CHAPTER XXIV

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
LopcEs usually have two classes of Mem- bers: those who pay a full rate of subscrip- tion, which is fixed to cover Banquets, etc.; and those who pay a lower rate, which does not include, or which does only partially include, refreshments, as may be fixed by. the By-laws.
The former are usually termed Full Members or Dining Members (happy phrase !). The latter are usually styled Country Members or Non-Dining Members.
No such distinction is recognized so far as Grand Lodge is concerned.
The same Quarterage is payable to Grand Lodge, and they are all equally Members of the Lodge, and have the same right of voting.
In some Ludges Country Membership is considered a disqualification for Office, and common sense and convenience generally
330
Miscellaneous Matters
would seem to support that view; but apart from any By-law bearing on the subject, there does not seem to be any constitutional disability which would preclude a Non- Dining Member from accepting Office if able to discharge its duties satisfactorily.
* * %* *
In some Lodges, where the rate of sub- scription is insufficient to cover all the out- goings, especially where some of those out- goings are of a personal nature (such as a Past Master’s Jewel), there may be found a more or less surreptitious form of income under the denomination of Fees of Honour.
This impost is usually levied in a grad- uated scale upon all the Officers of the year, Commencing at, say, ros. from the Inner Guard, 20s. from the Junior Deacon, 30s. from the Senior Deacon, 4os. from theJunior Warden, 50s. from the Senior Warden,. 60s. from the Worshipful Master, it amounts to. the respectable sum of £10 Ios.
This is the amount which many Lodges vote to the Master’s List if he goes up, as he ought during his year of Office, as a Steward. for one of the Great Masonic Charities.
# * * * 337
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The subject of Honorary Membership is hedged with difficulties. The status of an Honorary Member must be strictly con- fined to the Lodge which so elects him, and can in no way give him any position in the Craft outside the door of that Lodge.
He cannot therefore hold any Office in the Lodge, or vote on any subject which might even remotely affect the Craft at large.
In short, his status and privileges as an Honorary Member entitle him to attend the meetings, and partake of its refresh- ments, without the necessity of being intro- duced by a subscribing member. Honorary Members have no other right or privilege ‘whatever.
Until recently there was an additional pitfall. Constitution No. 152 says: ‘ No Brother who has ceased to be a _ sub- scribing member of a Lodge shall be per- mitted to visit any one Lodge more than once until he again become a subscribing member of some Lodge,’ and this Law was invoked against an Honorary Member who had been unfortunate enough to bring himself within its provisions (by a Secre- tary who must have desired to exemplify
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Miscellaneous Matters
that ‘ the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth Life’). Accordingly, March 4, 1914, Grand Lodge added: ‘ But this Rule shall not apply to the visits of a Brother to any Lodge of which he has been elected a non-sub-. scribing or Honorary Member.’
This is the first recognition by the Book of Constitutions of an Honorary Member.
An Honorary Member must not be in- cluded in the Returns to Grand Lodge. Even his refreshment is a matter of doubt in the minds of the meticulous. It is sug- gested that the above phraseology merely entitles the Honorary Member to dispense with an introduction to the table; but that he must pay for his own meal !
It is apprehended, however, that if the Lodge Subscription covers, as is usual, the subsequent refreshment, the Honorary Mem- bership of that Lodge would do so likewise.
A Brother is even ineligible for Honorary Membership while he is an ordinary member of the Lodge in which it is proposed to ‘honour’ him.
It will be seen therefore that current and generally accepted ideas as to Honorary Membership, and the dignity thereby con- ferred, are not applicable in Freemasonry.
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An Honorary Membership of a Lodge would appear to be a negligible quantity (such as when conferred on Consecrating Officers, who are never likely to see the inside of that Lodge again), and not by any means to be classed as a reward (e.g.) for meritorious service to a Lodge rendered by one who has perhaps been a member of it for many years, and who, with increasing age and diminishing resources, might have gladly accepted such honorary membership as a token of appreciation.
