The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-07-24 00:00:00

FACTS emu r FREEMASONRY.

In the prnspect of the simestobliog of the Provin-
cial Orand Lodge of Dorset at Dorchester within a ,
very short time rsee Adoertisepaesti), we eztract
from • most inlpartial snores the following estimate
of the valued Freemasonry, which we think may possi-
bly 000doee to • better appreciation of its really sob.
lime and beautiful humanity on the pett of the outer
world. " Each lodge meets several timee a year, and
in Londe. the Members usually dine or sup together
the 000chtsion of their "wok." The masier, the
past-mastere, and the two wardens, are all members
of the masonic parliament; in this way 6"r' free'
mason has directly or indirectly a voice in the
government of the order. Each postmaster has been
master of • lodge for twelve months, and both matter
sad wardens are elected by their fellows. The
masonic parliament Meets four times a year, and ill
called (trend Lodge. Its debates ani held, lie the
really magnifloent temple in Dreat-illrest London,
which has Jost bees rebuilt under the &espiess of the
grabd suprrintendent of w.rks, Brother Frederick
Cockerell, and is the property of the Craft. It is
presided over by • grand master, who is nominially
elected every year. but who is eligible for re-electios,
and who is, as some mamne think unwisely, virtually
appointed for life. Noe in ever, year, some one is
proposed mid sestokided as a lit and proper person to
Alt the position of grand master, and the votes of
those aseembled in grand lodge are taken. The
organic grand master of Itegtialt freetomone, the
Earl of Zaland, who 'weeded the late Duke of
:buses, I. to widely and deservedly popular, that he
hae held this position for more thee twenty years.
Tbe propriety of limiting the grand maater's
eligibility for rifffeei and Sleeting bum for font Or Ws
yowl and no longer, is a point upon which there is
considerable differenoe of opinicei, and clie *bleb It
is unnecessary tri do Mors this allude to here The
rood Metter is sided by a council, and supported
by grand "Spero, who may be termed the upper
house of the maroon, parliament. These dignitaries
are appointed by the grand master, hold ofboe for a
year, have past rant, and weir distinguished
aria for life. All qiuittions ol masoeic law—and
problems effecting these are of constant occurrence
-all difßoulties of administration', all disputes and
dim:melons—and, despite their brotherly love, even
masons occasionally quarrel—can be brought befor•
grand lodge as the Anal aathonty. Committees of
it. members sit remaliirly to adjudicate and present
periodical reports, advise on the bestowal of money•
gifts to necessitous brethren, and on the answers to
be given to thane asking for interference or advice.
The time dekoted to the subject, by those who take
a leading part in these councils; the patient, on-
wearying attention give, to minute and frecpsently
tedious detail.; the constant sacrifice of private
interests to the common god and the careful and
laborious discussion which preeedes every decision—
all this would astonish those who regard free-
masonry as a mere plea for conviviality. It is
a simple fact that busy professional men habitually
devote &considerable portion of their lime to beanies' '
drudgery that boards and committees meet to
debate and divide; that in no case is remuneration
or reward looked for. Toil voluntary self-absorption
is not the least striking part of freemainory, for, at
the meetings I speak of neither convivial pleasures
nor indirect personal advantage can be hoped for.
It is sheer dogged hard work, performed gratuitously
and cheerfully by men upon whom the rules and
precepts I have hinted at have made full impression.
Let It be borne in mind that ten thousand initistioos
took place last year ; that the income of the Craft
ezmieds that of many a principality ; that its
members subscribe to elate three charitable institu-
tions —the Freetneacia fide' School, the Free-
masons' Boys School, and the Asylum for the Aged
Freemasons and their widows, some twenty thousand
pounds annually; that the cares of administration
and distribution devolve upon the busy men form-
ing the committees and cab-committees named; and
it will be readily...a that, apart frog. its "secrets,"
this time-honoured institivion has worked, and is
working, substantial and undeniable good. Its bold
on earnest members is the best proof I can advance
of the reality of its tie.