Masonic Discipline.—Xv.

rately gone through . This is not caused by the remotest idea or intention of want of respect to the W . M ., but simply from the actual inability of the brethren to perform them . The state of " Masonic drill" is unfortunately on a par with

that of " Masonic Discipline , " and were ' a sergeant to undertake the task of drilling . Masonically , the members of our lodges , he would have as tough a job as ever he had Avith the rawest batch of recruits , npon whom he had prevailed , by the united

influence of beer and blarney , to take the Queen ' s shilling . It is rather amusing to Avatch the entree of those brethren who have neglected learning their drill . So long as they have only to salute in the first degree , they manage pretty Avell . The

second tries many sorely , and the third generally floors nine-tenths of them . The complexity of the salute increases with the rank of the degree , and it is only fair to admit that any one , after long absence from Masonic ceremonies and meetings ,

might readily become a little " rusty " in these particulars . In fact , to be able to go through , with accuracy and precision , all the steps , signs , tokens , and Avords belonging to Craft , or Bine Masonry , is no mean accomplishment , and one not to be acquired or mastered , without a good deal

of practice . In any case it is infinitely preferable to Avitness a brother make an attempt to perform the correct salute from first to last , than to behold him giving a nod to the W . M ., when taking his seat . We strongly object to this exceedingly

un-Masonic and highly disrespectful manner of entering a lodge , and in such a case consider it to be the duty of the I . G ., or some other officer who may be near the door , to gently attract the attention of the negligent brother to the words , " salute

the W . M . " The officers , in fact , OAVB it to themselves and their lodge , to see that the usua l etiquette is not disregarded or broken through by either their own members or visitors from other lodges . It cannot be too carefully borne in mind

, that brethren never visit a lodge without naturall y draAving a comparison betAveen it and their own . This comparison is not made invidiousl y , but in that spirit of emulation and desire to do what is right , which should ahvays exist among the

members of different lodges . There is no concealing the Avorking of a lodge . If good , it is perceptible before the ceremony of opening in the first degree has been concluded ; if bad , it is equally palpable in the same brief period . There is not the slightest doubt , but that it is a real treat

Masonic Discipline.—Xv.

to an earnest Mason to witness a lodge well worked . It is a source of genuine gratification when he finds the W . M . well up to his work , and all the officers , from the highest to the lowest perfect at all points . It is rare that such

opportunity occurs , but Avhen it does it is something to be remembered , and compensates for many an evening when silent chagrin and disappointment have been the only feelings raised by the proceedings . By " perfect at all points" Ave mean

no blundering , no Avhispering , no sotte voce promptings , no cutting short the examinations , no slurring over the questions , no mumbling in a tope that cannot be heard six paces from the speaker , but a correct , clear , intelligble rendering of the ritual , distinctly audible to every one in

the lodge , and an accurate performance of the accompanying rites and ceremonies . This is Avhat our idea is of the proper working of a lodge j this is Avhat it might be ; this is what it ought to be , and this is what it never will be so long as

" Masonic discipline " remains in statu quo . We are convinced that it requires nothing more than to fully arouse the brethren to the real state into which the practice of Masonry has fallen , to enlist their sympathies and their exertions on its

behalf-Shall it be said that time spent in a Masonic lodge is " unprofitable , " and are things to continue asthey are until every zealous , every earnest brother , Avho Avishes for improvement , will exclaim in the words of Cicero , Quamdiu abutere patientia nostra .

Oration.

ORATION .

Delivered by the V . W . Bao . L . P . METHAJI , D . Prov .. G . M ., on the occasion ofthe dedication of a new Masonia Hall at Dartmouth . Dear Brethren , —Although it is not usual at the dedication of a Masonic temple to deliver an oration ,, as at the consecration of a new lodge , it is the wish

of the Provincial Grand Master that I should addressthe brethren—whose lodge-room we have to day consecrated—on the importance of their undertaking , and the increased responsibilities they have entailed upon themselves by their act . Any wish of the Prov .

G . M . is to me a law , even if it did not , as it assuredly does , on this occasion , coincide with my own sense of its propriety . In the words , however , with which I may seek to clothe the great idea which Masonry presents to my own mind , there may well be

some Avhich you have heard before , so often have I been called to perform this duty during the last two or three years , and so often have you been called upon