The Revised Constitutions.

THE REVISED CONSTITUTIONS .

BY BRO . R . F . GOULD , P . G . D . The revision of the Constitutions bids fair to open more questions than it closes . Happily , however , the new code still awaits confirmation , and an opportunity svill yet be afforded of rejecting two serious innovations upon timehonoured usage , the full consequences of which , if allowed to pass into law , can hardly have been present to the minds

even uf the brethren by whom they were introduced . The innovations referred to are the regulations which respectively extend the privileges of Past Masters ( 1 S 6 ) and substitute ( in certain cases ) the uniform of the provinces for the uniform of Grand Lodge («) 7 ) . To what extent the last-named regulation svill be instrumental in breaking up the harmony and good feeling which has hitherto prevailed between London and country brethren

remains to be seen ; but it may , at least , be confidently assumed that Lord Holmesdale will succeed in fully raising the impoitant question to which he so pointedly referred . That the brotherhood of English Freemafons is capable of indefinite expansion few svill care to assert . If we go on forming new lodges , the time must some day arrive when the aggregate of Masonic bodies owing allegiance to a central authority , sums up at too large a figure to be controlled

by the existing machinery . The question , however , suggests itself—need sve precipitate the evil day svhen the Freemasons of England shall cease to form a sinjjle Grand Body , by enacting laws svhich may tend to array the Masons of London and the provinces in hostile camps ? When the Status ot Provincial Grand Officers comes on for discussion , the brethren of the metropolis may well inquire why the members of 300 lodges within the 10 mile

radius are left out in the cold , whilst rank and distinctive clothing are lavished upon their provincial and colonial brethren ? Passing , hosvever , from the consideration of clause 297 of the new rules , to svhich with your permission , I svill return on a future occasion , I shall proceed svith a few remarks upon clause iSG . It will be convenient in the first instance to examine how

the Degree of Past Master has become established , and to trace , the commencement of piivileges which have been so vastly enlarged by tbe special Grand Lodge . During the first half of the eighteenth century , Masters of Lodges were for the most part elected quarterly , there svas no ceremony of installation , and no secrets svere associated with the chair . At a later period , in the earlier or Constitutional Grand Lodge ot England ( established

1717 ) , semi-annual elections became common , and later still , it was a frequent practice to continue a popular Master in the chair year after year , as in Germany they do to this day . From the date of its lormation in 1717 until the Union of 1 S 13 , subordinate lodges svere represented in this Grand Lodge by tlieir Masters and Wardens only . On June 5 th , 1765 , the junior or Schismatic Grand Lodge of England ( established 1753 ) , " ordered and declared that

from and after the 7 th Uecemher , 17 G 5 , all and every regular Past Master svhile a member of any private lodge under the sanction of this Grand Lodge , shall be a member of this Grand Lodge also , and shall have a vote in all cases except in making new laws , whicii power is vested in the Master and Wardens , as being the only true representatives of all the lodges , according to old regulation the tenth . " The " old regulations" of the Schismatic Grand Lodge

( established 1753 ) , and the " general regulations " of the earlier or Constitutional Grand Lodge ( established 1717 ) , are almost identical . Ihe > ormer were first published in the " Ahiman Rezon " of 1756 , and the tenth and twelfth clauses are copied almost svord for svord from the latter , svhich was passed in 1721 . Regulation X . and XII . in both codes run to the following effect : —

"X . The majority of every particular lodge . - . have the privilege of giving instructions to their Masters and Wardens before the assembling of the Grand Lodge . ' . . ' . because their Masters and Wardens . are their representatives , Sic "XII . The Grand Lodge consists of , and is formed by , the Masters and Wardens of all . \ the lodges upon record , with the Grand Master at their head , " & c .

The Degree of Past Master , or chair degree , was invented by the Schismatic Grand Lodge ( estab . 1753 ) , to serve as a constructive passing of the chair , and thereby to qualify brethren for the Degree of Royal Arch , which could onl y be conferred on actual or Past Masters of lodges . One of the difficulties in negotiating the union of the two Grand Lodges arose out of the indisposition of the

•oiarul Lodge of 17171 miscalled " Moderns" ) to accept trie usage of the Grand Lodge of 1753 ( miscalled "Ancients" ) in admitting Past Masters to seat and vote . Ultimately , however , the matter was arranged . The Degree of Past Masier svas adopted by the senior Grand Lodge in 1810 , when Ihe Masters of London lodges svere summoned to receive for the first time the benefit of installation , and at 'he union of 1811 , all Past Masters under either

jurisdiction were constituted members of the United Grand Lodge , though from that date one Past Master only from each lod ge was to have the privilege of attending . Until lS 35 Past Masters svere ineligible for election to the Board of General Purposes , Finance , Works , and Schools , and Ihe Committee of Benevolence . On April 3 rd , 1851 , a Committee of Grand Lodge reported , ? t the instance of one of the Grand Lodges of the United

