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  • May 29, 1886
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The Freemason, May 29, 1886: Page 8

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By Royal s To Appointment , ^ , ? " rw | -, H . R . H . toH . R . H . ' ffiBfjUW ® . ' Princess T \ r \ Cl -fr Princess of 4 b ^ t £ L > t »> 2 , T POST Wales . t- < t — >^ 3 > Louise . BOUQUET . 6- »¦ ™ l-T F ; BttS " ™ r J » ws BAYSWATER HILL , LONDON , W ., InLS OliASUlN O INVENTOR OF * THE NEW STYLE SUCCESS . POSY BOUQUET-Tlic Season ' s Success . BRIDES' & BRIDESMAIDS' BOUQUETS . ou the Shortest Notice . Goods delivered , cnvefuH . Y packed , iMMfcui . vriii . Y on receipt of Order .

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E . DENT & Co ., CW Inventions Exhibition Gold Medal awarded AJ / for Improvement in Turret Clocks . £ ^ 61 Strand s 4 Eoyal Exchange , London . C > y C ^ CLOCKMAKERS to the QUEEN . t _ -J \ J Makers of thc Great ll ' estminstcr Clock r * y *<) ( 1 ! IQ llux ) . * t * W ^ Installation or Repair of CHURCH and ' -C' other PUBLIC CLOCKS . i £ ^ Dent ' s new Illustrated Catalogue of Highcs ' Class Watches at Reduced Prices , sent Post Free .

Ad00806

- — - lleforepurchasinganv Electric Curative Appliance , write 71 . - -- , _ fur the Pamphlet" ELECTRIC Lll * 'E , and How HA __ i 77 ^ - ~ tol'ind it , " which contains siund , rell" ** < ljT . IfTTl ^ . "— - ^ ab '' information on the employ-~~ - — ^ . " ** -il . V / .. V' TC ~ ~~~ - ment of electricity for re-^~ ~ _ " * JAJ -, - ^ atpS 7 ^ medial purposes . GRATIS ^ ^ _ C ° JtHj- ) * TJ r— - and Post Free fro m ^"" ^ "Cf ^ Sc " * J . ^ A nTlT ^ 7 ~^ - JEVONS BROS ., ^ - J ^^ tf 166 , FLEET ST ., LONDON , E . C . ^~ — --J

To Correspondents.

To Correspondents .

The following and several other communications unavoidably stand over—CRAFT LOPGES—Union Waterloo , No . 13 ; Nelson , No . 700 . ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER—Chapter of Truth , No . 521 . RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE—Saye and Sele Conclave . Italian Masonry .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

^ fcg ^ MB ^ S M ^ r ^ r ^&^^ jaaar ^ tz ^^' it' * '<§ V 9 yrm SATURDAY , MAY 29 , 1886 . ?

PAST MASTERS' COLLARS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am not a little shocked to find in yonr issue of the 22 nd inst . " Mancunium " asserting that / threaten to defy Grand Lodge . I defy " Mancunium " to point to any words in my letters that support any such assertion or

inference . The strongest form of expression that I know of in my letters on the subject is contained in yours of the 15 th inst ., where I say tha ' , ' finding it necessary " ( that is , essential ) " to have a collar to obtain admission to Grand Lodge , I want lo bc legally provided - . villi one , and having once got it I shall claim the right to wear it , " as per Art . 28 S . Pray , what is defiant in that ? If it defies any one

it will be such an one as " Mancunium , " or some such other individual brother , who might possibly be disposed to order me to take it off or leave the lodge , or possibly give instructions to the Tyler or I . G . not to announce or admit "light blue collars . " Bro . Budden ' s suggestion as to Art . 307 would meet the matter so far as giving a P . M . a collar ; but I want more if I can possibly get it . I want a distinctive collar , viz ., wilh

a silver cord , same as Past Stewards have ; but , of course , "blue , " instead of " crimson , " yet if I cannot get this by the will and sanction of Grand Lodge , I will be pleased to have one of any sort . The " lex non scripta " Bro . Budden refers to would possibly answer all the purpose required , if , happily , every one agreed as to what it is ; but , to show Bro . Budden the difficulty of such a thing , with your pei mission , I will relate

an incident that occurred with myself . Recently a new lodge was being consecrated in an adjoining province ; I was invited by one of the Provincial Officers to attend . Having one or two personal friends amongst the founders , I very readily accepted the invitation , and , of course , being anxious to do all the honour in my . power to the occasion , I took with me my full clothing , as I understood the law . Having arrived and clothed , I was cordially

greeted by several well-known brethren , one of whom told me that , under the new Constitutions , Past Masters were not allowed to -wear collars outside their own lodges , except in Grand Lodge or their own Provincial Grand Lodge . I replied I had not discovered such a law , Jand I believed I was conversant with all the changes . While we were talking the matter over another brother joined us , and said he had been informed that the Prov . Grand Secretary