Grand Lodge recognizes, as Members of Lodges, only those whose dues to Grand Lodge are duly paid, and whose subscrip- tions to the Lodge are not further in arrear than the By-laws of the Lodge, and ulti- ' mately the Constitutions (B. of C., 175}, permit. The dues to Grand Lodge must be paid in respect of Secretaries (and others) whose services are considered equivalent to their subscription (B..of C., 235).
A Lodge has no power toelect a Life Member, and Grand Lodge does not permit the commutation of future dues by a single © payment or otherwise.
It would seem, therefore, that an Honorary Member is not a Member of the Lodge at all.
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Miscellaneous Matters
_ He possesses :—
(2) The ordinary unrestricted right common to all Masons of visiting the Lodge, without invitation, so long as he is a Subscribing Mem- ber of some other Lodge (Const. 152).
(6) The recently conferred right of visiting unrestrictedly the Lodge (in which he has the title of Honorary Member), even though he is not a Subscribing Member of some other Lodge (Const. 152, as amended).
(c) The right to sit at the table of the Lodge without invitation (the question of payment for his re- freshment being determined by the custom of the Lodge).
(z2) The right to employ his Honorary Membership as a cloak to conceal the fact that he is really a Visitor, though signing the Attendance Book as a Member,
* * * *
It sometimes happens that a Warden of a Lodge is unable or unwilling to accept elec- tion as Master, and therefore he stands aside.
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This is unfortunate, .as when he ceases to be a Warden he ceases to have the right ta attend Grand Lodge.
% * * &
If, however, he has completed his full year of service as Invested Warden (see p. 99), he will always be eligible, ceteris paribus, in any Lodge, as its Worshipful Master, without any further qualifying period of service as Warden.
It occasionally happens that from circum- stances quite beyond control the investiture of a Warden does not take place on the regu- lar date of Installation, and the full qualify-
ing period cannot be legally satished. In | such a case—but only on good cause shown—
a remedy may be provided by Dispensation (Const. 1302).
It has also been known that a Warden served part of a year as Junior Warden and part of a year as Senior Warden, and under the special circumstances of his case the broken periods (amounting to sixteen months) were allowed to be equivalent to the regulation year from Installation to Installation.
* % * 2 342
Miscellaneous Matters
When a Brother, usually the Senior Warden, has been elected to fill the Worship- ful Master’s Chair for the ensuing year, he receives the title of Master-Elect. It is -quite wrong to style him ‘ Worshipful- Master-Elect,’ as he does not become en- titled to the prefix ‘ Worshipful’ until he has been ‘ placed in the Chair of K.S. ac- cording to ancient Custom.’
It often happens, however, that a Brother who is already a Past Master in another _ Lodge is elected to the: Master’s Chair. That Brother, being already entitled to the, prefix ‘ Worshipful,’ is, in fact, a Worship- ful Master-Elect (not a Worshipful-Master- Elect) ; but in view of the confusion likely to arise in the minds of junior Members, it is most advisable to adhere in all cases to the term ‘ Master-Elect.’
* % * %
As regards the necessity of confirming the {Minutes of] the Election of Master before the Installation Ceremony can proceed (p. 168), the employment of the word ‘Minutes’ in Law 130 is perhaps a little misleading in this connection. It is the election itself which must be confirmed, and until the election is so confirmed the Master
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is not ‘ deemed to be elected.‘ The interval is evidently intended as an opportunity for reflection on so important a subject. Minutes as such can only be confirmed or rejected on the score of their accuracy or inaccuracy of record. Strictly speaking, therefore, if the Minutes of a Lodge accu- rately record inter alia the fact of the election of a Master, the Minutes ought to be con- firmed even though the election itself be not confirmed.
The motion for the non-confirmation of the election might properly be based on the sub- stantial ground of a change of opinion; or on the more formal ground that the Master- Elect was not eligible, and that consequently his election was invalid; or on the technical ground that the election itself was im- properly conducted, and was, therefore, void.
