Physical And Mental Qualifications.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL QUALIFICATIONS .

PERFECTION is a o edition seldom , if ever attained . However hard we may strive for it , there ia generally something wanting . There are always adverse forces to contend with . If these aro overcome there is usually a scar left to mar the beauty of the production . It is BO in nature . A tree seldom reaches its full growth without being reft of a branch , the loss of whioh destroys its symmetry .

Every ear of corn has its defective kernels . A babe comes into the world to all appearance perfect in form , but who ever saw the p hysically perfect man ? Mind is more easily influenced than matter . Physical deformity is generally the result of accident . It is not contagions . The individual only is made to suffer . Mental deformities are more numerous . They are not generally the result of accident . There is

a sort of contagion in them . They spread from one to another . They are much more difficult to treat than physical deformities , and the result of treatment is not so plainly visible . If a man breaks his arm the practical eye of the surgeon sees at once what is neoessary to be done . If a man ' s mind is injured , in any way , no one can see the exact extent of the injury , nor provide a sure remedy .

Freemasonry has always aimed at perfection . One of its most ancient regulations was , that " A candidate must bo without bldmish , and have the full and proper use of his limbs ; for a maimed man can do the Craft no good . " This was adopted when physical labour was a Mason ' s employment . It was then Operative Masonry , erecting edifices of atone , brick and mortar . It required strong men to do the

work that Masons had to perform . The ancient regulation was a necessity in order that none but competent workmen should be employed . It served its good purpose and produced none but the best results . Speculative Masonry of the present day is the loyal descendant of ancient Operative Masonry . The ancient regulations are still the

foundation of the Institution . The landmarks have been preserved and must for ever remain unchanged . Other laws and regulations for the government of the Craft may be changed at any time when they can be benefited thereby . The requirements of Speculative Masonry ara not the same as those whioh controlled Operative Masonry . We are now erecting a moral and spiritual edifice . Mental

and not physical qualifications are most employed in this work . It is no longer a question whioh of these can be employed to the best advantage . We would not ignore such spiritual qualifications as are necessary for the requirements of Speculative Masonry . We would require of every candidate such physical qualifications as will enable him to comply with all the ceremonies of Masonry , and to prove

himself a Mason . This is necessary to enable him to enjoy all the rights and privileges of Masonry . The Grand Lodge of Indiana , and some other Grand Lodges , have taken this liberal , common-sense view of this matter . Under this liberal construction of the law concerning physical qualifications many able , worthy men have become Masons who wonld have been excluded in some Grand

Jurisdictions under the arbitrary rulings of overwise Grand Masters , who still insist on going to mill on horseback with a stone in one end of the bag to balance the grist , just because their fathers did that way before them . The horse may be good and strong , but we do not believe in putting this extra weight on him . We believe that the

internal and not the external qualifications of a man render him worthy to become a Mason , and that men of noblo miud and character should not be excluded because they have been so unfortunate as to lose a finger or a toe , or even an eye , as has been the case in some Grand Jurisdictions . There is a happy mean in all things , and Freemasonry shonld be no exception to this rule . — Masonic Advocate .

Allied Masonic Degrees.

ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES .

THE W . M . SEWELL Council met at the Freemasons' Hall , Eaglesfield Street , Maryport , on Monday , the Sth inst . Amongst those , present were Bros . Joseph Clifton Thompson W . M . G . I . G . of England , in the chair , P . de E . Collin P . M . P . G . W . of England , representative to the Grand Council , Nicholson P . M ., Sewell P . M . P . G . D . of England , Gardiner P . M . G . D . of England

Paterson S . W . W . M . elect , Dickenson J . W , Mandle Secretary , Abbott , Brown J . D , Atkinson I . G , Joseph 0 . Scott . Steward , Messenger Tyler , and others . The minutes of tho previous Council were read and confirmed , and the following Knights of Constantinople were admitted to the degree of the Red Cross of Babylon : —

temps . Dickenson and Salkeld . The Conncil was then opened in the degree of the Grand High Priest , Bro . P . de E . Collin P . M . Past wand Warden of England , in the chair , when the degree was conferred on Comp . Joseph Abbott J . of Nicholson Chapter 371 . The Council was then closed , and Bro . John Paterson S . W . W . M . elect ,

was presented to Bro . Collin P . M . and C , as Installing Master , and was duly installed . The W . M . then appointed and invested the lollowing Officers , viz , Bros . Dickenson S . W , Mandle J . W , P . de E . Lolhn P . M . Treasurer , Eden Secretary , Browne S . D , Atkinson J . D ., Jsmith Organist , Scott I . G . and acting Secretary , and Messenger

li -D BUm waa S ranted frora tho fnnds of the Lodge to isro . Paterson's Stewardship for the Royal Masonic Benevolent institution . The Council was duly closed , and on the invitation of ine \ V . M . the brethren retired to the ante-room , whore a banquet was prepared by Bro . Atkinson , of the Star Hotel . The usual Loyal and Masonio toasts were given and duly responded to .

Ar01103

FU NERALS properly carried out and personally attended m London and Country , by Bro . G . A . HUTTOST , 17 BTowcastle street , Strand , W . C . Monuments erected . Valuations mado

Gleanings.

