As its members have received the ritual from their predecessors, so are they bound to transmit it, unchanged, in the slightest degree, to their successors.

In the Grand Lodge, alone, resides the power of enacting new regulations; but, even _it_ must be careful that, in every such regulation, the landmarks are preserved.

When, therefore, we hear young and inexperienced Masters speak of making improvements (as they arrogantly call them) upon the old lectures or ceremonies, we may be sure that such Masters either know nothing of the duties they owe to the craft, or are willfully forgetful of the solemn obligation which they have contracted.

Some may suppose that the ancient ritual of the Order is imperfect, and requires amendment.

One may think that the ceremonies are too simple, and wish to increase them; another, that they are too complicated, and desire to simplify them; one may be displeased with the antiquated language; another, with the character of the traditions; a third, with something else.