The Secretary's Minutes.

true , and for the best interests of Freemasonry . A Secretary is more than the mere scribe of the Lodge—he prepares much , if not all , of the business for its action . All communications to the body pass through his hands ,

and are presented by him . Many motions are mado by him , and some are adopted by the force of his single vote . He determines the direction given to much of the charity . He observes , or neglects to observe , the regulations of

Grand Lodge bearing upon Lodge action . Now , what guide has he , over and above his own experience ? In the jurisdistion of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , and we opine in most Masonic jurisdictions , there is a model form

of Minutes furnished him . This is so fall , so exact , so minute in all of its details , and so specific in all of its directions , that if a Secretary will always have it before him in writing out the Minutes , he cannot err . For almost

every possible proceeding in a Lodge there is a p lainly prescribed form . And this form is not an empty form , since it comprehends matter of substance , of the hig hest importance . For example , take the following : — "A

communication was received from the Grand Secretary , stating there was nothing on the records against John Jones . " Suppose a Secretary omits to insert this in the Minntes , in the case of a petition for initiation and membership , or for

membershi p only ? The probabilities are that he has failed to make the necessary inquiry of the Grand Secretary , and having so failed , and the Lodge having initiated a candidate without it , it becomes the imperative duty of the

Grand Master to issue an edict , striking the name of the initiate from the roll of the Lodge ; and as a result the Lodge is obliged to commence de novo , and do its work over again , after having made the necessary inquiry of the

Grand Secretary , and learned that the applicant's record is clear . Take another example : —A member writes to a Secretary , simply asking for what is often termed a Dimit , although we , in Pennsylvania , st y le it simply a Certificate ;

and the Secretary moves ( in error ) that it be granted , and , thereupon , the Brother is erroneously considered to be no longer a member of the Lodge . But the " Form of

Minutes , " if it had been consulted , would have instructed the Secretary that a member must ¦ present a resignation of membershi p in % vriting ) which must be accepted , before any such Brother can be entitled to receive a Certificate to

enable him to apply to another Lodge for membership , which Certificate he is entitled to as a matter of course alter the Lodge has , by vote , accepted his resignation—the

Secretary giving it to him on his request , without any motion for it in open Lodge . The repeated neglect by Secretaries to observe this form of Minute is another

fruitful source of edicts from the Grand Master . Now , no Grand Master is fond of issuing edicts of this characterindeed , we have known a Grand Master to feel that he was soiling his bands by the use of the edictorial pen , and to

wash his haods after tbe unpleasant duty was performed . It is always more agreeable to praise than to blame , and if Secretaries of Lodges would only perform their simple duty , would only follow the printed precedents plainly set before

them in the "Form of Minntes , " they would not only have their Minutes in proper form , but they also would have , what is far more important , the substance of them correct , and the action of the Lodge regular , unnecessary to be set aside by an edict from the Grand Master .

The examples we have given above are only two out of many which we mig ht cite . It is not too much to say that almost all of the errors into which Lodges usually fall ,

might be prevented by the Secretary being guided by the information specifically conveyed in the regulation " Form of Minutes . "

In this connection we may advert to three related matters . The Secretary should leave a line blank between the individual minutes . This renders a reference to the

Minutes easy , when it is desired to discover the action of the Lodge in any particular . This end is further attained by abbreviated memoranda , in red ink , in a blank about two inches in width reserved at the left hand side of the

Minute Book , from top to bottom . Add to this the indexing of the more important actions in a general index of the volume , and the engrossing of the Minutes in a clear , legible hand , and the Secretary ' s work is performed

precisely as in every case it should be . All of these suggestions are not difficult of observance , their performance by the Secretary is his simple duty , and every W . M .

of a Lodge owes it to his Lodge , as well as to himsolf to see lhat they are diligently and faithfully followed . —Key stone .

Third "Ammoniaphone" Concert.

THIRD "AMMONIAPHONE" CONCERT .

THAT Dr . Carter Moffat ' s Ammoniaphone rank * high in public favour was evidenced by the presence of a di > tingnished Company at Holloway Hall , London , on Friday , tho 19 sh inst ., in response to in » itatioua issu-d by Mr . C . B . Harness , Managing Director of the Medical Battery Company , Limited , of 52 Oxford Street , London , W ., the proprietors of Dr . Carter Moffatt ' a invention . Not the least

interesting feature of Friday 8 concert was the fait that all the artistes were Ammoninphonical votaries , whott > stilvd their appreciationof the benefits they have derived from Dr . Carter Moffat's reroarknbl * invention by volunteering their services . The Programme consisted of a Part Song , " Awake , iEolian Lyre , " Ammoniaphone Concert Party ;

New Song , " Old Soldier * , " Mr . Dudley Towers ; Song , " O ' er the Meadow * , " Miss Alice Crang ; Duet , " The Burial at Sei , " M'S-ir * . Roy St . C'aire and Dudley Towers ; Part Song , " Hail to the Chief , " Ammoniaphone Concert Party ; Piano Solo , "The Wanderer , " Mr . Alfred Allen ; Song , " Masks and Faces , " Miss Paula Costello ;

Patriotic Song ( new ) , " London , " Mr . Roy St . CIar « ( accompanied by th * composer ) ; Part Song , " Hush thee , my B ; iby , " Ammoniaphone Concert Party ; Song , " The Lost Voice , " Mr . Roy St . Claire ; Part Song , " 0 who will o ' er the Downs so free , " Ammoniaphone Concert Party ; Song , "The Gauntlet , " Mr . Dudley Towers ; Piano Solo , ( a )

"A da beist blurae , " ( b ) "Invitation to the i \ finu « t , " Mr . Alfred Allen ; Song , " Absent , yet Present , " Miss Paula Costello ; Sonsr , " The Lost Chord , " Mr . Roy St . Claire ; Song , " Good Byo , " Mis * Alice Crang ; Humorous Quartette , " Prophundo Basso , " Misses Costello , Ridgway , Messrs . St . Claire and Towers . God Save the

Queen . Mr . Alfred Allen accompanied on a special Concert Grand Pianoforte by Messrs . John Brinsmead and Sons . Between the parts of the Concert , Dr . Carter Moffat briefly explained the extraordinary properties of the Ammoniaphone for increasing and enriching the Vocal Tone , and for the trt atment of Asthma , Bronchitis , aud

pulmonary affections by inhalation . After the Concert Mr . C . B . Harness entertained the artistes , and a distinguished party of literary musical , and scientific celebrities at snpper in the Ammoniaphone Saloon of the Medical Battery Company , Limited , 52 Oxfi rd Street , VV ., while the band rendered a choice selection of solo and concerted pieces .

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STANMOREHILL,MIDDLESEX. THEASEE€Om»H0TM, 10 miles from Marble Arch , by road . 2 mile * from Edgware Station , G . N . H 3 J miles from the Harrow Station , X . & N . TF . E . 3 % miles from Mill Sill Station , Midland Railway . rpHIS old established Hotel is very retired , healthy , nnd charm-1 ingly situated , it offers great inducements to private families , and a large Assembly Room ha 3 lately been added for Meetings , Balls , Wedding Breakfasts , Dinners , Masonic Lodges , Banquets , & c . Arrangements can be made for conveyances . CHARLES VEAL , Proprietor . The Abercorn Lodge , 1549 ; Sub-Urban Lodge , 1702 : and the Stanmore Chapter , are held here .

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