, 1876-02-13
oriental Consistory's Proposed Trip East
...The Best-Equipped Body Of
Scottish Rite Masons in
America.
arrangements for the Knights Of Pythias
Centennial Celebration at
Philadelphia.
procsedings Of the Pythian Grand
Lodges Of Wisconsin and
Indiana.
x..E,u Of the Grand Encampment Of Michigan
F.--Questions Of jurisprudence
Decided by the Grand Patriarch
MASONIC.

rur cnypITloS OF THE oRpEn N ILLINOIS.
r;noia hiss long been acknowledged rs
...o,ohold Of Masonry, leading all other Stated
= -. nnmericsl strength. In Chicago particu-
49, N, Order is carefully nurtured, and its in
sn.nce ia here, perhaps, most powerfully folt.
.;,b thu Yiew Of obtaining as much Information
,.,-;ne IN the Order and its workings AZ would
VIVA interesting to the general reader, a TR1B-
f r.r r.nresentatiye closely anchored himself to
n,om;nent .'lieht" Of this fraternity, gentle
mn vhoae lucid knowledge of Masonic matters
-. c;van him leading voice in their delibera-
tons. not only in this State but throughout the
.,tra Northvest and whom, to serve the puE-
49,. of this interview, We will name Mt. B.:
Dan-Mr. B., your close connection with and
,.ox,.dca of the workings Of the Masonic fra
..rn,tr throughout the jurisdiction OF Illinois
r,nrp.s TEE TRIBUNE in asking for such in
formation as may prove OF interest TO tho ns,n-
be,s Of your Order and tie general public.
n, RI an not at liberty to enter into the
xo,tines of tho Order but will te pleased to
eira suy Of = general character within ny
ri an led to believe that the Order in
hi. inrisdiction ia in very satisfactory con-
dition.
R-yon have been correctly informed. At the
rnasent time. Masonry in Illinois is strong and
progressive, with 6s5 lodges, representing over
IN coo members. In addition to this number
NAV state that there are probably 2oO00 non-
Affiliated Masons, or, in other words. members
IF the Order who bold their allegiance to lodges
outside Of this jurisdiction.
K-Wbat is ths numerical strength OF the
Order in this cltS? .-.. ......
boic or Blue Lodges aud one or two, not yet
fully organized, working under dispen-
satlon from the Grand Lodge. The sctivo
membership of these number in the
aggregate over 7.u00. And in this
connection I may state that very large pro-
1e1rad to Is within this jurisdiction are resi-
dents ot this city.
RS there rot probability the cos
nopoltan e'emsnt-of the Order being subject
cd to A5uaes?
it measures applicants for its fsvors, morally
aad pbyscally: but tue fact cannot be denied
that many Of the symbolic lodges. here as else
whsre. as we'll as the so-cal!ed higher orders,
including capituiar and cryptic organizations.
exhibit III inclination to disregard the land
narks snd admit wider range OF candidates to
their fellowship.
R-Will not such = course, if persisted in,
pgpve injurious to The Order2
B-1 readily admit that this tendency ls q
dangerous one. ard entirely At variance with
the best interests Of our institutions. Masonry
W.z never intended to be universal, save in the
incuic2tiou Of its principles. It is exclusive in
il essential nature, and should carefully select
its material. Greater caution in the selection
sf fcandidates-snd, I may add, in the multiplca-
ton Of lodges-is necessary to the welfare OF the
Order, more particularly here in Chicago.
R.-Is it not q fact that many designing men
seek admittance to your Order with the object
Of being propped up and advanced by its in
duence3
B-Ttuth compeis admission Of the fact that
some Of these useless leaden weights have been
allowed to step over the threshold Of Masonry.
But such men are readily recognizable as those
smbazoned With the emb1ems OF the Order, and
wtose names will more readily be found in the
List Of bankrupte, or prominent IN connection
with Masonic demonstrations Of the spread-eagle
order, than in the roll Of subscribers 70 Masonic
OF other charit!es Such men may well be eus
pected Of making merchandise Of men and ptin-
clp}es in fu1the1ance OF their own ambitious
Vens.
R.-1s the element alluded to the only one Of
N injurious character the Order has to contend
against?
B.-No. There is still another and 3 formida-
bic one too,-a class Of men to he found IN
the church community, in political parties, and
IN al other organazat,ons- These are tho mem
oe1s who are nanipu!at!ng for poWcr,-who
must hare then say and dictum observed. d.-and
who, xhlla they are fully conscious Of the feet
that they beautfy and adorn Masonry by their:con-
nectlon, rarely fail to ornament the walls Of the
lodgeroom With their portraits. With tins class
OF men IN power. the institution OF Masonry IS
run in about the same channel that political
aemagogues run municipal governments, OF
6lgots and fana:ics manage religious affairs.
1he influence Of the Order ia viewed by such
men as highly beneficial to promote the ends Of
LIE. and they are willing to sink it's immutable
principles to attain the point in view.
h-s there not distinction drawn between
class?
1.-THE class just spoken Of are known rs the
oaSnaclea Of Masonry They have none OF
soe elements Of the Order about them, and are
~ ussful to the harmony and pence Of the fra
tefnlt5 Is weasela are useful nnd peaceable among
poultry.
R-Is there no remedy to prevent tho inau-
snee Of such an eiement2
h-By strict scrutiny OF the quality Of the
kpp!'c&nts for admission. and the adoption OF
e1oer remedies heretofore spoken of. the evil IN
.otafe mag be prevented to great extent. No
Ete1tef mistake can be made bG lodge. or any
Masonic body, than to be ambitious Of numbers
!ogGdless Of the character Of the material. 1t
- not even sufficient that = candidate
% man Of iucor1upsible princi..
pes but he should be possessed Of
satocent intelligence and refined sensbility to
understand and appreciate its teachings. I hold
eAs II Ii mockery for man to be sporting the
ttsnoolry Of the Order who cannot give you IN
y. ..a1etngenr Interpretation OF the significance Of
;e ;%ose embemn, and p1ofaua in him to wear the
.:!tet q on his breast when his mouth ID {oui
Nth blssphemy.
:, After noting this much Of the conversation
H17 reporter withdrew.
THE coHG1s7onY.
~ Vnental Sovereign ConBstory, 4. and 4: s.
~, e, are pefeet1ng arrangements to Visit Pi1la-