Unsought Preferment.

UNSOUGHT PREFERMENT .

WE are asked to define the position of a Brother elected to the chair of his Lodge contrary to his expressed wish , and as proof that such a contingency is possible are referred to the case of a Scotch Lodge which is petitioning to set aside its last election , alleging that its present Master did not wish co be

elected , protested when installed , and is still averse to fulfilling the duties of the chair . Further than this , the petitioners allege that the election was invalid , as it was conducted in the third degree—a combination of strange circumstances

seldom met with , we imagine , in connection with the Mastership of a Masonic Lodge , but going far to prove that in Freemasonry , as in the outside world , it is the unexpected that sometimes happens .

Our correspondent remarks that his queries are based on what many will regard as an absurd foundation , but suggests that the discussion of the possibilities associated with such a case may prove a healthy recreation , and is desirable for the

reason that it is likely to interest some of those who have a taste for studying what is possible or probable in connection with the everyday work of our Lodges . But apart from all

this we may join in the query of our correspondent , and ask —what is the position of a Brother elected to the chair of his Lodge against his inclination ? In doing so we fully recognise the possibility of such a contingency .

Referrring to the Book of Constitutions we find it set down , in Rule 130 , that " every Lodge shall annually . . , . . . elect its Master by ballot .... The ballot shall be declared in favour of the member .... who

obtains tae largest number of the votes of the Brethren present and voting , At the next regular meeting . . . if the minutes be confirmed so far , at least , as relates to the election of Master , he shall .... be duly installed in

the chair , " all of which seems to imply that its is not optional for a Brother to refuse the position of Master , supposing he has " the greatness thrust upon him ; " but surely it was never

intended to compel a Brother to act in the position of Worshipful Master against his will , however remote such a possibility may appear at the present moment .

It seems to us the law is quite explicit on the point , and thafc not only would ifc be contrary fco fche regulations of fche Craffc for a Brother to decline to serve , but it would be illegal for the members of the Lodge to proceed to a second

ballot , provided the Brother selected on the first expressed a desire to be excused . The ballot must be declared in favour of the member who obtains the largest number of votes , and once being declared it seems to us there is an end of the

matter , if the strict letter of the law is to be adhered to ; and to depart from it is only opening the way to trouble , supposing any individual member chose to bring the question

forward as a violation of the regulations . In regard fco the Scottish case quoted by our correspondent , it seems the Brother there elected to the chair protested at the time of his installation ; and many will argue thafc if hia

Unsought Preferment.

protest was really in earnest the matter might have ended there , so far as he was concerned ; it appears fco us a Brother who really objected fco the office of Master would only need to refuse to take the position when he was asked the regular

question prior to obligation as Master-elect , and undoubtedly here is the opportunity for declining what most Brethren regard as a great honour , but which some might feel unequal or unwilling fco undertake . Let us for a moment pause and

consider what confusion such a course would entail in a Lodge—surely the possibility would seem to point to the necessity for some other method of getting over such a

difficulty , but as this loophole is provided we may leave fche subject here , feeling sure that ample provision has been made for the few who may have preferment thus objectionably thrust upon them .

There is , however , another item in our correspondent ' s record of the Scotch proceedings which may be touched upon on the present occasion—the petitioners argue that the election referred to was wholly illegal , as it was conducted in

the third degree . We are aware thafc it is customary for elections and similar proceedings to take place in a Lodge to which Entered Apprentices are as eligible as Master Masons , or in other words in a Lodge not opened beyond the first

degree , bufc we cannot find any definite law upon the point , and , provided that no member of a Lodge was precluded from voting in consequence of the Lodge being opened up , there does not appear to be any actual illegality in taking the ballot

in fche second or third degree . True , custom rules otherwise , but would an unwritten law of this character be sufficient to nullify an election , supposing such was carried through in a Master Mason or Fellow Craffc Lodge ?

We frequently receive evidence from various parts of the country as to fche gradual deterioration of the Royal Arch under the rule of the Grand Chapter of England , caused , for the mosfc part , by the lack of interest displayed by the majority of the members of the Degree . Is Grand Chapter itself following in

the same direction ? It would almost appear so , or its officials would not send oufc such a meagre looking summons for one of the Quarterly Convocations of the year as that calling fche meeting for Wednesday nexfc . Economy is a virtue , but we cannot believe it is necessary to practice it to the extent it is

being done in this particular . The expenditure of two or three shillings extra each quarter on better paper , and an intimation to the printer thafc suitable commas are to be had at a small cost would make this one of the few official documents issued by Grand Chapter look more presentable . Many a small tradesman would refuse to send out handbills got up so slovenly .

A Committee of Officers was appointed by the Hugh Owen Lodge , No . 2593 , on the 11 th ult ., for the purpose of forming a Lodge of Instruction , and we now have the pleasure of announcing that the first meeting of this new Masonic school

was arranged to be held at the Restaurant Frascati , 30 Oxford Street , W ., yesterday ( Friday ) afc 8 o ' clock , when the Bye-Laws were to be submitted for approval , and a Preceptor , Treasurer , and Secretary appointed . We hope to have the opportunity of recording the doings of this Lodge of Instruction on many future occasions .