Voting In Grand Lodge.

they to go to ' ? . Where is the retiring accommodation r We all know that in the Houses of Parliament , and the Court of Common Council , when divisions take place those in favour of a motion file out by one door , and those against it by another ; and there arc rooms into which the

opposing factions retire . But there is no such facility at present afforded in Grand Lodge , which has only one entrance , and , moreover , there are no ante-chambers into which voters may pass . Even if there wore such

accommodation , tho method suggested is , in the opinion of many of the brethren , undesirable , as it would tend to destroy the great principle of voting by ballot , which has always been observed in Masonic Lodges .

We assume , for the purposes of Grand Lodge , it would be only necessary to count tho numbers , and it is scarcely to be imagined that the tellers would disagree on that point . Those present would conclude that the votes were honestly recorded , and there would be no necessity to ask

everybody ' s name , but simply for / the tellers to record " for " or " against" the motion , as the case might be , as the brethren each and individually declared on passing out . This may at first si ght appear a fair and easy

method . But not only is it undesirable that brethrenalways on the most friendly terms— should know how each other vote ; it is equally objectionable that the voters should even be recognised by the tellers themselves .

A point upon which some stress was laid at the meeting to which we refer was with regard to the structural difficulties that present themselves in Grand Lodge , in the way of such a scheme . Without any disrespect to the Grand Master in the chair , we

question whether , having got all the members out of the Hall , it would be easy to recall them without interfering somewhat with the comfort and progress of business ; whether there would uot be lingerings in congenial nooks until the result of the division was declared . To obviate

this somewhat , and to prevent the interruption of business as brethren are retaking their seats , it might be possiblo to open the room which exists opposite the entrance to Grand Lodge , and clear those present into it , the tellers to record the votes as the brethren return to their places ,

instead of as they emerge from Grand Lodge . This would effect no little saving of time , as when all the votes have been deposited with the tellers G . Lodge would have been reformed , and ready to proceed with the business . In the Court of Common Council , which consists of about 250

members , a division invariably occupies from a quarter of an hour to twenty minutes—and this with two means of exit and ingress , as before observed . How much longer would it take , and consequently how much greater the delay in proceeding with the business on the agenda , under the conditions now available at Freemasons' Hall ?

The most feasible suggestion Ave have heard is , that Avhen a division is called , the brethren should all be invited to leave the Hall , and as they pass out each should be presented Avith a "bone . " All that Avould then

be wanted is a box , Avith tAVO divisions , placed at the door " for " and " against " the motion , and the number of " bones" in these boxes respectively would denote the verdict of the brethren upon the question at issue . We know these discussions

frequently occur in Grand Lodge , and it is often repugnant to the feelings of members to vote openly , as not being in accordance with the Masonic version of the mode of voting . By providing a box such as suggested , all this delicacy of sentiment Avould be met , and the strict princip le of the ballot Avould be maintained . It mip-ht be advanced that

mistakes would not be impossible , in consequence of some brethren misunderstanding the exact Avayin which they were voting—just as it has happened at times that an aspiring candidate has been " pilled " in Lodge by a brother Avho in

reality intended to say yea to his admission . But this is a very rare occurrence , and it Avould be still more so amongst brethren Avho have gained sufficient experience to entitle them to attend Grand Lodcc . The same misunderstanding

might occur in any method of telling , and thus tho objections Avhich might be urged against the " bone " system are disposed of . There are by no means few instances in Avhich a brother

is almost obliged to vote against his own convictions , out of pure kindness and sympathy towards one Avho is sitting next him , and who may entertain contrary views , or toAvards the Lodge of Avhich he is a member . Out of deference , therefore , to that charitable feeling which pervades every Lodge Avhen a benevolent grant is proposed ,

Voting In Grand Lodge.

a brother who mi ght possibly not coincido with it should not be compelled , out of delicacy and respect for his neighbour , to show in which Avay his \ -ote is given . Tf the " hone " system Avere adopted , it would , of conrso , not ; b « imperative for those to go out who do not Avish to

vote ; and it need not be feared that Grand Lodgo would lack a sufficient number of " bones " for the pnrposes of a division . Moreover , although , of course , it must necessarily be an uiiAvritten law , it should be made a matter of mutual understanding that members o . i their return from voting

should be entitled to the seats they had vacated before leaving Grand Lodge . This would save a vast amount of confusion , and prevent not only delay , but also the little natural feelings of disappointment Avhich one hears expressed Avhen members lose their seats as a penalty for rising to do their duty .

