The Opening Of The Session

THE OPENING OF THE SESSION

THE Masonic Kecess of 18 / 9 , which may be said to come to a close this clay , has been one of great activity to members of the Craft . Indeed , up to within the last two or three weeks it has been onr pleasure to record nearly as many Masonic gatherings as take place in

the height of the regular season . The growing custom of holding summer festivals goes far to tide over the lull which occurs in the regular Lodge meetings during the summer months , and the annual gatherings of many of the Provincial Grand Lodges about the same time supplies

further employment , and gives us additional opportunities of enjoying the country at the most pleasant part of the year . The work of the past , however , to-day only concerns us in so far as the results that may accrue from it are considered ; doubtless care and deliberation have characterised each

step that has been taken , and we can only hope that the result may prove satisfactory to those who took active parts , and that the transaction will be beneficial to the Craft in general .

Wow , as regards the future . It is necessary ere we enter on a new Session that we should pause awhile , and take a survey of the prospect that lies before us . Wo start on the Masonic Season of 1879-80 in the midst of a eveat

commercial depression , and however much we may wish to disconnect Freemasonry from the outer world we cannot wholly disassociate from it the general influences which govern the country . The Masonic Brotherhood must be successful in a great measure in proportion to the financial

success of the country , and in times of depression members of the Craft cannot fail bnfc to be affected by the same causes as govern every branch of commercial and social enterprise . It behoves us therefore to use greater caution before we undertake any now work , and we should consider

most carefully the results which aro likel y to follow any course contemplated . More especially is this caution necessary in its application to the reception of new members ; ifc is here thafc the evil effect of bad times will speedily develope itself , as affecting the candidates who apply for

admission to the Order . Many worthy men , who may desire to enter the portals of Freemasonry , will be debarred from gratifying their wish when they reckon up the cost attending such a step ; while others , less worthy , will take advantage of this fact to seek to obtain a participation in

the benefits of the Order . The tendency in many of our Lodges , especially in largo towns , is to accept any candidate that may bo proposed rather than pass a season without having initiated one or more applicants . This

indiscriminate admission , ifc is sometimes urged , is really a necessity if ifc be desired that the prestige of the Lodge should be kept up , as regards banquets , jewels , and other expenses which cannot be provided out of tho regular

subscription fees . In many cases a "Worshi pful Master does not like to run the risk of becoming unpopular by deprivmg brethren of fche expected banquet after one or more of the regular meetings , which—had he the future prosperity of the Lodge at heart—he could plainly see the finances

° f the Lodge would not warrant his ordering . This state ° E things is much to be regretted , and we maintain , that until the expense of banquets and other luxuries are kept within the bounds of actual subscriptions , a Masonic Lod ge cannot bo said to stand on a firm basis . So long as it

is known thafc two or three members introduced into the Lod ge will have the effect of changing a quiet supper into a luxurious banquet , we believe there will be brethren read y to propose candidates merely for tho sake of eating

The Opening Of The Session

and drinking up tho initiation or joining fees thus unworthily obtained . In times of prosperity this course of proceeding is not so noticeable , but it creates a precedent in times such as the present which will bo found very difficult to maintain .

Another item which calls for the exercise of care and discrimination , and which , perhaps , will affect the future of the Lodge in a greater measure than any other question the members may be called to decide upon is the choice of a Master for the following year . We are taught ,

such is the nature of our Constitution , that some must rule and teach , while others must submit and obey , and , ifc is added , humility in each is an essential qualification . The power we bestow on the brother who may have been so fortunate as to secure the suffrages of his brethren is

so great that it gives him , virtually , supreme authority , and , however much his actions may seem to be controlled by the members of tho Lodge , he , in a great measure , has unbounded sway . Thus , should lie prove himself unable to use his authority with discretion , or omit that essential

qualification we have already quoted , he may lead his Lodge into such a condition as must prove a serious impediment , if not act fatally to its future prosperity . It is nofc only necessary that he should have the power of mind needful to secure obedience , he should also possess tact sufficient

to show him when it is advisable to givo way to the wishes of his fe'lows . The Master should be very careful how he takes part in any discussion ; indeed , in our opinion , it is the better course for him entirely to withhold his ideas unless appealed to by the brethren . When a discussion arises in a Lodo-e those brethren who take one side or the other aro

very apt to look npon the opposition , at least for tho timo , as foes ; so that when the ruler himself sides with one party or the other it is seldom bnt that he earns the disapproval of a section of his Lodge . Ifc would be far better had he listened to all that was

said , and then , before putting the question to the Lodgo , briefly , but uninterestedly , placed the arguments on both sides before tho members , much in the same way as a judge would sum up a case prior to calling on a jury for their verdict . For the same reason , we urge that it

is very unwise on the part of a Master to allow lus name to appear as proposer or seconder of a candidate , or of any motion it may be contemplated to bring before the Lodge ; such , in our opinion , amounts to a direct anpeal to the brethren , and tends to show

that the Master is in doubfc whether he still has the support that placed him in the chair . Many brethren under such circumstances prefer to absent themselves rather than appear to oppose the ruler of the Lodge , although their idea on the question at issue may be the correct one . So

far as regards the Master ; but it is not the Master only that is enjoined to show humility , every member is expected to practise it , and thus alone can be secured that harmony and good feeling so essential to meetings in every branch of society , be it a Freemason ' s Lodge , a club or

any other gathering . As we have already mentioned the power of the Master is all but supreme , and should tho members find it desirable at any time to tighten the rein , or offer some check to his career , they should bear this in mind , and use caution before they offer opposition . They

must remember that for them to appear afc all dictatorial must be hurtful to the feelings of him who , by their own voice , is exalted to the position of ruler , and therefore any suggestion that the course the Master is pursuing is wrong should be made in private and not made to appear as a bomb-shell suddenly before him in open Lodge , Of course