At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

At the sign of the Perfect Ashlar

The autumnal meeting of Grand Lodge is usually attended by more than the ordinary number of visitors from sister jurisdictions , principally those of the United States , and the last meeting was no exception to the rule . Brethren were present , we were informed , from New York , Ohio , Brazil , Canada , Egypt , and Australia , but we were only able to

obtain the names of V . W . Bro . Prime , P . Dist . Dep . G . M ., New York , and R . W . Bro . Frank Davies , P . Dep . G . M ., Victoria . Bro . Davies is the brother of the Grand Master of Tasmania , who will be remembered as a visitor to our Grand Lodge during the past year . Greatly as the methods of procedure vary in the different

Grand Lodges of the world , there is much that is common to all , and the visitor from other jurisdictions is usually made to feel at home under the banner of the mother Grand Lodge of the world . The meetings of the Grand Lodges in the United States are held annually , and the business to he transacted generally occupies the best part of a week . Voluminous

reports are presented from the different boards and committees , and the natural eloquence of the average American citizen gives rise to many speeches and prolonged debate . Certain it is that every detail of management and organisation is seriously and exhaustively dealt with , and the result is afterwards forthcoming in the Annual Report , usually a bulky volume bristling with statistical information and rulings and decisions on every conceivable question in connection with the Order .

The appeal case brought before Grand Lodge at its last meeting by the Grand Registrar dealt with the question of conferring the honorary degree of Past Master . In former days this practice was not at all uncommon , and we have reason to believe that under certain foreign jurisdictions it is still in vogue . The theory that the ceremony incidental to

the installation of the W . M . elect confers any rank is quite erroneous . No one can claim to be called a Past Master until he has actually served as W . M . in the chair of the lodge , and on his retirement from that position he becomes a Past Master . This is in accordance with common sense and the meaning of the words . To designate a brother a

Past Afaster who has never actually filled the chair and performed the duties of the office is an absurdity . The practice appears to have originated in the last century in a system of " passing the chair , " as preparatory to the Royal Arch , a practice now become obsolete . It is curious , however , to observe how such survivals linger in organisations like ours , long after they have any raison d ' etre .

Bro . Speth at the same meeting carried his resolution with regard to placing a copy of the minutes of the previous meeting in the hands of every brother attending Grand Lodge . The object , as stated by Bro . Speth , was to enable Grand Lodge , should the business be likel y to cause a long sitting , to dispense with the reading of the minutes . We apprehend

that the brethren will frequently find it convenient , in view of the " refreshment after labour , " which is now the rule , to accelerate its approach . The rule of the United Grand Lodge of England is distinguished b y " greater freedom and less responsibility , "

and the authorities , although strict in their resolve to preserve the ancient land-marks and to adhere to the Constitutions , are less concerned , and , we think , wisely so , with what may be considered the domestic procedure of private lodges . The circular issued b y Grand Lodge a short time since in

reference to the wearing of Masonic clothing in public , although intended to apply to London only , has evidentl y had its influence in the provinces . In places where the annual Provincial Grand Lodge has from time immemorial walked in procession to the church with a band of music and with all the trappings of Masonry exhibited , little or no change has taken place . It is a survival which , like other old world customs , dies hard , but Provincial Grand Masters are

less ready to grant dispensations for wearing Masonic clothing on occasions when Freemasonry is not the main object of the meeting . Bro . Frank Richardson ' s statement at the last meeting of Grand Lodge , that the question of additional

accommodation for our legislative assembly would soon have to be considered is of interest to all members and future members of Grand Lodge . The present arrangements have long been insufficient , although it is to be hoped that in any scheme of enlargement the acoustics of the Chamber will not be interfered with .

We do not propose to address a homily on the duty which every Mason owes to his lodge ; but at this , the commencement of the Masonic working year , it cannot be amiss to remind our brethren that while Freemasonry has its many and varied sources of pleasure and enjoyment , it has also its responsibilitiesand is kept together and maintained

, in its highest efficiency by the faithful performance of duty on the part of every unit which goes to make up the body corporate of the lodges . The charitable side of the organization is in the safe keeping of willing workers and generous and open-hearted givers . But there are demands on the brotherhood no less essential to the healthy life of

Freemasonry than those of charity , and these are the responsibility of members in regard to the admission of suitable candidates for its mysteries and privileges . It is not sufficient that such candidates should be of a social status which would render them fitting companions , but that evidence should be in every case forthcoming that they are in a

position to enter on and maintain the necessary expenditure " without injury to their family or connections . " Freemasonry , it should always be remembered , is not a benefit society , and should only be recruited from the ranks of those who can fairly be expected to confer benefits rather than to claim them .

A veteran Colonial Freemason has been removed from the scene of his labours . Bro . John Fenwick , P . G . D . of C , and for many years District Grand Secretary of Queensland , was a notable figure in Australian Freemasonry . He not only fulfilled the executive duties of his office with admirable skilland with a conscientious regard for the interests of the

, Craft in his district , but his personal influence for the good of Masonry , was exercised far beyond his own jurisdiction . His loss will be severely felt by the respected brother who has for nearly thirty years so ably filled the office of District Grand Master , and we tender to R . W . Bro . A . C . Gregory and the brethren our respectful sympathy in the loss they

have sustained . Bro . Fenwick also took considerable interest in the Mark Degree , and on the formation of Queensland into a District in 18 97 , under the rule of Bro . H . Courtenay Luck , became the Deputy Grand Master . So long ago as 1888 Bro .

Fenwick was given the past rank of Grand Overseer in recognition of his services to that section of the Masonic family .

Bro . H . Courtenay Luck has been appointed to succeed Bro . Fenwick as District Grand Secretary of Queensland , and no more fitting successor could have been selected . An enthusiastic Freemason , displaying unbounded energy in all his undertakings , whether Masonic or otherwise , he may be trusted to keep alive the loyal attachment which the

Queensland Masons have evinced for the Grand Lodge of England , and which has caused them to remain—alone of the Australian Districts—under its jurisdiction . Death has been busy in the ranks of the Grand Officers

during the last few months . Not long since the passing away of Bro . Richard Eve , Past Grand Treasurer , saddened the Masonic world . His vigorous personality at the meetings of United Grand Lodge , and his services to the Masonic Charities , more especially on the Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , will be long

remembered in the Craft . But a few weeks ago the deaths of Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., Prov . Grand Master of Durham , and the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Portarlington , Past Grand Warden , were chronicled .