Contents.

CONTENTS .

LEADERS Sot United Grand Lodge S 02 Review 5 ° 3 Masonic institution ior

Royal tsoys 504 Grand Lodne of Canada 504 llcdicationof a Masonic Lodge in Suva ... 505

The Revised Constitutions 505 West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution S ° S

CORRESPONDENCEKr-Past Masters 506 Masonic | e \ vels 5 °° The Mode ' l of the Temple of Solomon ... ' 506 Revision of the 13 ook of Constitutions ... 506

The St . tusof P . M . ' s sob Reviews £ 06 Masonic Notes and Queries 507 The French Episcopal Organ and Freemasonry 5 ° 7

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry , 507 Instruction , 508

Royal Arch Jo 8 Mark Masonry 508 The Preston Guild Jo 8 France $ og Royal College of Music 509 ^ rtniic li 3 M . I n « . v * ninn tA / nterinrr Plnrec ifio

Egyptian History 510 Scottish Freemasonry in Queensland 510 Royal Sea-Bathing Infirmary 510 South Africa 511 The Theatres -. 512

Music 512 Science and Art 512 Masonic and General Tidings 513 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 514

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THE Meeting of the Grand Lodge on Wednesday , as generally happens in September , was very thinly attended . Bro . J AMES STEVENS again raised the question of order , but was ruled out of order on the distinct dictum of the Pro . GRAND M ASTER . Owing to a slight misunderstanding , Bro . BUDDEN ' S motions were not discussed , and the minutes were confirmed . The normal

business of Grand Lodge was transacted , and the announcement was made that the Special Grand Lodge to consider the Revised Book of Constitutions would take place probably in February next , and that copies of the book would be sent to all W . Ms . ; and that any member of Grand Lodge , within a certain period , might purchase a copy at a certain small specified price .

* * * WE said last week that there were only very few positively new provisions in the revised Book of Constitutions , but that the alterations proposed really consisted of a re-allocation of clauses , and a judicious grouping of the various sections , with some verbal amendments and additions . And we

repeat our statement to-day . Still , there are some further new provisions , which it may do us good to consider . The Province of Cornwall has already considered the draft in an exhaustive report of a special Committee on these revised laws , and we find ourselves happily able to agree almost entirely with the views they have propounded on the question . The point of arrears is a

very important one for many lodges . The new proviso seems to be most expedient ; and we think that the knowledge of such a provision may have a good effect . The practical import of the new provision as regards the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , is , as the Cornwall Committee puts it , to perpetuate the existence ol Provincial Grand Lodges , though the theory of

our Constitution is that they cease with the death , or a removal , or resignation of a Provincial Grand Master . " Cessante ratione , cessat lex . " This is undoubtedly a wise concession , and a practical improvement . VVe repeat that we wish the " status " of Past Masters was more distinctly defined . As it is , all remains in haze and obscurity . The Past Masters constitute a most

powerful and useful bedy in Freemasonry ; and as many of them have done good suit and service to the Craft , it is most important , now that we are settling the Book of Constitutions for some time to come , that everything should be consideied , which may fairly be considered , to gratify their just wishes and to meet their legitimate claims . We cannot see why , ( and here we

venture to differ with our good brethren in Cornwall ) , all Past Masters should practically be considered as "functi officio . " because they are not Immmediate Past Masters . In our humble opinion such a theory is a great mistake , and contrary to all known Masonic custom and usages , and will work out considerable injustice , lead to serious

heartburnings , and give rise to numerous idle and hurtful questions of rank , service , and precedence . If Past Masters are not to wear collars except in Grand Lodge or Provincial Grand Lodge unless they be Immediate Past Masters , we ¦ would ask respectfully where is the statutable authority for Immediate Past Masters to wear a collar if Past Masters are to be debarred from doing so .

