large outlay in jewels , collars , and the banner of the G . L . they represent . The expense which , it was stated , would not be so much an object if the benefit to be derived were adequate , would be not

less than 3000 or 4000 dols . The committee considered the system more ornamental than useful , and the Grand Lodge voted that it was inexpedient to adopt the so-called representative system . We are informed that on Thursday morning , at

9 a . m ., the "Grand Lecturers " opened the " Grand Lodge of Instruction , " and that the work ancl lectures of the three degrees were fully exemplified in the presence of nearly seven hundred brethren . These duties seem to have occupied the time till half-past 5 , when the Grand Lodge was closed in due form .

Here is a useful hint for the promoters of the movement for securing uniformity of ritual . The proceedings contain amongst other useful and entertaining information , the reports of the Grand Lecturers . They seem to visit all the lodges in their respective districts , giving instruction , correcting error and abuses , and reporting the

Notes On American Freemasonry.

results of their labours to the Grand Lodge . The subject is of such great importance pending the discussion of the question of uniformity of ritual that we shall revert to it on a early occasion .

"Clannishness " Of Masonry.

"CLANNISHNESS " OF MASONRY .

By Bro . WILLIAM ROUNSEVILLB . In these days when it is attempted to create an organised opposition to Masonry , it may be neither uninteresting nor inappropriate to examine some of the more prominent faults ascribed to it by

those AVIIO have assigned themselves the duty of expunging it from the record of history . I hear of no objection to Masonry oftener urged , except its secrets , than that which is Avritten at the head of the article . But this term is usually meant

that Masonry influences its members to become exclusive in their associations—clannish not only in feeling , but in action—and more inclined , as the influences of the associations are stronger , to confine their good offices to members instead of

allowing them to go out to all the forms of want and misery . I am perfectly aware how foolish such a charge must sound in the ear of a Mason , and how needless the task of defending the institution against it , will appear to the well informed

member . But I do not write for the benefit of this class exclusively . There are hundreds and thousands of Avell disposed and honest men in our country Avho believe most faithfully that such is the legitimate , natural , and unfailing influence of an institution spread over the whole earth .

The Avide-spread belief of the clannish nature and influence of Masonry usually finds expression in the acknoAvledgement of its power as a controller of human action—of its immense influence

as a moral agent . So Ave may be allowed to assume that it has a strong moral bearing upon the character and conduct of its members . What that influence is—in Avhat or Avhose behalf it is exerted—shall be the subject of the present

paper . The mere fact of association—the assembling together of different individuals—the formation of intimate acquaintances and the engagement in the same pursuits Avhen assembled , can be urged

against Masonry no more than against the Christian Church . That organization contemplates and produces all the conditions to produce clannishness among the members , that are presented by the Masonic Institution . In that association men are