Can A Master Err?

CAN A MASTER ERR ?

THE nation has recently had occasion to answer just such a question as that which heads our present article , the blame for the loss of one of the country's finest battle ships and a number of lives really resting on the decision as to whether an

admiral can err in the commands he issues to his subordinates . The court martial which sat to decide this very pertinent question answered it in the negative , as we fully expected—that is to say , they Rpreed that however wronc tlie nronosal of the — -- . 0

"O .. _ . - A x admiral might have been , it was not in the power of those under his command to recognise the possibility of his erring , and that in order to maintain discipline and dignity it was essential that the commands of the leader should be obeyed . So it is in our Masonic Lodges , where it is essential , in order to secure good

order ana regularity , to recognise that tne vvorsmpiui Master cannot err . In saying this we are aware that it is quite possible for the Masonic rulers to do wrong , but the possibility of their doing so must not be recognised by subordinates , who must cheerfully obey the commands of their superiors , no matter what those instructions may ultimately lead to .

Let us for a moment look at the opposite view of the case . Let us suppose that a Worshipful Master has done something unquestionably at variance with the usages of the Craft , and that as soon as his attention has been drawn to the fact he sees that he is in the wrong . What is best to be done under such circumstances ? Some would say , immediately admit

the error , and set to work to remedy whatever evil has resulted—but to do so would be fatal ; and here * we find the necessity of upholding the principle that it is impossible for a Worshipful Master to err . The Master havinc done what seemed to him to lie riVht

- o . —o and correct , his only course , if he has any desire to uphold his authority , is to act as though he was right , with the full determination to remedy anything he may afterwards find requires remedying , but all the

time acting the part of one who cannot err . To admit that he is at fault acknowledges the possibility of weakness , which cannot be allowed in a leader of Freemasons , any more than it can be admitted in an Admiral of the Fleet or a General of the Army , and

although such a conrse as we advise may appear strange and inconsistent we are convinced it is the only one that can possibly be tolerated , and it has , moreover , the practise of past ages to endorse it , for it is on such lines as we have laid down that it is alone possible to recognise that a Worshipful Master cannot err .

Assuming that a Master knows he has done wrong , and admits it , how can he afterwards assert authority ? Some one of those present will at once exclaimperhaps merely in good natured chaff—wrong again , Worshipful Master ! and although in doing so they way have no desire or intention of upsetting the

Can A Master Err?

dignity of the chair , they are only adding fuel to the already kindled fire of disorganisation , and may cause the most unexpected and uncalled for results . This is particularly the case when at the close of their labours the members of a Lodge sit down together at the social board—the Master is . a

right jovial fellow , and those around him are not only members of the same Lodge , but also personal friends , men who may be relied upon to seize anv and evevv otmnrtumtv of chaffing each othei * . and -- ^ -j- j

—^ _ . A - -- - ^ - , in such a case it is not hard to imagine such a result as we have portrayed—it is merely the natural outcome of circumstances , without any approach to insubordination , disloyalty or disrespect , ancl such being probable we think we have proved our case , and demonstrated the necessity of acting infallibility , eyeij

in face ol knowledge oi error .. ...., ; If we once admit the possibility of a Master erring we must extend the principle and allow every subordinate officer and lay member of the Lodge to amend his procedure just as he chooses . This would allow the wildest statements to be made , and the most

absurd actions to be taken , the ready excuse being offered that it was a mistake , of the same character as that admitted and tolerated in the ruler of the Lodge , and such an explanation would unquestionably be very difficult to deal with .

We may be asked , however , how we should propose to deal with an admitted case of error in a Worship .- ; ful Master , and in reply would suggest that , the Immediate Past Master should be deputed to announce the Master ' s determination to review the matter in

association with the Past Masters , and see how far the suggestions of the complainers could be engrafted into the general work of the Lodge . In the law courts we have to admit that a judge cannot err , and

he dispenses justice on that principle , but at the same time he readily allows the right of appeal to a superior authority if a case sufficiently good can be made out by those aggrieved at his decision . ; We

admit the same principle in Freemasonry , the right of appeal to higher authority always being open to a dissatisfied member , but in allowing that right we by no means admit the possibility of error in those whose verdicts are appealed against—they , like the Masters of our Lodges , must be regarded as incapable of error .

Consecration Of The Walthamstow Lodge, No. 2472.

CONSECRATION OF THE WALTHAMSTOW LODGE , No . 2472 .

ON Monday , the 7 th inst ., this Lodge was consecrated at the Masonic Hall of the Chequers Hotel , by Bro . Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary , who was ably assisted by Bros . Dr . Ralph Gooding P . G . D . who acted

as Senior Warden , Charles Belton P . D . G . D . of C . as Junior Warden , F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Reg . as Chaplain , James Henry Matthews P . G . Std , Br . as D . of ft , and