Masonry Of Adoption.

MASONRY OF ADOPTION .

Sketch of the Ritual of a Lodge , Chapter , and Council Translated from the French , by John Yarker 33-96 ° LODGE .

Tf ^ HE Lodge system consists of three degrees , and when I meetings are held in connection with a Lodge of Masons , the result is that the Officers are doubled . At the side of each Brother Officer is a Sister of corresponding rank , —namely a Worshipful Master and Mistress ; a Senior and Junior Warden and Sister Inspectress and Depositress ; Brother and Sister

Secretary ; Brother and Sister Treasurer . There is also an Introductress and Mistress of Ceremonies . Those who are eligible for reception are the wives of Master Masons in good standing , and their widows ; the Sisters of Master Masons ; the daughters of Master Masons ; the neices of Master Masons in good standing . .

The room ought to be sufficiently large for division into three parts , by red , white ,- and blue curtains . The side of the W . M . and M . is termed the " Climate of Asia , " and is in the east ; and facing it is the " Climate of Europe . " Apprentices occupy the north side termed the " Climate of America , " and

opposite these are the Companions in the " Climate of Africa . " The two Wardens and their Sister Officers are placed in the west in the Climates of America and Africa . In Asia are the two thrones , under one dais , of the presiding Officers ; and before them is a triangular altar on which lies a mallet , a naked

sword , and a book of laws . Before each Dignitary Officer is a pentagonal table . The Brothers and Sisters are ranged in two lines , the Sister being in advance . The Lodge is lighted by five

odoriferous vases , and in Asia is a large Star of five rays . Around the room are placed eight allegorical figures , representing Wisdom , Prudence , Fortitude , Temperance , Justice , Honour , Charity , Truth , with their distinguishing attributes .

Insignia . —1 , The Apron is of white lambskin , with triangular flap , bordered with blue silk . 2 , The Scarf is " of blue moire , worn from right to left . 3 , Dignitary Officers wear the Scarf Collarwise , and suspend therefrom , for Jewel , a golden trowel . 4 , The Jewel of Members represents a heart in flames ,

having an apple in the centre . 5 , The Garter of the Order is of white satin bordered in blue , and embroidered in blue the motto " Silence and Virtue . " The Brothers wear the insignia to which they are entitled ; and a collar of blue moire , to which is suspended a Jewel in form of a golden ladder of five steps .

Tracing Board . —On the tesselated pavement is a painting representing the five divisions of the world by allegorical figures . —1 , The Ladder of Jacob . 2 , The Ark of Noah . 3 , The Tower of Babel . 4 , The Sun . 5 , The Moon and Seven Stars .

OPENING AND CLOSING .

With slight differences these are the same for all the three degrees . W . Mistress says : Brother and Sister Wardens , the Worshipful Master and myself invite our Brothers and Sisters in

Africa and America to assist us . in opening the Lodge of ( degree ) in the Climate of Europe under the auspices of the Respectable Lodge of ... . and to make your salutations by the mysterious numbers .

This is notified by the Sister S . W ., and afterwards by the Sister J . W ., —and the W . Mistress is then informed that the announcement is communicated . Questions are then put as to the Security of the Lodge , and the duties of an Adoptive Mason . In the 1 ° and 2 ° the ^ duties are to Listen , Work , Obey , and Keep Silent ; in the 3 ° they are to Love , Protect , and Aid the Brothers and Sisters .

Closing . —The W . Mistress says : — "We have Listened , Worked , and Obeyed , and I now-charge you to Keep Silent upon our mysteries before the profane , and therefore we close our Lodge with a salute by the Mysterious numbers . "

1 ° APPRENTICE .

The Sister of Eloquence ( feminine Orator ) prepares the Candidate and conducts her to the Chamber of Reflection , which is hung with black , and lighted by a single lamp which is suspended over a pentagonal table , upon which lies a skull , and a letter or paper upon which are these questions . —1 , What do

we owe to father and mother ?—2 , What do we owe to husband and children ?—3 , What do we owe to friendship and Society?—The Candidate is conducted to a stool before the table ; and the Conductress questions her upon her motive in desiring to join

the Society ; and if she is in a state of health to undergo the necessary trials , which have nothing in them contrary to modesty . If this is so far satisfactory the Candidate is requested to reflect upon and answer the three questions . She is subjected also , in the Ritual drawn for Scottish use by Brother

Masonry Of Adoption.

