Notes On American Freemasonry.

the right of any power , civil , religious , or Masonic , to divide its legitimate and original jurisdiction , exeept by its own act of Grand Lodge assembled ; and " Whereas , the Grand Lodge of Missouri cannot encourage the spirit of rebellion or revolution against a regularly constituted Masonic authority ; and "Whereas , the Grand Lodgs of Canada has , by a large majority , refused to divide its original jurisdiction with certain

Lodges in the province of Quebec , and has placed these Lodges in suspension for disobedience of its lawful commands ; therefore , be it " Resolved , that the Grand Lodges of Missouri cannot extend to the so-called Grand Lodge of Quebec , any Masonic recognition , until it shall first have received the approved recognition of tbe Grand Lodge of Canada , it being the original and supreme Masonic authority in the province of Quebec , and

be it " Resolved , tbaL the Lodges in this Grand Jurisdiction be and are hereby forbidden to hold Masonic intercourse with any brethren or Lodge holding under the jurisdiction of tbe so-called Grand Lodge of Quebec , until it shall first be recognised by the Grand Ledge of Missouri , and be it . " Resolved , That the Grand Lodge of Missouri regrets the action of the brethren in Quebecbelieving they have been

mis-, led as to the position they should occupy , and it fraternally and earnestly requests them to return to their proper Masonic obedience , feeling assured that they will be fraternally provided for by the Grand Lodge of Canada . Number of lodges , 368 ; number of members , 18 , 493 .

MONTANA . The Grand Master delivered a very long and well written address . He tells the following truths : — "No ambition to increase members should make us insensible to the qualifications of applicants . Not every mau who knocks at the door of our temple should receive admission . Masonry is to-day not only the greatest , but the most popular , fraternal its

association in the world . Many who in the days of adversity would have shunned and denounced it from motives of mere policy , now seek to unite with it from similar considerations . We want no such fair-weathered members . Ours is not an institution to be bartered for personal aggrandisement . Its honours are properly bestowed as rewards of meritorious services—not as promoters af the selfish designs of its members . Masons who would use their honours as stepping-stones to

secular or political preferment , whatever their standing or ability , deserve tho severest reprobation . We cannot too effectually guard our doors against their admission . " The causes which most frequently operate to affect the sanctity of the ballot , are a desire to increase membership , and to replenish the treasury . On both of these pleas applicants are often admitted who would otherwise have been rejected . This is a culpable violation of the plainest requirements of Masonry . A lodge may gain an unenviable reputation sooner by the

admission of bad men than by any other infraction of its charters . The increase of members and the amount added to the funds hut poorly compensates for the ineffaceable stigma which the order thus acquires . In the admission to membership , every act is not less for the entire fraternity than for itself . Every initiation , therefore , dictated by improper motives , is a broach of faith on the part of the transgressing lodge , which _ compromises the honour of the order throughout the entire jurisdiction ,

where it occurs . It furnishes the enemies of the institution with an argument which its friends cannot repel . Tim appearance , on public occasions , in processions , of men of doubtful character , in a publication to the world that our privileges are Dot denied them . " Were lodges careful to admit only ' good men true , and those wdio strictly obey the moral law , ' there would be little laint of non-affiliation . It it generally those Masons who

comp lack positive characteristics that neglect or refuse to affiliatemen who , without any bad qualities , possess none that are positively good—whose curiosity being gratified as to Masonry , they are indifferent to its privileges and careless of its obligations . They coiise to be 'living stones in the spiritual building ' of Masonrv . The only sure method by which these difficulties may be avoided , is to adhere strictly to the fundamental law , and punish , in a proper manner , every violation of it .

Notes On American Freemasonry.

" In immediate connection with this evil is another of almost equal magnitude—the disposition to multiply lodges . It is proper that a lod ge should be established wherever the convenience of a sufficient number of brethren requires it ; but when , as is often the case , members withdraw from their lodge and form a new one through motives of ambition or dissatisfaction , a multitude of troubles of tbe most grievous character generally Laudiblo

ensue . as is the ambition to excel , when , properly directed , it is equally reprehensible when it forgets the peace and harmony of the order . All who attain excellence are sure of reward ; and the delay in receiving it is never a sufficient reason for adopting hasty or ill-advised measures to expedite it . Let the ambitious and deserving ' wait with patience , ' rather than introduce an element of discord into your midst . A new lodge , formed for the purpose of increasing tbe facilities

for office , is an object of jealously and distrust to the old lodge , and necessarily becomes its rival . A strife exists between them from the commencement . It enters into all their affairs . Which shall have the most perfect ritual ; which shall attain the largest membership ; which shall possess the most expensive furniture ; which treasury shall be best supplied ;—these are a few of the subjects which constantly exercise the minds and task the ingenuity of the brethren . Dissension is a natural

consequence . Proselyting grows into a mania . The cardinal virtues are overlooked . The beautiful lessons of the ritual , intended for the improvement of the mind and heart , are perverted to purposes of rivalry and ambition . The lodges are no longer capable of assisting in the growth and perpetuity of Masonic principles . They introduce a spurious system of moralit y into the Order , which can find no parallel except in the doubtfu school of party politics . We cannot too emphatically discount , this

nance prevalent innovation of Masonry . " Number of lodges , 14 ; members , 541 . ( To le Continued . ')

Notes On Music And The Drama.

NOTES ON MUSIC AND THE DRAMA .

At DEUKY LAKE , Mr . W . B . Chatterton has achieved a great success with the Historical drama , entitled " Rebecca , " adapted by Andrew Halliday , from Sir Walter Scott ' s "Ivanhoe ., ' The Voices family in the " Right Man in the Wrong Place , " complete the pro gramme .

HATMAEKET . —Mr . Sothern has appeared during the past week , as " David Garriek . " The engagement of this gentleman will shortly conclude , when he leaves for America . At the PKINCESS ' S " Eileen Oge " has reached its eightieth representation .

At the LYCEUM , Mr . Bateman has met with considera ble success , "Fanchette ; or the Will of the Wisp " being played every evening . At the STEAND , Mrs . Swanborough announces that , in consequence of the genuine and continued success attending the representation of this fine old English

comedy by Colman , it will be performed every evening until further notice . At the GAIETY , a new operatic extravaganza , by Alfred Thornton , has been produced entitled , " Cinderella the Younger , " Miss Julia Matthews , Miss Ada Cavendish , Miss Cavendish , and Miss Tremaine , Mr . Stoyle , and

Thomas Taylor , are found amongst the company . At the QUEEN ' , "Hinko , " a really good piece has been successful , in spite of its wretched name .