Masonic Material.

Brotherly love ; and , when thus meeting , should respect the peculiarities of disposition of our Brethren . In order to show how we may with advantage observe this precept in practice , I would refer with feelings of deep gratification to a meeting at which I was present recently , when the Worshipful Master and his Lodge were honoured with a visit from

Officers of no less than three other Lodges ; and we were treated to the pleasing spectacle of the Masters of the visiting Lodges assisting in the ceremonial duties of the evening and afterwards of the Brethren uniting in innocent mirth and Brotherly love at the festive board-. I now conclude with the expression of opinion that this Club , in a very large degree , provides the means by

which we can enjoy the commingling of many and diverse natures on common ground . It should be the handmaid of Masonry in this colony , if wisely controlled ; and if my random remarks this evening have supplied , even to a small extent , a factor in this desirable consummation I shall be abundantly satisfied . JOHN B . TRIVETT . 8 th August 1896 .

Master Of A Masonic Lodge.

MASTER OF A MASONIC LODGE .

TO become Master of a Lodge of Freemasons is a laudable ambition . With such an ambition should be joined a clear apprehension of the character and duties of that important office . Its duties are not confined to the repetition of certain phrases and the direction of what is called the " work , " but comprise vastly more of understanding and service . A Master

should be able to instruct the Craft , not only as to the meaning and origin of our ceremonies , but also to explain to them the philosophy which is veiled in its allegories and illustrated by its symbols . He should be able , also , to convince his Brethren that all science and all art , legitimately directed , are but lines that

radiate towards the great I AM ; that the sciences are the media by which we are led to contemplate the goodness , greatness , wisdom and power of the Great Architect of the Universe , and that the arts are the modes we have developed of expressing our sense , and admiration of the wondrous glories of an Almighty Father which are scattered around us .

The Master of a Lodge should also in his life and in his conversation be a model for his Brethren to admire and imitate , and should himself practice , out of the Lodge , those great moral doctrines and virtues which he inculcates within its walls . He should be punctual and methodical in all things , and , both by his character and conduct , command the respect , the esteem ,

and goodwill of all men , for as the Master is supreme in his Lodge , and distinguished by his position in the Craft , so should he also be distinguished as the possessor of an irreproachable character , a dignified demeanour , an expanded intellect , and a liberal education . Happy and prosperous must those Lodges be which are governed by such men ! their time of meeting is looked

forward to by the Brethren with most pleasing anticipations . Prompt at the hour every Brother is at his station , and the work is carried on with pleasure and profit . The Worshipful Master who presides over his Lodge with ability , firmness , and decision ( for without force of character there can be no force of

impression ) , whose manner is courteous yet dignified , whose decisions are consonant with reason and Masonic law , and who dispenses light and information among the Craft , will ever be regarded by his Brethren as one who is entitled to their highest respect , and their most fraternal regard .

The anxious inquirer after truth and light feels that he may appeal with confidence and safety to such a ruler of a Lodge , as to one who is not only able and willing to reward and advance him according to his ability and worth , but to one whose duty and high privilege it is to diffuse the beams of light , and to scatter abroad the seeds of truth . The aspirant , animated by the love of truth , uninfluenced by mercenary motives , duly

appreciating the philosopher ' s apothegm that " knowledge is power , " and prompted by higher desires , eagerly presses forward , believing in a nobler destiny , and aspiring after a brighter record ; it is the Master ' s duty to assist him in his research , it is his high privilege to " pour the balm of instruction over the mind , " to fill it with light , to stir up its powers and to raise it to its proper supremacy over matter . —Anon .

A Few Precepts For Brethren.

A FEW PRECEPTS FOR BRETHREN .

