Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : GENEKAL MASONIC INSTRUCTIONS 131 MASONIC "POET ' CORNER" 132 TEACHING IN LODGES OF INSTRUCTION 132 OUR T RESTLE BOARD 133 & 134

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE 134 PROVINCIAL NOTES 134 COLONIAL CLIPPINGS 135

METROPOLITAN LODGE AND CHAPTER MEETINGS I 3 ( J REMINISCENCES OF A SECRETARY 13 ( 5 ADVERTISEMENTS Front cover , 130 , 137 , 138 , 130 , 140

General Masonic Instructions.

General Masonic Instructions .

HE PERUSAL of a Avork entitled Alhjomeinc Frcimaurcrische Insiridionon , by B . Cramer , Leipzig , 18 SU , has afforded us nnicli pleasure and food for deep thought . We are sure

that its translation into English A \ ould produce a revolution in the minds of most English masons . It is in the first

place , of course , the opinion and result of the author ' s study of the craft , but it doubtless represents the \ -iews of a large section of the fraternity in the fatherland ; and it is the fundamental difference between their ideas and ours

Avhich strikes us as so curious and interesting . We in England are a practical people , providing for each case as it arises , and not much given to analysis or determination

of the eternal fitness of things . In this spirit we have grasped Freemasonry . It has groAvn and developed amongst us—it is not now , in its essence and nature , what

it was 150 years sgo—but Ave have never deliberately or consciously given it a tendency this Avay or the other ; Ave do not much occupy our thoughts with abstruse questions

as to what it is , Avhat it might be , Avhat it should be . At all times Ave have found it answer certain needs of our inner nature ; these needs have changed with the times ,

and it has assumed different complexions to suit the altered requirements , whilst ever remaining true to its grand principles of love , relief and truth . In Germany the case

is different . There , I reemasonry is an exotic , an importation , not to the manner born , and the Germans , being fi reflective , introspective and someAvhat visionary race ,

haA'e from the very first enquired into its use , purpose and methods . For them it is not sufficient that Freemasonry is , that it suits them , that they enjoy it , that on the

whole its tendency is elevating and good , that without definite plans of a comprehensive sort it tends to the amelioration of humanity . They want to know where they are going , why they are going there , and to follow this

General Masonic Instructions.

path in perfect consciousness of their object and modes of procedure . AVe are far from blaming them ; their plan

would not suit us , but it may have its advantages , neA'ertheless , and in any case no harm can arise from setting a high ideal , even if its attainment be impossible .

Bro . Cramer ' s idea is that Freemasonry should be a great Avorld and manners reforming societ } ' , a band of missionaries carrying into execution the highest

conceptions of a social science reform . This view is insisted on throughout . the book—Ave select one passage at random" Freemasonry occupies an important place in the education

of the human race , inasmuch as it aims at gathering together and uniting in one purpose men gifted with a capacity for idealism , to complete their humanitarian

education and concentrate it in a focus . By these means those poAvers of idealism are to be strengthened which must precede the education of civil life , " & c , & c .

Our author would exclude from the lodge the present purely academical orations in praise of this or that cardinal virtue , and de \ ote all efforts to a more

practical amelioration of the members . But first he Avould only admit such members as Avere likely to be of service to the cause ; men gifted with time , monev and ,

aboA'e all , inclination to work , aye , sacrifice themseh-es for the good of humanity at large ; men with large bumps of benevolence and ideality . The mason who is merely

attracted by the antiquity of the institution ; Avho chiefly desires to console himself after the heat of the day , so full of strife . and pain , in the genial society of his felloAvs ;

Avhose idea of doing good largely consist in putting his hands in his breeches pockets ; such a man is useless as a mason , and Avill only jirove a drag on the jn'ogress of the

craft . But they are not to be droamy philosophers only ; men of business , men of experience , practical men they must be also , in order to put their benevolent projects into

execution . He gives instructions for testing the candidates , perfect instructions in their way , but Avhich Avould have the effect of excluding 9 !) out of eA eryl 00 English masons .

What the proportion AVOUIC ! be in Germany Ave are unable to say . Having acquired these members , not perfect in themselves , but capable of perfection , the lodge must first

form them to its purpose . The dheipline includes the practice of seA ere self-examination daily , and , worst of all , the submission of one ' s actions to the criticism of the

brotherhood . Faults of thought , Avord and deed are to be firmly and judiciously pointed out , erroneous vieAvs of duty to be corrected , lines of conduct , moral and civil , enjoined

by the more experienced elders ; and thus the fraternity Avill ultimately consist of fit Aveapons for the reformation of all the abuses in the state—whether of a moral , civil or governmental character . The members of the lodge will