The Office Of Secretary.

make a few remarks on the subject , with a full conviction that the matter is well worthy of consideration . It is quite understood , that from the Inner Guard to the Worshipful Master , all officers are hi general , progressive ; that is , that each one may at every annual installation expect to be advanced one stepif he has performed his duties satisfactorily , subject nevertheless to the discretion of the new Masterwho has unlimited control in this respectwhichhoweverhe very

, , , , rarely exercises , unless after having taken the advice of the Past Masters in regard to it . The Secretary takes rank between the Senior Deacon and Junior Warden . His duties are to record the minutes , keeping them in good order in a proper book ; to issue summonses for all Lodge and committee meetings , at which he is required to attend ; to carry on communications and correspondence under the direction of the AV . M . ; to make out all returns to Grand Lodge and Provincial Lodge ; to receive all petitions ,

memorials , & c , laying them before the W . M . ; to take charge of all documents ; to affix the seals of the Lodge to all authorized papers ; to procure certificates for new members ; and in the first instance to receive all fees and subscriptions , afterwards handing them over to the Treasurer . Now , it is manifest that these duties are heavy ; requiring not only constant attention and peculiar qualifications , hut also a considerable amount of experience , which can hardlbe attained before the expiration of a yearat which time

y , , under ordinary circumstances , having previously filled the lower offices , he may expect to be appointed Junior AVarden . One great inconvenience arises from this arrangement , namely , that by the frequent transference of the documents and archives of the Lodge from one to another , there is much risk of the loss of some of them , especially of the more valuable older ones , because , being little used , they the more readily escape observation . Thus

it arises as a common occurrence , that the earlier memorials of the transactions of some Lodges arc not to be found ; and from this cause there have been cases of difficulty in proving the consecutive membership of aged candidates for the annuity fund . I may here remark parenthetically , that if I recollect rightly , some time ago one of your correspondents suggested that Grand Lodge might , with great propriety , periodically require each Lodge to furnish a copy of its

minute book , to be preserved among the archives of Freemasonry by that body ; thus , at- future periods supplying materials for a complete history of its progress , and forming a security against loss by change of officers or place of meeting . This plan appears well worthy of consideration . Now this difficulty may be met in two ways—first , by selecting for the office a brother well qualified for the performance of the duties , who has not passed through the lower offices , but has nevertheless acquired sufficient

insight into the routine of the business , and by promising him the appointment to that of Junior AVarden after a service as Secretary for three , four , or five years , as may be agreed upon . At the expiration of that term , of course , all then below him must remain stationary in their respective positions for two years ; and this appears to form the only serious objection to such an arrangement . The other plan , sometimes adopted , is perhaps preferablenamely—to appoint to the office a Past Masterwhohaving no

, , , hi gher position to which lie can look forward , and having also the advantage of previous experience in ruling the Lodge , may be willing to perform the duties for a term of years , on condition of being released from the payment of the annual subscription as an equivalent for his services ; in fact , being made a paid officer . It is believed that many would receive payment in this form who would object to it in any other ; and that the loss to the funds of the Lodge would be amply compensated by the additional security for care ,