Correspondence.

tutionally recognised as the representatives of " perfection , " are left to shift for themselves . Also , to be consistent , the M . W . G . M . ought to be styled the M . W . G . Past Master , and so on downwards to the W . Past Master of a lodge . The only and obvious way to remove this , as well as the Royal Arch difficulty , is to abolish the cause of both , and confine the

lodge to its proper and legitimate work of Craft Masonry exclusively . 3 . The officers of a lodge to be elective . This would prevent much favouritism and its injurious consequences , as it often happens that the brethren appointed officers are by no means the best qualified members who might be selected to discharge their respective duties .

4 . Provincial Grand Officers to be elected by the Past Masters of lodges in the province . Although there are many very excellent Masons appointed Provincial Grand Officers , truth compels me to confess that there are some who , from their maififest unfitness , would have no chance of being elected to that responspible as well as honourable position . Some who have

received the distinction wear it as a compliment—paid to them at the expense of their understandings , an assistant being not only a necessary but an indispensable adjunct . Others never attempt to discharge the duties themselves , and prevent others doing so , to the great injury of the Craft generally , to say nothing of

the injustice thereby done to many efficient and accomplished brethren individually . 5 . Country lodges to have power to appoint proxy Masters to represent them in Grand Lodge . This most worshipful body , constituted by the wisdom of our Masonic ancestors as a guarantee of good

government on the firm basis of full and equal representation , seems to be leaning towards imperialism—which , while detracting from its strength as well as its beauty , may perhaps eventuate in anarchy and confusion . Those who talk loudly of "prerogative" and "Masonic powers" are the greatest enemies of every Grand Lodge , its real friends being those who insist upon the

grand constitutional point that each lodge shall be represented at every Grand Communication , either by proxy or otherwise , A mistake in this respect is causing some trouble in some of the United States jurisdictions , where large numbers of brethren , wearied with exactions and dictation , and disgusted with

the waste of money raised for charities , have asserted their independence , and claim to exercise the inherent privileges of Masons befere the organisation of Grand Lodges . Though we may deprecate their conduct , we should admire the moral it contains ; and while we remember the existence of one schism in our own

Constitution , we ought not to forget that another is not impossible . It cannot , indeed , be denied that the Master and Wardens of every lodge have the right to act in its behalf in Grand Lodge ; but , with equal justice , it may be affirmed that they are as effectually excluded by the force of circumstances in the majority

of cases , as if they did not possess this privilege . It is notorious how few wealthy brethren can spare the time for this purpose , while those in a less fortunate position reasonably object , on account of the expense involved ; and I have known several instances where accomplished brethren have refused the honour of the chair , because , having to " promise a regular attendance on the communications and committees of Grand

Correspondence.

Lodge , " they could not conscientiously accept duties which they were not able to perform . At any Grand Communication , the number of country lodges represented is small indeed , and must continue so till the law is amended , so as to enable brethren resident in the metropolis to act as proxy Masters . Iu nearly the

same ratio that country lodges increase their representation diminishes , and while numbers accumulates unity and strength decay . This departure from the plumb line of constitutionalism should be at once corrected , if we would secure the permanence of our venerated Grand Lodwhichas our prideit ought

ge , , , to be our highest ambition to transmit to posterity , great , glorious , and free . Yours fraternally , FIAT LUX .

Uniformity Of Ritual.

UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL .

TO THE EDITOK 02 THE EBEEHASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC HIBBOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —As a P . M . of about twenty years' standing , actively engaged in carrying out the rituals wherever I may be located , I have long felt that there is a hiatus in the Craft installation ceremony , and another in that of the Royal Arch , which require

to be filled up . As all P . Ms , know , the manner in which the Board of Installed Masters is opened and closed is very loose aud unsatisfactory—somewhat analogous to resuming from one degree to another—¦ the course adopted only when there is much work and when time is an object ; I havethereforebeen on

, , the look-out for a more perfect method , Such I at length found to be in common use in Lancashire , and I am told generally in the north of England . It has lately been introduced into Warwickshire : hence I obtained it , and have practised it in my present locality . Your correspondent "P . M . " seems to regard the

alteration as the introduction of a separate degree . This , I conceive , is not intended to be the case . He must be aware that a newly installed Master ordinarily receives a grip , word , and signs , and the change involves merely a p . g . and p . w . and two additional

signs , together with a form of opening and closing similar in principle to those used in the three Craft degrees . The whole is but a completion of what has appeared to be very imperfect . Again , the Royal Arch Chapter is opened by the Principals alone ; and this being done , the companions are admitted without any testexaminationor formal

, , ritual , in many cases without even seeing that the chapter is properly tiled . This , too , I have felt to be incorrect , and have endeavoured to find something more satisfactory , in which I have at length succeeded . I imagine that the opening of the chapter generally used and deemed to be sufficient is that of a Board of

Principals only . In addition to this , at Plymouth and the neighbourhood , an additional form is adopted after the admission of the companions , which seems to constitute the real opening of the chapter , and this supplies what I have long felt to be a deficiency . In replto the question of correspondent as

y your to whether a W . M . elect can preside over a lodge previous to his installation , allow me to say that , as W . M . elect he must have filled the chair of Warden , and that the provisions on that point will be found in the Book of Constitutions , p , 75 , art . G , edition of 1863 . This law is not strictly acted upon , custom