Membership Of The Grand Lodge Of Scotland ; What It Is And What It Ought To Be.

called Grand Lodge against them , —for that would be something like a suicidal course , —but at once and Avithout delay , and must proceed to open a Grand Lodge , as the Grand Lodge of Scotland , in whatever place of meeting may be

convenient . And then will come the tug of war as to the right to the name of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and the right of property , with its heavy accompaniment of debt . But it would be good to have the property , -debt notAvithstanding ,

for the sake of the maintenance of Scottish Freemasonry , Avith all its hereditary claims to respect , diminished as these have been by the conduct of the Grand Lodge , and for the sake of all the books and documents of wMch the Grand Lodge has possession .

It may be asked h ° w the brethren claiming to be members of the Grand Lodge in Arirtue of the motion of May , 1873 , and those agreeing with them in opinion , Avhose membership in the Grand Lodge is undisputed on any hand , should proceedif they find it necessary to

with-, draw themselves from the Freemasons ' Hall , on- the ruling of the Grand Officebearers against them . The question seems to . me to be one easy to answer . They ought to proceed at once to open the Grand Lodge—not a Grand Lodgebut

, , the Grand Lodge of Scotland , —fully asserting their claim to be its true members . They would , of course , place in the chair the highest office-bearer present . I cannot , of course , pretend to know hoAV , in the event of such a separation , any Grand

Office-bearer might act , or with Avhich party he might be expected to associate himself . But if the reforming and really constitutional party in the Grand Lodge were to find themselves in their separate place of meeting without any of the Grand Office-bearersthey could still

-, pro ceed by calling to the chair the Mghest office-bearer present . It may be asked if they should then at once proceed to declare a separation from those left in possession of Freemasons' Hall and its furniture till the decision of a civil court

may determine the ri ghts of property , and if they ought at once to elect a new Grand Master , as if the office Avere vacant , and so on as to other offices . I answer that they ought not ; but that for a time they should proceed as if a mere mistake had

Membership Of The Grand Lodge Of Scotland ; What It Is And What It Ought To Be.

been made by their brethren , Avhich mig ht , be soon corrected , taking no notice of the existence of the other pretended Grand Lodge , except in so far as it might be necessary to do so in the law courts ; but , Masonically , not acknowledge their existence in the slihtest degreeand proceedingnot a ? if

g , , high offices were vacant , but only as if the high Office-bearers were accidentally absent . The time might come , and would come- ere ; long ; when they would have new elections to make on the natural vacation ; of-these officesand then they could appoint to , them

, bretliren worthy of the honour . ; : and I . have nq . doubt they would appoint . brethren Avhom all men , initiated or profane , Avould : deem worthy of the honour . .... ; ... . ;

I think the course is clear for . those who desire the reform of the Grand-Lodge of Scotland , the thing of all things most necessary for the advancement and prosperity of Freemasonry in Scotland . It is not to be pursued without effort and some degree of difficulty ; but if it is pursued as it . ought , -1

for one feel confident that the result , ere lono- , Avill be a perfect and glorious success . I trust brethren tliroughout the . country will see the importance of making suitable ar-¦ rangements before-the meeting of the Grand Lodge in February , and that there Avill be , a very large attendance of Masters , W al'dens ,-and Past Masters , prepared to . assert and maintain their rights .

Silence And Darkness.

SILENCE AND DARKNESS .

Her head is low . ; her eyes are closed ; . ' ... ' . AVithin the darkness sweet she lies Of twining leaves and nestling flowers . Shut in from summer ' s purple sldesj " - Silence the poetry of Night ! Silence , the sister-twin of gloom ! ; ' •¦•• ' •'" shuddering 'er the faded form

Hangs o , And sentinels her lonely tomb . ¦ . That loving heart is folded now . !¦ In Nature's . calm and holy breast , Where doleful shapes of grief no more -. Shall flit around its dreamless rest . Oh , heart of hearts ! though now so still ,

And mute to all these words and sighs , Above the passion of our tears Thy memory like a star shall rise ; A charm shall fill the midnight air , More brightly Faith and Hope shall shine ; And Heaven itself yet dearer seem , , Because it'is thy home divine . E , AVENTWOKTH LITTLE ,