The Lodge Room.

conceivable conditions can it disgrace its wearer . The sub " sequent remarks of the Worshipful Master convey the first moral lesson which Freemasonry has to impart , and , coupled with tlie address in the north-cast and the charge , they form as grand and exalted a series of moral teachings as may be found outside the Gospels .

The apron is a lamb-skin , and to make it , the life of an animal looked upon as the symbol of innocence has had to be taken . When the candidate first entered the lodge room it was with the accompaniment of certain adornments—derived

doubtless from the ancient Vehmgerichte of Westphalia—and these are now replaced by the emblem of modesty , industry , innocence , equality , and thrift . We might add that the apron has not always been of lambskin . Bro . Crowe , in Part I . Ars Quatuor Coronatorum for 1892 , proves conclusively that linen used to be

employed quite as frequently as leather ; and Bro . D . Murray Lyon , Grand Secretary of Scotland , whilst not going so far as Bro . Crowe , draws attention to old linen aprons which he has come across . St . Mary's Chapel , No . 1 , Edinburgh , possesses an inventory , dated so recently as 1866 , in which mention is

made of twilled cotton aprons . In many lodges holding under the-Grand Lodge of Ireland leather aprons are only used on dress occasions . Whatever , however , has been the custom in other Grand Lodges , lambskin has always been the English use , and , in fact , Article 310 of the Constitutions defines with exactitude not only the material , but the dimensions and ornaments of the

apron . The apron is a very ancient symbol , and this mode of investiture is found even in the old Pagan rites . The Essenians clothed their candidates with a white robe reaching to the ground and bordered with a blue fringe . Something answering to the apron

is found in the Persian rites of Mithras . The sacred thread of the Brahmin may also be mentioned in this connection , and an apron composed of the three Masonic colours , blue , purple , and crimson , was used in the investiture of the Jewish priesthood ,

while Mackey says that all the statues of heathen gods which have been dug up are decorated with superb aprons . The remark of the Senior Warden that it is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or the Roman Eagle is not , therefore , so very far wide of the mark .

The plain white apron is restricted to the Entered Apprentice , and is generally the property of the lodge . As it is left behind at the conclusion of the ceremony , the candidate has no

opportunity of moralising upon it , and practically all he ever knows about it is comprised in the imperfectly remembered words of the Senior Warden and the Worshipful Master when he was invested .

It is often erroneously described as the badge of an Entered Apprentice . ' This is wrong . It is the badge of a Freemason , and whatever ornamentation and colour be superimposed , let it

never be forgotten that underneath all , is the plain white lambskin , and its lessons are as appropriate to the most exalted and bc-jewelled Grand Lodge officer as they are to the initiate on his first entry into Freemasonry .

The various adornments which the apron undergoes as its possessor makes progress in Freemasonry are not important , nor do they convey valuable moral lessons , although doubtless such might be invented by fanciful brethren . The rosette possibly possesses Masonic significance , reminding the Master

Mason of the " point within a circle . " If such be intended , their applicability to a Fellow Craft ' s apron may be questioned . The colour of the riband and rosette is laid down in the Constitutions . Sky blue in private lodges , garter blue in Grand and

Provincial Grand Lodges , and crimson and purple in the Arch . Lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of Scotland choose their own colour , green being that adopted by the Grand Lodge . In German lodges the aprons are bordered with white silk and white

rosettes . It is customary for the lodge to provide aprons for the officers bearing the device appropriate to the officer concerned , and it may be remarked that it is not good form for the officers of a private lodge to wear aprons suitable for Grand or Provincial Grand Lodge while engaged in their own lodge work .

Next in importance to the apron is the collar . This is a comparatively modern article of clothing . Like the stole usually worn by the clergy of both eastern and western churches , it is a badge ol servitude , and has reference to the Divine command— " Take my yoke upon you . " The collar is worn by all

officers , from the Most Worshipful Grand Master down to the Tyler of a private lodge . It symbolises the true relationship which should exist between ofiicers and brethren . " He that would be chief among you let him be as a servant . " The word subjugate is derived from sub jiigum , and the collar therefore should be a continual

The Lodge Room.

reminder to the brother who wears it of the necessit y of selfcontrol and self-mastery , and such qualities are in the highest degree essential in one who is appointed to rule over his fellows , whether in the lodge room or in the outer world . Gauntlets are not . necessary in a private lodge , Article 310 ,

already quoted , prescribes their use in Grand and Provincial Grand Lodges , but says they may be used in private lodges . They have no special moral teaching . They arc a relic of the gloves worn by the operative Mason to protect his hands durinohis work .

