Past And Present.

purposes for which it was established . Its beneficent ministries were never more largely exercised than now ; its ceremonies never more intelligently enacted ; its moral lessons never more impressively set forth , and most certainly the Masonic Brotherhood still holds the foremost

p lace among secret organizations of a fraternal character . Conceding that there are blemishes and shortcomingsnew departures that aro not in the line of real progresswe yet hold to the opinion that the Freemasonry of the

closing decade of the Nineteenth Century shows no impairment of vital force , nor perversion to selfish and base uses , snch as justifies tbe charges sometimes brought against it by thoso within its communion as well as those outside its courts .

Think of the personal service rendered to the call of sympathy and philanthropy , at the fraternal spirit kindled at the fires of Masonic shrines , of the Homes and Asylums builded and sustained by the Craft and now doing a blessed work of relief under the administration of a large hearted ,

full handed charity ! Most surely Freemasonryis not deteriorating either in form or subitance—in outward service or the power and beauty of its inner life . There may be " spots on our feasts of charity , " but the Masonic condition taken as a wholo is fall of encouragement . —Freemasons * Repository .

Public Masonic Ceremonies.

PUBLIC MASONIC CEREMONIES .

"VTOW and then a disposition is manifest in some Lodges X . N to express a desire for a public occasion where the Masons may take part . It occurs when there is to be , by the profane , a procession to celebrate an event that is of

public interest . Profane societies , associations of individuals united for a secular object , the military organisations , and citizens generally , are to be participants in the pageant .

If , as is likely , Masons are members of some of these organisations , they , of course , would prefer to appear in their Masonic character . Hence , it is suggested that the Masonic Lodges of the locality participate . The enthusiasm of the inhabitants of the place is excited by the promised parade . Therefore whatever tends to the gratification of this feeling is of course popular .

It is no wonder then , thafc the Masonic Fraternity thereabouts is more or less affected by the prevailing excitement . A proposition is discussed among the brethren to try and secure the Lodges to take part in fche ceremonies and appear as Lodges .

A very little reflection will show that the Freemasons in their organised Lodges can have no place in the public ceremony . Though the purpose may be ever so patriotic , the aim and intent of those engaged in furthering the proceeding of the highest and best , yefc as Freemasons they cannot unite .

Freemasonry has its own special duties , its own laws , its own traditions , customs and characteristics . Ifc is in itself withdraw from all associations with the profane . Its objects and its purposes are limited within the strictest

rules . The Craffc meet by themselves , they transact their own business among themselves . They prohibit all but members of the Lodge to enter their portals ; they are distinct from the people as Masons ; though as men they are part of the general public .

When Masons appear outside of their sealed enclosures , it is for a special , particular and thoroughly recognised Masonic purpose . So far as it is permissible for Masons , as Masons , to appear in public for some appropriate Masonic duty , it is ever then guarded by the strict rules which

limit the demonstration , and especially the part they take . Therefore it is unbecoming , it is a tacit contradiction of the spirit of Masonry ; ifc is placing the Craft in antagonism to its principles , its usages ancl customs , for Lodges to participate in pnblic ceremonies .

There are no public Masonic ceremonies at which Lodges can appear except as an assembly of the members of the Lodge . The dedication of a Masonic hall , the laying of a

corner-stone of some public building , and the obsequies of a member of a Lodge , on which occasions Lodges are present , ytt remember the Lodge only then U the assembling of its members in public , Of course , every Mason

Public Masonic Ceremonies.

must know thafc a Masonic Lodge , as lawfully warranted and duly constituted , can only meet as a Lodge in its tyled room , under the essential , unalterable laAV regulating such meetings . Then it is preposterous to say that a Lodgo can perform

any Masonic ceremony—that is , Masonic per se—in public . Freemasonry never can be an adjunct ; in any public demonstration , as a Lodge . Its members as citizens , may of course , unite with their fellow citizens in every proper

public ceremony . Bufc do not forget that as a Masonic Lodge , thafc body cannot assume to appear in its constituted character elsewhere than as is prescribed by the laws of Masonry .

