Dual Offices.

hardly object to be publicly told of their irregularity in view of the advantage that may accrue to others , who may be equally at fault in tho same direction .

The Inauguration Of An Instruction Lodge.

THE INAUGURATION OF AN INSTRUCTION LODGE .

WHEN we consider the great amount of benefit that is generally admitted to arise from the working of onr Lodges of Instruction we cannot help feeling that their general proceedings are not always

conducted with all the form and ceremony that might be associated with them , without any detriment to their conduct , and probably to the manifest advantage

of those who attended their meetings . It would perhaps be unfair that the same rigid rules should be enforcedin a Lodge of Instruction as prevail at a regular Lodge meeting , although there are many who will agree with us in belie \ ingthat the advantages of such

a course would iar outweight its possible drawbacks . That such an opinion is shared by some of the best of the Masonic workers of to-day is evidenced by the fact that Lodges of Instruction now exist where rules almost as rigorous as those governing regular

meetings are enforced , and where ' smoking and refreshment are strictly prohibited , except during the short interval when the Lodge is regularly called from labour to refreshment . We believe advantage would result from an extention of this principle , and we are influenced

in such an opinion by the general appearance of such Lodges as only work during working hours , and enjoy refreshment only during recess , as compared with others where a certain amount of " free and easy " convivality is allowed to exist .

From this standpoint we were sorry to read that the Grand Secretary of England had answered the inquiry of certain brethren , who appeared to seek his advice on the point , to the effect that " no

consecration . ceremony or formal inauguration was necessary for the constitution of a Lodge of Instruction . " We are . aware that no such formality is necessary , and for aught we know the Grand Secretary may have done what we are about to suggest—added to his

answer that although no formality was necessary , it was most desirable that a proper inauguration should be attempted , by the rehearsal of the ritual of consecration , with all its attendant forms and ceremonies . . The absence of ' such formality as we suggest seems to

us to imply a certain amount ot lnuiflerence to the principles of Freemasonry , which really seeks to impart instruction by form and illustrative symbolism , and this' is equally the case whether we are dealing with a regular Lodge or a Lodge of Instruction , in

both . of which cases we consider a regularly formal start should be attempted , and as much benefit derived from the teachings set out by the Craft as is possible . Apart from the advantages which would be likely to follow , from an educational point of view , there are

other ; arguments to use in favour of the formal consecration or inauguration of a Lodge of Instruction , not the least important being the opportunity it offers of bringing the establishment of the Lodge under the notice of Brethren other than those actually concerned

in its inauguration . The rehearsal of the forms and ritual of consecration , especially when performed by some one or more of those distinguished brethren who , being particularly capable , take a pleasure in conducting such ceremonies , is sure to prove

interesting and attractive , and the arrangements for such a rehearsal soon becomes known far beyond the circle of those who promote them , with the result that visitors are attracted , and a much better start is made

than is possible without some special effort . This being so we have no hesitation in recommending the adoption of as much formality and form as is possible m connection with the inauguration of a Lodge of In-

The Inauguration Of An Instruction Lodge.

struction , even though there is no real necessity for it , and on the same basis we would recommend the annual rehearsal of the ceremonv of Installation at

such Lodges , not as a regular meeting , but as a special one , with particular efforts to ensure an extra amount of impressiveness .

Mark Grand Lodge.

MARK GRAND LODGE .

rpHE agenda for the Quarterly Communication - * - of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , to be held on Tuesday , the 5 th proximo , in Mark Masons' Hall , London , has been issued , and although it presents no particular item of special interest it

affords evidence of regularity and progress , taken in association with the quarterly report of the General Board , which records that during the three months ending 80 th September last 255 Mark certificates were issued , bringing the total registrations up to

31 , 777 ; while warrants had been granted for two new Lodges : No . 466 , the Prince of Wales , to meet at St . Helens , Lancashire ; and No . 467 , the'West Ham , to meet at Stratford . In the Eoyal Ark Mariner section 38 certificates were issued , bringing the total

registrations up to 4 , 018 . The Board report that the M . W . Grand Master has been pleased to grant a Warrant of Confirmation to the Albany Lodge , Newport , Isle of Wight , the last of the independent Lodges in existence before the

formation of Grand Lodge , which has for many years worked under Time Immemorial authority , without a Warrant . At the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hants and the Isle of Wight , held on 20 th September , and reported in our pages at the

time , the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., administered the obligation of Allegiance to the members , and afterwards installed the Master elect .

There is also notification of the fact that the Order of the Temple of England and Wales has been accepted as a tenant of a portion of Grand Mark premises , an announcement that must prove gratifying to all who consider it desirable to bring the

different degrees of Masonry into closer union with each other ; and then a minor question of procedure is ' set out for consideration , the Master of the Lewis Lodge , No . 391 , having only served eleven months , in consequence of an alteration in the regulations of his

Lodge , and desiring to be confirmed as a Past Master although the qualification is twelve months tenure of office . Other matters are touched upon in the Report , but the principal business of the day will be the

nomination of Grand master for the ensuing year , for although the re-nomination and re-election of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales has almost become a matter of course , the actual proposition has not degenerated into a merely formal matter , neither , we hope , will it ever

do so . Then there is the nomination of Grand Treasurer and the presentation of Charity jewels to be attended to , and altogether a pleasant meeting may be looked for . It is announced that the twenty-sixth Anniversary

Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund will be held on Wednesday , 18 th July next , and that the Right Hon . the Earl of Yarborough , Provincial Grand Mark Master for Lincolnshire , will preside . Readers of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE are well acquainted with the

benefits provided by this -b und , and will , we hope , afford it as much support as possible on the occasion we refer to . There is one special feature in connection with this Fund , it has hitherto been possible to

elect every candidate for its . Educational and Annuity benefits without the trouble and expense of an election ; but it must be apparent to the most casual observer that such a desirable course cannot be main-