The Parliament Of The Craft.

THE PARLIAMENT OF THE CRAFT .

THEEE will probably be an exceptionally large attendance at the Quarterly Communication of Grancl Lodge on Wednesday next , in view of the large and varied amount of interesting business on the Agenda , some of which is intended

to influence the future working of the Craft by the introduction of changes that may be set down as radical and far-reaching . Not the least in importance , althought not the first in order , is the notice of motion given by Bro . W . F . Lamonby ,

who seeks to make Canvassing by or for a Candidate for any elective office in Freemasonry stamped as unconstitutional , and prohibitive under pain of punishment by the Board of General Purposes , or its District or Provincial counterpart .

We may at once say we do not imagine Bro . Lamonby has the smallest possibility of carrying his suggestion , at least not in its present form , the course he suggests being far too severe , even if the evil he proposes to deal with were

much more acute than is actually the case ; while the difficulty of carrying such a law into force seems to us to be so great as to virtually nullify it , as the law would either have to remain a dead letter , or ninety-nine of every

hundred elective appointments- would be brought within its scope , as the mere suggestion that such and such a Brother was qualified for a particular post might be construed into an act of canvassing on his behalf .

We may conclude that the . position of Grand Treasurer of England is the one which of all others has lately led to the extension of the work of active canvassing , and it is probable it is the action of Brethren in regard to that office which

has led to Bro . Lamonby ' s proposition . We will not say we regard active canvassing for this , appointment as either necessary or the reverse , but rriay review the facts of the case and leave Brethren to form their own opinion , even if they

have not already done so in regard , to this point . First we may ask , how is a deserving Brother to secure the coveted honour if he and his friends allow his light to remain hidden ? and how are they to announce it to the world without laying

themselves open to the charge of canvassing on his behalf ? The evil of the system is , perhaps , the excess to which it has been carried in recent years , but if we analyse these apparent excesses we find they arise from the greater

popularity of the candidates themselves . An energetic Brother who is known far and near is more likely to secure a small army of energetic workers on his behalf when he aspires to an elective office than the Brother who is virtually unknown

outside his particular circle , so that it may really be argued that the popularity of a man is the true cause of the excitement that attaches to his election , and the tactics deemed necessary to secure it .

The question of the continuance or otherwise of the Colonial Board will also require consideration at the coming meeting , but this subject seems to be best summed up in the opinion expressed by the District Grand Lodge of Bombay ,

The Parliament Of The Craft.

to the effect that it appears " a matter of perfect indiffereuce whether the affairs of Lodges abroad are administered by a Colonial Board , the Board of General Purposes , or a Sub-Committee of the latter . " What is really wanted is a Board

that will work harmoniously with the Lodges beyond the seas , and use every effort to secure and maintain perfect unanimity . One of the reasons urged in favour of the abolition of the Colonial Board was the friction it apparently maintained

with many of its subordinates . It may not be the Board was wholly to blame for the disagreements to be met with in various parts , but we believe much of the trouble was the

immediate outcome of the unbending position it took up—to outsiders there was often more appearance of might in its actions than right .

A very unusual event at this season of the Masonic year is the prospect of a contested election for the chief positions on the Board of Benevolence , two candidates being nominated for the post of Senior Vice-President , and two for that of

Junior , and we anticipate the decision of the relative claims of the different Brethren will lead to some lively proceedings . These positions , it seems to us , hardly lend themselves to a contested election , yet how otherwise is a decision to be

arrived at ? It must be recognised there are many others , beyond the four whose names are now before the Craft , who are amply qualified for the appointments , and fully deserving

of some tangible recognition at the hands of their fellows in the Craft . Why not make these Offices yearly ones , just as is now the case with the Grand Treasurership ?

We are pleased to see substantial recognition is proposed for the Scholarship Fund for the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys , and we hope Sir John Monckton ' s motion to vote two hundred guineas for this purpose will be carried , as by

securing the early approval of Grand Lodge for the scheme its future success may really be set down as assured , although we think sufficient has already been done on its behalf to carry it beyond the realms of mere suggestion .

The annual supper of the Walthamstow Lodge of Instruction , No . 2472 , was held on Monday , 18 th inst . We regret we are compelled to hold over our report until next week . o o o

It was stated at the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Kent , held on Monday , at New Brompton , that the vacant office of Prov . G . M . M . had been offered to the present Deputy , Eev . Bro .

Hayman Cummings Past Grand Chaplain of England , but that owing to his removal from the district he was unable to accept it . We shall give a list of the newly appointed Officers for the Province in our next issue .

Brethren of the Mark Degree may like to know of the existence of the Grand Masters' Lodge of Instruction for Mark Masons , the meetings of which are held at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen Street , on the first and third Friday evenings of

October , November , December , January , February and March , at 6 o ' clock . Brother C . F . Matier Grand Secretary is the Treasurer of the Lodge , and Bro . John Smith Secretary , from either of whom further details may be obtained .