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Article Untitled ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE REVISED CONSTITUTIONS—III. Page 1 of 1 Article THE REVISED CONSTITUTIONS—III. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
POST CARDS are good things , and the new reply cards arc a wonderfully useful addition to our means of correspondence . Unfortunately , as many criminal trials daily show , they lend themselves to the designs of the personal and the meaner toils of the slanderer . Generally , those who write such
attacks and pen such effusions are great cowards , as all are who think and seek by open invective and surreptitious hints to inflict harm on others . Let us hope that in Masonry such things cannot be , and . that no Freemason would use a post card , on . any pretence , to gratify spite or hurt the feelings of a brother . " Absit omen . "
The Revised Constitutions—Iii.
THE REVISED CONSTITUTIONS—III .
It will be seen that the revision of 18 S 2 contains , mainly , the rules relating to the Grand Lodge of 1873 . Those of the Provincial and District Grand Lodges , however , make known several departures from all previous editions , and they are also , for the first time , arranged in a convenient and compact form . An examination of the issue of 1873 , side by side with the " Draft Revise" ( now published , in octavo ) , will at once demonstrate the superiority of the latter , and justify the praise we have bestowed , on that
excellent compilation . Regulation No . 7 S is a step in the right direction , as it provides for the continuation of Provincial Grand Lodges " on the death , resignation , suspension , or removal " of Provincial Grand Masters . The continuity is not to be preserved as with " District Grand Lodges " { i . e ., through the temporary service of the District Grand Officer next in rank then in the
district ) , but in the persons of the Deputy Provincial Orancl Masters only . Whenever , under previous regulations , a Province would virtually lapse , now , by the new system , Deputy Provincial Grand Masters are empowered to act as Provincial Grand . Masters until a brother is duly appointed to that important office . The clause as to the interim appointment of the Grand Registrar is still retained ( 33 ) , though it is unlikely that it will be much be feel certain that
exercised if the proposed change adopted . We quite this alteration will be hailed with satisfaction by our Provincial brethren . Provincial Grand Masters date from A . D . 1726 , and are referred to at length in the Constitutions of 1756 . They were invested " with the power and honour of a Deputy Grand Master * * * * to take rank as the Grand Officers in all publick Assemblies immediately after the Past Deputy Grand Master " * and are thus virtually in the same honourable position at the
present time . . The 80 th Rule suggests the discussion once more as to Past Masters in lodges , for , in defining the members of Provincial Grand Lodges , the words occur " Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens of all lodges within the Province or District . " According to the " strict letter of the law , " Past Masters JM , but not of , lodges in a Province—say , of Devon—are not members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devon . We believe that , as a rule , all
Past Masters in lodges in Provinces have been accepted as members thereof ; but we fail to see by what law they are so received , though we strongly advocate a clause being so worded . Would it not do to let No . 80 read" Masters and Wardens of , and Past Masters of or in all lodges within the Province or District ? " " Just the simple change of phraseology suggested would at once place Past Masters of or in lodges , on the same level , and
thus bring the fair custom within the law . The frequent and interesting correspondence in the Freemason is an evidence of the importance of the subject . Both editorially and generally the claims of Past Masters in lodges have been duly considered and supported in its pages . It is useless to say as some do , that the discussion is virtually a quibble , for it is no such thine . Past Masters f « but not of lodges in a Province , are no more
members thereof than are Wardens of lodges not in the Province , though contributing to lodges in the Province . We much wish such Past Masters to be members of Prov . Grand Lodge , but the point is what saith the law , and knowing what it does say , how can it be altered ? No . 81 is suggestive of the criticisms relating to the precedence of Prov . Grand Officers which recently appeared , for it now reads that a Prov .
