Masonic Jurisprudence.

Nor is there any need for us to enter into detail as to the disciplinary powers he possesses as these have been fully referred to in previous articles ( Freemason , June-23 rd , 1900 , et seq ) . The reasons which cause official intervention may , however , be recited . First would be a specially unfavourable

report made by a deputation as already referred to . He might report that the minute book showed a continuous history of black balling and the friction thus engendered might even be deducible from the demeanour of brethren in lodge . He

mig ht report that the officers generally , or the Worshipful Master in particular , were incapable of doing their work . As regards the incapacity of any particular officer other than the Worshipful Master , Article 740 gives the lodge the power of dealing with him .

Article 140 does not however deal with the incapacity of the Master , and Article 141 , which does , is worded ambiguously . "Should the Master die or be rendered incapable of discharging the duties of his office . " What do the italicized words mean ? In ordinary English

they mean owing to circumstances beyond his ,, control , but Masonic English gives them a wider interpretation . We have seen a Worshipful Master directed to quit the chair because , between an imperfect work of the ritual ( considerably in evidence ) , and a more imperfect memory , he made the

ceremonies degenerate into a farce . In the absence of specific provision the discretion of the District Grand Master will generally pass unchallenged unless cause can be shown , which would be sufficient to warrant his own removal from office . Oliver says ( Jurisprudence 182)—¦

"The question has often been submitted whether a lodge has the power of deposing a Worshipful Master ... " In the absence of any absolute provision in the Constitions b y which the question may be determined we

are decidedly of opinion that no lodge possesses the right to try and condemn its own Master . For he , being the undoubted chairman of the lodge during his year of office cannot be legally compelled to depute any other brother to supply his place , and ,

therefore , as no judge can preside at his own trial it is clearly impossible for a lodge to arraign its Worshipful Master , except before another and superior tribunal . He is , indeed , amenable only to the Grand Lodge , where be may be impeached in the

usual manner if his proceedings be not in accordance with the law , or if his private conduct be scandalousl y immoral It is a wholesome consideration that the Worshipful Master should be as independent of his constituents during his year of office as a member of Parliament is . "

The difference existing between Provincial and District Grand Masters in the matter of the powers entrusted to them lias already been described in these columns , and , in fact , is clearly laid down in Articles 106 , & c . It follows , from such difference , that an official visitation in a District has quite a different aspect

from one in a Province . So different , that official visitation of the kind we have been describing is not a frequent occurrence in England , and is a frequent occurrence abroad . Moreover , at home there is not abrother , qualified to attend , who cannot , for the small

expense of a railway ticket , attend the stated communications of Provincial Grand Lodge . Abroad it sometimes happen that less than a quarter of its members are ever able to attend a District Grand Lodge ,

It will thus be seen that the subject we have discussed at length is one more interesting to the colonial or foreign brother than it is at home .

Dedication Of A Masonic Hall At Newbury.

DEDICATION OF A MASONIC HALL AT NEWBURY .

The opening week of the Twentieth Century has furnished substantial proof of the progress and stability of Freemasonry in Newbury , a Masonic hall having been dedicated on Friday afternoon , the 4 th instant , with all the rites and ceremonies peculiar to the Order , by the Dep . Prov . G . Master of Berkshire , Bro . John Thornhill Morland , Mayor of Abingdon , assisted by Bros . Charles E , Keyser ( of Aldermaston Court ) , P . G . D . Eng .: John W . Martin , Prov . G . Sec

Walford W . Ridley , Prov . J . G . W . ; and other distinguished brethren . This important step has been taken under the auspices of the Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope , No . 574 , which was founded in the year 1850 , and , therefore , attained its jubilee last year , when it was intended that the Masonic hall should be opened , but the event was deferred in the hope that the W . M ., Bro . Col . Gerald Ricardo ,

would have returned from the war in time to participate in the jubilee celebration . Unfortunately , the marauding tactics of the Boers have had the effect of detaining the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa , and there being no immediate prospect of their homecoming , Bro . Colonel Ricardo expressed his wish that the dedication of the Masonic temple in Newoury should not be longer delayed ,

