Age, Worth, And The Craft.

frivolities about age would yield to an honourable recognition of merit regardless of wealth or social station .

Right Of Visit.

RIGHT OF VISIT .

EIGHT OF VISIT is sometimes called right _ of visitation ; but visitation is a very different thing ,

aud includes examination , supervision , calling to account , & c . The question , What aro tho rights of a Mason as to being present at a communication of a Lodge , of which ho is not a member , has occasioned a groat deal of controversy ,

and at times contention , among the Craft , and it seems to have become a common opinion in many quarters that any member of a Lodge has tho right to peremptorily object to the presence of any Mason , not a member of the Lodge .

When a reason for this is assigned , it is generally this : that harmony in the Lodge must bo maintained ; and if any member feels that ho cannot tolerate tho presence of a certain visitor , his feelings must be accommodated by keeping such visitor out , and so preserving harmony .

There aro three assumptions iu this view of tho case , which seem to have been adopted without sufficient reflection . The first is , that a member's right is inherent in him , not as a Mason , but as a member of the particular Lodge , and that it extends to all matters whatever . The second is

that because harmony is a great lesson of the work , and must as to some matters bo preserved , and ought to be cultivated at all times , a member of a particular lodge is vested with a right , by virtue of his membership alone , to

clear the floor of all acknowledged Masons , not members , with whom he is not well pleased . The third assumption is that the warrant is granted , the Lodge instituted , and the same opened and closed , and tho entire work therein

carried on , for the sole use and benefit of the persons who may bo admitted members thereof . From all this , those who hold to the [ right of peremptory objection believe that it is a matter of pure grace on the part of each member of

a Lodge opened for Masonic work , to permit the Craft , or any member of it , even though entered , passed and raised on that very floor , to take part in , or even witness , the work of the Craft , on that same floor to be performed .

But it is ventured here to suggest that all such opinions fall to the ground upon a little examination of what the Masonic Lodge is , and why it is such as it is , and for what purpose instituted , and for what tho warrant of its

constitution is granted , and why , and for whom it is opened at all . It is true that harmony is ono of tho undoubted teachings of tho Lodge , not only in its lectures , but in its work throughout . All welt informed Masons understand that

Ancient Craft Masonry not only inculcates harmony among the brethren iu all matters , but that harmony , as a principle of the divine order , is one of tho fundamentals of both the science and the art which makes Masonry to bo a " craft , "

and is represented as one of the three great pillars which support the Lodgo . But harmony among whom ? and as to what ? Must the

members be in the same harmony among themselves as ia required between each one of them and a visitor ? Doubtless they must , or tho reason assigned for excluding the visitor would be false and sinister . There must be the

same harmony remaining in the Lodge after he is excluded , as there must be if he should remain without objection . But this clearly shows that whatever would bo tolerated between any two members present , without interfering

with the work , would not interfere , if it shonld exist between one member and a visitor . This leads to the question , What harmony is required between two , or more , members of the Lodge ? Not harmony as to religion , for it is a cardinal

doctrine of the Lodge that men of all religious persuasions are equally acceptable . Not harmony as to politics , for as to that the same rules prevail . Neither harmony as to business affairs or family disputes , for men much incensed

against each other take part in the work , and yet it is never surposed that for that cause the work is not lawfully done . Nor yet must there bo harmony as to matters pendino * in the Lodge or Grand Lodge , for though , heated strife may be

prevailing as to pending measures , if all present join iu the work , the harmony required is not deemed to be infrino-ed by the feelings of antagonists as to such measures . It

seems , therefore , that as to all the matters last mentioned ( and many more might be spoken of ) want of harmony among those present doe 3 not affect the sublime lesson of

Right Of Visit.

the Lodge ; so that as to such matters there is no reason for excluding anybody . What harmony then is required ? The only answer seems to be , harmony as to proceeding with the work , and that

each one present be satisfied that every other is a Mason of the proper degree . When this harmony is attained , all is attained which can be practically secured ; and more than

this , all which is called for in order to represent and con form to the order of the universe , for nature exhibits every whero elements which are in continual strife in some re

spects , but which all concur as to the grand results , in all their amazing complex , as a Lodge may be at times composed of contentious members , who nevertheless are in harmony as to energy and concord in the work .

Tho right to peremptorily object depends on a prior question , that is , Who have a right to be present ? for if any one has a right to be present , manifestly no one can

object to his being there . But the right to be present depends on still prior questions , What is the Lodge , and why is it opened , and whero , and for whom ? This again depends on the degree . If the first degree is opened , it is

the symbolic opening of the Terrestrial Lodge—the material world—the world of sense—that which is perceptible to tho senses . If opened in tho second degree , it is the opening of the intellectual world ; tho world cognizable by the intellect—all sciences , knowledges ,

and all intellectual philosophy , which is the unification of these ; together with all their arts . If the third or sublime degree be opened , the moral world is opened , that

cognizable by the moral powers and faculties—all moral science and philosophy—and as each higher degree includes the inferior , when that degree is opened , all are opened .

This is why the Lodge is opened , first on the level , secondly on the square , and thirdly and lastly on the centre . On the level , because then all are on the Ground Floor , which is level ; on the square because the

square is the representative of all natural science , which is tho degree of a Fellow Craft ; on the centre , because when opened on the centre the universe is opened ; for tho centre is perfection , and is the "East" and the

circumference is from tho centre , and not the centre from the circumference , and the circle is the most comprehonsivo figure possible in geometry , in which all others are contained , as the triangle is the simplest , of which all other forms aro composed .

There is , in contemplation of Masonry , but one Lodge ( three in one ) , and it . is opened for all the worthy wheresoever dispersed about the globe . True it is opened in divers places ; but this only of necessity and for convenience ,

that in every part of the earth Masons may meet and work , and not be provented either by distance or their own multitude . But when opened , every particular Lodge is , in the Masonic idea , the same Lodge . If all Masons could

assemble and work in one place , the Lodge would be opened in that place only . Ifc matters not that many particular Lodges may be open at tho same time—indeed anciently they were so opened , as nearly as the rotation of the

Ground Floor ( which is the earth ) would permit , for they were opened on the full of the moon—then by neglect of Masonic order , on some particular day of the week ,

regulated by tho full moon , and lately , by still farther negligence , they are mostly opened on set days of tho week , as clubs and societies meet .

When any Lodge is opened or closed , or stands open for Masonic work , every Mason of the proper degree has the inherent right to be present , for three reasons at least , and each unquestionable . First , that he may receive

a portion of his wages—Masonic light , and his wages are to be received wherever the Lodge is open . Secondly , that he may prove the work of those there engaged , who claim to be Masons ; and thirdly , because he is under a

duty to attend and aid in tho work when he can do so with reasonable convenience to himself and others ; and no man can be rejected in any institution , who has an appointed duty there , merely to please somebody else .

What Master ever received a warrant to hold a Lodge , except for all the Craft ? The very mention of such a case shows its absurdity . What charter of any particular Lodge lawfully granted , since " Grand Lodge Masonry , "

as it is called , has existed , ever contained any restriction of its benefits to the members of the Lodge chartered , or any limitation of the right and duty of a regular Mason to aid in the universal work of the Craft ? Every one can see that in a Lodge held under a warrant to a Master to make