Neither of these reasons would form a proper basis for refusing to confirm the Minutes.
The principle, therefore, cannot be too clearly urged upon the attention of Masters and Secretaries that the mere formal con- firmation of the Minutes does not ipso facto include, however much it may imply, the confirmation of those matters mentioned in:
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Miscellaneous Matters
the Minutes which may in themselves require confirmation.
Those matters ‘ arise out of the Minutes,’ and should be so dealt with.
* * * *
A reigning Worshipful Master is not only paramount in his own Lodge, but he is en- titled to precedence over all Past Masters during his year of Office.
* ; * * *
The status of a Past Master of a Lodge is not achieved solely through having been elected and installed as Worshipful Master of that Lodge.
A Worshipful Master must have filled that office in that Lodge for one year (see Const., No. g) (and that year is usually, though not invariably, counted from the regular date of Installation ‘ until the next regular period of election within this Lodge and [not or] until a successor shall have been duly elected and installed in his stead ’) before he becomes entitled to rank as a Past Master of that particular Lodge; so that if for any cause a Worshipful Master is dis- placed before the completion of his period or “year of Office,’ he thereby, and to that
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extent, fails to become entitled to the posi- tion and status of a Past Master of that Lodge. It is conceivable that he might be already, or might subsequently become, otherwise qualified for that position.
Having regard to the obligation taken by a Master-Elect, the voluntary resignation of his Office by a Worshipful Master is not con- templated by the Constitutions; indeed, it would be quite unmasonic, and in a strict ~ sense illegal.
Constitution 141 eae that ‘if the Master shall die, be removed, or be rendered incapable of discharging the duties of his office wc .7(See ps 7k02).
Now, it is not at all clear by whom the - Master could ‘be removed.’ Certainly his own Lodge has no power to remove him. And if the conduct of the Master were such as to justify his impeachment before Grand Lodge, his rights and privileges as Master and Past Master would be determined by, or deducible from, the judgment of that august Tribunal.
If the Master were ‘rendered incapable ’— e.g., by accident or illness of body or mind, no doubt his year of office would run its. normal course, the Lodge being ruled in his.
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Miscellaneous Matters
absence in accordance with the provisions of Constitution 141.
Therefore the mere absence, from what- ever cause, of an Installed Master during the greater part of his year of office is not neces- sarily or ipso facto a disqualification for his Past-Mastership of that particular Lodge.
Occasionally, however, a vacancy occurs by the death of the Worshipful Master, and consequently a broken period has to be filled. In such a case it is advisable to elect a Past Master of the Lodge to fill the vacancy, as the broken period would not qualify a new occupant of the Chair for a Past Mastership, and to complete the full year would necessi- tate breaking in upon another regular year, and so on.
_ On the other hand, an Installed Master of
an English Lodge becomes thereby entitled to certain privileges as such. For example, he becomes entitled to attend any Beard of Installed Masters under English, Irish, or Scotch Constitutions, and to count as one of necessary quorum If invited to do so, but not unless, he may preside, and may instal a Master under the English Constitu- tion; and he may do the like under Irish or Scotch Constitutions in the remote contin-
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gency that nu Master or Past Master of that Lodge’s own Constitution is present.
Of course, a Past Master of any Lodge retains the privileges of Grand Lodge to which he has become entitled so long as he continues a subscribing member of any Lodge (see p. 62).
When a Past. Master of a Lodge visits another Lodge, he is not legally entitled to sit with the Past Masters of that Lodge on the left of the Worshipful Master. To do so would be to displace some Past Master of that Lodge, and would therefore be a breach of etiquette.
When a Past insti joins another Lodge (see p. 177), he is entitled to sit with the Past Masters of that Lodge according to the rule of precedence there mentioned.
A Brother who becomes a Past Master of one Lodge while remaining an ordinary mem- ber of another or others, becomes, under the same rule, entitled to rank and precedence 'in all Lodges of which he is a member, without altering his number on the Lodge List.
