Masonic Persecution.—Ii.

"William Molart , Prior of Canterbury , page 2 S , entitled "Liberatio generalis Domini Gulielmi , prioris" ( 1 ) , 3 Hen . VI ., Cap . 1 ., A . D . 1425 . See Ruffhead ' s Statutes . Ecclesia ; Christi Cantuarensis , erga festiun natalis Domini , 1429 , " in which are mentioned the names of the Masters , "Wardens ,

and other members of the lodge . When Henry assumed the reins of Government he patronised and cherished the fraternity . The Church of Scotland , like the Church of Rome , viewed with suspicion the existence of all secret societies , and took steps , by excommunicating the

members , to put an end to them , although with little effect . The Reformation , although it let loose a host of mystics throughout Europe , yet advanced the real interests of Masonry , and although certain Protestant churches aud parsons , affect to look with

contempt upon the Order , there is little doubt that it is now deeply rooted in the affections of the wisest and best of the peoples of all nations , an effect which may be traced to the bitter hostilit y with which it was pursued in former times . As the blood of martyrs was the seed of the Church , leading

opponents to serious reflection and subsequent conviction , so the piersecution of Masons drew the eyes , of the world upon them , with what results the present numerous Grand Lodges can best tell .

Masonic Discipline.—Vi.—(Contd.)

MASONIC DISCIPLINE . —VI . —( contd . )

By CEUX . In our last article we strongly condemned the practice either adopted , or permitted , in some lodges , of officers resigning duty and resuming it at their own convenience , to the total disregard of tho

just claims of their junior brethren , who are workiuntheir way up to the chair . Unless in eases of sickness or unavoidable circumstances , we held in the interest of Masonry , that so flagrant a violation of discipline should be prevented by a regulation ,

applicable to every lodge holding its warrant from the United Grand Lodge . Suppose for a moment that a brother is compelled to " drop a year , " as it is termed at college . Let us take the case of the J . W . being unable by sickness or

other unavoidable cause to proceed to the hi gher office . The officer next below him passes at once to the chair of S . W ., and gains an additional step by the inability of his predecessor to accept further office . In a similar manner , all the assistant officers

benefit , so far as promotion is concerned , by the temporary absence of their superior . They each gain one step towards the chair beyond what they would have attained had their brother been able to continue in office . Consequently when , upon his return to the

lodge , he is elected to tho chair of the S . W ., or tho position which he would have occupied had he not been incapacitated f . iom so doing , there is no injustice done towards tho rest of the brethren who may at the time of his return bo below the office which ho undertakes . They are exactly where they would have

been , had he proceeded to the chair without any interruption . But while we are careful to be just and impartial to all , in this rather delicate point , we strongly protest against re-appointing a brother who has been unable to follow up continuously his Masonic career in the lodge , to any office except that to which

he was elig ible previously to Ins temporary absence from the lodge . In the one ease he simply re-assumes the position he had a right to ; in the other lie is either put back a step , in which case he defrauds all the officers beneath him of their proper and legitimate promotion , or he is put forward , and occupies tho position belonging to another . Unless where reasons

of unquestionable validity and force were known to exist , we should , as a rule , as we have already stated , discountenance the re-election of a brother who had lost his turn . In a few solitary instances it might appear a little hard upon the brother , but it is the interest of the whole lodge that must be chiefly

regarded , and not that of an exceptional individual . Moreover , if such " interpolations " of officers were permitted , save in extremely rare instances , it would serve as a pretence for the principal officers next the ' chair , to delay qualifying themselves for their duties , in tho belief that they conld

resign their official functions and re-assume them at a future occasion more convenient to themselves . Those who earnestly and zealously intend from the time of their initiation , to maintain the character of working , and not playing Masons ,

will not allow a " light tiling " or trivial circumstance to divert them from tho path of Masonic progress and rectitude . On the other hand , those who tnl .-o

up Masonry in a dilettante stylo , and are content with tho display of that true fraternal friendship and cordiality , which is the invariable accompaniment ot all Masonic gatherings , will do : better not to engage in the more serious struggle , but to leave to others to reap tho laurels that belong only to the hardworking

and the painstaking . Much more might be said upon the important subject of the constitution of our our lodges , including tho election of officers , but enough has been stated to demonstrate thai there is no valid reason , - why perfect unanimity should not

prevail throughout the various communities of the Craft . If the subject were once taken in hand b y the supreme authority , as we unhesitatingly assert , it ought to be , the whole matter , after receiving due trial and strict examination , would assume a form that would recommend it to the adoption of every