Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : THE RITUAL .. .. .. Frontpage THE QUALIFICATIONS OF OUR MEMBERS .. .. 220 MASONIC POET ' S CORNER— "THE DOOR OF THE HEART" 221 OUR TRESTLE BOARD—NOTIFICATIONS .. .. 221 ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE AND ANSWERS .. .. 222

" HIGH TWELVE "—EVENINGS ABROAD .. .. 223 OUR CITY ARTICLE .. .. .. .. .. 223 REPORTS OF LODGE AND CHAPTER MEETINGS .. .. 221 MASONIC EXCHANGE AND MART .. .. .. 225

METROPOLITAN LODGE , & C , MEETINGS FOR PRESENT WEEK 225 PROVINCIAL LODGE MEETINGS FORTHCOMING .. 226 & 227 METROPOLITAN LODGES OF INSTRUCTION FOR PRESENT WEEK 228 ADVERTISEMENTS .. Front cover . 218 , 229 , 230 . 231 , 232

The Ritual.

The Ritual .

EVIEWING lately the admirable work of Bro . Henry J . Wliymper , P . Dep . D . G . M ., Punjab , wc expressed our intention to refer , when opportunity afforded , to two of its

chapters in which we take more especial personal interest than in others , viz .: those entitled "The Lectures" and

' The Ritual . " In his "Religion of Freemasonry , " Bro . Whymper places the '' Lectures " first , but for the purpose we have in view we shall reverse his arrangement , and

endeavour to interest our readers in the work of Masonic Ceremonial , Ritual , and " Sections " in the order in which they are respectively presented to our noviciates .

It is well-known that , of late years , there has been a movement in progress to secure , or more properly speaking to reinstate , that uniformity of procedure which , at the

Union of the Lodges forming the United ( .-Jrand Lodge of England was declared should be maintained throughout the lodges under its jurisdiction . In that movement we

ourselves took part , convinced that means could readily be found for carrying the wishes of the Craft , as unanimously expressed in Grand Lodge itself on a most important

occasion , into effect . At that time we spoke , and since then have spoken , on the subject from our own point o ^ view . Now it behoves us to refrain from prominent

activity , and to afford opportunity to others for expounding their views on the subject ; and this we propose to do most f ally . At the same time we shall not altogether cease to

comment on the arguments which may be advanced pro and con , but , so far as journalistic power may extend , shall seek to guide and advise where we think guidance and

advice may be necessary or advantageous . As a means to an end , which appears to be almost universally desired by the English Craft , we purpose to utilize with the consent of its editor , the two chapters of

The Ritual.

Bro . Wliympers work above named , and to reproduce them in the precise words of the author . We shall thereby , we hope , induce much reilectiou on our peculiar system

of morality , and the manner in which innovations and divergencies have crept into the teachings of that system , perverting in many respects its original intention , and

confusing much that , throughout the past should have been most readily understood , —is in the present made doubtful and disturbing for want of sufficient explanation

by those who assume to teach , and who , m many cases we know have themselves much yet to learn , —and in the future may cause dissension and strife between parties , to the permanent injury of the order .

It must be understood by our readers that the author ' s views on the Religion or Universality of Freemasonry are not to be considered as endorsed by us because we find in

his work just such expressions of opinion , and such excellent instruction , as will afford them satisfaction to peruse and study . Nor , on the other hand , must this caution be

taken as any evidence of dissent from his premises and arguments . For him , or against him , we think that every Freemason would be the better for acquaintance with the

entire work , for it could not fail to enlighten him on many points respecting which some of even the wisest and best amongst us yet walk in darkness . The author ' s

object is apparent , throughout the whole of his work , and to an extent will be obvious even in the portions wc select for our present purpose , and which arc , in our opinion , the

least pervaded by argumentation . Whether or not his object bo attainable ; whether or not this is just the proper time to discuss the subject ; whether or not it would be

wise to risk the religious controversy which might create a wide division between brethren of , as it were , " one tribe and family ; " all these are beside our present intent , and

are matters upon which we would express no opinion . Amongst our readers are men ' of every country , sect , and opinion , " whose true friendship , conciliated by the dictates

of Freemasonry , has hitherto been exercised in brotherly love ; and very much consideration must , of necessity , be given to any proposal to set aside the present order ot

things before individual or even collective opinions can be justly formed . But this fact need not hinder a consideration of the subject in all its bearings ; and although wo

doubt not that many of Bro . Whyinper ' s deductions may not be readily acceptable , we believe that the liberal minds before which we are about to place his remarks on our

ritual , will , irrespective of creed or denomination , give their author credit for honesty of purpose and a sincere interest in the welfare oi' Freemasonry . It only remains for us to add , before commencing the