The Authority Of The Chair.

THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHAIR .

IT is not often the authority of the chair is called in question , or the summons of the Master for silence is disregarded at a Masonic gathering , but when a momentary slip does occur—and even in Freemasonry there is such a

possibilitywe cannot help the feeling that although the ritual of the Graft impresses upon its members that some must rule and teach while others learn to submit and obey , the founders of the Masonic system were very careful to add that humility in

each is an essential qualification ; and we believe it is just the lack of this humility that will usually be found to be at the bottom of the very rare instances of friction that do occur in connection with our Lodges .

Brethren are generally quite willing to submit to and obey the commands of their superior Officers when those commands are uttered in a Masonic spirit , and with the humility that should characterise every member of the Masonic body , but we

do not know that mild revolt is wholly out of place if that humility gives place to imperious dictation on the part of the Worshipful Master or other Officer in command . In such a case it is quite justifiable for the members of the Lodge to assert

themselves , even if by so doing they appear to disregard for the time being the authority of the chair , and this may perhaps best be done by appearing to treat the harshness as a joke rather than by openly resenting it .

To use homely phrases it may be said that the ordinary Masonic Lodge can be led , but not driven ; and that its members may be far more easily ruled by kindness than overpowered by authority ; and with all due deference to the few

Worshipful Masters who may take an opposite view , or imagine for one moment that they can act the part of the imperious autocrat while in the chair of their Lodge , we think they will

speedily find out their mistake if they persevere in their course ; even if such a Master does not do worse , by setting the members of his Lodge at variance with himself , and , probably , with each other .

As Masons all are equal—whether they be Worshipful Masters or plain Craftsmen—but in order that the work may be carried out with regularity certain Offices are created , and these command the respect of the Brethren generally , and

proper regard is shown to them at all times , but it is the Office that is exalted , not the Officer , although , as a matter of courtesy , the one is seldom disassociated from the other ,

except in those rare instances we have just referred to , where humility is forgotten , and a spirit of self importance takes its place .

There may be some who will say it ia no part of our duty to lecture Worshipful Masters as to how they should conduct themselves in the chair , but on the other hand we may urge our mouth is not closed by the same rules as surround

an ordinary member or a visitor at a Lodge meeting , and , as we have the power of drawing attention to irregularities , something of the sort is expected of us when we hear of any departure from ordinary usage . We have lately witnessed such

The Authority Of The Chair.

a display of excess of authority as we here refer to , and we hope our remarks , or the good sense of Brethren generally , will make it a very long time before anything of the sort again comes under our notice .

Consecration.

CONSECRATION .

GUARDIAN LODGE .

A NEW Lodge for the City of London , styled the Guardian Lodge , and numbered 2625 on the register of the Grand Lodge of England , was consecrated on Friday , 15 th inst ., at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall Street , says the " City Press , " by the Grand Secretary of England , Bro . Edward Letchworth , who

was assisted by Sir John B . Monckton as S . W ., Eobert Grey as J . W ., Archdeacon Stevens as Chaplain , Frank Eichardson as Director of Ceremonies , and J . Morrison McLeod as Inner Guard . The musical portions were rendered by Bro . Herbert Schartau and choir .

The oration was delivered by Archdeacon Stevens , and was an eloquent exposition of the principles of Freemasonry , which he exhorted the founders of the Lodge to carry out in their daily

life , in order that the world outside Masonry , many of whom ridiculed it , while others looked upon it as mischievous , might see that its works were beneficent , and were intended to promote the glory of God and the good of man .

At the conclusion of the ceremonies of the consecration of the Lodge and its dedication to Freemasonry , Bro . James Tollworthy was installed as the first Worshipful Master .

Bro . Letchworth , in his opening address to the Brethren , spoke of that gentleman in the highest terms as an accomplished Mason , whom the Lodge was to be congratulated on as having for its chief Officer .

Bro . Tollworthy , it may be remarked , was initiated in Freemasonry in the Clarendon Lodge , No . 1769 , and after passing through the various offices was installed as its Master in November 1894 . During his year he served as Steward for the Lodge at the festival of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Girls ,

when he took up a substantial sum in aid of that charity . He also represented the Clarendon Lodge at the festival of the Girls School last year , when the amount on his list exceeded that of any single Lodge in London . As a Guardian of the City of

London Union he originated the Lodge just consecrated . He is a Vice-President of the Masonic Girls School , and a Life Governor of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys , and the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

The Brethren chosen as the Master ' s Officers for the year were : Bro . W . Shurmur Acting Immediate Past Master , H . V . Clements S . W ., T . A . Bullock J . W ., the Eev . P . Clementi-Smith . Chaplain , W . J . Johnston , CO ., Treasurer , W . E . Caldwell Moore , CO ., P . M . Secretary , A . E . Pridmore , C . C ., S . D ., A . P . Little

J . D ., E . H . Barton I . G ., H . Weber Brown , B . A ., D . C , W . D . Barnett , E . Ardley , and C . Farris Stewards ; and E . Lewis Partridge P . M 1686 , Tyler . There were four other Brethren who were among the founders of the Lodge , viz ., Bros . Ex-Sheriff Hand , J . H . Lile , CO ., F . Dunn , and H . Bird , CO .

When the ceremonies were closed votes of thanks were passed to the Consecrating Officers , who were also elected honorary members of the Lodge . The Secretary announced that the following presentations had been made to the Lodge : —The banner by the W M . ; Bible ,

cushion , silver square and compasses by the J . W . ; a set of books for the Lodge by the Treasurer ; a silver inkstand by the Secretary ; firing glasses and case by the D . C . ; two wands with silver doves for the Deacons by the I . G . ; three ivory-handled

gavels by the Steward ; and the Tyler ' s sword by the Assistant Steward , Bro . Farris . The Lodge was then closed , and the Brethren adjourned to a choice banquet . The usual toasts were afterwards honoured .