( who was acting as Consecrating Ofiicer and Installing Master ) had given orders that no officers' collars were to be worn ; that I quite recognised as in accordance with new Rule No . 30 S , and was about to rest content , when another brother asserted that the order Included P . M . ' s ; this I resented as an insult , and immediately sought out the P . G . Dir . of Cers ., and asked him if he had received any such instructions . He replied in the negative . I

requested him as a favour to make minute enquiry , at the same time intimating 1 hit if not permitted to enter with my collar ! would decline to go in at all . He returned and said 1 was properly clothed , and he had no instructions to the contrary . I entered accordingly , and was not challenged till after the Hoard of Installed Masters was called from right to left , when the newly-installed Master rose and said " he was informed that there were

Original Correspondence.

some Past Masters present who were under the impression they had a right to wear their collars , not being' members of that lodge , and for their information he would read the law . " He read Art . 30 S , and instantly the collars disappeared in a marvellously short space of time . Seeing the Master ' s eye fixed on me , and observing no collar but my own of the *• light blue " tyne , I

rose and saluted , and said , "W . M ., I am not an ollicer of any lodge , and consequently that law does not apply to me . " "ihe P . G . Secretary then stepped forward , and , taking the Book of Constitutions from the Master , said , "Allow me to road the law ; it ' s just as well to have this matter settled at . once . " He again read Law 30 S , emphasising it especially at the words " Past Masters " and

" representing . " I again saluted , and said , " 1 am not representing any lodge ; 1 am a Past Master , and not an officer . I simply attend as a member of Grand Lodge , and therefore * that law does not refer to me . " He replied , " You must either take that collar off or retire . " I rose , saluted , and retired . As 1 passed the J . W . ' s chair , I heard such calls as "Shame , ! shame !"

' "Take the collar off , " "Put it in your pocket , " . & c . I passed on ¦ without noticing these calls till past the S . W . 's chair , when theW . M . gavelled and demanded that I , as an Installed Master , obey the chair . I halted , saluted , and said , "W . M ., 1 am most anxious at all times to obey the ruling of tlie chair , but as I read the law that article does not apply to me ; I therefore prefer to accept the alternative ,

and with your permission will retire . I retired accordingly , and returning to my office b y the first possible train , at once wrote a letter to the P . G . D . C , explaining my views , and requesting him to transmit them to the Prov . Grand Secretary . To tin ' s I received no reply , but after a few days I learned that _ the _ Prov . Grand Secretary of that province , in conjunction with the P . G . Secretary

of my province , who was present on the occasion , went to London and had an interview with certain of our Grand Rulers in the Craft . Making this discovery , I wrote my P . G . Master with full details , but , of course , the occurrence having taken place outside his province , he could not interfere . 1 then wrote the Grand Secretary ; he laid the matter before the Board of General Purposes , and they

resolved " That Article 30 S was intended to and does include Past Masters . " Now , does Bro . Budden see why I do not like Article 30 S , and cannot take " Lex non Scripta " with such a ruling as sufficient ? and does he also see how hopeless my task is , with all the weight of the Board against me ?—nay , more , will he not bc disposed toconsider it high treason on my part to venture to pursue the subject

any farther ? Well , possibly it is . 1 have the greatest possible respect for all constituted authority , but 1 do not think I am erring very far if 1 try to get the laws that authority has got to interpret and administer altered for the better in a constitutional way . The facilities at the disposal of a provincial brother , residing some 200 miles away , are expensive and not

numerous . Even if I could succeed in getting a notice of motion on the Agenda , it would cost me the better part of two days'loss of time , besides the expense of going and returning to propose my motion , and even then , unless 1 have gained the ear and the sympathy of those in a similar nlie-ht . I had better stay at home . My hope was that the

Board of General Purposes themselves would bring the matter forward ; if they would even remove the words * ' Past Masters " from 30 S and insert them in 307 I would rest and be thankful even , although I do want the silver cord!—Yours , very fraternally , P . M .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I do not like trespassing on your space , but should be glad to say a few words more on this subject . I have read the correspondence with some attention , but , with all deference to Bro . "P . M ., " I do not see that he has succeeded in refuting my arguments .

