Meetings For Instruction.

MEETINGS FOR INSTRUCTION .

W HATEVER may be urged in support of the contention that it is desirable to keep a strong check on the growth of Freemasonry , by refusing to grant Warrants for new Lodges , unless very

exceptional circumstances exist m tavour ol then * establishment , we think little can be said in support of a policy of restriction in regard to Lodges of Instruction . Yet we are told it is no uncommon occurrence to find parties of brethren anxious to assemble for the purpose of improving themselves in the ritual of

the Order , who argue that thoy are unable to meet as regular Lodges of Instruction , because thoy cannot secure the necessary permit from a neighbouring-Lodge for so doing . That some are justified in the contention that regular sanction is needed in their particular case would seem to be evidenced by the fact that they regularly assemble as ** Clubs" of

Instruction , in a sort of half and half Masonic fashion , and with surroundings that rob their meetings of part of the formality they should enjoy , besides giving rise to the feeling that they are

somewhat irregular , as they exist without the Warrant of Constitution referred to in the course of the ceremonies which are rehearsed . Is there any necessity for all this ? Is it not rather the result of some misunderstanding , or misconception of the laws ?

Surely Freemasons are far too enlightened to think it is in any way desirable to put a tax or a check on education , especially as so much of the force and impressiveness of the ritual of the Order depends on the way in which it is delivered ; this being the case it is difficult to imagine any restrictions being imposed as to the formation of Lodges of Instruction , which exist for the purpose of improvement , and can have

no effect on the extension of the Order , unless it be to elevate its tone , by improving those already admitted to membership . We are rather of opinion that the

inability to secure the necessary sanction for a Lodge of Instruction is rather the result of a misunderstanding , or , as we have said above , a misconception of the laws of the Craft . The opinion which seems to be the most popular one in regard to this granting of

sanctions is that no Lodge can issue more than one permit for the holding of a Lodge of Instruction . This may be the correct opinion , founded on a sort of unwritten law , but the Constitutions of the Order make no mention of any such restriction , and the absence of what is certainly an important item would seem to imply that no such limit was intended by those who have from time to time revised the laws of

the Craft , and we think many arguments may be used in support of a directly opposite contention , but even it a Lodge has no power to grant dual permits there

is the right of appeal to the head of the Order , the Q-rand Master being specially empowered by Rule 158 , to give " special license and authority" for the holding of Lodges of Instruction .

Meetings For Instruction.

This subject is one of those the consideration of ¦ which necessitates the division of English Freemasonry into two sections , town and country . In London and other large centres where several Lodges exist , there need be no special difficulty in obtaining from one of them a permit for a Lodge of Instruction ,

there is almost sure to be several among their number which have not exercised the privilege given to all alike to grant sanction for an educational offshoot , but in country places the case is different . The members of country Lodges are frequently spread over a large area , one district supplies one section of the members , another district—far removed from the

first—supplies another section , and so on . Ihe Lodge is really the centre which attracts members from all points of the compass , and brings them into touch with others resident , perhaps miles apart . These members take a pleasure in attending the six or more regular meetings of their Lodge each year , but they cannot make it convenient to attend a weekly meeting for instruction , although they would very much like to do so . Why not then establish Lodges of Instruction for each of the districts which may be termed the sub-centres of the Lodge , and thereby afford the brethren the opportunity of

enjoying each other ' s company in Masonic form , on frequent occasions and at the same time provide the means for instruction which is so essential to our Order ? As we have said , the popular opinion in such cases is that the Mother Lodge can only grant sanction for one Lodge of Instruction , and in the hope of affording convenience to the greatest number that sanction would doubtless be given for a Lodge of Instruction to meet at or near the quarters of the sanctioning Lodge . The brethren

in some of the outlying districts might be more enthusiastic , and perhaps more likely to keep a Lodge of Instruction busy , but they could hardly ask for their district to be favoured with the permit to the exclusion of all the others , and as a consequence they must either abandon their proposed meetings , or else assemble as a Club of Instruction , working in what some members of the Order consider to be a clandestine manner , but in any case not enjoying a wholly regular constitution .

This subject , like many others which are from time to time brought specially under our notice , seems to widen as we give further attention to it . Education is as essential in Freemasonry as any where outside of it , and this being so no amount of care to ensure its

proper provision should be considered excessive . Rather the contrary ; every effort should be made to establish efficient schools of Freemasonry , and no pains should be spared to place them on a firm and proper basis , while every possible detail , more particularly those relating to regular Constitution and

establishment , should be rigorously enforced . ' Loo ! -el at from this point of view it may be argued that tlie existing power leaves much to be desired . There is far too much laxity in regard to the working of Lodges of