Privileges And Responsibilities Of W.M.

have to-day . In Masonry there is , of course , no such antagonistic struggle for celebrity , nevertheless we must recognise the fact that there are Masons good and true , letter perfect iu their ritual work , honest , straightforward ancl highly respected in their daily life , who are lamentable failures as Worshipful Masters . Why

is this possible ? The only answer is another query , viz ., why , if the condition of absolute equality were enforced , would it not remain stable for 24 hours . It is the privilege of the Worshipful Master to so manage the affairs of his Lodge , to conserve its best interests financially and otherwise , as to amply repay the

Brethren for the confidence reposed m him . It should be , in the matter of general management , his constant care to give the Brethren no cause to regret the loss of his immediate predecessor , nor to look forward with hope to the date of election of his successor . Let the Worshipful Master remember that every

word of praise that may fairly be given to his Lodge during his term of Office will reflect credit on himself . Let him not forget that any justifiable censure will be laid at his door with equal weight . Let him then see that his Officers are instructed in such a manner as to ensure the performance of their duties to the very

best of their skill and ability . Let him also be assured that the personnel of his Lodge is above reproach . It is his privilege to preside over a body of Masons as almost absolute ruler ; but it is his deepest and most sacred obligation to see that the Brethren , while pledged to obev him , are not , by virtue of his indifference ,

compelled to fraternise with any one who may have forfeited his right to be called a Mason . The Worshipful Master should be the first to act in the direction of excluding from his Lodge any one who has proved himself an unworthy member . If that

unworthiness amounts to gross violation of his Masonic obligations , it is the Worshipful Master ' s solemn duty to do all in his power to invoke the aid of Grand Lodge in purging our antient Order of such an impurity .

LEAVING OFFICE . —At the termination of his period of office it is the privilege of the Worshipful Master to instal his successor , and , although under our Constitution I fail to find that it is legally any more than a privilege , I believe it should be the ambition of every Worshipful Master to thus attach the final

ornament to his record of Office . Brethren , when the night of installation is , as it should be , a very important meeting of the Lodge , but only equal in importance to the other regular meetings of the year , the necessity of importing fossilised " talent" to perform this threadbare ceremony of installation ( better known as it is to most Master Masons than the beautiful work of even

the first degree ) will cease . The necessity does not even now exist , as any Mason thought worthy of being endowed with the great privileges of this high office of Worshipful Master should certainly assure himself that he is capable of grasping all his responsibilities , and should recognise this as one of them , although

an unwritten one . If the Past Masters of his Lodge have neglected their opportunities , it is not the fault of the present Worshipful Master , nor any reason why he should neglect his . If Masonry is to be progressive it should aim at a point of development where none of ita members who shall have occupied

the exalted office of Worshipful Master will require to occasionally act as Installing Master , in order to remind Brethren that he is in reality a Past Master . When that time arrives the affix P . M . will have a meaning , honourable to the name it follows , not as in too many cases at the present day , figuring as a mere ornament .

When the Worshipful Master realises in full his privileges , and recognises in like manner the inseparable element of responsibility in each one of them , he will iudeed be able to leave office well knowing that he has discharged " the important duties of his high office with honour to himself and satisfaction to his Lodge . "

The Book of Constitutions will in most cases show the Worshipful Master his responsibilities , the faithful discharge of which will enable him to appreciate and enjoy his many privileges . There is , however , one great responsibility , which no general law can define for individual cases . I mean his great

duty to himself , as a man and a Mason . If he recognises the fact that every privilege carries a responsibility , the discharge of which enables him to enjoy and duly appreciate that privilege ,

he will probably be entirely successful in his important undertaking . If he fails to recognise this he neglects his first duty . He neglects to render unto himself that justice which his high position places within " the compass of his attainments . "

West Of England Masonry.

WEST OF ENGLAND MASONRY .

riIHE rapid growth of membership in the majority of Lodges I located in the Western Counties discounts the idea that Masonry is decreasing in popular favour . At nearly every monthly meeting there are candidates for nomination or advancement , and the interest taken in the various institutions connected with the Craft is growing by leaps and bounds . In both Devon and Cornwall this pleasant condition of things is due

West Of England Masonry.