He will , lam sure , . agree with me that where the lex scripta is clear no custom can constitutionally override it , and I most cordially endorse what 1 state to be his view that , having a written code of laws , we are entitled to be governed according to that code , and according to that code only . But is the lex scripta . clear on this point ? Bro . " P . M . "

seems to have a strong opinion that it is , and in effect he accuses Grand Lodge of illegally acting in direct violation of the written law . I would submit that Grand Lodge is in itself the final court of appeal , not only to say what the laws shall be , but also what is the correct construction of those laws when made ; and a ruling of Grand Lodge or of the officials of

Grand Lodge must be held , 1 think , to bc according to law until Grand Lodge on full consideration decides otherwise . I am loth to think that Grand Lodge , or its officials , after such full provision had so recently been made in the written law , would at once allow an unwritten custom to

override that law , and therefore I look at my Constitutions to see * what grounds I can find there for the course adopted . . , I think thc reason of the decision is that for some purposes , if not for all , Past Masters are recognised as officers , arid therefore entitled to collars . I own t do not see where collars are provided for P . M . ' s unless as officers .

I believe the late or present Grand Registrar once ruled that P . M . ' s were not officers , but I do not know when , nor under what circumstances , nor upon which Boole of Constitutions . Of course a P . M . is not one of the " regular " or " . necessary " officers . Will'liro . * ' P . M . " give us the reference to that part of the Constitutions which " distinctly states a P . M . is not an

officer ? " I have failed to find such a statement . Certainly Law 129 does not say so , even if it docs not say he is . 1 have already given my view of that law , hut would remind " P . M . " that omission is not prohibition . As to the marginal notes , I do not say they are a part of thc law , but I take it it is perfectly fair to refer lo them as showing the intention of the revisers of the Book . They were specially alluded to in the synopsis sent out with the

draft revise . But I do not need to press this . I am satisfied with the body of the laws . 1 do not quite see how Law 9 gives a " distinctive personal right" to a P . M . to attend Gtand Lodge apart from his representation of a lodge . Laws 9 , 179 , and 300 all seem to me to be most carefully framed to preserve the principle " no representation , no seat . " 1 confess I do not know under 179 whether a P . M . of Lodge A returned as a member of Lodge li , who had dropped his subscription to

Original Correspondence.

A , would be considered as representing A or B ; but I do not think this of importance . But 30 S surely includes a P . M . as an officer ? If it does , then 307 and 30 S are coherent and intelligible , placing all officers on the same footing , saying what their collars are , and when to be worn . If , on the other hand , a P . M . is not an officer , then I cannot see what business the words Past Masters have in that law at all , and the whole subject

becomes involved in difficulty . If my reading be wrong , and a P . M . is not an officer , then what is the jewel of a P . M . of the Lodge of Antiquitysilver or gold ? See Laws 205 and 296 . If a P . M . is not an officer , why is an acting I . P . M . appointed at the consecration of a new lodge ? Why , lo take the latest example , does the Freemason , by implication , in its leaderette of the 15 th inst ., and in definite words in its

issue of the 32 nd inst ., page 304 , say , " The other officers are Bros . Major George Lambert , F . S . A ., P . G . Swd . Br acting P . M . ?" 1 submit that my view is the correct one , and that Grand Lodge are acting on a perfectly kgal and common-sense reading of the Book of Constitutions , and , by calling on P . M . ' s to wear collars in Grand Lodge , has recognised them as officers within the meaning of Laws 307 and 30 S . — Yours fraternally , LEX SCRIPTA .

