Lodges Of Instruction;

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION ;

THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE MOTHER LODGE .

r introducing to our readers the subject we have chosen for our present article , we consider it first necessary to glance at one or two of the more prominent forms in which we find the Lodges of Instruction circumstanced . In London and a few other large centres of Freemasonry

Lodges of Instruction are scattered about , if not as thickly , at least as widely , as are regular Lodges ; while in small , and even medium-sized Provincial towns , the brethren of the entire district frequently assemble at one general Lodge

of Instruction , even though there may be two , three , or more regular Lodges in the place . It will therefore be necessary to bear in mind the varieties which exist , as there will doubtless be features in onr remarks which will not

apply equally to all , though we shall endeavour to shape them in as general a manner as can be . Before it is possible to establish a Lodge of Instruction the sanction or permit of some regular Lodge must be obtained , and it is usual for some energetic member or

members to take the initiative , and apply for sanction to start the Lodge of Instruction . This sanction is , under such circumstances , usually granted ; the brother or brethren applying for it being held personally responsible to the Mother Lodge for the good behaviour of all who may

assemble and work under the permission given . So long as the brethren who first applied for the privilege remain members of the Mother Lodge , and continue their attendance at the Lodge of Instrnction , it is customary for some amount of interest in each other ' s welfare to exist : but in

conrse of time death , and other causes combined remove the founders of the Lodge of Instruction , and , later on , the Lodge and its offshoot become virtually unknown to each other . True , the JLodge of Instruction may be reminded that it is in a measure connected with the Mother

Lodgeby the continual production of its warrant or permit , which should always be shown at the meetings , in the ¦ ame way as is the warrant from Grand Lodge in the case of an ordinary one , but the members of the Mother Lodge have no such reminder constantly before them , and in time

they may actually forget they ever gave permission for a Lodge of Instruction , much less know of its present doings . That we are not going too far in assuming such a want of knowledge amongst the members of a Lodge can be proved by what has actually taken place . We heard

latel y of a case where certain brethren wished to establish a Lodge of Instrnction in connection with their Lodge , but , ] ust as permission was about to be granted , it was found that a similar concession had been made , many years back ,

ftnd that weekly meetings were being held under such authorit y ; at the same time , in consequence of changes that had occurred , by removals at one time or another , the Meetings of the two bodies were held widely apart . In this case it was not deemed desirable to issue a second

permit , and , those interested not pressing the matter , the subject was allowed to drop , a " club" for instruction being afterwards formed . We have pointed out this extreme view of the case to show that a Lodge , and its Lod ge of Instruction , may become practically unknown to each other ; but in how many cases do they become theoreticall y so ? We think we may assert in a very great

many ; and we feel justified in saying that when such an event does occur , both the Lodge and its Lodge of Instruction sustain a great loss . The Lodge of Instruction shonld be a help to the Mother Lodge , while the latter should act as a guardian to the

former . The Lodge of Instruction may be of service to the Mother Lodge in many ways . In it it should be possible for the Officers of the parent Lodge to rehearse the parts they would be called npon to enact in their own Lodge , and for this reason we strongly

recommend the holding of " Officers '" nights in all Lodges of Instrnction ; that is to say , nights periodically set apart , on which the Officers of the year are invited to attend and take tbe same positions they hold in the Mother Lodge . When this becomes a custom , the

brethren know where they can meet other members of their Lodge , and it is possible to discuss questions which are likely to arise at the next regular meeting before

the day of holding the Lodge arrives , whereby time is saved , and petty annoyances are frequently avoided . As a consequence the Lodge of Instruction benefits ; a large number of brethren are attracted who would not otherwise

attend ; further than this , a variety in the programme is created on these so-called " Officers '" nights , which is frequently much appreciated . Again , there is the

advantage of the Lodge and its Lodge of Instruction being , as it were , one united body , rather than two distinct undertakings , known to be connected with each other only because the name of each is the same .

We are likewise advocates for the holding of annual suppers at onr Lodges of Instruction . At such times the regular routine of work should be set aside , and a few hours devoted to social intercourse . On these occasions most

brethren delight in looking back on the events of the past , calling to mind what was said and done at previous annual gatherings , and renewing acquaintanceships which but for such meetings would die out . Here there is not so much formality as is usual on installation

nights in ordinary Lodges : the brethren feel more at home ; and a general free-and-easy air—if we may use the expression—pervades the meeting . As a consequence , those present usually enjoy themselves . Again , these annual suppers afford the most ready means of cementing

tbe friendly feeling -which , should exist between the Mother Lodge and its Lodge of Instruction , and in many cases they are made to serve that purpose . We know of several Lodges in which the annual festival of the Lodge of Instruction is looked forward to with as much interest as

is the installation meeting of the Lodge itself , while in others it is noted as being the occasion on which a general muster of the Masons of the district will take place , and all the Masonic affairs of the neighbourhood will be discussed . In some of the Provincial towns this is particularly

the case . The annual meeting of the Lodge of Instruction is presided over by the W . M . of the oldest Lodge , with the W . M . of a younger Lodge filling the position of vice chairman , and , as each appears to try and get the largest number of his fellow members to support him , a goodly

attendance from each Lodge usually assembles ; this gives a large meeting for the Lodge of Instruction , and when it is explained what is done at the weekly meetings , many of those who have hitherto stayed away decide upon attending in the future , with the result that the Lodge of