Masonic Discipline.—Xiii.

understand virtually nothing , is considered as a pastime . This of course cannot be helped , nor is there any real evil in the circumstance , for although they might not have any serious ideas upon the matter , yet as honourable men , they respect the

obligations they have voluntarily taken upon themselves , too much to make light of the subject to others , or to expose how little they know of that , with which they ought to be perfectly conversant . The real danger to Freemasonry lies in the fact ,

that the manner in which the working is conducted in ninety-nine lodges out of a hundred , will not stand the test of the mildest criticism or

examination , by any decently educated man who grapples seriously with the whole subject . It will be conceded that every brother , especially one who has been recently initiated , approaches the question of self inquiry and reflection upon what he has

witnessed , and what he knows of Freemasony , with a mind strongly biassed in its favour . He is both willing and ready to pardon a great deal , to make ample allowances for shortcomings that would be treated mercilessly by an impartial outsider ,

and to tax his own powers of invention to frame excuses for faults , that his better judgment cannot fail to condemn . Similarly to ourselves , he may appreciate the hidden mysteries of the Order , may hnoiu Masonry in the fullest sense of the term , but all his ideal knowledge , all his enthusiasm in

favour of the theoretical beauty of our tenets , the pathos of our orisons , the mystical fidelity ancl truth of our rites and ceremonies , will fail to support him , and keep his faith from wavering , under the trying ordeal inflicted upon him by the

working of the majority of our lodges . AVhat must be the feeling uppermost in the mind of every zealous Mason , when he witnesses the examination of candidates , in their progress round the loclge , by officers who are themselves perfectly incapable

of going through the forms they demand of the noviciates ? Whatever may be the ignorance or the proficiency of the rank ancl file , is of no consequence , but when an officer is glaringly incompetent to perform his duties , the only conclusion that any candid person can arrive at , is that he has no business to be where he is .

Having dealt with the important question of the education , selection and appointment of the officers of lodges , and plainly expressed an opinion that a radical change is urgently demanded , an opinion in which many of our readers coincide , we may now proceed to the discussion of several other

points , which are intimately connected with our subject . In these , as well as in those to which we have already , drawn attention , it will be seen thafc there is the same absence of proper interference upon the part of the governing loclge , the same

laxity of " Masonic Discipline" and the same neglect of all attempts , to ensure anything approaching uniformity and unanimity , throughout the component elements of our vast , ancl influential organisation . What a number of petty , trifling ,

insignificant discrepancies exist which mi ght be reconciled with the greatest facility , if the matter were taken up vigorously and earnestly ! In by far the larger majority , it is not a question of which s right . It is really of not the slightest

consequence which of the two be taken as correct , but the very fact that there is a difference , is sufficient to mar the beauty of the whole , ancl render painfully manifest , the absence of any fixed standard or datum , in accordance with which all our

proceedings great ancl small should be regulated . And yet , it is more than probable that greater difficulty would be experienced in establishing uniformity with respect to these insignificant quibbles , than in reconciling differences , which mighb fairly

constitute good grounds for serious contemplation and discussion . So prone are men to dispute about trifles . It will be remembered that some time && 0 , when a revision of the bible was contemplated , and the subject mooted in the house , the principal argument advanced against it was that it would

unsettle people ' s minds . It was not denied that a revision would , otherwise considered , be very desirable , ancl there is no doubt whatever that it will eventually be carried out . It is just possible that something analagous might be asserted

respecting the modifications we contend for in Freemasonry , but on the other hand no one bases his salvation upon the Masonic creed , nor do we allege thafc the system of Masonry is incorrect . The theory is perfect and immutable . It is the

practice only that requires reformation , and which should be made to conform universally to the theoretical standard . A revision of the bible , would to some extent , alter the standard of the Christian belief . A revision of the working of our lodges ,

would simply place them all in that relative position of identity aucl uniformity , which they ought to hold as individual members of our great Institution .

IT requires greater virtues to support good , than bud fortune . — La Bochefoucav . lt .