Lodges Of Instruction: Their Uses And Defects.

Comparatively few have access to the works of the great masters of our art , and those who have that privilege would be glad to interchange with other brethren the knowledge thus acquired . The injunction is laid upon every initiate into our mysteries that he is to make a " daily advancement in Masonic knowledge . " What opportunities for such advancement arc ordinarily afforded to the neophyte by the lodge through whose portals he has been allowed to cross the threshold of the mystic temple ?

I do not forget that in many lodges of instruction the authorised lectures ( so called ) , which are really a catechetical instruction in the ceremonies of the Craft , are " worked " regularly , and exceedingly valuable and interesting is the instruction thus given ; but as been well said of Mackey , " These lectures constitute the simple text of Masonry , while the extended illustrations which are given to them by an intelligent Master or Lecturer , and which he

can only derive from a careful study of scripture , of history , of the manuscript lectures of the philosophical Degrees , and , lastly , of the published works of learned Masonic writers constitute the commentary , without which the simple text would be comparatively barren and uninstructive . These commentaries are the philosophy of Masonry , and without an adequate

knowledge of them no brother can be entitled to claim our technical title of ' a bright Mason . '" I believe that the working of the lectures in those lodges of instruction which have not as yet taken them up would do much to increase the interest of the brethren in the meetings of the lodge , as it would certainly increase the knowledge both of the brethren who worked the Sections and of those who heard them .

A common defect in lodges of instruction is the somewhat free and easy manner in which the business is carried on , especially when the instruction is not given in the regular lodge room with those surroundings which in a well-appointed lodge go far to ensure soberness of thought and seriousness of manner in those who meet there . Considerable freedom of speech and action must be allowed in the lodge of instruction , but I am satisfied that the

more the brethren keep in mind the " dignity and high importance of Freemasonry , " and all that concerns its ritual and teaching , and comport themselves accordingly , the more will the } ' -experience satisfaction in their meetings for instruction , and the lessons learnt there will be real and abiding . Anything like levity during the rehearsal of a ceremony should be as impossible in the lodge of instruction as in the regular lodge , otherwise the effect upon some of the younger brethren—to whom , perhaps , the same

ceremony may only recently have been a solemn reality—must be disastrous , by raising a suspicion in their minds that the solemnities of the Masonic temple have made no abiding impression on the hearts and minds of those who habituall y take part in its sublime ritual . It may help to enforce my argument for strict regularity and decorum in the lodge of instruction , if I remind the brethren that such a lodge can only be held under certain conditions laid down in the Book of Constitutions .

1 . It must be under the sanction of a regular warranted lodge , or by special license of the Grand Master ; and the lodge giving its sanction is answerable for the proceedings . —( Rule 158 . ) ' 2 . Notice of the time and place of meeting is to be submitted for approval to the Grand Secretary or Provincial Grand Secretary . —( Rule 159 . )

3 . Minutes of the proceedings are to be kept , and produced when called for by the Grand Master , the Provincial Grand Master , the Board of General Purposes , or the lodge granting the sanction . —( Rule 160 . ) 4 . The lodge which has sanctioned a lodge of instruction may at any time withdraw that sanction . —( Rule 161 . )

It will be observed that these regulations , while insisting that no lodge of instruction shall be held except under official recognition and sanction , and that a systematic record shall be kept of its proceedings , do not define the scope of its functions or the character of its work . Hence it is important that each lodge of instruction should frame a set of by-laws for its own government , while the mode of carrying on the work is left to the judgment

of the Preceptor , and his authority must be recognised as absolute . Here , I think , we may notice another defect in some lodges of instruction arising from a want of firmness on the part of the Preceptor in asserting himself , and insisting on a high standard of excellence in the rehearsal of the ritual . Attention should be closely g iven to actions as well as to words , and both should be worked up to a point as near perfection as the circumstances of the lodge and the attainments of the brethren render possible . Of course this

means much repetition of certain parts of the ceremony , and much painstaking labour on the part of those who are working , but , unless they arc prepared for this , brethren had better not attempt to work the ceremonies in the lodge of instruction , and still less in the regular lodge . The method of perambulating the lodge , the presentation of the candidates to , and reception by , the Wardens , and the method of advancing to the E . in the several Degrees arc matters of great importance , apart from the correct rendering of the dialogue in each case .

