Uniformity Of Working.

UNIFORMITY OF WORKING .

THE question of one recognised system of working being adopted for Ledges throughout the world , however much it may be deemed desirable , must be dismissed as an impossibility ; for while the spirit of

Freemasonry is the same wherever we go , there are innumerable minor vanatior-s in matters of detail , which it would be impossible to remove , no matter how zealously a scheme might be worked having that object in view .

In another column we give a report of a meeting of one of the Manchester Lodges of Instruction , at which a discussion arose as to the desirability of the

Preceptor making regular visits to other such Lodges , in order that the working might be made more conformable with that of Emulation Lodges acting under authoritative sanction .

"Without in any way wishing to discourage our Manchester friends we may first ask , where would they find the Lodges acting under authoritative Banction , whose working it is their desire to compare with their own ? Tiue , we have in London the

Emulation Lodge of Improvement , meeting at Freemasons' Hall , and it enjoys the patronage and support of very many of the leading Masons of the day , but we should not have to seek very far to find many

other leading Masons who would question the right of that body to say which is the only correct method of working , and decide the paiticular ritual to be used in the different ceremonies of the Order . It is a great

pity that such is the case , but it is so , and must so remain until Giand Lodge takts some action to enforce Uniformity , a course the ruling body of the Craft will be loth to adopt , if we may judge by the experiences

of the past , for we think we may safely say that opinions on this point have not very materially changed since the days when Bro . James Stevens took such active steps towards securing something in the way of authoritative action in this direction .

Grand Lodge would not then bestir itself in the matter , neither would it do so to-day , and as a consequence the Crait of England , like so many other

Jurisdictions , remains without any official ritual , or any guide by which differences in regard to words or form of working can be adjusted .

But , after all , is there any reason why we should desire strict Uniformity ? Is it not better that trifling departures in different parts of the country should be allowed to continue , rather than that any hard and

fast rule should be laid down , and differences occur as a natural consequence ? We commend the desire of our Manchester Brethren to seek for light , and we would suggest they carry out the scheme they con-

Uniformity Of Working.

template , but we hope they will not attempt to force their ideas on their neighbours , or start a crusade having for its object the promotion of rigid uniformity . We should like to hear them discuss divergencies of

working in a friendly way , but not make any effort towards creating a law on the several points of difference they would doubtless meet with , as we believe that any considerable perseverance in that

direction would tend to create more unpleasantness than would ever be remedied by laws enforcing strict Uniformity . If the principles of the Craft are

maintained in their integrity , we do not think it so very materially matters in what particular form its lessons are taught , that is to say , within narrow limits , such , for instance , as are represented by tho well known formula , " tweedledum or tweedledee . "

It is well known the Brethren of the "West of England who devote special attention to the working of the Charities go thoroughly into , the calculations necessary in oruer to express an opinion as to the prospects ol the different elections , ana they set it down

that 2 £ 00 votes will be necessary to cany a Girls case at next month ' s election , v * hile in the case of the Boys they estimate 3000 as the requisite number . These very large estimates are fully supported by past experiences

but they none the less give evidence of immense trouble having to be overcome before one ol the coveted scholarships can be secured . Considering the price that has to be paid for votes the number necessary to carry a

candidate seems altogether out of proportion to the benefits associated with a success . As has been pointed out in our pages in years gone by the calculations necessary to prove that the returns are out of proportion

to the outiay are of a most intiicate and voluminous nature , but it dees not requite much figuring to impress one with the idea that 3000 votes is a large number to

be called upon to collect in order to win a scholarship , considering the amount that has to be paid for the one , and the monetary value of the other .

o o o A Masonic Service is to be held on Sunday , at the Church of St . Andrew ' s , Leytonstone , when the Harvest Festival will be celebrated . A dispensation has been

obtained from the Grand Master for the wearing of Masonic Eegalia , and every provision made for a successful issue , the object being to defray the debt on the

Church . The workers are presided over by Bro . George Graveley as Hon . Sec . We hope the Brethren will succeed in their laudable desire .

o o o The Installation of Lord Llangattock as Provincial Grand Master of the Eastern Division of South Wales took place at Cardiff , on Thursday , in the presence of a

very large gathering of Craftsmen . The Earl of Lathom officiated as Installing Master , and was supported by Lord Kensington , Bro . E . Letchworth Grand Secretary , and many others of distinction in the Order . We shall give a full report next week .