Incomplete Ceremonies.

but we would remind theso that the two Wardens are available fur the purpose , and that if they aro competent , the recital by them of these portions of the ritual not only adds to the interest of the ceremony , but gives the Master a rest , which is very acceptable to him . If it is worth a

brother ' s while to accept a Warden ' s collar , it is not too much to ask him to make himself proficient in these small parts of our ritual , which really play an important part in the ceremony , and the omission of which tends to make the conference of a degree incomplete .

The establishment of Lodges of Instruction has , in a great measure , provided the means for obtaining a better knowledge of the ceremonial portion of our proceedings , but the tuition thero afforded falls far short of what is

required , or what , from the constitution of these Lodges , might fairly be expected . The great aim of tho conductors of many of the Lodges cf Instruction seems to be to get through as much as possible—we will not say of bodily pain , but certainly , in manv cases , of mental infliction

—without any regard being paid to the impression made on the audience , or the instruction afforded the members . We have frequentl y urged that the proper rehearsal of one ceremony , with an explanation , and it may be repetition of a few parts , is far better than crowding

the three ceremonies , or a number of the sections into tho work of one evening in such a jumbled manner as to be alike uninstructive ancl uninteresting to those assembled . Bnt even the best of the Lodges of Instrnction omit the two points to which we have already referred—the lectures

on the tracing boards , and the charges after each degree . Is it the Preceptors themselves are unaware of their existence , or is it that they are beginning to treat these parts of the ritual as unnecessary ? The sections are in themselves most instructive , and we aro of opinion they

should occasionally be rehearsed , but we consider the first thing our brethren should be taught aro the ceremonies , and these not in their mutilated , but in their complete form , Avhich result can only be achieved by including the charge and explanation of the tracing board in each degree . We

are convinced that if once the subject was taken in hand at the Lodges of Instruction , it wonld soon become the rule in the regular Lodges , whore in a very short time there would be found several members competent to assist the Master in this part of the ceremony should tho Wardens be

unable or unwilling to perform what we consider a part of their duty to each candidate . If it was found that time would not allow of the charge and explanation of the tracing board being given the same ni ght the degree was conferred , it would be easy to postpone them until the

next meeting , when proper allowance could be made ; but in no case should another degree be conferred without the ritual of the previous one being completed . By the time a candidate has been passed he begins to see , if these parts are omitted , that the promise made

by the Worshipful Master is a farce , and thus receives an unfavourable opinion of the institution from the commencement . It is matters such as these , trivial as they seem , * which form the foundation on which a newlymade brother ' s opinion of the Order rests . If , on his

admission , a gentleman is favourabl y impressed with the solemnity of the ceremony and general deportment of the Master ancl brethren while the degree is being conferred , his first idea of Freemasonry can but be a credit to the Institution ; and when later on he has the symbols further

explained , and their moral advantages pointed out , he must respect the society which propounds such principles as are taught in our Lodges . To ensure respect any little item which may cast a slur on the Order should be studiousl y avoided , and when the ruler

of a Lodge makes a promise to a candidate which he never intends to fulfil , we think a very great slur does arise . It is not so much at the time that the brother doubts the fulfilment of tho promise—although the tone of voice in which it is made sometimes implies that it is a

mere expression without any meaning—as it is afterwards , whenhe has had time to reflect on tho ceremony , or perhaps on the first occasion he is present when a degree is conferred on another ; then it is that he remembers the same promise being made to him ; if he looks back he may

think that no effort has been made to redeem this promise , or to complete the ceremony , although , perhaps , he may consider there has been ample opportunity to have done so . We shall have pleasure in recording that some of the Lod ges of Instrnction have acted on this suggestion . We feel assured that were such tho case , additional interest

would be manifested in the ceremonies , and tho candidates who in duo course received the benefit of iUtening to the complete ceremony would become better Masons through having learned more of its symbolical lessons at OCT v the time of their introduction into the Order .

