The Duties, Powers, Privileges, And Responsibilities Of The Master Of A Lodge.

labour of a R . W . Master . In the absence of the It . W . Master he takes the chair of the lodge , and for the time being has all the rights and privileges of the Master . The Past Master who has last held the chair , is entitled to occupy it in the absence ofthe Master ; but after him the other Past Masters take it aceordina * to the order Of

seniority . In many lodges , when Past Masters have died or left the country , or have become too old ordinarily to attend the lodge , or for other reasons , one is elected who has filled the chair , and the title of Past Master is conferred on him . He is then the Past-Master of the lodgo for

working purposes . He is entitled to a seat on the left hand of the II . W . Master at all lodge meeting *? , and to wear a jewel of Past Master on his lelt breast . To him also the W . M . Master always addresses himself before opening or closing the lodge , to recapitulate the duties ofthe R . W . Master .

The responsibilities of a R . W . Master are great . To hiin belongs the care of all thc property belonging to the lodge ; ho is also responsible for the instruction of all its members ; he must see that they are taught the genuine

principles of the Order , and that no one is allowed to introduce any innovation , that no discussions on politics are held in the lodge , and that nothing takes place contrary to the peace and harmony of the Brotherhood ; finally , he is bound to transmit Freemasonry to his successors in the entirety

in which ha received it . These responsibilities arise necessarily from his relation to the Order and to the lodge which has called him to preside over it . They are fully recognised in all lodges , and their recognition is absolutely necessary to the welfare of the Craft .

TheMaster of a lodge has no despotic authority . He ni'ist observe the ancient landmarks , and the laws of the Grand Lodgo and of the lodge itself . Complaint against his conduct may be made to the Grand Lodge , as alread y mentioned , and such a complaint will , of course , be duly con

sidered there . The judgment pronounced upon it in Grand Lodge is final , the Grand Lodge being the Supreme Court of Freemasonry , and is binding both upon the Minster and the lodge . The Master of a lodge is not entitled to overrule the lodge and to give effect to his own

opinions or his personal feelings , contrary to the general judgment of tlie lodge in any question that comes before it . Every question properly brought before the lodge must bc fairl y discussed , and it is the Master ' s duty to see that it is so ; also that the vote is fairly taken , and the mind of

the bretlnen satisfactorily ascertained . Should the brethren in the minority not be satisfied , the Master of the lodgo can in no case forbid or prevent an appeal to the Grand Lodge , if within the period of a month . He must respect and maintain the liberty and brotherly equality of

the members of the lodge ; and it is his duty to see that in all its meetings they enjoy to tho utmost extent their privileges as Freemasons , conforming himself to the landmarks , laws , and bye-law . s b y which he ought strictly to regulate himself in all his conduct . Deference may

possibly be paid and even unduly paid to the opinions or decisions of a Master of hi gh rank anil social position , but this is a mere incidental circumstance , and has nothing to do with the question of a Master ' s duties and prerogatives . It affects chiefly the lodge itself , and not thc general

wellbeing of the Order . It is , to a certain extent , natural and ri ght that the qualifications which led to the election of a brother to the office of Master of a Lodge should also lead to the accordance of a certain amount of deference to his judgment . If in any case the members of a lodge en *

in this respect , the consequence of the error mainly affect themselves , as the fault itself is their own ; and although tho character and usefulness of the lodge may bo impaired , it is probably only for a short time , and the evil may be afterwards redressed without great difficulty , and

without appeal to the Grand Lodge . It is natural that deference should be paid to men of hi gh social position , even within the lodge , notwithstanding the acknowledged equality of brotherhood , which is the pride of every Freemason ; and it is ri g ht that hi g h respect should always be accorded to the opinion of a brother , whether

The Duties, Powers, Privileges, And Responsibilities Of The Master Of A Lodge.

in the position of Master of a Lodge or not , who is notable for his high scientific attainments aud mental culture . All this does not in the least degree interfere with the principles of Freemasonry , nor with the liberty and equality ofthe

members of the Order , but is what may belong to the most democratic form of government , and what alone can g ive to such a form of government a consistency with the maintenance of order in the community , give it stability , and make it advantageous to the welfare of society .

The R W . Master of a lodge is entitled at all times to reverence from the members ofthe lodge . Even in opposing him as to any particular question , they must be respectful iu the hi ghest degree , accord him all his titles of honour , and iu their whole speech and behaviour show that they

give him all the honour which these titles imply . There is no exception to this rule , not even in thc ease " of a complaint being made against the Master to tho Grand Lodge . His official dignity must all the while be fully recognised , and a constant respect to official dignity is necessary to

tho comfort and prosperity of every lodge . An undue icgard to dignities which are not Masonic is injurious , but a proper respect to official dignity is always advantageous . Every brother wheuoutof the lodge is entitled to all the honour

proper in general society to his rank and social position ; within the lodge he ought to bc regarded merely as a brother , but there is the more reason that Masonic distinctions conferred by the brethren themselves -should be constantly borne in mind . CI PES .