Dedication Of A Masonic Hall At Newbury.

although he had taken such an active and liberal part in connection with the proceed , ingsforits acquisition . The first W . M . of this lodgewas Bro . John Packer , who inhis turn was succeeded by a number of well-known townsmen until the year 1866 , when Bro . Bland was elected W . Master . At this period Masonry was not in such a flourishing condition as at the present time , and owing to the paucity of local members ,-well versed in the ritual , Bro . Bland continued to preside over the lodge for four successive years—an unparalleled incident in its history .

Following Bro . Bland came Bro . W . H . Cave , the well-known solicitor of former days , who filled the chair in 1870 and 1871 , but this gentleman had previously been Worshipful Master for two years , in 1859 and i 860 . The late Bro . Barron Fielder , of Northbrook-street , whose installation was attended by the late Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , M . P . ( then Provincial Grand Master of Berks and Bucks ) held office during the years 18 72 and 18 73 . By this time the membership had materially increased , and an era of prosperity for the lodge had set in . Subsequently , no difficulty was experienced in finding a regular succession of members

qualified in every respect to hold the position of Worshipful Master , and the interest aroused in Freemasonry during later years has been such that at the present time the lodge has a membership of nearly 80 , including clerics , and professional men and tradesmen , the senior initiate member being Bro . G . J . Cosburn , of the Market-place ( publisher of the Berkshire Masonic Register and Calendar ) , who was introduced to the mysteries of the Order in 1868 , during the presidency of the late Bro . Bland . The next two brethren in point of seniority are Bros . Alderman Ravenor and E . Head ( of Thatcham ) .

It may be mentioned that the oldest lodge of Mark Master Masons in the Province of Berks and Oxon meets in Newbury , the Porchester Lodge , No . 27 , which was founded in 1858 , with the late Bro . H . E . Astley , solicitor , of Hungerford , as the first Worshipful Master . There is also at Newbury a Royal Arch Chapter , founded in 1896 . which has now a membership of about 40 , the First Principal being Comp . C . E . Keyser .

The building which has been converted to Masonic purposes stands in a byway off Northbrook-street , and was for a lengthened period used by successive firms of legal practitioners . It is a well-constructed house , probably built about a century ago . The conversion of the premises was entrusted to Bro . vV . Ravenscroft , F . S . A ., of The Forbury , Reading , and the works have been carried out by the contractors , Messrs . Elms and Son , who are themselves members of the Craft . The chief feature is , of course , the Temple itself , measuring 39 feet in

in length and 17 ^ feet width , which has been formed by removing the ceiling of the first floor storey and taking in a portion of the roof which originally formed the attic-storey . The old tie-beams of the roof which supported the attic floor have been retained , being in oak , and thus a well-proportioned room has been secured , the floor extending over the old staircase , which has been taken away and in part used for the new access to the Temple . The ceiling , which is wagonshaped , is formed with oak ribs , moulded and shaped to form plaster panels , which are left in one tint for future decoration . Beneath the cornice the frieze is

similarly treated , and from the under side of this to the floor the whole of the walls are panelled with oak . The treatment thus adopted has been carried into the recesses on the sides and ends of the Temple for the Master ' s and Wardens ' chairs and the Secretary's desk . The style is that of the J acobean period , and at the east and west ends above the roof cornice level small windows , similarly

treated , give as much light and ventilation as is needed . The heating is effected by means of a "Syndicate " stove on the ground floor , and the lighting is by gas brackets executed in wrought iron and copper . The latter work has been carried out by Bros . Stephen Knight and his Son , both of whom are enthusiastic Freemasons , and have for years past devoted much time and energy in promoting the best interests of the Order in this part of the country .

