Uniformity In Work.

UNIFORMITY IN WORK .

nnHE science and philosophy , the symbolism , the tenets and * moral precepts which comprise the religion of Freemasonry are , and must of necessity continue to be , the same wherever true Masonry is observed and practiced . They constitute its life , its soul ; remaining always and everywhere the same . While the ceremonies adopted for their illustration and presentation

may be and are somewhat different in the several rites , yet in this country fchey are substantially the same in regard to the essentials . However , in the manner in which these essentials are presented and the language used fco explain and enforce them

upon the mind ( which constitutes the ritual ) , we find a marked diversity , not only in different states , but often-times between Lodges in the same jurisdiction . So much so that a Brother , however well skilled in the ritual of his own jurisdiction , would find it extremely difficult fco work with Brethren of another .

Each Grand Lodge has adopted a system of work , and each is endeavouring to promulgate it among its constituent Lodges , and to so instruct the Officers as to secure a substantial uniformity within its own territorial limits .

Some have perhaps followed more or less closely the Webb lectures of 1816 . Others will claim those of fche Baltimore convention of 1843 as their standard , while some quote as authority Dr . Dove , of Virginia , or Carnegie , of Missouri , and in the north-west it is to John Barney that we refer . Each of these

distinguished Brethren differed in his understanding of the work as adopted by the Baltimore convention , and neither is to-day strictly followed . Still others have a conglomerate ritual . Such may , as a rule , be found in the newer States and in those jurisdictions where the original membership has been largely

made up of Brethren hailing from different States , each prejudiced in favour of thafc under which he was made , and to which he is most accustomed . In working together they have from time to time dropped a little of their own , and at the same time assimilated with others , finally settling down into a work composed of an admixture of the many . Such work is generally found to be

more prolix and loaded down with useless verbiage than thab adopted in the jurisdictions where either the so-called Webb or Baltimore convention rituals have been followed . Each , even among those having the most prolix is , no doubt , well satisfied with its own , and is by different methods endeavouring to promote a substantial uniformity .

The ritual being the external form , this dissimilarity does not in the least affect the universality of Masonry or change its philosophy . Still , it is desirable , and would be more convenient , if a ritual so perfected as to be consistent with itself and true to the traditions and symbolisms , could be agreed upon by all , and

be everywhere alike . It would materially add to the pleasure of every intelligent Mason whenever he has occasion to visit Lodges in jurisdictions other than his own , and would enable him to assist in fche work , when invited , and that , too , without embarrassment to himself or others .

That this will ever be accomplised we have serious doubts . Each Grand Lodge , and the greater portion of its members , have become so accustomed to their own ritual , and are so wedded to it as to be disinclined to make any change , while some would consider any practice or language differing from their own as an

innovation . To very many , however , who have occasion to visit elsewhere , such a disparity is a source of surprise , which they fail at first to comprehend , and various are the comments made upon this diversity and the suggestions offered by which it mighfc be overcome .

Among them , and perhaps the one most frequently made , is that of a Supreme Grand Lodge , a governing body , whose special duty shall be to perfect and promulgate a ritual to be adopted and practiced alike in all jurisdictions . The desired uniformity

might in this manner be accomplished , provided the supreme governing body had not only the power , but the disposition to enforce the adoption by all Grand Lodges of the ritual so perfected .

When we take into consideration what has been accomplished in this direction by the General Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter , we are satisfied that such a scheme would prove a failure . This body has , from its organisation , had full power over the work , and by its present constitution it is made an especial

duty to see that the ancient work is preserved , and although at nearly every one of the triennial sessions this duty has been urged upon them and a ritual by which a uniformity , not only in the ceremonies , but also in the language to be used in explaining and presenting the essentials of the several degrees , might be obtained , has been demanded , yet nothing was accomplished

until the session of 1880 , held in the city of Detroit . At this session a committee composed of practical ritualists , who were appointed in 1877 in accordance with a resolution offered by tbe illustrious Companion Albert Pike , reported a full and complete ritual , so far as all the essentials in the diffeient degrees were concerned , including signs , steps , grips , and words , the preparation and reception oi candidates , obligations with their proper

Uniformity In Work.

