Masonic Discipline.

way , he should be put in the chair and so obtain the rank of P . M ., but we consider the advantage of promotion to the individual a consideration secondary to that of the welfare of the lodge and the due instruction of its members . In many

country lodges e . g . at Plymouth , and in many colonial lodges e . g . at Gibraltar and Malta , we have seen most excellent working . Every officer up to his work . Crux says such is not the casein London . How , why is this ? We think we can

tell you . The Grand Lodge is in London : every P . M . can easily attend : the more P . M . ' s you can make , the more votes the lodge commands in the ? **"*) Grand Lodge . Brethren also appreciate this privilege , and are anxious to get this rank , which gives

them a seat and vote for life . They can then be Grand Stewards , serve on boards & c , and so get into notice , obtain the highest honours of the Craft , without ever having mastered its details . This is not the case with country and colonial

lodges ; with the former it is difficult , with the latter impossible to attend Grand Lodge , therefore a brother strives to distinguish himself by his working . A P . M . often is voted in as Master , and , when a brother has passed the chair of several lodges , aud is always being sent for to perform

installations , consecrations , and what not , he gets noticed by the Prov . G . M . and gains the purple . Now we do not mean by this to say that country Masons are better than London Masons but we point out what we believe to be the reason for

London lodges being naturally more anxious as to the number than the qualifications of their . P . M . 's . It is for them to devise the remedy . As to the mode of election , the best way , iu my opinion , is to circulate the lists of brethren eli gible ,

at the regular meeting previous to that at which the election takes place , and also to post it in the library , or other convenient part of the premises . The brethren then discuss the matter , and find out whether certain brethren will take office if elected ;

they then know pretty well whom to vote for , and not more than two will generally be put up . AVe are convinced that Crux ' s plan of a sort of college , where you were to go and pass for your certificate , is not practicable ; we do not believe that the

brethren would do it , and the anomaly would constantly arise , that the brother desired as "W . M . was not certified , whilst the brother certificated was not desired . You will best get the efficiency , by letting the brethren make a rule to elect the -best workmen , as would be done amongst opera-

Masonic Discipline.

tives . Nor do we think that the surveillance of London appointed " inspectors " would be acceptable : the Prov . Grand Officers are the men—let them be appointed for efficiency , and let them , as provided in the Constitutions , be deputed to visit

lodges , and stir them up . We propose , in another communication , to touch upon Masonic Instruction , and the means of obtaining uniformity , and have been prompted to write this by Crux ' s remark in No . XVI that " the aid of those able & c , to assist

us in the task is earnestly desired "; we , too , would put our shoulder to the wheel , and if he will pull in front , we will push behind !

Chips Of Foreign Ashlar.

CHIPS OF FOREIGN ASHLAR .

By J . A . H . THE UNIVERSAL MASONIC CALENDAR AND ITS EDITOR . It might appear that anything written under the heading we have chosen for this article could

scarcely be appropriately termed "Foreign , " but on consideration it will be seen that to an English Mason everything connected with Masonic Jurisdictions outside of the Grand Lodge of England is foreign . Thus even Scotch and Irish Masons

who are Past Masters in their own Grand Lodges , do not rank as such in the Grand Lodge of England ; nor vice versa , do English Past Masters enjoy their rank in Scotland or Ireland . The " Universal Masonic Calendar ' ' originated

in Scotland , and its editor Bro . J . D . Porteous , of Glasgow , is a Scotchman . We are therefore indebted to Scotland for a work which is beyond doubt the most useful Masonic publication of the present day . There are thousands of people who

notwithstanding the fame of Dr . Johnson and the immortal " Life of Boswell" know the celebrated denizen of Bolt-court , only as the author of a popular dictionary . And without depreciating the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE or those who contribute to

its pages , it may safely be affirmed that the " Universal Masonic Calendar'' is read and valued by numbers of Freemasons in all parts of the word , who seldom , if ever , see the MAGAZINE .

Probably there are a few craftsmen who are better able to tesbify bo the general accuracy and invaluable information of the " Calendar " than Ave are . We have consulted our pocket friend in Scandinavia , Germany , Holland , Belgium , France , as well as in Great Britain and Ireland and with the exception of its reference to the Royal Order