Masonically Dead

MASONICALLY DEAD

THIS expression has often boon applied to those who have been expelled from all the rights and privileges of Masonry . Wo havo now to apply it in another sorrso . A brother is in good standing in tho Order , but says ho has lost all his interest in Masonry . Why ? Not because ho is at fault , for ho is an excellent man morally , intellectnally and socially , but because of tho inconsistencies of many who aro members of tho great ^ Brotherhood . Ho has scon so much un-Masonic conduct that ho has become disheartened and

disgusted , and thns lost his interest in Masonry . Is thero a remedy ? It is human to err , and wo aro not to expect perfection iu any one . Masons aro human , and the } ' err . Wo sec their faults and foibles and wo aro grieved , or discouraged , or disgusted . Often their conduct is wilfully wrong . Admit that thoy all might bo hotter than thoy are . What then ? Aro tho principles of Masonry at fault , and

should we lose our interest in them because thero isawido difference between theory and practice ? Medicine , law , theology , aro all good . Shall wo ignore them because thoy aro sometimes abused ? Shall wo have no doctors because quacks aro around , and no lawyers because shysters abound , aud no ministers because somo wolves wear sheen's clothinr ? ? Not at all : wo mnst imhold the frond nnd

reform tho wrong whenever and wherever possible . We must not put our hands to the plough and then turn back , because it occasionally strikes au old corn stub , or a stone , or a stump , but must remember that the greater pavt of the field is free from such obstructions , and that no tillage no crop , no sowing no reaping . Whatever the errors

of others , wo are to go forward in the work of rebuilding the temple and houso of tho Lord . We aro to continually exemplify Masonic principles , and so help onward and upward thoso less strong . —Voice of Masonry .

Obituary.

Obituary .

lhe funeral of Bro . Seagor , of tho Marquis ox Granby , New Cross-road , whose sudden death we recorded in our last impression , took place on Monday afternoon last , at Nunhead Cemetery . The cortege was joined en route by several of the brethren of the Chislolmrst Lodge , of which

the late Bro . Seagor was a member , and of other Lodges in the neighbourhood , amongst whom we noticed Bros . Gloster W . M . 1531 , G . Macdonald P . M . 1158 , G . Andrews P . M . 841 and Preceptor of the Star Lodge of Instruction ( held at the Marquis of Granby ) , Waterman P . M . 147 ,

HutchinsJ . W 841 , W . FiekLson S . D . 548 , Lefevre , Godfrey , Hoskins , Kedman , Kedgiey , Wright , Pegg , J . A . Smith , and others . Amongst friends were Mr . Hobson late of the Marquis of Granby , ancl now of the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum , Messrs . Hubbard , Taylor , & c . On

arriving- at tho Mortuary Chapel , the brethren formed in single file , the body ancl mourners passing through their ranks into the building " , where the service was impressively read by the Rev . J . Marriott . At the grave a number of persons had also assembled , ancl here tho burial service

was concluded in the presence of a sorrowing concourse of friends . The coffin was of English oak , polished , and on the breast-plate was the inscri ption , " John Seager , died 3 rd September 1879 , in his 47 th year . " On the lid had also been placed , by Bro . Macdonald , on behalf of himself

ancl Bros . Keeble and Andrews , a wreath of white dahlias , garderias , jassaminc , and fern , whilst somo other sympathising friends had adorned tho bier with handsome bouquets of white flowers and ferns . As the mourners were leaving the graveside P . M . Brother Andrews threw his

sprig of acacia upon the coffin , reciting the words , " As this evergreen once marked the resting-place of the illustrious dead , so let it mark the resting-place of our departed brother . " The remainder of the brethren followed this

example , and thus testified their respect for one who had been so long and intimately associated with them in furthering the interests of tho Craft . In tribute of respect also , a number of the tradespeople in the locality partially closed their shops during the timo of the funeral .

HOLI - OIVAT ' Oumrrurr AND Frits . — . Bowel Complaints , Diarrhoea—When theso diseases pr-cvail immediate recourse should Ire bird to this Ointment , which should be well rubbed two or three times a day upon the abdomen , and the intestinal irritation will gradually subside . All inflammation will bo subdued and excessive action restrained . This treatment , assisted by judicious rloses of Hollow-ay ' s Pills ; is applicable to all forms of rtinrrha-n and dysentery , Attended by heart sickness , griping , flatulence , and other distressing and dangerous symptoms . After rubbing in the Ointment a tlannel binder should Ire worn , arrd the patient should be restricted to a farinaceous diet for a few days till tho urgency of the disease has been diminished by the preserving employment of these remedies .