Can A Warden Confer Degrees?

CAN A WARDEN CONFER DEGREES ?

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Numerous discussions having arisen relative to the interpretation of Rule No . 141 of the Constitutions , I would

feel greatly obliged by your informing me whether , under any circumstances , it is Masonically legal for a Warden to give a Degree in a lodge in which he holds office . There seems to be a certain amount of ambiguity in the wording of the latter part of the above quoted rule . —1 am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , OSWALD WOOD . Cairo , Egypt , October 29 th .

[ If our memory serves us right , Bro . Mclntyre , P . G . W ., when holding the office of G . Registrar , ruled that a Warden , or indeed any member of a lodge below the chair , could confer a degree , but the brother so conferring it must occupy , not the Master's chair , but a place conveniently near to the Master ' s pedestal , to signify that he is merely the mouthpiece of the presiding officer , whether W . M . or acting W . M . —Ed . FM . ~ \

BROWNE'S MASTER KEY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Sorry I cannot lay my hands on the key at present , and the shortest way will be to send me a copy of the work , and it will be easy for me to make a fresh one for "X . Y . Z . " Or if he does not care to send the book , I am willing to

write out for him certain translations from the work that will enable him to make a key from them . I should very probably destroy mine , not being much gratified with the result of so much labour as it required . The cypher is not Masonic , and the best disguise I have ever met with . —Yours truly and fraternally ,

J . RAMSDEN RILEY . I do not possess a copy or I would not have troubled "X . Y . Z . " to send his .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

753 ] AN OLD CERTIFICATE . King Solomon's Lodge , No . 7 , New York , referred to under this heading by Bro . Hughan last week , does not appear in any " Engraved list " of lodges under the Grand Lodge of England , and was never on the English Register . JNO . LANE .

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LODGE OF UNITY ( No . 183 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on the 24 th ult ., at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , when there were present Bros . G . R . Langley , W . M . ; E . A . Francis , H . Hooper , G . P . Britten , G . W . Speth , J . VV . Oliver , A . E . Johnson , S . Richardson , G . VV . Pinnock , A . J . Hirsch , R . Corsham , and S . C . Hester . Visitors : Bros . H . VV . Roberts , P . P . J .

G . W . Middx . ; F . Cambridge , P . P . G . O . Surrey ; J . E . Hading , P . M . 30 ; T . Poore , P . M . 720 ; H . M . Williams , P . M . 1986 ; J . D . E . Tarr , W . M . elect 1293 ; G . H . Lindsey-Renton , 1446 ; G . M . Clifton , 913 ; J . C . Phillips , 11 S 5 ; and G . W . Castle , 1950 . Bro . S . C . Hester was raised to the Degree of a M . M . Bro . Richardson , who had filled the chair for two successive

years , and been of infinite service to the lodge , was invested with a P . M . ' s collar and jewel , which had been voted to him by the members . Bro . Lindsey-Renton was proposed as a joining member . The resignation , through ill-health , of Bro . L . E . Mawer was received , much to thejregret of the lodge . Bro . Francis offered to represent the lodge as Steward at the Centenary' Festival of the Girls' School , and

10 guineas were voted towards his list from the Charity Fund of the lodge . Bro . Corsham was appointed to the office of S . D ., vacant by the resignation of Bro . Mawer , and invested . The petition of Alice Vasey , relict of Bro . S . Vasey , an old P . M . of the ' . lodge , for the benefits of the R . M . B . I ., was signed , and the brethren pledged themselves to secure her election if possible , leaving the management

of the matter in the hands of Bro . G . P . Britten , P . M . and Treas . The proceedings at the banquet were enriched by unusually good music , two of the visitors—Bros . Phillips and Clifton—contributing most charming and excellently

rendered vocal music to a first-rate accompaniment by Bro . Cambridge , also a visitor . Of the members' contributions , we must not forget to mention the violin solos of Bro . Pinnock . The Charity-box also realised a handsome amount , and the whole evening must be pronounced a decided success , both in lodge and at table .

