Contents.

CONTENTS .

KmTomAL : '' Xu TUIK To liEAi ) '' 27 H ( Jol . OMAI , ITK . MW - '< S 0 . M . ASOX 1 C PoJiT ' . S UoKXKU 1 'Si ROVAI , Alton MASOXJJV 281 . MARK Al ' ASOXJJV 281 CoXSKCIJATlOX OF THE LEXXOX-BUUWXJ ' . LdlKJK . Xo . 2318 ... 282

Quit THESTLE BOARD 283 PUOVIXOIAI . XoTKS 283 QUESTIONS AND AXSAYEIIS 281 KOYAI . MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION 28-J XoTI FICATION 2 SJ GLEANINGS 2 S-1 MKTJIOJVHIITAX LODGE AXO VUAI ' TEII MEETINGS txni THE CUJJKKXT WKKIC - 2 S 1 ADVERTISEMENTS Fnmt cover . 278 , 28 ( i . 2 * 7 . 2 S 8 . 289

"No Time To Read."

" No Time to Read . "

HERE lias not boon , during the past Aveek , any Masonic event of more than ordinary importance in connection with the Order or its Institutions , and wc therefore , rather

gladly than otherwise , avail ourselves of the circumstance to utilize the words of one of our Exchanges upon a subject which affects Masonic literature sjiecifically , and the interests of Masonic journals generally . We allude to

the assumption , on the part of many of our brethren , that Masons as a bod } - are not reading men . Is this a truth , and , being so , a libel on many thousands who have accepted the exhortation to " especially study such of the

liberal arts and sciences as may lie within the compass of their attainment , and thereby make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge " ? " W e will admit that there may be sonic grounds for such conjecture , when we note the

difficulties which the Masonic press has had to encounter in the past , and before it became a recognised fact that publication , the same being supervised by judgment and experience , is not injurious to Freemasonry . But we

cannot accept the charge against Masonic intelligence quite so unreservedly as these detractors would have us do . There should be , and doubtless there is , a very large proportion of members of the Craft who are the superiors of

others because of their adherence to the exhortations they receive at their initiation , and the information they gain day by day and week by week by the perusal of works prepared for their edification , and capable of contributing

towards that daily advancement in Masonic knowledge which they arc called upon to make . For these we naturally entertain a great feeling of respect ; and for those who neglect the opportunities afforded a sorrowful pity . It is to these latter that our valued contemporary , the Masonic Advocate of Indianopolis , refers in an article in

"No Time To Read."

this month ' s number , and from which wc freely quote . Says our interesting Exchange : — " From the very bottom of our heart wc pity the Masonic Brother who says he

' has no time to read ' a Masonic journal . Of course we know that this is not true , and is only an excuse for declining to subscribe to one , for he generally goes on to

enumerate a long list of other publications that he is taking which take more time to read than all the Masonic journals would if put together . " Those are not our words , but we can endorse them , for

our experience in the present day is similar , and whilst , " of course we know if in nut // vf , " a great shame overshadows a great pity that any disciple of the grand

principle of Truth should so far forget himself , and the character of the Order to which he belongs , as to

prevaricate hi so paltry a fashion . Further says our Exchange : — " Our pity is not excited then because the brother has not time to read , but because he has not

enough Masonry in him to give him an inclination to derote a little of his spare time to Masonic literature . The query often presents itself , why do men invest small

fortunes in Masonic degrees , uniforms , and expensive charms to display upon their watch guards , and yet take no interest in keeping themselves informed of what is

going on in the great domain of Masonry •/ What compensation do such Masons derive for the money thus invested . ' Is it all embraced in the pleasure of an

occasional Masonic reunion and banquet ? These men are but rarely , if ever , seen at stated meetings of the Lodge , or other Masonic bodies to which they belong , and

perform none of the labour required to ensure their prosperity . Like drones in the hive , they are content to live upon and enjoy the fruits of the busy , working members . "

These are words pregnant with matter for earnest consideration by every man who has entered into Masonic union with his fellows ; and , moreover , they are as strictly

true as they are earnest . We do not hesitate to ask that many , at present , neglectful members of the brotherhood will ponder on them , and as a result take away from our

detractors all reasons for stigmatizing our Order as a bod y of men caring less for intellectual pursuits in connection theroAvith , than the sensual pleasures of its social accompaniments .

The Masonic Advocate concludes its interesting article by stating that its volumes for the past tAvenfcy years contain no less than six hundred answers to questions on

Masonic laAV and usage , such as are constantly , arising in Lodges and other Masonic bodies . Its final words so aptly

describe facts , and feelings of personal interest to ourselves , that Ave appropriate them verb , cl lit . in the assurance that our contemporary Avill rather praise the freedom we take