-
Articles/Ads
Article THE OEAND OFFICERS. ← Page 5 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Oeand Officers.
The Grand Sword Bearer is now almost the only office that we look upon as being generally given to the Craft ; and even this is more often made the reward of position or influence than of actual merit . All that we know about his duties is that he is to be fined ten and sixpence for not attending to them ; but it gives him past
rank , and that is a sufficient reason for the office being sought after . Of Assistant Grand Secretary we need say nothing , as , like the Grand Secretary , he stands in the categoiy of necessarily permanent officers , and , from what we hear , gives general satisfaction to the Brethren , as is evidenced by the resolution now standing on the agenda list of Grand Lodge for increasing his salary .
Grand Organist is one of those offices both useful and ornamental , though rather more of the latter than the former . It is at present worthily filled by Bro . Charles E . Horsley , a most talented musician and amiable man , though we cannot but think he was appointed rather too early after his initiation , having barely received his Master ' s Degree at the time . He has held the office only twelve months , and therefore we do not expect any alteration this year ; but we trust the Most Worshipful Grand Master will not forget
in due time that there are many other organists in the Order , and men of acknowledged talent , too ; and lest his lordship ' s advisers should not be acquainted with their names , we will mention just two . or three , being prepared with others when required . Thus , we should not object to see Bro . Austin , the present "Worshipful Master of No . 11 , have a turn ; we clo not think it would
be out of place if Bro . Kingsbury were remembered , or that Bro . Turle should not be altogether forgotten . "We now come to the last officer on our list—one of the most useful , therefore , as is the way of the world , the most neglected—the Grand Pursuivant . The duties of the Grand Pursuivant are really of some importance , as will be seen by a reference to page 39 of the Book of Constitutions , which says : —
" The Grand Pursuivant is to preside over the Brethren nominated to attend within the porch of the Grand Lodge . lie is at every meeting of the Grand Lodge to preserve order in the porch , and , Avith the assistance of the Brethren nominated to attend there , to see that none be admitted except those who are qualified , have their proper clothing and jewels , have signed their names to the accustomed papers , and are in all respects entitled to admission . " Now the Grand Pursuivant is the only Grand Officer proper ( for the Grand Stewards are mere cyphers , only allowed to be appointed
that they may have the honour ol spending irom dblo to & zo each in the entertainment of the Grand Officers and 1 brethren on occasion of the Grand hVstiva . 1 ) who , after going through his one , two , or three years of office , whichever it may be , is not allowed to take his scat by right on the dais as a Past Grand Officer . The office is comparatively new , there having been , we believe , only four Grand Pursuivants , Bros , liulc , Brcitling , George Elkington , and Jos . Smith who at present hold ? it . On their retirement from office the first two were
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Oeand Officers.
The Grand Sword Bearer is now almost the only office that we look upon as being generally given to the Craft ; and even this is more often made the reward of position or influence than of actual merit . All that we know about his duties is that he is to be fined ten and sixpence for not attending to them ; but it gives him past
rank , and that is a sufficient reason for the office being sought after . Of Assistant Grand Secretary we need say nothing , as , like the Grand Secretary , he stands in the categoiy of necessarily permanent officers , and , from what we hear , gives general satisfaction to the Brethren , as is evidenced by the resolution now standing on the agenda list of Grand Lodge for increasing his salary .
Grand Organist is one of those offices both useful and ornamental , though rather more of the latter than the former . It is at present worthily filled by Bro . Charles E . Horsley , a most talented musician and amiable man , though we cannot but think he was appointed rather too early after his initiation , having barely received his Master ' s Degree at the time . He has held the office only twelve months , and therefore we do not expect any alteration this year ; but we trust the Most Worshipful Grand Master will not forget
in due time that there are many other organists in the Order , and men of acknowledged talent , too ; and lest his lordship ' s advisers should not be acquainted with their names , we will mention just two . or three , being prepared with others when required . Thus , we should not object to see Bro . Austin , the present "Worshipful Master of No . 11 , have a turn ; we clo not think it would
be out of place if Bro . Kingsbury were remembered , or that Bro . Turle should not be altogether forgotten . "We now come to the last officer on our list—one of the most useful , therefore , as is the way of the world , the most neglected—the Grand Pursuivant . The duties of the Grand Pursuivant are really of some importance , as will be seen by a reference to page 39 of the Book of Constitutions , which says : —
" The Grand Pursuivant is to preside over the Brethren nominated to attend within the porch of the Grand Lodge . lie is at every meeting of the Grand Lodge to preserve order in the porch , and , Avith the assistance of the Brethren nominated to attend there , to see that none be admitted except those who are qualified , have their proper clothing and jewels , have signed their names to the accustomed papers , and are in all respects entitled to admission . " Now the Grand Pursuivant is the only Grand Officer proper ( for the Grand Stewards are mere cyphers , only allowed to be appointed
that they may have the honour ol spending irom dblo to & zo each in the entertainment of the Grand Officers and 1 brethren on occasion of the Grand hVstiva . 1 ) who , after going through his one , two , or three years of office , whichever it may be , is not allowed to take his scat by right on the dais as a Past Grand Officer . The office is comparatively new , there having been , we believe , only four Grand Pursuivants , Bros , liulc , Brcitling , George Elkington , and Jos . Smith who at present hold ? it . On their retirement from office the first two were