CHAPTER XXxXI

LODGES OF RESEARCH
It is natural that so vast a subject as Free- masonry should induce a spirit of inquiry in those whose thoughts are not circum- scribed by the physical sapere of their Lodges.
Qur Masonry is to us what we make it. If we confine it to social enjoyment and mundane ambitions, it will yield these things abundantly, and give us the sweets and bitters associated with such matters. If, on the other hand, we enlarge the outlook, then the possibilities are infinitely greater, and we reap a correspondingly greater result.
Simple investigations into the origin of the Fraternity from the historical point of view are interesting if illusory. Speculation as to the more recondite spiritual meaning of our mysteries, and their association with the same mysteries of preceding ages, is an absorbing study; for we must surely realize
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that our researches are prompted by the same desires as prompted the researches of the ancient seekers after TRUTH.
The labours of our investigators have been limited by the paucity of record, and yet their industry has produced'so much that a lifetime would be insufficient to read it all.
And if we could read it and retain it, what more should we know of the Infinite and Eternal than our ancestors knew? Who can say ?
But it is a most satisfactory feature that the desire to know more is perennial, and this very proper inquisitiveness has gathered together some of our Brethren, who have encouraged themselves and others to form Lodges of Research, charged with the pleasurable duty of acquiring and dissemi- nating useful knowledge in all branches of Masonry.
Prominent among tnese is the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, which was estab- lished in 1884, to provide a centre and bond of union for Masonic students, and to imbue them witha love for Masonic research. Its membership is limited to forty, but it has an unlimited Correspondence Circle extending to all parts of the world. It meets as a Regulaz
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Lodge at Freemasons” Hall six times in the year. At every meeting an original paper is read, which is followed by discussion. Once a year an excursion is arranged.
The fee for the Correspondence Circle is 1os. 6d., and that entitles the subscriber to the Transactions ‘Ars Quatuor Corona- torum,’ published three times per annum.
The Lodge of Research, Leicester, was founded in 1892.
The Humber Lodge of Installed Masters was consecrated 1894.
' There are many other Lodges, Clubs, and Associations having objects similar to these, among which may be mentioned, Manchester Association for Masonic Research, Leeds Installed Masters’ Association, Masouic Veterans’ Association.
It is to be hoped that every Brother who reads these pages will become a member of at least one of them.
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