The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-11-21
MASONIC.
Making Masous IN Unlimited Qunnti-
ties--Trestiebonrd Designs.


ties-TrcstlebonrdD Designs.
We do not share the opinion that the
chief danger of the present situation
lies in the acceptance of unworthy ma
terial, although in the hurry and eX-
citement bad men are liable to creep
in, says Masonic Tidings. The SUI
preme difficulty is that lodge cannot
properly assimilate more than reason
able number of new members. We
cannot make Masons in unlimited
quantities and make them right. 1t Is
true that the number of degrees that
can be conferred is limited only by the
endurance of the workmen. But there
Is much more in Masonry than the rit-
ual, and the comforting of the degrees
Is only stepping stone to the making
of Mason. 1t is the beginning of his
education, but in too many cases 1t is
the ending. A good man will not make
good Mason unless he is properly in
structed. II he is ''railroaded" into
the fraternity and then left to his own
devices, as too many good men are, he
gains no true conception of the institu-
ton and becomes very Indifferent
Mason.
Reports presented at the annual
conclave Of the grand commandery Of
New York show n membership in the
subordinate communicates of 1922, a
net gain for the year of 651.
"No speeches allowed" Is the motto
at the festive functions of ST. Patrick
chapter, Toronto. Perhaps that rule,
says Masonic Standard, accounts for
the rapid growth and great prosperity
of the chapter.
1t is not members, but character Of
membership, that counts in Masonry as
we'll as in everything else.
Frederick Webber, the venerable
grand secretary general of the south
ern supreme council, has been an ac-
tive member of the supreme council
since March 90, 1859, and is in length
Of service undoubtedly the oldest mem
Der of that body.
The Michigan Masonic home for the
nine years the charity has been under
the care Of the grand lodge has receiv-
ed $40, 1861; expenditures, ST4,346.41.
There are now fifty-one beneficiaries
at the home, the average age Of whom
is trifle under seventy-four years.
A lodge may have an enrolment of
several hundred members, but If only
dozen or so are active in promoting
its welfare 1t is no better than the
lodge of an equal membership where
all are active.
The grand master of Michigan ruled
that II man whose left leg had been
shortened by rheumatism was not ELI
gible to receive the degrees in Mason
~ because n man who has to use a
crutch to enable him to walk would
not make very pleasing appearance
for the several degrees"
Iowa has no Masonic home, but char
ity is dispensed through the trustees
of the grand charity fund. The dis
bursements during the past year
amounted to S5,397.70 for the relief of
twenty-seven master Masons and
twenty-one widows and orphans Of
master Masons.
In Canada the grand master found it
necessary to rule that comforting
degree in an adjoining room simulta-
neously with the working Of degree in
the lodge room was ILLEGAL and must
be discontinued"
In the grand jurisdiction Of Indiana
during the past year Masonic burials
averaged nearly two each day. Al
most every day two lodges were call
ed upon to deposit the lambskin and
evergreen in open graves and to intone
the solemn funeral dirge.