Masonic Rights.

— - * hibited ; and if an adverse ballot is cast , let it be considered an un-Masor . ic act to attempt to fix the responsibility for such a vote upon any member or ruombevs of tho . Lodge .

Under such conditions the right of exercising a secret ballot will stand for its real worth , nnd will accord with what the Fathers intended by the provision made fundamental in the Masonic system .

5 . A member of a Lodge in good standing is entitled to a diploma , certifying to his connection with tho Craft , and also , if desired , to a dimit , setting forth his honourable retirement from the body with which he has been

associated . Concerning the first-named right under this head , there is no difference of opinion , but there is not quite the same agreement on the second point . And yet , we think the one right is the natural outgrowth of the

other . If a member may claim a certificate of membership , may he not also claim a clearance certificate when he chooses to resign that membership ? Practically , a dimit is only the certified acceptance of a Brother ' s resignation

But the right of resignation does not exist , say some . It is only a qualified privilege—something that may be asked , and which the Lodge may grant or refuse in its discretion . The Old Regulations , 1722 , did indeed declare that no

Brother should withdraw without a dispensation ; but ten years later this restriction was struck out and withdrawal was made easy . Now , both in England and in this country , it is generally held that a Mason in good standing ,

free from all charges , has the right to withdraw from his Lodge and to receive a certificate , or dimit , to the effect that his membership has honourably terminated by his own request .

6 . Every affiliated Mason has the " right to visit . " The old rule on this subject is as follows : " Every Mason in good standing , having membership in a lawful Lodge , has a right to visit any other Lodge , wherever it may be , as

may suit his pleasure or convenience . " This right rests on the supposed identity and homogeneousness of the Masonic Institution . In theory , Freemasonry is of one quality everywhere . It is one great family , Lodges being

only certain divisions made for the sake of convenience . In this view , membership in a Masonic Lodge is taken to mean membership in the Fraternity , and a Brother may expect a cordial welcome whenever he presents himself in

any place where Masons are congregated , He has the right to visit in any jurisdiction , and he has the ability to make himself known in any assembly of the Craft . But under the modern expression of Freemasonry , the right to

visit has become considerably abridged , and it can now be regarded only as a conditional right . Some Lodges transact business in private session , and receive no visitors on such occasions ; other Lodges are occasionally obliged to

decline to receive the visiting Brother , and so too much must not be claimed in the exercise of this prerogative . It must also be kept in mind that the " right to visit " may

be set aside by the exercise of another right , which belongs to every Brother , when sitting with his own Lodge , viz ., the " right of objection . "

7 . Any member of a Lodge has the right to keep out an unwelcome visitor . It has long been held that the harmony of a Lodge ought not to be impaired by admitting a Brother as visitor , when objection is made against his

admission by a member present at the time of the proposed visit . This right of objection is in no sense a landmark , however , but only a provision that has properly come into force under the modern administration of' the Craft . The

right to object to an unwelcome visitor is now generally recognised , and though it is within the power of the Master of a Lodge to overrule such an objection , he would probabl y not do so except on rare occasions , where there Were special considerations to influence such action .

8 . Lodge membership carries with it the right of Masonic burial . The rierhfc to he buried with the

ceremonies of the Craft is ono that , under certain restrictions , belongs to every affiliated . Mason . In discussing this right , it should be borne in mind that the Old Constitutions do not declare law on the subject .

any Masonic burial was probably observed sometimes in the case of prominent or zealous Craftsmen , but not until 1754 ^ as there any official regulation bearing upon such a

matter . Preston put the rule into words generally accepted as defining the law governing in the case of Masonic burials . He states the law in this wise : " No Mason can be buried with the ceremonies of the Craft ,

unless it be by his special request , communicated to the faster of the Lod ge of which he died a member , —

Masonic Rights.

foreigners and sojourners excepted , —and he must have been advanced !¦¦> tl . > third decree . " From tl i ••last restriction , ttuie could ho no exception . A \ . ¦ ¦ rso " . al i \ quest for a Mtisonic burial , thou and now , was ivqn !; - ; i : n

to t he calling out of a Lodge to enact a solemn ceremony aud to commit the remains of a departed Brother to ea ; 'h . It was—it is—tho right of every affiliated Mason to prefer such a request , and the obligation rests upon a Lodgo and its Master to see the request complied with .

9 . Every worthy Mason in need has a right to claim assistance from his Brethren . Ho may not demand a specific amount of money , nor help at specified times , as if a contract had been entered into between himself and his

Lodge , or the Fraternity at large , to this effect . The Masonic Institution was not organized as a beneficial society . It does not administer help according to any formal demands laid upon it ; but it does pledge itself to

care for and aid distressed Brethren , and they have a claim upon its bounty . A worthy Brother on whom rests any burden of sorrow or need has the right to appeal for help to his Lodge , or to members of the Craft . If his case is

one that will bear examination—that presents good grounds for sympathy and help—he may expect to bo aided according to what is his need , and according to what

is tho ability of those Brethren to whom ho properly makes appeal . It is the glory of Masonry that it endows its members with this right , and that it acknowledges and responds to its exercise whenever and wherever put forth .

These are but some of the rights that belong to Masonic membership ; there are others , less direct , perhaps , but hardly less important , The thoughtful and intelligent Craftsman will appreciate what thus comes to him of privilege by his connection with the Order , and he will

not need to be reminded of the fact that to all Masonic rights and benefits there are corresponding duties . —Freemasons' Eejjository .

Women As Masons.

WOMEN AS MASONS .

[ COMMUNICATED . ] THE part taken by Brother Horace Brooks Marshall , C . C ., D . L ., in works of philanthropy and benevolence ,

in the Craft as well as out of it , has become so proverbial , and has been so frequently commented upon , that to make further reference to it seems almost like an attempt to gild refined gold . But sometimes one is tempted to stray a

little out of tbe beaten track when any special feature appears deserving of especial comment ; and such an occasion came to my notice a few days since , when the memorial stones of a new Institute in connection with the

Theatrical Mission were laid , on the site of the intended structure , in Henrietta-street , Covent Garden . It is taken for granted that ladies shall not be permitted to participate in the mysteries and privileges of Speculative Masonry ,

but that they may , and do most usefully , figure as Operative Masons we have frequent and abundant illustration . Aiding in the beneficent work of endeavouring to promote the movement for the spiritual and temporal welfare of

theatrical employes of every grade—and we have before us the astounding fact that there are no fewer than twentyeight thousand men , women and children engaged in the profession in London!—the Countess of Aberdeen , the

Lady Mayoress , Mrs . Bond-Cabbell and Mrs . Horace Brooks Marshall gracefully participated in a ceremony which was brimful of interest and animation throughout . At the conclusion of the business , when the perfect ashlars

rested securely on their pedestals , and the strain upon the lewises was eased , it was only natural that hearty cheers should be given for the ladies who had given such proof of their excellent handiwork , and had entitled themselves to

such further marks of favour . Upon Bro . Marshall fell the pleasant duty of acknowledging the cordial vote of thanks which had so ungrudgingly been accorded , and he rose to the occasion like a trout will rise to a May fly . His

acknowledgment was terse and pithy , and would not probably extend over more than half-a-dozen lines in the ordinary column of a newspaper . But it contained matter enough for a homily , if one had the inclination and ability

to pen one , which may well be taken to heart by the Craft in general . With a vein of quiet humour he referred to his wife as having that day played the part of an " operative Mason , " in allusion , of course , to the laying of the memorial stone , and followed up the little feu jesprit by