loo much is sometimes attempted at each sitting . Better to get through less work and , by reiteration of faulty portions , ensure improvements , than to hurry through a whole ceremony without pausing to consider whether it is being done as well as it can . be by those who are rehearsing it . The recital of O . B . ' s , addresses , charges , and the like may well be omitted , unless there is abundance of time at the disposal both ol the Preceptor and the brethren .

I now come to what I consider two radical defects in the method of carrying on most lodges of instruction . The first is a waste of time and opportunity b } - the assumption of offices in the lodge of instruction by brethren who cannot possibly take up the same offices in a regular lodge for some time to come . Take for example the putting a Deacon , or some brother below that rank into the chair of VV . M . in the lodge of instruction . Such a

brother must , by the Constitutions , serve at least one year , and will probably serve two years as a Warden before he can be installed in the chair of K . S ., and that period will be his opportunity for qualif ying for the Master ' s chair . On the contrary , a Deacon , or any other brother , may be called on to fill a Warden ' s chair in a regular lodge at any moment , " and , therefore , he should acquire proficiency-in the Warden ' s work .

It seems reasonable that Present or Past Wardens of a regular lodge only should in turn take the chair of W . M . in the Iodge of instruction , while brethren below the rank of Warden should have all the offices below the Master ' s chair open to them . The other point on which I presume to differ from many Preceptors and Past Masters is the custom of passing from one Degree to another at each successive meeting of the lodge of instruction . It the usual

, and very desirable , sj'stem of a regular rotation of the officers is observed , the brother who begins as I . G . should have the opportunity of progressing through all the other offices step by step . But if , concurrently with the rotation of officers , there is a change of Degree , then the I . G . in the First Degree finds himself at the next meeting J . D . in the Second Degree ; and when the First Degree comes round to him again he will be

Lodges Of Instruction: Their Uses And Defects.

promoted to the chair of J . W . without having gone through the important offices of J . D . in that Degree , or of S . D . in the Second Degree . I hold that it would be far more profitable if one Degree were rehearsed continuously for at least five successive meetings , when it might give way to another Degree to be worked in the same exhaustive manner . In conclusion , I venture to think that if half the time allotted to each

meeting were spent in ritual rehearsal on the lines I have indicated , and half in working some portion of the authorised lectures in a systematic manner , or in discussing some of the many questions which might be raised relating

to Masonic history , jurisprudence , or ritual , a lively interest would be aroused in the proceedings of the lodge of instruction , and the pleasure and profit thus experienced could not fail to be reflected in the meetings of the regular lodge .

An Oration.

AN ORATION .

'Lhe following' oration was delivered by Bro . E . T . Fulford , P . M . 1254 , P . P . G . Treas ., on the occasion of laying the foundation-stone of a Masonic Hall at Budleigh Salterton , on Wednesday , August 26 . The stone having been duly laid and tested by Bro . Elphinstone-Stone , P . M . 372 , P . P . S . G . W ., Bro . Fulford said : " ' I declare this stone well and truly laid ' is the remark

that has just fallen from our revered and Worshipful Brother Elp hinstone-Stone , and from the reputation acquired by the architect and builder , we have no right to doubt that upon it will be raised a ' superstructure perfect in all its parts and honourable to the builder . ' Designed in ' Wisdom , ' built in ' Strength , ' and adorned with ' Beauty , ' we will pray the Great

