Ritualistic Exactness.

RITUALISTIC EXACTNESS .

THE elaborate ritual of Masonry is deserving of both a cnreful study and rendering by members of the Craft . The ceremony connected with the imparting of tho several degrees must be rightly observed in all its parts if a due impression is to be made on the mind of the candidate . It detracts from the effect of any Masonic ¦ service whenever tbe prescribed ritual is depart 3 d from , and the

appointed ceremony is abridged or added to in any important particulars . We recall occasions when we have seen the members of a Lodge brought to mortification by the faulty text spoken by the Officers in the doing of their work , or when some mistake in the arrangements has been the means of turning a solemn service into a farce . An ignorant or careless method of procedure is always to be

deprecated . The Lodge suffers , the candidates have good reason to complain , and injustice is done to genuine Masonry , whenever the details of ritualistic observance are made of none effect . A perfect and intelligent rendering of the text , together with an exact conformity to well-considered usages and ceremony , ¦ jyill render attractive almost any portion of the Masonio

ritual , while a crude and mangled presentation of even the most interesting parts of the system will most surely disappoint the expectations of cultivated minds . It follows , then , that the ritual of Masonry should command attention—that it should be understood , and rendered with precision , by those who have the con . ducting of Lodge affairs . In this view it becomes important that

the correct text shall be made authoritative and come into general use , and that a uniform practice shall prevail in illustrating the varied ceremonial whioh belongs to the ritual . The endeavour should be to have as much conformity as possible in the conferring of degrees , and the setting forth of the principles of Masonry . Among Lodges and brethren there should always exist an earnest feeling to

ascertain the exact' language and requirements of the ritnal , and the aim should be to follow the same with exceeding carefulness . It is possible , however , to err in this direction . There are brethren who seem to imagine that Masonry is nothing else but a system of rites and ceremonies , and that the proper formulating of a ritual is what holds the organisation together . They will become greatly

exercised over the misuse of words in the text , or some varying in the ceremonial , and be quick to notice and con - demn the slightestdeviation from what they hold to be the ancient and authoritative ritual . Brethren of this stamp , we think , put too much stress upon mere words , whilst they unduly magnify customs and ceremonies , whioh , after all , are only the dress of ideas , or the

machinery by which work is done and results are reached . It is a good thing to have textual exactness in tbe Lodge j to have a unity of work and ceremony in the unfolding of Masonry ; but it is not well to expend too mnch time or effort in this direction ; certainly it is most unwise to neglect more important matters for those of secondary rank . Masonry cannot live and flourish on mere ritualistic

exactness alone . It will live and thrive , notwithstanding the lack of entire nnformity and technical correctness of work , if it can bat have an intelligent membership , who shall comprehend the true genius of the Institution as a moral and beneficent force among men . Masonry is more than a system , and its power depends upon the character of its members rather than upon their ritualistic acquirements . —Tree ' mason ' s depository .

The following are the principal Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba elected for the current year , namely : Bros . J . H . Bell ( re-elected ) Grand Master , Wm . G . Scott Deputy Grand Master , D . B . Murray Grand Senior Warden , C . F . Forrest Grand Junior Warden , Eev .

Canon O'Meara ( re-elected ) Grand Chaplain , J . J . Johnston ( re-elected ) Grand Treasurer , D . G . Dick ( re-elected ) Grand Eegistrar , James Henderson Grand Secretary , D , McArthur Grand Tyler ( re-elected by open vote ) , A

Pearson Grand Senior Deacon , T . W . Eobinson Grand Junior Deacon , Hugh McCowan Grand Lecturer , Dr . Macklin Grand Sword Bearer , A . E . Eonth Grand Organist , A . McCowan Grand Pursuivant . We understand that Bro . F . B . Chatterton has taken New Sadler ' s Wells Theatre for the next season .

