Masonic Discipline.—Viii.

Order by the number of new lodges consecrated , of members initiated into our mysteries . Every E . A is not necessarily a true and faithful brother , nor is every new lodge always consecrated under authority of the " Grand Lodge . " If there is one

circumstance that will ultimately seriously emperil the safety of our time honoured Institution , it will be disunion , secession , ancl dissent . Where there is no fixed standard , or at the best , but an imperfect standard , carelessly enforced in many instances

altogether unheeded , there will not be wanting earnest , energetic and able opponents , who will be quick to perceive , and ready to take advantage of our short comings , and in process of time rear up the fabric of a spurious order , founded upon the

neglect and incompetency visible in our own . These are no idle statements , no vague fears , no prophecies of imaginary evil put forward to alarm more susceptible brethren . The history of the

whole world from the year one A . L . is a continued sserie of corroborations of our assertions , and why is Masonry to be au exception ? It is unquestionably a matter of great self congratulation and rejoicing , to witness the daily accession to our ranks , of men

of ability , education , rank and wealth , but at the same time it shoald act as a spur upon the authorities to prove the Order worthy of its members . An officer who knows his own duty , and joins a regiment where the commonest points of

discipline are totally neglected , and where no notice of the matter is taken at head quarters , endeavours first of all to remedy the state of things by his own efforts , aud finding that au impossibility , quits the regiment in disgust .

In order to ensure that an officer proposing to accept office in a lodge , is thoroughly competent to fulfil his duties , there is obviously no other available plan of ascertaining the fact , except by direct examination . It will now be seen that the

remedy we advocate consists of the examination of every officer who intends taking office iu a lodge , in those duties he will be called upon to fulfil . The maimer of carrying out this examination ; the constitution of a board of examiners , aud

tbe other necessary details to complete the whole scheme will be separately discussed hereafter . For many reasons it would not be advisable at the commencement to make these examinations compulsory , nor would it be fair and just to expect

that old Masons those who have borne the toil aud heat of the clay should Renter the lists with youngcompetitors . The outline of our scheme is as

Masonic Discipline.—Viii.

follows . Let a board of examiners be appointed , to sit at certain times at a certain p lace , to examine fully and completely all those who may choose to present themselves for examination for the various offices tenable in a lods-e . Let the board be

empowered to grant certificates of competency to all those who prove themselves entitled to them . As the examination will be perfectly voluntary , no one need present himself unless he likes , unless he is in reality a working Mason , and intends to qualify

himself efficiently for his duties whether as I . G . or W . M . It would be soon found that these certificates of competency would be eagei'ly sought for , and that which was regarded as a novelty and au exception , would speedily become the rule . There

would in fact be need of any compulsion save that of moral force . No sooner were one or two officers of a lodge to be " certificated" than it would become virtually a standing rule in that lodge that all future officers should prove

themselves qualified by the possession of a similar testimonial . At the present time when degrees , certificates or diplomas for proficieny in eveiy branch of knowledge , are sought not merely by men , but by women , the onus of instituting some

test , of establishing some criterion , some standard of efficiency among Masonic officers , lies heavy upon those exercising the supreme authority in all matters connected with the Craft . The plan we suggest is simple , feasible , voluntary , and would

gradually but surely accomplish what every brother , who has the welfare of the Fraternity at heart , must desire to so effected . It is unquestionably the only method by which the evil can be remedied , aud the working of our lodges carried on upon a uniform consistent and efficient basis .

Inaugural Meeting Of The Masonic Archæological Institute.

INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE MASONIC ARCH ? OLOGICAL INSTITUTE .

This important and flourishing Institute held its Inaugural Meeting in Freemasons' Hall upon Friday , 29 th January , 1869 . The following brethren , among others , were present : — Jamas Gliiisliev . Esq ., P . R . S ., President of Royal Microscopical

anil Meteorological Societies , & c , Hyde Clarke , Esq ., Corresponding Member of German Oriental Society , American Oriental Society , and Royal Society of Northern Antiquarians ; Charles Hiitton Gregory , Esq ., P . R . S ., President of Institute of Civil Engineers , & c . ; William Smith , Esq ., C . E ., P . R . G . S ., P . G . S ., & c . . R . J . Spiers , E . q ., P . S . A ., D . P . G . M ., Oxford , & c . ; George Lambert , Esq ., P . M . ; A . S . Gnosspilius , Esq . ; Hyde Pulleu ,