GR. LODGE SALOON, BALTIMORE, MAY 16, 1843. Resolved, That the interest of the Masonic Fraternity, and the good of mankind may be greatly promoted by the publication of a Periodical, devoted to FREEMASONRY. This Convention, therefore, cheerfully and earnestly recommend the "FREEMA- SONS' MONTHLY MAGAZINE," edited and published by Br. CHARLES W. MOORE, of Boston, Mass., as eminently useful and well deserving the generous PUBLISHED AT NO. 21 SCHOOL STREET, BOSTON. Two DOLLARS per annum, (in current bills,) IN ADVANCE. Any Brother residing in a town where no Agent has been appointed, can obtain the work through the Post Master; who is authorized, by a regulation of the General Post Office, to receive and forward his name and the amount of his subscription, free of postage. No subscribers received for a less term than one year.-And no order for the work, ex- cept from Agents, will be answered, unless accompanied by the amount of one year's subscrip All communications and letters must be addressed to the Editor; and, when not from Agents, must be post paid, or no attention will be given to them. Secretaries of Lodges are requested to act as Agents in receiving subscriptions and making remittances. The seventh copy will be allowed them for their services. TO-MORROW jostles TO-DAY off the stage, and itself becomes TO-DAY. Yesterday was. To-day is. Time presses onward. One year passes away: another, with its busy scenes and exciting incidents, hastens on to fill its place. Thus it is with man. Thus it is with all the events of human life. PROGRESS is a law of nature, essential to the perfectness of her own designs. It is through the operation of this law that all things are attained. The future becomes the present. That which was to be, is. And thus, dear reader, have you and I reached that not undesired period, when, in the regular course of events, we are called on to indite, and you to read, (if it so please you,) the "INTRODUCTION" to the third volume of this Magazine. During the last two years, we have been mutually laboring together to sustain and establish the work on a firm basis. Our labors have been attended with success. We have overcome the obstacles incident to new projects, and the Magazine has passed that period, when, of its healthful existence a doubt might rationally have been entertained. Like the rippling rill, it has been steadily gaining strength in its course; and, though yet but a thriving rivulet, we look forward, with undoubting confidence, to the time when it shall become a stream, broad, deep, and strong,― bearing on its bosom "good news from a far country," which shall be as "light from the East," dispelling the clouds of intellectual darkness,—or, as the warm and genial rays of the sun, causing the seeds of pure morality, charity and benevolence, to take deep root, to spring up, and "bear fruit a hundred fold." Our cause is a universal one. We labor for a universal Brotherhood. We repudiate, as dangerous to the best interests of our Fraternity, every sentiment approaching to sectarianism, politics, sectional predilections, or prejudices. These are "forbidden fruit." Death is in their taste. The Masonic bond of affection is not an "iron cestus, coercing within its cincture;" but the genial and simple wreath of manly dignity,-a wreath attainable by all, except by him who lacks the inner light to see its beauty,-who wants the sense to perceive and garner up its sweet ness. The home of Masonry is everywhere,-on the barren sands of Arabia, under the burning sun of Africa, and amid the frozen regions of Siberia. The temple in which she worships, has not been raised and adorned with its beautiful symmetrical proportions, by the individual exertions of any one country, or section of country. Its foundations were not laid in any prescribed religious creed, nor in any set form of political dogmas. It was a work in which They were laid in the moral and social wants of man; and the superstructure which has risen upon them, is broad as the earth, high as the heavens, enduring as time. The base of its column is BROTHERLY LOVE, its shaft RELIEF, its cap TRUTH. Such is the Institution and such are the principles, to the advocacy and general diffusion of which this Magazine is sacredly devoted. The degree of success and ability with which it discharges these important duties, is left to the decision of others. We may, however, without incurring the charge of egotism, be permitted to say, that it has attained to that rank, as a Masonic publication, to which it was our ambition to raise it. We do not offer any new pledges of improvement for the future. We cannot doubt, that with the present character of the work, our Brethren are satisfied. They have too often, as individuals, and in their associate capacity as Grand and subordinate Lodges, manifested their unqualified approbation, in this respect, to leave, a "Loop to hang a doubt on." Nor has this approbation been limited to our own country. Our Provincial and transatlantic Brethren have given to the work a generous and cordial reception, and spoken of it in terms equally complimentary and gratifying. For these, and many other fraternal kindnesses, we respectfully tender our acknowledgments. PREREQUISITE QUALIFICATIONS OF GRAND WARDENS. 3 PREREQUISITE QUALIFICATIONS OF GRAND WARDENS. In June last, we offered some remarks on the subject of the Past Master's Degree, and the election of Master Masons to the office of Grand Wardens. They were in reply to certain questions which had been in agitation before the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, and were communicated to us by our intelligent correspondent at Natchez, with the request that we would give our views on the subjects to which they referred. We have since received, from the same source, the following note: "Natchez, Aug. 18, 1843. "BR. MOORE,-I thank you for answering my questions in your June No., but you do not settle the whole difficulty. The Grand Lodge being composed of the Master and Wardens of subordinate Lodges, as well as Past Masters, has, as members, many who are only Master Masons; in the selection of officers, how will these Master Masons be able to distinguish the Past Masters from the Master Masons? They are qualified to vote without being qualified to be voted for! They are members without the ordinary privilege of membership, that of holding office. (1.) A Master Mason, can be elected to the office of Grand Master (for he can be qualified to preside after his election,) but cannot be elected to the office of Grand Warden! (2.) Suppose it should accidentally occur that none should be present in a Grand Lodge, except the Wardens of subordinate Lodges, who are only Master Masons, (and such a thing is possible though not probable,) who would vouch for the absent Past Master candidates? (3.) Year before the last, the Grand Lodge of the State of Mississippi decided, in accordance with all its previous practice, that a Master Mason could not hold the office of Warden, and the last year that he could. I have suggested the above inconsistencies and difficulties, for your consideration, without offering an opinion, as we look to the East for more light on the subject." * (1.) The ancient Constitution, quoted in the article referred to by our correspondent, expressly declares, that "no Brother can be a Grand Warden, until he has been Master of a Lodge." This would seem to set tle the question. The Constitution is the supreme law, and our duty clearly is, not to endeavor to warp its provisions to suit our own convenience, but to conform our measures to its requirements. Our correspondent says, the Grand Lodge is composed of the Masters and Wardens, as well as Past Masters, and asks how the Wardens are to distinguish the Past Masters? We answer :-1st. The Masters, being likewise Past Masters, can give them the necessary information. 2dly. If this be not satisfactory, they may require, (if the Grand Lodge sustain *Magazine vol. ii., page 227. |