explanations , sufficient to produce a substantial uniformity throughout the country . The ritual thus reported waa , after careful consideration and some slight amendments , unanimouslv

adopted . Fifteen years bave elansed , and yet to-day there may be found as great a disparity in the work of the different jurisdictions as there was previous to this action . Some , like Wisconsin , mindful of their relations to the General Grand

Chapter and of thoir obligations , immediately revised their work so as to conform therewith in every particular . By some the action of the General Grand Chapter was quietly ignored , no attention being paid to its requirements , and one jurisdiction , at least , it would seem , had placed itself in contempt by a recent revision of the capitular work and ritual , which is far from being in accord as to toe essentials with the ritual of the General Grand Chapter .

If the governing body for the Eoyal Arch Masons cannot , with the powers and duties with which they are invested , bring about a uniformity of work , what better can be anticipated from a Supreme Grand Lodge?— " Masonic Tidings . "

Mysteries Of Nature And Science.

MYSTERIES OF NATURE AND SCIENCE .

"fllHE Fellow Craft is enjoined to pursue his researches into the 1 hidden mysteries of nature and science , and Freemasonry was intended to be an organisation for polishing and adorning the minds of its members , just as the Operative Mason was in the olden times educated and fitted for the position of a skilful Craftsmen by his long practice in the u <* e of the working tools . When we compare Freemasonry as we know it to-day in any

part of Australia , with its practice in the last century in the United Kingdom , and even in America to-day , we have regretfully to admit , that it is found wanting , and that Lodges are absorbed in the execution of Degree work , to the exclusion of other subjects of ennobling character , which tend to the moral and intellectual advancement of their members . It is no

uncommon apology—heard by visitors to Lodges—from the Worshipful Master ' s lip ** , that there is unfortunately no degree work to show them , and that they feel at a loss how to entertain them ; this is not as ifc should be , and is to be deeply deplored . Every Worshipful Master is placed in the Easfc to employ and

instruct his Brethren in Freemasonry ; and grammar , rhetoric , music , geometry , and the mysteries of nature aud science , are essential parts of the study of Freemasonry , and should be regarded as such by its rulers , and understood by its exponents . Any step , therefore , which indicates an improvement upon the present comparatively empty routine of Degree work , should be

hailed with satisfaction by every well-wisher of the Craft , and especially so when these progressive steps are apparent in New South Wales , which has hitherto been the laggard of Australasian Constitutions in this respect , as lecturers in Victoria are numerous and frequently heard , whilst Tasmania and South Australia boast of their " Grand Lecturers . "

There is no doubt that our present system , of one year , one Officer , tends to suppress improvement in Lodge control . Under the present system every Worshipful Master is just about at home in his work and in his position when he is called upon to abandon it in favour of his successor , and another year is forthwith spent in the training and finish of another W . M . This

arises from the too geueral impression that the rendition of degree work is the Alpha aud Omega of Freemasonry , and that no responsibility attaches to its rulers to see that " the secrets of nature and the principles of intellectual truth , are unveiled to the view of Brethren , so that they may form a just estimate of those wondrous faculties wherewith the Creator has endowed

the creature formed after His own image . If all the noble sentiments and high-sounding exhortations of the ritual are meaningless rote , and not intended to be put into actual practice within our Lodges , then veritably we are the humbugs wbich some in the profane world assiduously endeavour to prove that

we are , but if not , then in all earnestness we ought to press on the claims upon the attention of Lodges , which fche important study of nature and science most certainly have , nor should we be content with a mere verbal explanation of these lights , but before we advance our candidates , we should see that their claims are understood and appreciated . Then , indeed , would

Freemasonry become the light of the world , and its broad and intellectual truths would shed lustre upon its votaries , and a benign influence upon society in general ; it would cease to be shunned by the philosopher and the savant , and their powers would be foeussed upon the attainment of even higher and nobler ends in the pursuit of knowledge .

We heartily congratulate Lodge Temperance , 179 , New South Wales , upon its initial work in this direction , in placing before its members , last week , such an able exponent of the science of astronomy as Brother W . F . Gale , F . E . A . S . Degree work was performed , the Officers meeting at an early hour for that purpose , and the lecturer was left with