* * * *
On vacating the Master’s Chair, the Im-
mediate Past Master finds himself on a 348
Miscellaneous Matters
pedestal entirely hisown. His title is recog- nized in the Constitutions, and in the Ritual; his place in the Lodge is settled by estab- lished custom; and on certain occasions, notably in the absence of the Master, he has the first right to the Master’s Chair; but his rank and precedence are nowhere defined. He is not mentioned in the Table of Prece- dence of Regular Officers. His status is, apparently, the growth of immemorial usage.
In the Lodge he sits on the immediate left of the Master.
Most Lodges assign to him during the year of his Immediate Past Mastership a prece- dence ranking immediately after the Wor- shipful Master and before the Wardens, though how far this can be theoretically justified is open to doubt, as the Government of the Lodge is vested in the Master and his two Wardens, tria juncta in uno (see ‘ Land- marks,’ p. 68).
Nevertheless, he is a very useful sort of person, and no one grudges him the consola- tions which accompany and, let us hope, soften his journey from his high estate of Worshipful Master through the paths of his Immediate Past Mastership, to the abysmal depths of his position as Junior Past Master,
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
from which only the lucky in¢ident of a Past Master joining can save him. * * * *
Should a member be three years in arrear he thereupon ceases to be a member of the Lodge, and can only become a member again by regular proposition and ballot. Secre- taries and others whose services to the Lodge are deemed equivalent to the payment of their subscriptions should see that due pro- vision concerning them is made in the By- laws of the Lodge, otherwise trouble may arise.
* * * *
The length of the Cable Tow is the distance within which attendance at the Lodge is deemed obligatory upona Master Mason. In the old charges it varies from five to fifty miles. Nowadays it seems to be made of elastic. The collars worn by the Officers are said to be survivals of the Cable Tow.
» * * *
In these days of feminine association with some masonic and semi-masonic functions, such as Ladies’ Festivals, Lodge Dances, etc., and the consequent. admission of non- Masons of both sexes to Banquets, etc., it
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Miscellaneous Matters
may not be amiss to recall what the Antient Charges enjoin with respect to ‘ Behaviour in presence of strangers not masons :—
“You shall be cautious in your words and carriage that the most penetrating stranger shall not be able to discover or find out what is not proper to be intimated.’
And with respect to ‘ Behaviour at home and in your neighbourhood ’:—
“You are to act as becomes a moral and wise man; particularly not to let your family, friends, and neighbours, know the concerns of the Lodge, etc.’
* * * *
Dispensations are permissions granted (on due cause shown) by the M.W.G.M. for a temporary or occasional infraction of the General Law.
Dispensations are frequently required in the administration of a Lodge—e.g., to hold a Lodge on an irregular date or at an un- usual place; to wear Masonic clothing in Public—t.e., outside the Lodge; to be Wor- shipful Master of more than one Lodge at the same time; to continue as Worshipful Master of a Lodge for more than two years; to initiate more than five Candidates on the - same occasion; to initiate any person under 351
Freemasonry and its Etiquette
the age of twenty-one. All these and other occasional circumstances require a Dispensa- tion and, needless to add, a fee—zros. 6d. for London, 5s. for a Province.
Apart from the benefit thus created for the Fund of General Purposes, these Dispensa- cions are of value as manifestations of loyalty to the Constitutions and as indications’ of good Masonic discipline.
* * * *
One of the proudest moments of a Free- mason’s early career is that when he receives his Certificate from Grand Lodge. It is of course signed by him at the Secretary’s table in open Lodge, and the Worshipful Master should then present it to the newly- fledged Master Mason with appropriate words, which will ring in his ears and be remembered by him in years to come, even as the Senior Warden’s address when in- vesting him with the badge can never be effaced from his memory.
* * * *
‘The Charges of a Freemason extracted from the Antient Records of Lodges beyond Sea, and of those in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the Use of Lodges, to be read at the making of new Brethren, or when the -
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Miscellaneous Matters
Master shall order it,’ will be found in ex- tenso in the Book of Constitutions.