Consecration Of The Stability Chapter, No. 217.

CONSECRATION OF THE STABILITY CHAPTER , No . 217 .

This new Chapter was constituted and consecrated on Wednesday , the 15 th instant , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet street . Comp . Henry Muggeridge , P . G . S . B ., presided as Consecrating Principal , and was supported by Comps . W . R . G . Kev , P . Z ., 7 , as If . ; Rev . D . Shaboe , Z ., flo-l , as J .: * R .

Wentworth Little , P . Z ., 177 * , J . Sheppard , P . Z ., 135 ; G . A . Taylor , P . Z ., 22 , M . E . Z . Designate ; Wm . B . Heath , II . Designate ; E . Sillifant , J . Designate ; D . II . Fielder , . / ., 22 ; G . Kenning , F . Steib , R . A . Wright , T . B . Yeoman , II . Birdseye , J . Gale . J . Millikin , and J . Stouer , all of 2 J . The musical

arrangements were conducted efficiently by Comp . T . Burdett Yeoman . Tho Chapter having been opened and the Companions admitted , the Presiding Officer addressed the brethren on the nature of the meeting . The Chaplain then offered up Prayer . The acting S . E .,

Comp . Little , addressed the Presiding Officer , who desired him to read the Charter , which was done accordingly . The Picsiding Officer then enquired if the Companions approved of the Officers named in the Charter , after which a solemn voluntary was performed on the harmonium .

The Presiding Officer ( Comp . Henry Muggeridge ) then delivered a splendid Oration . An Anthem having been sung , the acting S . E . presented thc Principals to the Presiding Officer , who placed them on his left . The first portion ofthe "Dedication Prayer "

was delivered , and was followed by the Sanctus , " Glory bc to thee , O Lord , " when the Presid . ug Officer gave the Invocation . Three P . Z . ' s , Comps . Little , Heath , and Sheppard then carried the Corn . Wine , and Oil threo times round the Chapter . The Bev . D . Shaboe , acting as

Chaplain , swung the censer three times round the Chapter , during solemn Music , and the second portion of the *•* Dedication Prayer , " was given by the Presiding Officer , who then dedicated aud constituted the Chapter . The Ceremony was concluded with the wellknown Anthem , commencing

" Ihe spacious firmament on high . Comp . Muggeridge then in a very able manner instill' * i . l the three Principals into their respective chairs , and upon the companions being rc-admitted , a vote of thanks was unanimously awarded to that E . Companion for thc impressive and able manner

in which he performed the various ceremonies . The Chapter was then closed , and about a dozen Companions adjourned to the banquet under tho presidency of the three Principals , Comps . Taylor , Heath , and Sillifant , and a very enjoyable evening was spent .

Comp . Shaboe proposed , " Prosperity to the Chapter , " which was heartily responded to , and all the usual toasts were duly honoured . Wc understand that the superb furniture and fittings of the Chapter were manufactured by Comp . Kenning , upon whose tastcaud judgmcutthey reflect great credit .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Reports of Masonic Meetings .

TEE CRAFT . METROPOLITAN . A eu > Concord Lodge , No . 813 . —This flourishing lodgeheld its usual meeting at the Rosemary Branch Tavern , Hoxton , ou Friday , the 17 th inst . Bro . John I fart , W . M ., presided , supported by Bros . Bartlett , S . W . ; Atkins , J . W . ; Salisbury , S . D . ; Blyth , J . D . ; Wilson , I . P . M . ; Boyd , P . M . ; Main , P . M . aud Hon . Sec ; Sinclair , D . C ;

Davitt , Org . ; Abseil , 1 . 0 . The lodge was opened in due form , the minutes of the previous meeting wsre read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Mr . Khein , who was unanimously approved . The lodge was then opened iu the second degree , and Bro . Cain being a candidate for the third degree , answered the usual questions and retired . The lodge was then opened iu tha

third degree , nnd Bro . Caiu waa raised to the sublime degree of a M . M . The lodgo was then resumed to tho first degree , and Bros . Taylor , Gabb and Flofbaiier , being candidates for the second degree , ¦ ms ' -vered the necessary questions and retired , and tlie lodge being resumed to tho second degree , they were severally passed to tho degree of F . C . The lodge was again resumed to the first degree ,

