The Junior Warden.

beautiful to a degree , and acknowledged to be the richest of the Orders and a masterpiece of Art . Our Masonic tradition as to the conception of the Capital of this Order by Calimachus , at Corinth , should be well known by every Craftsman who has the opportunity to use the Corinthian Column or Pillar of Beauty on specified occasions whilst in discharge of his duties . These may be said to

be , in figurative language , the adornment of the work of Masonry with all his powers of genius and active industry , and the promotion of regularity amongst the brethren by the sanction of his own good example , the persuasive eloquence of precept , and a discriminative encouragement of merit .

The observations I have already made in respect of the powers of the Senior Warden equally apply to the Junior Warden . Both alike have the same privileges as to the ruling of the Lodge under

certain circumstances , and both the same prerogatives in the Grand Lodge . The distinction of Senior and Junior is but the accident of rota , and does not affect the control which both or either can exercise in the government of the Lodge . " The Master and his Wardens" is the frequent expression contained in our laws and regulations , as well as in our ritual , and to them is delegated

jointly the power to rule and , in conjunction with others , to hold and make perfect our several Lodges . In these respects they are iria juncta in imo , and this consideration should of itself enforce on the mind of every aspirant for the chair of Hiram Abiff the necessity of a full precedent qualification for the Office , and a sense that it

would be not only detrimental to the Order he professes to revere but dishonorable in himself , to accept the position without possessing the ability to discharge its duties with that credit and advantage to which we have before alluded .

Of these qualifications there are , in addition to those which have been enumerated in connection with the Senior Warden , others relating to duties in performance of which his Junior should be an adept . To him is committed the important business of examination of Visitors , " lest through his neglect any unqualified person should gain admission , " and however much it has been of recent years customary to have that duty vicariously performed , the custom would not be " more honored in the breach than in the observance " if the

proper official discharged it . As matters at present stand , the examination is generally of a loose and slip-shod character , and almost the slightest apparent knowledge of means of Masonic communication is allowed as sufficient for introduction . This innovation upon an ancient and important landmark should be resisted by the Junior Warden , and in all cases , when strangers seek admission , he

should himself "prove and vouch . " Notably it is found that on this point our brethren in the provinces are more conservative and strict than those of the metropolis . To thoroughly " prove , " however , and with a certainty that attempts at imposture would be detected , the Junior Warden should himself be perfect in ritual and

procedure , and that of necessity he cannot be without still further enhancing his qualifications for office . The Junior Warden is , in these days , the presumed president at refreshment . In former times there is no doubt that he was

president de facto . The Lodge was under his charge , and his column placed perpendicular , in token of his authority , when labor had ceased at ' high twelve . " Then " refreshment " was taken in the Lodge itself , and the necessity for governance during the hour of rest was obvious . Now , as a rule , all work is concluded , and the Lodge closed before the " social board " is approached , and hence

the office of the Junior Warden has been deprived of one of its chiefest features . Nevertheless , much opportunity yet remains in the way of preparation for supreme command ; and in the South can still be found abundant opportunities for acquiring and perfecting those qualities which , exercised in a more exalted

position , render a brother Mason respected and beloved . The Junior Warden ' s jewel of office , the plumb , whilst reminding him and those around him of the rectitude of conduct which should distinguish him and them during those hours when they are beyond the precincts of the Lodge , is also an emblem of uprightness and

The Junior Warden.

integrity . The moral tendency of this beautiful symbol should be known , not only to him and to all Freemasons alone , but to all men who would " walk justly and uprightly before God and man , neither turning to the right hand nor left from the paths of virtue . " Punctuality in attendance on his Lodge is a most important responsibility on the Junior Warden . He should be present before

the Lodge is opened that he may be enabled to " prove " strangers seeking to share in the ceremony of opening , and , equally with the Senior Warden , is expected to give a " full day ' s labor . " Vv ithin the Lodge the ritual of the Order itself will instruct him as to further duties and responsibilities . J AMES STEVENS .

The Better For It.

THE BETTER FOR IT .

IF men dealt less in stocks and lands , And more in bonds and deeds fraternal ; If love ' s work had more willing hands To link this world to the supernal ; If men stored up love ' s oil and wine ,

And on bruised human hearts would pour it ; If " yours " and " mine " Would once combine , The world would be the better for it . If men were wise in little things ,

Affecting less in all their dealings ; If hearts had fewer rusty strings To isolate their kindly feelings ; If men , when Wrong beats down the Right , Would strike together and restore it ;

If Right made Might In every fight , The world would be the better for it . ^^^^ W . E . W .

A meeting of the Masonic brethren of the Three Towns was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on the 23 rd ult , under the banner of Lodge St . John ( 70 ) , to consider the recent resolution passed by the Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys proposing to give Bro . Binckes a retiring allowance of ^ 350 per annum . W . Bro . William King , W . M . 70 , presided , and the

gathering was a most representative one , there being over 100 brethren present , many of whom were past and present Prov . Grand Officers . Bro . W . Powell , P . M . 1205 , was unanimously appointed secretary . Bro . Gover explained that it was proposed to give Bro . Binckes a pension for life of ^ 350 a year . Bro . Lord read

copious extracts from the report of the investigation committee of the Boys' School , of which Bro . Phillbrick , Q . C ., was chairman . It behoved them , he said , to take action before the recommendation of the Provisional Committee ' was confirmed . In the course of discussion Bro . Gover said Bro . Binckes had already a pension of ^ 125 per annum from the Mark Lodge , and now they proposed to give him

__ £ . 35 ° a year from the " Boys . " Did they think any Mason or any Lodge represented would contribute to the Boys' School if they granted such a pension ? W . Bro . T . Goodall said it would be a serious question for them to consider whether , in the event of the school having been properly managed , they should grant a pension out of funds subscribed to a charity to one who had been liberally

paid for his services ( loud applause ) . Bro . R . C . Uglow then proposed " That this meeting learns with alarm that it is the intention of the Provisional Committee to propose that a retiring allowance be granted to Bro . Binckcs , notwithstanding the facts revealed by the report of the Investigation Committee , which has

been published , and suggests that definite action in this matter be deferred until after die Committee have laid their reasons for this proposal before the various subscribers , and received their opinions thereon" ( applause ) . W . Bro . W . Moysey seconded the resolution , which was unanimously carried amid loud cheers . A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting .