Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS -HJ What is Unoccupied Country ? 45 8 . United Grand Lodge 44 8 C ORRESPONDENCEThe Revision of the Constitutions . —A
Correction 450 Status of Past Masters 450 A Queer Case 451 A Mendlv Query 451 The Victorian Grand Lodge 451 Reviews 4 S ' Notes and Queries 4 Sr
Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall 4 ^ 2 Provinc a ] Grand Lodge of Devonshire ... 453 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Cornwall 453 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ........ 454 REPORTS OF MASONIC
MEETINGSCraft Masonry 4 S 4 Instruction 454 Ye Antiente Fraternite of ye Rahere Almoners , 454 Masonic and General Tidings 45 s New Zealand 45 6 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 456
Ar00101
THE Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge took place on Wednesday last , under the presidency of Bro . General BROWNRIGG , G . C . B ., Provincial Grand Master for Surrey . There was a large attendance of brethren . As had been suggested , and as we somewhat anticipated would be the case , the Confirmation of the Revised Constitutions stands over until December
as well as the Report of the Building Committee about the new Masonic Hall . We think Grand Lodge came to a very seasonable and wise conclusion , and in the best interests in the one case of the peace and welfare of the Craft , and in the other of a " thorough " and expert completion and carrying out of a most important undertaking .
»* # WE regret to note on the part of several indiscreet writers an attempt to make a distinction between the provinces and the metropolis , or to seek apparently to create feelings of distrust and ill-will between them . We are assured curiously enough it is the policy of some brethren to " stir up " the provinces . Why , we know not , or cannot even profess to understand .
The question of Past Masters affects the provinces really no more than the London brethren , and any idea or theory to the contrary is an absolute absurdity . We have enjoyed a longer provincial experience than most of those who have taken up the subject , and we repeat , and many of our provincial brethren will agree with us , that the inconveniencies of the
present system constitute a " minimum , whilst the irregularities and injustice ol this rash change will create a " maximum " ol inconvenience and annoyance which in the end will be unbearable . We feel sure that before very long , if we do create such a revolution in our whole lodge life and arrangements , we shall have to come back to Grand Lodge to restore the old provision of the Book of Constitutions .
Or all the absurd theories started anent this vexed question of the Status of Past Masters is , that the London lodges created the distinction between the Past Masters in the lodge and the Past Masters of the lodge for theirown purposes . Those who tVms write must be utterly ignorant of Masonic law and Masonic prestige . The difference between Past Masters in the lodge and Past Masters of the lodge has always been recognized , and for this reason .
"Of the lodge" is a technical expression , implying actual service in the chair for one year , and no joining Past Master in any lodge ( and many they are and have been ) has ever been looked upon as a Past Master of the lodge . Where the bye-laws state that a Committee is formed of the " Past Masters of the lodge , " Past Masters merely in the lodge , as our Bro . LETCHWORTH , for irstance , must well know , are excluded from that
Committee , and , despite all these new " glosses " and attempts to minimize the effects of clear words , very properly and legally so . Indeed , the very complaints from the provinces , —for all the complaints come from the provinces , — prove that such is the state of things . The real objection of London brethren to the change lies in this , that , as a rule , the London lodges have a goodly array ol actual Past Masters . They , therefore , do not wish to make
two sets of Past Masters in a lodge , —those who have satin the chair , and those who have not , and yet with equal rank and privileges , as they feel pretty sure such a needless and unwise change will lead to constant bickerings and unpleasantness . They object also to calling a brother Past Master of a lodge when he is not really and truly so , and again they naturally dislike and resent the strange and new doctrine , that because a man pays a
certain sum of money , he is to dub himself a Past Master of a lodge which he has never served as Worshipful Master . We are referred by those who promote the change to the powerof exclusion . Certainly I and if this clause ls confirmed we feel pretty sure we are correct in saying no joining Past Master will hereafter be admitted into lodges with a good show of Past
Masters and a number of independent members . The only result will be to shut out joining Past Masters from other lodges . For these and many other like reasons the London brethren , from no selfish or unsound motives , doubt the need of the change proposed , and consider it inopportune and uncalled for .
* * WE never reply to personal attacks or notice invidious remarks . "THREEPOUR -ONE " " runs very close to the wind" in what he says about our editorial remarks as regards the discussions on the "Past Master ' sembroglio . " *¦ We presume , in the first place , that we have a right to an opinion of our ° wn on the subject . Have we not ? 2 . We suspect that our experience of
"is question and of lodge management , which dates actually from 1845 , may enable us to form as correct a judgment Fraternally and Masonically b ^ ? y , ° ursevere critic "THREE-FOURONE . " Were we merely a" London o . her , " some put it , we could not expect apparently much deference - ° . opinion , but when we add that our provincial experience is as long , if 'onger , than most of those who d « mur to our conclusions , or deprecate
Ar00102
our expression of any opinion at all , we hope we have said enough to assure our readers , that we write both with a full sense of our responsibility , and complete knowledge of the subject .