Architect that it may long continue an ornament to your town and useful to that Institution to . whose sacred objects it will then be dedicated . Sacred because I venture to say that the lessons and objects of Freemasonry , if they are worth anything , are calculated to promote the honour and glory of God and the welfare of or ' r fellow-creatures . Freemasonry , as we have been

taught it , does not , however , consist in a matter of bricks and mortar , but rather in the enforcement and promulgation of those grand princip les upon which Freemasonry rests . We are ri ght and justified in rejoicing at the prospective possession of a tabernacle for the meeting of the brethren in this locality ; but of far higher

importance is it that we should show by our lives and conduct that we reflect the lustre of those lessons which Freemasonry is intended to teach . If our association with Freemasonry does not conduce to make us better men and better members of society , it fails in its great object , and our beautiful ritual then becomes but as 'tinkling brass and sounding cymbals . '

As we hope that by the superstructure to be here erected the material aspec t of this site will be improve J , so let it be our aim in our dealings with our fellow men to show that Freemasonry has improved our morals , elevated our tastes , and sanctified our lives . Let it be ours to show the world that by ' square conduct , level steps , and just and upright intentions , ' we deal with our fellow-man 'as we would under similar circumstances he should deal

toward us , ' thus demonstrating that our Freemasonry is something more than form , more than a system of signs and symbols ; not involving ' the neglect of the ordinary duties of our station ' for the ceremonies of Freemasonry , but infusing the spirit of Freemasonry into the ' ordinary duties of our station . ' Founded on the basis of 'Brotherl y Love , Relief , and

truth , our brcemasonry , teaching and preaching the doctrine of glory to God and good to man , and inculcating- and enforcing the very highest principles of morality , ' of truth , of honour , and of virtue , ' is an Institution with wh ; ch the highest and noblest in the land need not be , and are not ' ashamed to hear themselves named . ' And among the poor , downcast , and

depressed , many a time and oft has it been that they have been called upon to bless the existence of the system that we call Freemasonry . Catholic in its nature , while imposing upon no individual member any obligation incompatible with the duty that he owes to his Church , to his party , or to his country , it recognises the universal brotherhood of man ,

and teaches each to remember that every creature is the handiwork of that great Creator whose we are and whom we profess to serve . Around this site will shortl y be erected walls to form an enclosure , but you cannot enclose Freemasonry within them , it . is universal . You will put upon the building a substantial roof to preserve you from the inclemency of the

weather , but you must not forget that , although you cover the building , the blue ctneral sky is your canopy ; and as extensive as is that covering , so is the Freemasonry with which we are identified , teaching us not only the universality of the science , but calling upon us to remember that in every child of Adam we meet a brother who is entitled to , and who I am sure will have

from you , all the succour , assistance , and encouragement that it may be in yourpower prudently to give . While we talk about ' Brotherl y Lovei Relief , and Truth , ' that does not necessarily mean almsgiving . Remember that that motto involves a principle of brotherhood that is not measured b y pounds , shillings , and pence . 1 am conscious I have been setting up a standard

of excellence which perhaps few attain to , but do not let us on that account lower the standard . Let us endeavour to lift our life and conduct up as near as possible to the high mark of our Order rather than lower the standard to our lives and conduct ; then shall we have reason to bless our connection with Freemasonry ; and although it may be sometimes that , with

all our professions and aspirations for hi gher things , we have men among us that do discredit to the Craft , I do not think that a legitimate argument against the Institution with which we are identified . Does it not bri ghten the appearance of those who are proved to be genuine ? 1 trust we shall never seek to lower the standard , believing

that the man who aims at the sky will surely hit higher than he who simply aims at a tree . I have been commending- principles that should permeate our conduct and lives . We should advocate them and act up to them , and if you brethren of 372 hand them down to your successors , and they in their turn are true to their trust , I am quite sure it will be a blessing

to your town , and while it will hel p to make those who are members of the Craft esteemed members of society , will prove to the world not only the beauty but the utility of Freemasonry . May God grant that such may be

your course , and that , while passing through your lodge and its offices , and through all the labours with which you are identified , you will take care to remember that the eyes of the world are upon you , and that the credit of Freemasonry depends upon the conduct of every individual member of it . "