Reviews

REVIEWS

THE FREEMASONS' CALENDAR FOR DURHAM Bro . Hudson , the energetic Prov . Grand Sec . of Durhamj has ably edited the Masonic Calendar for Duiham . and has given a valuable lot of information in the bulky little volume of nearly 150 pages . We believe the series was inaugurated by Bro . Dr . Hill-Drury , and though not an old publication , has already become one of the

indispensables of the province . The roll of Prov . Grand Masters is given from 1735 ( 1734 in the G . L . Calendar ) , very few provinces dating so far back , and the names . of the Provincial Grand Officers are recorded from 17 SS , with the years of appointment duly noted . Some of the officers , of course , do not date from that year , e . g ., the Deacons and Registrars , who were first appointed in 1 S 18 . Then , under

the lodges , the names of the officers , Past Masters , years of service , dates of warrants and installations , number of subscribing members , & c , are all given , as also for the chapters , Mark Lodges , & c , so that the Calendar is a veritable mttltum in parvo . The tables of days of meetings for 18 S 6 of the lodges and chapters represent a work of considerable labour , and enable even a hasty lance to detect the dates

g required . There are 32 lodges , with 2414 subscribing members , an average of 75 to each [ odge ; and 13 chapters with 470 members . Mark Masonry is represented by some 11 lodges and about 400 members . There are no lists of votes in the Royal Masonic Charities , but the totals given —viz ., 336 "Girls , " 743 "Boys , " 515 "Benevolent , " being a grand total of 1623 votes

leave much room for improvement . The " Educational Fund , " under local auspices , is in its ninth year , and is an excellent Institution , seven children being now educated ; the capital account being about £ 400 . We hope that Bro . Hudson will tackle a list of the voters of his province for the " Royal Masonic Charities , " so that the issue of 1887 may contain that desirable addition .

MASONIC CALENDAR OF LODGES , & c , MEETING AT SA , RED LION SQUARE , & c . This most useful publication is edited by Bro . C . F . Matier , and issued by order of the General Board ( Mark ) . We presume it is its first appearance , and it certainly deserves a warm greeting , not only because of the competent editorship , but especially as it supplies a long . felt

want . The Calendar portion is very clearly arranged , and the official part is brimful of information on the special points for which the handsome little book would naturally be consulted . Five Craft lodges assemble in the Masonic Hall , Red Lion-square besides a number of Mark lodges , & c . ; and when brethren visit that sanctum , now the premises have been so improved , we shall not be surprised if

that number rapidly increases . Full particulars are afforded of 46 Mark lodges meeting " In and near London , " the names and addresses of several Secretaries being duly noted , and the Allied Degrees are also carefully attended to . We consider this a step in the right direction , and wish other metropolitan bodies would follow such an excellent example so well set by Bro . Matier .

OFFICIAL DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF CORNWALL . The veteran editor of this Directory is Bro . Hughan , who first began such duties in ISO , this particular publication being in its fifteenth year , and the present number completes the third volume . The special feature of liro . Hughan ' s Directory is , that it is kept wholly and solelfor

y Provincial Grand Lodges purposes , the only officers given being the Master and Wardens , who have votes in the province at all its meetings , all the Past Masters with their years of office , and provincial appointments ( if any ) , and the names and addresses of the Secretaries . So also in like manner the Royal Arch Chapters are attended to , so that the Prov . Grand Master can see at a glance the names of

all the brethren entitled to vote , and are members of the Province under each lodge , and how the " purple" has been distributed . Then from time to time the by-laws of the province , Craft and Arch , are printed , and other rules and particulars inserted , the volumes containing all that is obtainable wilh aspect to Freemasonry in Cornwall . A full list of votes fir th- " Koyal Masonic Charities" is appended , amounting in all to 1276 , which for 29 lodges and 14

chapters , with 1 4 O 5 and 294 members respectivel y , arc none too many , but doubtless the newly organized " Charity Association " will continue to improve matters in this respect . The local " Educational and Benevolent Institution " has been a great success . It was started in 1 SG 4 , and has now nearly £ 4000 funded . Provinces intending to issue Directories should consult this publication , for it is considered a model one by many competent brethren .

