A First Visit To Grand Lodge.

A FIRST VISIT TO GRAND LODGE .

THE experiences of a Mason visiting Grand Lodge for the first time must , of necessity , vary in result according to the auspices under which he found himself introduced , or by any chance circumstances that might favour his first appearance in that august assembly . The present slight sketch of my

experiences will , it is likely , coincide with those of the majority of Brethren from Colonial Lodges who pay a first casual visit to Freemasons' Hall as strangers to the metropolis and English Freemasonry , and lacking an introduction from some eminent member of the Order . A Provincial Brother , if not personally

introduced by some Grand or Provincial Grand Lodge Officer , claims attention , and courtesy , from the mere fact of his connection with English Masonry in England . A Brother from a foreign Lodge , however , unless he is taken under the wing of some Grand Lodge or other important magnate , or is possessed

of some significant social position or title , sufficient of itself to claim attention , may feel himself something of a derelict when he finds himself within the portals of the Order in Great Queen Street for the first time . The very suggestion of the principle " thus far shall ; thou go , & c . "—in the various placards that meet

his eye in the corridors , which point out the ' distinguishing rendezvous for Grand Lodge Officers and other important Brethren , —the occasional flitting here and there of personages resplendent in the purple and gold of office , who scarcely deign to bestow a glance on the ordinary blue-apron attired mortal , in

passing , let alone a salutation , —is not calculated to produce a noble impression of Masonry universal at its-fountain head . The unknown Brother from a foreign Lodge is a trifle lonely , and yearns for a word of Fraternal greeting , such , I may safely add , as a stranger would obtain , as a matter of course , in an Indian

District Grand Lodge . With a few Stewards who realised the value of two great factors in the success of the Order , fraternity and hospitality , any such situation as that evolved from my experience would be improbable , even in the vast atmosphere of the Grand Lodge , where minor details must necessarily give way

to those of greater importance . It was , however , noticeable that although there was an absence of Stewards to extend attention to strangers , the " tip " system "was " en evidence " in the ante-room , —to my primitive Anglo-Indian mind an undignified item , which , in the prominent manner in which it was served up , should find no place among the interior details of Masonry paramount .

However , though lacking an introduction , and assistance as to proper procedure , I did not find it difficult to get over the preliminaries necessary to effect an entrance , albeit , not accomplished without receiving a snub from one of the clerks in charge of the Eegisters , for having inadvertently referred to

myself as a Provincial , instead of a Foreign , Brother . The clerical staff has its work cut out to pass Brethren in before Grand Lodge opens . It comprises two or three who stand at a long table with a number of Eegisters before them . A Brother presents himself , and having signed the attendance book , gives

his name , Masonic rank , and number of Lodge to a clerk , who turns up the latter in the Register , and having verified your assertion , i . e ., seen the name you entered as a Worshipful Master , Past Master , or Warden , as the case may be , hands you a ticket to be given up as you pass the Grand Tyler . I do not

know what system there is of vouching for a Brother . I was neither examined , or vouched for . Had the question arisen , I was sure , as it happened , being personally known to one or more of the Grand Lodge Officers present , but " , I believe , several other Brethren from Foreign Lodges lacked this resource , yet passed in unchallenged .

The Grand Hall has an imposing appearance , the decorations being especially elegant and attractive . Splendid paintings of past and present Grand Luminaries of the Order cover its walls , relieved by . crimson upholstered seats covering its floor space , richly adorned arched roof , and . massively carved pedestals make up a picture worthy the position it holds as the Parliamenthouse of British Masonry .

Although September is- an off month in town , there was a large attendance of Brethren . India was represented by several well-known Masons , among whom were Bros . Capt . Wise , and J . A . Penney , of Bombay , W . C . Bonnerjee , W . B . Colville , and W .

B . Chambers , of Calcutta . Bro . Thomas Jones ( an Indian Masonic landmark ) was there in his capacity of Past Grand Deacon , if anything looking younger and more vigorous than he did a decade ago , when I saw him in Bengal .