ASAPH LODGE ( No . 1319 ) . —This celebrated lodge of members of the dramatic and musical profession held its annual installation meeting on Monday , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Henry J . Tinney , VV . M ., presided , and there were also present Bros . L . B . Wooldridge , S . W . ; J . M . Chamberlin , P . M ., Sec ; George E . Fairchild , P . M ., S . D . ; J . D . Beveridge , T . de B . Holmes , D . C ;

W . S . Penley , Org . ; Henry M . Edsall , I . G . ; F . Delevanti , P . M . : VV . A . Tinney , P . M . ; W . J . Kent , I . P . M . ; E . Swanborough , P . M . ; John Maclean , P . M . ; C Wellard , P . M . ; E . Frewin , P . M . ; VV . Meyer Lutz , P . M . ; James Weaver , P . M . ; C . S . Jekyll , P . M ., P . G , Ofg ' - ; J . Guilmartin , Charles J . Cockerell , C . H . Stephenson , J . E . Tinson , Frank Stewart , A . W . Cornish ,

J , . E . Hambleton , F . H . Macklin , F . G , Hambleton , John J . Solomon , Alfred Bishop , H . Herman , JJames A , Hamilton , S . Redfern , T . E . Warren , Edward Humphrey , Julian Cross , G . Powell , R . A . F . Rochester , C . H . Fox , H . Bracey , James C . Hambleton , Harry T . Randall , H . J . Calcott

, Arthur Blackmore , Robt . Dodson , A . Woodhouse , C . Harper , jun ., A . E . Harper , J . Egerton , Richard Temple , J . Griffiths , G . R . Egerton , J . Baker , Robt . F . Goodwin , Charles Coote , Victor Tussaud , F . Kendall , W . J . Hill , Osmond Yearsley , W . J . Castell , W . H .

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Cremer , VV . L . Barnett , C . Alias , G . W . Clement Smith , J . Lloyd Simon , G . H . Allen , and the following visitors Bros . Harry Nicholls , I . G . 2127 ; Henry Wilson , S . W . 502 ; William Rignold , 1937 ; VV . J . Pilcher , 442 and 2201 ; W . Wilkins , P . M . 902 ; Henry Scott Ritchie , 1466 ; Robert White , 101 ; VV . M . Terrott , 2190 ; Geo . Bishop , I . P . M . 231 ; J . R . Jekyll , Temple , L . Down , 507 ;

W . Sidney Young , 24 S ; li . Massey , P . M . 619 and 192 s ; Oscar Barrett , 2127 ; James A . Brown , 1672 ; Robert Grice , 1399 ; Edmund Dalzell , P . M . 1549 ; James Kift , 1791 ; Sir J . R . Somers Vine , 87 , S . W . 2190 ; T . W Harrison , I . P . M . 442 ; W . H . Richardson , 1507 ; W . H . Causton , P . M . 162 , S 60 , and 2149 ; H . Gillard Glindon , uo 6 ; lames Fitzgerald , J . W . 216 S ; A . C . Macklin

P . M . 95 ; J . W . Morrow , W . M . 742 ; W . S . Webster , P . M . 231 ; Richard Eve , G . Treas . ; F . J . Potter , 1321 ; S . Hughes , 122 S ; James Terry , P . G . Swd . Br . ; Aithur Adams , 1673 ; Thos . J . Boulting , J . W . 173 ; Robert F . Cummings , 216 S ; li . L . Osman , 72 ; W . H . Baker , P . M . 2030 ; and R . P . Stewart , S . W . 901 . After the formal opening of the lodge , the reading and

confirmation of the minutes , and the reception of the report of the Audit Committee , the Worshipful Master installed Bro . Lestocq Boileau Wooldridge ( W . Lestocq ) , S . W ,, and W . M . elect , as Master ot the lodge for the year ensuing , and the following brethren were invested by the new VV . M . as his officers : Bros . G . E . Fairchild , S . W . ; J . D . Beveridge , J . W . ; C . Welland , P . M ., Treas . ; J .

M . Chamberlin , P . M ., Sec . ; H . M . Edsall , J . D . ; A . Bishop , I . G . ; J . J . Solomon , Org . ; VV . A . Tinney , P . M ., D . C ; VV . S . Penley , Stwd . ; and J . Gilbert , Tyler . The work was all admirably performed , and at the conclusion of the lodge business , the brethren partook of a choice banquet at Freemasons' Tavern , after which the usual toasts were proposed and honoured .