“The Freemason: 1886-05-29, Page 8” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 6 June 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_29051886/page/8/.
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CONTENTS. Article 1
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UNITED GRAND LODGE. Article 2
CONSECRATION OF THE TIVOLI LODGE, No. 2150. Article 2
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OP EAST LANCASHIRE. Article 3
PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WARWICKSHIRE. Article 4
THE EARLY ORGANISATION OF THE "ANCIENT" MASONS. Article 5
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WILLING'S SELECTED THEATRICAL PROGRAMME. Article 7
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REVIEWS Article 8
MASONIC CALENDAR FOR WARWICKSHIRE AND STAFFORDSHIRE. Article 9
Masonic Notes and Queries. Article 9
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 9
INSTRUCTION. Article 11
Royal Arch. Article 12
INSTRUCTION. Article 12
Mark Masonry. Article 12
Cryptic Masonry. Article 12
SOCIAL EVENING OF THE "OLD MASONIANS." Article 12
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISAAC NEWTON UNIVERSITY LODGE , No. 859. Article 12
ANNUAL DINNER OF THE NEWSVENDORS' INSTITUTION. Article 13
BRO. JAS. TERRY, P.P.G.J.W. NORTHS AND HUNTS, AT THE COVENT GARDEN LODGE OF INSTRUCTION. Article 13
MASONIC PRESENTATION AT STONEHOUSE . Article 13
SPECIAL CONVOCATION OF THE HORNSEY CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT. Article 13
THE RECENT GIRLS' SCHOOL FESTIVAL. Article 14
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Article 14
THE LEVANDER MEMORIAL. Article 14
MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS Article 15
METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 16
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Ad00804

By Royal s To Appointment , ^ , ? " rw | -, H . R . H . toH . R . H . ' ffiBfjUW ® . ' Princess T \ r \ Cl -fr Princess of 4 b ^ t £ L > t »> 2 , T POST Wales . t- < t — >^ 3 > Louise . BOUQUET . 6- »¦ ™ l-T F ; BttS " ™ r J » ws BAYSWATER HILL , LONDON , W ., InLS OliASUlN O INVENTOR OF * THE NEW STYLE SUCCESS . POSY BOUQUET-Tlic Season ' s Success . BRIDES' & BRIDESMAIDS' BOUQUETS . ou the Shortest Notice . Goods delivered , cnvefuH . Y packed , iMMfcui . vriii . Y on receipt of Order .

Ad00805

E . DENT & Co ., CW Inventions Exhibition Gold Medal awarded AJ / for Improvement in Turret Clocks . £ ^ 61 Strand s 4 Eoyal Exchange , London . C > y C ^ CLOCKMAKERS to the QUEEN . t _ -J \ J Makers of thc Great ll ' estminstcr Clock r * y *<) ( 1 ! IQ llux ) . * t * W ^ Installation or Repair of CHURCH and ' -C' other PUBLIC CLOCKS . i £ ^ Dent ' s new Illustrated Catalogue of Highcs ' Class Watches at Reduced Prices , sent Post Free .

Ad00806

- — - lleforepurchasinganv Electric Curative Appliance , write 71 . - -- , _ fur the Pamphlet" ELECTRIC Lll * 'E , and How HA __ i 77 ^ - ~ tol'ind it , " which contains siund , rell" ** < ljT . IfTTl ^ . "— - ^ ab '' information on the employ-~~ - — ^ . " ** -il . V / .. V' TC ~ ~~~ - ment of electricity for re-^~ ~ _ " * JAJ -, - ^ atpS 7 ^ medial purposes . GRATIS ^ ^ _ C ° JtHj- ) * TJ r— - and Post Free fro m ^"" ^ "Cf ^ Sc " * J . ^ A nTlT ^ 7 ~^ - JEVONS BROS ., ^ - J ^^ tf 166 , FLEET ST ., LONDON , E . C . ^~ — --J

To Correspondents.

To Correspondents .

The following and several other communications unavoidably stand over—CRAFT LOPGES—Union Waterloo , No . 13 ; Nelson , No . 700 . ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER—Chapter of Truth , No . 521 . RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE—Saye and Sele Conclave . Italian Masonry .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

^ fcg ^ MB ^ S M ^ r ^ r ^&^^ jaaar ^ tz ^^' it' * '<§ V 9 yrm SATURDAY , MAY 29 , 1886 . ?

PAST MASTERS' COLLARS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am not a little shocked to find in yonr issue of the 22 nd inst . " Mancunium " asserting that / threaten to defy Grand Lodge . I defy " Mancunium " to point to any words in my letters that support any such assertion or

inference . The strongest form of expression that I know of in my letters on the subject is contained in yours of the 15 th inst ., where I say tha ' , ' finding it necessary " ( that is , essential ) " to have a collar to obtain admission to Grand Lodge , I want lo bc legally provided - . villi one , and having once got it I shall claim the right to wear it , " as per Art . 28 S . Pray , what is defiant in that ? If it defies any one