States , which asked if Past Masters possessed any inherent Privileges— " We think it clear that the right of Past Masters to vote in Grand Lodge , whenever and so long as that right subsists is due to and depends entirely upon the v-onstiiuiions which grant such a privilege , and therefore is nut inherent . " 'n a fesv of the American Grand Lodges Past Masters j ^ e amongst the members , ' but as a general rule these hodies are cumoosed of Present Grand Officers , a few Past

strand Officers of the highest grades , and the Masters and > var , ] eris of subordinate lodges . •n the Grand Lodge of Scotland Past Masters have no P'fcc . In the Grand Lodge of Ireland they rank after Wardens . New regulation iSG requires to be carefully examined . ¦ In regard to its future bearing upon the question of representation ; 2 , Whether it is a constitutional proceeds' and , 3 , If it is expedient or desirable . ••As regards the first point , I shall content myself with

The Revised Constitutions.

observing that , whilst each lodge is properly represented in Grand Lodge by its AIaster and Wardens , a return svithin the "old landmarks" may be rendered imperatively necessary by the increasing unwieldiness of om Masonic Parliament .

2 . The legality of the clause is open to dispute . It svill be conceded that Grand Lodge could not pass a law ordering private lodges to elect as Masters all joining Past Alasters ; or , in other svords , that the privilege of electing their Master is one of whicii lodges cannot be deprived by an arbitrary edict of the governing body . Assuming then , that the Grand Lodge cannot appoint a brother to be the actual Alaster uf a lodge he juins , is it maintainable for an instant

that tha supreme governing body can conter past rank when it is powerless to conler actual rank ? The case may be illustrated in another way . Every lodge enjoys the prerogative ( to use an expression svith svhich sve have become familiar ) of electing its osvn Master and Treasurer . Nosv , if the recent action of Grand Lodge is constitutional , it svould be equally competent to the governing body to enact that every Past Treasurer of one lodge should rank as

such in whatever lodges he might alterwards juin , thus enabling a brother svho joined , say , the Prince of VVales ' s Lodge ( and came svithin the rule ) to display the " key " on its special apron , * and thereby convey the impression that he had filled the office of Treasurer in that excellent lodge . We may extend the analogy , and question the power even of the Grand Master to conler the rank of Past Grand AIaster or Treasurer . True , he is autliorised to "appoint

brethren of eminence and ability to be members of Grand Lodge svith such rank and distinction as he may thinu proper . "f But , though the authority given is svithout limitation in express svurds , the offices ot Grand Master and Treasurer being elective , 1 conceive that he could noi constitutionally conler past rank , svhen he svould be powerless to conferactual rank , precisely on the same principle already advanced , that the privileges and status arising Irom the

tenure of an elective office , can only be granted ( if at all ) , to a non-qualified brother , by the persons in svhom is vested the right of election . 3 . ihe expediency of the proposed lasv is affirmed by country and denied by London brethren . The innovation , hosvever , as it stands , svill lead to some singular ' consequences and anomalies . Hitheno a Pasl Master of a lodge must at least have been present at one of its meetings .

Nosv , on the contrary , it svill be quite possible for a brotuer svho has never set lout in England to ue a Past Alaster ot as many English lodges as he can get to elect lum . J Brethren , on ihe other hand , initiated in England and svhose connection svith their mother lodges has sustained no break , but svho , from the exigencies ot military seivice , public employment , or otherwise , have only served as Masters under the Irish or Scottish Constitutions , will be

lett out in . the cold . As it is esteemed a greater distinction to hail from a lodge svith a high number , a run upon the senior lodges may be confidently anticipated , and the members of the Grand Alaster ' s lodge might , in all probability , exact any fee they pleased for tne privilege ot joining , involving as it svould the" bogus" past mastership uf i \ o . 1 . In conclusion , 1 may be permitted to refer to the telling

speech ot the brother by whom the debate on clause 18 G was svound up on the Sth inst . Stress svas laid on tne hardship accruing to Colonial and Indian Past Masters from the operation of the existing lasv . In the viesv he takes , 1 consider the svorthy brother is altogether mistaken . Ten years ot my Masonic liie svas spent in British colonies and settlements , during which period 1 filled the chair of several lodges , and became acquainted svith a large number of colonial Past Masters , svhose friendship in many instances

