The Force Of Example.

THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE .

IT is not necessary to seek far , to trace the benefits arising from a good example . In every phase of

life we find instances of success following success , and failure following failure , in such a manner as clearly proves that a man ' s course in lifo very materially depends on the groove in which he happens to be placed , or the ruling power he is called upon to obey . So it is with

our Lodges . Slovenly members will make a slovenly Lodge , persevering brethren a prosperous one , ancl enthusiastic Masons a model one . If ifc is the custom for the rulers of a Lodge to pursue a certain line of

Masonic conduct , those who join ifc will fall into thafc course , whether it be for good or the reverse ; and if it be the rule for theLodge to be conducted on a sort of " come

what may " principle , its initiates will speedily show that fcliey have no particular interest ; in Freemasonry . It is almost unreasonable to expect they should have , for they have never been properly educated . The Master

and other principal Officers , too , what is ifc they cannot do or undo for a Lodge ? By good example they may raise it to the highest position and prosperity ;

by evil example they may not only ruin the Lodge with which they are associated , bat may also cause discredit to the whole body of Freemasons .

Looking to the source from which , the large sums annually contributed to the Masonic Institutions is derived , we find this principle strongly illustrated . Lodges which support the Charities once , do so , in most instances , again

and again , and the example thus set , is followed by fche members individually . In most of the Lodges which make a feature of supporting the Institutions , we find a vory large per centage of the members have personally qualified either as Life subscribers or Life Governors of one or more

of the Institutions , irrespective of the share they take in voting and providing the Lodge grant , while , ou the other hand , we find that the members of a Lodge which seldom or ever votes a donation to the Charities , seldom emerge

from among the non-subscribing portion of the fraternity . In illustration of our views as to what can be clone , we may point to the Kilburn Lodge , No . 1608 , which has now existed about nine years . During that time it had won for

itself and its members a reputation for Charity which any Lodge would be proud of ; and how has this reputation been acquired ? Firstly and mainly , by the force of good example . The Lodge has made an annual grant of

twentyfive guineas to the Institutions , taking each in turn , and tbe brethren have supported that grant in a truly praiseworthy manner . During a period of seven years of the Lodge ' s existence , no less a sum than £ 1 , 040 was

subscribed by it and its members to the Charities , thus clearly proving thafc the good example set in the Lodge , of voting a good round sum each year , has been an incentive to its members to adopt a similarly liberal course . The

sum we have referred to represents an average of close upon £ 150 per annum , and that sum , from a young and comparatively small Lodge , is a strong , r demonstration than any other we can give , of what it is possible to

accomplish , if only the desire is shown to do FO , and a proper example is set by those at the bead of KiTuirs It is not desirable that wo should attempt to discover a representative body fcr the opposite view of the cn . se ; those of our readers who know of a Ledge which shows

The Force Of Example.

little or no interest in its work , can judge for themselves whether the neglect is due to tho want of a good example or otherwise .

Canvassing For Masonic Honours.

CANVASSING FOR MASONIC HONOURS .

THE competition which is this year taking place for tho Grand Treasurership , has already imparted into English Freemasonry more than one objectionable feature , and it yet remains to be seen how much of the trickery and underhand practices of ordinary elections will nofc be

taken advantage of , before a decision is arrived at . We think it is contrary to all the principles of Freemasonry that its prizes should be publicly sought after and systematically canvassed for . As we understand it , the honours

of Freemasonry are intended for thoso who deserve them ; and although we shall not—for the present at least—even suggest ifc would be better to abolish the " elective " character of the Grand Treasurership , we cannot agree

with the idea—prevalent in the minds of many—that might constitutes right , deciding who shall enjoy it . It is , of course , impossible , when it comes to selection by numbers , to wholly prevent the idea thafc it is not always

the most deserving who succeeds , but ifc is afc least possible to prevent the result being influenced by other considerations than personal merit . We look upon public advertising and the distribution of printed circulars , as most undignified in

connection with the acquirement of such an honorary distinction as thafc of Grand Treasurer should be . That office should be conferred by the elective voice of the Craft for merit alone . Ifc may be urged that without the publication

of a candidate's career , both m civil and Masomc life , the electors would be ignorant of his acquirements , but such an argument is bad . Those who frequent Grand Lodge , or in other ways take an active interest in the welfare of the

Craft , and have to decide the question , are sufficiently well acquainted with the career of the few brethren likely to be nominated for the appointment , to be able to judge for themselves as to who is the most worthy of the honour

even if it were not the custom to allow the proposer and seconder to parade , as it were , the merits of their individual candidates . Until public canvassing is prohibited , we feel that the office of Grand Treasurer will he shorn of much of the honour which should be attached to ifc .

Development Of The Royal Arch Degree.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROYAL ARCH DEGREE .

BY BRO . JACOB NORTON . IN 1832 , Count de Laurent brought from Hayfci , to New York , a Masonic Eifcual of the Royal Arch , said to have been sent by the Grand Chapter of England to Hayti , in 1802 . Bro . Marconnay copied thafc Ritual in 1833 . In 1882 , Bro . John Barker , the well-known New

York Masonic publisher , kindly allowed me to take to Boston the Marconnay copy . As the ritual was in the French language , Bio . t ^ r ; i Granja < ranshitel-ifc for me

into English . I was ah first ; omewhafc str . ggirorl at the change which the Royal Aieh Degree had undergone . But , as all tl e old rituals differ from the present one , I supposed tbe Eoyal Arch Ritual was also changed . And