it will be such an one as " Mancunium , " or some such other individual brother , who might possibly be disposed to order me to take it off or leave the lodge , or possibly give instructions to the Tyler or I . G . not to announce or admit "light blue collars . " Bro . Budden ' s suggestion as to Art . 307 would meet the matter so far as giving a P . M . a collar ; but I want more if I can possibly get it . I want a distinctive collar , viz ., wilh

a silver cord , same as Past Stewards have ; but , of course , "blue , " instead of " crimson , " yet if I cannot get this by the will and sanction of Grand Lodge , I will be pleased to have one of any sort . The " lex non scripta " Bro . Budden refers to would possibly answer all the purpose required , if , happily , every one agreed as to what it is ; but , to show Bro . Budden the difficulty of such a thing , with your pei mission , I will relate

an incident that occurred with myself . Recently a new lodge was being consecrated in an adjoining province ; I was invited by one of the Provincial Officers to attend . Having one or two personal friends amongst the founders , I very readily accepted the invitation , and , of course , being anxious to do all the honour in my . power to the occasion , I took with me my full clothing , as I understood the law . Having arrived and clothed , I was cordially

greeted by several well-known brethren , one of whom told me that , under the new Constitutions , Past Masters were not allowed to -wear collars outside their own lodges , except in Grand Lodge or their own Provincial Grand Lodge . I replied I had not discovered such a law , Jand I believed I was conversant with all the changes . While we were talking the matter over another brother joined us , and said he had been informed that the Prov . Grand Secretary

( who was acting as Consecrating Ofiicer and Installing Master ) had given orders that no officers' collars were to be worn ; that I quite recognised as in accordance with new Rule No . 30 S , and was about to rest content , when another brother asserted that the order Included P . M . ' s ; this I resented as an insult , and immediately sought out the P . G . Dir . of Cers ., and asked him if he had received any such instructions . He replied in the negative . I

requested him as a favour to make minute enquiry , at the same time intimating 1 hit if not permitted to enter with my collar ! would decline to go in at all . He returned and said 1 was properly clothed , and he had no instructions to the contrary . I entered accordingly , and was not challenged till after the Hoard of Installed Masters was called from right to left , when the newly-installed Master rose and said " he was informed that there were

Original Correspondence.

some Past Masters present who were under the impression they had a right to wear their collars , not being' members of that lodge , and for their information he would read the law . " He read Art . 30 S , and instantly the collars disappeared in a marvellously short space of time . Seeing the Master ' s eye fixed on me , and observing no collar but my own of the *• light blue " tyne , I

rose and saluted , and said , "W . M ., I am not an ollicer of any lodge , and consequently that law does not apply to me . " "ihe P . G . Secretary then stepped forward , and , taking the Book of Constitutions from the Master , said , "Allow me to road the law ; it ' s just as well to have this matter settled at . once . " He again read Law 30 S , emphasising it especially at the words " Past Masters " and

" representing . " I again saluted , and said , " 1 am not representing any lodge ; 1 am a Past Master , and not an officer . I simply attend as a member of Grand Lodge , and therefore * that law does not refer to me . " He replied , " You must either take that collar off or retire . " I rose , saluted , and retired . As 1 passed the J . W . ' s chair , I heard such calls as "Shame , ! shame !"

' "Take the collar off , " "Put it in your pocket , " . & c . I passed on ¦ without noticing these calls till past the S . W . 's chair , when theW . M . gavelled and demanded that I , as an Installed Master , obey the chair . I halted , saluted , and said , "W . M ., 1 am most anxious at all times to obey the ruling of tlie chair , but as I read the law that article does not apply to me ; I therefore prefer to accept the alternative ,

and with your permission will retire . I retired accordingly , and returning to my office b y the first possible train , at once wrote a letter to the P . G . D . C , explaining my views , and requesting him to transmit them to the Prov . Grand Secretary . To tin ' s I received no reply , but after a few days I learned that _ the _ Prov . Grand Secretary of that province , in conjunction with the P . G . Secretary

of my province , who was present on the occasion , went to London and had an interview with certain of our Grand Rulers in the Craft . Making this discovery , I wrote my P . G . Master with full details , but , of course , the occurrence having taken place outside his province , he could not interfere . 1 then wrote the Grand Secretary ; he laid the matter before the Board of General Purposes , and they

resolved " That Article 30 S was intended to and does include Past Masters . " Now , does Bro . Budden see why I do not like Article 30 S , and cannot take " Lex non Scripta " with such a ruling as sufficient ? and does he also see how hopeless my task is , with all the weight of the Board against me ?—nay , more , will he not bc disposed toconsider it high treason on my part to venture to pursue the subject

