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¦ ^ ¦¦ - w .- - - - - - w _ w | g | k * - ___ a- * g * g-w s ™ SATUBDAY , 1 ST MAY 1897 .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do' not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . ' All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

MASONIC CLUBS OF INSTRUCTION .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHBONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Writing away from home , and without a copy of the Book of Constitutions near , I must rely upon memory forjfacts , but will promise to give chapter and verse for my statements in a future communication . My first letter respecting Divisional Grand Lodges for London has done something , at least , to justify my contention that more close supervision is required in London than at present exists .

It is not contended hy anyone that the Brethren who have founded "Masonic Clubs" of Instruction wish to do anything irregular , and that members of such clubs have " erred in ignorance " will be granted . I believe , however , that there is no excuse for such ignorance on the part of any member of our Fraternity . Upon initiation each novice is presented with a copy of the Book of Constitutions , which is commended to his serious perusal , so thafc he may learn the duties he owes to the Order . I must presume , in spite of his reference to that book , that " Clubist" has not seriously read it .

Now to prove my contention that Masonic Clubs are " irregular Lodges of Instruction . " In the first place , it will be granted that these are " Lodges of Instruction" without Warrants . As no Lodge can be held without permission of the Grand Lodge , or at least of the Grand Master , so no Lodge of Instruction can be held without permission from a regular Lodge . Such Lodge , granting permission , is responsible for the proper management and constitutional action of any Lodge ( or Lodges ) of Instruction meeting under its Warrant .

There is not , and cannot be , any difficulty in obtaining a Warrant , on the part of any duly qualified Brother , for his Lodge has power to grant permission . Why then are such Lodges held without permission , under a false name ? The answer naturally comes , that not being regularly held , there must be some reason for the irregularity . What is the reason ? Will "Clubist "tell us ?

Leaving this , tho legitimate ground , and the one on which the whole matter rests , I will refer " Clubist" to the " Ancient Charges " in the Book of Constitntions , which are read at installations . Of course if an Installed Master had attended such a Club he would have been far more culpable than an ordinary member , although every Brother should give careful attention to these Charges . One Charge . is against " Innovations " in Masonry .

Supposing , then , that it is not granted that such Clubs are Lodges of Instruction , we must suppose them to be " innovations , " which it is not in the power of any Brother either to make or to allow . On this ground they aro certainly irregular . " Clubist " asks " What is the particular section of the Book of Constitutions that applies to them ? " My answer to this is —No section .

These Clubs have arisen within the past few years , entirely through lack of proper supervision . The Grand Officers cannot give the close attention to the London Lodges that is absolutely necessary . No one is responsible , What is everybody's work is not done at all . The Board of General Purposes would deal with the matter if any case were reported , but no case has been forced under their notice .

Perhaps " Clubist" may ask me " What is wrong in such Clubs 1 " This I am unable to answer . I know of the existence of such meetings only from rumour . I have never been able to spare time to inquire into the matter . But I am certain that as no provision is made for them in the Book of Constitutions , there can be nothing regular in their existence . I must apologise to " Clubist" for not being able to quote page and section for my contentions , but shall be able to do so on a future occasion . Yours , & c , C . W .

THE PUEPLE .

To the Editor of the FREEMASOH ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHEF , —Tbe letter of "Clubist , " in your issue of 24 th April should come as an additional support to my contention that proper supervision of London is Masonically necessary .-Again the rumour that Brevet Grand Rank is to be given to certain Brethren has caused many inquiries of " Why is Bro . overlooked ? "

Correspondence.

There are working Masons in London who would have received the highest honours that their Provinces or Districts could have given them , if they had lived out of London . There is always much heart-burning in London when the list of Grand Officers is published . As a rule out of London it is a certainty that in due time hard work and merit will be recognised .

In round numbers there are 450 London Lodges . These could , with advantage to all concerned , be divided into nine Divisional Grand Lodges , each with fifty Lodges upon its roll . The Lodges that meet in the city would make Freemasons' Hall their headquarters , and although there would be several Divisional Grand Lodges that would meet there , the advantages to the Hall would out-number the disadvantages .

The two divisions in South London would find several suitable meeting places , and could perambulate , as do the Provincial Grand Lodges . The North London division would be similarly situated , as would that in West London . If necessary , the Woolwich Lodges could be amalgamated with those for East London .