GLEANINGS .

A CORRESPONDENT from Launceston writes iu support of our views as to the usefulness of committees of inquiry as to the character and capacity of candidates for Freemasonry . There is , also , another matter of great importance where a committee of inquiry is absolutely necessary , tho granting of warrants for the opening of new Lodges . Soma brethren seem to be under the

impression that any seven members in good financial standing may demand a warrant to open a new Lodge as a right . This is not so . The granting of warrants is a discretionary power , which should only be exercised after full inquiry aa to the necessity of new Lodges . New Lodges should never be warranted merely to enable

brethren to jump into office or to become rivals to existing ones . When a warrant is sought for by good zealous brethren , who are known td be attentive to their duties , to open a Lodge in a district where none already exists , little inquiry is needed . But where brethren , who never took an active part in Masonry , and have never yefc

been of any service to the Craft , apply for a warrant to open a new Lodge in a district where one already exists , the most strict inquiry ia necessary aa to all the surrounding circumstances . It may fairly be asked whether thia new born zeal is caused by a sincere desire in the applicants to

render themselves moro extensively serviceable to their fellow creatures or to promote some self interest or gratify some ambition ? We have heard of Lodgea being started with a great show—grand installation banquet , splendid display of new regalia , laudatory post prandial speeches as to the zeal and usefulness of tha founders

of the Lodge—whioh have turned out to be too poor , weak and indifferent to be of any service to the Craft either in diffusing Masonio knowledge or in alleviating the needs of their brethren . We know of Lodges who cannot give a couple of guineas to a brother in distress , or pay a ponnd for a subscription to a Masonio journal ,

all their money being required for their banquet and regalia . Such Lodges should never be warranted . They serve no useful purpose . They enable brethren to jump into high office who have been unable or unwilling to climb to it in their own Lodge . Tbey become competitors for candidates with established Lodges , and are often

tempted to receive persons for the sake of the fees , who would not be admitted in sound , old-established , prosperous Lodges . An appli . cation for a new warrant should either be accompanied with the sanction of the adjacent Lodges or have its absence fully explained . Otherwise a strict inquiry should be instituted . The necessity for

tbe Lodge , the advantages its establishment would confer , the proved worth of the applicants , their ability to make it a success , and the strong , reasonable expectation of its prosperity without injury to any existing Lodge , should always be clearly established before a new warrant is granted .

At a combined meeting of the members of the Board of General Purposes and the Grand Stewards of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria , it was decided to hold a Masonio ball . We have no doubt these brethren will do all in their power to make it a success . They

have already taken the right steps for that purpose . It , however , requires something more . It requires the sympathy and active support of the members of the Craft . There certainly should be one large annnal gathering of the Masons of Victoria . If we could only instil into the Victorian Masons the enthusiasm of onr Tasmanian

brethren at the formation of their Grand Lodge , twelve months ago , the success of the ball would be secured . They , though only about a tenth of our number , filled their spacious Town Hall at Hobart to overflowing . They attended the ball from all parts of the colony . They were justly proud of their success . They showed their

astonished visitors what could be done by a small number when their hearts were in their work . We trust the Masons of Victoria will support this ball with the same spirit 5 and that every one who can possibly attend will do so , not only aa a matter of pleasure , but also as a matter of duty and loyalty to the Institution . Every

Present and Past Grand Lodge Officer , every Master of a Lodge , overy Past Master , in fact every brother who takes an interest in the Order should feel that he is individually interested in the Annual Festival ' s success , and is expected to do all in his power by his attendance and otherwise to make ifc worthy of the Craft . —The Australian Keystone .

Among the many Indiana Masons who have gone beyond the borders and achieved Masonio distinction in other States , Judge Noah M . Givan , of Missouri , is a notable example . He was born io Dearborn county , where his aged , venerated parents still reside , 1 st December 1840 . He graduated at the Indiana State University ,

at Bloomington , in July 1862 . Daring the next four years he filled the responsible positions of principal of the schools , treasurer of Dearborn county , publisher of the Lawrenceburg Register , and connty superintendent of pnblio schools , and in the meantime had studied law , and was admitted to the Bar in 1864 . He had also

become a Mason , having received tho degrees in Burns Lodge , No . 55 , at Manchester , in the spring of 1862 . He emigrated to Missouri in 1866 , and settled at Harrisonville , where he entered upon the practice of the law . His career since that time has been one of honour and success , both in business and in Masonry . Ho has filled with great

ability the offices of Grand Master , Grand High Priest , aud 111 Grand Master , and is tho present Grand Commander of K . T . in Missouri , and also Grand Patron of tho Order of the Eastern Star . Bro . Givan is now an honoured citizen of St . Louis , and is physically , intellectually , and Masonically , a noble specimen of Indiana production . —Masonic Advocate .

The 32 nd anniversary of tbe Beaurepor Lodgo of Froomasona was celebrated , at Belper , on Waterloo Day , when Brother James T . Lee was installed aa W . M . There wore visitors present from Derby , Alfrcton , Matlock , Wirksworth , Ashbourne , and other places . The banquet waa held at tho Lion Hotel , in tho evening .