THE GRIDIRON IN MASONERY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4006, 24 May 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE GRIDIRON IN MASONERY.

A worthy sea-captain who doesn't live far from Melbourne entertained a fancy to becomo a Freemason, and was accordingly proposed and elected. A friend accompanied him to the place of meeting, which was in a building the lower part of which was used as a place of entertainment. Tho neophyte was left in an apartment next to the servant's room, while a friend went upstairs to assist in the opening ceremonies. A Celtic maiden, who caught a glimpse of tho stranger, rosolvod to take part in his initiation, and proouring a gridiron, placed it over the fire, it was not long before the captain, looking inquisitively through the door saw tho utensil reddening in the heat. The recollection flashed through his mind of Masonic candidates, and some peculiar ordeal which they were made to encounter. ' What is that, Bridget ?' he eagerly enquired. ' And sure,' replied tho Hibernian virgin, ' it's only the gridiron that I was tould to place over tbe coals.' ' Who told you ?' asked the eager captain. ' And wasn't it the gentleman who came in with you ?' ' What cowld he want with it ?.' demanded the captain.

. ' And sure I can't tell,' replied Bridget. ' They are often using it—it belongs to the people upstairs. I always heat it when they want to make a Mason.'

This was too much for the excited captain, and taking to his heels lie soon put a safe distance between himself and the Lodge-