Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

Grand Lodge of Scotland and Reform 147 Freemasonry and Israelitism 148 Poet Masons 148

Consecration of anew Lodge at VVldnes , Lancashire ... 149 Consecration of the Huyshe Chapter of Hose Croix , Plymouth ' 50 Mnsnnic Notes and ( Queries 1 ' ; o

CORRHSPONDKNCE ' . Masonic Balls 151 Aids to Study 151 Instruction 151

Division of the Province of West Lancashire 151 Masonic Tidings—Hritish , Colonial ami Foreign 152 United Grand Lodge—Quarterly Communication ... 153 CIIAFT MASONRY : —

Metropolitan 154 Provincial 155 SCOTLAND : —

Edinburgh 136 Masonic Meetings for next week 156 Advertisements 14 C , 146 , 157 , i ; S , 1 : 9 , 1 O 0

The Grand Lodge Of Scotland And Reform.

THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND AND REFORM .

BY BRO . W . J . HUUIIAN . An important movement litis just heen inaugurated in the Grand Lotlge of Scotland , hy the Grand Master , the Right Honourable the Earl of Rosslyn , and we hope that success will attend his Lordship ' s

earnest endeavours to promote efficiency , representation , and practical benevolence , throughout all the departments of Masonry under his jurisdiction . The following communication , addressed to the lodges by command of the Grand Master

will givesjonie idea uf the changes now imminent , und which are much needed , "GRAND Lonon OF SCOTLAND , " Freemasons' Hall , "Edinburgh , ist February , 1 S 72 .

R . W . SIR AND BROTHKR . —I am commanded by the M . W . the Grand Master to bring under your notice the following points of importance , to \ vhich the most serious attention ofthe daughter lodges is invited , with a view to their own welfare

individually , and as affecting the status and character of the Scottish Craft at large . These , however , are dealt with only as suggestions , which , it is hoped , will receive a fair consideration at the hands of the Office Bearers and members

ofthe various lodges , and under the supervision of the Provincial Grand Lodges , be given effect to , viz : — 1 . Admission if Members . —Grave complaints are frequently made as to the hurried reception

of candidates ^ without sufficient time being allowed to enquire into their character . This , it is obvious , is fraught with . the most disastrous consequences to the Craft , and will be carefully avoided by all well-governed lodges , as also the conferring of

more than one degree upon any candidate at the same time . This is contrary to Grand Lodge Laws , except in cases of well ascertained and absolute emergency . Frequent complaints are also made as to the small initiation fee charged

by many lodges . Money can be no test of character , it is true , but the best interests of a lodge will dictate the necessity of avoiding this ground of complaint ; especiall y is this worthy of attention in towns where many lodges exist , and

where it is found that the fee fixed by one lodge acts prejudiciall y upon the sister lodges . No doubt each lod ge knows its own affairs ° best , and it is difficult to legislate on this question , but

undoubtedl y the minimum fee at present fixed by the Grand Lod ge is sufficiently small for any locality , and it . is the interest of every lodge to increase that sum , as circumstances will warrant .

The Grand Lodge Of Scotland And Reform.

2 . Lodge . Meetings and . Workings . —The regularity of the various lodge meetings affect the prosperity of a lodge very materially—not less than two meetings per month should be held ( except during the summer vacation ) and it is suggested that one of these should be for instruction

purposes . It is much to be regretted that many Office Bearers , and even Masters of Lodges are unable to work tlie ritual of the order , and thereby many abuses creep in , antl a want of uniformity in working the degrees exist . This is a matter requiring attention , asno brother should be elected

to office , or accept if , who is not prepared to discharge its duties . It is also suggested that during the winter the delivery of lectures , on popular subjects , should be encouraged . This is found to be of immense o .

value to many lodges , and as an example there is appended hereto a syllabus of the lectures for the current Winter Session , in the Lodge Edinburgh Journeymen , No . 8 , and which is worthy of being followed .

3 . Representation of Lodges iu Grand Lodge . — It is to be deplored that many lodges quite overlook the advantages flowing from being represented in Grand Lodge , and a certain isolation results , whicli is very prejudicial both to the lodge itself , and the Grand Lodge . It is hoped

that these lodges only require this matter to be brought under their notice to have the omission supplied in future , and that thus a constant and regular communication may exist between the Grand Lodge and her daughter lodges , and an increased interest produced in the welfare of each

body by the other . l \ y its charter each lodge is required to send its R . W . M . and Wardens to represent it iu Grantl Lodge , and where this is not convenient , they are allowed to appoint Proxies , who should be required to keep their lodges carefully informed of all Grand Lodge

proceedings and interests . The Roll of Members of Grand Lodge must now be closed at the ist of April , yearly , ( except as to vacancies occasioned by deaths and representations of lodges abroad ) . And that , with these exceptions , the Members appearing on the

Roll at that date are the only parties entitled to vote at Meetings of Grand Lodge until tlie following annual election . If therefore your lodge is to be represented in Grantl Lodge , during the currency of the year from that date , you will require to have the

names of the R . W . M . and Wardens , or Proxy Master and Wardens , registered by me prior to ist April , and their fees of membership duly paid , or if already represented , then to see that your representatives are properly qualified and acting , otherwise the lodge , will appear in the unrepresented list .