I retain to this day . Amongst these I have never met one svho considered it any hardship to again svoik up to the chair before ranking as a Past Masier of a lodge in this country . In my opinion it is quite erroneous to assume that the general bjdy of Colonial Past Masters have any desire to sail under lalse colours . Nay , on the contrary I am fully convinced that they would view with equal disfavour the operation of the nesv lasv in regard to themselves , and to emigrating brethren from London or the piovinces .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The General Committee of this Institution met on Thursday afternoon at Freemasons' Hall , Col . Creaton , Past Gr . Treas ., in the chair . There svere also present Bros . J . H .

Matthews , Arthur E . Gladwell , Herbert Dicketts , Col . Jas . Peters , Gr . Swd . Br ., Major E . H . Finney , Fredk . Adlard , F . R . W . Hedges , Secretary , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . The business svas merely tormal , consisting of the reading and confirmation of minutes , and the authorising the Chairman to sign cheques .

Australia.

Australia .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE ( SOUTH ) . The quarterly communication was held at the Freemasons ' Hall , Flinders-street , Adelaide , on July 4 th , svhen there were present Bros . Henry E . Downer , V . W . Deputy District Grand Master , in the chair ; T . E . F . Seabrook , as U . D . G . AL ; M . Salom , D . G . S . W . ; j . H . Cunningham , D . G . Sec ; W . L . Ware , as D . G . S . IJ . ; J . C FergusonU . G . D .

, of C ; S . Solomon , D . G . J . VV . ; ri . Al . Addison , D . G . Treas . ; John Holman , as D . G . J . D . ; James Shakespeare , D . G . Org . ; Frank Olifent , as D . G . Purst . ; Fred H . Wigg , E . Saint , Harry Turner , and W . F . Stock , D . G . Stwds . ; J . H . P . Hender , P . M . 5 S 3 ; D . Morris , P . M . 5 83 ; j . P . Benbow , P . AI . 649 ; F . C Smith , P . M . 1172 ; G . C . Knight ,

W . M . 5 S 3 ; VV . Baldwin , W . M . 5 jS ; F . C . Bowen , W . M . 649 ; Philip Sansom , S . W . 423 ; G . G . Martin , S . VV . 583 ; G . C . Guymcr , S . W . 598 ; Wm . Hugo , J . W . 505 ; E . sV . G . Hosking , J . W . 5 S 3 ; G . T . Powell , P . M . 649 ; and Chas . Eley , J . W . 598 . Visitors : Bros . J . Moorhouse , 1759 ; James Cranna , 598 ; S . t'asvceit , 59 8 ; and C . J . P . Ohlson , 5 y 8 . The Lodge having been opened in form , the Deputy

Australia.

District Grand Master explained that the R . W . Bro . Arthur Hardy , D . G . M ., and the VV . Bro . Furner , D . G . J . D ., svere unable to be present on account of having to attend to their Parliamentary duties . A pologies svere received and accepted from Bros . Kev . F . S . Poule , D . G . Chap . ; F . Makin , D . G . S . D . ; Rudall , D . G . Registrar ; Mais , D . G . Supt . of Works ; von Doussa , D . G . Purst . ; VV . K . Wigley , D . G . Stesvard .

Ihe minutes of the April quarterly communication svere then read and confirmed , and after a fine recorded against a District Grand Officer at the last quarterly communication had been remitted , the report of the general committee for the past quarter svas read by Bro . Seabrouk , u . G . P . B . G . P ., and it was unanimousl y resolved that the report be received .

Bro . SEABROOK , D . G . P . B . G . P ., proposed , and Bro Addison , D . G . 1 reas ., seconded , a resolution " that notice be forthwith given to all the lod ges in the District that an amended schedule of fees , payable by lodges to the funds of District Grand Lodge and South Australian Masonic Benevolent Fund , ss ' ould be propused for adoption at the next October quarterly communication .

Resolutions svere also carried to the effect that the General Committee purchase complete regalia for District Grand Lodge Ollicers , svhen the funds shall be in a position to justify the expenditure , such regalia to be the property of District Grand Lodge , and that the sum of £ 5 5 s . be voted from District Grand Lodge funds to the Alasonic Library Fund . There being no further business , the lodge svas then closed in form .

The Victorian Constitution.

THE VICTORIAN CONSTITUTION .