These Ancient Charges are, unfortunaiely, greatly neglected in the majority of Lodges, and it is suggested that the Worshipful Master of every Lodge should find or create opportunity for their being read at least once during his year of Office.
When there is ‘no work to do,’ the time could not be better occupied than in remind- ing ourselves of what our Ancient Brethren. considered the Code of Good and True Men.
The announcement of such intention on the Summons convening the meeting. would add importance to the occasion.
William Preston, in his ‘ Illustrations of Masonry’ (twelfth edition), writes :—
“A rehearfal of the Ancient Charges. properly fucceeds the opening and precedes the clofing of the Lodge. This was the con- {tant practice of our ancient brethren, and ought never to be neglected in our regular affemblies. A recapitulation of our duty cannot be difagreeable to thofe who are acquainted with it; and to thole to whom it is not known, fhould any [uch be, it mult be- highly proper to recommend it.’
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
Strictly speaking, the Charge after Initia- tion ought to be delivered by the Master himseli,.and, of course, from the Master’s Chair.
If a Past Master delivers it, he should temporarily occupy the Master’s Chair for that purpose.
If the Master is unwilling to vacate his position, although delegating some of his duties, the next best thing is for the Past Master to deliver the Charge from the left of the Worshipful Master; and if a Warden or a brother of lesser degree be invited to deliver it, it should be recited from the left of the Worshipful Master. The Warden should not deliver it from his Pedestal, and the position of the Candidate at the left of the Senior Warden’s Pedestal should not be varied.
x x % * |
Any procedure by which the secrecy of the Ballot is or may be infringed is entirely irregular. Consequently a proposal—usually
made on the score of ‘saving time ’—that —
the ‘ Ballot shall vest in the Worshipful ‘Master ’ is quite out of order. Any public announcement by a Brother of how he intends to vote, or how he has voted, 354
Miscellaneous Matters
is an infringement of the secrecy of the ballot, and may entail the annulment of the proceedings.
If the Master, on inspecting the Ballot Box, has reason to believe that by some accident or carelessness the result of the ballot is not what was intended, he may, in his absolute discretion, order a Second Ballot to be taken then and there, warning the Brethren of the fatal consequences of a second mistake.
x * * *
A few words may not be out of place as to the Ethics of Balloting. Although the use of the black ball is provided for in the Con- stitutions, and although the. power of em- ploying it is one which it is essential to possess, and to Keep in reserve, it is a power which should only be employed in extreme cases. - There are other means of effecting the same object more masonically.
If there are serious reasons for objecting to the admission of a new Member, repre- sentation may be made, confidentially if need be (but, better, quite openly), to the Standing Committee, or, if that does not exist, to the Worshipful Master or Secretary. In this way opportunity may be given to
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
the Proposer to withdraw the name without the infliction of any indignity ss the Candidate.
Hundreds of reasons may be cdtidbhea sufficient reasons for ‘refusal of admission, without implying any refiection on the Candidate. Even personal dislike or poli- tical differences—though not very noble— can be understood and accepted as amply sufficient, as it is inadvisable to introduce into a Lodge any element likely to cause resignations or destroy the Love and Harmony which should characterize all Freemasons.
The Golden Rule is the unfailing Guide, and happy the Lodge whose Minutes record the passing of its Resolutions ‘ unani- mously ’ !
* * * *
There are various Rules and Regulations -as to voting in Lodge, according to the subject-matter of discussion.
Rule 130, Book of Constitutions, provides on the occasion of the ballot for the election of a Master for a bare majority of those present who vote—that is to say,.if there are any present who do not vote, their absten- tion from voting does not count against the Candidate for the Chair.
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Miscellaneous Matters
The same principle applies in the case ot the ballot for a Candidate for Initiation (see p. 179), the ballot for a Joining Member (p. 176), the ballot for the Treasurer (p. ror), and the show of hands for the Tyler (p. ror).
