Lodge Officers.

Lodge Officers .

THEIR QUALIFICATIONS , DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .

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.HT may he supposed by many brethren who do not consider the importance to be attached to small beginnings , that the qualifications , duties and responsibilities of the Inner J Guard cannot be of sufficient moment as regards the working of a lodge to merit any extended observations . But we shall endeavour to show that , although that officer occupies the lowest statutory position on the roll of assistant officers within the

portals of the lodge whilst at labour , much of the order and regularity which should pervade its proceedings depends upon the manner in which his especial duties are performed . The Inner Guard may well be likened to a sentinel placed between the outworks of a military force and its camp , and a similar amount of care and watchfulness is as necessary from the one as from the

other to prevent intrusion and disturbance . According to the late Bro . Dr . Oliver , in his work on Masonic Jurisprudence , the Inner Guard of a lodge is an officer of modern standing , and occupies the position which was assigned to the youngest entered apprentice in the old lodges of Operative Masons , ¦ i . e ., to see that none he admitted except those who are duly

qualified , habited in their proper clothing , and have signed their names to the accustomed papers . He is entrusted Avith the further duty of ascertaining whether the lodge be properly and closely tyled at the command of the Junior Warden : to report when brethren claim to be admitted , and to require the necessary proof

of their qualifications ; to receive candidates at the inner entrance of the lodge , and to ascertain their privileges hy strict enquiry ; having communicated with the Worshipful Master to admit them in proper form ; and to obey the general orders and commands of the Inner Warden .

We will not stay to enquire how such duties could have been faithfully and perfectly discharged by the youngest Filtered Jpjirentiee in the old lodges of Operative Masons , but we can well imagineindeed , we know—that the Inner Guard of a Lodge of Speculative Freemasons of the present day must of necessity have made advances in Freemasonry far beyond the acquirements of an Initiate . In fact .

a mere superficial acquaintance with the ritual and ceremonial in the three degrees we practice would be worse than useless to such officer , and lead him into all sorts of errors and mischances . On the contrary , he should know , even if not sufficiently advanced to be able to work the several degrees himself , what his superior officers have to do , and the proper times when and where their

work may , for the moment , be stayed to permit the introduction of members and visitors without disturbance or confusion . He should on no account permit the slightest interruption from without to interfere with the solemnity and regularity with which a ceremony or important discussion should be conducted . And in the discharge of that important part of his duty he should be no respecter of persons .

No matter what may be the position or exalted rank in the Craft of any applicant for permission to enter , the peace and harmony of a lodge engaged in labour should not be broken by any concession to an ill-timed demand . The applicant himself , if a good Freemason , zealous for the best interests of Masonic work , would himself approve of and commend the necessary delay whilst important

charges and addresses are in course of delivery ; and no Inner Guard has yet , we may safely say , been blamed for a strict adherence to the practice we refer to , unless perhaps by some few who consider themselves above the rank and file of the Order , and whose censure is more an honour to the censured than their praise would be . A further responsibility rests with the Inner Guard in respect to

the entry of the candidate for initiation , which , we regret to know , does not at all times receive the attention which is , in connection with what is to follow , absolutely demanded . Our readers , qualified by membership in our Order , will quite understand what we mean when we say that the officer within the porch should thoroughly know and understand the preparation ; that he should see for

himself that the duty attached to the ante-chamber has been fully and properly discharged before he ventures to make the voucher for which the ruler of the Lodge will ask him before the admission of the candidate . Inability in himself to explain what that preparation is , and a neglect of the necessary personal examination before vouching are , in our opinion , disqualifications for the office of Inner Guard .

The ] ewel which distinguishes the Inner Guard consists of two swords saltier-wise , and should remind him of the necessity for the exercise of double caution , and for obtaining that knowledge which may enable him to correct errors sometimes occurring in the ante-chamber . For this requisite knowledge lodges of instruction

or the services of personal friendship , are open to him and , if he wishes to qualify himself for another promotion he should avail himself of these before he accex ^ ts the position which places him on the first rung of the ladder which may lead him to the rule and government of his lodge .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons for South Wales was held under the banner of the Picton Castle Lodge , 21 ) 7 , at the Masonic Hall , Haverfordwest , on Wednesday . The Picton Castle Lodge was opened in due form by the W . M . M . Bro . Hood-Williams , P . Prov . G . S . O ., and at 1 . 30 the acting P . G . M . M . M .,

the V . W . Rev . J . Marsden . D . P . G . M . M . M ., accompanied by his officers , opened Provincial Grand Lodge . Much regret was expressed at the unavoidable absence , through indisposition , of the Il . W . Pro . G . M . M . M ., Sir Pryse-Pryse . A collection was taken and paid to the Pembrokeshire and Haverfordwest Infirmary .

The "Albert Edward" Masonic Lifeboat.

THE " ALBERT EDWARD" MASONIC LIFEBOAT .