Thc Board of General Purposes of the English Constitution held a meeting on July gth , at svhich the status of members svho have joined the Victorian Constitution , svhich svas constituted on the 2 nd July , was discussed . It was agreed to suggest that the Deputy District Grand Master , Bro . Dr . H . at . John Clarke , shuuld issue a general order to

masters of lodges , pointing out their duties under the circumstances , provided by the Book of Constitutions , viz ,, that Alasons svho have identified themselves svith the irregularly-formed Grand Lodge of Victoria , or asssisted in any svay in its formation , are not allosved to enter a lodge svorking under the Grand Lodge of England , neither must a member of an English lodge visit any of the lodges under the newly-formed body .

New Zealand.

New Zealand .

CONSECRATION OF THE AUC KLAND CHAPTER , No . 1338 . This chapter , attached to the Prince of Wales Lodge , and the first chapter in Auckland under the English Constitution , svas consecrated on the 28 th June last . For a long time past brethren of the English Constitution

in Auckland have been eagerl y desirous of having the means of proceeding to the Sublime Degree of the Koyal Arch under their own Constitution , and in their own tosvn , but obstacles have alsvays stood in the svay , and resisted their efforts . Recently a determined attempt has been made , and the effort has been crowned svith success , the Auckland Chapter having been opened undercircumstances

svhich augur a full measure of success and prosperity . A petition having been signed to the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England , that august body granted a charter , and foiwarded it to one of their osvn members residing in Auckland , svhom it deputed to consecrate the nesv chapter in its behalf . Accordingl y a large number of companions assembled at the Freemasons' Hall

Auckland , svhere the chapter-room had been set out svith regalia , newly arrived from England . The ceremony was commenced at S o ' clock , svhen the members of the Supreme G . Chapter already referred to , Comp . the Rev . VV . Tebbs , P . Z ., duly consecrated , dedicated , and constituted the nesvly-formed chapter . Alter performing the exceedingly beautiful ritual , in which Comp . Poolev p resided at thi

organ , and a goodly number of companiuns acted as a choir , svith Comp . Wade officiating as acting Scribe E ., the Consecrating Officer installed the Fiist Principals of the chapter : Comps . Skinner , Z . j Rev . C . M . Nelson , H . ; and Dr . Dawson , J . ; and alterwards inducted and invested them and the other officers as follows : Comps . Leers , S . E .-J . Potter Clarke , P . S . ; Tebbs , Treas . ; Pooley , Org . ' and Tonge , Janitor ; the filling up ofthe other offices beinir

held in abeyance . In the meantime Comp . Tebbs holds the position of first M . E . P . Z . Afterwards a considerable amount of business svas transacted , such as passing byelaws , & c , a large number ot candidates for membership being proposed . After the chapter svas closed the companions sat dosvn to an excellent banquet , supplied by Bro . T . McEsvin , after svhich " The Queen and the Koyal Arch Degree , " with the other official toasts , svere drunk , the companions separating at an early hour .

Summer Banquet Of The Merchant Navy Lodge Of Instruction , No. 781.

SUMMER BANQUET OF THE MERCHANT NAVY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 781 .

The annual summer banquet and ladies ' day in connection svith this lodge of instruction svas celebrated on Thursday , the 23 rd ult ., at the Swiss Cottage , Rosnerville , Gardens . Among those present svere Bro . Lax , VV . M . 7 S 1 , who occupied the post of honour , and Mrs . Lav .

Bro . Ould , P . M ., Mrs . and Miss Ould , Bro . Rawe , P . M .. and Mrs . Rawe , Bro . Breden , P . M ., and Mrs . Breden Bros . Robinson , S . W . 7 S 1 , Pringle , J . W . 7 S 1 ( Preceptor ) , Bull , D . C . 781 , and Miss Bull , Bro . Harvey , P . M ; , and Miss Harvey , Bro . Clark , P . AI ., Bro . Kinna . de , and Mrs . Kinnaple , Bro , Wilkinson , and Mrs . Wilkinson , and Mrs . Platt , Bro . Pitt , and Airs . Pitt . Bro . Grover . . ind Mrs .

Giover , Bro . Frankland , and Mrs . Frankland , Bros . Pitt , Kennett , Mowbray , Bateman , and a host of others too numerous to mention . Ihe usual patriotic toasts svere given from the chair , followed by two others appropriate to the occasion , viz ., " The Merchant Navv Lod . rH of

Instruction , " and " The Ladies , " the former of which svas responded to by Bro . Pringle , and the latter by that noted champion of the fair sex , Bro . Bull . Bros . Rubinson , Nualdes , and Kennett added greatly to the pleasure of the company by their excellent singing . The services of an excellent band were secured for the occasion .