The Craft And Its Criticisers.-Ii.

THE CRAFT AND ITS CRITICISERS .-II .

[ From a Correspondent . ] I OLOSEH my former general and introductory communication with a series of questions ivhich are often put to members of our fraternity respecting it , by those who imagine that they perceive many points of objection , which nevertheless some would very gladly see removed ; and thus find themselves in a position to join us without offence to their own feelings ancl opinionsand perhaps I may addprejudices .

, , To all these queries the answers will doubtless be very various , according to the circumstances , the experience , the notions , of the individual by whom they may be made . It is to be feared that among the hundreds of thousands ivho are ranged under our banners , there are very many who will freely confess their inability to enter on the subject , and to give a satisfactory explanation ; all that they can tell is , that they have submitted to certain solemn and impressive ceremonies , very different from any

thingelse with which they are acquainted , and have thus obtained the privileges of attending meetings of Lodges , of calling their members by the name of brother , of wearing a peculiar dress on certain occasions , and of partaking in very nice banquets . Some , with but little more knowledge of the principles , history and objects of the Order , may be aware , that they are required to maintain a creditable character if they desire to avoid bringing discredit on the fraternity ; and are anxious to obtain thc requisite

information , but either have not time to devote to it , or lack the opportunity of gaining an acquaintance with all the forms , ritual , ceremonies and traditions connected with it , owing to a variety of circumstances , such as changes of abode , distance from a Lodge , difficulty in finding one who is competent ,

with ample time on his hands , and an inclination to devote it to the service of his friends . Others , who have been fortunate in having received initiation under favourable conditions of display , of impressiveness , of eloquence , may be inclined to give the institution full credit for all the wonderful accounts they hear of it , in respect to its antiquity , its divine origin , its continuity , its effect on heart and life ; they may even be led to attach a higher importance than it deserves as a religious society , and to view it as a

substitute for , rather than as a handmaid of , Christianity , a position which it has no right to occupy ; while , with regret be it said , there are a few , but it is hoped very few , who have been admitted in such a manner as to excite disgust instead of admiration , ivho have been made the objects of practical jokes , have been witnesses of utter incompetency on the part of the acting officers , have observed serious subjects treated with levity , and at a succeeding banquetwhicli has appeared to the partakers of more importance

, than the duties of the Lodge , have found those who had latelyjengaged in a solemn ritual and in prayer , defiling their lips by the utterance of profane or obscene language , utterly at variance with the obligations and ceremonies in ivhich they had but a short time previously assisted . That these pictures are not overdrawn , every Freemason of much experience must admit , yet some of them are doubtless rarely to be met with . Tlie offences , of omission alluded to are to be condemned as well as those of

commission , and it is to be feared that in one or other of these classes a very large proportion of our members must find a place , while comparatively few have so far made the history of the Craft a study , as to be able to give a clear and judicious statement in reply to any of the queries which have been mentioned as common . The number of those , however , who have