* * WE wish to make a confession to our readers . We are accused of dogmatism , and dictation , and want of courtesy in expressing our opinions , and heaven knows what else besides , in respect of the status of Past Masters , & c , and yet it seems to us that the sound old motto of the Freemason from its very first is made good week by week , —
" a fair field and no favour . Into the great collar question we cannot even profess to enter : it is above us and beyond us altogether . We think Past Masters ought to wear their collars on all occasions when they meet their brethren and regret that the Board of General Purposes did not see its way to recommend so reasonable a concession But as to whether Past Masters in Grand Lodge should wear the Past Master ' s collar over or under their
provincial collars we cannot afford time to discuss , as it appears to us such a petty and really unimportant matter . It seems almost the difference , we say it respectfully , between "tweedledum" and " tweedledee , " inasmuch asthose very Past Masters have already passed the Scrutineers , and therefore it cannot matter " one brass farthing " as we commonly say , whether they wear their collars " over" or " under . " We think it somewhat questionable
policy , and to say the truth not quite in Masonic good form , to accentuate the difference , as between a " Grand Lodge uniform , " Sec . No doubt the Past Masters attend qua Past Masters , and not as Provincial Grand Officers ; but the Provincial Grand Lodge system has been so enlarged and developed since the original idea of Grand Lodge Representation and Constitution was propounded , that we think
seasonable concessions to the " amour proprc" and legitimate feelings of our provincial brethren should be made , alike in good Masonic feeling , and for the best interests of our united Craft . There are so many important questions before us , that we really cannot find room or space , as we said before , to devote to the "Great Collar Question . " We always write honestly , and we hope our readers will prefer Downright Dunstable" to a nonnatural and sophisticated expression of opinions , which may impart anything , or mean nothing at all .
# * # As many of our readers may not have seen the following amusing leaderette in the Standard of Saturday last , we beg to call their special attention to it , as it must make them laugh : " Freemasons will be sorry to hear that the colony of Victoria has seceded from the Mother Lodge . The movement has been carried out in a friendly way , but , as we gather , without reference
to the authorities at home . It would seem that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Victoria has long been impatient of the dilatory and expensive correspondence laid upon it by the parent Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland . The matters referred were mostly trivial , but they occasioned 'the remittance of large sums of money , for which there is no return . ' Accordingly , the 95 provincial lodges discussed their grievance , and they
resolved by a majority to make their Grand Lodge independent . It was decreed and performed with all ceremony . If the Freemasons of Victoria had real ground of complaint , it is to be hoped that the English authorities concerned will take warning . For these movements are very infectious , and one great force of Masonry would be lost if it were split up into many sections . There is very little chance that Australia will acknowledge one
Grand Lodge for all the colonies of that vast island , and we may be quite sure that the smaller the number of dependent circles the more strongly will eccentricities be displayed . " We hardly know which most to admire , — the astounding incorrectness or exaggeration ot the writer , we hardly think a Freemason . There are not 95 lodges in Victoria , but 100 ; 75 English , 15 Scottish , and 10 Irish . Of these no English lodge , and only a lew Scotch
and Irish lodges , have joined this absurd movement . The alleged Grand Lodge is a "bogus" one . Where or how the writer has seen or heard that the 95 lodges discussed the suppositious grievances , and by a majority desired to form a Grand Lodge , we ltnow not . As we said before , the English lodges and brethren , —the vast majority , more than two-thirds , —have nothing to do
with these abnormal and illegal proceedings . There are confessedly no complaints against the English Grand Lodge , and though some are faintly alleged against the Irish and Scottish Grand Lodges , we apprehend unjustifiably . A greater parody on the facts of the case we have never seen , and , if it is written by a Freemason , utterly inexcusable , as we had already given the facts of the case in the Freemason .
. WE call attention , with much pleasure and sincere congratulation , to the presentation by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall , on Tuesday last , to our distinguished correspondent and friend , one of our greatest Masonic writers—Bro . W . J . HUGHAN—of a Masonic jewel , with a purse of ^ 3 75 - We feel sure that no brother deserves better of his province or the Cralt lor those unceasing labours of his which he has so faithiully carried out in his various important capacities .
