Our Rulers.

OUR RULERS .

IN all ages , ancl wherever communities of men have elected to dwell together , it has been the custom to choose from among- tho ranks some one with whom might be entrusted the reins of government ; one who , either

from personal distinction or administrative ability , has beon held in high esteem , and to whom the rest gladly pay fealty and homage . It is , therefore , only in tho natural order of things that , in an Institution such as Freemasonry , which is supposed to be an exemplification of all the virtues , certain brethren of distinction and of illustrious name

should be sent to the forefront , to rule and guide the operations of the Craft . Wo are treading on delicate ground , we know , when we assert that those who accept the gladly proffered honours should be careful , ere they do so , to remember the grave responsibilities which are

inseparably attached to such a position . If it be true that property has its duties as well as its rights , it is still more to be acknowledged that in entering upon the possession of honours and dignities conferred by such an Order as ours , tho chosen ones should take care that they wisely wield

the power , and manfully discharge tho onerous duties which are entrusted to their care . "When the Prince of Wales graciously consented to accept the office of Most Worshipful Grand Master , English Freemasons rejoiced that the key-stone of thoir popularity and

prosperity had been fixed , and that our future King had , by his acceptance of the post , won for himself ( on a minor scale , it might be , but still ono of comparative significance ) a sample of that loyalty and affection which will burst fortli in its full glory only when lie assumes

tlie Sovereignty to which he is Heir Apparent . It was never to be anticipated that his Eoyal Highness conld devote sufficient of his timo to secure a practical

acquirement ot all tho technical knowledge necessary to enable him personally to attend and preside over all tho assemblages of Grand Lodge at which his illustrious presence might be desired . The attachment of his name

was sufficient to give an impetus to Freemasonry , which had just _ previously recoiled under a series of heavy and embitterd attacks , secessions , and excommunications , snch as had never been contemplated ; and the rapid strides which Masonry has since made is a solid proof of

tlie benefit Avhich the Order has received from the Prince ' s assumption of the reins of office . But though it was never intended , nor indeed perhaps desirable , that his Eoyal Highness should lend his personal aid , except on prominent or State occasions , ho is supported

» y utneers in whoso hands the whole interior economy and administration of the Craft are secure , and who have the ability to discern , and judgment to execute , all that is necessary for the safety and progress of the Institntion . Coming further down the scale of precedence , the principle

» iay be a little more crucially applied as to whether distinction of birth and social position entitle men to accept unhesitatingl y positions of trust ancl responsibility . We Teller , of course , to Grand Masters of Provinces who , " without doubt , should bo expected to exert themselves

personall y and industriousl y in the affairs of their respective rovinces . It is not saying too much when we contend ¦< nt tho Provinces themselves should havo some voice in ' 10 selection of brethren for tho office , for who arc better fiblc to judge the qualifications of men nominated for such oHices as those who are hereafter to serve under their sway . ncl if such a participation were allowed thero would , as a

Our Rulers.

matter of necessity , bo considerably less risk of tho duties being incompetently discharged , or shunted over altogether upon the shoulders of the Depnty Provincial Grand Master . This latter is by no means an uncommon event ; ancl wo can heartily sympathise with our brethren in somo parts of

England who know their Prov . Grand Master only by seeing his name upon a banquet menu , now and then , and hearing read from his Secretary a stereotyped letter of apology for non-attendance . Such men ought never to have accepted office ; and unless they are prepared to devote

a portion of their time and energy to tho discharge of departmental duty , for the sake of decency let them retire and allow those more deserving to enjoy the sweets of official honour . Something moro than a name is required in a Grand Master for a Province ; and it is simply ridiculous for a man to hold such an office whilst ho fails to show his

face in Lodge and remains in obscurity--so far as tho fraternal mingling with his brethren , either for business or amenity , is concerned . We recollect on one occasion tho hint being ironically ventilated that the health of tho Prov . Grand Master should be associated with tho toasfc

of " The Visitors ; " and it was painful to hear tho derisive laughter with which the joko was received . In such a case as a Grand Master failing systematically to take his duo share of responsible duties , ho should be reminded that it would be only a piece of good

manners to reth'O from tho companionship of those who by his studied avoidance ai-o not congenial to his tastes and inclinations . And if ho lacks the necessary courage or honesty , ifc should be within tjic , power of , the Province to depose him , and thus remove the obstacle by

which their whole machinery is clogged . It is so managed in other spheres of society , ancl why not with us ? We clo nofc suppose the lino of thought we are now pursuing will be universally popular , and wo derive consolation from tho fact that it does not everywhere apply . We know some of

tho most zealous , assiduous , and indefatigable men who shed lustre on tho office of Prov . Grand Master ; who aro beloved by all their following , ancl who by their quiet and genial example infuse such a spirit of fraternal enjoyment into all tho meetings they attend , that it is a real pleasure

to mingle with those who "in jollicsfc friendship meet . " It requires no extraordinary amount of personal application or intelligence to control the affairs of a Prov . Grand Lodge . Thero are always plenty of Past Masters and others well versed in the duties to bo performed , ready to afford every

counsel and assistance ; and with tho ordinary foresight and acumen of an educated English gentleman , the duties and the honours ought to sit lightly together . Only in a few exceptional cases do we hear of a contumacious disregard of functions which should never have been undertaken , and

where the disparagement of Freemasonry is the inevitable result . It is to be hoped that in future appointments a judicious care might bo exercised in the selection of men who will work with a will in the important offices they undertake , not merely usurp a position for the sake of

the glory it reflects upon them , and who merely unfold their wings occasionally to display the glitter of tho jewels with which they are undeservingly ornamented . Every one rejoices , not only in the Province of Essex , bnt throughout the realm , at the selection of Lord Tenterden as the

successor to the Prov . Grand Master ' s chair in that county , for if his zeal in the past be any criterion of his love for Masonry , then we anticipate that his reign will introduce a new era of prosperity and advancement such as Essex has never before experienced . It is true that some men are born to greatness , ofchei-s achieve ifc , whilst some have