to the enthusiasm displayed by Brethren who have devoted many years of unwearied exertion to the cause they have at heart , and their example is ere-iting a feeling of emulation among the younger men , which cannot fail to enhance the prosperity of one

of the noblest objects humanity could support . A visit to any Lodge meeting will give ample evidence of this . Brethren vie with each other in taking a part iu the work , which is accomplished in such an unostentatious , but none the less efficient ,

manner . The Three Towns are particularly well served , so far as the number of Lodges is concerned , and very few of our largest centres of population possess such commodious premises as those which comprise the Masonic Club , in Princess Square . The

arrangements in every respect are ofthe most complete character , and the eight Lodges which hold meetings there find the surroundings to be of the most congenial description , especially when they are compared with those associated with Masonic gatherings elsewhere . It might be advisable for others to

concentrate at the same place , but presumably it is found more convenient to have premises within easy reach of the members . The Committee entrusted with the control of the building have been working for some time in the direction of improving the interior , and the work which has just been completed is calculated

to make the premises more attractive than ever . A long corridor gives access to the large rooms used for Masonic and social functions , and this has just passed out of the hands of the artist who was entrusted with the contract for embellishing the walls .

Bro . G * . F . Hill , of Lipson , undertook to fill up panels with the coats of arms of prominent Masons connected chiefly with the Provinces of Devon and Cornwall , and the results of his labours are admired by all who have inspected them .

In the entrance lobby are the costs of arms of Her Majesty the Queen , and the Prince of Wales , and on either side of the corridor are those of Viscount Ebrington P . G . M . Devon 1879 , Earl Mount-Edgcumbe P . G . M Cornwall 1873 , the Masonic arms

with the motto " Audi , Vide , Taee "; the Bev , John Huyshe , M . A ., P . P . G . M . Devon 1866 , Earl Fortescue P . P . G . M . Devon 1820 , Augustus Smith , M . P ., P . P . G . M . Cornwall 1863 , Sir Charles Lemon , Bart ., M . P ., P . P . G . M . Cornwall 1844 , Sir

Charles Bamfylde , Bart ., P . P . G . M . Devon 1775 , William Pye P . P . G . M . Cornwall 1752 , and Sir John St . Aubyn , Bart ., P . P . G . M . Cornwall 1785 . The pilasters are ornamented with shields of the Boyal Arch , and the ceiling is panelled alternately with representations of the sun and moon and stars . By

daylight the effect is of a most beautiful description , but when the soft rays of the incandescent light are utilised at night , and the floor covered with coloured carpet , nothing more delighful to the eye could have beeu suggested . It is gratifying to know

that the club is in a prosperous condition , and that the large rooms are in great request for gatherings of a social character , Brother Harvey , the steward , having gained a reputation for the excellent manner in which he caters for all . — " Western Mercury . "

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

EEGBET is expressed at the death of Captain E . B . Penrice , of Maryport , which occurred on Tuesday of last week , after a long illness . Deceased , who was well known and highly respected by the townspeople , was a prominent Freemason , and the Maryport Lodges found in him an enthusiastic supporter ,

says the " Whitehaven Free Press . He was initiated a member of the Perseverance Lodge , No . 371 , on 25 th June 1867 , was W . M . in 1886 , and appointed P . G . S . B . in 1881 . He was exalted in Nicholson Chapter , No . 371 , on 25 th July 1883 , was installed M . E . Z . on 6 th April 1890 , and appointed Prov . G .

Beg . on 1 st March 1892 . Deceased was also a Mark Mason in the Whitwell Mark Lodge 151 P . M . P . P . J . G . W . He was a member of the Collin Lodge of Boyal Ark Mariners , 11 , and was a P . M . of the W . M . Sewell Council Allied Masonic Degrees 11 . Deceased was a member of the Maryport Trustees

for a short time , was a director of the Maryport and District Economic Building Society , and had acted as Secretary of the Maryport branch of the Boyal National Lifeboat Institution , in whose work he took great interest . He was of a kindly and generous nature , and was ever willing to relieve distress in an

unostentatious manner . Deceased was accorded a Masonic funeral , and a good number of Brethren in their regalia preceded the hearse . On the conclusion of the Church service , Bro . the Bev . J . Anderson Past Provincial Grand Chaplain , Whitehaven

read the Masonic service , and the usual ceremonies were observed . The coffin was carried from the church to the graveside by Bros . T . Waite , J . Dickinson , J . Eeed , J . Gardiner , B . Brown , and J . Ward , all Past Masters .

rpHE late Bro . Daniel Davies P . M . of the Derby Lodge , No . JL 724 , was interred on Sunday morning at Anfield Cemetery , Liverpool , in the presence of a large number of Masonic Brethren and others .