Masonic Reform.

MASONIC REFORM .

LONDON , SATURDAY , AV & VST 22 , 1863 .

( From the Melbourne Masonic Journal . ) The London FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE states , " It is an undeniable fact that in Freemasonry , as well as in all other societies—whether kingdoms , states , corporations or families—every now and then a few reforms are necessary . In approaching

this subject we shall do so in a conservative spirit , feeling siire that the best plan to avoid dead locks and violent measures is by dealing with improvements as required , and advocating a gradual progress in accordance with that of the outside world . Freemasonry is as liable to the charge of

being looked upon as a stationary science , as some others of our antiquated institutions , and many in the Craft deplore this state of things , because , in their early days of membership , they fondly imagined it was to be to them a loving teacher , introducing to their view a higher education and a

more appreciative acquaintance with those sciences and arts of which it assumes the custody . A glance at our position at the beginning of this present year , 1863 , will show that there are some Masonic reforms imperatively necessary . " Nowif reform is required at homewherewe

, , , should suppose , our Craft would appear in the most favourable light , and be kept most free from abuse , how much more is it required in this young colony , where Masonry has been introduced under great disadvantages , ancl those disadvantages still

kept up by means of three separate Constitutions ruling over the same society in the same country . Several years past , when Port Phillip was an unimportant place , inhabited only by a few , just eleven years before Victoria was separated from New South Wales , some zealous brethren ,

remembering the customs of their fathers , determined to establish a Masonic lodge in their new-found home . : Honour be to them for the thought . After several months '" delay , they succeeded in founding the Lodge of "Australia Felix , "—the first Masonic lodge ever held by civilized man in

the place we now call by the name of our beloved Queen . The Grand Lodge of England granted the warrant of the "Australia Felix , " and is , therefore , the parent constitution of the colony . "When the colony progressed , the Masons initiated under the Irish Constitution thought

proper to seek for a warrant fron the Duke of Leinster , who granted one , and thus the "Australia Felix Lodge of Hiram " had its rise . Some years passed , ancl then the Scotch Masons wished to hold their warrants from their own Constitution , and the Lodge of "Kilwinning" resulted from

their efforts , and from these lodges the majority of the Masons in this colony have sprung . Now although we desire to honour the founders of the Craft in Victoria , it must be apparent that the brothers who founded aur Order here also gave a beginning to the Masonic error . That error was

the establishment of three ruling powers , each independent of the other , in so small a community as ours . If the patriarchs of our Order had been content with establishing any Constitution , whether English , Irish , or Scotch , and adhering to the laws ancl customs of that Constitution—had

disseminated the principles of Masonry—they would have clone a great benefit to society , ancl nipped iri the bud that feeling of rivalry which , it must be acknowledged , now exists between the three Constitutions in this colony . In England no lodges meet unless under the

authority of the Grand Lodge of England . No Masonic meetings are held in Ireland unless with the sanction of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . And in Scotland the same system is carried out , ancl all Masonic proceedings are under the control of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . In Europe

no country grants warrants beyond the limits of its own nationality , and this dividing of the ruling power into Grand Masters of various countries has been the means of destroying any sympton of rivalry in Masonry that mi ght arise between brethren whose political ruling powers might be at variance with each other .

In Victoria , the Masonic scheme is altered ; three ruling powers , totally distinct from each other , holding no council together , having different customs , claim -equal rig-ht and title to the rulers of the Craft ; the consequence is , that instead of perfect harmony , there is an an amount of rivalry

between members of the various Constitutions , completely at variance with the rules and principles of Freemasonry . Brethren do not consider themselves as members of a great universal body , but simply as English , Irish , or Scotch Masons . We have heard some express themselves in such

un-Masonic terms as— " He is only a Scotch Mason , " " Oh , that is Irish Masonry , " or " That is new-fashioned English Masonry .- " We haveheard these expressions , ancl they were not spoken by young inexperienced Masons , but we regret that they have been uttered by brethren of

provincial rank , whose zeal for their private Constitution led them to forget the universality of Freemasonry . This rivalry between Constitutions is our greatest evil . Eeform is wanted ; but it is most difficult to point out the best mode of carrying out that reform—all reformation should be

effected with the least possible disturbance of existing rights—hence a great deal of difficulty appears when we consider how this great and growing evil among us is to be reformed . Two modes of action are open for adoption ; either to effect a union of the three existing Constitutions ,

or to create a new and supreme ruling power for the colony of Victoria . If the reform could be effected in the manner first laid down , by the amalgamation of the three Constitutions , few if any of the existing rights would be violated , and a great , measure of reform would be obtained . On the contrary , if anew ruling power be created without the consent of the existing powers , years may