The Royal Arch. the Desire to Excel

spirit of the present age, and equally open to the THE ROYAL ARCH. objection s urged on Wednesday in support of the pro- BAND Chapter decided, at tbe Convocation on posal to reduce the qualifying period in individual G1 cases. In fact, now that alteration has been recog- ' Wednesday, to open the Arch degree to Master Masons of four weeks standing, instead of requiring nised as desirable, there is no knowing to what extent twelve months probation , as has hitherto been com- reformers will go in their efforts to reorganize and pulsory. As we said last week, the change has come popularise the Royal Arch. While they are about it as a great surprise to Eoyal Arch Companions they may as well thoroughly overhaul the whole ques- throughout the country—it is even fair to say that tion, with results which, we hope, will be perfectly hundreds of them are even now unaware of the altera- satisfactory to existing members, and productive of tion, which we most certainly regard, in our language the very best results. of last week, as really attacking the foundations of the Royal Arch. The speakers on Wednesday were by no means guarded in their remarks when they sought to show the desirability, even the necessity for the change, THE DESIRE TO EXCEL. which they regarded as compulsory in consequence of hPHE opinion has often been expressed in our pages the lack of interest displayed in the Arch, coupled that the Worshipful Master or other Officer in the with the very serious rivalry offered by the Mark and Lodge who performs his task to the best of his abilit y, more advanced Degrees, which attract nianv of the even though that does not allow him to nww ; • ; a active Master Masons before their enthusiasm has worker in the Craft , and can show that ho luis 1 An worn off , or their desire for new titles and Degrees ordinary pains to perfect himself in his duties, i as has been satisfied , while by the time they were eligible much deserving of praise and compliment as tin wore for the Royal Arch their ardour had cooled down, and fortunate member of the Order, who, bless;: ! wit they were no longer desirous of seeking further ad- natural gilts beyond the common , is able to smue ;n-: a vancement, or at least not in the direction afforded by brilliant orator or effective actor in tho cerenwwos an introduction into a Royal Arch Chapter. associated with the several degrees of Freemas w..:. We give a full report in another part of this issue There should be no attempts at compavi. of of the proceedings in Grand Chapter, so that there is working under such different conditions as h re- no need to refer to them fully here, but the general ferred to : we should rather recognise that no tw -n tone of the remarks would seem to imply that English can perform a task equally well, or impw m Royal Arch feeling, and according l Masonry is in a bad way, and requires audience with the same y. Ac¦ rigorous treatment to save it from disaster. We have we recognise the natural ability of tho one i . ¦; , no faith in the result of the efforts now put forward, which enables him to rise far and above his I ;: VAA ; and we believe they will bave no appreciable effect on we should also make allowance for the less iwlwrnt the Degree, so far as popularising it in this country exponent of the ritual, whose natural gift s are ot no is concerned. If the advisers of Grand Chapter particular merit, and who is perhaps best dismissed thought it desirable to make such a sweeping change as an ordinary individual. But we may attempt com- as has just been agreed to they should have gone parisons when we weigh the efforts of brethren in further, and considered the desirability of making the their desire to excel, and avail themselves to the fullest Royal Arch a portion of the third degree in fact as extent of the gifts which nature has been good enough well as in theory, by allowing every Lodge to confer it, to bestow upon them. Here there is ample food under certain regulations, and without the restrictions for reflection, and it is often possible to correctly which now cause it to be regarded as quite a separate guage the amount of desire for excellence which an and distinct affair. Grand Chapter has gone too far Officer displays in the discharge of his duties. If in in carrying out so important a change at a moment's such a case we find a Brother striving to the very notice, and not far enough if the views expressed on utmost of his power to perform the work of Free- Wednesday really represent the facts of the case, and masonry to the best of his ability, we should not spare show the position in which the Degree now stands in the praise which he is really entitled to receive, but if this country. We fully expect a much more lively on the other hand, carelessness or indifference is meeting three months hence, wiien the minutes of the shown, then condemnation should be freel y uttered , last Convocation will come forward for confirmation , and the provision of a better state of things should be and this radical change in the Constitutions of the urged on the offending member, for it must be Royal Arch has to be formally ratified. apparent to any who give one moment's consideration Having decided to admit Master Masons to the to the point, that a general display of indifference , as Royal Arch Degree at an interval of four weeks only, to the work of Freemasonry, would soon produce the it seems to us another innovation must speedily fol- most disastrous of consequences. low, the timo required to elapse before a Lodge can It is not very often that we meet with direct appl y for a Chapter warrant being contrary to the evidence of indifference on the part of Officers in our Lodges, but that such cases do occur must be as well privileges of the Order, simply because the chain of known to our readers as it is to ourselves, and we have evidence sent up to Grand Chapter as to their eligi- little hesitation in expressing disapproval of such con- bility lacked one connecting link, which a compliance duct. We have known cases where Officers m a Lodge with the rules of Masonry would have supplied. The have shown the grossest incapacity, not from lack of returns were faulty, and unless there was other ability on their part, bnt purely from indifference as evidence available to prove the regular advancement to the way in which their dut es were performed , and of these companions, they might find considerable diffi- although it may hardly be our place to direct such culty in securing a satisfactory reply to their petition. attention to offenders in this respect as to make it We have often written on this subject, in one or possible for them to be identified, we deem it the duty other of its many phases ; have even gone so far as to of every Mason to raise his voice against the display advocate the establishment of a Grand Recorder, whose of absolute indifference whenever or wherever he meets duty it should be to collect and collate general items it. We are induced to speak in this strain in conse- of Masonic history, or perhaps keep a duplicate quence of a conversation we overheard'at a recent meet- record of the work of each subordinate Lodge, but ing, when the working of a Lodge was being adversely such an appointment and the work attached to it is criticised, and regrets were freely expressed that the hardly likelv to find favour with the leaders of the leaders should manifest such apathy as to the general Craft , althongh we venture to think a competent man conduct of its affairs. They spoke of the leading would be able to provide much interesting and instruc- Officers as thoroughly good men of business, and yet tive matter from a faithful discharge of the duties of these allowed the affairs of their Lodge to be neglected, his appointment . As an alternative proposal it has and seemed themselves so indifferent as to the way in been suggested to us that Grand Lodge might officiallv which its work was carried out, as to call forth general ask subordinate Lodges to forward to headquarters expressions of surprise, and feelings of concern as to minute books, and other records of the past, so soon what might be in store for the Lodge in question. as they were ont of use in the different 'Lodges. If It might even be urged that in such a case a little such an invitation were issued, and responded to with inendly admonition would be a positive kindness, but anything approaching unanimity, the Craft would failing that we have taken upon ourselves to again touch have the very best of material available for reference upon the subject, hoping our remarks may, sooner or as to the doings of its component parts, and the several later, come under the notice of some of those who Lodges would feel that they could always refer to appear to be lacking in that desire to excel which must their old documents in case it was necessary to be felt, in order to make success certain. As Addison establish a connecting link in any particular chain, has tersely expressed it: instead of, as at present, leaving much of the record " 'Tis not in mortals to command success, of their past history to chance, or the hap-hazard But we'll do more ; we'll deserve it." preservation of their old records.

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