The dedication ceremony was followed by the first regular lodge held In the new Temple , and by a happy coincidence , the principal business on the somewhat lengthy agenda was the installation of the Senior Warden ( Bro . John Rolfe , of " The Laurels , " Newbury ) , as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . The first duty which devolved upon the newly-installed Master was the appointment and investiture of the following brethren , who will hold the various offices in the lodge

during the ensuing twelvemonths : Bros . Lieut .-Col . G . C . Ricardo , Prov . J . G . W ., I . P . M . ; S . Knight , jun ., P . A . G . D . C , acting I . P . M . ; E . A . Stickland , S . W . ; J . Stradling , J . W . ; Rev . E . Richard Adams , Chap .-, W . H . Belcher , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Treas . ; S . Knight , sen ., P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Sec . ; J . Howard , S . D . ; C . H . Stradling , J . D . ; C . E . Keyser , P . G . D . Eng ., D . C . ; S . f . L . Vincent , Org . ; E . Turner , I . G . ; E . W . Goddard and E . Gould , Stwds . 1 and S . P . Burton , Tyler .

The installation ceremony was impressively performed by Bro . Stephen Knight , jun ., assisted by Bros . C . E . Keyser and J . N . Day . A pleasing incident in the proceedings was the presentation of a jewel to Bro . S . Knight , jun ,, in recognition of the able and devoted manner in which he had carried out the duties of acting Worshipful Master during the past year , in the enforced absence of Bro . Colonel Ricardo .

At the close of the business at the Masonic Hall , which had occupied several hours , the brethren adjourned to the Council Chamber , and partook of an excellent banquet , served by Mrs . Stilwell , of the Dolphin Hotel . The newly , installed Worshipful Master presided , and a very enjoyable evening was spent . " The Queen and the Craft" was proposed by the W . M . "The M . W . the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G . i the M . W . Pro Grand Master , Earl Amherst ; the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Warwick ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was proposed by the W . M ., and responded to by Bro . H . N . PRICK , P . G . Std . Br .

" The R . W . Prov , G . Master , Lord Wantage , V . C ., K . C . B . j the V . W . Dep . G . Master , Bro . J . T . Morland ; and the rest of the Prov . G . Officers , Present and Past , " was proposed by Bro . PARFirr , and responded to by Bros . MORLAND and MARTIN . "The Worshipful Master , Bro . John Rolfe , " was proposed by Bro . S . KNIOHT , jun ., I . P . M ., and responded to by the W . M . " The Masonic Charities " was proposed by Bro . BELCHER , and responded to by Bro . KEYSER , P . M ., Treas . R . M . LB .

" The Visitors" was proposed by Bro . S . KNIGHT , Sec , and responded to by Bros . W . W . RIDLEY , F . H . HAWKINS , and A . H . BULL ( Mayor of Reading ) . "The Installing Master and the rest of the Past Masters of the Hope Lodge " was proposed by Bro . CAMHRIDGK , W . M . 2760 , and responded to by Bro . S . KNIGHT , jun . " The Architect , Builder , and Building Committee" was proposed by Bro . DAY , and responded to by Bros . RAVUNSCROKT , G . ELMS , and E . TURNER ; " The Officers of the Hope Lodge " was proposed by the W . M ., and responded to by the S . W . and J . W .

"The Ladies and the Musical Brethren was proposed b y Bro . GEO . J . COSUURN , and responded to by Bros . T . HAWKINS and E . TURNER . The Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close . The speeches were interspersed by some capital songs , rendered bv Bros , Camp , Langley , W . Wallis , Saltmarsh , Dale , C . Stradling , Pitman , Bailey , and others .

Among the visitors present , in addition to those already mentioned , were Bros . G . Gray , W . M . 771 ; R . W . Rolfe , P . M . ( brother to the newly-installed W . M . ); A . C . Cocks , W . M . 2671 ; Hodder , P . M . ; E . H . Simmons , P . M . 2043 ; Allaway , W . M . 209 ; Brooks , and others . In addition to the visitors about 50 members of the lodge were present .