Improvement Of Masters' Work In Lodge.

IMPROVEMENT OF MASTERS' WORK IN LODGE .

THE most practical , if not the best paper before the Masters ' and Wardens' Association of Victoria , was that produced „ t ihn February meeting by P . M . Bro . Fookes , upon the subject

of " Improvement of Masters' Work in Lodge . " The lecturer divided his discourse into three headings : 1 st , The Greater Reccnition of Lodges of Instruction ; 2 nd , Scholarships ; 3 rd , An E x amining Board of P . Ms , of the Lodge .

The paper indicates that all may be agreed that an improvement is necessary , and the writer premises his remarks to the effect that to the ordinary mind the delivery of the ritual , the execution of the unwritten ceremonial work , and the absence of Masonic knowledge—apart from mere Lodge ceremonies —•

embrace so much , that sufficient for all practical purposes would be "ained in securing improvement in these ; but here we differ materially from the lecturer . So far as Victoria is concerned , very much more is necessary , because under that Constitution about half a dozen different rituals are in use , at least a score of different methods of work are to be observed , and there is no set

rule or standard to be followed towards the improvement of that work . Neither the Emulation working , the so-galled revised Victorian ritual , the Scotch , or any other ritual are carefully followed . No standard Lodge of Instruction can be looked to for information , nor can the student be directed with any

confidence to any safe channel through which to store his mind upon custom or precedent . This may be made apparent by a visit to either of three Lodges meeting on the same night in the Freemasons' Hall in Collins Street , and closely comparing their work in the letter and detail of the ceremonies ; and the wider

differences—though happily be it to their credit said—in the better working of country Lodges , made apparent by an extended comparison , give convincing evidence that this is the initial step requisite towards securing the improvement not only of the Masters' work in Lodge , but that of every member of the Craft ,

for in no Constitution that we know of are the S—s of the Degrees given in such a slovenly fashion as they are by a majority of the Lodges in the metropolitan area in Victoria . This slovenliness

is begotten of indifference in other matters , or the conflicting opinions of would-be authorities who have nothing but their own self-assertiveness to support opinions which in many cases would be contradicted by experience .

The Book of Constitutions distinctly advises that Masters and Wardens should visit other Lodges in order that the antient customs may be preserved with as little variation as possible , but , unfortunately , the more W . Ms , and Wardens visit other Lodges in Victoria the more convinced will they become that such advice

is a farce . The fact is , improvement in Lodge work of any kind must begin by Grand Lodge arousing itself to a comprehensive view of its duties , and expressing some definite view upon the practices to be observed , and by appointing an experienced and tactful brother as Grand Inspector of Lodges , whose duty shall

be—not to interfere or speak in private Lodges without invitation from the W . M . —but to report to Grand Lodge on what takes place there , so that admonition and advice may come from the proper source towards the very necessary improvement of our ceremonies . This is really the crux of the difficulties in the wav

of future improvements ; let the Constitution provide some means by which Masters and Wardens can be informed of what is proper and what improper , and improvement of a marked character will very quickly follow . The little leaven will leaven

the whole lump and then the Lodges or Lodge of Instruction upon which P . M . Bro . Fookes properly sets so much store will come to be an arena in which the talents of memory , eloquence , and ability of the members will find unlimited scope for their energies .

A review of the present position in Victoria shows us some half-a-dozen to a dozen Lodges of Instruction in various parts of the city , each teaching a different mode of working , actually impressed with different and erroneous views upon symbolical meanings and yet no doubt zealously striving to 110

tne very best they can for the instruction of the brethren . The places of meeting and work before these Lodges of Instruction are not generally known , no advertisements appear , no intimations are read in Lodges , so that scores of Brethren remain in crass ignorance of even the rudimentary teachings to

oe lound in the sectional lectures . This can be simply remedied , let Grand Lodge adopt the system ' in vogue in Sydney by which the Lodge of Instruction there , held under Bro . J . H . Harris Preceptor , is recognised by the Grand Lodge , and to which the

-uuages respectively subscribe £ 1 Is per annum , and thereby entitle all their members to attend at these fortnightly meetings . There a participation in the work of the Degrees and of the Sectional Lectures is most eagerly sought for , and floor , or rank and file members of Lodges rendered as efficient and confident

p a practised W . M . himself . There the work is uniformly taught , the slightest error in detail of ceremonial is immediately corrected and reasons explained , and the deeper knowledge of the Mysteries and symbolical teachings of the Craft ably dealt with .

Improvement Of Masters' Work In Lodge.

The election to the Preceptorship is no mean honour , and Grand Lodge honours the function of his installation with due presence and congratulations . Visiting W . Ms , are invited by Bro . Harris to comment upon the work , and questions of an abstruse nature from any member of the Lodge are most

exhaustively answered . This being the case we have not far to seek for means to an end well worthy of imitation ; all Lodges , of course , may not subscribe to or take part in this Lodge of Instruction , and whatever the plan decided upon for securing future improvements the same bar to a standard of excellence

will naturally assert itself . There must always be in every body of men , however associated , those who emulate a high standard of excellence and those who , devoid of such aspirations , are content with anything so long as it passes muster , and so there are not a few Lodges in Sydney and suburbs where a low

standard of work is still apparent , but S—s , rituals and ceremonials are alike , however poorly they may be taught . If then we can get the admission by the Masters' and Wardens' Association of Victoria , that there is vast room for improvement in the differing material which is used by Lodges in their ceremonials ,

we shall have made the first step necessary towards applying the lessons successfully , which P . M . Bro . Fookes has taught us most ably in the arguments in his paper , but without that admission he and we may labour in vain . Excellence in detail must necessarily be based and dependent upon excellence of foundation ,

and only upon a foundation which is itself perfect , or as nearly perfect as it can be made , can we hope to raise a superstructure perfect in all its parts and honourable to the builders . We may now proceed to discuss the superstructure itself , for the improvement of which P . M . Bro . Fookes has laboured with so much

earnestness and success in the paper before us , and to this end will devote our future efforts in subsequent lines to the points he has advanced as essential to improvement . — " Masonry . "

THE series of orchestral performances at popular prices given at the Queen ' s Hall , Langham Place , on the last three Sunday evenings , under the direction of Mr . Kandegger having proved successful , they will be continued

every Sunday evening until further notice . The orchestra is composed of leading instrumentalists , and every item yet . performed by them has been received with the greatest enthusiasm . A good programme is arranged for Sunday next , when tho performance will commence at 7 o ' clock .

Cassell ' s " New Technical Educator" reaches its 31 st part this month , and continues to provide a mass of instructive matter on a diversity of subjects .

Ad00502

GAIETY RESTAURANT , src & j ^ ixjD . LUNCHEONS ( HOT and COLD)—At Popular Prices , in BUFFET and EESTAUEANT ( on 1 st floor ) . Also Chops , Steaks , Joints , Entrees , & c , in the GEILL EOOM . AFTERNOON TEAConsisting of Tea or Coffee , Cut Bread and Butter , Jam , Cake , Pastry , ad lib , at 1 / - per head ; served from 4 till 6 in EESTAUEANT ( 1 st floor ) . DINNERS IN RESTAURANTFrom 5-30 till 9 at Fixed Prices ( 3 / 6 and 5 / - ) and a la Carte . In this room the VIENNESE BAND performs from 6 till 8 . Smoking after 7 * 45 . AMERICAN BAR . THE GRILL ROOM is open till Midnight . PRIVATE DINING E 00 M 8 FOR LARGE AND SMALL PARTUS ,