All the general questions which come before the Lodge are determined by show of hands and a bare majority (see p. 365). But for the removal of a Lodge a majority is required of two-thirds of those present who vote at a special meeting convened for the purpose (Const. 167).
In the case of a formal complaint by the Master against any of the Officers, Const. 140 provides that the matter shall be dealt with at a Regular Meeting, with seven days’ notice in writing to the Brother com- plained of (see p. I01I).
Nothing is said about the matter appear- ing in the Agenda of the Summons convening the meeting.
In this case a majority of the Brethren present is required, and it is apprehended that if there were any present who did not vote, their abstention from voting would be counted against the complaint.
In the case of a proposal to exclude a Member, Const. 210 provides that the
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power oi exclusion can only be exercised by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the Members present at a meeting appointed: for the consideration of the complaint of which the said Member shall have had due notice.
Nothing is said about giving notice to the other Members in the Summons convening the meeting, but it is assumed that such notice would be given.
In these circumstances, if there were any Brethren present who did not vote, their abstention from voting would count against the motion for exclusion.
Assuming, therefore, an attendance of, say, thirty-five, twenty-four would have to vote for the motion to entitle the Master to declare it carried.
The Second or Casting Vote of the Master in the Chair (p. 107) should (if necessitated) be judiciously exercised, and, generaily speaking, should be used to negative the proposal, and to preserve the status quo ante.
It is a counsel of perfection to suggest that motions should as far as possible be carried unanimously.
In every case, however, a ready acquies- cence in all votes and resolutions duly passed
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by a majority of the Brethren is pero from all good Masons. Ke * * *
A Resignation of Membership is effectual and irrevocable as soon as it is communi- cated to the Lodge; it may be withdrawn by the writer at any time before being so communicated. If a Brother intimates his resignation, and if it is desired to ask him to reconsider his intention. care should be taken not to read his letter to the Lodge until after his final decision has been ascertained.
On the other hand, the resignation, when so communicated to the Lodge, is effective from the date on which it is written, and not from the date on which it is communi- cated to the Lodge. It does not require ‘acceptance’; being complete without it.
On the Minutes it may be ‘recorded’ with regret.
Resignation takes effect, as above stated, whether dues are in arrear or not; but if any Member resigns without having complied with the By-laws of his Lodge, or with the general regulations of the Craft, he is not eligible to join another Lodge unless and until that Lodge has been made acquainted with his former neglect.
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
Any Lodge failing to make proper inquiry
is liable to pay the arrears due to the other |
Lodge.
When-a Member resigns, he may require a certificate stating the circumstances under which he left, and this must be produced to any Lodge he proposes to join.
In the case of a joining Member who has not resigned, a similar inquiry as to dues must be made, and a certificate procured from the other Lodge or Lodges that he is ‘in good standing.’
This certificate is commonly called a Certificate of Clearance.
* * * *
Occasionally it happens that a man wishes to become a Mason in circumstances which necessitate haste, and constitute what is known Masonically as an emergency.
If in the opinion of the Master the emer- gency be real, he may direct the Secretary to include the necessary particulars of the proposed Candidate in the Summons; and if the ballot be in his favour, he may be Initiated.
This procedure is known as the Fiat of the Worshipful Master. But in no case can a Candidate be initiated unless full particu-
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lars appear on the Summons, and at least seven days’ notice given * * * *
Although a brother has, so long as he con- tinues to be a subscribing member of a Lodge, an inalienable right to visit (if duly vouched) any Regular and Recognized Masonic Lodge without any invitation, and to remain during the whole time of the transaction of its masonic business (see “Landmarks,’ p. 68), there are occasions when it would be good taste to retire volun- tarily.
He has, for example, a complete right to hear the reading of the Minutes; and if the conduct of a member were under considera- tion with a view to his exclusion from the Lodge, the Visitor would have an undoubted tight to remain and to hear the discussion, cas the decision of such a matter would affect ‘the interests of the whole Craft. He is en- titled also to remain during the performance of any ceremony which his masonic rank may entitle him to witness.