The VV . M ., in proposing " The Queen and the Craft , " said that it had unfairly been said that the Queen did but little now for the drama and music , but to that it had been answered that in her early days she was constantly a patron of both , and she taught her children to patronise the drama as they still did . England owed much to the mothers , and Masons owed much to the Queen , who was the mother of

their Grand Master . The W . M ., in giving "The Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " said his Royal Highness at the great Jubilee ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall , on the 13 th June , made a remark which he ( the VV . M . ) proposed now to repeat for the benefit of those of the brethren who did not happen to be present on the occasion . Masons of the present day

owed a great deal to the Mastership of the Prince of Wales ; many men owed a great deal to him as a man and a friend ; but if the M . W . G . M . had never done anything for Masonry but make the remark referred to , he deserved not only their respect , but their thanks . On that memorable occasion the Prince of Wales took the opportunity of saying that Freemasonry , although a secret society , was

by no means a dangerous one . At the present time , when the political atmosphere , the social atmosphere , our very press , were assailed by men who worked in secret , such a remark as that flashed to all quarters of the world as it was—none of us were able to estimate the value of such a remark coming from the future King of England , and the Grand Master of Freemasons .

The VV . M . next gave "The Pro . Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and again referred to the Jubilee meeting of the 13 th June , and said the brethren heard the Earl of Carnarvon speak on the occasion , and even with a very small voice he made himself heard all over the Royal Albert Hall , although he was suffering from severe illness .

He spoke very feelingly , and the Earl of Lathom , who in height , was a great contrast to the Earl of Carnarvon , said that though her Majesty the Queen approved of Freemasonry , she did not want to know anything about it , but she was assured of its usefulness and goodness , and that it was what men ought to belong to ; that her sons and grandson were Masons , and that her relations in the past

had been Masons . Crowded as the hall was from floor to ceiling , the management of the Grand Officers was admirable , and the welfare of Masonry was safe in their hands . Those who were not there , but who were actors or musicians knew something of stage business , and he ( the W . M . ) as an old actor , who knew something of stage management , and thought he knew more , might say it was the most

gigantic stage management concern he had ever looked upon . There was no hitch from beginning to end , and that would exemplify to them all that the details of the business part of Freemasonry were looked after by the Grand Officers . Bro . Richard Eve , Grand Treasurer , said it was a peculiar privilege to be present that day among the

brethren of the Asaph Lodge for the first time , and he felt great pleasure in meeting so many brethren belonging to the dramatic and musical world , and where he found he was brought into the society of the " Mikado " on the one side , and the " Private Secretary " on the other . He was glad to find the lodge had one Grand Officer among the number of its members ( Bro . Jekyll , P . G . Org . ) He felt it

an honour to respond to this toast on behalf of the brethren who acted so important a part in the social life of this country , and who held such high positions in the administration of the affairs of the country . The VV . M . was full of kind references to Grand Lodge and the meeting at the Albert Hall , and one felt that those occasions when he was present had made deep impressions on his

mind , which he did not say was ot an impressionable character . The W . M . referred to the way in which the affairs ot Grand Lodge were carried on , but he probably did not happen to be present on an occasion early in this year when brethren did not think things went without a hitch , when Grand Lodge was crammed with brethren from all parts of the country who attended for an express

purpose . Ihere was a great deal of discomfort on that occasion , and he trusted they would not be put to such discomfort again . However , he had met with so many kind friends on that occasion that he had a grateful remembrance of them . With reference to the Grand Lodge ceremonial the other day , the Grand Master had , with his great power of discrimination conferred office upon a great

number of distinguished brethren—men distinguished jn art , literature , and science—men of all professions , and even among the dramatic and musical professions , and he was able to recognise the value of their services in the past to Masonry , and he hoped in future years the W . M . would be remembered . The great occasion in the Albert Hall showed what the Grand Officers could do . But however

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much the Grand Master had the power to confer offices , there was this consolation , that he could not make a large number of Grand Treasurers . He ( Bro . Eve ) felt that he was essentially a servant of the Craft as a G . Officer on the dais for the year , and he felt the honour immensely . The VV Master had referred to the political atmosphere . Now , Masonry had no political atmosphere ; its atmosphere was

neutral with reference to religion , because it embodied all religions , and that was one of its greatest features—that all men who recognise the G . A . O . T . U . in whatever form or phase was always able to be elected to the position of a Freemason . Masonry recognised no colour—red , black , white , or yellow could all work under the great banner of Masonry , and be present at Masonic meetings . As to

politics , they knew they were eschewed , because they found men distinguished in the affairs of the State who sat on both sides of the Houses of Commons and Lords , and who recognised that feature as one of the characteristics of the Order . He hoped this would be continued , because it was only by having such an extension ot the Order that they were able to preserve . its landmarks , and blow away the

distinctions which existed in the outer world . Bro . J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., also replied . He was perfectly certain , after the graceful observations addressed to them by the Grand Treasurer , very few words would suffice for him . _ He did not happen to be in that most enviable of all positions , the Grand Officer of the year , whom the Craft had to elect to the blue ribbon of the Order , which Bro .