any farther ? Well , possibly it is . 1 have the greatest possible respect for all constituted authority , but 1 do not think I am erring very far if 1 try to get the laws that authority has got to interpret and administer altered for the better in a constitutional way . The facilities at the disposal of a provincial brother , residing some 200 miles away , are expensive and not

numerous . Even if I could succeed in getting a notice of motion on the Agenda , it would cost me the better part of two days'loss of time , besides the expense of going and returning to propose my motion , and even then , unless 1 have gained the ear and the sympathy of those in a similar nlie-ht . I had better stay at home . My hope was that the

Board of General Purposes themselves would bring the matter forward ; if they would even remove the words * ' Past Masters " from 30 S and insert them in 307 I would rest and be thankful even , although I do want the silver cord!—Yours , very fraternally , P . M .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I do not like trespassing on your space , but should be glad to say a few words more on this subject . I have read the correspondence with some attention , but , with all deference to Bro . "P . M ., " I do not see that he has succeeded in refuting my arguments .

He will , lam sure , . agree with me that where the lex scripta is clear no custom can constitutionally override it , and I most cordially endorse what 1 state to be his view that , having a written code of laws , we are entitled to be governed according to that code , and according to that code only . But is the lex scripta . clear on this point ? Bro . " P . M . "

seems to have a strong opinion that it is , and in effect he accuses Grand Lodge of illegally acting in direct violation of the written law . I would submit that Grand Lodge is in itself the final court of appeal , not only to say what the laws shall be , but also what is the correct construction of those laws when made ; and a ruling of Grand Lodge or of the officials of

Grand Lodge must be held , 1 think , to bc according to law until Grand Lodge on full consideration decides otherwise . I am loth to think that Grand Lodge , or its officials , after such full provision had so recently been made in the written law , would at once allow an unwritten custom to

override that law , and therefore I look at my Constitutions to see * what grounds I can find there for the course adopted . . , I think thc reason of the decision is that for some purposes , if not for all , Past Masters are recognised as officers , arid therefore entitled to collars . I own t do not see where collars are provided for P . M . ' s unless as officers .

I believe the late or present Grand Registrar once ruled that P . M . ' s were not officers , but I do not know when , nor under what circumstances , nor upon which Boole of Constitutions . Of course a P . M . is not one of the " regular " or " . necessary " officers . Will'liro . * ' P . M . " give us the reference to that part of the Constitutions which " distinctly states a P . M . is not an

officer ? " I have failed to find such a statement . Certainly Law 129 does not say so , even if it docs not say he is . 1 have already given my view of that law , hut would remind " P . M . " that omission is not prohibition . As to the marginal notes , I do not say they are a part of thc law , but I take it it is perfectly fair to refer lo them as showing the intention of the revisers of the Book . They were specially alluded to in the synopsis sent out with the

draft revise . But I do not need to press this . I am satisfied with the body of the laws . 1 do not quite see how Law 9 gives a " distinctive personal right" to a P . M . to attend Gtand Lodge apart from his representation of a lodge . Laws 9 , 179 , and 300 all seem to me to be most carefully framed to preserve the principle " no representation , no seat . " 1 confess I do not know under 179 whether a P . M . of Lodge A returned as a member of Lodge li , who had dropped his subscription to

Original Correspondence.

A , would be considered as representing A or B ; but I do not think this of importance . But 30 S surely includes a P . M . as an officer ? If it does , then 307 and 30 S are coherent and intelligible , placing all officers on the same footing , saying what their collars are , and when to be worn . If , on the other hand , a P . M . is not an officer , then I cannot see what business the words Past Masters have in that law at all , and the whole subject

becomes involved in difficulty . If my reading be wrong , and a P . M . is not an officer , then what is the jewel of a P . M . of the Lodge of Antiquitysilver or gold ? See Laws 205 and 296 . If a P . M . is not an officer , why is an acting I . P . M . appointed at the consecration of a new lodge ? Why , lo take the latest example , does the Freemason , by implication , in its leaderette of the 15 th inst ., and in definite words in its

issue of the 32 nd inst ., page 304 , say , " The other officers are Bros . Major George Lambert , F . S . A ., P . G . Swd . Br acting P . M . ?" 1 submit that my view is the correct one , and that Grand Lodge are acting on a perfectly kgal and common-sense reading of the Book of Constitutions , and , by calling on P . M . ' s to wear collars in Grand Lodge , has recognised them as officers within the meaning of Laws 307 and 30 S . — Yours fraternally , LEX SCRIPTA .

