Ar00100

Cumtmte . ¦ ' PAGE . Organization of Freemasonry 1 G 1 Chips of Foreign Ashlar—By J . A . H 162 Masonic Discipline—By Crux 164 Reformation Theory of the Origin of Freemasonry—By W . P . Buchan 105 Masonic Archajological Institute 166

Fraternity 168 Masonic Notes and Queries 169 Correspondence 170 Masonic Mems 174 CRAPT LODGE MEETINGS : — Metropolitan , 174 Provincial 175 Cape of Good Hope 175 Arch

Royal 175 Literature , Science , Music , Drama , and the Fine Arts 175 Knowledge is Power , or What is Masonry ? 176 "Christian" a Term of Wide Significance 177 Have our Grand Lodges all been legally organised ? ,. 177 Masonic Solicitude 179 Intellectual Freedom 179 Poetry 179 List of Lodge , Ac , Meetings for ensuing week 180 To Correspondents ISO

Organisation In Freemasonry.

ORGANISATION IN FREEMASONRY .

LONDON , SATURDAY , AUGUST 28 , 1869 .

NOAV that Freemasonry is coming more under tlie eyes of the public , and that the association of its royal patron is a recognized fact , there will also come under notice the position of Freemasonry and Freemasons with regard to the public . From

within many lodges this will be found very satisfactory and for very good reasons . The invaluable character of Freemasonry as a learned and moral institution , the depository of ancient and recondite mysteries , it possesses the keys of all sciences .

Its ceremonies are the most sublime in the world , and their performance constitutes an intellectual exercise of the highest character . Freemasonry has charities , " the charities / ' these charities are the most important in the country , and such as no

body of men can rival , except the Licensed Victuallers , the Commercial Travellers and some others . The Order of Freemasons is very much respected , particularly at balls , and great eagerness is exhibited by young men of all classes to

belong to it . Several peers and members of parliament and eminent Masonic instructors belong to it .

These and many other considerations have given satisfaction to a great part , we may say the majority of our members , but there is' a doubt whether the general and educated public will accede to them . "We may now have to meet in

stronger force , men of intelligence , who have hitherto questioned the utility of Freemasonry , have held themselves aloof from it , or having joined it have retired from all active communion or sympathy with it . There is not one man of

standing among us , who has not had to contend with such doubters , and we know the real issues with them are not to be satisfied by proficiency in the ceremonies , or even by the charities . They look upon the charities as no sufficient ground ,

for men to spend time and money in eating , drinking and smoking , and it is affirmed that so far from charity and relief being carried out in a satisfactory way toAvards poor Masons it is administered in a very unsatisfactory manner , and that the

examples are rare indeed of a deserving or distressed Mason or his family being adequately provided for . It is alleged that cases of distress are met Avith a most insufficient dole- In fact the whole of the lalleged merits are doubted , and not

without reason for there are many lodges Avhich have never done anything for the public good in . a century of existence . It must be allovred that the condition of Freemasonry does not correspond Avith the

expectations of its members or the public , it may be in some instances , because expectations or [ pretensions . are exaggerated ; but certainly because Freemasonry in this country , prosperous as it is , does not come up to the recognised standard . It is consequently a matter well deserving of the

consideration of the rulers of the Graft , and many of them are quite alive to it , and their efforts have been directed for many years to its remedy . Still we need not expect too much from the rulers of the Graft . Our Most

Worshipful G . M . has long shoAvn an earnest desire to promote the wishes and welfare of the members , and to carry out any settled policy , but its origination , cannot rest with him . The G . Sec . has quite enough to do in the details of administration ,

which are sufficient to overcome exeberant zeah The G . Reg . has his own lawyer like department . The President and Vice President of the Board of General Purposes do not perhaps feel justified in originating any measures , which

they might not have strength to carry out . There are several leading members in G . Lodge , whose names will occur to our readers , and Avho have evinced a great desire to promote progress , and whose co-operation may be relied upon . Our

Bro . John Havers has in his time done very much in this respect , and the measures he has carried out with regard to the hall , ought to produce the greatest moral fruits for the welfare of the Order , but to this he has devoted many years , and he can hardly be called upon to apply another