On the other hand, discussions as to a Lodge’s finances (in which even Grand Lodge has no Jocus standt) are matters in which the presence of a visitor might be irksome, both
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to himself and the Lodge, and his temporary retirement would be a testimony to his Masonic good feeling.
This right to visit is, however, subject to the power of the Master to refuse admission to any visitor whose presence may disturb the harmony of the Lodge; or to any visitor of known bad character (Const. I51).
x * * *
An Inventory of the Furniture and other possessions of the Lodge should form an mtegral part of the annual Audit of the Accounts of the Lodge; and this opportunity should be taken to consider the question of repairs and renewals, thus keeping the Fur- niture and appointments of the Lodge in a state of efficiency.
Many—- perhaps most— Lodges content themselves at their Audit with a Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the year; but it is submitted that a Balance Sheet is a desirable form in which to exhibit the result of the year’s working and the present finan- cial position.
* * * *
When the Board vt Installed Masters is closed, the Master Masons, on re-entering the Lodge, do not salute until directed to do
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so by the Installing Master; but all Master Masons, Visitors as well as Members, should pass round and salute. If there are too many for comfort, perhaps Visitors might be seated after saluting as M.M.s.
On this subject Brother Henry Sadler, in his ‘ Notes on the Ceremony of Installation,’ says: “I will merely direct attention to another innovation, which, although of less moment, is, in my opinion, almost as objec- tionable. I allude to the practice now in vogue of visitors below the chair resuming their seats on their return to the Lodge after the Installation, and not performing the usual perambulations, etc. Certainly no such privilege was allowed in my early days, and I must confess that I fail to see any reason why visitors in particular should be exempt from the customary act of homage and respect paid to the new Presiding Officer. I can only account for the omission by the knowledge that at recent large gatherings of the fraternity, such as Conse- cration Meetings, the Director of Ceremonies has permitted the visitors to resume their seats—(I presume more as a matter of con- venience than for any other reason)—and hence the idea has got abroad that it is the
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right thing to do at all Installations. I know many old Masons who feel rather strongly on this point, and the sooner we revert to the ancient custom the better it will be for those who, like myself, occasionally perform the ceremony of Installation, and do not believe in innovations, however trivial they may appear, and are sometimes under the necessity of insisting upon visitors taking their places in the ranks instead of acting the part of mere spectators of the proceedings.’ * * * *
Although, for the convenience of working the Programme of Business in the Lodges, it is permissible, after opening in the three Degrees, to ‘resume’ up and down (see p. 186), the Lodge should, at the conclusion of ceremonial work, always be resumed in the third Degree, and formally closed in each degree. Any other procedure is not only technically incorrect, but implies in- ability on the part of the Master and his Officers. The excuse of ‘ want of time’ is too thin.
2 * oo *
Tue Deacons’ Jewel is now, and has been since the Union, officially ‘a dove bearing an olive branch’; but ‘in the olden time
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Miscellaneous Matters
before then’. the ‘Athol’ or ‘ Antient’ Lodges used to employ a figure of Mercury. In some of the older Lodges this emblem is still retained upon the Deacons’ collars, presumably through a disinclination to dis- card such interesting evidences of antiquity.
*% * *% *
In certain circumstances, and on good cause shown, a Lodge may (with the ap- proval of the M.W. Grand Master) change its name (Const. 128), but not its number.
No provision is made in the Constitu- tions as to the voting necessary to achieve this result; but official requirements, in certain instances, have been—
(a) Notice of Motion, in open Lodge, at a Regular Meeting.
(0) Printed Notice, on Summons of such Regular Meeting.
(c) Bare majority of those present and voting.
(d) Printed Notice of Confirmation on Summons of next Regular Meeting.
(e) Bare majority at such meeting.
(f) Extracts of Minutes transmitted to Grand Secretary.
