Masonic Rites.

MASONIC RITES .

W EBSTER'S definition of the word " rite" is , " The manner of performing solemn services as established by custom . " In 1717 , the period known in Masonic history as " The revival of Masonry , " there was but one Masonic rite , known as the Symbolical or York rite . It was composed of three degrees , now distinguished as " Blue , " or Craft Masonry .

Through the love of tinsel and display , both alike foreign to pure Masonry , innovators have multiplied " rites " until their number is almost innumerable . But the ancient York rite alone is eminent , universal and unchangeable . It is to be regretted that degree mongers in America have meddled with

the original institution by dividing the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry to make new degrees , which was done sometimes for the unworthy motive of barter and exchange . Some of these so-called " higher degrees" are philosophical and sublime . But it is the opinion of the writer that Freemasonry

was injured by this multiplying degrees . Our ancient Fraternity would be more stable to-day if the ambitious degree and rite makers had kept their unholy hands off the original Masonic ritual . We would like to see the original plan oi Freemasonry restored in its primitive form with all its beauty ,

strength and harmony . To do this it would only be necessary to replace the Mark degree where it by right belongs , as a part of the Fellow Craft ' s degree . The Holy Royal Arch should be again placed under the control of the Master ' s Degree , as a sequel to it The Most Excellent Degree is no

part of Ancient Craft Masonry , but purely an American invention . The Past Master ' s ceremony is not and never was a degree . This ceremony should be maintained as a part of the installation of a Worshipful Master . But the so-called Past Master ' s " Degree " should be eliminated entirely from

the ancient structure . It might be disposed of to some modern society at half price as a kind of job lot , not needed in the dispatch of Masonic business . We realise that in writing this we are stirring up a hornet ' s nest and that we may get

stung for our pains . Be that as it may , we believe in the doctrine here promulgated and should the angry hornets fly out at us and sting us , as soon as the smart ceases a little we will punch another stick into the nest . — " Pacific Mason . "

The New Officers.

THE NEW OFFICERS .

T FIE new Officers are in the chairs , and naturally they aspire not only to equal , but if possible to excel , their predecessors , in the correctness and impressiveness of the

work , and the orderly transaction of business . This is praiseworthy . But those who have had the benefit of experience during all of the past should exceed their predecessors in their own field of endeavour . Those who are latest should

prove to be the best . Knowledge should not retrograde . Example should have its proper effect , the bad to be avoided and the good to be followed . Every Master of a Lodge makes it easier for his successor to be an adept in the performance of the functions of his office , while every poor one is a horrible example , to be avoided and buried in oblivion .

The first purpose of the Master should be to perfect the rendition of the opening and closing ceremonies . A good beginning goes far toward a good ending . Look well , then , to the initial work . Open with dignity , with correctness , with impressiveness . Let each of the Officers be accomplished in

his part , and all together present a faultless mosaic . To ensure this the Master should convene his officers prior to the meeting , and have the ceremonies carefully rehearsed . If this work is properly accomplished at the beginning of the Masonic year , it will be so continued to the end . Thus will pleasure be

ensured to all of the members , and gratification to the Officers , and especially to the Master . At the same preliminary meeting the entire work expected to be performed at the next stated meeting should be rehearsed . This is especially necessary at the beginning of the year , when all

the Officers are unaccustomed to their duties . Without such a rehearsal the work is certain to be more or less mangled . Every Master of a Lodge should prove that he is Master , by requiring at the outset from his Officers evidence of their devotion to the : duties of their several stations . The first

form that this should take should be their participation in a rehearsal of their several parts , at such a preliminary meeting of the Officers as we have indicated above . If each Master would insist upon this at the beginning of his official career , he would contribute to the enjoyment of the members of his

The New Officers.

Lodge , and he would ensure the correct performance of the work , and the proper initiation and advancement of candidates . Another purpose should actuate every Master , viz ., the determination to advance no candidate who has not shown proficiency in the preceding degree .

That Master is derelict in his duty to the candidate , to his Lodge , and to the Fraternity at large , who launches upon the Masonic world a Master Mason who is practically Master of nothing in Masonry , and cannot work his way into a Lodge . He who learns nothing at the outset , will , in all probability , learn little or nothing afterwards .

Every Master should recollect that the work of Masonry is the life of Masonry . Without it no Freemason can be made , or advanced , and no moral lesson can be taught . All of the charming philosophy of Freemasonry grows out of it . It is the mystic tie which unites the Craft ; it is the cement which

binds us together . Plence the importance of having correct work , impressive work , work that is attractive in form and instructive in substance . The first aim of the Master should be to get the authorised work ( which alone is the correct work ) , and with his Officers render it in earnest manner . He should remember that he is a creator of Freemasons

—that is , he assumes to be . But if he and his Officers make a deformed Mason from a Masonic standpoint , one who is a hunchback or lame because he has been intellectually and morally mangled in the making , they are responsible for introducing into the Craft an incompetent Brother , one who

does not comprehend his Masonic obligations , and hence will never rightly fulfill them . Every Master who does not produce a perfect ashlar from the material for initiation or advancement in his hands , fails to comprehend the responsibilities of his station , and fails also in his duty to himself and the Fraternity .

Let the aim of all Freemasons be to equal the past in Masonry in all that is excellent on its records , and excel the past in whatever is susceptible of improvement . Especially should Masters aim to make their mark during their year of

office , so that when its history comes to be written their fair fame shall be precious to the Craft , because they were wise , devoted and successful exponents of the good , the true and the beautiful of Freemasonry . — " Keystone . "

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