Thoughts On Masonry.

masonry , are often too easily , if not eagerly received , on the bare general recommendation of the proposer , and payment of the customary fees . But if character and circumstances were cautiously weighed , in the qualification of candidates , though the society might not be quite so numerous

, the members of it would in proportion be more respectable , both as men and as masons . Charity is a leading feature in the masonic character ; we deem , ourselves bound to assist a distressed brother to the

utmost of our power : but surely tins humane obligation does not extend to receiving men among us , whose'imprudenee and precarious circumstances fobviously tend to reduce them to b ' e objects of charity . Nothing is more common than for giddy young men just entering into

life , to join the society with the mere sinister view of extending 'their connexions : such men dissipate their time , money , and attention , in running about from one lodge to another , where they rather aim to distinguish themselves in the licentious

character of jolly companions , than in the more discreet . one of steady good masons ; and finally close then masonic career , by loading the [ table in the committee room with petitions for charity ! -The number of these applications reduces our benefactions

to such scanty portions ,. that instead of being of effectual service , in extricating men from the occasional difficulties of life , they seldom amount to more than the instant supply of pressing necessities , without reaching the cause of those necessities : whereas were the brethren

more select , fewer distresses would come before them , those which did come would be ' more deserving of relief , and might obtain it from a more liberal hand . " Once more ; the fraternity of masons being every where distinguished by their kindreception and friendly assistance of

, . strange brethren on journies , or on their arrival to settle among them , gives rise . to . another abuse , teeming with evil effects . A man on the point of removing to a distant country , recollects that the certificate of being a mason , will be a convenient

general letter of recommendation . He accordingly gets himself proposed tln-ough a second , third , or fourth hand , and must be hurried through all the degrees in one evening , because he is to set off early the next morning . Thus , by trusting to

a vague recommendation , a lodge pro . stitutes the institution for a paltry fee vests an utter stranger with a character he knows nothing of , and furnishes him . with a credential , empowering liini should he be basely disposed , to abuse the generous confidence of the brethren

wherever he goes , to the injury of worthy men who may afterwards travel the same road . Such hasty compliances with interested views ought not therefore to be heedlessly countenanced .

" These are remarks which naturall y occur , which experience justifies , and which , as they are too general , to give particular offence , can apply / to no one who is not conscious that his own conduct , or that of his lodge , is censurable under them . The settled fund for the support

of every lodge ought to be sufficiently liberal for the purpose , without resting on contingent advantages that may warp the judgements of the members , "

The very liberal and generous principles of masonry , have occasioned discretionary deviations from their laws , and that discretion is vested in the master of the lodge who may have occasion to use it : this constitutes that

freedom of which' we boast , and should therefore be sparingly resorted to ; for it is not because a master has power to pass a new member through three degrees in one night , that he should do so without a reason , and console himself as to its

propriety , because he is invested with that , power . As a mason be should answer it to- his own conscience ; as a man he should recollect it is a violation of common sense , because none are supposed to be raised to a third degree , till i-y

servitude and application they have attained a knowledge and skill in the first and second , which they receive together by reason of the intimate connexion that subsists between them ; and here it may not be impertinent to observe , that

if no one was raised to a third degree till he was somewhat acquainted with the duties of masonry , it would be a very laudable sacrifice to propriety , and excite an emulation by which the craft would be benefited . ( To be continued . )