Grand Lodge Accommodation.

GRAND LODGE ACCOMMODATION .

THE experience of Wednesday at the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge once more brings the English Craft face to face with the necessity for enlarging its Temple . It may fairly be said that on Wednesday there were hundreds of Brethren who could

not get accommodation in Grand Lodge . They had to record their votes at an overflow meeting , and put up with their disappointment as best they could , for certain

it was there was not the slightest possibility of their gaining admission within the portals of Grand Lodge .

This condition of affairs must be stopped , and that too , as speedily as possible . If the Temple of Grand Lodge proved to be too small for a meeting once now and again it would not be so necessary to provide a

remedy , but it may almost be said to have become the rule for so many qualified members to assemble at the Quarterly Communications as to prevent a large

proportion taking part in the deliberations of the Craft , and that , after perhaps putting themselves to inconvenience and trouble in order to attend the stated

meetings of Grand Lodge . It is true the authorities do the best in their power with the accommodation that is available . They provide for overflow meetings whereat Brethren may record

their votes on the particular subjects which it is fair to assume are the primary cause of these large assemblies , but is it wise to argue that the recording of one ' s vote is the most- important attraction to the Quarterly

Communications of Craft Masonry ? If it is so it is only necessary to abolish the Begulation making personal attendance necessary , and substitute proxy voting , in order to at once put matters on a satisfactory

basis , and this solution of the difficulty has at least the merit of being very inexpensive , while one of the principal objections to an enlargement of the existing Temple , or the provision of suitable accommodation elsewhere , is its costliness .

It is certainly wrong to allow matters to drift on as they are ; indeed , there is positive danger in such a course , for it is evident that if the government of the Craft is to be left to the deliberations of those who can

get a seat in Grand Lodge , it is only necessary to make provision beforehand , in order to ensure a " packed house . " It would certainly be no difficulty for many districts , if they really meant business , to bring up

enough qualified members of Grand Lodge to exhaust the accommodation of the Temple , and by judicious arrangement they could make sure of being the first to

receive attention and secure entry . But the absurdity of the case is perhaps best illustrated by remembering that the Regulations of the Craft require personal voting ,

Grand Lodge Accommodation.

while the accommodation provided in Grand Lodge really necessitates proxy voting , or at least "blind " advocacy of some particular idea , it being impossible to

hear the arguments for or against the subject , in consequence of Grand Lodge being closed to a large proportion of its fully qualified members .

We believe the sole objection to an enlargement of the existing Temple is found in the question of expense , but surely that cannot be allowed to stand in the way of such a reform as is now imperative , if the management of affairs is to be left on the same lines as now exists :

that is to say , if the Craft is to continue to enjoy its present representation . A solution of the difficulty has been suggested by curtailing the rights of Lodge Wardens ; making their admission within the portals of

Grand Lodge contingent on there being room in the Temple , but so radical a change in the existing Eegulations of the Craft would not be tolerated for a moment , especially in view of the reason for which it

would be proposed ; while any suggestion to curtail the attendance of Past Masters would be equally sure of

rejection if it was put to the vote of the Craft . It would therefore seem that the only course open is to enlarge the permanent quarters of Grand Lodge , so as to provide room for the large number of Brethren who now seem to make it a rule to attend the Communications of Craft Masonry .

Masonic Sonnets, No. 91.

Masonic Sonnets , No . 91 .

BY BRO . CHAS . F . FORSHAW , LL . D ., 295 and 2417 ( E . C . ) Hon . Mem . 1242 ( E . C . ) and 24 ( S . C ) . — : o : — A MASONIC PRAYER .

MAKE thou our hearts Oh Architect Divine To bow submissive to Thy gracious will ; Lead Thou our steps by Thine own Mystic Sign—To Thy blest mansion built on Zion ' s hill . Strengthen our minds when weakness fain -would sway ,

Our eyes direct towards The Greatest Light , So that our feet may never swerve nor stray From paths that please Thy never-erring sight Teach us that Unity can never fail

To render earth a little Heaven below , That Love is mighty and will still prevail , And prove a shield when worldly tempests blow Fill us with Faith so that we cling to Thee Through weal , through woe , until Eternity ! Winder House , Bradford , 6 th June 1894 .

The new Lodge to be held at Hoddesdon , under the title of the Charles Edward Keyser , will be consecrated by Bro . Edward Letchworth G . Sec . on the 24 th inst .

o o o We are compelled to hold over several important items for want of space , amongst other matters a report of the Old Masonians .