Masonic Reform.

elapse before a perfect system can be adopted for the guidance of the Masonic fraternity in Victoria . All Masons are agreed on the fact that a new Constitution is required in this colony . The Provincial Grand Master under the Irish Constitution

does not deny that fact , but states that he does not think the time has yet arrived when we are to be deemed worthy of self-Masonic legislation ; while other Masons think the time has arrived , but , on account of their colonial Masonic training will not join in any movement for the

establishment of a Victorian Masonic ruling power , because it might interfere with the action of the particular Constitution under whose banners they have enlisted ; others do not think any time opportune , because they hold office in one or other of the existing Constitutionsancl do not wish to deprive

, themselves of their rank . But to all such we say , act for the good of the general society ; and if you think it an error to maintain three separate rulingpowers to guide the members of our Craft , seek the best way to reform that error , and reform it , no matter how it may accord with your position

or your prejudice . We have brought under the consideration of our readers what we deemed the most important reform required in Victoria—that is , a reformation in our ruling powers . We stated then that we wished to consider this question in a conservative

spirit , and , in the same spirit , we will now point out the only modes in which that reform can be carried out . The error of having three rulingpowers must be apparent—each claiming supreme authority over the lodges under their jurisdiction . This error might be reformed if the head of the

three Constitutions agreed to the desirability of having only one Masonic ruler , as they could easily amalgamate their authority , and appoint , ivith the consent of their brethren , one of themselves to be the Provincial Grand Master under either of the Constitutions ; bat although this

plan would interfere but little Avith existing rights , ancl the reform would be complete , inasmuch as a unit } ' - of rule would be established , yet such unity would-be valueless , because the ruler ivould derive all his authority from a power existing at a distance from the colony . This leads us to consider the second error : '' The absence of the source of

power . " This has been felt for a long- time to be a most grievous error . How many important Masonic subjects are neglected for want of what we may term a Masonic Court ? Where are our benevolent asylums , and our orphan schools ? Are the Masons of Melbourne so poor that they cannot

erect a Masonic Hall ? or does the distance that intervenes between the motive power ancl the machine of Masonry destroy the effect ? We must not be understood to write thus in disrespect of either of the three brethren who hold the high and honourable positions of Provincial Grand Masters , because we believe that they are most

suited to fill their important offices , but we write of their office , which we believe to be one of the drawbacks to Masonry in this colony . They have power in name , but none in reality . They are perfectly powerless for good , yet if their own Masonic feelings did not preserve them from

arbitrary conduct they would be most powerful for evil . Ashort example will showthetruthof this statement . It does not follow because a brother is appointed by a Grand Master , that he is an old Mason , or a young one of quick apprehension , who has aptly learned from his elder and more experienced

brethren the rules laid down for the guidance of Masons in Masonry . No . He may be a most inexperienced brother , one who never ruled a lodge either as Master or Warden ,, and thus a most inexperienced brother may be appointed to rule and guide brethren of many years' standing , and of known -practical experience in the working

or Masonic Lodges . What may be the result ? The experienced Mason may , in the direction of his lodge , perform some duty as his knowledge directs him to do , ancl the inexperienced Provincial Grand Master may differ from him in opinion , and call on the Mason of experience to conform to

the ideas of the inexperienced Mason appointed by a Grand Master , and the inexperienced ruler may suspend the experienced Mason from all the right and privileges of Masonry , if he does not submit his mature judgment to the opinion expressed by one who can have no possible erudition

on the subject on which he is appointed to legislate . Now comes the gist of the second error . The suspended brother can appeal to the Grand Lodge under whose jurisdiction he has placed himself . But let us suppose that the notice of suspension has been issued this present clay . No mail will leave for England before the 26 th inst ., and it will be due in London the second week in

August . No meeting of the Grand Lodge will be held until September , and if the Grand Secretary will reply by the following post , the judgment of the Grand Lodge will not be received before the second week in November—the brother thus being for six months under suspension for an act that ,

supposing it even to be a breach of Masonic discipline , might have been sufficiently punished by either an admonition or a short period of suspension . Such a mode of ruling is a monstrous error . The ruler may be incorrect in his judgment , and the supposed offender may appealbut

yetwhe-, , ther innocent or guilty , the punishment is inflicted , because , the real ruling power resides at a distance of sixteen thousand miles . Therefore the amalgamation of the three existing Grand Lodges ( as we have heard suggested by several brethren ) would not meet the requirements of the

colony-, because the second error would still want reformation , and we should be still obliged to send a six months postal voyage to enable us to adjudicate on questions that we should be able to decide for ourselves in Victoria .