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( Contents . PAGE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE : — The Ballot in our Lodges 481 Address by the Crown Prince of Prussia 483 The True " ted Masons 485

Accep Masonic Sayings and Doings Abroad 487 MASONIC MIRROR : — . Masonic Hems 488 Lodge of Benevolence 488 CRAET LODGE MEETINGS : — Metropolitan 488 Provincial 489 India 489

South Australia 489 Royal Arch 490 Mark Masonry 490 MasonicNotes and Queries 491 Correspondence 491 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensiling week 492 Notice to Correspondents 492

The Ballot In Our Lodges.

THE BALLOT IN OUR LODGES .

ZONDON , SATURDAY , JrjXNE 24 , 1871 .

An Address hy "W . Bro . D ANIEL MOORE , MM ., W . M . 281 , G . S . B ., delivered in the Lodye of " Fortitude , Lancaster , [ Ifo . 281 ) , June \ Wh , 1871 . The various forms of voting , both in our

Lodges , and iu the general transactions of societies in the world , may be divided into tAvo essentially different methods . The first , where the vote is recorded openly , so that all present may know to what end it is given , and secondly , where

it is given secretly , so that the purpose of the vote is only known to the person recording it . Thus Ave have the distinct forms of open and secret voting , both of which are made use of in our Lodges , the former in the ordinary method of

signifying assent or dissent m passing resolutions , and in confirming the minutes of previous meetings , & C , and the latter in determining upon the choice of a W . M . and Treasurer for the ensuing year , and . in the election of a candidate for

initiation into our mysteries , or as a joining member of our Lodge . I do not intendthis evening to trespass upon your time with any remarks upon open voting , but in accordance with the announcement on the circular

convening this meeting , simply to address a few words to you on the subject of secret voting , or voting by ballot in our Lodges . This is neither the place nor the occasion for me to offer for your consideration the ballot in its general or political

relations , or to enunciate any opinion as to its necessity or propriety in the affairs of the nation , or in our Lodges , for as it has been adopted by a decree of the Grand Lodge of England , it is our duty to adhere to the form of election , enjoined

upon us in the constitutions of Freemasonry , and also to take especial care that the form of election appointed for our use is properly employed , and never allowed , by misapprehension or misapplication , to act otherwise than in strict accordance

with the established principles of our Order . In its application with regard to Freemasonry , the ballot is used for two essentially different purposes , which may be termed : —I . The Competitive Ballot , and II . The Elective or Exclusive Ballot .

The first , or competitive form of ballot , is emp loyed in the election of W . M . and Treasurer , who are appointed by the Lodge . In this form of ballot , out- of a number of members , who may be equally well qualified to discharge the duties of

the office for which the election is made , it is necessary that the Lodge should , by a majority of its members , appoint to such office the one individual , whose acceptance of its duties will , in their opinion , best conduce to the benefits of the Lodge .

In an election of this kind it is eminently our duty to consider with great care and attention the qualifications of the several individuals who are elig ible for the office in which it is proposed to place them , and Avhen the election has been

decided in favour of one or other , it is equally incumbent upon us to bow ivith submission to their lawfully constituted authority , and to render to them the duty Avhich of right they acquire by virtue of their position .

The second class of ballot , Avhich we will designate as the Elective or Exclusive Ballot , is that form Avhich is employed in the ballot for candidates for initiation into our mysteries or as joining members of the Lodge . In this case , as Masons

and members of a society founded upon the excellent and noble principles of our Order , with Avhich you are all acquainted , it is our especial duty to see that none enter the precincts of our sanctuary , save those Avhose conduct is in every

Avay correct , and whose character is quite unimpeachable ; in fact every candidate for admission into Freemasonry , should be calculated to reflect credit upon us as a body , and be those who will at all times strictly regard the Cardinal Virtues