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Landmarks And Innovations.

Landmarks and Innovations .

MASONRY we are taught is a [ irogressive science , but it is equally inculcated on us that " it is not in the jiower of any man or body of men to make innovations in the Body of Masonry . " Aluch confusion of thought exists as to what is or is not an Innovation , and it would appear to be as difficult to attemjit a definition as to answer the

question once jirojiounded by a distinguished financier" What is a pound" ? We talk glibly of Landmarks and Innovations , but we are apparently as unable to define either term as was Dr . Oliver , who in his time jiointed out how opinions vary and how explanations of the jihrases differ

among Masons . Our American brethren it is true exhibit less hesitancy and indecision in dealing with the subject , and one of the most able and prominent of its writers on Alasonic Jurisprudence has boldly codified the " Landmarks " to the number of twenty-live . This method of finally settling

the question would be eminently satisfactory as relieving us from all further inquiry and future disputations , but unfortunately finality is not so easily attainable . If Anderson , who , in his Constitutions of 1723 , in which the words "Old

Landmarks " first ajipears , had given us his definition of the jihrase , we should certainly have known at least what he then considered to be " Landmarks , " but it would not have heljied us greatly in solving the jiroblem . It is unquestionably a mistake to attemjit to define or codify what are termed the " Landmarks of the Order , " which should simply be held to

be the leading and essential qualities and characteristics which are generally accejited as bound up with the existence of Freemasonry as a society . The minds of Craftsmen have been much exercised of late in connection with the alterations in the Book of

Constitutions , as well as by a certain jironouncement by the Board of General Purjioses with regard to the ritual and ceremonies of the Order , but it is necessary to distinguish between the laws of the Order as set out in the Book of Constitutions and the traditions of the Craft as jireserved in the ritual . The laws governing Freemasonry can no more

remain immovably fixed than can the laws of a country , and it is but inviting stagnation and dissolution to ignore the altered circumstances and requirements of successive generations ; hence the necessity of such occasional modifications and additions to the laws as have been made

from time to time . It is only necessary to glance through the jiages of Anderson ' s first edition of the Book of Constitutions of 1723 to realise how imjiossible it would be to take that code of laws as it stands as answering the requirements of the Craft under modern conditions . It must , we think , be admitted that no disposition has been shown

by the Alasonic jurists of the jiast to introduce changes or modifications in the Constitutions unless it ajijieared to them to be absolutely needful . Their resjiect for the " Essentials " has been beyond jiraise , and they have shown on the whole a loving and tender regard for what has come clown in the

written law as well as through oral tradition . Such commendation may also , we think , be accorded to the authorities of to-day . Whatever difference of ojiinion may exist as to the wisdom of certain recent alterations and

amendments , it is not to be doubted that an honest desire to maintain and jireserve the true jirincijiles of Alasonry has been the motive . This brings us to the consideration of the latest subjects of discussion in Grand Lodge—the one having reference to the qualifications of a Warden for the Alaster's chair , and the

other virtually ajijiroving of a decision of the Board of General Purjioses concerning the introduction of hymns and other musical accomjianiments to the ritual . With regard to the former we must confess to a jireference for the jirincijile advocated on a former occasion of giving

the qualification as from appointment and not from investiture , which to our minds is the simjiler solution of the difficulty . The effect would have been to practically leave the question to the lodge to decide by its vote on the election of Master , and it cannot reasonably be doubted that the lodge itself

would in all cases be in a better jiosition to judge whether a brother who by some mischance had failed to jiresent himself for investiture on the appointed day had by his subsequent record qualified himself for the Alaster ' s chair . The decision will now rest with the Grand Alaster , who is emjiowered to grant a disjiensation to remove the disability .

In reference to the question of music in lodges there is little to be said . Considerable misajijirehension ajijiears to exist as to the aim and scojie of the resolution carried by the Board of General Purjioses and reported to Grand Lodge . It is not music per so that is objected to , neither is it desired to condemn the jiractice of singing , but the Board has

jirojierly set its veto on the introduction of any extraneous matter whatever , whether said or sung , into the settled ritual . We imagine that a musically inclined lodge might even render any suitable jiortion of the ritual chorally without bringing themselves under official censure ; and as to the

question of instrumental music , the fact that Grand Lodge recognises the office of Organist in private lodges , and also jirovides musical instruments in each of its lodge rooms at Freemasons' Hall , should be sufficient to set doubts at rest on that lioint .