A Backward Step.

A BACKWARD STEP .

WE are by no means surprised to hear that a section of the Scottish Craft are disposed to disagree with the alterations recently made in the Eegulations of that Constitution —in regard to the interval that must elapse between the conferring of the different degrees—but we hope those who

have brought about the change will stand manfully to their post , and will resent in the most imperative manner any attempt to revert to the old order of things , which allowed

the three degrees to be conferred the same night , on the most flimsy of excuses , and at the same time created numerous situations which were a scandal to the Craft , and a disgrace to the Scottish section of it .

At the quarterly meeting of the Scottish Grand Lodge , held on Thursday , the Provincial Grand Master of Peebles , Boxburgh and Selkirk proposed that Provincial and District Grand Masters should have the power to grant dispensations

allowing the degrees to be conferred at intervals of not less than one week , but happily there was a strong opposition , and eventually the proposal was rejected by 137 votes to 26 . Another proposal on somewhat similar lines , but limited to

Lodges in India and the Colonies only , was also rejected—by 105 to 41 , so that it would seem the new party are at present numerically strong enough to stand firm against any alteration

back to the old practice . They must uot , however , relax their energies , or they may . find themselves out-numbered in the near future , and one of tbe greatest advances towards Masonic progress in Scotland will be nullified . Ths Brethren of Scotland who are working to maintain this improvement should be supported by outsiders .

Parading Masonic Regalia.

PARADING MASONIC REGALIA .

\ T J HILE : on the subject of outside show and public displays * * of Masonic regalia , to which we have recently referred , we should like to direct the attention of Brethren generally to the very bad taste often displayed bv individual members

of the Fraternity , when they wear their apron , collar or jewels in public parts of licensed premises where their Lodge meeting is being held—a course that is not only contrary to the regulations of the Craft , but is calculated to bring the Craft into contempt or ridicule .

Brethren who rise to the dignity of Provincial Grand Lodge honours are generally supposed to have some knowledge of the regulations of the Craft on this subject , and they are

the last who should require to be reminded of their duty in this respect . Yet we often find them among the foremost of the transgressors , especially on the occasion of their first appearance in the glory of Provincial " purple . "

We recenly saw a most flagrant case , where a newly appointed Provincial Grand Officer took up a prominent position iu the bar of the country Hotel where the meeting was held , clothed in all the splendour of his newly acquired rank , and evidently intending to arouse the envy of his less favoured

Parading Masonic Regalia.

fellow creatures . What a pity he did not hear the remark of an outsider , evidently a man of the world , who observed " Poor beggar , he appears to have been shut out from the

Masonic banquet , and hopes to get satisfaction by making an exhibition of himself for the benefit of the yokels . He ought to come down here at Fair time . " What would have been

the feelings of our decorated Brother had he heard those remarks ? Yet the same probably occurs day by day when members ofthe Craft attempt to " show off" their decorations

in public—to the annoyance of Brethren who prefer to keep Freemasonry > as a secret society , and the possible amusement of the unenlightened .

Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

fl THE quarterly meeting was held on the 5 th , at Edinburgh : JL . The attendance was up to the usual standard for the August meeting . The Eight Hon . Lord Saltoun M . W : Grand Master presided . Before the business of the meeting was proceeded with , the Grand Director of Ceremonies introduced as visitors to Grand Lodge Bros . J . Tait , from Toronto ; J . G . Sharpe P . M . of Lodge No . 576 , Gibraltar ; and A . Paterson P . M . of Lodge No . 609 , New York .

The Grand Master extended a cordial welcome to the visitors on behalf of Grand Lodge . He afterwards intimated that he had received a letter of thanks from the Secretary for Scotland for the address sent to Her Majesty on her Diamond Jubilee , and that the letter would be read at the next meeting of Grand Lodge . The minutes of last Quarterly meeting and of Grand Committee were then approved .

A long discussion took place on a motion proposed by Dr . Middleton Provincial Grand Master of Peebles , Eoxburgh , and Selkirk , to give power to Provincial and District Grand Masters to grant dispensations for the conferring of degrees at intervals of not less than one week . Bro .. James Caldwell , in moving the previous question , thought it would be a mistake to go back to the old system so soon , and just as the Lodges throughout Scotland were settling down to the new rule of an interval of two weeks .

Bro . Hugh E . Wallace Provincial Grand Master for Ayrshire , seconded the previous question , and thought that any change would only result in difficulties . For Bro . Caldwell ' s amendment there voted 137 , and for the motion 26 .

A motion on similar lines to that of Bro . Middleton ' s was proposed by Bro . Denholm , with the difference that the change should apply to Lodges in India and the colonies only . On a vote being taken there voted in favour of the previous question 105 , and for the motion 41 .

Another motion , brought forward by Bro . James Muir Past G . D . of C . having for its object the introduction in Grand Lodge of voting papers for the election of members for Grand Committee , was defeated by 84 votes for the previous question , against 70 for the motion .

Other two motions on the same subject , of which notice had been given , fell to the ground , while a motion affecting two Lodges in the metropolitan district and another referring to the Mark Degree , were continued till the next meeting of Grand Lodge . Eeports were submitted showing the satisfactory state of Freemasonry in the Provinces of Perthshire VVest , Stirlingshire , and Argyll and the Isles . After a sitting of about two hours the Grand Lodge was closed .

The income of Grand Lodge during the quarter ending 24 th July amounted to £ 1 , 593 2 s 8 d , while the expenditure amounted to £ 694 2 s 7 d , £ 132 was paid , out iu benevolent grants during the quarter . The grants in annuities paid by Graud Lodge to poor Brethren , widows , and orphans amounted to £ 1 , 160 . — " Glasgow Evening News . "