Lodges Of Instruction.

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION .

HAVE THEY LOST THEIR POWER OP ATTRACTION ?

"DECENTLY * we have had it brought prominently Xi * under our notice that attendance at Lodges of Instruction is not so regular and persistent as it was in days of yore . Fifteen or sixteen years ago , we are told , any brother so minded could find a place for each night in the week where he could join some

forty or fifty others who were assembled for the purpose of rehearsing and perfecting themselves in the several ceremonies that make up our ritual . At the present day but a small proportion of this number can be induced to attend , and many of these come so late that practically nothing is done , and in far too

many cases the preliminaries for a meeting are not even entered upon . As a consequence a spirit of apathy arises , and in far too many cases the Lodge of Instruction is allowed to die out , and its share of usefulness is lost to those for whose benefit it was originally designed .

The above outline briefly describes the state of affairs we are to-day called upon to consider , and if we are of opinion that those who complain have a case we are asked to do what we can to propose a remedy . This we find is not so easy a task as some of our friends would lead us to surmosa . In the first

place we are inclined to the belief that our clients have a case , but a remedy is not ready to hand , and that the matter can be set right all at once we are not sanguine about . During the last two decades great changes have taken place in all places for public

assemblies , and in establishments where , only ten years ago , a party of say twenty or thirty would be gladly welcomed , the same number could not now find quarters unless they were prepared to expend a considerable sum over and above that it was wont to cost . It is universally conceded that Instruction must

be subsidized with refreshment , and a potent factor in the " properties " required for a perfect rehearsal is a liberal supply of the fragrant weed . Where these adjuncts are prescribed , the attendance diminishes , and where irregularity once asserts itself the inevitable collapse soon follows .

Let us now take into consideration what are the constituent parts of a Lodge of Instruction . It is absolutely necessary that the services of an able and conscientious Preceptor be secured . The Preceptor will not make the venture a success unless he be

supported by persistent workers in the two brethren who may be selected for Treasurer and Secretary respectively . The three Officers combined must have a band of followers of at least 20 or 30 strong ere they will be able to commence work : we feel we np . p . ci

scarcely say more as to such work being continued even when preliminaries have been got over successfully ; these details will readily become apparent to the most apathetic who may give five minutes con-

Lodges Of Instruction.

sideration to the points at issue . Suitable premises have been secured ; the sanction of a Lodge has been given for permission to use its name , and all is now ready to make a start . But , where is the furniture ? Some of the brethren , who

are brimful of enthusiasm , subscribe liberally , and this initial difficulty is overcome . In due course the Lodge of Instruction gets into working order ; the question of support for the Charities is loudly taken up : and eventually it is decided to

establish a Charity Association . The Treasurer and Secretary now have increased labours thrown upon them , but they are both splendid fellows , and express their willingness to continue their services , —at least for the present . By this time the roll of membership has innreased to an extent never anticipated : the — — — ——

- " *~ . ' J 7 / happy little family party we started with has been invaded by a large contingent of the " advanced " body , who sometimes openly express their dissatisfaction at the " reading " of Bro . Past Master Take-thestep , who hitherto has ruled the roost , and has never had his dictum challenged in regard to points of ritual .

These little episodes bring with them a train of discomforts , eventually a lack of interest in the conduct of affairs asserts itself , and as the Charity Association has run its course , opportunity is taken of the effluxion of time for a considerable withdrawal of the hitherto staunch support the Lodge of Instruction has received .

The days of depression are now m full blast , and some of the causes that have led up to them could readily have been foreseen , but we fail to discover a remedy that would be likely to find favour with our readers . With respect to the many suggestions that have from time to time been laid before us , with a view to

keep the interest more sustained , we hardly know what to advise . It is generally conceded that something is wanting , and this we will accept as granted . In past years we have given this question full consideration , and we have received kindlv help from

many influential brethren , but the results hitherto achieved have not been of an encouraging character . We may refer here , incidentally , to the Occasional Papers that have from time to time appeared in the columns of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , papers for

tne most part that were prepared especially with the intention of their being now and again introduced and read at Lodge of Instruction meetings . . These were designed not to interfere too much with the ceremonial and section work that finds favour with so many of our brethren , but rather with a view to create an interest in the History and Antecedents of

our Brotherhood . We are bound to say , however , this effort did not " catch on , " and for some time now—as far as we can learn—nothing of the sort has been attempted . Those who profess to know say they prefer to gain their knowledge from

the Masonic works that treat on these subjects , while others declare that a proper rehearsal of the ceremonies , and a careful working of the several T ? ' : b :. 3