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error , and infirmity . So in truth we do and must , * but still the reality is not obviated or affected that in Freemasons we hope to find those who really believe , and act up to , the principles they avow , the tenets they proclaim . Unfortunately , as we know , the constrast is often painful and startling . In the extreme anxiety for position and prestige ,

Freemasons sometimes are forgetful of those sacred duties towards their brethren which courtesy commends and which responsibility demands . They sometimes fail to remember , as regards each other , especially what their own Masonic formularies enjoin as needful and of obligation , whether

in their brothers' presence or absence . And , yet , if what we say and do in lodge be not all a myth , a show , a delusion , or a farce , such things ought not to be . No , indeed " ; and , therefore , we have thought it right to commend these words to the notice and consideration of our many readers .

The Revised Constitutions.—V.

THE REVISED CONSTITUTIONS . —V .

We presume that most experienced brethren will agree with us in stating that the laws respecting " Removal of Lodges " are ( or rather have been , viewing the revise as generally acceptable to the Craft ) , most vexatious in character . Unless otherwise expressed in the warrant , any lodge maybe removed , according to the new rule ( 164 ) , if two-thirds of the members voting aeree to the proposition , at a special meeting convened for the purpose ; the

notice of motion having been signed by no fewer than seven subscribing members at any regular lodge . All references to the knowledge ( or absence ) of the Master as to the removal , as well as to the decision of the majority , if he be one thereof , are omitted ; but the clause which empowers the Senior or Junior Warden to issue the summons , should the Master fail or refuse to do so , is retained . ...

Rule 165 is not only a new regulation , but one that has been much wanted for years past . It enables the Master ( on due application ) by permission of the Grand Master , or Provincial or District Master , to hold " a temporary meeting or meetings at a specified place , and there , if so authorised by the terms of the dispensation , to carry on the general business of the lodge , or to decide as to the permanent removal of the lodge , as explained so fully in the preceding law .

. To our mind , this is one of the most advantageous regulations to be found in the revise ; for , in our own experience , we well remember circumstances which occurred , that rendered the meeting of the lodge for a time impossible

under the old system . The conclusion to rule 169 is a needful reminder , viz .: "The minutes can only be confirmed at a subsequent regular meeting of the lodge . " The rule which has , we believe , caused the most discussion , is No . 172 . It has been suggested by Bro . Hughan that the words in italics ( and in a

parenthesis ) be added , and then all difficulty , as to its application will , we think , be removed . It would then read as follows : " No lodge shall pay the quarterly contribution for a member who is in arrear {* according to its bye-laws ) , but his name shall nevertheless be returned with the words ' in arrear' written against it . " reall annual

By some , the words " quarterly contribution" ( which is y an payment for all members who have belonged to a lodge for the whole year ) are taken to mean that if a member owes a full quarter's subscription to his lodge , and does not then pay , he is " in arrears I" The two preceding rules however indicate that the " return " to be made is the annual one . The regulation is certainly susceptible of being misunderstood ; and

therefore , to remove -ill possibility of misapprehension , we submit that the addition proposed will entirely meet the case , and is one that might fairly be adopted . Those familiar with the Treasurer's duties will be well aware of the disposition evinced by certain members lo let their dues accumulate for years , sometimes the gross amount being paid finally , after repeated " duns ; " but in too many instances eventually has to be accepted as a "bad debt , * " the

food money of the lodge in the interim being taken to pay the " annual ues , " as per Constitutions . It may be urged that the bye-laws should , and generally do , provide for such cases ; but the misfortune is , that , in spite of these laws , members largely in arrear are often kept on the books , and irstead of being returned as defaulters are placed on the same footing as the regular pay ing members . The new rule will simpl y enforce the bye-laws , if lies the omission and believe will

there are any thereon , and if not , supp ; we result in the subscriptions from the members being paid more regularly and promptly . An evil custom which prevails , we fear , in some lodges , should be protested against , viz ., the electing of certain brethren as honorary life members , and returning their names as subscribing members to Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge , notwithstanding the fact that such brethren never

subscribe one penny to the particular lodge funds ! Honorary membership is a compliment , and nothing more . It is what its title indicates—honorary only . The only membership recognised or allowed by Grand Lodge is based upon the payment of an annual subsctiption , and is forfeited on the ceasing to subscribe . Treasurers of lodges will be glad , doubtless , to see that the rule which requires a separate account to be kept of the fees or dues received on

account of , and payable to the Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge , is not insisted on in the regulation No . 174 . We believe heretofore it was almost " more honoured in the breach than in the observance . " We have known such curious disputes to arise as to the Treasurer ' s books that we are pleased to read in the same law that they " shall be the property of the lodge . "

We think that rule 181 , which provides for the proposition and ballot for candidates for initiation at a regular lodge , should contain a clause that the summons must be sent to all the members of the lodge at least three clear days before the meeting is to be held . As it is now , even in the revise , unless the bye-laws of the lodge refer to the subject , there is not the slightest intimation as to what should be considered a sufficient period to elapse between

the issue of the summons and the holding of the regular meeting . Three clear days would be practical \ yfivc days , hence we do not favour the adoption of the " seven days " notice as requisite for a lodge of emergency , which is the desire of some brethren . We commend this point to the thoughtful consideration of the brethren , and consider it a subject that should be well discussed , prior to the settlement of the " Book of Constitutions " early in 1883 .

The Revised Constitutions.—V.