Grand Master is invested with a rank and power in "his particular province similar in many respects to that possessed by the Grand Master . " The latter clause is a very sensible addition , and removes all misapprehension on the subject . The same rule states that until Prov . Grand Masters are installed they " shall not be qualified to perform any of the functions of the office . " This also is a needful addition . Another convenient arrangement
is , that the notes formerly scattered over the Book of Constitutions are now incorporated in the text according to proper sequence . No . 83 is most distinct and emphatic in character , relating as it does to the appointments in a Provincial or District Grand Lodge . These officers are all enumerated , and " no others " are to be appointed , neither can Prov . or District Grand Masters " confer on any brother the rank of a Past
Prov . Grand Officer . " It must be acquired by due service only . Rule 84 refers to Provinces or Districts numbering " forty lodges and upwards , " in which the Prov . or District Grand Masters are empowered " to appoint annually four Prov . or District Grand Deacons instead of two , and also a Prov . or District Deputy Grand D . of Ceremonies . " We find that this privilege will affect but very few Provinces . Only five have forty lodges
and upwards , viz . ( a ) Lancashire , Fast Division , 92 ; ( 6 ) Lancashire , West Division , 81 ; ( c ) West Yorkshire , 66 ; ( d ) Devon , 50 ; ( e ) Kent , 49 . Now , if the rule were altered so as to embrace thirty lodges and upwards , whilst but four more would participate in the advantage , there would be also several other provinces looking forward to attaining that numerical position erelong . The nresent participants ( if thirty lodges and upwards were the condition ) ,
would be if ) Cheshire , 39 ; { g ) Hants and Isle of Wight , 38 ; (/«) Middlesex , 32 ; and Warwickshire , 30 . Then there are the District Grand Lodges to be considered , some of which are very large , and all deserve as many compliments or advantages as possible , consistent with the due increase of honours in accordance with the progress of the Craft . It is a question about which the
London brethren especially may , at least , ask the opinion of their Provincial brethren , and the sooner the views of the larger Provinces are made known the better for all concerned . The present " revise " should have a fair trial , after once it is fully examined and decided upon ; and all needful alterations should therefore be speedily proposed , so as to be included in the suggestions for the special Grand Lodge . * Page 292 "Entick ' s Constitutions , " 1756 .
The Revised Constitutions—Iii.
Rule 93 has already been objected to in some Provinces , as it allows of a dispensation for the non-residence of a Deputy Provincial Grand Master . According to the custom and law of many years , that officer must be resident in the Province , and there are many cogent reasons why no change should be made in that respect . As the Prov . G . Master may not be a resident in his
Province , it seems desirable that his Deputy Prov . G . M aster should . be , and so we favour the old rule , and hope it will still be retained . Those Prov . Grand Lodges who share our views on the subject should make a representation accordingly to head quarters ; for , doubtless , if the alteration be found generally objectionable , it will be omitted from the final revise of the
Constitutions . The Rule 94 , corresponding in part with that of clause 2 , page 51 of Constitutions , 1873 , is such an improvement on its predecessor that we give it in its entirety .
" The Deputy Provincial or District Grand Master , the Provincial or District Grand Wardens , and other Provincial or District Grand Officers do not take any rank out of their Province or District , they are , however , entitled to wear their clothing as Provincial or District Grand Officers , or Past Provincial or District Grand Officers , in all Masonic meetings . "
Although really under the heading of " Private Lodges , " and rightly so , there are other points to be noticed , which may fairly be included in the present article . It will be remembered that in the last edition of the Constitutions full particulars are given as to the mode of receiving the Provincial Grand Master , or rather how that brother should be supported by his Provincial Grand Officers on visiting one of the lodges in his Province , viz ., the
Deputy Provincial Grand Master to be on his right , the Master on his left , and his Provincial Grand Wardens to act as Wardens , pro . tern . In the revise , No . 145 is devoted in like manner to the arrangement of the chief officers of a lodge , on a visit from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( in the absence of the Provincial Grand Master ) . On that event occurring , the Master of the lodge occupies the right of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , not the left , as with the Provincial Grand A'faster , the Provincial
Grand Wardens acting as the Wardens in each case . It would be well , if either the Provincial Grand Master , or Deputy Provincial Grand Master , visited each lodge in their province at least once a year ; and if unable to attend all the lodges , some competent brother might be deputed to represent the Provincial Grand Master as far as may be . We know of lodges that never receive visits from the Provincial authorities , and , certainly , their being thus left " out in the cold " is not in accordance with the spirit of the laws respecting Provincial Grand Lodges .
No . 157 recites that notice of the times and places of meeting of lodges of instruction shall be given within Provinces and Districts to the Provincial or District Grand Secretaries . Although not a law of the Grand Lodge , many Provinces require the Masters of lodges to have " summonses " sent to the Provincial Grand Secretaries at the same time they are forwarded to the members , and it is a regulation that should be generally adopted .
No . 215 is so good a rule that we wish it could be extended to Provincial Grand Masters , with the necessary alterations . It reads , " The Grand Master shall not be applied to on any business concerning Masons or Masonry , except through the Grand Secretary . " No . 134 , respecting a dispensation to permit of a brother being Master of more than one lodge at the same time , enables District Grand Masters to grant such dispensations , as well as the Grand Master , but not Provincial Grand Masters . The 4 th article will be devoted to " Private Lodges . "
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
The General Committee of this Institution met on Saturday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall ; Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D ., in the chair . There were also present Bros . A . Torkington , Edgar Bowyer , A . J . Duff Filer , John L . Mather , Arthur E . Gladwell , D . M . Dewar , H . S . Goodall , Alfred Williams , G . P . Britten , C . H . Webb , Rev . Richard Morris , D . D .
