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  • Aug. 11, 1883
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  • GRAND LODGE AND THE NEW RULES.
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Grand Lodge And The New Rules.

GRAND LODGE AND THE NEW RULES .

BY some a protracted sitting of Grand Lodge was expected on Wednesday evening , when the adjourned meeting was held to consider the Revised Book of Constitutions . This anticipation was not realised , and rarely have we seen a more business-like temper displayed than was exhibited on the occasion we refer to . About two

hours and a half sufficed to get through rules from 184 to 308 inclusive , and yet there did not appear to be any undue baste , and certainly no brother was debarred from having his say . Bro . Lord Holmesdale , P . G . M . Kent , presided , and conducted the business with skill and courtesy .

Bro . Rev . B . J . Simpson P . G . C , who officiated as Grand Senior Warden , was inclined to be garrulous , but he was kindly checked , and in that spirit of obedience which long acquaintance with the laws of the Craft enjoins , he submitted with grace . Bro the Rev . Ambrose W . Hall , also a

P . G . Chaplain , occupied the Grand Junior Warden ' s chair , While giving due credit to the admirable tone that prevailed , we must add that the comparatively small attendance , and the strong element of Provincial brethren present , helped the progress of business considerably . There was no lack of interest , bat the members from the

conntry were too strongly represented to make opposition formidable , had there been a desire to contest many points . There was , however , a serious discussion on the question as to the position of Past Masters who upon leaving their own localities join other Lodges . It was stoutly

contended that at present these brethren were placed at a disadvantage , that they lost rank in consequence of circumstances over which they had no control . Many brethren who had done good suit and service in their mother Lodges were deprived of the proud place they had attained by long and

valuable labours , and it was held that they should , as a matter of ri ght , take rank , under certain conditions , of P . M . of any Lodge they might join , without necessarily passing ihrongh the chair again . On the other hand , it was urged that the Constitution assigns the position of

P . M . of the Lodge and of P . M . in the Lodge , and that Private Lodges had the power to give honour to any joining Brother who , being a P . M . of another Lodge , might be considered entitled to merit . This point was

questioned , and the Grand Rpgistrar was appealed to . He said it was a fact that Private Lodges had conferred positions upon joining Past Masfers , and that there was no written law against the practice . He declined to go farther , and as his statement was not held to be conclusive ,

the discnssion was continued . It was advanced that even if no such power existed Private Lodges conld recognise distinctive worth by electing a joining P . M . to the chair , but the retort came that that would be unjust to those "who were working up to position , by putting them back a

year . Ultimately the following resolution was carried : " Every such joining member , if a Past MaBter , shall have the rank and position of a Past Master of the Lodge , ranking next after the then jnnior Past Master and the Worshi pfnl Master of that Lodge , provided he ha <* not ceased

to subscribe to a Lodge for twelve months . " There 'a no ambiguity about this , and if the rule is to stand , a great revolution , and we fear much heartburning will ensue . It is right that service should be recognised , but now is it to be judged ? If all Past Masters were alike

Grand Lodge And The New Rules.

worthy the difficulty would not be so great . Even if that were so , it would not be wise to deprive Private Lodges of the right to determine the rank a joining P . M . of another Lodge should occupy . By the hard and fast rale now adopted by Grand Lodge a new right is created , and

Private Lodges , where they consider self-defence necessary , will have no other resource than exclusion . The ballot will be called into requisition in a manner little calculated to promote peace and goodwill , and tho obnoxious ^ system of blackballing will assume a power we should sincerely

regret . It is a pity that the matter was not left for Private Lodges to deal with , especially as it was recorded that they have , in some cases at least , awarded honour where they considered it was due . We cannot see in what way a Past Master is prejudiced by the present usage . He is a Past

Master wherever he goes , provided he has complied with the necessary and recognised conditions of the Craft , and no subsequent honour can equal that conferred upon him by his mother Lodge . By this new rale he takes a status he has not earned . It is all very well to say that

he laboured in another field ; true , and he got his reward at the hands of those he so well and honourably served . It is assumed that all Past Masters are equally worthy , but that is a contention that will not hold good for a moment . Great inequalities exist , but the rule Ave are discussing

places all on a level , and if private Lodges accept ^ them as joining members in the future , they have no choice but to give them a rank to which they may or may not be really entitled—that is , so far as merit is concerned . Trades Unions go upon the theory of fixing the minimum wages

a man shall receive ; he may get more if ho can , but he must not take less . This new rule is more arbitrary Btill , and allows no choice except the acceptance or rejection of a joining Past Master . Inequalities will be legalised , and the privileges of private Lodges seriously curtailed .

