The Order Of The Temple.

foresaw , was made a Mason and Templar by the King of Sweden . I lost no time in waiting on His Royal Highness and inviting him to visit

our Grand Conclave as a guest to judge for himself . He was graciously pleased to accept the invitation , and approve of the mode in which business was conducted . At another interview

His Royal Highness consented to become a member of the Early Encampment of England of Faith and Fidelity . Again His Royal Highness sent for me and expressed his desire to

attend Grand Conclave as a member of our body with His Highness I ' rince John of Glucksburg , ( Her Royal Hig hness the Princess of Wales ' s uncle , ) who was elected a member of the Early

Encampment of England . Shortly after His Royal Hig hness accepted the command of that Encampment , and was duly installed by the Earl of Limerick . The Grand Master Stuart of

England , being desirous of resigning his office , from his advanced age and failing health , I app lied to the Prince to assume the supreme command of the Three Kingdoms , and statutes

were passed to that end . The three Grand Masters were to become Great Priors of their respective nationalities and the Prince Grand Master of all the Empire . The Duke of

Leinster at once resigned the name he had hitherto held , in the Prince ' s favour , the Grand Master Stuart did the same , but the Scotch , a small and unimportant body , in violation of their

solemn compact , stood aloof , to the astonishment of all , and doubtless bitterl y regret the step they have taken , and the disloyalty they have evinced ,

to their own detriment . The important section of thc Irish Templars , on the other hand , showed an animus which demonstrates the real character

of the upper and respectable class of Irish society , working heartily to the great consummation you witnessed on the 7 th instant . The principle accepted was that the body is

not in itself Masonic , but has a Masonic basis and qualification , in other words , that nothing was Masonic in the strict sense , except the Craft , from which body alone Templars could be

taken . This is so in Sweden , and originally also here , it was , therefore , a mere assertion of an existing principle . In Sweden the Order has State and Court recognition .

You inquire also how we can have Grand Crosses , Commanders , Arc , in this Order . I reply that these dignities stand on the same basis and bear the same analogy to the Order as the

Order does to Masonry . These honours can only be conferred on Templars , a status which is a condition precedent to those dignities . Just in the same manner as no one can be a bishop

except he be a clergyman , no one a judge except he be a barrister , none a member of the military division of the Order of the Bath except he be a soldier , none a Provisional Prior except he be

a Templar and Preceptor . It is also in some measure a substitute for Past Rank , that ridiculous aping of Craft Masonry with which it has no connection . Thus at present , if any member

accomplish a worth y act , the Grand Master has the power of rewarding him , withouttheabsurdity of appointing him to a temporary office which

he does not perform ; on thc contrary , he directl y and at once recognises and places a signal stamp on his deserts . The system heretofore adopted

The Order Of The Temple.

is as ridiculous as though a man were to go about styling himself Past President of the United States . " As we profess to be a chivalric body and

cannot be so in the sense of the nth and 13 th centuries , let us be so accoring to the usages of the 19 th century . A voluntary body , bound by a vow oi profession , modified so as to meet the

exigencies of our age , we want no assistance from the law ; no charter of incorporation . We all swear to obey our own internal laws or suffer the penalty our own constituted judicial

authorities may inflict . We do not trade on our Order , we trust each other as a body of gentlemen . "The Supreme Council of the so-called Ancient and Accepted Rite , has taken another

view of their degrees , it has incorporated itself as a trading company for the sale of degrees under the Limited Liability Act , thus exposed itself to the interference of the ordinary courts of law .

It has SPt up a shop for the sale of Masonic or quasi-Masonic Degrees , and thus exposed itself to the danger of having its title questioned ,

and its right to sell , the question of consideration raised , its accounts and transactions overhauled , and may be wound up by order of the eourt .

" We stand on a firmer basis ; we do not seek the autocratic and- irresponsible power of a selfelected body , considering ourselves safer under a limited monarchy so constitutioned as to

combine representative government with military discpline , which enables us to amalgamate with other similar bodies , whereas the principle adopted by the Ancient and Accepted Rite only

allows them to contract with others , as one mercantile lirm does with another , and that only within the power contained within the four corners of its deed , whereby all elasticity and development is

taken away or restricted . " We could amalgamate with the United States of America , which the Ancient and Accepted Hi to could not •we might form the

most powerful organisation in the world by bringing under one head all speaking the same language or tongue . We might make one people out of various nationalities , while they must remain confined within their own narrow

sphere . Ours is a truly cosmopolitan organisation , susceptible of extensions to any degree , and as in ancient times there was but one Grand Master , so now there is nothing to prevent even

vii . lererit nationalities assembling antler one Supreme Head , divided into tongues or nationalities as of old , without any interference with their individual political allegiance .