It' would be out of place for me to suggest the position to be taken by any particular Lodge in the city , although there would be very little difficulty in making an adjustment . The question of names need not arise , as each Division could be numbered , and should any future subdivision be necessary , the nomenclature would be most simple . The " First London Division " would soon become familiar to all Masons .

Should this form of nomenclature be " too modern" for our ancient constitutionalists , any other could be adopted . As this matter has more than once been discussed , and as there is a wonderful unanimity among working Masons as to its advantages , while the " other side" has never been seriously advanced , I would suggest that when the next election to the Board of General Purposes takes place this should be a test question .

Seriously opposed as I am to canvassing in Grand Lodge , I think " a Ticket " could easily be obtained , pledged to carry this matter through , and that without raising any feeling or opposition . I shall be glad to get an expression of opinion from others as to the practicability of such a scheme , and shall be ready to bear my share of the burden , either financially or otherwise . Yours , & c , C . W .

Working Men And Freemasonry.

WORKING MEN AND FREEMASONRY .

fTnHE letter we reproduced last week from the" Weekly Times _ I _ and Echo " has been answered in that paper as follows : SIR , —Freemasonry is not suitable for working men . There are no benefits in the ordinary sense , although there are excellent Institutions connected with the Society , yet the advantages are conferred b y election and

not by right as in Friendly Societies . I recommend anyone not to think of joining the Fraternity unless he can afford to pay entrance fee , subscriptions and other expenses without receiving any pecuniary return . 0 . F . ALLEE Past Master and Secretary . Newport , Isle of Wight .

PRESENTATION TO BRO . J . GIFFORD . BRO . James Gifford has recently completed an exceptionall y useful and interesting Masonic career , extending over twenty-one years . Initiated in Lodge Fortitude , Plymouth , No . 105 , in the year 1876 , Bro . Gilford was appointed a junior Officer almost immediately , and became the J . W . and S . W . in 1881 and 1882 respectively . Bro . Gifford ' s ability as a senior officer secured for him in the following year the position of Master , having been

unanimously chosen by the Lodge . His installation in 1883 was attended by the then most prominent Freemasons in the Three Towns and district . At the expiration of his term of office Bro . Gifford successfully carried out the duties of Charity Steward . In the year 1884 Bro . Gifford , together with Bro . G . B . Barrett , succeeded in obtaining a warrant for the formation of Lodge St . George , No . 2025 , which was consecrated at the Town Hall , Stonehouse

on St . George's Day , 23 rd April . Bro . Gilford was then appointed its Secretary , from which office he has only just recently retired . It is a noteworthy fact that during Bro . Gifford ' s thirteen years connection with Lodge St . George every regular and occasional meeting has had the benefit of his presence . Bro . Gifford was also a founder of St . George ' s Mark Lodge and

Arch Chapter , and enjoys the following Provincial honours : —P P G D 0 Craft , P . P . G . Std . Br . Arch , and P . P . G . Reg . Mark . The local Masonic positions held by Bro . Gifford are : —Life Governor of the Devon Masonic Educational and Fortescue Annuity Funds , Vice-President of the Aged Widows Annuity Fund , and Secretary of the Western District Masonic Association .

In recognition of the services which he has rendered to Lodge St . George , Bro . Gifford was , on Tuesday , 27 th ult ., at the regular meeting , presented with a handsome gold watch , bearing the following inscription : —

Presented to W . BRO . J AMES GILFORD P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Founder and for thirteen years Secretary of the Lodge of St . George , No . 2025 , Plymouth , As a mark of appreciation and respect for the untiring zeal and exceptionally assiduous services rendered the Lodge by him . On behalf of tho Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren , James Harvey W . M . 27 th April 1897 .

Bro . J . Harvey , in making the presentation , remarked that tho zeal which Bro . Gifford had shown to Freemasonry generally , but more particularly to his Lodgo , could not be too highly commended . Bros . Geo . R . Barrett , C . G . Withell , and Jas . Gidley supported . Bro . Gifford suitably thanked the Brethren for their kindness .

The installation of Bro . F . M . H . Somervillc as W . M . of thc Lodge was then proceeded witb , and subsequently the Brethren adjourned to partake of the annual supper , which was excellently served 03 ' tho Club Steward . Bro . Somerville received hearty congratulations from all assembled around the festive bpard .