Masonic Discipline.—Xv.

ceremonies Avhich recall the g lories of the nation beloved of God , is it possible that it can fail to command reverence and admiration ? Alas that the theory should be so perfect , and the practice so defective ! It must be admitted that it is a

waste of time , to listen to the blundering brethren , who take office without knoAving one single iota of their duties . It -is " unprofitable " to Avitness officers absolutely incapable of replying to the question of the W . M ., when he asks them in what

cardinal point they are situated . To say nothing of modesty , one would imagine that brethren would have too much respect for the Craft , than to obtrude themselves into positions , where their notorious incompetency becomes glaringly and

painfully demotistrative . It is a wilful misapplication of even leisure hours , much more of those that are snatched from time usually devoted to business , to sit still and watch the Avretched attempts of an ignorant deacon to " instruct the candidate to

advance to the pedestal in due form . " We have never knoAvn a more practical application of " the blind leading the blind , " aud it is difficult to say

which of the tAVO is the object of greater commiseration , the unfortunate candidate Avho does not , and ought not to ICUOAV IIOAV to proceed , or the incompetent officer ivho ought to knoAv , but does not . It is no Avonder when these facts are

considered , that P . M . ' s gradually " drop off" in their attendance upon the lodge and " drop in " about banqueting time . It is no Avonder then there are many only " dining members " among the fraternity . We honestly admit that where the reins of

" Masonic discipline" are relaxed to so serious and lamentable an extent , there is nothing to come for but the banquet . One cannot expect to learn anything , except perhaps Avhat to avoid , although

the chances are that young brethren may pick up what they had better not have learned . There is nothing so arduous and so trying than to have to unlearn what has been once acquired . In spite of all care and actual kuoAvledge of Avhat is right , old

habits will assert themselves , and the results of a vicious system of education Avill never be entirely obliterated . Before proceeding to analyse the duties of each officer ; to point out the common errors committed , and to offer in that truly fraternal

spirit Avhich will ever characterise our efforts to promote , the advancement and prosperity of the fraternity , such suggestions as may appear calculated to further that object , we once more repeat our firm belief in the urgent necessity for reform

in " Masonic discipline . " We recapitulate in our minds , every statement we have made in our present series of articles , and find that they are corroborated by daily experience . The facts we have mentioned are unfortunately irrefutable , and

to the shame of Masonry , they are indefensible . The existing conditon of " Masonic discipline " does not admit of the shadow of doubt . It is

beyond the limits of ingenuity to frame an excuse for it ; it is beyond the bounds of sophistry to attempt its palliation . After carefully reviewing the contents of our preceding articles , we re-assert Avith double force the observations made therein ; we reiterate our unquestioned and uncontradicted statements .

It will be universally admitted that it is impossible to expect either brethren or officers to do their duty , if they do not knoAv it . We are perfectly aAvare that many brethren , earnest , faithful and zealous Masons , will exclaim , "We are

anxious to do our duty , we are ready to devote a portion of our time and a portion of our money to the acquisition of that knoAvledge which will enable us to perform our duties with satisfaction to ourselves , and in a manner that will redound to the

credit and prestige of our Order . But where are we to acquire this knoAvledge , " Here will be at once perceived the great stumbling block , to which Ave have already draAvn attention . There are no recognised uniform means of instruction in

Freemasonry . Every lodge of instruction works according to the ipse dixit ritual of its own preceptor , and it is no Avonder therefore that discord ,

discrepancies , inconsistencies , and contradictions should exist in numbers which might well be called " legion . " It shonld be borne in mind , in reference to this " motley " description of Avorking our lodges , Avhich prevails in the Craft , that brethren frequently

from one cause or another change their lodges . After initiation , or affiliation , in a certain lodge a brother sometimes discovers that many of his friends belong to another lodge , and that to use a common phrase , he Avould be " more at home there , " '

than in the lodge he belonged to . Naturally enough , he resigns in the one , and becomes affiliated iu . the other , and then to his surprise and disappointment discovers that the two lodges do not work upon the same system . Who is

answerable for this ? Not the brother , who may have rendered himself an efficient Master in the one lodge , and finds himself at a discount in the other . He has no reason to cry peccavi mea