Besides , there is something mean in taking a position for which nothing has been done , except the payment of a sum of money . There are many brethren who cannot affordto pay another joining fee , who keep up their connection with their mother Lodges out of affection for the home of

their Masonic birth . They may have done as good service as their richer brethren , quite as worthy of honour , it may be more worthy , but they must be content with their lot . We do not say that their position could be improved by any law of Grand Lodge , but we do urge

that contrasts that must be painful to them ought not to be multiplied . Were Past Masters honoured for work done in the Lodge , no such contrast would arise , and the brother removed from his Matev would not feel so acutely the distinction that the possession of money

creates . We have said nothing about the opportunity for abuse that tbe new rule will give , but it is not the least of its faults . A brother may quarrel with his Lodge , and knowing that he will only have to pay a certain sum of money , a matter in many cases of no importance to him ,

be will seek another Lodge , and if accepted will obtain the rank of Past Master of that Lodge . It is making separation easy , and like the law of divorce in the case of marriage , it is calculated to lower the sanctity of Lodge ties . We deplore the decision of Grand Lodge , and ferventlv hope that it is not too late to prevent the

consummation of what may turn out to be a grievous wrong . We cannot help observing that the anxiety for Past Masters did not extend to the poor Tyler . Some may take

“The Freemason's Chronicle: 1883-08-11, Page 1” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 12 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fcn/issues/fcn_11081883/page/1/.
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GRAND LODGE AND THE NEW RULES. Article 1
" TOO LATE!" Article 2
THOUGHTS ON THE NEW HISTORY. Article 3
HOLIDAY HAUNTS. Article 4
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 6
RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE. Article 7
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RANDOM NOTES AND REFLECTIONS. Article 8
PERCY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION, No. 198.* Article 10
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PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF ESSEX. Article 11
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DIARY FOR THE WEEK. Article 12
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUFFOLK. Article 13
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Grand Lodge And The New Rules.

GRAND LODGE AND THE NEW RULES .

BY some a protracted sitting of Grand Lodge was expected on Wednesday evening , when the adjourned meeting was held to consider the Revised Book of Constitutions . This anticipation was not realised , and rarely have we seen a more business-like temper displayed than was exhibited on the occasion we refer to . About two

hours and a half sufficed to get through rules from 184 to 308 inclusive , and yet there did not appear to be any undue baste , and certainly no brother was debarred from having his say . Bro . Lord Holmesdale , P . G . M . Kent , presided , and conducted the business with skill and courtesy .

Bro . Rev . B . J . Simpson P . G . C , who officiated as Grand Senior Warden , was inclined to be garrulous , but he was kindly checked , and in that spirit of obedience which long acquaintance with the laws of the Craft enjoins , he submitted with grace . Bro the Rev . Ambrose W . Hall , also a

P . G . Chaplain , occupied the Grand Junior Warden ' s chair , While giving due credit to the admirable tone that prevailed , we must add that the comparatively small attendance , and the strong element of Provincial brethren present , helped the progress of business considerably . There was no lack of interest , bat the members from the

conntry were too strongly represented to make opposition formidable , had there been a desire to contest many points . There was , however , a serious discussion on the question as to the position of Past Masters who upon leaving their own localities join other Lodges . It was stoutly

contended that at present these brethren were placed at a disadvantage , that they lost rank in consequence of circumstances over which they had no control . Many brethren who had done good suit and service in their mother Lodges were deprived of the proud place they had attained by long and

valuable labours , and it was held that they should , as a matter of ri ght , take rank , under certain conditions , of P . M . of any Lodge they might join , without necessarily passing ihrongh the chair again . On the other hand , it was urged that the Constitution assigns the position of