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THE FREEMASON'S CHRONICLE , A Weekly Record of Masonic Intelligence . Sanctioned hy the Grand Lodge of England . Price—13 s fid per annum , post free . THB FREEMASON ' . *} CHRONICLE will be forwarded direct from the Office , 23 Great Queen Street , W . C , ( opposite Freemasons' Hall ) , on receipt of Post Office Order for the amount . Intending Subscribers should forward their full Addresses to prevent mistakes . Post Office Orders to be made payable to W . W . MORGAN , at High Holborn Office . Cheques crossed " London and County . " Advertisers will find THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE an exceptionally good medium for Advertisements of every class . SCALE OF CHARGES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS . Per Page £ 8 0 0 Back Page £ 10 0 0 Births , Marriages and Deaths , Is per line . General Advertisements , Trade Announcements , & o . single column , 5 s per inch . Double Column Advertisements la per line . Special Terms for a Series of Insertions on application .

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THE THEATRES , & c . DBDBY LANE . —At 7 . 40 . YOUTH . COVENT GARDEN—At 8 , PROMENADE CONCERTS . HEB MAJESTY'S—At 8 , HAVERLY'S MONSTER TROUPE OF REAL IUGGERS . Wednesday and Saturday at 2 also . ADELPHI . —At 7 . 15 , THE MIDDY ASHORE . At 8 . 15 , JANET PRIDE . HAYMARKET .-At 8 . 0 , THE LITTLE TREASURE . At 9 . 16 , MA DAME ROSE . PBINCESS'S .-At 7 , TWO OLD BOYS . At 8 , THE OLD LOVE AND THE NEW . STBAND .-At 7 . 30 , UP THE RIVER . At 8 , OLIVETTE . GAIETY .-At 7 . 0 , OPERETTA . At 7 . 20 , FAST COACH , At 8 . 30 , FORTY THIEVES . CBITEEION . —At 8 , WITHERED LEAVES . At 8 . 45 . FLATS . OPEBA COMIQTJE—At 8 , UNCLE SAMUEL . At 8 . 30 , PATIENCE . PBINCE OF WALES'S . —At 8 . 30 , THE COLONEL . FOLLY—At 7 . 30 , HIS LAST LEGS . At 8 . 30 , IMPRUDENCE . NEW SADLEE'S WELLS .-SEDGMOOR . ALHAMBRA .-At 7 . 30 , FARCE . At 8 . 15 , BRONZE HORSE . ALBXANDBA PALACE . — This day , RACES , CONCERT , ROSE SHOW , TRIAL BY JURY , ILLUMINATION , & c . CBYSTAL PALACE .-This day , CONCERT . THE OCTOROON , BICYCLE RACES , & c . On Tuesday , FORESTERS' FETE , CONCERT , 4 o . On Thursday , FIREWORKS , 4 c . Open Daily . Aquarium , Picture Gallery , 4 c , & c .

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Crown Svo , price 2 s 6 d , cloth lettered . Ittifomtijj tit Ifesmii : fptngt M $ Wtitmwt . By Bro . JAMES STEVENS , P . M ., P . Z ., & e . " May be read with advantage by the whole Craft . "—¦ San-Jay Timet . " Grand Lodge should at once set to work to secure the desired uniformity . " —Sheffield Fast . " The subject is ably argued by the author . "—Wettern Baily Mercury . " Useful and valuable in the highest degree . "—Exeter Gazette . " Will have a material effect on the future of Masonio Ritual . "—South Western Star . " The author adduces many variations in the language used by different Preceptors . "— Cox ' s Monthly Legal Circular . " Ought to be in the hands of every Mason . "—Northampton Guardian . " To Freemasons generally it will be found useful and valuable , and we commend it to their notice accordingly . "—Surrey County Observer . " Bro . Stevens' motion for a Committee on the subject of Uniformity of Ritual was carried by a large majority . "—Freemason ' s Chronicle report of Grand Lodge meeting , 3 rd December 1879 . Sent , by post , on receipt of stamps , by the Author , Bro . JAMES STEVENS , 312 High-street , Clapham , S . W . j or by Bro . W . W . MORGAN , 23 Great Queen Street , London , W . C .

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