Chips Of Foreign Ashlar.

during the labours of the lodge as was witnessed last year by a friend of ours in an Atelier of the Supreme Gonseil in Paris . In the articles which we published on Freemasonry in the Channel Islands we noticed a

remark of Bro . J . H . Parker , of Doyle's Lodge , Guernsey , with reference to Bro . Gallienne ' s rendering of the ritual that " it made him feel as if he was at church . " Doubtless Bro . Parker has forgotten this , but it was read by earnest-hearted

brethren in the Rue Cadet , who have treasured it up as the most truthful illustration of the influence of Freemasonry , and who , over and over again , assured us that " the remark of the Guernsey brother was beautiful and appropriate . " J . A . H .

Masonic Discipline.—Iv.

MASONIC DISCIPLINE . —IV .

BY CRUX . All Masons are agreed that the perfection of the Craft is to be found in unanimity . Wherever dispersed over the face of earth and water , Masonry should be one and indivisible . We put the

question boldly to our readers , is it so ? Is it so in all the lodges holding their warrants of constitution from the Grand Lodge ? Is it so even in the English lodges ? Nay , more , is it so in the London lodges ? We answer for them , no ! To

the next question—can it be made so ?—it is more difficult to reply . It is not to be done , as many unreflecting , enthusiastic brethren would imagine , by a coup de main . The changes that are necessary must be brought about in a quiet peaceable , fraternal , and almost insensible manner .

No innovation would be tolerated for a moment by any true brother . The object to be gained is to smooth down the trifling asperities that exist in the different systems of ritualistic working of lodges , to reduce them all to one uniform standard ,

to modify rather than to change , to request rather than insist , to urge rather than compel . At the same time there are some points concerning which , not a shadow of diversity in opinion can exist . They may appear trivial , but in reality

they are not so , and it must be borne in mind that it is with the more insignificant breaches of discipline that operations should be commenced . " He that is faithful in little is faithful in much , " and if all the lodges could be brought to adopt precisely the same course in the most

insignificant feature , it would be a great step towards the accomplishment of the design we are advocating . What gave to the Church of Rome the omnipotent supremacy in former times , but the admirable state of its discipline ? Eveiy command , order ,

or injunction that was issued from the Vatican , was stamped with the supreme authority of the cross and keys . There was one head , though many branches ; one appeal although many courts . The effects of discipline are still visible

in the Catholic Church . Mass is the same all the world over . While our own Church is torn , and racked with dissent , every one doing that which is right in his own eyes , the religious forms and ceremonies of our Catholic neighbours

remain exactly what they were ages ago . We Masons might take a lesson from this . As every chapel is an exact counterpart in furniture and ritual of the others , so ought every lodge , in the cause of discipline , to be an absolute reproduction

of its fellows . That it is not so , every Mason is well aware ; that it may become so it is the duty of every Mason to hope , and to endeavour . As is is our intention to discuss seriatim the several

points wherein Masonic discipline is deficient , we will commence with the one already alluded to , with which outsiders , or those newly and partially initiated into our mysteries are concerned . It is thus seen that the sphere of speculative Masonry

embraces a far wider range , than that of the ancient operative basis , upon which it is founded . We have dispensed with certain stringent physical requirements , and in the words of the immortal bard , " see Othello ' s visage in his mind . " The

supreme Masonic authority , viz . —the Grand Lodge—knows absolutely nothing , except accidentally , of the discipline of private lodges . So long as the dues are paid and the other necessary

formalities complied with , the working of the lodge may be correct or incorrect , its discipline lax or severe , its members playing or working Masons . The first intimation that one of the newtyinitiated receives of his future intended connection

with the Craft , is the ordinary printed lodge notice , required by the " Constitutions" to be sent to every member , seven clear days before the meeting takes place . Although we do not put implicit faith in the universal correctness of

"first impressions" relating either to circumstances or individuals , yet it must be acknowledged that we all are in some measure influenced by them , and justly so . It is a sort of instinct that