The Blue Lodge.

all time , shows the high esteem in which it has been held in every , age ofthe world . Masonry , which vies in antiquity Avitli any institution known among men , and which teaches lessons of the greatest purity and the highest value , does well ,

then , to adopt a colour so ancient and so well defined in meaning , as one of its insignia . Blue is also emblematic of universal friendship and benevolence . In the mind of the Mason

these virtues should be as permanent and as extensive as the blue arch of heaven itself . It is an ancient doctrine , that tlie azure of the sky is a compound of light and darkness •that when God spake those words , instinct with

grandeur and creative power , — " Let there be light , " darkness forever ceased to be in all the realms of space , and in its stead came the heavenly blue . There is an important Masonic teaching which we may draw from this . Blue Masonry is

a compound of Light and Darkness . When the initiate enters the lodge-room , his darkness is for ever quenched , he is brought to true Masonic Light , and then for the first time he beholds our prevailing blue , the symbol of so many of our virtues .

We will here refer to a very interesting and historical blue blanket that was borne as a banner in June , 1858 , by the Journeymen Lodge of Edinburgh , at the laying of the corner-stone of their then new Masonic Temple . A number of

Scotch mechanics followed Allan , Lord Steward of Scotland , to the holy wars in Palestine and took with them this banner . Fighting under it , these valiant Scotchmen were present at the capture of Jerusalem and other towns in the Holy

Land . On their return they deposited it at ihe altar of St . Eloi , the patron saint of the Edinburgh tradesmen , in the Church of St . Giles . James III ., in consequence of the assistance which he had received from the craftsmen of

Now we do not say this to deter the brethren from erecting or furnishing suitable Lodge Rooms or buildings , handsomely and Avell . We have commended many of these enterprises , and hope to commend many more ; our remarks apply to

unnecessary and even painful expenses not required ; unsuited and involving debts and obligations , that must result in one of three things : 1 st , a special tax on brethren , called voluntary contribution to pay off the debt * or , 2 nd , a humiliating debt , that eats out the life of the

The Blue Lodge.

lodge , bringing the Institution into discredit ; or 3 rd , and worst of all , taking men of doubtful character into the Order , for the sole purpose of securing the fees to liquidate the indebtedness-These are matters therefore that concern the

Master , Wardens , other officers and members equally , and if by constant and regular attendance the best men of the lodge will not shirk their duty of attendance , they may safely keep every thing in . good and excellent working order , may benefit

the public at large , itself a noble object , and thus sustain the dignity and beneficence of a Model Lodge , presided over by a Model Master . — Voice , of Masonry .

The Model Master.

THE MODEL MASTER .

We shall endeavour to pourtray the Model Master of a Masonic Lodge , so far as we can do so understanding ^ , and to the best of our judgment . If we fail to do so to the approval of all , itis no more than we expect , because Ave do not

claim to be perfect ; nor can our readers claim that they are perfectly competent to criticise our opinions . If we approximate closely to the general opinion it is as much as we have any right toanticipate . But we think our views will in themain be approved , and that is all we can modesfcly claim .

In attempting to enumerate the desirablequalities which go to make up the Model Master , we are impressed with the number that spring up in our mind , as we dwell upon the subject , aud we jot them down in the . order they occur to our

thoughts , as probably the shortest and clearestexposition we are able to give of them , and then may enlarge a little upon the several points wehave here indicated . The Model Master then

wethink should be , 1 st , of good judgment •2 d , good temper and with suavity of manner ; 3 d , devoid ' of a domineering style in the government of his lodge , but Avith patience and deference , eliciting the candid opinions of the membership ; 4 th , skill

to devise means to interest the lodge and secure attendance , 5 fch , tolerable accuracy in the Ritual , and in Masonic Law ; 6 th , good administrative ability to keep the lodge out of debt , increase thefunds in the treasury , and select good and true

men on investigation and other committees ; 7 fcli , dignity and judgment to represent his lodge in the Grand Lodge ; and 8 th . of a benevolent dis-