P . M . of the Lodge and of P . M . in the Lodge , and that Private Lodges had the power to give honour to any joining Brother who , being a P . M . of another Lodge , might be considered entitled to merit . This point was

questioned , and the Grand Rpgistrar was appealed to . He said it was a fact that Private Lodges had conferred positions upon joining Past Masfers , and that there was no written law against the practice . He declined to go farther , and as his statement was not held to be conclusive ,

the discnssion was continued . It was advanced that even if no such power existed Private Lodges conld recognise distinctive worth by electing a joining P . M . to the chair , but the retort came that that would be unjust to those "who were working up to position , by putting them back a

year . Ultimately the following resolution was carried : " Every such joining member , if a Past MaBter , shall have the rank and position of a Past Master of the Lodge , ranking next after the then jnnior Past Master and the Worshi pfnl Master of that Lodge , provided he ha <* not ceased

to subscribe to a Lodge for twelve months . " There 'a no ambiguity about this , and if the rule is to stand , a great revolution , and we fear much heartburning will ensue . It is right that service should be recognised , but now is it to be judged ? If all Past Masters were alike

Grand Lodge And The New Rules.

worthy the difficulty would not be so great . Even if that were so , it would not be wise to deprive Private Lodges of the right to determine the rank a joining P . M . of another Lodge should occupy . By the hard and fast rale now adopted by Grand Lodge a new right is created , and

Private Lodges , where they consider self-defence necessary , will have no other resource than exclusion . The ballot will be called into requisition in a manner little calculated to promote peace and goodwill , and tho obnoxious ^ system of blackballing will assume a power we should sincerely

regret . It is a pity that the matter was not left for Private Lodges to deal with , especially as it was recorded that they have , in some cases at least , awarded honour where they considered it was due . We cannot see in what way a Past Master is prejudiced by the present usage . He is a Past

Master wherever he goes , provided he has complied with the necessary and recognised conditions of the Craft , and no subsequent honour can equal that conferred upon him by his mother Lodge . By this new rale he takes a status he has not earned . It is all very well to say that

he laboured in another field ; true , and he got his reward at the hands of those he so well and honourably served . It is assumed that all Past Masters are equally worthy , but that is a contention that will not hold good for a moment . Great inequalities exist , but the rule Ave are discussing

places all on a level , and if private Lodges accept ^ them as joining members in the future , they have no choice but to give them a rank to which they may or may not be really entitled—that is , so far as merit is concerned . Trades Unions go upon the theory of fixing the minimum wages

a man shall receive ; he may get more if ho can , but he must not take less . This new rule is more arbitrary Btill , and allows no choice except the acceptance or rejection of a joining Past Master . Inequalities will be legalised , and the privileges of private Lodges seriously curtailed .

Besides , there is something mean in taking a position for which nothing has been done , except the payment of a sum of money . There are many brethren who cannot affordto pay another joining fee , who keep up their connection with their mother Lodges out of affection for the home of

their Masonic birth . They may have done as good service as their richer brethren , quite as worthy of honour , it may be more worthy , but they must be content with their lot . We do not say that their position could be improved by any law of Grand Lodge , but we do urge

that contrasts that must be painful to them ought not to be multiplied . Were Past Masters honoured for work done in the Lodge , no such contrast would arise , and the brother removed from his Matev would not feel so acutely the distinction that the possession of money

creates . We have said nothing about the opportunity for abuse that tbe new rule will give , but it is not the least of its faults . A brother may quarrel with his Lodge , and knowing that he will only have to pay a certain sum of money , a matter in many cases of no importance to him ,

be will seek another Lodge , and if accepted will obtain the rank of Past Master of that Lodge . It is making separation easy , and like the law of divorce in the case of marriage , it is calculated to lower the sanctity of Lodge ties . We deplore the decision of Grand Lodge , and ferventlv hope that it is not too late to prevent the

consummation of what may turn out to be a grievous wrong . We cannot help observing that the anxiety for Past Masters did not extend to the poor Tyler . Some may take

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