Can A Warden Initiate, &C. ?

Permit me to refer your readers to a very interesting illustration in the Warrington Lodge of Lights ( No . 148 ) , reported by you on the 3 rd instant , showing how a Junior Warden may not only be called on to " rule" the lodge , but also to perform the passing of a Fellow Craft ; and I presume the J . W . was then acting on rules 6 , p . 75 , and 15 , p . 23 , of the " Book of Constitutions . "

Some Wardens are not aware that , though an actual or a Past Master may be present , yet their presence is not recognised ' unless they are members of the particular lodge , as it is only by courtesy , and when requested , and then only Avith the unanimous consent of the brethren present , that they cau " take the chair , " or perform the ceremonies .

In Scotland the "benefits" of installation or "Past Mastership" ceremonies are not known in practice , but are prohibited as modern innovations . Will some Scotch brother tell us whether they ha \ -e any O . B . for their E . W . M ., their " Substitute , " or their " Depute" Masters ? I possess evidence that in the ending of last , and the beginning of the present century , the Senior and Junior

Wardens , and also the Treasurer ( in an old Lancashire Lodge ) , each had an O . B . before being appointed into his office . Pray Avhen did this custom first commence , and Avhen did it cease ?

I have shown how Wardens have conferred degrees , and their legality not questioned . Let some one shoAV any proof prohibitory , if they are not to repeat the practice . I am not an " installed" Master , but am yet able to perforin the ceremonies of conferring degrees . I have had to "rule" the lodge in absence of my superior officers , when I conducted the Avhole work of the

evening , excepting an -initiation , Avhich , on conscientious grounds of scruple , I then declined , as the case Avas not one of emergency ; or I would otherwise have performed the ceremony without scruple . I advise my brother Wardens to be equally cautious until the uncertainty of opinions is prevented by a decision of our Supreme Ruling Grand Lodge .

And , finally , as to Avhat is the " genius of Masonry , " the spirit of our ancient usages and customs must be invoked to inform us ; and , in the interval , the very ambiguity of our laws Avill authorise a diversity of opinions . And although a Senior Warden in the flesh , I now , as the spirit of Flias Ashmole , and , thereby the humble representative of a Warden ' s power of initiation

, sign myself , in testimony thereof , as—My dear Sir and Brother , Tours fraternally , EESURGAM .

The High Degrees.

THE HIGH DEGREES .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FEEEilASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROIt . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The days are gone by Avhen educated gentlemen Avere expected to put faith in absurd fables merely because they assumed the shape of Masonic traditions , and the last who ought to talk of "the childish and chimerical pretensions of so-called High Degrees , " are " Ebor " and his supporters , Avho attempt

to foist upon us as ancient and genuine the modern Craft and Eoyal Arch Rituals , di'awn ' up and tinckered by halfa-dozen hands to suit the vagaries of the Duke of Sussex , after the Union in 1813—a century before which the chivalric degrees Avere Avorked in Tork and Bristol . Instead of talking of Avhat he could do , if "Ebor . " can , from his boasted unbounded materialsansAver a few of

, "Delta ' s" queries it Avould be far more satisfactory to the brethren Avho wish to be enlightened instead of hoodwinked , even by so learned a Mason as " Bro . Ebor . " Tours fraternally , EOSA CRUCIS .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASONIC MEM . The Rev . Dr . Bowles , Prov . G . M . of Herefordshire ( Rector of Stanton Lacey , in that county ) , has appointed Bro . Chandos Wren Hoskyns , of Harewood , D . Prov . G . M . of Herefordshire , in the room of the Yen . R . L . Freer , D . D ., Archdeacon of Hereford , deceased . Bro . Hoskyns has served the office of High

Sheriff of his county , and is well known for his great practical acquaintance with the scientific developments of agriculture , and for his intelligent sympathies with the farming interest .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

ALBION LODG-E ( SO . 9 ) . —A very numerous meeting of the brethren of this lodge met on the 7 th inst ., when Bro . Ferguson , having given satisfactory proofs of his proficiency , was passed from the degree of Entered Apprentice to that of Fellow Craft by the W . M ., Bro . Warr . After the labours had heen hrought to a close , refreshment was sought at the banquet table . The viands—which were excellent—removed , the usual toasts were proposed in their " routine , " and conviviality was the order of

the occasion . Songs and recitations were given hy Bros . Pallant , Stevens , Davis , and Charles Sloman , the two latter gentlemen accompanying themselves on the pianoforte . PUOSNIX LODGE ( NO . 177 , late 202 ) . —An emergency meeting of the above lodge was held at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Saturday last , Bro . George States , W . M ., presiding , when Bros . Coward and Paris were raised to the third degree ; and Bros . PorterAVestGreenwoodaud Moore passed to the second

, , , degree . WELLINGTON LODGE ( SO . 51 S , late 805 ) . —This prosperous lodge held its usual meeting on Tuesday , October 13 th , at the Clarendon Arms Tavern , "Upper Lewisham-road , Deptford . Bro . John Stevens , W . M ., assisted hy his officers , Bros . Bagshaw , Bumstead , AVelsford . P . M ., Simmons , P . M ., and Wakefield , performed the ^ ceremonies of the evening , which were , one passing and one raising . The W . M . with his accustomed skill

, and ability , went through each degree most beautifully . The raising was solemnly and impressively rendered ; the entire ritual was given , including the tracing hoard . It is seldom our lot to witness the ceremonies so accurately done , and when the W . M . vacates the chair , at the end of his office , he will have done his work well , and to the entire satisfaction of all the brethren ; and it must he gratifying to him to see his efforts

crowned with success . Bro . F . Walters , AV . M . Mount Lebanon Lodge ( Mo . 73 ) , solicited subscriptions from the lodge on behalf of the Steward of his own lodge to support the Boys ' School Festival , to take place on the 9 th March , 186-1 . The business being ended , the lodge was closed . A isitor , F . Walters , W . M . 73 , Sec . S 71 .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DEVONSHIRE . MORICE TOAVX . —Lodge St Aubyn ( No . 95-1 ) . —Since our last notice of this lodge , some three weeks since , a very material change has taken place , for the better , in the arrangement of the furniture and fittings ( mainly due to the untiring zeal and exertions of the W . M ., S . W ., and Treasurer ) . The handsome tracing hoards have been appropriatelframed and drapedthe

y , first and second hanging either side of the J . W ., while the third is placed almost opposite . The warrant of the Craft , and the newly granted Mark Master Avarrant ( No . 61- ) are also framed , and are suspended right and left of the Master ' s chair . We hail the arrival of the left hand pillar at the porchway or entrance to the lodge , an addition and improvement as satisfactory to the members as we know it is to the munificent donor . Other

improvements , such as the papering of the ante-room , & c , we pass over , and proceed to narrate the labour executed on the evening of the 13 th instant . Scarce had the dial marked 6 r . 3 r . when the AV . M . took his seat in the E ., accompanied in the W . and S . by his Wardens ; the work , after asking the blessing of the G . A . O . T . U ., commenced by reading the voluminous records