aud Mr . Phillips being m attendance , ( having been unanimously elected at the previous lodge meeting . ) was regularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Ancient Freemasonry . Mr . Gallant was proposed and seconded to be initiated , and unanimously approved subject to the b . il . 'ot nexfc lodge night . The lodge was th .-ii closed with solemn prayer , and adjourned to an excellent supper ,

prepared in Bro . Gabb's usual style , and to which the brethren did ample justice . Alter the removal of the cloth , the usual Masonic toasts were given , the toast of the visitors being acknowledged by Bros . Bagley , 60 , W . Hughes , 101 , aud Cook , who each expressed their gratitude to the W . M ., for the manner in which lie had introduced their names , and also fir tho vu-v admirable

mauuer in which he had performed the whole of the ceremonies . The evening was enlivened by some excellent singing by Bros . Taylor , Hill and Blyth , under the auspices of the Organist , Bro . Davitfc . who contributed much to the hilarity of the meeting . The next meeting of this lodge will take place ou Friday , January 21 st , 1 S 70 .

Jloi . al Albert Loilge , No . 907 . —This lodge assembled on Monday , at the Freemasons' Hall , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . Henry J . Lewis , who was supported by all his officers , namely , Bros . J . M . Vaughan , 8 . W . ; T . Morton , J . W . ; A . K . T . Worley , S . D . and Sec . ; C . Vidler , J . D ., aud J . Dennis , I . G . There was also a goodly array of tho P . M . ' s , including , Bros . J . Smith ,

Treas . ; T . Lewis , P . G . Purst . ; \ V . 11 . Farnfield , C . Chard , and J . A . Farnfield . The visitors were Bros . Boston , 90 , and 'i ' unier , 1 SS . The lodge having been duly opened , a ballot was taken for Mr . J . Pratt , an I taU proving unanimous , that gentleman was admitted and received the benefits of initiation . Bros . Stevenson , T . Griffiths , and It J . Webber hiving shown the requisite amount of

proficiency to entitle them to be passed to a F . C . 8 degree , the lodge was opened iu that , dative , and these brethren were advanced to that grade . The other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed iu due form , aud tho brethren adjourned to the banquet table , where after tho usual introductory toasts had been disposed of , the W . M . gave the " Masonic Charities , " announcing that ho had undertaken to represent the Koyal Albert Lodge at the

forthcoming festival ofthe MasonicBenevolent Institution , and asking the brethren to support him by their subscriptions . The W . M . nobly headed tho list with ten gniueas , to bo divided between the male ami female annuitants . liro . Turner , of 18 u , following with five guineas to the females . After the paper had been handed to all the brethren , subscriptions to tho amount of nearly £ 10 wero announced .

PROVINCIAL . ARUNDEL . —Howard Lodge , No . 50 . —This ancient lodgo ( revived about twelve years ago , after being in abeyance for a long time ) evinced the most halthl ' ul vitality on Thursday last week , when , after an initiation in the presence of a goodly number of brethren , the installation ceremony was effectively and instructively performed by the Kev . J 3 ro . George Jfoss , P . M . and P G C , who placed in

the chair , according to ancient custom , Dm . p . Light , the W . M .-elect . Bros . Purnell and Adams P . M . ' s , assisted in the ceremony . The newly-installed Master afterwards invested his officers , RS follow : Bros . G . Price , I . P . M . ; G . S . Evorshed , S . W . ; St oner , J . W . ; G . Sparks , * S . D . ; Collins , J . D . ; Gardner , Tyler ; & c . After the different charges had been most impressively delivered by the

Installing Master ( much to tho gratification and instruction of many of the brethren ) , and the lod ^ o ha I been closed , the brethren assembled at the Norfolk II > tel , where a most excellent banquet was provided by Bro . Garwood in his best style . The usual toasts were duly honoured , and an evening was spent in the utmost harmony , whilst much interesting conversation was introduced on the

grand principles of Freemasonry . A more pleasant day ( excepting weather ) it wns allowed by nil the brethrtn could uot have been spent . S UNDERLAND . —St . John ' s Lodge , No . 80 . — Tho annual meeting for the purpose of installing the W . M . and officers for the ensuing twelve months was hold in the lodge room at the Queen ' s Hotel , Fuwcett-streot , Sunderland ,

on Tuesday , December 14 th , wheu 10 s members and visitors attended to greet tho \ V . M .-elect . The ceremony of installation was beautifully gone through by Bro . S . J . Wade ( who lias for tho past two years beeu W . M . ) , and he having placed Bro . Hubert Dixon in the chair of K S ., that brother appointed and invested tho following officers , viz ., Bros . S . J . Wade , LP . M . ; M Werner , S . D .-, J . Wilson , J . D . ; T . Cfodfoi-Json , Treas . ; li . Hodson , Sec ; J . Davison