Masonic Government.

We previously pointed out how useful they may be , in instructing the younger brethren , and iifcting them for the posts of the subordinate offices of the lodge , ancl eventually for the chair . Happy is the lodge that possesses a large staff

of such experienced workmen ; its Master will bo veil supported ; its ceremonies well worked ; it lias a powerful representation in the Grand Loclge ; and , should any doubt arise as to the interpretation of our laws and regulations , the W . M . does

not find himself called upon arbitrarily bo decide It , but before giving his " ruling , " can consult those experienced advisers . We know nothing more to be regretted than the manner in which many most zealous Masons cool doAvn after they are entitled to wear the 47 th proposition ,

anclthough , no doubt , frequently the brother himself is to blame for being thus satisfied with attaining his own rank , instead of still working for the benefit of the Craft—still oftener [ the lodge is in fault for so completely putting on the shelf active

and experienced brethren , from whom no end of good work might still be obtained . To none better can be entrusted the duties of instruction , auditing accounts , dispensing the charity funds of the lodge , the care , repairs , etc ., of the building ,

and its contents ; aud , when much work has to be performed , the Master may appropriately call upon them to assist him by giving portions of the ceremony , Avhich is more imposing when different voices take part in it ; their working is thus not forgotten .

It is with great pain that Ave haA r e read the correspondence in the MAGAZINE on " P . M . ' s . and the Working Brethren . " To us it savours of a most pitiful jealousy , ancl would tend to prevent many a most distinguished brother from being so

useful as he might be . It is not every brother who is permanently resident in one place ; consequently , when a brother changes his residence aud joins a new lodge , he is , not unfrequently , already of the rank of P . M . It is optional with

the brethren of that lodge to accept him , or not , as a member , but , if a worthy brother , he would be a great acquisition to a lodge : yet we are told that he is not to be accepted with the full advantage of his rank—he is to be " a P . M . in the

lodge , but not a P . M . of the lodge . " If a M . M . joins , is he to be a member of the lodge , or a member in the lodge only , because he Avas not initiated in that lodge ? The words " P . M . of the lodge " in the Book of Constitutions Avere

doubtless meant to imply "P . M . member of the lodge " as distinguished from a visitor ; had they been intended to exclude a brother who had gained his rank elsewhere , it Avould have been so stated . Surely it is the chair of K . S ., not the four-legged

wooden article made use of by some particular lodge that is meant , and the chair of any lodge is that of K . S . Every P . M . must have taken the O . B . of an installed Master , ancl it is this which qualifies him to take the seat , which none , but

those who have taken that O . B . are entitled to do . As an old P . M . is not likely in a flourishing lodge to be offered a . Warden ' s chair , such a regulation would pretty well exclude him from ever attaining ¦ an equal position with the other

P . M . ' s . Then , see what an absurdity might arise , if we are thus to quibble about the little word " of "; the Book of Constitutions , " Masters and Wardens" paragraph 6 , says , that "in the absence of W . M ., both Wardens , ancl I . P . M . " the Senior

P . M . shall act as Master iu summoning the lodge . " Mark , nothing about " of the lodge "; therefore , if the Senior P . M . attained his rank in another

loclge , lie is to summons the lodge , but another P . M . is to take the chair . Lotus quote the words of Bro . Farnell as Prov . G . M . Limerick : — " I study to established , as much as possible , the principle that the ancient Order of Freemasonry is not

a society limited to the precints of any lodge room , but a family whose privileges extend over that vast expanse governed by the G . M . of all . " This is true Masonic language ; do not let us depz'ive any member of our family of his privileges ;

whatever a brother ' s rank may be , as acknowledged by the G . L . of England , let us Avho hold under that G . L . give him the full benefit of it in our individual lodges . A brother is none the worse

Craftsman because he may have to travel as our ancient brethren did , and Avhen elected a member of a lodge , he should become fully so , on a perfect equality with others of the same rank . For ourselves , we have always been so treated ; a dozen

different times have we been moved , and joined fresh lodges , the chairs of Avhich we have frequently occupied ( thrice as W . M . ) , and it has been bard enough to have so many joining fees to pay , without being reduced to the ranks on each

occasion ; but , should this peculiar rule be established we shall , on the next occasion , carefully conceal our P . M . ' s jewel , and take our seat in the north , so that we may have an opportunity of advancing and again doing some useful work