Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : " BY THE POWER IN ME VESTED " Front page NEW MASONIC BUILDINGS AT SUNDERLAND .. .. 272 MASONIC OFFENCES .. .. .. .. .. 272 THE RITUAL ( continued ) .. .. .. .. 272 SHALL I BE A MASON ? .. .. .. .. 273 THE MASONIC POET ' S CORNER .. .. .. 273

NOTIFICATIONS—INSTALLATION AT MELBOURNE .. 273 ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE AND ANSWERS .. .. 27-1 " H IGH TWELVE "—EVENINGS ABROAD .. .. 275 OUR CITY ARTICLE .. .. .. .. .. 275 OUR TRESTLE BOARD—BOARD OP BENEVOLENCE .. 270 SOUTH AFRICA—XEAV MASONIC TEMPLE AT JOHANNESBURG !! 276

REPORTS OF LODGES AND CHAPTERS .. .. 270 , 277 , 278 METROPOLITAN LODGES AND CHAPTERS .. .. 278 PROVINCIAL LODGES AND CHAPTERS .. .. 279 . 280 METROPOLITAN LODGES AND CHAPTERS OF INSTRUCTION 281 ADVERTISEMENTS .. .. Front cover , 270 , 282 , 283 , 284

" By The Power In Me Uested."

"By the Power in me Wested . "

N a recent number of this journal we asked , in the interests of many Craftsmen , and of the integrity of the Eitual as arranged for the adoption of all lodges under the United

Grand Lodge of England by the Lodge of Reconciliation in 1818 , whence came the poAver for the substitution of the above expression for the direct performance of a most important and solemn duty in respect of the proper closing

of FelloAV Crafts' and Master Masons' Lodges ? In other words , whence is derived that exclusive and peculiar privilege known by the style or title , Prerogative ? Our inquiry has not , as yet , produced a reply ; not even from

any one of the numerous brethren who are so ready to express their regret that " nothing is done to prevent the addition of innovation upon innovation , and error upon error . " It would almost seem as though the apathy and

indifference Avhich has of late years practically lowered the status of Freemasonry from its elevated and beneficent mission as a science to that of a mere social and

pleasureseeking community is rather on the increase than otherwise . We hope such is not the case ; and would submit to all earnest members of our Order—above all things desirous

that the true working should not be lost or its principles disturbed—that no further time should be permitted by them for the increase of those departures from text and fact to which they take objection .

Do we tread , as far as our oAvn interests are concerned , on " ticklish " ground , in using what opportunity Ave have for directing most serious attention to that which is fast

becoming an universal practice , and which militates so strongly against an ancient custom , referred to , amongst others , in the Obligation taken by every Worshipful Master on Installation ? Well , if so , we must suffer for our

" By The Power In Me Uested."

temerity . But we cannot think a fair exposition of the dangers with which this innovation is fraught can possibly affect us to our disadA antage .

It cannot be denied that the use of the expression " By the power in me vested , " and which . Ave have heard still further strengthened by the addition of the adjective

"high , " assumes that a privilege , beyond that conferred upon any other brother in his Lodge , has been granted to the user . That , therefore , admitted , Ave can naturally and

properly require to know by wliom , at what time , and under what circumstances the grant was made . And that we know cannot be answered ; for nowhere in our Code of

Laws or in our Ritual can be found any authority or instruction for that purpose . It will be observed that we are standing out for the fact which so many are ready to

forget for the sake of Avhat they consider convenience , that , although the working thereof may be comprised in one meeting , the respective degrees of Craft Masonry

are separate and distinct , and that the respective Lodges of the three degrees are altogether different in purpose and in procedure . Each has a distinct and different

ceremony of opening , working , and closing ; and there is not , nor can there be , agreeable to our Constitutions and our Ritual , any power to set aside the minutest portion of the ceremonies which prove their distinctive character .

When , on occasions , objection has been taken by ourseh es and others to the practice Ave are IIOAV condemning , it has been met by the , as it appears to us , irrelevant

reply , " The King can do no wrong . " Can he not ? Where then is the constitution he has sworn to maintain and uphold ; where the laAvs and regulations he has engaged

himself to obey and enforce ? Can he legitimately over-ride these and become " a laAV unto himself" without infraction of the most solemn obligations ? No ; Avhat they

may set forth is the very limit of the " cable tow" which binds him to the strict performance of the duties he has

declared he -will "in every respect faithfully and conscientiously discharge , " and no person Avhatsoever can properly or consistently extend that limit .

It is not our present purpose to show , as Ave might easily do , IIOAV this assumption of perogative which does not really exist has a tendency to elevate itself into the

higher ranks of Freemasonry , and to spread its maleficent influence amongst many Avho are placed in high authority , yet are none the less amenable to constitutional laAV . We

are not arguing the subject in any connection it might haA o with Masonic Jurisprudence ; but only so far as it

concerns , and that very materially , the Avholeness or totality of Masonic Ritual . We have stated in a former number that " in our OAVII knowledge there are Masters of