The New Constitutions Of Grand Lodge Of Ireland.

THE NEW CONSTITUTIONS OF GRAND LODGE OF IRELAND .

A full decade has passed away since the last edition of the Constitutions was issued by the Grand Lodge of Ireland , and the authorities are now contemplating another edition being published , for which purpose

a series of suggested Laws have been printed for circulation amongst the members of the Grand Lodge throughout the country , so as to secure 'the general opinion of the Craft on the subject . Too much

care cannot be observed in the making of new Laws , and , on the other hand , if any of the old regulations have been proved defective , it would be sheer folly to retain them simply on account of their antiquity !

A number of " Prayers to be used in Lodges" commences the work , andalthough several arc of a Christian character ( and actually as those used generally during the last century ) , other prayers suitable for the

most particular are likewise inserted , and can be delivered by "Jews , Turks , or Parsees , " with the greatest propriety . In the excellent form of installation that follows , a note is appended , which we wish

were also to bc found in our Constitutions for England . Brethren , Past Masters , will recollect that upon being installed as Worshipful Master they each promised " A

regular attendance on the communications Z ' . nd committees of the Grand Lod ^ e , upon receiving proper notice thereof , " although , several had r . o idea of attendinr- Grand

Lodge , some never intended doing so during their year of office ; and , accordingly , many actually promisedwhat they never performed ! The Grand Lodge of Ireland wisely adds : " This charge is not to be read unless the lode-e

is situate in a toivu zu / tcrc the Grand Lodge is held . " The retention of this clause in our Constitutions , to be read to and agreed by every Master on his installation , is certainly most unadvisable for country members , and

we would therefore most respectfully suggest either the addition after the words "Grand Lodge , " or Provincial or District Grand Lodges , or " to be read on the installation of Masters within the London district . "

The officers of the lodges under Ireland are each suitably addressed by the Installing Master according to a proscribed ritual , and informed of their duties . Past Masters

under the Irish Constitution can secure their right to vote in Grand Lodge by taking out a Past Master ' s certificate , for which a fee is to be paid of five shillings . This is a law that we never remember being

made under any other Grand Lodge , and one which we believe to be an innovation , as also the law which will enable a Past Master , a Grand , or Past Grand Officer , retaining all their rights in Grand Lodge ,

by payment of two pounds annually to that body , even when they do uot belong to any lodge ! The essence of all representation in Grand Lodge is subscrviation to a Craft Lodge , and of all innovations that carry

with them the most probably pernicious influences , surely it is the law which enables a number of brethren to vote in Grand Lodge , and retain their rank and privileges , without contributing one farthing to the

support of a lodge under their jurisdiction ! Such a law would not be tolerated in England for a minute , and we think that if it is carried by the Grand Lodge of Ireland ,

the brethren ere long will find it a most objectionable and unmasonic regulation . There is not a law of any Grand Lodge held anywhere in the world that is more

The New Constitutions Of Grand Lodge Of Ireland.

entirely subversive of the true principles of representation than this , and for Masons to continuePast Masters and still beaccounted Grand Officers , without being subscribing members to a lodge , is , to say the least ,

wholly unwarrantable in Freemasonry , and without any precedent whatever under the ancient Laws of the Craft . The Grand Lodge Regulations for Ireland ( as also fci England ) provide for the admission of

visitors at Grand Lodge , only on permission being first obtained from the Grand Master or from the Presiding Officer . Any member " being a representative of a lodge in the Dublin district shall be fined one

shilling for non-attendance . " Provincial Grand Officers take rank in Grand Lodge , and are entitled to vote" We cannot see

the force of this regulation , because a Provincial Grand Lodge is formed for the convenience of the brethren who are so far removed from the citv wherein the Grand

Lodge is held as to render their attendance at its meetings inconvenient . To give such brethren votes in their provinces , aud by virtue of being Prov . G . Officers , votes in Grand Lodge , savours to our ideas too

much of a double representation . " No member of the Grand Lodge , or visitor thereto , shall be permitted to wear any

jewel , medal , or device belonging to any order or degree beyond that of Master Mason , in which , however , the jewel of a Past Master is considered to be included . "

This is a most wholesome regulation , and one even more restrictive w its character tlv > . » prevails in England . A committee , consisting of the . Grand Officers and Provincial Grand Officers , have

the power to meet a fortnight before the Grand Lodge is held in January , and agree to the list of officers of the Grand Lodge for the ensuing year ( excepting the Deputy Grand Master ) . At the meeting in January

any member of the Grand Lodge may propose any other qualified brethren , " who must he Past Masters and Master Mascns of five years' standing , " for such offices , and the election . would take place in

