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Random Notes And Reflections.

RANDOM NOTES AND REFLECTIONS .

fjlWO questions of the first importance nre now before •* - tbe Craft , and until thov are finally settled there will be need of ranch patience and forbearance . Whatever may be the opinion of the Provinces generally , among a

considerable and influential section of them strong views are held on the subject of the status of Past Masters . The brethren who carried the resolution of the 8 th August did not journey up to London at the Vdding of mere

sentiment ; a goodly number of them did not put in an appearance a second time at the Quarterly Communication in September merely to seal that sentiment . The conviction , in their minds at least , was strong and fervent , and it will

require something more than forcible language , or chaff and banter to move them from the position thev have taken up . Among the brethren in London , who may be termed the Conservatives of the Order , there is a disposition to let

matters remain as they were before the question was raised upon the revision of the rules . But this position seems almost impossible . Many anomalies have been brought to light during the discussion of the subject which it . would

be well to prevent in the future . If these anomalies can be swept away without making a radical change in old practice , so much the better . We believe in reward following work , and that reward should come from the body

for whom the work was done . The influence of such examples is great because the motive is palpable . It is scarcely less effective when honour is voluntarily conferred upon a joining Past Master . The whole of the members

of the Lodge are participators in the act , and willingV give what they can on the ground of merit alone . To make it imperative on a Past Master joining a new Lodge

that heshall take rank as if he had earned the office in the Lodge is to narrow the test of worth to his admission . It is placing law above choice ; it lessons the powers of a Lodge , and therefore is likely to provoke hostilities .

There is something in the argument that a Master ' s work is not only done for the Lodge to which he belongs , but for the whole Craft . That is so in the sense that it gives him a common footing in Grand Lodge . It also

shows that although there are divergences in work , the result is the same . The comparison ceases here and individuality asserts itself , without which Masonry would not be the grand institution it is . It is universal in . principle , it

should also be universal in practice . It is undoubtedly local in working . Each centre , like the father of a family , has its children , who in turn grow up to bo fathers . However widely they may be scattered , there is still the head ,

the principal , to whom honour and homage are given . A man may attain to the highest point of national fame , and bis name may become the property of the country , yet he still retains his individuality as the member of the famil y to which he belongs .

Other conditions being satisfied , there is no reason why a joining Past Master should not retain all the privileges that his office brings outside of his own home . It cannot , on the other hand , be fairly contended that be should claim

the special advantages which pertain to his own abode , except they are willingly yielded by those who have received him among tbem . We do not think that the right of rank is inherent in the office of Past Masters , and

that it ought not to be so created by law . What is inherent ^ s already recognised by Grand Lodge , and the only question to be settled is , that the brother who leaves his mother

Lod ge shonld not sacrifice the privileges he has gained in the Craft as a concrete body when he joins another Lod ge . If these are assured to him , his local rank may very properl y be left to those who elect him . — : o : — No fundamental law need be altered to effect the change

Random Notes And Reflections.

which has been indicated . There is no necessity for any rude disturbance of old landmarks . A joining Pa- > t Master would know that merit alone would entitle him to secure the coveted position , ancl the local Lodges would be free agents .

Not less likely to cause diversity of opinion is the subject of the re-bnilding of the Temple . Some brethren are impatient at the delay that has already taken place , and would hurry on to a decision ; others , again , see in

postponement the opportunity for perfecting a really good scheme . It is evident that the plan proposed by the Special Building Committee has frightened a great many of the members , who see no finality in the estimates , and who are in doubt

as to the prudence of spending so much money with the prospect of a small return . Wo confess th ;> t this feature has struck us with considerable force . Taking the plan now before the Craft , it appears as if the chief consideration

had been paid to the gastronomic arrangements . It is true 'hat it is proposed to take in the present banqueting hall , and with the site of the late temple make one great building of the two . The contemplated outlay is great—the

absolute expenditure would be enormous . Before brethren make up their minds it would be as well to consider what property could be obtained west of the existing building , iit present the outward appearance of Freemasons' Hall is

not uniform , is , in fact , lopsided . The acquisition of a few houses and their conversion into a wing would complete tbe outside character of the structure . Of course , the

question of outlay shonld be considered as well as appearance , "but there would bo the adv mtage of possessing property tbat wonld cover all probable necessities for centuries to come .

Tbe osoteric part of tbe scheme requires more consideratiod than it has received . Now is the time to see whether a museum and library , worthy of the Order , cannot be founded , whether other necessary accommodation could , not

be provided , so tbat the Freemasons' Hall of the future should be the comp lete home of the brethren , where they could not only participate in the celebration of tbe rites of the Craft , with all the accessories that art and wealth could

purchase , and where they could have the inner wants supplied after the most comfortable and improved fashion , but also where those who love the archaaology of Freemasonry could sip lightly of reference books , or drink deeply of

the rich stores of learning tbat can be gathered together . Man is a composite being , and all his faculties require attention . It appears to ns imperative , therefore , that not only the building scheme , bnt also the completion of other

arrangements should engage the consideration of the brelh . ren . A grand opportunity has been created by misfortune , we ought to make the best of it , and iu no way could this spirit be better exemplified than in founding a library and

museum that for ages to come should testify of the brethren of the present that they were not wholly given up to the letter of the Craft , but partook also of its spirit .

It is a mistake to suppose that Past Masters have no seats in Grand Lodges in the United States . At present we believe , with one exception , they have that privilege , but as

the membership grows it will become a question of the near future whether the rig ht to attend Grand Lodge should not be limited to the officers of the Lodges within the jurisdiction of the authority under which they live .

Amusing incidents occasionally occur in Lodges . There is one recorded in the Bough Ashlar ( South Australia ) . It appears that the Worship ful Master of a certain Lodge appointed two lawyers to two conspicuous offices

Addressing them with regard to their particular duties , he said : " If unfortunately a dispute should arise between any of the brethren , it will be your duty to endeavour to heal tbe breach , and to hold out to them the olive branch of peace . "

Professional instinct would lead these officers to disregard this advice ; their obligations teach them quite another If sson , Ju .= t as they realise the spirit of duty , will be their

action . If they are true to principle , their practice will be virtuous , . however strongly their professional sympathies might incline them . — : o : — How or by what means a rumour got abroad that the number of vacancies in the Boys' and Girls' Schools was