Eve had the privilege of wearing . He ( Bro . Terry ) was one of those who had received his honour from the Grand Master himself , in which character he now appeared . He hoped and trusted that as in the past so in the future it might not be many years before there would be an accession among the Past Masters of the Lud ge of Asaph to the ranks of Grand Officers of Grand Lodge of England .

He was happy to find that a brother was present who was the son 01 a fast Grand Officer of England ( Bro . Webster ) . Bro . Henry J . Tinney , I . P . M ., proposed "The Heath of the W . M ., " and said he just informed Bro . Wooldridge that it was no use shedding a tear of sympathy over his failings because he had not any . Those brethren who had had the pleasure of attending the ordinary meetings of the lodge must have been struck with the admirable manner in

which he had discharged the duties of the various offices ; and not only so , but the brethren must have been struck with the admirable manner in which he had discharged the duties of the chair that night . He was perfectly certain that the W . M . would acquit himself of his responsible duties to the entire satisfaction of the members of the lodge . His qualities as a good Mason were equalled by his amiable and fraternal regard to all , and they might fairly anticipate a most successful year under his capable and genial

sway . The Worshipful Master , in reply , said he proposed at the audit meeting that it would be a very good thing if he could distribute the toasts between himself and the two Wardens . The proposition did not meet with the approval he expected . Bro . Tinney was a little hard upon him when he said he had no failings , because it made him think he

had a great number , and he could not think what they were . With regard to Bro . Tinney ' s reference to the way in which he ( the W . M . ) had discharged the duties allotted to him , he could not thank bim enough . When he was S . W . he said that the P . M . 's of the lodge had made it very difficult for the officers who came after them , the offices had been so well filled , the ceremonies so well performed in

the Lodge of Asaph since he had the honour and privilege of joining it , that the great fear he had in occupying that position was that he might not be able to come up to the standard they had set . Without affectation he could say that that day was one of the proudest days of his life . It was an ordinary phrase to use , but there was no other to express his meaning . It would be a great grief to him if

at the end of his year he felt and the brethren felt he had not kept up the traditions of the Asaph Lodge . He should endeavour to stifle that inner consciousness by striving to do his duties with all his heart and soul . The Worshipful Master next proposed " The I . P . M ., Bro . H . J . Tinney , " and said he had to perform the pleasing duty of presenting that brother with a P . M . ' s jewel as

a mark of the appreciation of the brethren of the manner in which he did the work of the year . There were three Tinneys members of that lodge ; but it was of Bro . Henry Tinney he was now speaking , and to him they owed a debt , which it was now his pleasant duty to discharge . On behalf of the members of the Lodge of Asaph , it was his great pleasure to ask Bro . Tinney to accept the jewel as a sincere

expression of the brethren ' s admiration of him as a man , and of his efficiency as a Master . He had also to present Bro . Coote with a handsome jewel for his faithful services to the lodge as its Treasurer for the last 17 years . Bro . Coote , in acknowledging the gift , said it was the first that had adorned his breast . He was very glad the brethren had recognised his services , which he had

performed faithfully for 17 years . Bro . Henry Tinney , I . P . M ., in thanking the brethren , said excellent examples had been set him by his predecessors in the chair . He had endeavoured to the best of his ability , and he hoped to the satisfaction of the lodge , to emulate them . He took the present opportunity of thanking his brother officers for the very valuable help they had

rendered him during the year . This handsome jewel unanimously voted to him , and which he should prize very much , would serve to remind him of the very many happy hours he had spent in Masonic work , and also of the proud and honourable position he had held in this lodge . In giving " lhe Health of the P . M . 's , " the VV . M . said the brethren knew the valuable work and the real work

which the P . M . ' s had done . They had set an example for every incoming officer . That the lodge owed them a great deal was of itself evident from the prosperous state of the lodge , financially , socially , and numerically , and he hoped that in years to come , as the number of the P . M . 's increased , it might be said of them , as he had just said , that the Asaph Lodge owed much to its P . M . ' s .

Bro . J . M . Chamberlin , P . M ., and Sec , replied . The W . M ., in proposing "The Visitors , " said the brethren of the lodge were proud to receive visitors because they were justly proud of their working . The visitors were always pleased to come because they knew they

were welcomed by their immediate host , and by the members of the lodge , who were grateful for their presence on that day , and on other occasions . Sir J . R Sjmers Vine of the bavage Club Lodge was present . The savage Club Lodge contained many literary men , and that lodge they felt was affiliated with the Asaph . Bro . Webster , another