The Grand Lodge Officers , present and past , enter and leave Grand Lodge in procession , and this part of the ceremony , with the organ pealing forth its best notes , under the masterly guidance of the Grand Organist ( Bro . W . H . Cummings ) was the

most impressive part of the evening ' s business . The proceedings of the day were enlivened somewhat by the legal quibble raised on a point relating to South Wales Masonry , as affecting the Cambrian Lodge working in that Colony . Bro . Lord Carrington Grand Master of that Constitution had , it appeared , offered to

A First Visit To Grand Lodge.

say a few words regarding the Order under his jurisdiction , which , as it turned out , assumed a mild protest against the action of the Board of General Purposes in condoning certain irregularities committed by the Cambrian Lodge . What the Board should have done the Grand Brother did not suggest , but

it would appear he opined that opposite action on the part of the Grand Committee , iuvolving punishment instead of condonation , would have been more acceptable to the Body he represented . The Grand Registrar Bro . Strachan , Q . C ., then started to review the case from its legal aspect , which , though undoubtedly to the

point , did not appear to interest the assembly very much , as indications of weariness became so manifest that he was interrupted by the Acting Junior Grand Warden ( Bro ., Fenn ) , who asked "if the question was before Grand Lodge , " and then politely asked by the Acting Grand Master ( the Earl of Warwick )

to curtail his remarks , which he did , intimating , in conclusion , that the question was not one of finality ( as the Board ' s action was final ) but simply that of entering what had been done upon the minutes of that meeting . Up to this juncture Grand Lodge had only been assembled a short time , yet the majority present

seemed heartily tired of the proceedings , of whom a good number were probably hungry and thirsty in addition . The " refreshment degree" in Grand Lodge Masonry is unknown except among Grand Lodge Officers , who have an established mess . The Brethren of that ilk had dined , wisely , and , of course , well , before

the meeting , so argument and delay did not affect them , albeit , I noticed several leave during the meeting , and , what appeared to me a little out of order , the Senion Grand Warden among them , he having first , however , passed a ' chit' to a Brother on the dais to relieve him . It would appear there is little chance of an ordinary

individual , without influence , albeit holding a recognised position in Provincial or Foreign Masonry , being favoured with the hospitality of the Grand Lodge Officers' mess , or finding facility to subscribe for a ticket , so as to enjoy a meeting at the festive board , where , above every other place , Freemasons realise the

social and Fraternal side of the Order , afforded by no other means . This is a side-light cultivated by Indian Freemasons , and without it the Order will , to them , prove cold and unattractive . Reverting once more to the meeting , some interrogations on the subject at issue , by Brother the Grand Chaplain ( Rev . Norman

Lee ) were replied to by the Grand Registrar , and these with a few closing remarks by the Deputy Grand Master in charge , which embodied an apology for any irregularities he , by reason of his inexperience in the chair , may have permitted that evening , terminated the business of the evening , and closed my first interview with Grand Lodge . — " Indian Freemason . "

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writers , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

THE PRESS AND FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of tlio FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIB AND BROTHER , —I am more than pleased to read your expression of opinion regarding your accredited representatives , as it is my idea entirely . The Press is not always as careful as it might be regarding proper invites for

their representatives ; it may cost more , but it adds to the tone and dignity of the organ . In the local press at times anyone will squeeze in for a cheap feed or drinks galore , to send a few rough notes to the paper , which are often utilised -without a knowledge of the amount of damage the supposed representative may do to the reputation of the organ . Yours , & c , A PRESS MAN .

Masonic Sonnet.

Masonic Sonnet .

LIGHT I MORE LIGHT I ( Goethe ) . COMB all and list ye Brethren of the square , Ye whose desire was once for Light , more Light . And e ' en as Goethe longed for radiance rare , To fall upon his whilom darkened sight , So now we long for more of truth and grace , For more of wisdom , more of strength Divine , To lighten all , who running life's brief race ,

Might sink o ' erwhelmed beneath some hidden mine-Come and with me sing now of hope and peace , Of that goodwill which to all men we show , Of that strong love which by its own increase , To life eternal cannot help but grow . And pray that on this happy Christmastide , God ' s spirit will with all men still abide I CHAS . F . FORSHAW , LL . D . Hanover Square , Bradford .