" The lirst step has been taken by the late amalgamation . It may receive further development , at least it is capable of it . " These , my dear Sir , are my views of modern

Templarisin—large and liberal views , based on conservative principles , tending to render thc Order powerful and nationally useful to its members and mankind in general . " Believe me , yours fraternally , " P . CoLftUItOX . "

A MOON TO UVICIIV lloustnioi . ii . —Boots , with the celebratetl wire-iiuiltcd soles , wearing twice as long as ordinary leather , for all ajjes ; and children ' s boots with metallic tips , which never wear out at the toes , may be had at most shoe dealers . Insist on giving these a trial , and judge on their merits .

Reform In The Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

REFORM IN THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

Bv A PAST MASTER . At the regular quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , held in the Freemasons ' Hall , Edinburgh , on Monday , the 6 th of May , 187 j , a motion , of which due notice had been given , was made and carried by a majority , " that

at the beginning of next Masonic year , the Grand Lodge be composed of Right Worshipful Masters , actual Wardens , and Past Masters . " It is almost impossible to over estimate the importance of the change thus effected in the Grand Lodge of Scotland , a change which cannot but

be hailed with delight by Freemasons in general throughout the Scottish jurisdiction , and regarded by their brethren in England and other countries as greatly conducive to the advancement of the interests of Freemasonry in Scotland . It is a complete reform of the constitution ofthe Grand

Lodge , a reform calculated to put an end at once and for ever to abuses which have long prevailed , and have grown to great magnitude ; to make the Grand Lodge a body such as , according to the principles of Freemasonry , it ought to be , worthy of the respect and conlideuce

of the brethren throughout Scotland ; truly representative of the lodges within its jurisdiction , composed of free , independent , and intelligent members , having the interests of the Order at heart , and not likely to be influenced by petty and personal considerations . Thc step which was

taken on the 6 th of May is one which can never be retraced . It may be matter for some wonder that it was taken , that the Grand Lodge agreed to reform its own constitution ; but it would be matter of far more wonder if the Grand Lodge , such as it will be after the beginning oi next

Masonic year , were to listen with any degree of favour to a proposal for a return to the proxy system , now happily abolished . We have so often pointed out the evils of the proxy system which has hitherto prevailed in Scotland , that it is not necessary to say much on

the subject now , even to show what cause there is to rejoice over its abolition . It has been a fertile source of abuses which have brought dishonour on Scottish Freemasonry ; it has made the Grand Lodge weak , and subject to the domination of a small clique , mindful of their private

interests , more than of those of the Brotherhood ; it has been a cause of weakness that has been felt throughout the whole Masonic bod ) - to the utmost limits of the Scottish Jurisdiction . The Proxy System was , so far as we are aware , peculiar to Scotland , nothing like it ever existed

in England , nor anywhere else in the world . The change now made in the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , assimilates it to that of the Grand Lodge of England , and of the Grand Lodges of other countries ; It is henceforth to consist , like the Grand Lodge of

England , exclusively of all the Masters and Wardens of lodges , and of Past Masters . Hitherto lodges could either be represented in the Grand Lodge , either by their actual Masters and Wardens , or by other brethren of any lodge within the jurisdiction , the lodge appointing a Proxy Master as

one of its representatives , and he appointing two Proxy Wardens , who thereupon also become members of the Grand Lodge . This system was at first adopted , it would seem , in consequence of the tediousness and expense of travelling , and the consequent inability of the Masters

anil Wardens of lodges in distant parts of the country to attend regularly the communications of the Grand Lodge in Edinburgh . But practically , instead of securing the representation of all lodges , it only gave opportunity for packing the Grand Lodge , in order to the carrying

of any particular motion , or the maintenance of a scheme of policy upon which a few active members of it , agreed in private . Many lodges were not represented at all , neglecting to avail themselves of a privilege which they had no reason to regard as of great

value . When therefore it was desired to accomplish a particularobject in the Grand Lodge , those who combined for its accomplishment were accustomed to meet and consider how the members of the Grand Lodge might be expected to vote , and what addition to the number on their own side would secure them a victory . Then