(g) Endorsement of Warrant, with subse-
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quent publication in the Transactions of © Grand Lodge. * * * *
When the accuracy of the Minutes has been confirmed, either in their original form or as amended, the Minute Book should be taken, by the Senior Deacon, to the Wor- shipful Master in order that it may be signed by him as a correct record.
In adjusting the Minute Book for signa- ture, the Senior Deacon should take care not to place it on the V.S.L.
In some Lodges the minutes are signed by the Wardens also.
* * * *
No excuse, except sickness or the pressing emergencies of public or private avocations, is available as a justification for failure to attend the duties of the Lodge (see p. 95).
Of course, if an Officer is unavoidably pre. vented from attending in his place, timely notice to the Worshipful Master, enabling the provision of a substitute, is the least which may be expected; and no doubt this intima- tion should be accompanied or followed by suitable explanation and apology for absence.
Ordinary members might very well accept it as incumbent on them also (though not
366
Miscellaneous Matters
perhaps so obligatory) to render similar courtesy to the Worshipful Master in the event of inability to obey the summons.
Such thoughtful manifestations of respect to the Chair are greatly appreciated and reci- procally bring their own reward.
» * * *
Brethren sould not be too ready to be- lieve the mere verbal assertion that Grand Lodge wills this, or disapproves of that; as such observations are often made in good faith, but with very imperfect knowledge. The truth or otherwise of such statements is to be discovered without much difficulty through the proper official channels, and in cases of grave doubt or difficulty no Brother need hesitate to make inquiry; he may be sure of a courteous reply, always presuming that the case is of importance. Perhaps we may say that the Secretary of a Lodge would in most cases be the best channel of communication for obtaining information as to all matters affecting the interests of a particular Lodge.
* * a 2
We may here mention briefly the mode of addressing any written communication to those in authority over us. No one would
367
Freemasonry and its Etiquette
‘be so presumptuous as to address H.R.H. the Grand Master, except in the form of a ‘petition, which would be forwarded to the ‘Grand Secretary. The heading of such a petition will be found in Article 119 of the Book of Constitutions. The Pro Grand Master is entitled to the prefix Most Wor- ‘shipful, in virtue of his Office as the im- mediate representative of the Grand Master. The Deputy-Grand Master, and all Pro- vincial and District Grand Masters, are entitled Right Worshipful. Deputy-Pro- vincial Grand Masters, and the higher ‘Officers of Grand Lodge, including the Grand Secretary and the Grand Registrar, are Very Worshipful. The Master of a Lodge, as every Freemason knows, is entitled Wor- shipful. Whether it be in oral or written addresses, the several titles should always be strictly observed. We venture, however, again to caution Brethren that all written communications to the higher authorities should always pass through the hands of the Grand, or Provincial, or District Grand Secretary; and, even then, that Brethren should not address those high Officers with- out good and sufficient reason. & % & * 268
Miscellaneous Matters
The following are the nineteen Lodges now entitled to recommend Grand Stewards:
I4. oy 2 26. 28. 29. 46. 58. 60. gl. 99-
197 259
.
. Grand Master’s «sales apg: . Antiquity oe .. Lime Imm. . Royal Somerset House and Inverness et (Cs)y. ere mia . St. George’s and Corner Stone, +1756. . Friendship AP me LGAs. . British a BE ail (op yk Tuscan (c.), 1722 Emulation (e)), 1723 Globe Be, Pati ik (5) Peak tg Ae Castle Lodge of Harmony (c.), 1725. Old King’s Arms (65); E725. St. Alban’s 40 (G:F 726" Old Union ():20735- Felicity Ae ee NOs Lay. Peaceand Harmony .. 1738. Regularity e, oe, (en eS Shakespeare .. Pd CA Fe ty Jerusalem ae sorte (ener.
Prince of Wales .. miele MGalige ROO
These Lodges are colloquially termed ‘Red Apron Lodges,’ from the red edging worn on the aprons by their members.
¢.=Centenary warrant. ¢ ‘Athol’ or ‘Ancient’ Lodge. 369