Uniformity Of Working.

UNIFORMITY OF WORKING .

AT the formation of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria there was a great demand for a uniformity of working . Several spurious additions had crept into some of the rituals previously in use . The necessity of expunging these was one of the reasons advanced for the

formation of one local Grand Lodge by a union of the various Constitutions . Shortly after the establishment of the United Grand Lodge a committee of experienced Brethren was appointed to devise the best means of obtaining such a uniformity of working . After mature

deliberation the committee adopted a ritual based as far as possible on that practised in the best English Masonic circles . This was exemplified before a Grand Lodge specially called for the purpose , and generally adopted Though most Brethren have adhered to this ritual , we

are sorry to say some , including a few of the committee , have not done so , but have " improved " and embellished it with what are generally believed to be spurious additions . The ritual of Freemasonry has been handed down from time immemorial , from generation to

generation , pure and unsullied , and it is one of the best known rules in Freemasonry that no Mason or body of Masons has any right to make innovations . This rule each Master solemnly pledges himself to uphold . And this pledge several Masters deliberately break . This doubtless occurs in some instances from

thoughtlessness , but in many from vanity . Inexperienced Masters think the introduction of something into their working which is not seen elsewhere , is a sign of

superiority . A moment ' s reflection will , however , show that , on the contrary , it is a sign of ignorant arrogance , and a vain attempt to steal a march on those Brethren who adheie to their pledge .

Masters and Installing Officers must be under no misapprehension on this point . Whoever , while the Lodge is under his control , suffers any deviation from the ancient customs in any rite or ceremony , or fails to enforce the ancient rules and regulations of the Craft ,

is guilty of a serious Masonic offence , and wholly unfit to have charge of a Lodge . No amount of cheek or display will compensate for or excuse an innovation . It is adhesion to the ancient landmarks of the Order that

has enabled Freemasonry to exist from time immemorial , whilst other institutions have sprung into existence and faded away . Innovations should no more be permitted in our rites and ceremonies than into the text of the

Bible . What would become of the volume of the sacred law if every zealous young clergyman were allowed to " improve " it ? It would soon cease to be the unerring standard of truth and justice . The Masonic ritual would soon cease to be a pattern of excellence if every gushing Master or Installing Officer were allowed to add to and improve it .

About ten years ago a P . M . under the English Constitution attempted to introduce unauthorised practices into the Installation Ceremony in Victoria , practices similar to those which some Past Masters arc

now attempting to introduce . Exception was taken by Bro . P . Blashki , then holding the rank of P . D . J . G . W ., E . G . The matter was . referred to the Grand Secretary , England . The following is his reply , omitting irrelevant subjects : —

"You are perfectly correct in your view as to the Installed Master ' s degree . The ceremony of opening and closing which you mention as having been recently introduced into your district by a Brother from England , is quite irregular and unauthorised by Grand Lodge or by the leading Masonic authorities . It imposes

fresh and additional qualifications quite unknown to the general body of Installed Masters , thus placing them in a false position It is practised in a few instances in our outlying districts in England , but on reference here it has always been ruled to be quite irregular , and you would be fully justified in forbidding its use in your District . Yours fraternally ,

( Signed ) SHADWELL H . CLERKE , Grand Secretary . This letter came before the D . G . Lodge at its quarterly communication , and was ordered to be inserted

m the minutes . It should be sufficient to make all Worshipful Masters and Past Masters who have the slightest regard for their Masonic pledges at once discontinue and discountenance such improprieties .

Uniformity Of Working.

The Master who makes innovations and introduces unauthorised practices . into Masonic rites and ceremonies , fails to hand down the Warrant to his successor " pure and unsullied . "— " Australasian Keystone . "

At a meeting of the Cedewain Lodge , No . 1594 , it was unanimously decided to send a cordial invitation to the Provincial Grand Master of North Wales , asking him to hold the annual meeting of his P . G . Lodge at Newtown in 1895 .

o o o An antipodean contemporary records the fact that a distinguished Brother who was engaged in diving operations in the Indian ocean met a fellow worker at

the bottom of the sea , and they there proclaimed their fraternal association by trying and proving each other in true Masonic form . Another illustration of the universality of Freemasonry , says our contemporary , and , we think it might be added , a novel and unique one .

o o o The Brethren of Montezuma Lodge , Santa Fe , says an American Exchange , have inaugurated a movement " which promises to be of inestimable benefit to suffering

humanity . With the consent of the Grand Master of the Grand Jurisdiction of New Mexico a resolution was adopted setting forth the fact that the death rate from

consumption is increasing at an alaiming rate all over the world ; that the benefits of climatic cure are now universally recognised by physicians ; that the most perfect climate is found at Santa Fe and inviting the

Masons of the United States and Canada to co-operate with Montezuma Lodge in the erection in Santa F 6 " of a national home for consumptives , to be governed and maintained by Masons for benevolent and charitable purposes . "

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CRITERIONRESTAURANT. EASTEOOM FOR BBOHBBOHB DINNERS&SUPPERS ALACARTE. THE WESTEOOM, Dinner,5/;Supper,4/-Instrumental Music 11 . 0 to 12 . 30 . GKANDHALL 3/6DINNER, AT SEPAEATE TABLES , 6 TO 9 , Accompanied by the Celebrated "SPIERPON"ORCHESTRA. Academy Luncheon in West Room , 2 / 9 .