Lodge Officers, Their Powers And Duties.

The rig ht to regulate the debates in his lodge . It is , or ought , at least , to be , understood that parliamentary law is not Masonic law except in so far as it may be convenient to the Master to allow its forms to be used . It is his right to set the

Craft at labour , and to govern them Avhile thus engaged , and he must , of necessity , be allowed to select such method of doing business as AvilL best comport Avith the dignity and harmony of the lodge . He will , therefore , suffer no unseemly

wranglings , no motions to adjourn or for the previous question ; he cannot be hampered by rules of order or orders of business ; but , governed by his knoAvledge of the business of the lodge , Avill conduct it to a proper termination with

promptitude and dispatch . From this it folloAvs that when in his judgment a question has been sufficiently debated , Avhen the discussion is falling into puerilities and repetitions , it is his duty to rise in his place , and thus put an end to it .

The rig ht to appoint all committees naturally vests in the Master , or Warden , presiding in his absence , and he would not be bound by a by-law to the contrary , because such a by-law would be an invasion of his rights , and therefore void .

Circumstances might arise to warrant him in waiving this right temporarily , but of that he must always be the judge . He has so far control of the minutes as to see

that they contain nothing improper to be Avr-tteUj and that nothing be omitted essential to a fair record of the transactions . He is exempt from trial by the lodge , because while in office the brethren are not his peers and

cannot control the committee to Avhich charges would have to be referred , nor prevent the Master , should he suffer a commission to be named , from suppressing their report or refusing them permission to make one .

He cannot resign his office , because he has entered into a solemn covenant to attend to its duties for the official term , and there is no poiver in the lodge or in Masonry to absolve him therefrom .

It is not to be supposed , hoAvever , that there is no limit to his will , or that he may do as he pleases Avithout let or hindrance . The desire to merit the approbation of his lodge by his endeavours to promote its harmony and prosperity has

ahvays hitherto acted as a sufficient restraint on all Masters who could be restrained at all ; but , that failing , there is a more efficient one known to

Lodge Officers, Their Powers And Duties.

every Master of a lodge , to say nothing of the poiver of the Grand Lodge by its agents to enforce respect for the rights of the humblest members as Avell as for the poiver of the Master , and it is alike creditable to thebrethren who have selected

aud the Masters who have served , that in the longarray of AVorshipful brethren who have presided in the east since the introduction of Masonry into this country so few , so very feiv , have stepped aside from the path of duty , forgotten their solemn

covenants , and failed to honour their kio-h calling-. ¦ * DO Be it ours , my brethren , to prevent an increase of the unfaithful by magnifying the office , by exalting the qualities necessary to its occupancy , and by serving with a zeal according to knowledge those whom we elect to preside over us .

Freemasonry In France.

FREEMASONRY IN FRANCE .

Statute of the Public Lending Library , founded by the Masonic Lodges of Bouen . 1 . With a vieiv to promote education and taste for literature , the Masonic Lodges of Rouen hereby establish a public lending library , provisionally on the premises of the St . Jean Public Nursery

( ci-ec / te ) , ] 0 bis Rue d'Elbeuf . 2 . To be considered as founders all members of Rouen and other lodges and such other subscribers as contribute , either in coin or in books , an amount equivalent to ten francs at one time .

8 . The foundation of the library to take place chiefly in co-operation with the Societe Franklin , established in Paris , and authorised by ministerial decree of September 19 , 1862 , and to be promoted by the purchase of books and the donations of the

founders and patrons . 4 . The library to be managed by a committee . Each lodge endorsing this Statute to be represented by three members ; the W . M . ' s of the lodges to serve on the committee . ex officio . 5 . The duties of the members of the committee

to oe discharged gratuitously . 6 . The committee to be appointed for one year ; its members to be re-eligible , but during no more than three consecutive years . 7 . The committee to appoint a Board of

Superintendance , consisting of one chairman , one deputy chairman , and one secretary-treasurer ; besides , the committee to he at liberty to entrust a librarian , Avho need not be a member of the committee , with the care of the library , and alloAv him a considera-