MASONIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 931, 3 January 1890, Page 7

MASONIC.

Having re-opened the Masonic cohimn in he Mail, under the supervision of a Master in the Craft, we shall be glad to receive from Secretaries of Lodges, and brethren generally, short reports of Lodge meetings and Masonic r vents of all kinds likely to be of interest to nem'oers of the craft. All correspondence for this column to be addressed to the Masonic 'Editor, New Zealand Mail. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Cycle (Greymouth).—The Festival of St. John in December. A. (Auckland). —Circulars were issued by the Central Exeoutive Committee in October last. Ask the Secretary of your branch of the Masonic Union for a copy. B. (Dunedin). —We cannot understand your line of argument. FAVOURS RECEIVED. London Freemason, Masonic Star (London), The Kneph (London), Rivista dflla Massoneria Italians (Rome), El Taller (Madrid), Voice of Masonry (Chicago), Liberal Freemason (New York), Sunday Times (New York), and Proceedings of the Grand Orient of Italy. 1889. Another year has just come to a close and the Craft in New Zealand has during 1889 displayed great energy. It has shown its decided disapproval of the present unsatisfactory system of divided Masonic jurisdiction, and by a considerable majority of Lodges has expressed the opinion that a change is highly desirable. Space will not permit us to give full particulars of what has taken place in connection with the Grand Lodge movement since the first meeting of the Wellington Branch of the Masonic Union in January of last year, but as things are at present it is highly probable that ere the close of 1890 the Grand Lodge will be established on a sound basis. We sincerely trust that this may be so, as our firm belief is that unless the amalgamation of the Three Constitutions takes place the Graft in this Colony will never extend its.usefuir.es3 or show worthy results. N IRREGULAR PROCEEDINGS. The surprising irregularities that are at times committed by Masters of Lodges may be gathered by three cases which occurred in the Punjab, India. In one instance the

ballot for a candidate was taken up affceb the ceremony of initiation had been performed. The excuse made was that the Master thought the ballot had been taken at a previous meeting, though the minutes made no reference to the fact. In another case a candidate was initiated with only three Masons present, the Master and two Master Masons. Considering that these were brethren of long standing and some repute, the fault was the more glaring. The third informality was that of a Lodge which had during the working divided itself into two Lodges, and worked as such in two different rooms. Some of the brethren had been told off by the Lodge to go into another room to confer one degree, while the regular Lodge worked another. >he fact that the second Lodge had no Warrant, and had not been formally constituted, nor was the degree given in the ‘ body’ of a Lodge—just, perfect, and regular, does not seem to have presented itself to the minds of those engaged in this unauthorised proceeding. THIN Iv IT OYER. ‘You are desired to attend the duties of the lodge,’ was an old form of invitation addressed to members in the notification of meetings. We have before us a circular adopted by Duke of York Lodge, No. 438, England, and used in 1807, which requests attendance in the manner specified. ‘To attend the duties of a lodge ’ is an expressive term. It suggests the purpose of a Masonic communication which includes duties as well as privileges. It is a duty to attend the lodge meeting, and then, being present with other brethren, plan and do for the best interests of the lodge and the Craft. How many have the feeling of such responsibility—that there is a call and obligation to attend the duties of the Lodge? . WHERE PEACE REIGNS. A brother who recently visited a lodge in Colorado states that almost every member attending the lodge carried a pistol, which was left on a shelf in the Tyler’s room. It is clear that * brotherly love ’ reigned there. OUR WORK. When a Freemason’s lodge is fully at work, If a Cowan should dare to draw near, He would meet with a welcome he fain would regret, And then promptly retire in fear. Though our actions are harmless, we secretly try All our plan aud designs to pursue ; A Master to guide, and instruct us, and prove All the workers united and true. Truth, Charity, Justice, are models that we Try to copy and mould by our skill : Great Hiram’s desigus are our well-spring of life. And our duty we strive to fulfil. After Labour, with Wisdom to guide us we stroll, Through rectitude’s path, to the road That leads to the temple where Friendship and Love, Peace and Concord take up their abode.