Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : PREROGATIVE .. Frontpage CHISWICK LODGE , XO . 2012—INSTALLATION OF THE RIGHT HON . LORD GEORGE HAMILTON . M . P ., & c 320 INDI A—INSTALLATION OF LORD CONNEMARA ; G . M ., MADRAS 320 REVIEW .. 320 THE MASONIC POET ' S CORNER— " THE WORKING TOOLS " 321 ECLECTIC LODGE . NO . 1201—INSTALLATION MEETING .. 321

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE AND ANSWERS .. .. 322 QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE , No . 2070 323 NOTIFICATIONS—OUR TRESTLE BOARD 323 " HIGH TWELVE "—EVENINGS ABROAD 321 OUR CITY ARTICLE 324 REPORTS OF LODGES AND CHAPTERS 325 METROPOLITAN AND PROVINCIAL LODGE AND CHAPTER

MEETINGS 320 . 327 , 328 METROPOLITAN LODGES AND CHAPTERS OF INSTRUCTION 321 ) ADVERTISEMENTS Front cover , 318 , 330 , 331 . 332

Prerogative.

Prerogative .

UK Editorial of the 27 tli ult ., "By the Power in me vested , " has caused sundry communications to he addressed to us which have considerably increased our

previous personal knowledge of assumptions not only

discordant with the spirit and letter of our constitutional laws and regulations , but directly antagonistic thereto . Before we enter into detail we will first endeavour to set

before our readers the nature of that exclusive and peculiar privilege which is entitled Preroi / alitr , so far as it affects Masonic jurisprudence and practice . And for present

purposes we shall avoid all reference to the exercise of an authority which has never existed , and could not be conferred , in respect of Masonic ritual and ceremonial .

We read elsewhere , "If there is such a thing as prerogative in these days of plenary constitutions , Ave should like to know how and whence it comes , or how it

happens that all acts thus originating are subject to scrutiny and require confirmation . Wo prefer the chart and compass of a constitution to go along with great power ,

even for an annual cruise , rather than a roving commission on the shoreless sea of prerogative . We believe that fixed , positive , express , general law is the only ground on which

such an institution as Masonry can act out its true work and mission . Masonry should meet on the level of our

law , . special or personal favours neither being asked nor granted . " We quote the Masonic Heview and endorse every word of that paragraph .

Within the past few years we have experienced the growth of a strong desire to put down many attempts at

reform b y unblushing statements that they were ' inter ? fcrences with prerogative , " the fact being , nevertheless * that a true reading and consistent interpretation O 'f pur

Prerogative.

laws and constitutions , would at once prove that no such prerogative existed . Let us not be mistaken . Our loyalty and devotion to our chief head and ruler , and to each and all of his lawfully constituted officers , are

as deep and strong as can be those of any of our readers , and " exclusive and peculiar privileges " conferred by our constitution , if there be any such , we would be the last to challenge . But if it is sought , as we believe it is

sought , to " magnify dignity and clothe with marvellous powers " beyond the express limits of the rules and

regulations of the Order any one of these , or to introduce Autocracy as -the principle of the ruling to which the general body of English Freemasons are to be subservient , — then we think the time has come when those whose dutv

and privilege it is to advise , should be careful that they do not misrepresent facts and mislead both the rulers and the ruled . We have arrived at such a pass , that in our Masonic Parliament , laws are enacted and not carried out ; speech

is stopped on so-called points of order ; and when all else is found ineffective , the Deux e . c Machina . PREROGATIVE , is " staged . " And now , forsooth , we have instances of those placed in authority over our private lodges assuming powers

beyond anything ever intended by those who created them " rulers in the Craft , " and ape-ing that which they are led to believe by the false doctrines propounded appertains to the vole of a supreme head . We are told , and it is also

within our own experience , that it is now becoming a common thing for Masters of lodges to make Masons at " sight , "—for a mere seven days' notice " hijfud of the IT . 3 / . '" which fiat , except in the most exceptional cases , and such

as are particularly defined , he has no " exclusive and peculiar privilege " to exercise , is nothing less than " making at sight . " Hence we have , too frequently , introduced into our Order men devoid of those essential qualifications which

the principles of Freemasonry demand . And it is quite certain that many Masters of Lodges in the present day have never understood the true nature of the assent they gave to those " ancient charges and regulations " whereby

they bind'themselves "to submit to the awards and resolutions of their brethren in general lodge convened , in every case consistent with the Constitutions of the Order ; " to be courteous and faithful to the Lodge ;

and " strictly to conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge . " Else we should not hear of such olfences against Masonry as the abrupt exit from his lodge of a W . M ., because his own opinion is not acceptable to the brethren

over whom he rules ; or of the direct and determined refusal of another to carry out a resolution of his lodge arrived at in proper and legal form . " By the power in mo voste'd ; " " 1 j / the exclusive q . n'd p ' ocuiiur pViv'ire ' g ' e