FREEMASONRY.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 12, 20 October 1871, Page 3

FREEMASONRY.

To the Editor o£ the THAMES GUARDIAN. Sir, —Freemasonry is a subject to be mentioned, as Thackeray wrote, “ with hor.” But I suppose one may write upon a topic ventilated by a distinguished Mason, whose speech is printed in the organ of “ the craft.” At a recent meeting of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys, Vice-President Brother Parkinson stated that £40,000 was yearly spent in Masonry in London alone ; and, with the exception of a sum of £7,000 which London contributes to the charities, there is nothing to show for the money. “Yes, brethren, Masonic millinery absorbs more money than Masonic charity. Ribbons and while leather, medals and laces, jewels, Collars, aprons, silvering, gilding, represent a far larger expenditure than wc bestow upon the succour of the orphan or the relief of the distressed.” This speech gives us an insight into the ritualistic practices of the brotherhood, and the remonstrance of Brother Parkinson is well aimed. But suppose there were no ritualism, would there be half the number of Masons who at present constitute the chief ornament of the universe and the Palladium of—l forget what. Mr. Samuel Weller was iuformed that “ the uniform was the chief injooceniont to Renter the service and the spirit that dictated the statement may have some influence with the “ brethren of the mystic spell.” And then, again, comes the question. May we not meet to amuse ourselves, and eat and drink, without much other purpose than that of solacing our existence in (his “ Wale ” ? I should like to discuss that matter with Brother Parkinson. Meantime, I make him my compliments on the courage with which he spoke the truth to our beloved brethren.—l am, &c., A Man and a Brother.