In some constitutions the gloves and the arm pieces arc all in one , but in English Freemasonry they are distinct , the gloves being worn by all members of the lodge and the gauntlets or arm pieces by officers only . Dr . Plot tells us , in his Natural

History of Staffordshire , that a couple of centuries ago every candidate was presented with two pairs of gloves , one for himself and one for his wife , and Mackey refers to a similar procedure still to be found on the Continent .

If the gloves have any significance at all beyond the fact of their being part of an English gentleman ' s evening dress , they should emphasise the lessons of the lambskin , and there may possibly be an allusion to the XVth Psalm , " Who shall ascend unto the hill of the Lord . Even he that hath clean hands and a pure heart . "

We have now considered the usual articles of clothing , and just a reference may be made to the jewellery , which many brethren are fond of parading . To the wearing of presentation jewellery there can be no possible objection , but it is not considered good form for a brother to purchase jewels which might

be mistaken for such . v \ ccording to Article 289 no honorary or other "jewel , medal , device , or emblem , shall be worn . . . inconsistent with those Degrees which are recognised . " This is held to include Charity jewels , and the more of such a brother displays , the more credit to him . In addition to the recognised

Charity jewels there are those appertaining to Provincial Charities . From time to time jewels , or medals rather , have been authorised by the Most Worshipful 'Grand Master in reference to great public occasions , such as occurred in 188 7

and 18 97 . Several private lodges also possess authorised jewels such as Lodge Quatuor Coronati , and the centenary medal is well known . Chapter jewels may be worn in the Craft , and vice versa , and in the higher Degrees there is no restriction .

When ought Masonic clothing to be worn ? According to Article 228 , in Grand Lodge and subordinate lodges . A good many brethren make an excusable mistake when entering Grand Lodge . Unless they are Grand Lodge Officers , Past or Present , they only attend by virtue of being past or present Masters and

Wardens , and in either capacity they are required to wear a collar—not of provincial rank , garter blue , but the sky-blue representing their rank in the Craft . The only occasion on which a brother may appear in lodge unclothed , is when he is lighting for his Masonic existence , or in other words , showing cause why he should not be expelled .

Consecration Of The Dungarvan Council, No. 25, Royal And Select Masters.

CONSECRATION OF THE DUNGARVAN COUNCIL , No . 25 , ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS .

The consecration of the above council took place at the Queen ' s Hotel ? Leicester-square , W . C , on Monday , the 12 th inst . It was an occasion of more than usual interest and moment , since no council of this Degree has been founded in London for 2 S years . A preliminary meeting was held , when , by dispensation from the M . W . G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of

Euston , the following brethren were received , greeted , and acknowledged in the several Degrees of the Order : Comps . W . J . Hiam , L . Verdier , C . de M . Franklyn , A . Marshall , E . Cutler , Q . C ., G . Maxwell , Harry Nicholls , F . B . Townend , F . J . O'Brien-Haie , Courtenay-Luck , K . Marshall , and Brampton . The ceremony was performed by 111 . Comp . R . J . Voisey , G . Lecturer ,

as T . I . M . j Comps . Howell , as D . M ., V . T . U . ; Rev . C . E . L . Wright

M . A ., P . G . Chap ., as P . C . W . ; J . H . Roscoe , as Capt . of Guard ; and III . Comp . W . Vincent , P . A . G . D . C , as C . C . The ceremony of consecration then took place , the council being solemnly consecrated and constituted under the name and title of the Dungarvan Council , No . 25 on the roll of the Grand Council by R . M . Comp .

C F . Matier , P . D . G . W ., G . Recorder , assisted by R . M . Comp . Charles Belton , P . P . G . W ., as D . M . ; III . Comp . Major C . W . Carrel ! , P . G . Std ., as P . C . W . ; V . III . Comp . Rev . C . IS . L . Wright , M . A ., P . G . C ., as Chap , ( in the unavoidable absence of V . III . Comp . Rev . W . Russell Finlay , G . Chap . ) ; and V . III . Comp . W . Vincent , P . A . G . D . C , as D . of C .

A short extempore oration was delivered by the acting G . Chap ., and the musical arrangements were underthe dirction of Comp . E . Cutler , Q . C On the conclusion of the ceremony , R . M . Comp . C . F . Matier , D . C . M . C , Recorder , most ably installed the first T . I . M . of the council ,