( Head Master ) , Frederick Adlard , W . H . Saunders , George J . Palmer , George P . Gillard , George Cooper , E . Baxter , F . Binckes ( Secretary ) , and H . Massey { Frce ) 7 iason ) . On the recommendation of the House Committee , it was resolved that a further sum of £ 1000 should be invested .
Four petitions were passed , and the children placed on the list for the election in April next . One petition was deferred . Outfits ot £ 5 each were granted to four foimer pupils of the Institution , who had since obtained situations , and an outfit of £ 15 was made in another case .
The following notices of motion were given for the Quarterly Court next Monday : ~" 1 . That the days of election in the two ( Boys' and Girls' ) Institutions remain unaltered , provided only that when the Quarterly Court lor the election of candidates shall fall respective on the Saturday immediately following Good Friday , and on Easter Monday , the Quarterly Court in each case shall be postponed to the corresponding days in the ensuing weeks .
2 . That whenever the Quarterly Courts for the election of candidates for the two ( Boys' and Girls '; Institutions shall fall respectively on the Saturday immediately following Good Friday and an Easter Monday , the Quarterly Court in each case shall be postponed for one week . By Bro . J . L . MATHER M . P . : To amend Rule 55 as follows : No boy shall be eligible for election or for admission by purchase or otherwise who has a brother in the Institution , unless the number of vacancies is in excess of the number of candidates .
Bro . W . H . SAUNDERS moved a vote of congratulation to Bro . Binckes on his recdvery from his recent illness , desiring to express how pleased the Committee were to see the respected Secretary of the Institution back again in his place . Bro . J . L . MATHER seconded the motion , which was put and carried unanimously .
Bro . BINCKES , in acknowledging the vote , said the brethren were not mote pleased to see him back than he was to be there . He had had a very long confinement , and he was afraid that if he was to listen to his medical adviser ' s admonition he must be very quiet indeed for the next six months ; therefore the brethren must take it that if he was quiet it would be from no want of interest in the Institution . He doubted , however , whether his looks would win for him much sympathy . The Committee then separated .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
POST CARDS are good things , and the new reply cards arc a wonderfully useful addition to our means of correspondence . Unfortunately , as many criminal trials daily show , they lend themselves to the designs of the personal and the meaner toils of the slanderer . Generally , those who write such
attacks and pen such effusions are great cowards , as all are who think and seek by open invective and surreptitious hints to inflict harm on others . Let us hope that in Masonry such things cannot be , and . that no Freemason would use a post card , on . any pretence , to gratify spite or hurt the feelings of a brother . " Absit omen . "
The Revised Constitutions—Iii.
THE REVISED CONSTITUTIONS—III .
It will be seen that the revision of 18 S 2 contains , mainly , the rules relating to the Grand Lodge of 1873 . Those of the Provincial and District Grand Lodges , however , make known several departures from all previous editions , and they are also , for the first time , arranged in a convenient and compact form . An examination of the issue of 1873 , side by side with the " Draft Revise" ( now published , in octavo ) , will at once demonstrate the superiority of the latter , and justify the praise we have bestowed , on that
excellent compilation . Regulation No . 7 S is a step in the right direction , as it provides for the continuation of Provincial Grand Lodges " on the death , resignation , suspension , or removal " of Provincial Grand Masters . The continuity is not to be preserved as with " District Grand Lodges " { i . e ., through the temporary service of the District Grand Officer next in rank then in the
district ) , but in the persons of the Deputy Provincial Orancl Masters only . Whenever , under previous regulations , a Province would virtually lapse , now , by the new system , Deputy Provincial Grand Masters are empowered to act as Provincial Grand . Masters until a brother is duly appointed to that important office . The clause as to the interim appointment of the Grand Registrar is still retained ( 33 ) , though it is unlikely that it will be much be feel certain that
exercised if the proposed change adopted . We quite this alteration will be hailed with satisfaction by our Provincial brethren . Provincial Grand Masters date from A . D . 1726 , and are referred to at length in the Constitutions of 1756 . They were invested " with the power and honour of a Deputy Grand Master * * * * to take rank as the Grand Officers in all publick Assemblies immediately after the Past Deputy Grand Master " * and are thus virtually in the same honourable position at the
present time . . The 80 th Rule suggests the discussion once more as to Past Masters in lodges , for , in defining the members of Provincial Grand Lodges , the words occur " Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens of all lodges within the Province or District . " According to the " strict letter of the law , " Past Masters JM , but not of , lodges in a Province—say , of Devon—are not members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devon . We believe that , as a rule , all
Past Masters in lodges in Provinces have been accepted as members thereof ; but we fail to see by what law they are so received , though we strongly advocate a clause being so worded . Would it not do to let No . 80 read" Masters and Wardens of , and Past Masters of or in all lodges within the Province or District ? " " Just the simple change of phraseology suggested would at once place Past Masters of or in lodges , on the same level , and
thus bring the fair custom within the law . The frequent and interesting correspondence in the Freemason is an evidence of the importance of the subject . Both editorially and generally the claims of Past Masters in lodges have been duly considered and supported in its pages . It is useless to say as some do , that the discussion is virtually a quibble , for it is no such thine . Past Masters f « but not of lodges in a Province , are no more
members thereof than are Wardens of lodges not in the Province , though contributing to lodges in the Province . We much wish such Past Masters to be members of Prov . Grand Lodge , but the point is what saith the law , and knowing what it does say , how can it be altered ? No . 81 is suggestive of the criticisms relating to the precedence of Prov . Grand Officers which recently appeared , for it now reads that a Prov .
