Apathy In Our Order.

APATHY IN OUR ORDER .

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed ly Correspondent !!

TO THIl EDITOR OS TEE EEEEJIASOSS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIHKOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —My attention has been called to the fact that iu some places there is a considerable number of brethren of high character and social position Avho have ceased to be connected with the Craft by subscription to any lodgeand who

, take no interest in our proceedings . I can quite understand this with men of some dispositions , believing , however , that a sense of duty ought to induce them to remain , in full assurance that in course of time matters will he regarded in their true light , and inducements to secession cease ; nor should it be

forgotten that apathy and distrust must weaken our Order in the eyes of those not yet admitted to it , and destroy its title to respect . On this principle I have endeavoured to act , though , had I folloAved my own inclination and the example of others , I have felt that I had more than reasonable ground for doing so .

On inquiring into the causes of such departures from our ranks , 1 come to the conclusion that there is none more fertile than the appointments to office , which are in the hands of the W . M . Of course , it is expected that in such appointments he will exercise the power as a sacred trust for the benefit of the

lodge , taking merit and conduct as the test , and not be actuated by his own caprice or predilections . On the contrary , I have heard brethren argue that it is the privilege of the W . M . to select for office any whom he may think proper to elevate irrespective of such qualifications , without having his course called in

question . Thus I have known brethren of little merit or capacity placed over the head of others who have well deserved advancement , and who have thus felt that by losing ground once they have been put out of the course , and have little chance of again getting into it . This has led to their retirement from the lodge . It is quite true that theoreticallwe all ought

y to take any position that may be assigned to us , and earnestly to do our dut y in it , but it is not in human nature quietly to bear acts of apparent or real injustice , and , where there is no redress , disgust and anger bear temporary sway . It cannot be denied that it is better for a brother under such circumstances to leave

than to remain and be a source of disputation . I cannot but think that the power in this respect in the hands of the W . M . is too great for some men to be trusted with , especially where the election is carried by a small majority on the ballot , and that at least he ought to consult in a body all the P . M . ' s and existing

officers before making the arrangements for his year of Mastership . Thus only can the officers have the confidence of the members , discontent be avoided , and the lodge be in fact what it is in theory , the abode of peace , union , and harmony , cultivating the virtues of " Brotherly love , reliefand truth . " It is

, very possible to conceive of cases where intimations may be given to brethren who have thoroughly performed their duty , that progress in the next year would be made to depend on the manner in which they voted , or the opinions they expressed , on particular questions , thus doing away with all freedom

Apathy In Our Order.

of thought and liberty of action , and giving the W . M . and undue influence in the management of the lodge , already , as some think , more than sufficiently great . It would be a libel on the Craft , however , to imagine that such instances can be otherwise than very rare indeed . Another point which has struck me as a great

source of discontent has been the princip le on which the distinction of the purple apron is conferred . In a small province men obtain it whose merits are very mediocre , aud who have never filled the chair of a lodge , while in others , more numerous , hard-working W . M . ' s have passed many years before their services

have been recognised . I cannot but deem it unwise largely to extend the number of purple aprons , which ought to mark high merit , and hence arises a question as to the propriety of the rule which obtains in many districts to change all the provincial officers each yearthus preventing such as have deserved the

, highest ranks from obtaining them , for , where this plan is followed , a young Mason who has been so fortunate as to gain the purple early in a subordinate position , loses a chance of future higher . distinction , whatever may have been his subsequent services in

the cause . I am aware that this plan is pursued m Grand Lodge , but the cases are different , because even under it comparatively few out of the large number of Masons in the country can hope ever to obtain the distinction . Again , one province -with which I am acquainted compares unfavourably with other provincesfor

, there the rule was , and I presume still is , to raise every officer who is present each year , and thus , should all attend , there can be but one vacancy to fill , that of Pursuivant , caused hy the retirement of the S . W . and the elevation of those below him . This limitation of the purple renders it more highly prized ,

and insures that its possessors must not only have done their duty , but have made extra efforts in its performance . Moreover , being a large province , none who have not filled the chair of a lodge stand any chance of such honours . It may he urged that many worthy men are thus passed over , but I believe that

occasionally a year is set aside when the ordinary routine is abandoned , in order to give an opportunity of repairing any manifest omissions . I cannot but consider this plan as infinitely superior to the too great multiplicity of Past Prov . Grand Officers found elsewhere . Yours fraternally , P . M .

INELIGIBILITY OF CANDIDATES FOR EREEMASONRY . TO THE EDITOR OF THE TBEE 3 IASONS' 3 IAGAZIHE AND MASONIC MlnHOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —Bro . W . P . Buchan ' s letter of the 14 th inst ., is before me , and I think you right in asserting at the top of it that you are not

responsible for the expressed opinions of correspondents , as you would have much to answer for were you sponsor for the progeny of Bro . B . ' s brain at all times . I always suspected there was as much pent up asafcetida about him as would fumigate a whole mirror

of Masonic reflections , and apparently I have lighted the fuse , which has sprung the mine of his fiery serpents , hissing and squirming through nitro-glycerine and genuine orthodox "brumstane . " This sceptical