Proficiency Before Advancement.

PROFICIENCY BEFORE ADVANCEMENT .

rjlHE subject of our present remarks has often been discussed J- in our pages , but that does not rob it of interest at the present time , when there are many signs around us of need for reform , and a growing inclination , if we may so describe it , to neglect one of the most important features of the Masonic constitution .

To fully explain the facts of the case we can hardly do better than refer to the extract we give elsewhere from our Australian contemporary " Masonry , " wherein it is recorded that an

Entered Apprentice , when questioned prior to taking the second step in Freemasonry , was prompted word for word by the Deacon , and afterwards advanced to the higher degree as a reward for his " proficiency" in the former .

Unfortunately wa need not go so far as the antipodes to find instances of such utter disregard of the regulations of the Craft , and it may well be left for " echo " to answer why preferment should be allowed under such conditions ? We quite agree with

our contemporary in saying that a candidate who is not able or willing to commit a few lines to memory is hardly a candidate worthy of advancement , but the pity of it all is that no steps are

apparently taken to bring about a reform that , it seems to us , should be easy of accomplishment if a few of those who delight in the practice of Masonry in its fullest sense were to band themselves together for the purpose .

The test questions put to candidates from time to time as they progress in Freemasonry cannot by any stretch of the imagination be set down as difficult of acquisition , and to allow

slipshod procedure or even indifference at this early part of a Mason ' s career is but setting the seed of what will prove indifference or carelessness in the future , to the injury of the candidate himself , and through him of the Masonic Order also .

It is at all times very unpleasant to have to take harsh measures in order to set a good example to others , but we really believe it would be in che interests of progress if a Worshipful

Master occasionally declined to proceed with a candidate ' s advancement if his progress or proficiency in the former degree , as evidenced by his answers to the test questions , was an unknown quantity .

Lewisham Lodge.

LEWISHAM LODGE .

THIS new Lodge , to be known as the Lewisham Lodge , No . 2582 , was consecrated at Smethwick on Tuesday . The founders are Bros . John Edward Chambers , Alfred Caddick , John H . H . Manley , T . H . Spencer , E . Wood , C . Hodgkinson , J . E . Mitchell , G . Hadley , W . H . Reynolds , 1 ' . Howse , W . M . Jackson , W . H . Kendrick , S . Evans , S . Smith , J . Newey , T Spencer , H . Walter , F . Arkinstall , and F . T . Jefferson .

The ceremony of inauguration took place at the Blue Gates Hotel , Smethwick . The large attendance of Brethren included Bro . Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary , the Earl of Dartmouth Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire , Colonel John A . Bindley D . P . G . M . P . G . D . England , and many other distinguished members of the Order . The ceremony of consecration was performed by the Grand Secretary , assisted by Bros . E . V . Greatbach Prov . G . S . W . of

Lewisham Lodge.

Staffordshire as S . W ., C . Taylor Prov . G . J . W . of Staffordshire as J . W ., the Rev . V . M . Holden P . P . G . C . of Staffordshire as Chaplain , G . Walton Walker Provincial Grand Secretary of Staffordshire as D . C ., and G . Taylor Prov . G . Pursuivant as I . G . The Lodge having been opened in the three degrees , the

Consecrating Officer addressed the Brethren on the motive of the meeting , after which the Director of Ceremonies read the petition and warrant , and the Brethren of the new Lodge having signified their approval of the Officers named in the warrant , the Chaplain delivered an oration on the nature and principles of the institution .

The Provincial Grand Master constituted the Lodge , and the ceremony was concluded with the Patriarchal Benediction . Bro . John Edward Chambers P . M . 925 was subsequently installed as the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge , and he appointed and invested the Officers .

The Lodge having been closed , the Brethren adjourned to the dining-hall , where a sumptuous banquet was provided . The usual Masonic toasts were observed . The Grand Secretary of England expressed his pleasure in knowing that Masonry was flourishing in the Midlands , and the- Provincial

Grand Master said he was glad a Masonic Lodge had been formed at Smethwick , and that the efforts of the founders had been so very successful . It was his desire to visit the whole of the Lodges in the Province of Staffordshire , all of which , he was glad to say , were doing a good work , especially on behalf of the charities . — " Birmingham Gazette . "

Alpass Benevolent Institution.

ALPASS BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

rriHE annual meeting of the Governors and others interested JL in the charitable scheme carried out by this Institution , which has for its object ready and liberal help to the widows of Freemasons , was held at the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , on Wednesday , 5 th inst ., under the presidency of Brother Robert Wylie D . P . G . Master West Lancashire .

There was a numerous attendance of Brethren , including Bros . J . Pittaway Hon . Secretary of the Institution , G . A . Harradon Hon . Treasurer .

It was unanimously resolved to send a letter of sympathy to Bro . W . Goodacre P . G . Sec , in view of the great bereavement he had lately sustained by the death of his son . It was reported that the present invested funds amounted to £ 5 , 530 , and that at the festival at Southport ( of which Brother

P . Armstrong was Secretary ) the donations amounted to several hundred pounds . Four candidates were recommended for election on the foundation of the Institution , although there were only three vacancies , but the additional case is likely to be favourably entertained and adopted .

We have repeatedly drawn special attention to the great necessity of candidates being thoroughly proficient before being admitted to a higher degree . It is , however , very rarely that the W . M . uses his prerogative and refuses to be satisfied with a blundering set of answers to important questions . The Deacons

should withdraw from the candidate and let him rely on his own resources . If not able or willing to commit a few lines to memory is a candidate worthy of advancement ? This question was forcibly brought to our mind at a recent meeting . A candidate arrived late and was examined alone , and it is no exaggeration to say that he had to be prompted word for word .

The usual assent for the candidate being permitted to continue was asked for by the W . M ., and the affirmative reply came from the Secretary alone , in a loud voice . Proficiency means , according to the English Dictionary " State or quality of being proficient . " No man can accuse the candidate in question of being within hail of proficiency . Why was he allowed to be made Fellow Craft—Echo answers , Why?— " Masonry . "