Reviews

REVIEWS

THE FREEMASONS' CALENDAR FOR DURHAM Bro . Hudson , the energetic Prov . Grand Sec . of Durhamj has ably edited the Masonic Calendar for Duiham . and has given a valuable lot of information in the bulky little volume of nearly 150 pages . We believe the series was inaugurated by Bro . Dr . Hill-Drury , and though not an old publication , has already become one of the

indispensables of the province . The roll of Prov . Grand Masters is given from 1735 ( 1734 in the G . L . Calendar ) , very few provinces dating so far back , and the names . of the Provincial Grand Officers are recorded from 17 SS , with the years of appointment duly noted . Some of the officers , of course , do not date from that year , e . g ., the Deacons and Registrars , who were first appointed in 1 S 18 . Then , under

the lodges , the names of the officers , Past Masters , years of service , dates of warrants and installations , number of subscribing members , & c , are all given , as also for the chapters , Mark Lodges , & c , so that the Calendar is a veritable mttltum in parvo . The tables of days of meetings for 18 S 6 of the lodges and chapters represent a work of considerable labour , and enable even a hasty lance to detect the dates

g required . There are 32 lodges , with 2414 subscribing members , an average of 75 to each [ odge ; and 13 chapters with 470 members . Mark Masonry is represented by some 11 lodges and about 400 members . There are no lists of votes in the Royal Masonic Charities , but the totals given —viz ., 336 "Girls , " 743 "Boys , " 515 "Benevolent , " being a grand total of 1623 votes

leave much room for improvement . The " Educational Fund , " under local auspices , is in its ninth year , and is an excellent Institution , seven children being now educated ; the capital account being about £ 400 . We hope that Bro . Hudson will tackle a list of the voters of his province for the " Royal Masonic Charities , " so that the issue of 1887 may contain that desirable addition .

MASONIC CALENDAR OF LODGES , & c , MEETING AT SA , RED LION SQUARE , & c . This most useful publication is edited by Bro . C . F . Matier , and issued by order of the General Board ( Mark ) . We presume it is its first appearance , and it certainly deserves a warm greeting , not only because of the competent editorship , but especially as it supplies a long . felt

want . The Calendar portion is very clearly arranged , and the official part is brimful of information on the special points for which the handsome little book would naturally be consulted . Five Craft lodges assemble in the Masonic Hall , Red Lion-square besides a number of Mark lodges , & c . ; and when brethren visit that sanctum , now the premises have been so improved , we shall not be surprised if

that number rapidly increases . Full particulars are afforded of 46 Mark lodges meeting " In and near London , " the names and addresses of several Secretaries being duly noted , and the Allied Degrees are also carefully attended to . We consider this a step in the right direction , and wish other metropolitan bodies would follow such an excellent example so well set by Bro . Matier .

OFFICIAL DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF CORNWALL . The veteran editor of this Directory is Bro . Hughan , who first began such duties in ISO , this particular publication being in its fifteenth year , and the present number completes the third volume . The special feature of liro . Hughan ' s Directory is , that it is kept wholly and solelfor

y Provincial Grand Lodges purposes , the only officers given being the Master and Wardens , who have votes in the province at all its meetings , all the Past Masters with their years of office , and provincial appointments ( if any ) , and the names and addresses of the Secretaries . So also in like manner the Royal Arch Chapters are attended to , so that the Prov . Grand Master can see at a glance the names of

all the brethren entitled to vote , and are members of the Province under each lodge , and how the " purple" has been distributed . Then from time to time the by-laws of the province , Craft and Arch , are printed , and other rules and particulars inserted , the volumes containing all that is obtainable wilh aspect to Freemasonry in Cornwall . A full list of votes fir th- " Koyal Masonic Charities" is appended , amounting in all to 1276 , which for 29 lodges and 14

chapters , with 1 4 O 5 and 294 members respectivel y , arc none too many , but doubtless the newly organized " Charity Association " will continue to improve matters in this respect . The local " Educational and Benevolent Institution " has been a great success . It was started in 1 SG 4 , and has now nearly £ 4000 funded . Provinces intending to issue Directories should consult this publication , for it is considered a model one by many competent brethren .

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