It is at least a satisfaction to know that , amid the excitements and the motives which create them , which the profane delight to enjoy , there is a hoary , ancient , distinguished ancl historic body , tbat can "look out upon the

busy world from the loopholes of retreat , " in harmony and satisfaction , made glorious by its maintained and honourable character , its adhesion to - principle , and its moderation in the discharge of imperative duties . —Keystone

By command of the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . A . F . Godson , M . A ., M . P ., the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Worcestershire will be held at the Saracen's Head Hotel ,

Dudley , on Monday , the 19 th inst ., at 4 o ' clock in the afternoon precisely . A banquet will take place at the Saracen's Head Hotel , Dudley , at 5 p . m . Tickets ( exclusive of wine ) , Gs Gd each .

At a meeting of the Socrates Lodge , No . 373 , held at the George Hotel , Huntingdon , on Tuesday , the Gth inst ., a Provincial Grand Organist ' s jewel was presented to

Brother Edward Solomon P . G . O . the Organist of the Lodge , as a mark of appreciation for his musical services . Bro . A . E . Margetts W . M . made the presentation , which was suitably acknowledged .

At the monthly meeting of the St . Peter s Lodge , No . 1024 , oh Tuesday , the Gth inst ., Bro . C . R . Finch , of Great Baddow , was elected W . M . for the ensuing year

Bro . H . J . Sanson P . P . G . J . D . was elected Treasurer , and Bro . Geo . Burnes Tyler . The Worshipful Master elect was appointed to represent the Lodge on the Essex Charity Committee .

Next to an extremely liberal grant to tbe Mansion Honse Fnnd for tbe relief of the burnt-out people of St . John ' s , Newfoundland , the most interesting feat are of last Wednesday ' s Grand Lodge of Free , masons was the display on tbe walls of the " Temple " of a falllength portrait of Lord Lathom , the Pro Grand Master . The painting and the likeness are alike admirable , and do infinite credit to Mr . B . S . Marks , the artist . —The World .

On the 9 th inst ., tbe Benevolent and Charity Committee of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire held a meeting at the Masonio Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , where there was a very large and influential attendance , under the Chairmanship of Bro . K . Wylie . The business of the meeting was to consider petitions for grants from tbe Provincial Grand Lodge Fnnd of Benevolence , and as a resalt of tbe committee ' s deliberations the snm of £ 60 waa voted in aid of distressed Freemasons and the widows of deceased brethren .

Sometimes we hear it said that " tbe Masons always stand by one another , whether right or wrong . " Nothing is wider of the truth . A departure from rectitude by a Mason is likely to secure swift and adequate punishment . In most contentions Masons are likely to be fonnd on either side . It is no uncommon thing to find two Masons candidates for tbe same office . It is then impossible for Masons to

snpporb both . In other departments of human activity Mason is often arrayed against Mason . The charge is often heard by the ignorant and bigoted that Masons shield each other from the consequences of wrong-doing . The facts do not bear out this assertion . The jndge on the bench may be the most active and zealous Mason , but that does not in any way shield the wrong-doer , who may have

forgotten his Masonic vows in doing a wrong to his fellow-man who is not a Mason . Tbe juryman does nofc allow his Lodge membership to determine the issue of fact favourably to his Masonio brother , against one not a Mason . Masonry does not tench him to do so . The true Mason is taught to deal justly and mercifully to all . Masonry does not seek to lead men to make gain of its privileges ,

and discourages all from coming to its portals for mercenary or selfish motives . It does teach them high ideas of human character , and bids them build on the sure foundation of truth . In view of these considerations , easily verified by any Mason , there is no shadow of truth ia the statement sometimes made that the wrong is upheld by Masons to shield a Mason . Illinois Freemason .