Plural Masterships.

PLURAL MASTERSHIPS .

ripHERE was one opinion expressed by Brother A . F . J- Godson , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire , on the occasion of the presentation to him of his portrait , at Kidderminster , as reported in our last issue ,

which calls for more than passing notice at our hands . Brother Godson said he had always had one view—unless a Brother was called upon by stress of circumstances to aid a Brother in conducting a second chair , it was well that

he should step aside and let those who wished for the high honour to be conferred upon them to have the opportunity . In other words this distinguished member of the Order considers that there should be some great

necessity—beyond the question of mere vanity and love of show , which is so often a prominent factor in this direction —to allow of a Brother who has already passed the chair being installed as ruler in another Lodge , and we think

Brother Godson has conferred a service on the whole body of the Craft in thus giving expression to a decided and authoritative ruling on so important a point—one which concerns young Masons in particular .

We have always felt , in regard to this subject , that the Brother who is continually pushing himself forward to the chair of his Lodge , or Lodges , when he has once discharged the duties of Worshipful Master , is displaying

a spirit of selfishness far from what ought to be shown by a Brother so advanced in the science of Freemasonry , and Bro . Godson exactly expresses our opinion when . he says that only " stress of circumstances to aid a Brother in

conducting a second chair " should allow of any installed Master going forward into the chair of a Lodge , when there are other members able and willing to discharge the duties , waiting their turn , but lacking the opportunity to advance .

We are aware that the opinion expressed by Brother Godson , and that long entertained by ourselves , are not in accordance with the views of a considerable section of the Craft in this matter , for there are many Past Masters

in our midst who are far more anxious to rise to the chair of a Lodge than is the case with the ordinary Craftsman , and we are convinced there are many among the

quieter members of our Fraternity who are ruthlessly pushed aside , through the desire of these " enthusiasts "to add yet another title to their name and , probably , another Past Master ' s jewel to their breast .

. Grand Lodge has very wisely ordained that no Brother shall fill the chair in more than one Lodge at the same time , without a dispensation , and we would advocate a similar restriction in regard to Brethren who have already

passed the chair . If a good and sufficient reason could be shewn for " painting the lily , and refining pure gold , " well and good , then let the dispensation be issued , and let a Past Master be re-installed , but there should be strict

Plural Masterships.

enquiry in each case , and unless some very good reason could be shown for passing over the Brethren already qualified , by service as Warden , we believe it would be

far better to put forward a new Master , than re-appoint one who had already filled that much coveted office in the Craft .

To urge an alteration of the principle which has so long governed this subject is , we confess , somewhat of a thankless task ; there are too many around us who are anxious to continue on the same lines as at present exist ,

and , moreover , they have the power to oppose legislation on the subject , of a prohibitive character , so that there is little prospect of an immediate change ; but public opinion

has before now accomplished much , and if there was anything like a strong expression of opinion in opposition to the existing arrangement there might be a chance of ultimately effecting a reform .

Centenary Celebrations.

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS .

A HUNDRED years ago Freemasonry was largely supported anu cherished by the sea captains of . cnglana , by whom the . Lodge oi bt . Anarew-in-the-east was lounded and earned on down btepney way , and served as a pleasant and iraternai place ol re-union io the old salts on their return irom the iong voyages ol those days , says the

" Daily Telegraph . " As time went on the Lodge , which has become iamous lor its liberal gilts to the . benevolent institutions ot the Craft , moved westerly , via ' 1 hames btreet , Jtfishopsgate , and iastiy to its present home at the Aldersgate btreei Albion . It has now ootained irom the Grand Master

its Centenary Warrant , and has met to celebrate the venerable iact . Jbro . Kobert Grey . fast Grand Warden , the " . bather " ot the Lodge , took the chair as W . M ., and was supported by the following eminent members ol the Order , with many others : 'i he Larl ot Donoughmore , bir Reginald lianson ,

M . Jt \ , Sir John Monckton , bir ueorge L ) . Harris , bir' 1 nomas Boord , Messrs . J . C Parkinson , i . Fenn , L . Letchworth , P . de L . Long , in . A . Hunt , Alired Cooper , Ulement

Godson , Henry Urey , R . Paber , and A . JN . btenmng . A bnet but very interesting account 01 the . Lodge ' s history was given by the Master , alter which the Centenary banquet was neld .

I iHE centenary of the granting of the Warrant to the JL Chapter 01 Paradise , Mo . 139 , was ceiebiated on Monday evening , in the Preemasons' nan , Sheffield . The interesting event attracted a large attendance 01 members , over whom presided the three rrmcipais , Comps . Charles btokes Z ., M . J . Dodworth H ., and A . L . Kirkham J .

lhe history ol the Chapter and its deievopment was the subject oi a paper given uy Comp . Charles btokes , and subsequently portraits ol tne lirst three Principals were distributed , lhe evening was concluded with a banquet .

lhe sooner Lodges get rid of the notion that their business is to get candidates the better . That is very lar from their mission ; the true ideal oi each Lodge ought to be to make Masons ; that is not merely initiating them , it is making them into Masons alter they are imtiateu . txow lar are we irom the ideal i asks the writer oi " iNoles xor PTeemasons , " in the " Kilmarnock Herald .