Another point which , to our mind , deserves careful consideration is slightly alluded to in the Rule 187 , viz ., " Bye-laws may also enact that a prescribed period shall elapse before any rejected candidate can be again proposed in that lodge . " We strongly advocate that the word may , be altered to must , and that a clause be added , after the word " lodge , " of not less than three clear months . It is quite true that sometimes good

candidates are rejected by bad members ; tnerefore , it is thought a hardship to be prevented seeking admission after a month or so has elapsed , and should the objectors have repented ; but the rule should enforce a minimum period at least , so that candidates may not be vexatiously proposed and rejected from month to month , in the event of there being no law on the subject . Some lodges we know of enact that twelve months shall elapse under the

circumstances mentioned . According to the latest edition of Dr . Oliver ' s " Masonic Jurisprudence" ( 1874 ) , "If the ballot-box contains the fatal three black balls , it constitutes a final exclusion from that lodge . " It is pointed out in the same interesting work that such rejection only refers to that particular lodge , and does not prevent the candidate ' s admission into any other . We entirely disagree with this view of the matter ; for , supposing there is no

bye-law on the subject , we contend there is nothing in the " Constitutions " of 1873 to prevent rejected candidates being re-proposed in the same lodge . We shall be glad to be set right on the subject , if we have erroneousl y interpreted the clause * , but we think the work is in error on the point in question . No . 188 is surely an improvement on Article 13 , page 65 , as it simply states that every lodge must receive as a member , without further

proposition or ballot , any brother initiated therein ( save a serving brother ) unless he express his wish to the contrary , on or before the day of his initiation . This is better than the old clause , which required the W . M . to direct the attention of the candidate to the rule thereon , so as to know his intentions ; a duty which * has been frequently neglected , and in some lodges wholly

ignored . We are rejoiced to see ( 190 ) that the minimum fee for initiation is to be raised * to £ 6 2 s . for country lodges , and £ 6 12 s . 6 d . lor Metropolitan lodges ; also that no lodge shall remit or defer the payment of any part of that sum . This should be carried .

Another excellent rule is embodied in No . 190 , respecting the status of serving brethren . Should a serving brother wish to join the lodge in which he was initiated freely , as a member , by the revise he will be able so lo do , "if duly proposed and elected , as in the case of a joining member , " and provided he pay thc same fees as an initiate . We know of a serving brother who has lately become wealthy . He is now anxious to be admitted as a

joining member of the lodge in which he has for many years acted faithfully as Tyler . The brethren ave quite as anxious to have him as a member , but he cannot be proposed , according to the present Constitutions , though eligible in any other lodge , because he is a serving brother . Rule 203 applies to improper appearances of brethren clothed as Freemasons in any procession , or at any tuneral , ball , theatre , assembly or

meeting , or at any place of public resort . To wear Masonic clothing in any form at such places and times must have the authority of the Grand Master , or Provincial or District Grand Master . The other enactments respecting the subjects to be found in previous issues , are omitted because not in any way required . The fewer such processions the better .

Regulation 207 gives power to two-thirds ol the members present to exclude any of their number from their lodge , always premising that the various notices have been duly served , and the authorities as duly informed thereon . The succeeding rule empowers the Grand Master to reinstate such an onc , should the exclusion be premature or illegal ; the Provincial or District Grand Masters having somewhat similar authority .

All complaints must be made , if in provinces , to the Provincial Grand Master or his Deputy , failing whose attention they may be transmuted to the Grand Secretary , as with the Metropolitan lodges , or those not under the jurisdiction of Provincial or District Grand Masters . In districts , they iiust be lodged either with the District Grand Master or the District Grand Lodge .

Rule 216 is to the effect that should the number of members belonging to a lodge be reduced to less than three , the warrant becomes extinct . We quite coincide with the Revision Committee in thus providing for such a contingency , though we must say , the minimum number is not open to the charge of being in excess of that desirable . It is quite refreshing to notice the table of fees so capitally arranged at the end of the revise . Could not be in a handier form .

We need not dilate upon Bro . Clabon ' s proposition to increase the " annual dues " some fifty per cent ., on behalf ol the "' Fund of Benevolence , " for the scheme is so unpo pular in the provinces , lhat it is almost sure to be negatived whenever it is brought to the vote . It seems to us that the chief aim of the authorities should be to encourage the brethren to continue as subscribing members , as long as possible , and in order so to do , the annual dues should not be selected for increase . The number of unaffiliated

members appears to be on the increase , and therefore it behoves us to remedy such a growing evil . If any increase is to be made , we favour the " registration fee" being selected for the purpose , and thus the payments would be made " according to results . " No initiations no fees ; plenty of " work" providing the m eans to pay . As the minimum initiation lee is to be raised from three to fiw guineas , exclusive of the sums payable for registration and certificate , how for

would it do , if more money be wanted , to make the fee for registration lodges in the provinces a guinea , instead of half that sum as at present " According to the present revision , the lodges only are to partake in the benefit of the increased fees tor initiation . By the plan we suggest , the candidates might be required generally to pay seven guineas or more , inclusive of all fees , and thus furnish the extra sum required . We say , let it be difficult to enter our society , but fairly easy to remain , so long as real worth is made the first pre-requisite .

The second edition of the revise , adds , " or in Provincial or District Grand Lodges " to the rule 304 , which now is fair , as it allows Worship' ^ Masters , Past Masters and Wardens to wear their collars as before stated * or in Grand Lodge ; but else the collars of tht officers are to be worn in the " own lodges only . , ,

The Constitutions are to provide for the wearing of gauntlets at 'a * Hitherto nothing has been said thereon , though as we know they have generally been worn in Lodge , Provincial , and Grand Lodge . We have finished our examination of the revised Constitutions , and hav done our best to make the chief characteristics of the compilation known ' the Craft . If we have succeeded in so doing we are amp ly repaid for oU trouble .