BOTH in Lodge and at banquet we should meet our Brethren on the level , but not "below the level . " The level of Freemasonry is a high one . We should be familiar and friendly , but by no means vulgar , and we should endeavour to raise

A Few Precepts For Brethren.

ourselves and our friends up to the high level of Freemasonry , In Lodge we should be careful to behave with strict propriety . We should never interrupt any one speaking , and when speaking ourselves we should do so in the most orderly and quiet manner possible , taking care never to injure the feelings of any one by the words we utter , and , above all , we should try to pay every kindly consideration to the Master and to his Officers

and to all the old and worthy Masons present . At banquet and outside the Lodge generally , we should ever make every kind allowance for the older and experienced Brethren , trying as far as we can to support them in all their views , to humour them in all their whims , and to listen to everything they have to say for the benefit of the Lodge in particular or the Craft in general .

After banquet , when any one is singing or reciting , we should keep silence , and even if we should not -care to listen ourselves , we should be most careful not to spoil the enjoyment of others , by talking and laughing . We should never propose a candidate for initiation before consulting with some experienced Brother , and before a

candidate is put up for ballot the Master and his principal Officers should be convinced there is no reason to suppose there is any likelihood of a black ball . If unable to attend a Lodge meeting , we should not fail to send a written apology to the Secretary , or to ask some Brother to apologise for our absence . We should be most careful never to try to derive any

mercenary or unworthy benefit by Freemasonry . Many worthy Masons have been driven away from their Lodges , and have given up their Masonic duties , simply because unworthy Brethren have tried to make use of Freemasonry to derive soma advantage to which they were not entitled . We must all realise that in Freemasonry there is nothing to prevent us doing our duty in that station of life in which

the Great Architect of the Universe has placed us . And if it should be our painful duty to give evidence in a Court of law against a Brother Mason , we must do our duty strictly , for we are taught by Freemasonry always to act honourably , and to speak the truth , and to do unto others as we would wish them to do unto us . —P . M ., in the "Indian Freemason . "

A Model Lodge.

A MODEL LODGE .

A MODEL is a pattern , a type of perfection . A model Lodge , therefore , is one approaching such perfection that it can be chosen as a pattern which others may safely imitiate . The whole machinery runs smoothly . There is no friction or rattling of loose joints . The members are at peace with each other , and the harmony of Brotherly affection and proper friendly

affection and proper friendly regard is manifest in pleasant intercourse . There is a zealous interest in all that pertains to the Lodge apparent even to casual observers . If one member is sick or in distress , this whole body feels it in a sincere and expressed sympathy . " Behold , how these Brethren love one another , "

may be correctly said . The Officers are zealous and earnest in their work . They are in their places as the Master ' s gavel calls the Brethren to order exactly on the minute for opening the meeting . There is no looking around to find some one to act as Junior Deacon or to fill the station of Senior Warden . As in a

great engine , every wheel and piston responds at once to the magic touch of the master hand that controls it , and it becomes a thing of life , so when the Master sets the wheels of the Lodge in motion , every Officer at once responds to the magic touch , and the work begins . The Junior Deacon is not pouting because he is not Junior Warden , nor is the Senior Deacon " mad" because

he is not Master ; but each one , in his own place , feels that his work is as important as that of any other Officer . There is no loose screw at the door , or broken cogwheel in the West , or rusty joint in the South . In performing their duties they act in harmony . There is an earnest desire to do everything as perfectly as it can be done . There is promptness in every

movement , ready and quick response to every question , and intelligence of expression , which makes the opening ceremonies interesting and pleasant . There is an earnestness all through the degree work , a knowledge of the text and ritual , that makes it instructive and enjoyable . The Master of Ceremonies is as particular to do his part as the Senior Deacon or the Master . In the singing all unite , and when the members are

invited to participate in any part of the work , the Marshall does not have to punch a dozen or more and urge them to " get up . " Nor does the Senior Deacon have to wake up a sleeping Brother in the " amen corner . " All are awake and on the alert to do their share . Such a Lodge will have a large attendance , an active , harmonious membership , and a full treasury , — " New York Dispatch . "