Grand Master is invested with a rank and power in "his particular province similar in many respects to that possessed by the Grand Master . " The latter clause is a very sensible addition , and removes all misapprehension on the subject . The same rule states that until Prov . Grand Masters are installed they " shall not be qualified to perform any of the functions of the office . " This also is a needful addition . Another convenient arrangement
is , that the notes formerly scattered over the Book of Constitutions are now incorporated in the text according to proper sequence . No . 83 is most distinct and emphatic in character , relating as it does to the appointments in a Provincial or District Grand Lodge . These officers are all enumerated , and " no others " are to be appointed , neither can Prov . or District Grand Masters " confer on any brother the rank of a Past
Prov . Grand Officer . " It must be acquired by due service only . Rule 84 refers to Provinces or Districts numbering " forty lodges and upwards , " in which the Prov . or District Grand Masters are empowered " to appoint annually four Prov . or District Grand Deacons instead of two , and also a Prov . or District Deputy Grand D . of Ceremonies . " We find that this privilege will affect but very few Provinces . Only five have forty lodges
and upwards , viz . ( a ) Lancashire , Fast Division , 92 ; ( 6 ) Lancashire , West Division , 81 ; ( c ) West Yorkshire , 66 ; ( d ) Devon , 50 ; ( e ) Kent , 49 . Now , if the rule were altered so as to embrace thirty lodges and upwards , whilst but four more would participate in the advantage , there would be also several other provinces looking forward to attaining that numerical position erelong . The nresent participants ( if thirty lodges and upwards were the condition ) ,
would be if ) Cheshire , 39 ; { g ) Hants and Isle of Wight , 38 ; (/«) Middlesex , 32 ; and Warwickshire , 30 . Then there are the District Grand Lodges to be considered , some of which are very large , and all deserve as many compliments or advantages as possible , consistent with the due increase of honours in accordance with the progress of the Craft . It is a question about which the
London brethren especially may , at least , ask the opinion of their Provincial brethren , and the sooner the views of the larger Provinces are made known the better for all concerned . The present " revise " should have a fair trial , after once it is fully examined and decided upon ; and all needful alterations should therefore be speedily proposed , so as to be included in the suggestions for the special Grand Lodge . * Page 292 "Entick ' s Constitutions , " 1756 .
The Revised Constitutions—Iii.
Rule 93 has already been objected to in some Provinces , as it allows of a dispensation for the non-residence of a Deputy Provincial Grand Master . According to the custom and law of many years , that officer must be resident in the Province , and there are many cogent reasons why no change should be made in that respect . As the Prov . G . Master may not be a resident in his
Province , it seems desirable that his Deputy Prov . G . M aster should . be , and so we favour the old rule , and hope it will still be retained . Those Prov . Grand Lodges who share our views on the subject should make a representation accordingly to head quarters ; for , doubtless , if the alteration be found generally objectionable , it will be omitted from the final revise of the
Constitutions . The Rule 94 , corresponding in part with that of clause 2 , page 51 of Constitutions , 1873 , is such an improvement on its predecessor that we give it in its entirety .