# * MANY of our readers , especially our Kentish brethren , will read with deep regret of the great loss which has fallen upon our distinguished brother , Lord HOLMESDCLE , Provincial Grand Master for Kent . All our readers will share with his own province , and his many friends , in the warmest feelings of sympathy and condolence .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS -HJ What is Unoccupied Country ? 45 8 . United Grand Lodge 44 8 C ORRESPONDENCEThe Revision of the Constitutions . —A
Correction 450 Status of Past Masters 450 A Queer Case 451 A Mendlv Query 451 The Victorian Grand Lodge 451 Reviews 4 S ' Notes and Queries 4 Sr
Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall 4 ^ 2 Provinc a ] Grand Lodge of Devonshire ... 453 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Cornwall 453 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ........ 454 REPORTS OF MASONIC
MEETINGSCraft Masonry 4 S 4 Instruction 454 Ye Antiente Fraternite of ye Rahere Almoners , 454 Masonic and General Tidings 45 s New Zealand 45 6 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 456
Ar00101
THE Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge took place on Wednesday last , under the presidency of Bro . General BROWNRIGG , G . C . B ., Provincial Grand Master for Surrey . There was a large attendance of brethren . As had been suggested , and as we somewhat anticipated would be the case , the Confirmation of the Revised Constitutions stands over until December
as well as the Report of the Building Committee about the new Masonic Hall . We think Grand Lodge came to a very seasonable and wise conclusion , and in the best interests in the one case of the peace and welfare of the Craft , and in the other of a " thorough " and expert completion and carrying out of a most important undertaking .
»* # WE regret to note on the part of several indiscreet writers an attempt to make a distinction between the provinces and the metropolis , or to seek apparently to create feelings of distrust and ill-will between them . We are assured curiously enough it is the policy of some brethren to " stir up " the provinces . Why , we know not , or cannot even profess to understand .
The question of Past Masters affects the provinces really no more than the London brethren , and any idea or theory to the contrary is an absolute absurdity . We have enjoyed a longer provincial experience than most of those who have taken up the subject , and we repeat , and many of our provincial brethren will agree with us , that the inconveniencies of the
present system constitute a " minimum , whilst the irregularities and injustice ol this rash change will create a " maximum " ol inconvenience and annoyance which in the end will be unbearable . We feel sure that before very long , if we do create such a revolution in our whole lodge life and arrangements , we shall have to come back to Grand Lodge to restore the old provision of the Book of Constitutions .
Or all the absurd theories started anent this vexed question of the Status of Past Masters is , that the London lodges created the distinction between the Past Masters in the lodge and the Past Masters of the lodge for theirown purposes . Those who tVms write must be utterly ignorant of Masonic law and Masonic prestige . The difference between Past Masters in the lodge and Past Masters of the lodge has always been recognized , and for this reason .
"Of the lodge" is a technical expression , implying actual service in the chair for one year , and no joining Past Master in any lodge ( and many they are and have been ) has ever been looked upon as a Past Master of the lodge . Where the bye-laws state that a Committee is formed of the " Past Masters of the lodge , " Past Masters merely in the lodge , as our Bro . LETCHWORTH , for irstance , must well know , are excluded from that
Committee , and , despite all these new " glosses " and attempts to minimize the effects of clear words , very properly and legally so . Indeed , the very complaints from the provinces , —for all the complaints come from the provinces , — prove that such is the state of things . The real objection of London brethren to the change lies in this , that , as a rule , the London lodges have a goodly array ol actual Past Masters . They , therefore , do not wish to make
two sets of Past Masters in a lodge , —those who have satin the chair , and those who have not , and yet with equal rank and privileges , as they feel pretty sure such a needless and unwise change will lead to constant bickerings and unpleasantness . They object also to calling a brother Past Master of a lodge when he is not really and truly so , and again they naturally dislike and resent the strange and new doctrine , that because a man pays a
certain sum of money , he is to dub himself a Past Master of a lodge which he has never served as Worshipful Master . We are referred by those who promote the change to the powerof exclusion . Certainly I and if this clause ls confirmed we feel pretty sure we are correct in saying no joining Past Master will hereafter be admitted into lodges with a good show of Past
Masters and a number of independent members . The only result will be to shut out joining Past Masters from other lodges . For these and many other like reasons the London brethren , from no selfish or unsound motives , doubt the need of the change proposed , and consider it inopportune and uncalled for .
* * WE never reply to personal attacks or notice invidious remarks . "THREEPOUR -ONE " " runs very close to the wind" in what he says about our editorial remarks as regards the discussions on the "Past Master ' sembroglio . " *¦ We presume , in the first place , that we have a right to an opinion of our ° wn on the subject . Have we not ? 2 . We suspect that our experience of
"is question and of lodge management , which dates actually from 1845 , may enable us to form as correct a judgment Fraternally and Masonically b ^ ? y , ° ursevere critic "THREE-FOURONE . " Were we merely a" London o . her , " some put it , we could not expect apparently much deference - ° . opinion , but when we add that our provincial experience is as long , if 'onger , than most of those who d « mur to our conclusions , or deprecate
Ar00102
our expression of any opinion at all , we hope we have said enough to assure our readers , that we write both with a full sense of our responsibility , and complete knowledge of the subject .
