Ceremonial And Etiquette.

and then only in distinct whisper , the candidate giving his replies aloud to the Wardens . The examination of more than one candidate should not be conducted by the Wardens sirnultanejusly . No candidate should bo led to the Senior Warden ' s pedestal until all have completed their examination before the Junior Warden . If the examination is carried on by both Wardens at the same time confusion results . Ifc is , moreover , instructive for each candidate to hear distinctly the examination of the others .

The custom of many Lodges is to unnecessarily strip the candidate . There is no reason why the candidate should not retain his own garments , merely baring those parts of the body which are prescribed . The words metal substance need not in practice include buttons . They are meant only to have reference to articles of value , such as money , watch , chain , studs , rings , & c .

The District Grand Master of the Punjab , in his communication to the Grand Lodge , on fche 30 th March 1895 , distinctly emphasises the above rule , and says that " I may inform you that the rule is interpreted in the manner now explained by me in most of the best Lodges of England . " The use of a C ... in the third degree is unauthorised . Only a sheet of cloth should be used , with a C ... painted thereon . In Calcutta , only two Lodges , Thomas Jones , No . 2441 , E . G ., and Sfc . David in the East , No . 371 , S . C , have dispensed with the old practice , and adopted the new one .

The substitution of star light after extinguishing the Master ' s light m the third degree has also been objected fco by eminent Masons and Grand Lodges . They say that the Eastern light should never be extinguished while the -Lodge is open , nor should it be obscured or shaded . No lantern or other device is to be substituted for it .

The Worshipful Master has every privilege to formally admonish any Brother who behaves in the Lodge in such a manner as to disturb its peace and harmony . But if he persists still in his irregular conduct , he can be punished by censure , fine or exclusion from the remainder of the meeting , according to the opinions of the majority of members present , or he may be reported to higher Masonic authority ( Rule 209 ) .

The knocks should never be given or received until a particular work or at least a portion of it is completed , so that the attraction of the Brethren may not be diverted unnecessarily . Brethren ought to know well the difference between a " Report " and an " Alarm . " A Report consists in the k ... s of the degree in which the Lodge may happen fco be open , whilst an Alarm consists in the k .,. s ofcherthan those

of the degree in which the Lodge may happen to work , so as to indicate to those within the approach of the candidate or a stranger . Thus , when a well-known Brother seeks admission , his presence may be announced by the Tyler giving the k ... s of the degree in which the Lodge is opened , and the Inner Guard intimating to the J . W . that " there is a Report . " When a

candidate or a stranger approaches , if the Lodge is open in the first degree , the Tyler gives one moderately loud k ... only ; if in the second degree , he should give the k ... s of the first ; and in the third , the k ... s of the second ; the I . G . intimating in either case that " there is an Alarm . " The J . W . repeating the Tyler ' s k ... s and the I . G . ' s Report .

The Grand Master , the Provincial Grand Master , or the District Grand Master , when visiting a Private Lodge , should invariably be received in the Lodge , open in the third degree , with the g ... or r ... s ... given seven times . " ' Bear and Forbear ' is a trite but useful maxim . If you fancy yourself slighted or even insulted by a Brother , give not way to sudden or inconsiderate

resentment , but wait tho course of events . You will lose nothing by delay . It may he he did not intend it . In any case admonish him privately . By so doing , you will have the matter fully , and perhaps satisfactorily explained . Thus the harmony may be restored , and you will remain mutually pleased with each other . "

" Should ' discord' arise in a Lodge , a strong hand should be put out to crush it . Masonry is either a sublime principle , a magnificent science , a system of morality , or it is useless . If carried out merely a ' free and easy , ' when nothing but badinage is going on , there will be an end of Masonry . The character of the Lodge and the demeanour of the members should be such that it would be an object of ambition to the citizens of the place to

become connected with them ; and that , when they see a Mason , it should be said , ' there is an upright , a true and honourable man . ' The word ' Mason ' should explain to the uninitiated what are the true Masonic principles ; but if we do not act up to the true principles of Masonry out of the Lodge , how can we expect to be respected either in or out of it ? "— " Indian Freemason . "

3 See proceedings of the District Grand Lodge of the Punjab , dated 30 tb March 1895 , and the circular , dated 11 th April 1895 , from the Grand Lodge of all Scottish Freemasonry in India . i Lodge Albyn , No . 813 , S . C , is a third . —Editor , " I . F . " 3 See proceedings of the District Grand Lodge of Bombay , dated 7 th April 1877 ; of the District Grand Lodge of the Punjab , dated 30 th March 1895 ; and also the Circular issued by the Grand Lodge of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , dated 11 th April 1895 .

G Considerable mischief has been done by Old Rituals , by giving teachings other than those given above . The District Grand Lodge of the Punjab , in its communication dated 30 th March 1695 , have directed the Lodges under its jurisdiction to follow the new practice . So also the Grand Lodge of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , by its circular , dated 11 th April 1895 , has stopped the old mode and enjoined all Lodges under its jurisdiction to follow the new rule .