April . This method of electing Grand Officers appears to be gaining in popularity , and , with few exceptions , is very generally practised in the United States , and in Scotland . In England , such appointments arc

the prerogative of the Grand Master , and wc arc inclined to give the precedence to such a mode , especially as it carries with it more compliment to the presiding officer . There are weighty reasons , however , on the

other side , and it would be well—for the reasons offered by the Grand Lodges who adopt the elective system—to be carefully studied by English brethren , so as that they may judge practically of the benefits of both

systems . The 24 th proposed law is a strange one . It reads as follows : " A discretionary power is vested in the presiding officer of rejecting any notkc of motion , if such shall be

deemed by him improper , unlawful , or inconsistent with the ancient landmarks of the Order . " Surely , this needs alteration ? Of what possible use is the latter clause but to mislead and complicate the matter ?

What are the "ancient landmarks " ofthe Order ? In the absence of any definition , who is to be the judge , and is it desirable to leave such an arbitrary power in the hands of the presiding officer ? So long as

any proposition is in accordance with the Laws of the Grand Lodge for the time being nothing more can be fairly required , and

any additional qualification is both unnecessary and illogical . The Grand Lodge virtually decides what degrees shall be worked beyond the Craft , although no

The New Constitutions Of Grand Lodge Of Ireland.

other clothing , jewel , & c , than those appertaining to Craft Masonry can be worn in a lodge . Any brother being a member of any lodge on the Registry of Ireland who " shall join or become a member of any

body or society , purporting to bc Masonic , and not in connection with , or sanctioned by , the Grand Lodge , or other Masonic Grand Body recognised by it , shall be liable to suspension , or such other penalty as

Grand Lodge may think fit . " Of course , the members can , and no doubt will , carry this regulation , and be doing Craft Masonry a service , as it prevents the growth of mushroom Grand Bodies that crop up

periodically in some countries ; but , we think , before this regulation is agreed to , it should be defined as having relation only to what Irish Masons do in Ireland—e . g ., we know some most excellent Masons under the

Irish Jurisdiction who have joined the Royal Order of Scotland , a more ancient degree than which ( excepting the Craft ) does not exist anywhere ; and yet it is' not recognised by any of the "Grand Bodies in

connection with the Grand Lodge of Ireland " ! We might mention other degrees as well , given in other countries , which our respected Irish brethren belonged to ,

and therefore our suggestion is certainly worthy of consideration . After the word " society" there should be added , in Ireland , The constitution of the " Board of General

Purposes " is so different to a similar body under the Grand Lodge of England , that it would be impossible to consider the respective advantages of the two systems in a short , paper like the present . Annual fees

are to be paid by the Grand Officers , varying from £ 1 is . to £ 3 3 s ., which are handed to the Secretary of the Masonic schools , and also £ 2 annually to the Grand Lodge . A warrant is to cost £ 7 , a dispensation £ 1

registration fee and certificate 15 s . The lowest initiation fee for lodges in the Dublin district is £ 4 . $ s ., and the minimum for country lodges £ 2 5 s . The former should be in the place of the latter , and then

Dublin district made proportionately higher . We believe in high initiation fees and small annual subscriptions , unless a certain proportion is retained of the latter on behalf of our great charities . Candidates for

initiation in Dublin have to bc approved of by " Committee of Charity and Inspection , " and a fee of £ 2 12 s . 6 d . has to be paid to Grand Lodge for each of such initiates . Brethren must be Master Masons before

being entitled to vote in a lodge . " Every lodge shall have a seal with an impression of a hand and trowel , encircled with the name of the place where such lodge is held and its number and name , if any ,

wherewith to verify the lodge transactions . It is also provided that the first and third degrees can only bc conferred on one candidate at the same time , and a less interval than one month between the conferring of the

degrees is permitted on the Master , Wardens and Secretary being satisfied of the emergency . Although in some respects we suffer in England because of the stringency of our laws with respect to the three degrees ,

and the month between each before their being given , on the whole it is for the advantage of the candidates , and adds to the solemnity and importance of the ceremony . To give the three on one night reduces them

to a low level indeed , and certainly cannot impress the candidate , or be any way the means of properly instructing him in the mysteries of Freemasonry . " Ballotting must

in all cases be with beans , one black bean to exclude except in the case of brethren already members of the Order . " Wc hope ere long to see the following law adopted by