The Immediate Past Master has no such authority under section 129 as an officer of the lodge , which is we understand now the contention . Under law 202 , indeed , the jewels of the officers of a private lodge include not merely the Immediate Past Master , but " Past Masters , " and so really and clearly the same one law applies equally to all lawful Past Masters , who stand upon

precisel y the same footing "fors " the Grand Lodge with an Immediate Past Master , though by the custom and common Jaw and ritual of English Freemasonry , the Immediate Past Master has a distinct position in lodge , though not alluded to in the Book of Constitutions . If it be argued that the Book

° f Constitutions provides for the assumption of office by the Immediate Past Master , so it does equally for all Past Masters of a lodge under certain circumstances ; and we feel quite certain that the distinction attempted to be created between the Immediate Past Master and the other Past Masters of a lodge ,

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is too fine drawn to stand the sound practical common sense of the great body which constitutes Grand Lodge . We trust , therefore , that by a reasonable and seasonable modification , all Past Masters may wear their collars

and jewels as in Grand Lodge , so in Prov . Grand Lodge , in private lodges , and when forming part of a Board of Installed Masters . A very slight alteration of , and addition to the laws will settle the whole question , and we feel sure give satisfaction to all .

* * WE shall probably be met by the current argument when we seek to deal with the touchy point of Past Master ' s collars , that this will be an augmentation of expense ; a pandering to a love of display ; that there is too great an itching for collars ; and that a check should be put upon it . But what

are we really doing when we take away this old usage of Past Masters , especially in the provinces ? There is clearly no harm in it . Surely it is better on every question and ground Masonic . But we say more . By this exclusiveness of collars , and this limiting of collars , we are creating a " caste , " and ignoring the honourable distinctions of faithful Masonic services .

Many an old Past Master exists amongst us , unfavoured by Grand Lodge or Provincial decorations , to whom his Past Master's collar and jewel , often a lodge gift , is the pleasant token of long membership , the commendable token of fraternal regard , the agreeable remembrance of " auld lang syne . " We cannot see why , all at once , we are to pull up and pull in , which

means by a narrower definition interference with the fair liberty of lodge usages we contend , not illegal in any sense or shape . We know , from personal experience , that many who wear their Past Master's collars , wear them as a distinct and kindly recognition by their brethren of modest worth and honest service . If the statute law is to be enforced , henceforth there is , so far , no

statutable authority for the Immediate Past Master wearing a collar , neither than for any other Past Master ; all come under the same one law , as we before remarked . Why should not this proviso be added : " Past Masters must wear their collars and jewels in Grand Lodge and Provincial

Grar . d Lodges , and may wear the same in all private lodges and at a Board of Installed Masters ? " Surely this is but common sense and Masonic usage , and the privilege is one which has been well earned by the often great and unparalleled services of our Past Masters to Fi eemasonry .

* * THE question of the revised Constitutions is so important a one , that though for many obvious reasons , we are most unwilling to seem to lend even an helping hand to carping criticism or needless amendments , yet we shall be glad to permit a discussion in our pages , within clear and friendly limits of

respectful suggestion , on the proposed alteration and revision . Brethren who have special amendments to propose had better send them in to the GRAND SECRETARY , as one thing is clear , that this revision must last

us for years , and that when once these matters are settled by the vote of Grand Lodge , that august body will not wish for some time , at any rate , to have such a question again submitted to it for consideration and adjudication .

* * WE repeat what we said last week , that we think the best thanks of the Craft are due to the Committee which has so carefully and moderately gone

through a process of revision and consolidation , and has sought to conserve instead of change , to amend instead of dispensing with , many of those familiar sections of our valued Book of Constitutions , which too few condescend to read , and fewer still seem to understand .

* * THE study of Masonic archxology , we would fain hope , is at last coming to the fore . The publication of Bro . R . F . GOULD ' S " History of Freemasonry , " alluded to elsewhere , is a proof of this , we venture to conceive ; and we trust that as years pass on our band of Masonic students may receive a

considerable increase , and that many similar contributions , as thoughtful and valuable , may appear from time to lime to demonstrate the reality of our researches and the historical importance of Freemasonry . We refer our

readers to Bro . GOULD ' S work , which speaks for itself ; inviting perusal , and calling for consideration , but neitherseeking for encomiums or desiring mawkish flattery . We congratulate the Craft on possessing so honest and original a work .

* * * WE understand that Bro . BEST is under negotiations with Messrs . SPIERS and POND to undertake the lesseeship of Freemasons' Tavern . So far the matter , though it will probably be brought about , has not received official approval and confirmation .