New Lodges And New Members.

in our ritual . This will be more particularly pointed out as I proceed with my articles on " Masonic Discipline . " It forms only another instance where there is a want ol consistency and uniformity between the ritual and the " Constitutions . "

Upon principle , I think the permission granted , or which may be assumed to be granted , by authority to the members of an intended lodge to hold meetings and perform ail the ceremonies and functions of Masonry , before it is constituted , radically unsound , and one that might be rescinded with great advantage to the prestige and honour of the Fraternity . It implies

one of two circumstances . Either that we are so eager to obtain new members and new lodges that we cannot request a reasonable and proper delay , or that the " executive " is so poor iu officers qualified to conduct the ceremonial of " constitution , " that a very long notice is required before one can be rendered available for the service . In fact , the very pertinent question presents

itself , what is the use of the ulterior ceremony of " constitution , " if the lodge can perform all the requisite Masonic functions without it ? But can it ? I have assumed that a lodge meeting under a dispensation can . The "Constitutions" says that "the Grand Master may issue a dispensation , authorizing the brethren to meet as a lodge . " I take it the phrase " meet as a lodge" is

, equivalent to a temporary constitution of the lodge , and endows it with all the privileges conferred upon any regularly constituted similar body of Masons . Otherwise , it is quite obvious the brethren do not " meet as a lodge . " If they are debarred from exercising any of the Masonic prerogatives which belong to a lodge , and which fall as a matter of course within its jurisdictionthey

, cannot be said to " meet as a lodge . " In this case , the "dispensation" stands in the place of the warrant of constitution , and there would be no impropriety hi referring to it as such , when presenting it to a candidate . On the other hand , if the phrase " to meet as a lodge "

simply implies , as it very probably may , that the brethren may assemble , open up through the several degrees and close down again , and , in fact , merely go through their Masonic . "facings , " the difficulty is to draw the line where their power begins and where it end . If they cannot initiate or affiliate , pass or raise , can they propose a candidate or member ? If a "dispensation"

confers merely partial powers upon' a lodge , then it is nothing more nor less than the "temporary constitution of an irregular lodge , " and a practice not to be desired among Masons . Not having seen an actual " dispensation , " 1 cannot say whether it- is explicit respecting the powers it confers , or whether it is couched in the same vague and unsatisfactory phraseology as the "

Constitutions " themselves . If it simply authorises the brethren to " meet as a lodge , " I onl y trust that opinion is unanimous respecting the signification of the phrase . The only analagous instance that presents itself to my mind at the present moment is that of a church . All the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England service may be performed in a church without its being consecrated

, although it cannot bo properly considered ecclesiastical property until it has been consecrated . It is quite true that , in an extended sense , any Masonic quorum may hold a lodge , but the absence of the warrant of constitution would nullify ^ any attempt to make , pass , raise , or affiliate . But , in the instance referred to , the " warrant " is virtually replaced by the "dispensation , " and it is

difficult to perceive that it is not endowed with the same authority as its ultimate successor . At any rate , whatever may be the real state of the case , it would be well in the revision of the " Constitutions " to render the whole question beyond doubt , and to introduce a little more lucidity in this as well as in many other instances . Tours fraternally , Cuux .

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THE MASONIC MIRROR . *«* All communications to be addressed to 19 Salisbury-street , " Strand , London , W . C .

Masonic Mems

MASONIC MEMS

L : N IVEKSAI MASONIC CAIENDAR FOE 1869 . —A few remaining copies of tho second edition are for sale at a reduction of 25 percent . BoVAL MASONIC INSTITUTION JOB BOYS . —OCTOBER EJECTION . —Votes are earnestly solicited in behalf of Frank Loud , aged eight and n half years , No . 49 on list of candidates . Girls '

School votes will he equally acceptable for exchange . His late father , Bro . William Loud ( who died suddenly on the 23 rd of May , 1869 , leaving a widow and nine children ) , was initiated in the Prince Edwin Lodge ( No . 125 ) , Hythe , in which lie held the office of Warden . He was also a member of the Invicta Lodge ( No . 709 ) , Ashford , from its foundation , in 1857 , until

his decease , and has been , a subscribing member to Q rand Lodge for eighteen years . His widow and eig ht of the children are entirely dependent upon their friends for support . The case is strongly recommended . Votes are earnestly solicited on behalf of George Albion Coombs , son of the late Bro . George Albion Coombs , who was a member of No . 700 , and a licensed victualler , at

Shooters Hill , Woolwich : died 18 th May , 1866 , leaving two orphan children depending upon their friends for support Proxies thankfully received by Bro . J . Ewart , Royal Carriage Office , Royal Arsenal , Woolwich . The death of Bro . Wm . J . Newman , long connected with , and of late years Superintendent of the Exhibition Department , Crystal Palace , and member of the Crystal Palace Lodge ( No . 742 ) J

whose talents and amiability endeared bim to all who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance , has deprived Ms family of their means of support , as well as of their best and dearest friend . His brethren in Freemasonry are desirous of testifying their respect for the memory of their late brother by presenting one of his sons , who is of suitable age , for education in the Eoyal

Masonic Institution for Boys . In furtherance of this object , votes are earnestly solicited in favour of his son Herbert Horace Newman , for the election in October next . The case is strongly recommended by several influential brethren as a most deserving one . Proxies for Girls' School , " or the Benevolent Institution , thankfully received for the purpose of exchange . Communica . tions and votes may bo forwarded to Bro . W . H , Harper , Crystal Palace , S . E .

PROVINCIAL GEASD LODGE OE SUSSEX . —The annual meeting will take place on Friday , the 27 th inst ., at the Music Eoom of the Eoyal Pavilion , Brighton , at half-past two o ' clock punctually . The B . W . Bro . Lord Pelham , the Pi-ov . G . M . will preside . The banquet will be held at five o ' clock at the Banqueting Room of the Pavilion . PBOVINUIAI . GRAND LODGE OF DORSET . —A meeting will be

held at Sherborne , on the 30 th inst ., at twelvo o ' clock , unde ' the presidency of Bro . J . Gundry , the Prov . G . M . BRETHREN are reminded that the Lodge Music published in several issues of the MAGAZINE , has been re-published in a convenient form for Lodge use , price 2 s . 6 d . POETEAITS of the Et . Hon . the Earl of Dalhousie , K . T-,

G . C . JB ; M . W . G . M . Mason of Scotland , can now be obtained at this office , price 3 s . 6 d . each . Copies , with ornamental border and Masonic emblems printed in gold , on large size paper , can be bad , price 10 s . 6 d .