" The Deputy Provincial or District Grand Master , the Provincial or District Grand Wardens , and other Provincial or District Grand Officers do not take any rank out of their Province or District , they are , however , entitled to wear their clothing as Provincial or District Grand Officers , or Past Provincial or District Grand Officers , in all Masonic meetings . "
Although really under the heading of " Private Lodges , " and rightly so , there are other points to be noticed , which may fairly be included in the present article . It will be remembered that in the last edition of the Constitutions full particulars are given as to the mode of receiving the Provincial Grand Master , or rather how that brother should be supported by his Provincial Grand Officers on visiting one of the lodges in his Province , viz ., the
Deputy Provincial Grand Master to be on his right , the Master on his left , and his Provincial Grand Wardens to act as Wardens , pro . tern . In the revise , No . 145 is devoted in like manner to the arrangement of the chief officers of a lodge , on a visit from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( in the absence of the Provincial Grand Master ) . On that event occurring , the Master of the lodge occupies the right of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , not the left , as with the Provincial Grand A'faster , the Provincial
Grand Wardens acting as the Wardens in each case . It would be well , if either the Provincial Grand Master , or Deputy Provincial Grand Master , visited each lodge in their province at least once a year ; and if unable to attend all the lodges , some competent brother might be deputed to represent the Provincial Grand Master as far as may be . We know of lodges that never receive visits from the Provincial authorities , and , certainly , their being thus left " out in the cold " is not in accordance with the spirit of the laws respecting Provincial Grand Lodges .
No . 157 recites that notice of the times and places of meeting of lodges of instruction shall be given within Provinces and Districts to the Provincial or District Grand Secretaries . Although not a law of the Grand Lodge , many Provinces require the Masters of lodges to have " summonses " sent to the Provincial Grand Secretaries at the same time they are forwarded to the members , and it is a regulation that should be generally adopted .
No . 215 is so good a rule that we wish it could be extended to Provincial Grand Masters , with the necessary alterations . It reads , " The Grand Master shall not be applied to on any business concerning Masons or Masonry , except through the Grand Secretary . " No . 134 , respecting a dispensation to permit of a brother being Master of more than one lodge at the same time , enables District Grand Masters to grant such dispensations , as well as the Grand Master , but not Provincial Grand Masters . The 4 th article will be devoted to " Private Lodges . "
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
The General Committee of this Institution met on Saturday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall ; Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D ., in the chair . There were also present Bros . A . Torkington , Edgar Bowyer , A . J . Duff Filer , John L . Mather , Arthur E . Gladwell , D . M . Dewar , H . S . Goodall , Alfred Williams , G . P . Britten , C . H . Webb , Rev . Richard Morris , D . D .
( Head Master ) , Frederick Adlard , W . H . Saunders , George J . Palmer , George P . Gillard , George Cooper , E . Baxter , F . Binckes ( Secretary ) , and H . Massey { Frce ) 7 iason ) . On the recommendation of the House Committee , it was resolved that a further sum of £ 1000 should be invested .
Four petitions were passed , and the children placed on the list for the election in April next . One petition was deferred . Outfits ot £ 5 each were granted to four foimer pupils of the Institution , who had since obtained situations , and an outfit of £ 15 was made in another case .
The following notices of motion were given for the Quarterly Court next Monday : ~" 1 . That the days of election in the two ( Boys' and Girls' ) Institutions remain unaltered , provided only that when the Quarterly Court lor the election of candidates shall fall respective on the Saturday immediately following Good Friday , and on Easter Monday , the Quarterly Court in each case shall be postponed to the corresponding days in the ensuing weeks .
2 . That whenever the Quarterly Courts for the election of candidates for the two ( Boys' and Girls '; Institutions shall fall respectively on the Saturday immediately following Good Friday and an Easter Monday , the Quarterly Court in each case shall be postponed for one week . By Bro . J . L . MATHER M . P . : To amend Rule 55 as follows : No boy shall be eligible for election or for admission by purchase or otherwise who has a brother in the Institution , unless the number of vacancies is in excess of the number of candidates .
Bro . W . H . SAUNDERS moved a vote of congratulation to Bro . Binckes on his recdvery from his recent illness , desiring to express how pleased the Committee were to see the respected Secretary of the Institution back again in his place . Bro . J . L . MATHER seconded the motion , which was put and carried unanimously .
Bro . BINCKES , in acknowledging the vote , said the brethren were not mote pleased to see him back than he was to be there . He had had a very long confinement , and he was afraid that if he was to listen to his medical adviser ' s admonition he must be very quiet indeed for the next six months ; therefore the brethren must take it that if he was quiet it would be from no want of interest in the Institution . He doubted , however , whether his looks would win for him much sympathy . The Committee then separated .