Affiliation And Joining Fees.

AFFILIATION AND JOINING FEES .

DURING the past few years Masonic opinion has materially changed on this subject , and we opine that the endurance of those members who have so long submitted to the inequitable and illogical charge has ceased to

Affiliation And Joining Fees.

be a virtue . Why the unfortunate Mason , who though probably not of a roving disposition , but from circumstances over which he has no control , is forced to change his habitation , should be required to pay a charge of from 20 to 40 per cent , of his original initiation fee " passeth all understanding . " Yefc up to within a very few years one and two guineas was the usual fee for

joining , and not infrequently three guineas was demanded for affiliation . En passant we were considerably surprised some little time ago at tha statement of a well-known and able Masonic writer in this colony in effect that no difference or distinction existed between joining and affiliation , that the latter was a misnomer and the former should be universally substituted .

Our brother evidently lost sight of the fact that while an affiliate might be held to join , the reverse would not obtain . This is made especially conspicuous in the Scottish and some other Constitutions , which require a specific obligation from the Mason affiliating from another Constitution which is not imposed in the case of a brother joining and holding under the same

Constitution , and it is on this point the distinction is clearly defined . The question very naturally arises , as to the reasons for the imposition of so high a charge to one who is already a member of the institution , and whether any justification exists for making ifc , and the reply can only be in the negative . Indeed the only argument that can be advanced in support is , that the cost

of registration and diploma should be defrayed by the applicant for admission , but this contention does not merit consideration , as the Grand Lodge fee for registration is only five shillings , and diplomas are not issued to affiliates except at their own request , so that the actual cost out of pocket to the Lodge on account of the joining Brother is five shillings , which , plus his future membership ,

would give a large average balance in favour of the Lodge if the fee was remitted altogether . We are of course aware that in deference to strongly-expressed opinions , the majority of Lodges have reduced the fees for joining and affiliation to half-guinea and one guinea respectively , and in some few instances an uniform , charge of five shillings only is made , but it would be

more generally satisfactory if all Lodges would resolve to abolish these fees in toto ( except for diplomas when required ) . By the adoption of this course the reproach against the Craft of presenting obstacles to a number of unattached Masons would be removed . At the same time we must express the opinion that the difficulty in the greater number of such cases is more

ideal than real , as we have some reason to know these ranks are recruited by exclusions for nonpayment of dues , rather than by those demitted . But in any case there are no good and sufficient reasons why any Mason whose avocations necessitate peripatetic movements should be taxed inequitably , or practically be excluded from active membership . A worthy and well-known

P . M ., in the course of a valedictory address to a Wellington Lodge last month , referred feelingly to this question , and stated that during his Masonic career he had joined ten different Lodges ( consequent on business removals ) , and had paid nearly twenty pounds in joining fees , and but for an excess of Masonic enthusiasm he would long since have severed his connection with

Masonry , which we readily believe . We strongly urge all Lodges to eliminate this item from their scale of charges , and should it not have the effect of increasing their numbers , they will have the satisfaction of knowing they are acting towards their less fortunate brethren with equity and justice . — " New Zealand Craftsman . "

Reverence.

REVERENCE .

MASONRY teaches men reverence , for without ifc very few men would ever become Masons . Indeed , it may be said that in coming into the Lodge-room the Mason comes into the presence of the Great Master . The holy altar is there , and the Word , together with the symbolic emblems . The mystic letter is there also , over the head of the Master , and when called by

the gavel , the reverential Mason heeds it as he does imperial authority . Reverence for the place , the symbols , emblems and officers of the Lodge-room lies at the foundation of all work of a Lodge , and furnishes the true soil of all sound and lasting impressions .

In the opening and closing of Lodges , as well as in the conferring of all degrees , the work should be performed with dignity , solemnity and reverence . The lack of this spirit leads to disorder and degeneracy , and sooner or later

brings upon the Lodge the indifference of moral and official death . To open a Lodge , or to confer any of the degrees as if in a frolic is beneath the dignity of any Lodge-room , and should put in jeopardy even the charter of the Lodge itself .

A Freemason ' s place of meeting—the Lodge room—however unpretending and humble , is always a sacred place . It is sacred because none are admitted there unless they can pronounce fche mystic word , and none are allowed to participate in tho work unless they have a knowledge of the working tools of a

Mason . Hence the place and the privilege of meeting in it , clothed in the ancient habiliments of the Craft , demand that the work done there should be accomplished with decorum and reverence , that every one might have pleasure and profit thereby .

Reverence signifies fear mingled with respect and affection . The Lodge room , in a modified sense , may be termed God's presence , and as the gavel of the Master is the law of the Lodge room , it is essential to the dignified and proper performance of the work that every Brother deport himself with becoming respect and reverence . We reverence our superiors

for their ^ office and age , and the kindly genius of the Craft dictates that Masons should meet each other with salutations of respect and reverence everywhere . This can be done even where there is some playful humours as some men are wont to have in an innocent way , for true reverence is not all ceremony . Ifc has its spirit , as well as other things , aud where