Masonic.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1030, 27 November 1891, Page 8

Masonic.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Edward. —You have been rightly informed. With regard to the other matter, however, we recommend you not to interfere. FAVOURS RECEIVED. New Zealand Craftsman. Australasian Keystone. BRO. R. F. GOULD. An appeal from the ‘ Quatuor Coronati ’ Lodge, London, on belnvlf of Bro. R. F. Gould, the author of the universally known 4 History of Freemasonry,’ has been made to Masters of lodges generally. Through an unforeseen misfortune Bro. Gould is said, at the age of 56, to have lost his all and is reduced to the very lowest ebb of poverty and distress. As a plain matter of fact, nothing stands between him and the last dreaded resort of the pauper but the good offices of the brethren whom he has served so well. He has placed the history of Freemasonry on a proper basis. His work is a splendid example of original research, patient investigation and literary ability, which cannot be over-estimated. Had Bro. Gould turned his great abilities and his large capacity for work into other channels the occasion for this appeal would never have arisen. It is desired to raise a sum of £ISOO or £2OOO with which to purchase an annuity for our brother. The Grand Lodge of England heads the list of subscribers with £2OO. In this instance the proverb, Qui cito dat, is peculiarly applicable.

A NEW SOCIETY. It is with very great pleasure that we announce the successful inauguration in Toowoomba of a ‘ Masonic Literary Society.’ The objects of the Society are : (1) To provide a centre and bond of union among brethren anxious to study masonic subjects. (2) To encourage and stimulate a love for masonic research. (3) The reading and discussion of papers on masonic subjects. (4) To provide a reading room where the principal masonic journals of the world may be perused by the membora. (5) To form a masonic library and museum. From this programme it will be seen that the aims and desires of our Toowoomba brethren are of a somewhat ambitious character. We, however, incline to the opinion that * He who aims the sky shoots higher far than he who means a tree,’ and from the wellknown energy and ability of the fa thers of the Craft in the city of the Downs we have no doub t but that the objects of the society will be attained. It commences its career with a membership of over 50 brethren, about equally divided between the members of the two local lodges. All Master Masons in good standing are eligible for membership. The management of the society is entrusted to a president, two vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and four members, the whole of whom are to be elected annually. The first office-bearers are : Bro. R. Aland, P.M., president ; Bros. J. Spiers and S. G. Stephens, P.M.’s, vice-presidents; Bro. J. A. Boyce, hon. secretary ; Bro. H. L. Groom, treasurer; and Bros. Porter, Casper, Jervis, and May, P.M. A code of rules for the management of the Society has been drawn up and adopted, and the formal inauguration meeting will be held on Tuesday evening, the 20th inst., when an address on 4 Freemasonry ’ will be delivered by the President. Several donations of masonic works for the library have already been received, and the prospects are most encouraging. Tiie revenue of the Society is derived from a subsetiption of one shilling par member per month, which it is anticipated will be ample to secure the object aimed at. We believe this is the first society of the kind es’ablished in Queensland, and we hope it is on’y the forerunner of many others, and that the time is not far distant when every town in the colony will possess its Masonic Literary Society. Then, and not till then, will Freemasonry take and retain that place to which it is so eminently entitled. We wish the Toowoomba Masonic Literary Society every success.— Queensland Freemasons Magazine.

THE LITER ARY SIDE OF MASONRY. We are extremely pleased to see that the Masons in Australia are establishing Masonic Literary Societies. This is a step in the right direction, and should be rapidly followed up by the lodges in New Zealand. There is no doubt that Masonry here cannot bo what it should be whilst the study of the liberal arts and sciences is so much neglectecb— Wbit is the good of directing Craftsmen to offer their sentiments and opinions, unless a field is opened on which their talents may be displayed 7 The formation of a hlasonic Literary Association would not only give a tangible meaning to the charge and prove effective in bringing out the various powers of our understanding, but it would

also go far to improve the intellectual tone of the Craft generally. The sooner we realise that the work of the Craft does not stop it the ritual, the better. There is no need for great expense in carrying on such a society, provided the number who join it is large and determined on mutually improving the shining hour. It seems to us that the key to persuading good Masons to remain in the regular fold is to give them ground on which to feed their minds and an opportunity to ventilate their views and show forth the talents they may posses’. In a great measure the present condition of Masonry is a long way behind the times, and this is the ostensible re son for so many staying outside the regular pale of the lodge. THE NEW ZEALAND CRAFTSMAN. We are glad to see that a strong endeavour is beiug made to increase the listof subscribers to this ably edited masonic journal. It i 3 the duty of lodges, a 3 well as individual membersof the Craft, tobecome subscribers, and we observe in regard to another contemporary masonic newspaper in Australia, that one lodge has given an order for a copy to be sent to each member of the lodge. This is something like business, and we hope to find our lodges here following suit ia respect of their masonic journal, more especially as its contents fiom month to month most readable, and compare favourably with any published. We have referred oe previous occasions to this matter, and it seams absurd to think whit a lot of prodding is required to bestir Masons into taking some interest in their Craft and i s boat welfare.

NON-AFFILIATES. A strong note of condemnation has been recently uttered upon the large army of Masons who merely stand and never take one single masonic step in sharing the activities of the Craft. Mon who never attend lodge or who are not subscribers to any lodge. The number is legion, comparatively speaking, and it is a most distressing phase of the present time, so far as this country is concerned. Ia a young colony like this, so thinly populated, too, it is very necessary that afl Masons should be on the active list, so that the Craft may be fully armed to resist cowans and intruders. It is ourfirst duty to guard theportals of Masonry, and we ought to stand together firmly to give the fullest effect to our laws and regulations. The system of admission has been too loose, and those who are largely responsible for this are the non-affiliates of the order. The lodges should inciude the whole of the Masons of the district, so that at any rate everyone will receive due notice of what is going on in the Craft, and those who cannot by reason of their avocations attend the meetings, may then be able to communicate with their W.M. if required. The attendance at lodges is meagre and spasmodic. Instead of this there should be an active regular attendance of all who ara able to go, and thus put some life and meaning into our assemblies. Only by svstematic attention to masonic matters can the members of lodges combine successfully to maintain the welfare and good order of the society to which they belong. Idleness and indifference mar the efforts of the Craft in every direction, and it is only by an individual uprooting of these selfish tendencies that Masonry can become active and firm in upholding its dignity and integrity. Whilst so many cast their professions to the winds, there can be little chance of true progression, and we had best not tamper any longer with the tools of sloth and disregard of our Masonic duties.