The Ecclesiological Society.

The Dean of Bristol confessed that , although he had heard a good deal in favour of galleries , he was of opinion that , if possible , the congregation should all be on the floor . Mr . Clarke said his own feeling was that we had arrived at a period when galleries had become

a necessity . If Ave could afford to decorate our churches ivith mosaic , majolica , and marble , as suggested by Mr . Burges , we might be able to build all our churches on such a scale as to accommodate the Avhole congregation on the floor . Mr . White was in favour of constructing churches

so as to obtain as much light as possible from above , ancl to make large chancels and chancel aisles . After some further discussion , the proceedings were brought to a termination by a vote of thanks to Mr . Hope for presiding .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

EXAMINATION 01 ? CANDIDATES EOE PEEEEEMENT . From the slovenly way in ivhich our brethren prove their proficiency to be passed and raised in many lodges , perhaps the following hints from one of my scraps may not he totally out of place— . Ex . Ex .

To be read in open lodge at a stated meeting . " " Office of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York . " " To the Masters , and Wardens , and brethren of the respective lodges iu this jurisdiction , greeting : —•

" At the last annual convocation of this Grand Lodge , the following report was adopted , to wit : "The Committee on the Advancement of Candidates , to whom was referred the subject from the Grand Master's address , relative to the advancement

of candidates , have given the subject the consideration its importance demands , and respectfully report"That one of the requisite qualifications for advancement to a higher degree , is proficiency in the preceding . Your committee believe that the best interests of the Craft would he subserved if the

regulation ivas more generally adopted and imperatively adhered to , requiring that the candidate who desires to be passed or raised , should be examined in open lodge , or his proficiency in the preceding degree . The Constitution of this Grand Loelge provides ( section 22 ) that no candidate for the mysteries of the

Order shall receive the third degree in a less interval than four weeks from the time of initiation , except by dispensation from the Grand Master or his Deputy nor without proof of his- proficiency before advancement .

"If these salutary regulations are strictly enjoined and practised , our lodges would have the proud satisfaction of boasting of proficiency and quality , rather than the quantity of its members . Skilful and competent workmen ivould he the result of the above practice , and the good effects ofthe institution would be perpetuated , and the lodges escape the too frequent

imputation of being filled with ignorant members , Masonically speaking . " All which is respectfully submitted . "DAVID G . "WOODIN , " } " NEHEMIAH PECK , [ Com . " "NICHOLAS WEAYEE ,

" By referring to charge iv . of the Old Charges , it will he found that a candidate shall make ' due improvement' in the preceding degree before receiving the next . This requirement is likewise distinctly set forth in our ritual , which is in daily use . " Thus it will be perceived that it is one of the

ancient usages and customs of the Craft—a landmark —that a candidate shall make suitable proficiency before advancement , which is to commit to memory the first section of the lecture in the degree . " This rule has been regularly handed down to us from our ancient brethren , and is one of the most prominent in the teaching of our ritual . Being a

landmark , it is not in the power of man to add to , diminish , or amend , therefore it is imperative that every Mason should see it strictly ancl faithfully complied with . "The ' examination of a candidate upon his Masonic qualifications , takes place in open lodge , in the degree in which he is examinedAvhenafter he retireshis

, , , proficiency is determined hy a majority vote of the members present . " It is simply necessary for the attention of the Craft to be called particularly to this ancient regulation , to insure their firm ancl undeviating adherence to itand for the presiding officer to discover that he

, can neither neglect nor suffer a departure therefrom . " Some of our lodges do not depart from this old usage , and some but partially neglect it , yet there are a very large number who disregard the duty entirely .

" The positive injury sustained by the Institution in the omission of this wise and wholesome regulation , renders it necessary that the evil be corrected at once . It need not be neglected in another instance , hence , in future , it will be expected of every subordinate lodge , that a candidate be duly instructed and Masonically examined before he is advanced to the next degree . "The elective Grand Officers ancl the District

Deputy Grand Masters , are requested to see this part of our ritual complied Avith , Avhen and Avherever they discover its neglect or omission . " "We confidently rely upon the co-operation of the Craft generally , in fulfilling the requirements imposed by this vital and important point in our fundamental IaAvs .

" With you , in the bonds of fraternal affection , " JOSEPH D . EVANS , G . M . " Attest , JAMES M . AUSTIN , G . Sec . " NAPOLEON AND 3 TEEEMAS 0 NEX . Napoleon Avas persuaded that the lodges were dangerous places ancl meetings for conspiracy . One

evening Napoleon , incognito , Avith Marshal Duroc and General LaAvriston , Avent to the Lodge of St . Marcel , in-Paris . Duroc entered first as a visitor , ancl sat down near the W . M ., and told him in a whisper that two other visitors Avere coming , but begged he would receive them without any ceremony , and to abstain himself from all kinds of manifestations in case he