Masonic Discipline.—Xi.

MASONIC DISCIPLINE . —XI .

LONDON , SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 13 , 1869 .

BY CRUX . Many brethren may be inclined to ni'g-e that the examination test might be conducted by the members of each individual lodge , but there are many and weightyobjections againstsuch a measure .

There are a few , a very few lodges in which a Master is not promoted to the chair , until he has passed an examination before a selected number o f members , or board of P . M . 's . In the first place on principle this arrangement is defective , because

tlie examining body is also in a great degree the elective one , and would therefore be able to ensure the promotion of the officer , whether he was in reality -competent or not , to undertake the duties of the office .

It is not to be understood that the possibility of an incompetent officer being appointed , necessarily entails the occurrence of that circumstance , but the very fact that such a contingency is possible , leaves room for doubt , and the wise man observes

" where there is doubt , there is danger . " Again , it is well known that with the exception of the . I . P . M . the P . M . ' s as a rule , are not very well up in their work , and certainly scarcely qualified , in tlie majority of instances to act the part of examiners . This remark is not made in a

disparaging sense , nor is it to be supposed that because an old P . M . may be unable to go through the three degrees , he was never an efficient W . M . Quite the contrary . The best W . M . that ever filled the chair , will unavoidably forget the ritual , tlie rites , and the ceremonies , after a few years of retirement from the duties of the office . Use

preserves the steel that idleness rusts . It must also be borne in mind , that when a brother arrives at the rank of a P . M ., he has virtually done his work , and . is entitled to enjoy his otium cum dignitate . At the same time , we should be totally

misunderstood , were the conclusion drawn from the above statement , that we consider the whole hope and object of a brother ' s Masonic career to terminate with " passing the chair .- " In fact , his real knowledge , and appreciation of the beauties of

Masonry , of the vital principles of our noble Order , and the inner ideal mysteries of tho Craft , only commence then . He has then leisure to actually study Freemasonry , to dive below the surface , to

investigate the origin of the ritual , to examine into the rationale of its composition , and to regard it as something ; - more , than a mere assemblage of elegant phrases and nicely worded sentences . While many brethren are content , having once

arrived at the dignity of a P . M ., to retire upon their laurels , and become " dining members , " there are upon the other hand , abundance of examples where the attainment of the rank , looked forward to , as a haven of repose by many , is

but a spur to further exertions . There are P . M . ' s who like the warriors of old , are ever ready for action , and are as willing at any moment to get into the ' " ' ' chair" as their Masonic predecessors were to get into the saddle . These are the true

bulwarks of the Craft ; these are they who have been weighed in the balance and found not wanting . It is but natural that a brother should consider , as he is is certain to do without reflection , that if he can efficiently perform the ceremonies of

the three degrees , he has nothing more to learn of blue Masonry . This is one of the most stupendous errors ever committed . A brother may be a most efficient W . M ., may be endowed with the most brilliant powers of elocution , may possess great

natural gifts which will enhance tlie execution of his duties , may perform them in a manner that defies criticism , and yet know absolutely nothing

of Masonry . This statement may appear somewhat paradoxical , but it is notwithstanding perfectly true . Similarly , it is not an uncommon occurrence to meet with a case involving conditions of an exactly opposite nature . It is known that

some people have an invincible repugnance to public speaking , although of a most limited description , and even when the audience may not exceed half a dozen in number . The poet Cowper was an instance in point . His unconquerable

timidity and aversion to speaking in public , amounted to a direct constitutional infirmity . lie renounced , in comparatively early life , a lucrative situation , from the sheer impossibility of his being able to merely read aloud , a declaration iu the

presence of a select number of tho members of the House of Commons . This natural timidity , or nervousness , is not only apparent in the manner in which a W . M . conducts the ceremonies , but it also betrays itself by the effect ib produces upon

his memory . This is sometimes so powerful , as to amount to almost a complete extinction of that wonderful faculty . We have known a Master to be compelled to resign the chair to another brother