At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar.

At the Sign of the Perfect Ashlar .

The June Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall on the 6 th instant , and was attended by an unprecedented number of brethren . Alore than usual interest was evinced in the proceedings , partly on account of the special items on the Agenda , which seemed to promise a lively discussion , but principally by reason of the desire of

large numbers of the brethren to effect some change in the personet of the Board of General Purposes on this the annual period of the election of a portion of that body , with the result that out of six elected members five of the old members have been replaced by new brethren .

© © © Although there is much to be said in favour of retaining the services of members of experience , it cannot be denied that the action—or perhaps we might more properly say the inaction—of the Board in connection with the Tavern

reconstruction has caused serious and widespread dissatisfaction , and it is to be hoped that the introduction of even such a small percentage of new blood into that body may be productive of good . Even a scheme which falls short of the complete requirements and expectations of the Craft is better than the long drawn out negotiations and abortive plans which seem never to reach finality .

© © < o > There is one item in the proceedings of Grand Lodge which will be read with much interest and pleasure , especially by those among us who have for so many years felt that some modus operandi could surely be found to restore the

amicable relations once existing between this Grand Lodge and that of our Canadian brethren of the Province of Quebec . The statement made by the Grand Registrar , and the resolution approving the action of the Grand Alaster on this question were eminently satisfactory , and the desired object

appears to have been completely attained . There can be no better guarantee that the renewal of friendly intercourse will be wisely and genuinely inaugurated than the selection of the Pro Grand Master as representative of Quebec at the Grand Lodge of England .

© < 3 > © Perhaps the most excited interest was evinced by the brethren in the proposition to tender to the Grand Registrar an annual retainer of fixe hundred guineas in recognition of his legal and Alasonic services . This proposition was

obviously such a startlingly new departure that it could not be wondered " at that a large number of brethren , with every desire to recognize the ability and zeal which had ¦ characterized the work of the present holder of the office , hesitated to create a precedent which might have far-reaching

effects , and Grand Lodge wisely adopted an alternative motion by which generous recognition of work * done was accorded and an undesirable precedent avoided .

© © © The Grand Lodge of England is not the only Alasonic liocly that has realised the difficulty of providing sufficient ¦ space to accommodate Members at its official meetings . The Masonic Sun , in referring to approaching meeting of

the Grand Lodge of Canada , says : — " Grand Lodge next July will meet in Toronto . It is said to have become an unwieldly body owing to the large attendance of brethren at the annual communications . We have no doubt that the present Grand Alaster will endeavour to tyle Grand Lodge as securely as a private lodge and to keep the business going in proper order , yet he will find it

a herculean task . As to the present sentiment among the brethren regarding the annual communications of Grand Lodge it can be gathered from the following statement made to us by a prominent ruler of the Craft in this jurisdiction . He said : ' I think the time has come when the membership of Grand Lodge should be reducedand the only way I see is ,

, to cut off the Past Masters of the future . If they are allowed to accumulate , Grand Lodge will be forced to locate permanently at Toronto , which would not suit the Toronto Alasons , not * be in the interest of Grand Lodge as a whole . The peripatetic system is good , in that it awakens the interest of

the Alasons in the District where Grand Lodge is being held for the year , and in a few years the whole jurisdiction is practically covered . ' "

* © G > With the question of moveable Grand Lodges we have no concern . Such a practice in this country would not only be in the highest degree inconvenient but practically impossible ; but in the endeavour to re-adjust the

qualifications for membership of Grand Lodge , which should be a deliberative and legislative body , and not a mere promiscuous assembly of brethren who find it convenient to attend , we have every sympathy . < 5 > ¦ © ©

The same paper has something to say on the question of competition of lodges for new members : — " There is not the least doubt but that there is an improper solicitation going on among the brethren of some of the Toronto lodges for candidates . For how cm some lodges get so many applicants for admission ? These lodges

will feel the effect of this crowding in of candidates . One or two of them tire now upon the verge of an eruption owing to this unhealthy state of affairs . Some Masters do not realise the position they occupy as rulers . They think that they must have a better year than their predecessors in office as to

the number of new members to be tickled to the lodge's membership roll during the year . This is not so . What they should seek is quality and not quantity . Speaking of the requirements for admission to Alasonry the Grand Alaster

of the Grand Lodge of Montana wisely says : " ' The scramble for members is not only unseemly and disgraceful but is prohibited . We must bear in mind that a man applying for membership must declare upon his honour that he is unbiased by friends . There must be no improper solicitation . In keeping with the above suggestions no lodge

should admit to membership one who is well known to be " persona non grata " to another lodge . When one is raised to the sublime degree of a Alaster Alason he is a member of the whole fraternity , because lodges are justly considered as only divisions for convenience of the universal Masonic family .

And thus , through the right of visitation , we find a person obnoxious to a certain lodge enjoying its privileges through the selfishness of a brother lodge which has heedlessly disregarded that peculiar comity which should characterize us as Alasons . ' "

© © © ¦ The hist regular meeting of the Royal Edward Lodge , \ o . ' 1489 , under the Mastership of W . Bro . Walter Gooderidge , was held at the Holborn Restaurant on Friday , June ist , and was numerously attended by brethren of the

lodge and visitors . The W . Master had a very busy meeting , having to work the three degrees , but was equal to the occasion , and did the work with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all present . Bro . G . W . Manning , the Senior Warden , was unanimously elected Master for the ensuing

year , and made a suitable response to the announcement . After a P . AI . ' s jewel had been unanimously voted to the W . AL as an acknowledgment of his services during the past very successful year , the lodge was closed in clue form .

© © © At the banquet which followed , the usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were proposed and duly honoured , reference being made by the W . AL to the providential escape from