4 . . Inniial Certificates . —In consequence of the Act of Parliament , entitled , An Act for the more effectual Suppression of Societies established for seditious and treasonable purposes , ike ., Grand Lodge on 5 th August , 1799 , resolved that every daughter lodge should annually on the 24 th June , transmit the affirmation ( Appendix C . Grand

Lodge Laws ) that the requisites ofthe said Act had been complied with during the preceding year , and in return receive a certificate concerning the proofs and privileges of the Charter . Many lodges neglect this most important duty , and thereby render themselves liable to the recall of their Charter and to be struck off ' the Roll of the

Grand Lodge . I am therelore to request your immediate attention to this matter if such omission applies to your lodge . 5 . Registration of Intrants . —A frequent cause of complaint is the very careless manner in which

the Intrant Returns are made , it being in many instances quite impossible to make sure of the names or dates , thereby occasioning trouble and expense in returning the schedule , and frequently delay in the issue of diplomas .

It is very desirable to have some definite information regarding affiliated brethren , as to their mother lodge , and which with a little trouble could always be supplied . Special notice is called to filling in with care

every column of the Returns ; this is very much neglected , especially the column of fees paid by the Intrants for Initiation , and is very necessary , as forming a check upon the lodges that Grand Lodge Laws are obeyed . The Auditors desire me to urge upon you , or

The Grand Lodge Of Scotland And Reform.

your Treasurer , or other office-bearer , making remittances to Grand Lodge , the necessity for using the proper printed schedule in every instance , and of filling up the cash column with great care and accuracy , as this forms the main check upon the Grand Lodge accounts .

These Intrant Schedules should be invariably dated and signed , otherwise they are no authority . It is very desirable , that the remittance should always accompany the schedule , and that , when at all possible it should be in the form of

Postoffice order or draft , and not in postage stamps , as by this means any miscarriage of letters can he traced . The sum remitted with a Schedule should always correspond with that stated therein , so

. that no balance for or against the lodge may exist . 6 . Correspondence . —lt very frequently happens that applications are made for diplomas within a few hours of the Intrant ' s departure for a foreign

country , although many days may have elapsed since his admission ; and frequently the letter does not arrive till after the brother has left . In cases of emergency , a telegram would always , i f distinct , command attention , and the schedule

should follow by post . Jn eases where , by accident , promptattention is not given to any communication it should at once be written about , and it is specially requested that in such instances the full particulars ofthe former

communication be given for guidance . 7 . General Observations , Initiation of lame or maimed candidates . —Frequent communications are received on this subject , and it is hereby

intimated that as there is no explicit law on the point , it must be left to the voice of the lodge to do in the circumstances what appears to becorrect .

Mark Degree . —As it is believed many lodges are under misconception in this matter , any lodge desiring a copy of circular of December , 1 S 60 , eontainingfull instructions on the subject may have the same on application at this office .

I'he foreging suggestions are made as calling the attention of lodges to points which may be improved by themselves without further legislation by Grand Lodge , and which his Lordship the Grand Master is satisfied only require to be

pointed out , in order to be carefully observed . I remain , R . W . Sir and Brother , Yours truly and fraternally , J LAURIE , Grand Clerk .

On the first point , viz ., the " Admission of Members , ' ' we consider the fault mainl y rests with the Grand Lodge , for iu the last edition of its Laws ( A . D . 1871 ) page 46 , it is stated that ' no candidate for the Apprentice degree shall be

initiated in any lodge for a smaller sum than twenty-one shillings , exclusive ofthe Grand Lodge clues for registration . " At page 47 , it is provided that no candidate shall be advanced to a superior degree at a shorter interval than that of two weeks . excepting under the emergency clauses .

To our mind the remedy lies in altering these clauses . Let the initiation fee be raised to three

guineas at least in Scotland , and never permit the degrees to be given unless an interval of one month has elapsed between each . The fact is that , at thc present time , a lodge can be called at anytime , even during the same day that the

summons is issued ; ( some even issue no summons ) , and any stranger to the neighbourhood , especially English gentleman , can there and then , be initialed , passed , and raised , without any law of the Grand Lodge of Scotland being infringed ! I have

myself known gentlemen thus initiated , passed , and raised , and I have known others whom I could not designate either gentlemen , or honest men ,

thus admitted into the Craft , and it is not therefore to be wondered at that the former have paid little attention to Masonry , remember nothing of the ceremonies , and look upon the whole as a