WHM BRIEF paragraph in our last issue expressed the gratification s , & M w ^ tn wn i ° a we had noted the care and attention given to ? nm » the building which shelters , when not " on duty , " the life-™ ma | boat at Clacton-on-Sea . Several brethren having suggested that a further reference to the gift of Grand Lodge , with somes record of the services rendered by the boat itself , would be very acceptable to members of the Craft generally , and particularly to

those resident at seaside places , we have corresponded with Bro . M . II . Page , of Beach Road , Clacton-on-Sea , the Hon . Sec , who has very kindly forwarded us the following particulars : — The Freemasons of England , as a thank-offering for the safe return of the Prince of Wales from India , 186 !) . presented the munificent sum of £ 4 , 000 to the Royal National Lifeboat

Institution , for the purpose of founding and maintaining two lifeboat stations , and Clacton-on-Sea was one of the places selected . A handsome and durable double boat-house of red brick , faced with Portland stone , was erected in Anglefield Road . It bears on a tablet over the chief doorway the following inscription : — ' This lifeboat was presented to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution by the United

Grand Lodge of the Freemasons of England , in commemoration of the safe return from India of the Most Worshipful Master , His Royal Highness Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , 1877 . ' The first boat stationed at Clacton , named , the ' Albert Edward , ' will long be remembered in connection' with many stirring incidents on the stormy deep . On July 10 th , 1878 , the public presentation of this

boat took place , in the presence of from 10 , 000 to 12 , 000 persons . The ceremony was performed by the Rt . Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , Deputy-Grand Master of the Freemasons , with full Masonic order . The boat was launched many times in response to signals of distress from stranded vessels on the dangerous sands off this coast , and many a deed of daring done by her crew can be chronicled . A sad incident

occurred on January 23 rd , 1881 , when , in searching for a shipwrecked vessel , the boat was caught in a terrific gale , and capsized , throwing the whole of the crew into the water . All managed to scramble into the boat except two . James Cross , the second coxswain , and Thomas Cattermole . These poor fellows were thus lost in a humane effort to save life . A subscription for the

wives and families of the two men was started at once , and most generously responded to , upwards of £ 1 , ( 500 being realised . Shortly after this event the old ' Albert Edward' was removed from Clacton , after having done excellent service for the Institution . After a boat had been stationed here temporarily , a new boat , again named the ' Albert Edward ' was specially built for the station .

and after having been tried and fitted with all the latest improvements , was sent here during the spring of last year . She is a fine craft , well fitted for the important work she is intended for . Her total length is 40 feet , width !) feet , and her crew consists of 1 . "> men . During the time that Clacton has been a lifeboat station , the crew have been the means of saving upwards of 200 lives , and

assisting twelve vessels m distress . The launching of the boat , either for the purpose of endeavouring to save life , or for the periodical exercise , of the crew , is an interesting event to visitors . The boat may be inspected on application to the Hon . Secretary . Bro . M . H . Page , or to the coxswain . Bro . R . Legerton . who may

usually be found on the pier . The Shipwrecked Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society has also an agency at Clacton-on-Sea , Mr . John Harman being the local agent . Our brethren visiting the boat-house will be pleased to notice on its walls a presentation , to the crew of the lifeboat in the following terms : —

•• TESTIMONIAL "To THE CREW OF THE 'ALBERT EDWARD , ' CLACTON-OX-SEA . " Presented by a few Masonic friends , representing the Lodges below-mentioned , in appreciation of the special services rendered by THIS LIFEBOAT in saving the lives of the master and crew of the Madeleine . ' numbering sixteen souls , on the 23 rd October . 1 S 81 ,

" The Hornsey Lodge .. .. No . 800 , ,, ltoyal Albert Lodge .. „ !) 07 , .. All Saints ., .. .. 171 ( 5 , „ Coborn „ .. ' „ 1804 . " By Bro . Kemp Coleman , P . M ., 171 (! . ' ' We may add that both from Bro . Page , the Hon . Sec , and Bro Legerton , the coxswain of the boat , all visitors , and especially tin brethren of our order , receive at all times most courteous attention

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire was held on the 1 st inst . at Coventry . St . Michael's Lodge ( 1 , 030 ) was opened at St . Mary ' s Hall by W . M . Dr . Charles Davidson . The Prov . Grand Master ( the Right Hon . and Worshipful Brother the Lord Leigh ) , the D . P . G . M . ( Bro . James T . Collins ) , and the officers of the Provincial G rand Lodge were received , and the P . G .

Lodge was opened . The usual lodge business having been transacted , the P . G . Master appointed and invested his oilicers for the ensuing year . Lodge was then adjourned for Divine Service to Holy Trinity Church , the brethren walking in procession through the streets , clad in full Masonic-craft clothing . Bro . the Rev . Thurston Itivington , P . P . G . Chaplain , vicar of St . Nicholas , Warwick , read the lesson , and a sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev .

Bridgman Boughton Leigh , P . P . G . Chaplain , m the course of which he made an earnest appeal on behalf of the Masonic charities . A collection was taken on behalf of the Warwickshire Masonic Benevolent and Pupils' Aid Fund , realising £ 12 17 s . ( Id . The brethren then returned in procession to St . Mary ' s Hall , where lodge was closed in due form . A banquet was afterwards held at the Queen ' s Hotel , the Provincial Grand Master ( Lord Leigh ) in the chair .