We Avould add that the matter is noAv full y before the Craft ; that some alteration in the mode of division is imperatively needed has been admitted on every side . On three or four occasions recentl y there has been some dispute as to the counting of votes : Avith this fact before

them , in addition to the desirableness of economising time , and ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of tho brethren Avho attend Grand Lodge , it is sincerely to be hoped that some wise solution may soon be found of a problem Avhich

has vexed the Craft now for a considerable time . Wo hope that some of our correspondents may bo able to throw out suggestions Avhich may assist the Board of General Purposes to arrive earl y at such a decision as shall prove satisfactory to Grand Lodge and to the Craft generally .

Our Christmas Lodge Of Emergency.

OUR CHRISTMAS LODGE OF EMERGENCY .

ONE hundred initiates in one night ! To many brethren , I have no doubt , the idea may seem far . fetched ; still that snch a glorions result is not a very great stretch of tho imagination , after all , I intend to prove by the following incidents , which are related to me as being not altogether devoid of foundation in fact . The precise locality of the achievement may bo

omitted , as of no particular momont to tho story ; but I only wish it could be multiplied a hundred-fold . A wild , tempestuous night had set in , when , in obedience to a hasty and unexpected summons from their Worshipful Master , a party of Masons , loyal aud true , might have boon seen entering a cosy hostelry in the Midlands , aud shaking the snow and sleet from

their coats and mufflers as they stepped over tho threshold , each with a look of wonder and enquiry on his weather-beaten visage . The wind howled and rattled against the casements , and that there was " something in the wind" every brother admitted , though what it conld be Avas as inscrutable as tho very darkness that reigned without . "

The Master had not yet appeared , but like tho gallant old king of the seas after whose name the Lodge had been christened , ho had called his crew together , aud when his cheery face was seenhis beard and garb diamonded with snow—a veritable old Father Christmas—all hands were piped , and soon there was a cry for general

orders-I do not use these expressions in at all a Bacchanalian sense ; though , like a true Briton as he is , onr Worshipful Master ovinced a strong belief in the maxim which teaohe 3 us that when a good deed is to be attempted tho mind and temper should be in perfect

accord . Cheery Boniface had evidently been advised by some preliminary counsel , as his preparations showed , for a huge Yule-log blazed gaily on the wide-monthed hearth , spluttering its sparks up the open chimney , and causing the shadows to cut merry capers upon the whitewashed walls .

Refreshment before labour in such a case was no overstraining of the fourth degree , aud as the steaming wreaths curled up from tho punch-bowl—and our pipes too—all the fnry of tho outside blast was forgotten , for wero uot the red curtains drawn close , shutting out even the whisper of a draft ? Bro . Junior Warden performed his duty well j and , as soon as the

glow of genial warmth had once more taken possession of our veins , each began inquiring , in whispered breath , what could have indnced tho Wor . Master to have drawn us from our own firesides on such a boisterous night . Was it merely to enjoy his hospitality , always so lavish and so free , or had this gathering some deeper hidden

meaning ? There was a merry , mischievous twinkle in his eye as he caught the glances of wonder we exchanged ; and then bidding " mine host " tyln the door , and officiate as Outer Guard , he proceeded to explain . Jt is hardly necessary to add , we listened with rapt attention .

•' Brethren , said he , by virtue of the power I possess , and which you have so generously bestowed upon me , I have called you together , in order that you may have the inestimable privilege of oxorcisinf that virtue which may justly be denominated the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart—I mean Charity . "

We meekly bowed assent . " to two days hence , " he continued , "Christmas Day will be upon us , a day which from time immemorial has been regarded by Christians as a period of uriivor . nl rejoicing , of peace and goodwill to men . Bnt I neud hardly remind you that , amidst the scones of hilarity and joy