Objects Of Masonic Reform.

the laws of the craft they haA e been so irequently changed , that the body of masonry can have but very little soul attached to it UOAV . If it is contended that the term applies to the ritual the innovations , and innovators , are , and haA'e been , equally frequent and numerous . That portion of Freemasonry having undergone so many ultra changes •—reforms they cannot be called , because they have been destructive

and not preservative—now differs so materially from that in use at the period of the revival that , to use a familiar though forcible phrase , its OAVU parents could scarcely recognize it . Every one AVIIO chooses to introduce a IIOAV reading , good , bad , or indifferent , either in the laAV or the ritual , does it at his sole Avill and pleasure , and is sure to findas his opportunities are extended or contractedmore

, , or less supporters . " Men are machines , with all their boasted freedom , " Their movements turn upon some favorite passion ; " Let art but find the latent foible out , " We touch the spring , and wind them at our pleasure . " Bitoox

. It is problematical if this art is really understood by the Grand Secretary who boasts " I am the Grand Master ; " and , laying doAvn his version of our taws , Avould Avish all masonic slaves to fall doAvn and AVorship him as a Sir Oracle , but even oracles have been notorious for their falsehood and double dealing . Thus no faith can be pinned to this amateur Grand Master ' s decisions , for the Grand lodge claims

for itself the poAver of framing . IIOAV laivs , abrogating old ones , and settling Avhat is , and shall be , the ritualistic language and observance of the craft , and this shoAA r s us that , both a man , and a body of men , not oidy have the AVIU , but actually , and Avhenever they choose , make innovation in the body of masonry . If AVC survey Freemasonry from pole to pole one of the most striking phenomena that Avill

present itself to our TIOAV is the utter absence of -unity in its laws , history , ceremonies , and customs . In no two countries , states , kingdoms , or empires , do these particulars accord .. England and France are , in these matters , at direct variance . France does not agree with Germany ; Germany Avith Holland ; Holland Avith Sweden ; SAveden A \ ith America ; America Avith Scotland ; Scotland with Ireland , or

Ireland Avith England . In short there is no Masonic unity on the face of the earth . Again if AVC take Rites , or systems , Ave shall find as great , or greater , diversity than there are countries , but confining ourselves to those practised in England , What do Ave see 1 The Craft is separated from the Arch , although the latter is declared to be the completion of the former . The Craft Avas entirely changedor

, innovated on , in 1813 , and the Arch underwent a similar process in 1835 . The Arch repudiates the Mark degree and is equally unconcerned about it Avhether it is derived from the old Northern usage , the Irish , Scotch , or the more modern burlesque located in Bedford-roAA , Avith a ritual barely three years old . Knight Templary underwent serious innovations in 1851 , and is ignored by