* * WE wish to make a confession to our readers . We are accused of dogmatism , and dictation , and want of courtesy in expressing our opinions , and heaven knows what else besides , in respect of the status of Past Masters , & c , and yet it seems to us that the sound old motto of the Freemason from its very first is made good week by week , —
" a fair field and no favour . Into the great collar question we cannot even profess to enter : it is above us and beyond us altogether . We think Past Masters ought to wear their collars on all occasions when they meet their brethren and regret that the Board of General Purposes did not see its way to recommend so reasonable a concession But as to whether Past Masters in Grand Lodge should wear the Past Master ' s collar over or under their
provincial collars we cannot afford time to discuss , as it appears to us such a petty and really unimportant matter . It seems almost the difference , we say it respectfully , between "tweedledum" and " tweedledee , " inasmuch asthose very Past Masters have already passed the Scrutineers , and therefore it cannot matter " one brass farthing " as we commonly say , whether they wear their collars " over" or " under . " We think it somewhat questionable
policy , and to say the truth not quite in Masonic good form , to accentuate the difference , as between a " Grand Lodge uniform , " Sec . No doubt the Past Masters attend qua Past Masters , and not as Provincial Grand Officers ; but the Provincial Grand Lodge system has been so enlarged and developed since the original idea of Grand Lodge Representation and Constitution was propounded , that we think
seasonable concessions to the " amour proprc" and legitimate feelings of our provincial brethren should be made , alike in good Masonic feeling , and for the best interests of our united Craft . There are so many important questions before us , that we really cannot find room or space , as we said before , to devote to the "Great Collar Question . " We always write honestly , and we hope our readers will prefer Downright Dunstable" to a nonnatural and sophisticated expression of opinions , which may impart anything , or mean nothing at all .
# * # As many of our readers may not have seen the following amusing leaderette in the Standard of Saturday last , we beg to call their special attention to it , as it must make them laugh : " Freemasons will be sorry to hear that the colony of Victoria has seceded from the Mother Lodge . The movement has been carried out in a friendly way , but , as we gather , without reference
to the authorities at home . It would seem that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Victoria has long been impatient of the dilatory and expensive correspondence laid upon it by the parent Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland . The matters referred were mostly trivial , but they occasioned 'the remittance of large sums of money , for which there is no return . ' Accordingly , the 95 provincial lodges discussed their grievance , and they
resolved by a majority to make their Grand Lodge independent . It was decreed and performed with all ceremony . If the Freemasons of Victoria had real ground of complaint , it is to be hoped that the English authorities concerned will take warning . For these movements are very infectious , and one great force of Masonry would be lost if it were split up into many sections . There is very little chance that Australia will acknowledge one
Grand Lodge for all the colonies of that vast island , and we may be quite sure that the smaller the number of dependent circles the more strongly will eccentricities be displayed . " We hardly know which most to admire , — the astounding incorrectness or exaggeration ot the writer , we hardly think a Freemason . There are not 95 lodges in Victoria , but 100 ; 75 English , 15 Scottish , and 10 Irish . Of these no English lodge , and only a lew Scotch
and Irish lodges , have joined this absurd movement . The alleged Grand Lodge is a "bogus" one . Where or how the writer has seen or heard that the 95 lodges discussed the suppositious grievances , and by a majority desired to form a Grand Lodge , we ltnow not . As we said before , the English lodges and brethren , —the vast majority , more than two-thirds , —have nothing to do
with these abnormal and illegal proceedings . There are confessedly no complaints against the English Grand Lodge , and though some are faintly alleged against the Irish and Scottish Grand Lodges , we apprehend unjustifiably . A greater parody on the facts of the case we have never seen , and , if it is written by a Freemason , utterly inexcusable , as we had already given the facts of the case in the Freemason .
. WE call attention , with much pleasure and sincere congratulation , to the presentation by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall , on Tuesday last , to our distinguished correspondent and friend , one of our greatest Masonic writers—Bro . W . J . HUGHAN—of a Masonic jewel , with a purse of ^ 3 75 - We feel sure that no brother deserves better of his province or the Cralt lor those unceasing labours of his which he has so faithiully carried out in his various important capacities .
# * MANY of our readers , especially our Kentish brethren , will read with deep regret of the great loss which has fallen upon our distinguished brother , Lord HOLMESDCLE , Provincial Grand Master for Kent . All our readers will share with his own province , and his many friends , in the warmest feelings of sympathy and condolence .