Major E . G . Irwin , to a trial of curiosity which we give here m the Chapter Degrees , during which she is left alone in the Adjacent whilst the Conductress enters the Lodge and reports . " W . Mistress , there is in the Chamber of Reflection a Pupil of Wisdom who aspires to the honour of being admitted into this Society ; the usual questions have been submitted to her

and she has answered , them as follows . " These are read and the approval of the Members taken . She is ordered to be admitted , and the Conductress , after blindfolding her and placing a chain bracelet on her hands , reports : " A postulant knocks at the door of our Temple , who aspires to be made an Adoptive Apprentice . "

It is now demanded if she is under the authority of father , mother , or guardian , her name , surname , age , profession , birthplace , and residence . After this she is questioned upon the reason of her desiring

admission , which being satisfactorily answered , there is a short prayer , and the Candidate is ordered to be conducted thrice round the Lodge ; which represents symbolically the rough and difficult path of life .

She is now questioned somewhat lengthily upon the moral virtues , such as Honour , Virtue , Modesty , ' etc . After this the Mistress of Ceremonies reports her as desirous to participate in the fruit of her journey , and she is told to approach , and being led to the centre , the bandage is removed , and she beholds the

Brethren clustered around , and pointing their drawn swords towards her . Upon this the W . Mistress addresses her upon the imprudence she has committed in desiring to join a Society of whose laws and morals she was ignorant . She assures her of its respectability by detailing its aims and principles , and

inquires if she is still desirous of proceeding , which being answered in the affirmative the W . Mistress says , —" Let us open to this Postulant the door of our hearts , and assist her to break those chains which are the emblems of prejudice , for it is necessary to be free in order to enter our Temples . "

The chain bracelet is now removed from her wrist , and she is led under an arch of steel to the altar , where in proper position she takes her obligation ; after which , in the name of the Grand Mistress , she is received and constituted an Adoptive Apprentice and a member of the Assembly . The W . Mistress gives her the

triple fraternal acolade : the kiss of peace ( on the forehead ); the ' kiss of confidence ( on the right cheek ); and the kiss of friendship ( on the left cheek ) . The Scarf is given to her ; the Garter of the Order is fastened on her left arm ; and the Investiture of the Apron takes place as follows ;—" Take this Apron and wear it

with joy and respect ; it is the Badge of Kings , Princes , and Princesses , who consider it an honour to wear it . Its whiteness is a symbol of purity and virtue , and accords with the veil which covered you , and the roses which crowned you . " The Secrets

are then explained , and she is ordered to be conducted to the two Sister Wardens , who both question her upon her knowledge of the Signs , Tokens , and Words , and , on approval , a pair of white gloves are presented to her , to be given " only to a man worthy of you and of us . "

After this she is presented as an approved Sister to the Worshipfnl Mistress , who proclaims her in a formal manner , as an Adoptive Apprentice to whom they are to bear perpetual friendship . The Reception concludes with an examination in the Lecture of the Degree , and an Address by the Brother Orator ( To be continued . )

That matters do not always move smoothly in the ranks of the Masonic Order is exemplified in the inconsistency which has lately manifested itself in the working of one of the provincial Lodges . In matters of this kind it is somewhat difficult to obtain information , but we are creditably informed that a

number of the members of the Lodge in question being under the impression that the status of the Lodge was being brought too low by the admission of certain individuals to its ranks , and that it would be " infra dig " for them to sit in the same Lodge with these raw recruits , resolved to start a new Lodge . At the

meeting of the old one , held during the week , the dissentients appeared by a deputation consisting of two ministers , a lawyer , a D . C . L ., a gentleman well known in connection with insurance business , and several others equally influential , and requested

permission to hatch a new number . The mother Lodge , it appears , declined to assent to the proposal , and severely censured the prime movers . If the malcontents can get the approval of three Lodges in the locality they can then set out with a free hand . — " Irish News . "

It is stated that W . K . Vanderbilt , when in Beaver , Pa ., some weeks ago , offered in behalf of the Pittsburg and Lake Erie Railway to erect a $ 15 , 000 station , a $ 50 , 000 hotel , and give $ 50 , 000 in money for college buildings in case the Masonic University is established at that place .