Use Of Masonic Privilege.

Use of Masonic Privilege .

By W . Bro . the Rev . Jonx GKORGK GIIISOX , D . D ., LL . D ., Rector of Ebchester , P . M . 2279 , P . Prov . Grand Chaplain Northumberland .

TTTE are frequently conscious of the existence of a certain l / y resentment toward the privileges which naturally follow the association of so many influential citizens in a close lodge : we are also , many of us aware that the foreign mind has rather more than the beginning of a suspicion that Freemasons use their position of advantage to

the prejudice of others equally deserving . Is some election pending of Congressman , official , or even porter or clerk ? At once the most unworthy motives are attributed , and merit seems the very last consideration which an elector is capable of weighing . Secret influence , trade bias , social suggestions ,

Masonic fellowship , all these are accounted the determining factors , and an unhealthy tone is given to a contest which should be , of all else , most responsibly conducted . I am not denying that there are abuses , still less do I assert that merit is always the first thing which is considered . We know that what has been called a Freemasonry exists among certain

classes . So farmers will generally trust farmers , business men rely upon the instincts of their class , society men repose confidence in the bias of those who have been trained under certain influences , labour men rest securely upon the promise of their own delegates . I am not afraid of going yet further ,

and 1 will grant that those who know how their brother Freemasons are taught to look upon certain of the great essentials of human life will be somewhat prejudiced in favour of the candidature of Freemasons .

I here is , therefore , no doubt that other things being equal , responsible electors who are Masons will lean towards the election of one whom they know to have passed already a still more searching ordeal in the ballot of a Lodge ' s opinion-In other words , candidates for us are divisible into two classes : ( 1 ) those who are possessed of reliable Masonic

credentials as to character and conduct , and ( 2 ) those who may be excellent candidates but do not possess these preliminary testimonials . We may , in fairness , even say more . Freemasons are usually personally kmnvn lo us , since we have met and observed them both at labour and refreshment ,

whereas the other candidates are not necessarily so well known lo us . Freemasons dare not exercise the franchise excepting as their laws require ; and while they endeavour to be "just to their immediate neighbour" who seeks their suffrages , they have other neighbours much more numerous

who must be considered first . A vote given hastily or without due consideration of the principles at slake were better never given at all . We vole for measures and not for men . And yet the character of the man who is the vehicle of our will must be the chief factor in government , as well as in the

success ol a store , or the safe delivery of parcels . My contention is then that merit is the first and onl y consideration which Masons should , and true Masons do , bear in mind in electioneering canvass and in voting ; and I say further that the Masonic character is naturall y and properly more readily favoured by Freemasons where candidates for office ; ire

many . But there is the other side—that of the solicitor . There are those who seek- admission to Craft Masonry for no other reason than for a desire to press Freemasonry into their service as a business engine . Some remain with us for a long time without discovering the true object of Freemasonry to he

something altogether different . Official Freemasonry has not hesitated to speak very plainly regarding the trade-abuse of Masonic membership , and of symbol and sign for purposes of mere personal aggrandisement . And in spite of this ( here is the prominent jewel , the very meaning of which is notoriously

hidden from the wearers . In season , but chiefly out of season , these "loaves and fishes " Masons are incessantly like the ' daughter of the horse leech ' crying " Give , give . " It does not profit them much in the long run , for they excite the disgust and loathing and resentment of all true Masons . But , ignorantly , they do it still .

True Masons can only help canvassers and tradesmen and others for one or two reasons . We must relieve true and poor Masons . Does such help come under this heading ? If so , humanity , as well as our laws , requires that we lend a ready ear to the story of need . If it is not a question of relief , it is one of merit . Are

we bound , in the interest of the human race—which is identical with that of the Craft—to help those who appeal to us ? These are the two grounds , on one of which we maynay , must—bear aid to the solicitor of our interest . In either case the true Freemason has an advantage over

his rival , and ought to have , and must have in the interest of the human race at large . Masonic privilege depends not upon the closed lodge , upon the select constituency , upon the special class feeling of the brothers who compose it . It does depend upon the fact that those brothers have been

tested and found worthy to pass the portals . After all , the privilege is one that is inherent in worth , and is therefore our (/;// -, ' to men .

In the foregoing I have assumed that conditions are normal . They are not always so . We have heard of the Freemasons' candidate—not officially , and perhaps oftencst from the defeated opponent of that candidate . We have also heard of examinations more easily passed because both candidate and examiner were of the Craft . We hare also

heard of lodges being used privately for purposes of canvass I am not able to acknowlege that all these charges can be substantiated ; but even if some of them can . thev mav be excused if not justified , excepting those of the second class . There have times arrived when , especially under new

administrative conditions , justice can only be done by expedients such as those I have referred lo . These are abnormal conditions which require special treatment . Nor are they especially one-sided . They cannot exist unless all the lodge is agreed that the Craft ideal of righteousness

requires the special method . We cannot debate controversial politics in our lodges ; we may not have conflicts of this character in any of our Masonic gatherings . If a single

Freemason ol any Lodge feels ihat iniquity is within measurable distance , he can make it impossible for the memb .-rs to act solidly as a corporalim . Circumstances , even to-day , sometimes arise , when denominational intrigue , or tyrannical autocracy , endangers the liberty of the citizen . In countries where this is possible , it may become necessary that those who

know should combine for the preservation of liberty . But for any less purpose than this we must maintain an atmosphere free to all and rich to all . By those who are ignorant of our aims , and of our history we are regarded as philosophic sectaries , or as a selfish secret society . We must not tlcscrvc

( his reproach . We decline to limit our outlook - to the work of a class . We represent a philosophy and a religion , and a hope which will include and enrich all denominations of thought and service : we cannot , and must nut , assume the role of anything less than this . When , then , we help the candidature of any brother it

is not because he is a Member of our Lodge , but because he is an accepted Freemason , a wise master brilder whom we can triisl lo lulhl the duties of his office .